American Woodmark Corporation Reports 7.9% Decline in Q1 Net Sales
American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD) reported its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2024.
The company posted net sales of $459.1 million, a 7.9% decrease from the same quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was $29.6 million, translating to a GAAP EPS of $1.89. Adjusted EBITDA stood at $62.9 million, representing 13.7% of net sales. Cash provided by operating activities was $40.8 million, while free cash flow amounted to $29.4 million. The company repurchased 271,460 shares for $24.0 million during the quarter.
Despite the decline in net sales, American Woodmark saw growth in the new construction market, which was offset by weaker demand in the remodel market. CEO Scott Culbreth noted the challenges faced due to macroeconomic factors but emphasized the company’s strategy to target share gains in all channels. The decrease in net income was attributed to lower sales and an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment on foreign currency hedging instruments.
However, these were partially offset by the end of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization and lower incentive compensation.
American Woodmark Corporation Falls Short of Expectations in Fiscal Q1
Comparing the current quarter’s performance against expectations, American Woodmark fell short of analyst predictions. The company reported a GAAP EPS of $1.89, significantly below the expected $2.4. Similarly, net sales of $459.1 million did not meet the anticipated $476.6 million.
This underperformance can be attributed to weaker-than-expected demand in the remodel market and a recent slowdown in new construction single-family starts. Despite these setbacks, the company managed to maintain a solid cash flow and continued its share repurchase program.
The company’s adjusted EBITDA of $62.9 million, although lower than last year’s $75.2 million, still reflects a strong operational performance given the challenging market conditions. The adjusted EBITDA margin decreased from 15.1% to 13.7%. The company also saw a decrease in gross profit from $109.6 million to $92.8 million, further highlighting the impact of reduced sales and increased costs. The balance sheet remains robust, with $89.3 million in cash and $322.9 million in additional availability under its revolving credit facility.
Guidance
Looking ahead, American Woodmark has provided guidance for fiscal 2025. The company expects a low single-digit decline in net sales year-over-year and projects adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $225 million to $245 million. CFO Paul Joachimczyk stated that the company remains committed to optimizing its platform expansion investments and operational improvements.
Despite the current market challenges, the company is well-positioned for when macro housing conditions improve. The guidance excludes certain income and expense items that are not part of underlying operations, making it difficult to provide a precise reconciliation to GAAP measures.
The company’s strategic focus remains on investing back into the business and returning value to shareholders through share repurchases. As of July 31, 2024, $65.4 million remained available for stock repurchase from the amounts authorized by the Board.
Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article.