Belden Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Belden Inc. (NYSE: BDC) (the “Company”), a leading global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization solutions, today reported fiscal second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Revenues of $604 million, down 13% y/y and down 13% y/y organically
• GAAP EPS of $1.19, down 26% y/y
• Adjusted EPS of $1.51, down 21% y/y
• Closed acquisition of Precision Optical Technologies, Inc.

“Demand for the quarter was steady, with our team delivering second quarter revenues and EPS exceeding expectations,” said Ashish Chand, President and CEO of Belden. “In this dynamic environment where customers continue to work through inventory, our team executed well, delivering moderate sequential growth in orders for the third consecutive quarter. We continue to focus on enabling solutions across both segments by aligning on key secular trends in target verticals where data growth is high. Consistent with our capital allocation framework, during the quarter we closed on the acquisition of Precision Optical Technologies, Inc. With our expanded fiber portfolio, we look forward to delivering enhanced solutions to our customers.”

Second Quarter 2024

Revenues for the quarter totaled $604 million, decreasing $88 million, or 13%, compared to $692 million in the year-ago period. Driven primarily by lower market demand, revenues declined organically by 13%, with Industrial Automation Solutions down 13% and Enterprise Solutions down 14%. Net income was $49 million, compared to $69 million in the year-ago period. Net income as a percentage of revenues was 8.1%, compared to 9.9% in the year-ago period. EPS totaled $1.19 for the quarter, compared to $1.60 in the year-ago period.

Adjusted EBITDA was $99 million, down $24 million, or 19%, compared to $123 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.5%, down 130 bps, compared to 17.8% in the year-ago period. Adjusted EPS was $1.51, decreasing 21% compared to $1.91 in the year-ago period. Adjusted results are non-GAAP measures, and a non-GAAP reconciliation table is provided as an appendix to this release.

Outlook

“Our solutions are being embraced by customers and partners, as our teams continue to lean into our transformation,” said Dr. Chand. “Data growth and network upgrades create opportunities for us to solve customer problems, especially as reindustrialization accelerates. Our long-term growth opportunities are considerable, and our portfolio is well-positioned to succeed as the next investment cycle ramps up. I am confident in the ability of the Belden team to continue to transform our business, leverage our superior technology, and capitalize on growth opportunities in all market conditions as we continue to generate sustainable, long-term shareholder value.”

Order patterns remain steady across our markets as customers navigate this dynamic environment. Relative to the second quarter, end demand is expected to increase modestly with revenues up sequentially.

Assuming no significant changes to the current market environment, the table below provides guidance for the third quarter of 2024.

Third Quarter 2024:
	Guidance
Revenues (million)	$635 - $650
GAAP EPS	$1.00 - $1.10
Adjusted EPS	$1.55 - $1.65

Earnings Conference Call

Management will host a conference call today at 8:30 am ET to discuss the results. The listen-only audio of the conference call will be broadcast live via the Internet at https://investor.belden.com. The dial-in number for participants is 1-888-882-4478 with confirmation code 1133069. A replay of this conference call will remain accessible in the investor relations section of the Company’s website for a limited time.

Earnings per Share (EPS) and Organic Growth

All references to EPS within this earnings release refer to net income per diluted share attributable to Belden stockholders. Organic growth is calculated as the change in revenues excluding the impacts from currency exchange rates, copper prices, acquisitions, and divestitures.

BELDEN INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues	$	604,336		$	692,245		$	1,140,011		$	1,334,034
Cost of sales		(377,530	)		(430,917	)		(711,609	)		(826,601	)
Gross profit		226,806			261,328			428,402			507,433
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(119,497	)		(126,635	)		(230,265	)		(248,209	)
Research and development expenses		(28,457	)		(30,970	)		(55,456	)		(60,354	)
Amortization of intangibles		(9,940	)		(11,126	)		(20,749	)		(20,736	)
Operating income		68,912			92,597			121,932			178,134
Interest expense, net		(9,017	)		(8,812	)		(16,599	)		(17,013	)
Non-operating pension benefit		230			646			461			1,134
Income before taxes		60,125			84,431			105,794			162,255
Income tax expense		(11,091	)		(15,656	)		(19,451	)		(30,535	)
Net income		49,034			68,775			86,343			131,720
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(10	)		22			(14	)		(225	)
Net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$	49,044		$	68,753		$	86,357		$	131,945
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents:
Basic		40,690			42,497			40,838			42,663
Diluted		41,204			43,088			41,348			43,380
Basic income per share attributable to Belden stockholders	$	1.21		$	1.62		$	2.11		$	3.09
Diluted income per share attributable to Belden stockholders	$	1.19		$	1.60		$	2.09		$	3.04
Common stock dividends declared per share	$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.10		$	0.10

