Comfort Systems USA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2024-- Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX) (the “Company”) today reported results for the quarter and annual period ended December 31, 2023.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, net income was $91.6 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, as compared to $55.4 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $1,357.6 million compared to $1,117.2 million in 2022. The Company reported operating cash flow of $173.0 million in the current quarter compared to $132.0 million in 2022.

Backlog as of December 31, 2023 was $5.16 billion as compared to $4.29 billion as of September 30, 2023 and $4.06 billion as of December 31, 2022. On a same-store basis, backlog increased from $4.06 billion as of December 31, 2022 to $4.98 billion as of December 31, 2023.

The Company reported net income of $323.4 million, or $9.01 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $245.9 million, or $6.82 per diluted share, in 2022. The Company also reported revenue of $5.21 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $4.14 billion in 2022. Operating cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $639.6 million, as compared to $301.5 million in 2022.

Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “2023 was a year of great execution by our people in markets across the country, as they achieved unprecedented growth, earnings, and cash flow. During the fourth quarter both our mechanical and electrical businesses grew and increased margins to drive our annual results to new heights. Construction finished an already strong year on an up note, with particularly notable profit and activity increases in our modular business. Service also achieved superb execution, continued growth, and improved profitability, as our service operations continue to benefit from ongoing investments. Cash flow for the quarter was an extraordinary $149 million, strongly up from last year, and we finished the year with over $550 million in free cash flow.”

Mr. Lane concluded, “Our backlog is up 27% from last year, with a year over year increase of roughly $1.1 billion, and most of that growth resulted from a same-store backlog surge in the just completed quarter. Underlying demand remains very supportive, and we are excited about the two new companies that joined us at the beginning of this month. As a result, we are optimistic that we will continue to grow and maintain our strong operational results in 2024.”

The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its financial results and position on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. To register for the call, please visit https://register.vevent.com/register/BI091e4855174e43ea90af68775601723f. Upon registering, participants will receive dial-in information and a unique PIN to join the call. 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 leading provider of commercial, industrial and institutional heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical contracting services, with 172 locations in 131 cities across the nation. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.comfortsystemsusa.com.

Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to applicable securities laws and regulations. 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, and the Company’s actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which the Company operates, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of our results or developments in subsequent periods. 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; rising inflation and fluctuations in interest rates; shortages of labor and specialty building materials or material increases to the cost thereof; the Company’s business being negatively affected by health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics (and related impacts, such as supply chain disruptions); 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 cost-to-cost input 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; retention of key management; seasonal fluctuations in the demand for mechanical and electrical 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; a material information technology failure or a material cyber security breach; risks associated with acquisitions, such as challenges to our ability to integrate those companies into our internal control environment; our ability to manage growth and geographically-dispersed operations; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; extreme weather conditions (such as storms, droughts, extreme heat or cold, wildfires and floods), including as a result of climate change, and any resulting regulations or restrictions related thereto; and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

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 because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

— Financial tables follow —




Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)

	Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,												December 31,
	(Unaudited)
	2023			%			2022			%			2023			%			2022			%
Revenue	$	1,357,566		100.0		%	$	1,117,188		100.0		%	$	5,206,760		100.0		%	$	4,140,364		100.0		%
Cost of services		1,077,881		79.4		%		905,940		81.1		%		4,216,251		81.0		%		3,398,756		82.1		%
Gross profit		279,685		20.6		%		211,248		18.9		%		990,509		19.0		%		741,608		17.9		%

SG&A		160,026		11.8		%		131,650		11.8		%		574,423		11.0		%		489,344		11.8		%
Gain on sale of assets		(619	)	—				(473	)	—				(2,302	)	—				(1,585	)	—
Operating income		120,278		8.9		%		80,071		7.2		%		418,388		8.0		%		253,849		6.1		%

Interest income (expense), net		650		—				(4,556	)	(0.4	)	%		(6,789	)	(0.1	)	%		(13,306	)	(0.3	)	%
Changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations		(9,400	)	(0.7	)	%		(5,349	)	(0.5	)	%		(23,607	)	(0.5	)	%		(4,819	)	(0.1	)	%
Other income, net		201		—				33		—				202		—				134		—
Income before income taxes		111,729		8.2		%		70,199		6.3		%		388,194		7.5		%		235,858		5.7		%

