Dec 31, 2022

A O Smith Q4 2022 Earnings Report

A. O. Smith reported a net loss but achieved record sales for the year, driven by pricing actions and boiler demand, offset by U.S. water heater destocking.

Key Takeaways

A. O. Smith reported a net loss for Q4 2022, with a significant decrease in net earnings compared to Q4 2021. However, the company achieved record sales for the full year 2022. The Q4 results were impacted by a non-cash pension settlement expense. The company introduces 2023 guidance with sales flat to 2022 and EPS between $3.15 and $3.45.

Net sales decreased by 6% year-over-year to $936.1 million.

Net loss was $(120.1) million, a decrease of 186% year-over-year.

Adjusted earnings decreased by 4% year-over-year to $131.6 million.

Adjusted EPS increased by 1% year-over-year to $0.86.

Total Revenue
$936M
Previous year: $996M
-6.0%
EPS
$0.86
Previous year: $0.87
-1.1%
Gross Profit
$349M
Previous year: $361M
-3.3%
Cash and Equivalents
$391M
Previous year: $443M
-11.8%
Free Cash Flow
$321M
Total Assets
$3.33B
Previous year: $3.47B
-4.1%

A O Smith

A O Smith

A O Smith Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

The company projects sales to be flat year-over-year, +/- 3%. Anticipates improved profitability as input costs moderate and expects full year EPS to be between $3.15 and $3.45, a 5% year-over-year increase at the mid-point.

Positive Outlook

  • Inventory adjustments in the wholesale residential market largely behind us.
  • Mindful of headwinds in new home construction, which remains in a deficit position.
  • Lifting of certain COVID-19-related restrictions is a positive step to an improved economic environment in China.
  • Strong balance sheet and free cash flow.
  • Focus on capital allocation priorities of organic growth, dividends, acquisitions, and share repurchases.

Challenges Ahead

  • Headwinds in new home construction.
  • Impacts from COVID-19-related restrictions on consumer demand in China.
  • Potential impacts from future acquisitions are excluded.
  • Assumes the COVID-19-related impacts in China improve in the second half of the year and do not significantly impact our operations or our employees, customers or suppliers.
  • Softening in U.S. residential water heater demand.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income