Lindsay Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year, which ended on August 31, 2023.

Key Highlights

Fourth Quarter:

• Revenue of $167.1 million and EPS of $1.74 led by strong irrigation results
• Strong growth in international irrigation revenues and record revenues in Brazil
• Record operating income and operating margin in irrigation segment

Full-Year:

• Record net earnings of $72.4 million and record EPS of $6.54
• Record revenue and operating income in Brazil
• Free cash flow generation reaches 139 percent of net earnings

“We are pleased to report strong performance in our fiscal fourth quarter and solid momentum as we head into fiscal 2024, driven by our irrigation business. Our strong quarterly performance reflected growth in international irrigation markets led by South America, and Brazil in particular where we achieved record fourth quarter revenue. Demand for irrigation equipment in North America remained steady in the fourth quarter, in line with our expectations. Record fourth quarter operating income and operating margin in irrigation is a testament to effective price management and operating performance, while also reflecting the impact of increasing geographic diversification through strategic growth in international markets,” said Randy Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Infrastructure results for the fourth quarter reflected the impact of Road Zipper System projects in the prior year that did not repeat, while Road Zipper System leasing revenue continued to show solid growth and partially offset the overall decrease in revenue."

Wood continued, "For the full year, I am pleased with our ability to deliver new records in net earnings and earnings per share, as our performance overcame softer revenues compared to last year's record levels. This record earnings and income performance was led by record full year operating income and operating margin in irrigation with gross margin expansion across the business. This improved operating performance, along with effective working capital management, resulted in free cash flow generation that exceeded our objective for the year. This performance demonstrated our ability to continue funding growth investments in innovation and other long-term shareholder value creation opportunities."

Fourth Quarter Summary

Consolidated Financial Summary		Fourth Quarter
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)		FY2023		FY2022		$ Change		% Change
Total revenues		$167.1		$190.2		($23.1)		(12%)
Operating income		$23.4		$27.8		($4.4)		(16%)
Operating margin		14.0%		14.6%
Net earnings		$19.2		$17.9		$1.3		7%
Earnings per share		$1.74		$1.62		$0.12		7%

Revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 were $167.1 million, a decrease of $23.1 million, or 12 percent, compared to revenues of $190.2 million in the prior year fourth quarter. Most of the decrease came from the infrastructure segment due to Road Zipper System projects in the prior year fourth quarter that did not repeat.

Operating income for the fourth quarter was $23.4 million, a decrease of $4.4 million, or 16 percent, compared to operating income of $27.8 million in the prior year fourth quarter. Operating margin was 14.0 percent of sales, compared to operating margin of 14.6 percent of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The impact of the decline in higher margin infrastructure revenue was substantially offset by improved gross profit and gross margin in irrigation. Operating expenses were comparable to the prior year fourth quarter.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $19.2 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $17.9 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, for the prior year fourth quarter. Net earnings improvement was supported by higher interest income and more favorable foreign currency transaction changes compared to the prior year fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter Segment Results

Irrigation Segment		Fourth Quarter
(dollars in millions)		FY 2023		FY 2022		$ Change		% Change
Revenues:
North America		$60.2		$80.1		($19.9)		(25%)
International		$83.4		$70.4		$13.0		18%
Total revenues		$143.6		$150.5		($6.9)		(5%)
Operating income		$29.8		$24.3		$5.5		23%
Operating margin		20.7%		16.1%

Irrigation segment revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 were $143.6 million, a decrease of $6.9 million, or 5 percent, compared to $150.5 million in the prior year fourth quarter. North America irrigation revenues of $60.2 million decreased $19.9 million, or 25 percent, compared to the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in revenues resulted primarily from lower unit sales volumes while average selling prices were comparable with the prior year fourth quarter. Unit sales volumes in the prior year fourth quarter reflected an exceptional level of storm damage replacement demand while unit sales volumes in the current year reflected more normal seasonal demand.

International irrigation revenues of $83.4 million increased $13.0 million, or 18 percent, compared to the prior year fourth quarter. The increase resulted primarily from increased sales volumes in Brazil, Argentina and the Middle East compared to the prior year fourth quarter. The current year fourth quarter also benefited from the favorable effects of foreign currency translation of approximately $1.3 million compared to the prior year fourth quarter.

Irrigation segment operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $29.8 million, an increase of $5.5 million, or 23 percent, compared to the prior year fourth quarter. Operating margin was 20.7 percent of sales, compared to 16.1 percent of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The increase in operating margin resulted from gross margin expansion driven by improved price realization and operating performance compared to the prior year fourth quarter.

Infrastructure Segment		Fourth Quarter
(dollars in millions)		FY 2023		FY 2022		$ Change		% Change
Total revenues		$23.5		$39.7		($16.2)		(41%)
Operating income		$3.1		$11.5		($8.3)		(73%)
Operating margin		13.3%		28.8%

Infrastructure segment revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 were $23.5 million, a decrease of $16.2 million, or 41 percent, compared to $39.7 million in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in revenues resulted primarily from lower Road Zipper System sales compared to the prior year fourth quarter. Notably, the prior year fourth quarter included a number of project sales that did not repeat in the current year fourth quarter. The impact of lower project sales was partially offset by growth in Road Zipper System lease revenue and higher sales of road safety products compared to the prior year fourth quarter.