BELDEN INC.
OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
		Enterprise Solutions			Industrial Automation Solutions			Total Segments
	(In thousands, except percentages)
For the three months ended June 30, 2024
Segment Revenues		$	270,473		$	333,863		$	604,336
Segment EBITDA			31,456			67,737			99,193
Segment EBITDA margin			11.6	%		20.3	%		16.4	%
Depreciation expense			6,214			7,363			13,577
Amortization of intangibles			5,022			4,918			9,940
Amortization of software development intangible assets			—			2,464			2,464
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs			2,309			1,684			3,993
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures			—			298			298
For the three months ended July 2, 2023
Segment Revenues		$	312,529		$	379,716		$	692,245
Segment EBITDA			43,956			78,631			122,587
Segment EBITDA margin			14.1	%		20.7	%		17.7	%
Depreciation expense			6,193			6,489			12,682
Amortization of intangibles			6,208			4,918			11,126
Amortization of software development intangible assets			—			1,820			1,820
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs			1,669			2,390			4,059
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures			325			(76	)		249
For the six months ended June 30, 2024
Segment Revenues		$	504,562		$	635,449		$	1,140,011
Segment EBITDA			57,244			126,482			183,726
Segment EBITDA margin			11.3	%		19.9	%		16.1	%
Depreciation expense			12,519			14,523			27,042
Amortization of intangibles			10,741			10,008			20,749
Amortization of software development intangible assets			—			5,177			5,177
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs			3,899			4,306			8,205
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures			—			596			596
For the six months ended July 2, 2023
Segment Revenues		$	587,872		$	746,162		$	1,334,034
Segment EBITDA			81,161			152,418			233,579
Segment EBITDA margin			13.8	%		20.4	%		17.5	%
Depreciation expense			12,147			12,889			25,036
Amortization of intangibles			10,703			10,033			20,736
Amortization of software development intangible assets			—			3,272			3,272
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs			1,694			4,077			5,771
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures			325			222			547

BELDEN INC.
OPERATING SEGMENT RECONCILIATION TO CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
	(In thousands)
Total Segment and Consolidated Revenues	$	604,336		$	692,245		$	1,140,011		$	1,334,034
Total Segment EBITDA	$	99,193		$	122,587		$	183,726		$	233,579
Total non-operating pension benefit		230			646			461			1,134
Eliminations		(9	)		(54	)		(25	)		(83	)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (1)	$	99,414		$	123,179		$	184,162		$	234,630
Depreciation expense		(13,577	)		(12,682	)		(27,042	)		(25,036	)
Amortization of intangibles		(9,940	)		(11,126	)		(20,749	)		(20,736	)
Interest expense, net		(9,017	)		(8,812	)		(16,599	)		(17,013	)
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs		(3,993	)		(4,059	)		(8,205	)		(5,771	)
Amortization of software development intangible assets		(2,464	)		(1,820	)		(5,177	)		(3,272	)
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures		(298	)		(249	)		(596	)		(547	)
Income before taxes	$	60,125		$	84,431		$	105,794		$	162,255

(1)	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures for additional information.

BELDEN INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(Unaudited)
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	564,751		$	597,044
Receivables, net		396,850			413,806
Inventories, net		374,991			366,987
Other current assets		75,951			79,142
Total current assets		1,412,543			1,456,979
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation		460,949			451,069
Operating lease right-of-use assets		127,824			89,686
Goodwill		1,031,119			907,331
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		423,781			269,144
Deferred income taxes		16,318			15,739
Other long-lived assets		50,062			50,243
	$	3,522,596		$	3,240,191
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	260,857		$	343,215
Accrued liabilities		277,290			290,289
Payable to sellers of Precision Optical Technologies		291,508			—
Total current liabilities		829,655			633,504
Long-term debt		1,164,840			1,204,211
Postretirement benefits		70,250			74,573
Deferred income taxes		90,411			49,472
Long-term operating lease liabilities		110,148			74,941
Other long-term liabilities		37,415			37,188
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		503			503
Additional paid-in capital		823,205			818,663
Retained earnings		1,068,052			985,807
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(25,219	)		(41,279	)
Treasury stock		(646,695	)		(597,437	)
Total Belden stockholders’ equity		1,219,846			1,166,257
Noncontrolling interests		31			45
Total stockholders’ equity		1,219,877			1,166,302
	$	3,522,596		$	3,240,191

