Graco Reports Record Quarterly Sales and Operating Earnings

Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

• Sales for the quarter increased 2 percent. Strong growth in the Process segment more than offset a decrease in the Contractor segment.
• Gross profit margin rate for the quarter was more than 3 percentage points higher than the comparable period last year due to realized pricing and favorable product and channel mix.
• Operating expenses for the quarter increased 12 percent and increased 2 percentage points as a percentage of sales.

"Graco achieved record quarterly sales and operating earnings driven by strong results in both the Process and Industrial segments," said Mark Sheahan, Graco's President and CEO. "These segments experienced growth for the quarter in most major product categories and reportable regions with the exception of continued softness in Asia Pacific. Contractor performance was mixed, with declines in the home center and pro paint channels partially offset by new product introductions and growth in the pavement, protective coatings and spray foam product categories."

Consolidated Results

Net sales for the quarter increased 2 percent from the comparable period last year (3 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales increased 2 percent in the Americas and 7 percent in EMEA (5 percent at consistent translation rates), and decreased 4 percent in Asia Pacific (sales were flat at consistent translation rates). Year- to-date sales increased 4 percent from the comparable period last year (6 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales increased 7 percent in the Americas and 5 percent in EMEA (6 percent at consistent translation rates), and decreased 5 percent in Asia Pacific (1 percent at consistent translation rates). Changes in currency translation rates decreased worldwide sales by $3 million for the quarter and $14 million for the year to date.

Gross profit margin rates for the quarter and year to date increased approximately 3 percentage points from the comparable periods last year. Strong price realization and favorable product and channel mix more than offset higher product costs.

Operating expenses for the quarter increased $14 million (12 percent) from the comparable period last year. The increase includes $4 million of incremental share-based compensation and $3 million of increased spending related to product development and other growth initiatives. Operating expenses for the year to date increased $16 million (7 percent) from the comparable period last year. Volume and rate-related increases, higher product development spending and incremental share-based compensation accounted for most of the increase. Partially offsetting the year-to-date increase were $3 million of credit losses on customer receivables in Russia in the prior year that did not repeat and $2 million from favorable changes in currency translation rates.

The effective income tax rate was 16 percent for the quarter and 17 percent for the year to date, down 4 percentage points and 2 percentage points, respectively, from the comparable periods last year, primarily due to increases in excess tax benefits from stock option exercises.

Segment Results

Management assesses performance of segments by reference to operating earnings excluding unallocated corporate expenses. For a reconciliation of segment operating earnings to consolidated operating earnings, refer to the segment information table included in the financial statement section of this release. Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Contractor segment were as follows:

Slower economic activity in construction markets in the Americas and Asia Pacific drove Contractor segment sales down 4 percent for the quarter. For the year to date, favorable response to new product offerings and improved product availability were able to offset reduced demand. Operating margin rates for the quarter and year to date increased 1 percentage point and 3 percentage points, respectively, as price realization and favorable product and channel mix more than offset higher product costs and increased spending on product development and growth initiatives.

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Industrial segment were as follows:

Sales growth in the Americas and EMEA for the quarter and year to date was partially offset by weakness in Asia Pacific, where declines in finishing system sales and other project activity continued. The unfavorable effects of currency translation drove a 1 percentage point decrease in the operating margin rate for the quarter and year to date.

Components of net sales change by geographic region for the Process segment were as follows:

Double-digit sales growth continued in the Process segment for the quarter and year to date from the comparable periods last year. Sales growth for the quarter and year to date was particularly strong in the automatic lubrication, vehicle service and semiconductor product applications. The operating margin rate for this segment increased 6 percentage points for the quarter and 7 percentage points year to date from the comparable periods last year primarily due to price realization and expense leverage.

Outlook

"Incoming order rates are in line with our expectations," said Sheahan. "However, comparisons for the remainder of the year will be more difficult as a result of pricing actions implemented in the second half of last year. We are confirming our revenue outlook for the full year of low single-digit growth on an organic, constant currency basis."

Financial Results Adjusted for Comparability

Excluding the impacts of excess tax benefits from stock option exercises presents a more consistent basis for comparison of financial results. A calculation of the non-GAAP measurements of adjusted income taxes, effective income tax rates, net earnings and diluted earnings per share follows (in millions except per share amounts):