News

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2019-- Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX), a leading provider of mechanical services including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, piping and controls, today announced net income of $25.2 million or $0.67 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $7.5 million or $0.20 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2017, adjusted for the remeasurement of net deferred tax assets for the corporate tax rate reduction of $9.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, were $0.45 per diluted share. The Company reported revenue of $588.4 million in the current quarter, as compared to $461.1 million in 2017. The Company reported free cash flow of $74.6 million in the current quarter, as compared to $30.3 million in 2017. Backlog as of December 31, 2018 was $1.17 billion as compared to $1.25 billion as of September 30, 2018 and $948.4 million as of December 31, 2017.

Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are happy to report record annual and fourth quarter free cash flow, revenue and earnings per share. Revenue increased by 28% since the fourth quarter of 2017, and quarterly earnings per share increased sharply over the same period. During the fourth quarter we had positive free cash flow of approximately $74.6 million, a result that reflects fantastic focus and execution by our field teams in each of the markets we serve.”

The Company reported net income of $112.9 million, or $3.00 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $55.3 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, in 2017. Earnings in the first quarter of 2018 included a $0.07 per diluted share increase due to a discrete tax item. Earnings in the second quarter of 2018 included an $0.08 per diluted share benefit from a legal settlement. Earnings in the first quarter of 2017 included a goodwill impairment of $0.02 per diluted share. Earnings per share for 2017, adjusted for the fourth quarter remeasurement of net deferred tax assets discussed above and the first quarter goodwill impairment, were $1.74 per diluted share. The Company also reported revenue of $2.18 billion, as compared to $1.79 billion in 2017. Free cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $121.6 million, as compared to $80.0 million in 2017.

Mr. Lane concluded, “Our operations achieved unprecedented success in 2018, with annual earnings per share growing by more than 60% from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, we benefited from favorable tax rate changes; however, our pre-tax income was also up markedly, increasing by 47.3% as a result of improving execution and strong same store growth. In light of our substantial increase in backlog compared to the end of 2017, and given our perception that industry conditions continue to be strong, we believe that we are well positioned for continued success in 2019.”

The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its financial results and position on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. The call-in number for this conference call is 1-888-339-2688, and enter 55116829 as the passcode. The call and the slide presentation to accompany the remarks can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.comfortsystemsusa.com under the Investor tab. A replay of the entire call will be available on the Company’s website on the next business day following the call.

Comfort Systems USA^® is a premier provider of business solutions addressing workplace comfort, with 128 locations in 114 cities around the nation. For more information, visit the Company’s website atwww.comfortsystemsusa.com.

Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could,” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historic in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) concerning future developments and their effect on the Company. While the Company’s management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it anticipates. All comments concerning the Company’s expectations for future revenue and operating results are based on the Company’s forecasts for its existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. The Company’s forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions that could cause actual future results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the use of incorrect estimates for bidding a fixed-price contract; undertaking contractual commitments that exceed the Company’s labor resources; failing to perform contractual obligations efficiently enough to maintain profitability; national or regional weakness in construction activity and economic conditions; financial difficulties affecting projects, vendors, customers, or subcontractors; the Company’s backlog failing to translate into actual revenue or profits; failure of third party subcontractors and suppliers to complete work as anticipated;difficulty in obtaining or increased costs associated with bonding and insurance; impairment to goodwill; errors in the Company’s percentage-of-completion method of accounting; the result of competition in the Company’s markets; the Company’s decentralized management structure; material failure to comply with varying state and local laws, regulations or requirements; debarment from bidding on or performing government contracts; shortages of labor and specialty building materials; retention of key management; seasonal fluctuations in the demand for mechanical systems; the imposition of past and future liability from environmental, safety, and health regulations including the inherent risk associated with self-insurance; adverse litigation results; an increase in our effective tax rate; an information technology failure or cyber security breach; and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause the Company’s results to differ from its projected results, please see its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

— Financial tables follow —

Supplemental Non-GAAP Information — Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) — (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

Note: The Company defines adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as net income, provision for income taxes, other expense (income), net, changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations, interest expense, net, gain on sale of assets, goodwill impairment and depreciation and amortization. Other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity’s financial results, and accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to operating income, net income, or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

Selected Cash Flow Data (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

Note: Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less customary capital expenditures, plus the proceeds from asset sales. Other companies may define free cash flow differently. Free cash flow is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, free cash flow is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity’s financial results, and accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to operating income, net income, or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190221005975/en/

Source: Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

William George
Chief Financial Officer
713-830-9650