Infrastructure segment operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $3.1 million, a decrease of $8.3 million, or 73 percent, compared to the prior year fourth quarter. Operating margin was 13.3 percent of sales, compared to 28.8 percent of sales in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease in operating income and margin resulted from lower revenues compared to the prior year fourth quarter and the resulting loss in fixed cost leverage.

Full Year Summary

Consolidated Financial Summary		Full Year
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)		FY2023		FY2022		$ Change		% Change
Total revenues		$674.1		$770.7		($96.7)		(13%)
Operating income		$102.2		$94.6		$7.5		8%
Operating margin		15.2%		12.3%
Net earnings		$72.4		$65.5		$6.9		11%
Earnings per share		$6.54		$5.94		$0.60		10%

Revenues for fiscal 2023 were $674.1 million, a decrease of $96.7 million, or 13 percent, compared to revenues of $770.7 million in the prior year. Irrigation revenues decreased $79.8 million due to farmers in North America deferring investment decisions, a higher level of storm damage replacement demand in the prior year and prior year sales in Egypt, Ukraine and Russia that did not repeat. Infrastructure revenues decreased $16.9 million, primarily due to lower Road Zipper System project sales compared to the prior year.

Operating income for fiscal 2023 was $102.2 million, an increase of $7.5 million, or 8 percent, compared to operating income of $94.6 million in the prior year. Operating margin was 15.2 percent of sales, compared to 12.3 percent of sales in the prior year. Operating margin improvement resulted primarily from gross margin expansion in irrigation, while gross margin in infrastructure was comparable to the prior year.

Net earnings for fiscal 2023 were $72.4 million, or $6.54 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $65.5 million, or $5.94 per diluted share, for the prior year. Net earnings improvement resulted largely from increased operating income and also benefited from higher interest income and more favorable foreign currency transaction changes compared to the prior year.

The backlog of unfilled orders as of August 31, 2023, was $78.7 million compared with $96.8 million on August 31, 2022. The irrigation and infrastructure backlogs are both lower compared to the prior year.

Outlook

Mr. Wood concluded, “Current commodity prices and U.S. net farm income projections, although lower compared to the marked strength seen a year ago, continue to support demand for irrigation equipment in North America. So far in our first quarter of fiscal 2024, we are seeing order levels running ahead of the prior year. We expect sales volume levels in developed international markets to remain robust, led by strong demand in Brazil, and we continue to see project opportunities in developing markets supported by continuing global concerns over food security and global grain supplies."

“We expect to see a more meaningful positive impact of increased U.S. infrastructure spending on our infrastructure business in fiscal 2024, particularly in Road Zipper System leasing and sales of road safety projects. We also continue to actively manage projects in our Road Zipper System sales funnel, however the timing of when these projects will be executed is difficult to predict.”

Fourth Quarter Conference Call

Lindsay’s fiscal 2023 fourth quarter investor conference call is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Interested investors may participate in the call by dialing [phone] in the U.S., or [phone] internationally, and requesting the Lindsay Corporation call. Additionally, the conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet and can be accessed via the investor relations section of the Company's Web site, www.lindsay.com. Replays of the conference call will remain on our Web site through the next quarterly earnings release. The Company will have a slide presentation available to augment management's formal presentation, which will also be accessible via the Company's Web site.

About the Company

Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN) is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology. Established in 1955, the company has been at the forefront of research and development of innovative solutions to meet the food, fuel, fiber and transportation needs of the world’s rapidly growing population. The Lindsay family of irrigation brands includes Zimmatic center pivot and lateral move agricultural irrigation systems, FieldNET and FieldWise remote irrigation management technology, FieldNET Advisor irrigation scheduling technology, and industrial IoT solutions. Also a global leader in the transportation industry, Lindsay Transportation Solutions manufactures equipment to improve road safety and keep traffic moving on the world’s roads, bridges and tunnels, through the Barrier Systems, Road Zipper and Snoline brands. For more information about Lindsay Corporation, visit www.lindsay.com.

Concerning Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results. You can find a discussion of many of these risks and uncertainties in the annual, quarterly and current reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations and planned financing of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” "expect," "outlook," "could," "may," "should," “will,” or similar expressions. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release.