BELDEN INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	86,343		$	131,720
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		52,968			49,044
Share-based compensation		14,643			12,154
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of currency exchange rate changes, acquired businesses and disposals:
Receivables		30,880			(71,212	)
Inventories		204			10,347
Accounts payable		(90,025	)		(59,295	)
Accrued liabilities		(16,788	)		(22,855	)
Income taxes		2,097			5,204
Other assets		1,728			(4,197	)
Other liabilities		3,630			3,805
Net cash provided by operating activities		85,680			54,715
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(46,246	)		(32,729	)
Cash from (used for) business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		526			(97,585	)
Proceeds from disposal of tangible assets		60			9
Proceeds from disposal of businesses, net of cash sold		—			9,300
Net cash used for investing activities		(45,660	)		(121,005	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under share repurchase program		(57,865	)		(86,224	)
Withholding tax payments for share-based payment awards		(8,110	)		(16,940	)
Cash dividends paid		(4,119	)		(4,285	)
Payments under financing lease obligations		(455	)		(115	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		3,152			1,679
Net cash used for financing activities		(67,397	)		(105,885	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(4,916	)		(734	)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(32,293	)		(172,909	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		597,044			687,676
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	564,751		$	514,767

BELDEN INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we provide non-GAAP operating results adjusted for certain items, including: asset impairments; accelerated depreciation expense due to plant consolidation activities; purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, such as the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, and transaction costs; severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs; gains (losses) recognized on the disposal of businesses and assets; amortization of intangible assets; gains (losses) on debt extinguishment; certain gains (losses) from patent settlements; discontinued operations; and other costs. We adjust for the items listed above in all periods presented, unless the impact is clearly immaterial to our financial statements. When we calculate the tax effect of the adjustments, we include all current and deferred income tax expense commensurate with the adjusted measure of pre-tax profitability.

We utilize the adjusted results to review our ongoing operations without the effect of these adjustments and for comparison to budgeted operating results. We believe the adjusted results are useful to investors because they help them compare our results to previous periods and provide important insights into underlying trends in the business and how management oversees our business operations on a day-to-day basis. As an example, we adjust for acquisition-related expenses, such as amortization of intangibles and impacts of fair value adjustments because they generally are not related to the acquired business' core business performance. As an additional example, we exclude the costs of restructuring programs, which can occur from time to time for our current businesses and/or recently acquired businesses. We exclude the costs in calculating adjusted results to allow us and investors to evaluate the performance of the business based upon its expected ongoing operating structure. We believe the adjusted measures, accompanied by the disclosure of the costs of these programs, provides valuable insight.

Adjusted results should be considered only in conjunction with results reported according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
	(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)
GAAP and Adjusted Revenues	$	604,336		$	692,245		$	1,140,011		$	1,334,034
GAAP gross profit	$	226,806		$	261,328		$	428,402		$	507,433
Amortization of software development intangible assets		2,464			1,820			5,177			3,272
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs		1,299			259			2,586			488
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures		—			325			—			325
Adjusted gross profit	$	230,569		$	263,732		$	436,165		$	511,518
GAAP gross profit margin		37.5	%		37.8	%		37.6	%		38.0	%
Adjusted gross profit margin		38.2	%		38.1	%		38.3	%		38.3	%
GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses	$	(119,497	)	$	(126,635	)	$	(230,265	)	$	(248,209	)
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs		2,941			3,706			5,267			5,189
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures		298			(76	)		596			222
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses	$	(116,258	)	$	(123,005	)	$	(224,402	)	$	(242,798	)
GAAP research and development expenses	$	(28,457	)	$	(30,970	)	$	(55,456	)	$	(60,354	)
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs		(247	)		94			352			94
Adjusted research and development expenses	$	(28,704	)	$	(30,876	)	$	(55,104	)	$	(60,260	)
GAAP net income	$	49,034		$	68,775		$	86,343		$	131,720
Income tax expense		11,091			15,656			19,451			30,535
Interest expense, net		9,017			8,812			16,599			17,013
Total non-operating adjustments		20,108			24,468			36,050			47,548
Amortization of intangible assets		9,940			11,126			20,749			20,736
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs		3,993			4,059			8,205			5,771
Amortization of software development intangible assets		2,464			1,820			5,177			3,272
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures		298			249			596			547
Total operating income adjustments		16,695			17,254			34,727			30,326
Depreciation expense		13,577			12,682			27,042			25,036
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,414		$	123,179		$	184,162		$	234,630
GAAP net income margin		8.1	%		9.9	%		7.6	%		9.9	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin		16.5	%		17.8	%		16.2	%		17.6	%
GAAP net income	$	49,034		$	68,775		$	86,343		$	131,720
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(10	)		22			(14	)		(225	)
GAAP net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$	49,044		$	68,753		$	86,357		$	131,945
GAAP net income	$	49,034		$	68,775		$	86,343		$	131,720
Plus: Operating income adjustments from above		16,695			17,254			34,727			30,326
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(10	)		22			(14	)		(225	)
Less: Tax effect of adjustments above		3,541			3,638			7,610			6,520
Adjusted net income attributable to Belden stockholders	$	62,198		$	82,369		$	113,474		$	155,751
GAAP income per diluted share attributable to Belden stockholders	$	1.19		$	1.60		$	2.09		$	3.04
Adjusted income per diluted share attributable to Belden stockholders	$	1.51		$	1.91		$	2.74		$	3.59
GAAP and adjusted diluted weighted average shares		41,204			43,088			41,348			43,380