Provision (benefit) for income taxes		20,148						14,775						64,796						(10,089	)
Net income	$	91,581		6.7		%	$	55,424		5.0		%	$	323,398		6.2		%	$	245,947		5.9		%

Income per share
Basic	$	2.56					$	1.55					$	9.03					$	6.84
Diluted	$	2.55					$	1.54					$	9.01					$	6.82

Shares used in computing income per share:
Basic		35,752						35,828						35,802						35,932
Diluted		35,852						35,948						35,895						36,046
Dividends per share	$	0.250					$	0.150					$	0.850					$	0.560





Supplemental Non-GAAP Information — (Unaudited) (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)

	Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2023		2022		2023			2022

Net income	$	91,581	$	55,424	$	323,398		$	245,947
Tax gains related to prior years		—		—		(10,761	)		(58,933	)
Tax-related SG&A costs, net of tax		—		—		1,063			3,685
Net income excluding tax gains	$	91,581	$	55,424	$	313,700		$	190,699

Diluted income per share	$	2.55	$	1.54	$	9.01		$	6.82
Tax gains related to prior years		—		—		(0.30	)		(1.64	)
Tax-related SG&A costs, net of tax		—		—		0.03			0.11
Diluted income per share excluding tax gains	$	2.55	$	1.54	$	8.74		$	5.29

Note: Net income excluding tax gains and diluted income per share excluding tax gains are presented because the Company believes they reflect the results of the core ongoing operations of the Company, and we believe they are responsive to frequent questions we receive from third parties. These amounts, however, are not considered primary measures of an entity’s financial results under generally accepted accounting principles, and accordingly, they should not be considered an alternative to operating results as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.





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

	Three Months Ended										Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,										December 31,
	2023			%		2022			%		2023			%		2022			%

Net income	$	91,581				$	55,424				$	323,398				$	245,947
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		20,148					14,775					64,796					(10,089	)
Other income, net		(201	)				(33	)				(202	)				(134	)
Changes in the fair value of contingent earn-out obligations		9,400					5,349					23,607					4,819
Interest expense (income), net		(650	)				4,556					6,789					13,306
Gain on sale of assets		(619	)				(473	)				(2,302	)				(1,585	)
Tax-related SG&A costs		—					—					1,345					4,665
Amortization		11,131					11,193					43,404					47,795
Depreciation		10,445					8,909					38,162					33,552
Adjusted EBITDA	$	141,235		10.4	%	$	99,700		8.9	%	$	498,997		9.6	%	$	338,276		8.2	%

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 (income), net, gain on sale of assets, goodwill impairment, other one-time expenses or gains 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.





Comfort Systems USA, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In Thousands)

	December 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022


Cash and cash equivalents	$	205,150	$	57,214
Billed accounts receivable, net		1,318,926		1,024,082
Unbilled accounts receivable, net		72,774		77,030
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net		28,084		27,211
Other current assets, net		286,166		122,134
Total current assets		1,911,100		1,307,671
Property and equipment, net		208,568		143,949
Goodwill		666,834		611,789
Identifiable intangible assets, net		280,397		273,901
Other noncurrent assets		238,680		260,168
Total assets	$	3,305,579	$	2,597,478

Current maturities of long-term debt	$	4,867	$	9,000
Accounts payable		419,962		337,385
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings and deferred revenue		909,538		548,293
Other current liabilities		386,838		276,124
Total current liabilities		1,721,205		1,170,802
Long-term debt		39,345		247,245
Other long-term liabilities		267,200		179,508
Total liabilities		2,027,750		1,597,555
Total stockholders’ equity		1,277,829		999,923
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,305,579	$	2,597,478





Selected Cash Flow Data (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2023			2022			2023			2022

Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	173,008		$	132,007		$	639,568		$	301,531
Investing activities	$	(73,883	)	$	(14,419	)	$	(193,008	)	$	(97,178	)
Financing activities	$	(31,598	)	$	(131,513	)	$	(298,624	)	$	(205,915	)

Free cash flow:
Cash from operating activities	$	173,008		$	132,007		$	639,568		$	301,531
Purchases of property and equipment		(25,264	)		(13,566	)		(94,838	)		(48,359	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		858			707			5,951			2,858
Free cash flow	$	148,602		$	119,148		$	550,681		$	256,030

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/20240222387807/en/

Julie Shaeff, Chief Accounting Officer
ir@comfortsystemsusa.com; 713-830-9687

Source: Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

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