LINDSAY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended August 31,										Years Ended August 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)			2023					2022					2023					2022
Operating revenues		$		167,131			$		190,196			$		674,084			$		770,743
Cost of operating revenues				114,615					133,079					461,069					571,565
Gross profit				52,516					57,117					213,015					199,178
Operating expenses:
Selling expense				9,109					9,850					36,201					33,920
General and administrative expense				15,175					14,922					56,412					55,470
Engineering and research expense				4,868					4,563					18,218					15,145
Total operating expenses				29,152					29,335					110,831					104,535
Operating income				23,364					27,782					102,184					94,643
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense				(893	)				(924	)				(3,788	)				(4,269	)
Interest income				1,238					166					2,783					622
Other expense, net				1,196					(3,392	)				(804	)				(3,128	)
Total other (expense) income				1,541					(4,150	)				(1,809	)				(6,775	)
Earnings before income taxes				24,905					23,632					100,375					87,868
Income tax expense				5,676					5,703					27,996					22,399
Net earnings		$		19,229			$		17,929			$		72,379			$		65,469
Earnings per share:
Basic		$		1.75			$		1.63			$		6.58			$		5.97
Diluted		$		1.74			$		1.62			$		6.54			$		5.94
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic				11,009					10,980					11,003					10,965
Diluted				11,059					11,063					11,062					11,031
Cash dividends declared per share		$		0.35			$		0.34			$		1.37			$		1.33

LINDSAY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OPERATING RESULTS
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended August 31,							Years Ended August 31,
(in thousands)			2023			2022			2023			2022
Operating revenues:
Irrigation:
North America		$	60,223		$	80,082		$	309,538		$	355,683
International			83,378			70,387			276,493			310,146
Irrigation total			143,601			150,469			586,031			665,829
Infrastructure			23,530			39,727			88,053			104,914
Total operating revenues		$	167,131		$	190,196		$	674,084		$	770,743
Operating income:
Irrigation		$	29,781		$	24,250		$	121,969		$	105,763
Infrastructure			3,120			11,459			12,067			18,328
Corporate			(9,537)			(7,927)			(31,852)			(29,448)
Total operating income		$	23,364		$	27,782		$	102,184		$	94,643

The Company manages its business activities in two reportable segments as follows:

Irrigation – This reporting segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems, as well as various innovative technology solutions such as GPS positioning and guidance, variable rate irrigation, remote irrigation management and scheduling technology, irrigation consulting and design and industrial IoT solutions.

Infrastructure – This reporting segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers, crash cushions and end terminals, and road marking and road safety equipment.

LINDSAY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)		August 31, 2023			August 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	160,755		$	105,048
Marketable securities			5,556			11,460
Receivables, net of allowance of $5,048 and $4,118, respectively			144,774			138,200
Inventories, net			155,932			193,776
Other current assets			20,467			28,617
Total current assets			487,484			477,101
Property, plant, and equipment, net			99,681			94,472
Intangible assets, net			27,719			18,208
Goodwill			83,121			67,130
Operating lease right-of-use assets			17,036			19,181
Deferred income tax assets			10,885			9,313
Other noncurrent assets			19,734			25,248
Total assets		$	745,660		$	710,653
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	44,278		$	60,036
Current portion of long-term debt			226			222
Other current liabilities			91,604			100,684
Total current liabilities			136,108			160,942
Pension benefits liabilities			4,382			4,892
Long-term debt			115,164			115,341
Operating lease liabilities			17,689			19,810
Deferred income tax liabilities			689			1,054
Other noncurrent liabilities			15,977			15,256
Total liabilities			290,009			317,295
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock			—			—
Common stock			19,094			19,063
Capital in excess of stated value			98,508			94,006
Retained earnings			636,297			579,000
Less treasury stock - at cost			(277,238)			(277,238)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			(21,010)			(21,473)
Total shareholders' equity			455,651			393,358
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	745,660		$	710,653

LINDSAY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
		Years Ended August 31,
($ in thousands)			2023					2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings		$		72,379			$		65,469
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization				19,282					20,178
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable				881					903
Deferred income taxes				—					(2,063	)
Share-based compensation expense				6,529					5,458
Foreign currency transaction loss				1,126					2,274
Other, net				1,569					695
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables				(4,926	)				(47,514	)
Inventories				40,954					(53,803	)
Other current assets				4,693					1,220
Accounts payable				(15,274	)				13,832
Other current liabilities				(9,135	)				186
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities				1,629					(3,787	)
Net cash provided by operating activities				119,707					3,048
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment				(18,775	)				(15,595	)
Purchases of marketable securities available-for-sale				(4,932	)				(18,468	)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities available-for-sale				10,982					25,968
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired				(30,842	)				—
Other investing activities, net				(3,850	)				(855	)
Net cash used in investing activities				(47,417	)				(8,950	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options				32					2,894
Common stock withheld for payroll tax obligations				(2,471	)				(1,181	)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan				444					412
Principal payments on long-term debt				(222	)				(218	)
Dividends paid				(15,082	)				(14,599	)
Net cash used in financing activities				(17,299	)				(12,692	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				716					(3,465	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents				55,707					(22,059	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				105,048					127,107
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$		160,755			$		105,048

 

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The Lindsay Stock at the time of publication of the news with a fall of -4,33 % to 101,6USD on Tradegate stock exchange (18. Oktober 2023, 22:26 Uhr).