BELDEN INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
(Unaudited)

We define free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash from operating activities adjusted for capital expenditures net of the proceeds from the disposal of assets. We believe free cash flow provides useful information to investors regarding our ability to generate cash from business operations that is available for acquisitions and other investments, service of debt principal, dividends and share repurchases. We use free cash flow, as defined, as one financial measure to monitor and evaluate performance and liquidity. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered only in conjunction with financial measures reported according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our definition of free cash flow may differ from definitions used by other companies.

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
	(In thousands)
GAAP net cash provided by operating activities	$	82,959		$	86,587		$	85,680		$	54,715
Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from disposal of tangible assets		(21,996	)		(18,877	)		(46,186	)		(32,720	)
Non-GAAP free cash flow	$	60,963		$	67,710		$	39,494		$	21,995

BELDEN INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
2024 Guidance
	Three Months Ended
	September 29, 2024
GAAP income per diluted share attributable to Belden stockholders	$1.00 - $1.10
Amortization of intangible assets	0.32
Severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs	0.20
Adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures	0.03
Adjusted income per diluted share attributable to Belden stockholders	$1.55 - $1.65

Our guidance is based upon information currently available regarding events and conditions that will impact our future operating results. In particular, our results are subject to the factors listed under "Forward-Looking Statements" in this release. In addition, our actual results are likely to be impacted by other additional events for which information is not available, such as asset impairments, adjustments related to acquisitions and divestitures, severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs, gains (losses) recognized on the disposal of assets, gains (losses) on debt extinguishment, discontinued operations, and other gains (losses) related to events or conditions that are not yet known.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains, and any statements made by us concerning the subject matter of this release may contain, forward-looking statements, including our outlook for the third quarter of 2024 and beyond. Forward-looking statements also include any statements regarding future financial performance (including revenues, growth, expenses, earnings, margins, cash flows, dividends, capital expenditures and financial condition), plans and objectives, and related assumptions. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “guide,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by any forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including, without limitation: the impact of a challenging global economy, including the impact of inflation, or a downturn in served markets; volatility in credit and foreign exchange markets; the competitiveness of the global markets in which we operate; the inability of the Company to develop and introduce new products; competitive responses to our products; the inability to execute and realize the expected benefits from strategic initiatives (including revenue growth, cost control, and productivity improvement programs); difficulty in forecasting revenues due to the unpredictable timing of orders related to customer projects as well as the impacts of channel inventory; foreign and domestic political, economic and other uncertainties, including changes in currency exchange rates; the impact of disruptions in the global supply chain, including the inability to timely obtain raw materials and components in sufficient quantities on commercially reasonable terms; the inability to achieve our strategic priorities in emerging markets; the impact of changes in global tariffs and trade agreements; the presence of substitute products in the marketplace; disruptions in the Company’s information systems including due to cyber-attacks; inflation and changes in the price and availability of raw materials leading to higher input and labor costs; the possibility of future epidemics or pandemics; changes in tax laws and variability in the Company’s quarterly and annual effective tax rates; the increased prevalence of cloud computing; the inability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions, including the acquisition of Precision Optical Technologies, Inc., in furtherance of the Company’s strategic plan, as well as the inability to accurately forecast the financial impacts of acquisitions; the inability to retain key employees; disruption of, or changes in, the Company’s key distribution channels; the presence of activists proposing certain actions by the Company; perceived or actual product failures; the impact of regulatory requirements and other legal compliance issues; inability to satisfy the increasing expectations with respect to environmental, social and governance matters; assertions that the Company violates the intellectual property of others and the ownership of intellectual property by competitors and others that prevents the use of that intellectual property by the Company; risks related to the use of open source software; the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets and the resulting impact on financial performance; disruptions and increased costs attendant to collective bargaining groups and other labor matters; and other factors.

For a more complete discussion of risk factors, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024. Although the content of this release represents our best judgment as of the date of this report based on information currently available and reasonable assumptions, we give no assurances that the expectations will prove to be accurate. Deviations from the expectations may be material. For these reasons, Belden cautions readers to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Belden disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Belden

Belden Inc. delivers the infrastructure that makes the digital journey simpler, smarter and secure. We’re moving beyond connectivity, from what we make to what we make possible through a performance-driven portfolio, forward-thinking expertise and purpose-built solutions. With a legacy of quality and reliability spanning 120-plus years, we have a strong foundation to continue building the future. We are headquartered in St. Louis and have manufacturing capabilities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. For more information, visit us at www.belden.com; follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

BDC-Financial