Lindsay Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Revenue growth in international irrigation markets, resilient demand in North America and gross margin expansion drive improved fourth quarter earnings performance

Record full year net earnings and earnings per share results driven by meaningful growth in operating income and operating margin expansion

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 (833) 535-2202 in the U.S., or (412) 902-6745 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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