Dana Incorporated announces strong financial results for 2017 and affirmed 2018 guidance.
Full-Year Highlights
- Sales of $7.2 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, growth of 24%
- Net income attributable to Dana of $111 million; diluted EPS of $0.71, inclusive of $186 million one-time, non-cash charge due to U.S. tax reform
- Adjusted EBITDA of $835 million, providing a margin of 11.6%, an expansion of 30 basis points
- Diluted adjusted EPS of $2.52, improvement of 30% over 2016
- Operating cash flow of $554 million
- Free cash flow of $161 million, 160% improvement over 2016, including $393 million of capital investment to support new business growth
- Strong sales backlog of $800 million, an increase of $50 million or 7% over prior three-year backlog
- Two-year total shareholder return of 137%
"Due to the talents, dedication, and hard work of the more than 30,000 Dana associates, 2017 proved to be a fantastic year as we delivered both organic and inorganic growth," says James Kamsickas, Dana President and Chief Executive Officer. "Every year since 2015, we increased adjusted EBITDA, and with appreciation and dividends, our shareholders have realized total returns of more than 130% during that time. By leveraging the key principles of our enterprise strategy, beginning with a keen focus on our great customers, we have established a strong foundation for our future success."
Fourth-Quarter 2017 Financial Results
Sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 totaled $1.84 billion, compared with $1.45 billion in the same period of 2016, representing a 27% increase. The increase was largely attributable to higher end-market demand in all business units, conversion of sales backlog, and favorable currency.
Dana reported a net loss of $104 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with net income of $485 million in the same period of 2016. Nonrecurring tax effects and divestitures of businesses impacted both periods. The fourth quarter of 2017 included a one-time, non-cash charge of $186 million due to enactment of the U.S. tax reform legislation on Dec. 22, 2017. This was partially offset by $27 million of state income tax valuation allowance release. A charge of $27 million for the disposition of a suspension parts business in Brazil also impacted fourth-quarter 2017 results. In the fourth quarter of 2016, a tax benefit of $501 million from the release of income tax valuation allowances against U.S. deferred tax assets was recognized. This benefit was offset in part by a $23 million net addition to income tax valuation allowances provided in other countries and an after-tax charge of $52 million for divestitures of businesses. Excluding these one-time income tax and divestiture impacts, fourth-quarter net income was $82 million in 2017 and $59 million in 2016, reflecting, in part, the increased operating earnings associated with higher sales.
Reported diluted earnings per share were a loss of $0.74 in the fourth quarter of 2017, inclusive of the charge for U.S. tax reform, compared with earnings per share of $3.34 in 2016 that included the benefit of the release of income tax valuation allowances.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $197 million, a $31 million increase over the same period last year. Last year's fourth quarter benefited from $8 million of gains in the Dana Companies subsidiary that was divested at the end of 2016. Profit in 2017 benefited from higher end-market demand and conversion of the sales backlog as well as earnings from acquisitions completed in the first quarter of 2017.
Diluted adjusted earnings per share, which excludes the above-mentioned nonrecurring income tax and divestiture effects along with other items, were $0.62 in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with $0.59 in the same period last year.
Operating cash flow in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $193 million, compared with $202 million in the same period of 2016. Inclusive of capital spending of $142 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, free cash flow was $51 million, $27 million lower, compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, due to the timing of interest payments, higher transaction costs associated with recent acquisitions, higher working capital requirements, and an increased level of capital spending to support new business.
Full-Year 2017 Financial Results
Sales for 2017 were $7.21 billion, $1.38 billion higher compared with 2016. Strong market demand and conversion of new business wins provided a combined organic increase in sales of approximately $800 million. Recent acquisitions increased sales by an additional $500 million.
Net income in 2017 was $111 million, compared with net income of $640 million in 2016. Excluding the fourth-quarter nonrecurring tax and divestiture items referenced above, net income was $297 million in 2017 and $214 million in 2016. The increase, exclusive of fourth-quarter nonrecurring items, is primarily attributable to increased operating earnings associated with higher sales. Year-over-year net income also benefited from lower restructuring and interest expense. Partially offsetting these impacts were a higher level of acquisition-related transaction and integration costs in 2017, as well as one-time gains in 2016 realized by a divested business.
Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 was $835 million, or 11.6% of sales, 30 basis points higher than 2016. Higher sales volume in all product groups and recent acquisitions added $143 million and $52 million respectively to the comparison, with an offset for $15 million of gains in 2016 associated with the divested Dana Companies subsidiary.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.71 for 2017, compared with $4.36 in 2016, primarily reflecting the nonrecurring tax expense in 2017, and nonrecurring tax benefit in 2016 discussed above. Diluted adjusted earnings per share for 2017 were $2.52, compared with $1.94 in 2016, a 30% increase, primarily reflecting the higher year-over-year earnings improvement.
The company reported operating cash flow of $554 million in 2017, an improvement of $170 million compared with 2016, driven by higher earnings. Investment requirements for new customer programs resulted in increased capital spending, with capital expenditures of $393 million in 2017, compared with $322 million in 2016. Resulting free cash flow was $161 million in 2017, compared with $62 million in 2016.
Company Affirms 2018 Guidance
Strong end-market demand and the new-business backlog are driving an expected 6% sales growth in 2018. Continued strong demand for key light-truck programs is expected into 2018, as is higher end-market demand for off-highway equipment and commercial vehicles. Increased sales from the new-business backlog are expected to add approximately $300 million, and improved end-market demand is expected to accrete $100 million.
Adjusted EBITDA in 2018 is expected to improve by approximately $100 million, or 70 basis points of margin improvement. This improvement is driven primarily by higher sales levels, ongoing efficiency improvements, and acquisition synergies.
"Our outstanding financial performance in 2017 – driven by organic and inorganic sales growth of 24% combined with strong profit margin, cash flow generation, and progressively higher 2018 expectations – has solidified our trajectory toward achieving our long-term targets," said Jonathan Collins, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Dana."
2018 Full-Year Financial Targets
- Sales of $7.5 to $7.7 billion;
- Adjusted EBITDA of $910 to $960 million, an implied adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 12.3%;
- Diluted adjusted EPS1 of $2.60 to $2.90;
- Operating cash flow of approximately 7.5% of sales;
- Capital spending of approximately 4.0% of sales; and
- Free cash flow of approximately 3.5% of sales.
Share Repurchase Program
Dana previously announced that its board of directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing the purchase of up to $100 million of common shares over the next 2 years. The company expects any shares repurchased to be in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions and expects to have sufficient free cash flow and liquidity during this period to support this initiative. Execution under this program is subject to prevailing market conditions, available growth opportunities, and other considerations.
