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ePlus Reports Second Quarter and First Half Financial Results

November 6, 2019 4:05 PM

--Achieved Double-digit Gross Profit Growth and Year-on-Year Gross Margin Expansion--

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2020

First Half Fiscal Year 2020

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ePlus inc. (NASDAQ: PLUS), a leading provider of technology and financing solutions, today announced financial results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2019.

Management Comment

“Second quarter results demonstrated the continuing benefits of our strategic focus on high growth areas of IT spending and the investments we have made to deliver complex solutions. Revenue growth of 19.3% for the quarter resulted primarily from capturing market share within our middle-market, enterprise, and international customer base, and new logo acquisition. Services revenue increased 35.1% and accounted for 11.7% of net sales. Sales of security products and services accounted for 20.1% of trailing twelve months adjusted gross billings, up 110 basis points year-on-year, and continue to represent a critical need for our entire customer base,” said Mark Marron, CEO and President of ePlus.

“Higher sales and a 20 basis point increase in gross margin helped drive a 20.5% increase in gross profit, and an 18.3% increase in non-GAAP diluted EPS.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the second quarter of the prior fiscal year ended September 30, 2018:

Consolidated net sales increased 19.3% to $411.6 million, from $345.0 million.

Technology segment net sales increased 18.8% to $397.7 million, from $334.8 million primarily from an increase in sales to customers in the telecom, media and entertainment industry. Service revenues increased 35.1% to $48.1 million, from $35.6 million due to increases across all our services offerings including professional and managed and staff augmentation.

Adjusted gross billings increased 19.2% to $579.1 million due, in part, to organic growth and the acquisitions of SLAIT Consulting, LLC in January 2019 and ABS Technology in August 2019.

Financing segment net sales increased 34.8% to $13.8 million, from $10.3 million, primarily due to an increase in transactional gains.

Consolidated gross profit increased 20.5% to $103.0 million, from $85.5 million. Consolidated gross margin increased to 25.0% from 24.8% last year, due to higher service revenues.

Operating expenses increased 22.5% to $74.7 million, from $60.9 million, primarily due to an increase in variable compensation and additional costs associated with the acquisitions and operations of SLAIT Consulting, LLC and ABS Technology.

Consolidated operating income increased 15.5% to $28.4 million.

Our effective tax rate for the current quarter was 29.1%, compared with 27.7% in the prior year quarter, due primarily to an increase in estimated permanent items.

Net earnings increased 11.6% to $20.1 million.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 18.5% to $35.4 million, from $29.9 million.

Diluted earnings per share was $1.51, compared with $1.33 in the prior year quarter. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.81, compared with $1.53 last year.

First Half Fiscal 2020 Results

For the six months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the six months of the prior fiscal year ended September 30, 2018:

Consolidated net sales increased 13.0% to $792.9 million, from $701.6 million.

Technology segment net sales increased 12.4% to $766.3 million, from $681.6 million. Service revenues increased 35.4% to $93.8 million, from $69.3 million.

Adjusted gross billings increased 16.5% to $1,127.4 million due, in part, to organic growth as well as the acquisitions of SLAIT Consulting, LLC in January 2019 and ABS Technology in August 2019.

Financing segment net sales increased 33.8% to $26.7 million, from $19.9 million, primarily due to an increase in transactional gains.

Consolidated gross profit increased 17.7% to $195.7 million, from $166.2 million. Consolidated gross margin improved 100 basis points to 24.7%, compared with 23.7% last year, due to a shift in mix towards third-party maintenance, software assurance, subscription/SaaS licenses, and services as well as higher service revenues.

Operating expenses increased 19.3% to $144.5 million, from $121.2 million, primarily due to an increase in variable compensation and additional costs associated with the acquisitions and operations of SLAIT Consulting, LLC and ABS Technology.

Consolidated operating income increased 13.5% to $51.1 million.

Our effective tax rate for the current period was 28.9%, compared with 26.8% in the prior year. The increase in the rate was primarily due to a decrease in the tax benefit on the vesting of restricted stock and an increase in estimated permanent items.

Net earnings increased 9.0% to $36.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.8% to $64.0 million, from $55.3 million.

Diluted earnings per share was $2.71, compared with $2.45 in the prior year period. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $3.26, compared with $2.81 last year.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2019, ePlus had cash and cash equivalents of $55.8 million, compared with $79.8 million as of March 31, 2019. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to investments in our financing portfolio, and share repurchases totaling $13.7 million. Total stockholders' equity was $450.3 million, compared with $424.3 million as of March 31, 2019. Total shares outstanding were 13.5 million and 13.6 million on September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, respectively.

Summary and Outlook

“Strong first half results affirm ePlus’ strategy of investing in solution areas most in-demand by our customers, and providing industry-leading consultative, advisory, and managed services. Our ability to provide transformative solutions such as cloud migration strategies, integrated cyber security programs and digital business transformation initiatives, along with our core cloud, security and digital infrastructure offerings, is resonating with our middle market, enterprise, and multi-national customers and allowing us to capture market-share.

“We continue to expand our footprint and service offerings by seeking acquisitions to complement our organic growth. In August we acquired ABS Technology, which expanded our position in the mid-Atlantic region, especially in the state, local, and education (SLED) market. With a strong balance sheet and proven track record, we expect to continue to invest organically and through acquisitions to support our future growth,” Mr. Marron concluded.

Recent Corporate Developments/Recognitions

Conference Call Information

ePlus will hold a conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET on November 6, 2019:

Date:

November 6, 2019

Time:

4:30 p.m. ET

Live Call:

(844) 603-5099, domestic, (825) 312-2246, international

Replay:

(800) 585-8367, domestic, (416) 621-4642, international

Passcode:

2376784 (live and replay)

Webcast:

http://www.eplus.com/investors (live and replay)

The replay of this webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call and be available through November 13, 2019.

About ePlus inc.

ePlus is a leading consultative technology solutions provider that helps customers imagine, implement, and achieve more from their technology. With the highest certifications from top technology partners and expertise in key technologies from data center to security, cloud, and collaboration, ePlus transforms IT from a cost center to a business enabler. Founded in 1990, ePlus has more than 1,500 associates serving a diverse set of customers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pac. The Company is headquartered at 13595 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA, 20171. For more information, visit www.eplus.com, call 888-482-1122, or email [email protected]. Connect with ePlus on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ePlusinc and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ePlus.

ePlus. Where Technology Means More®.

ePlus® and ePlus products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of ePlus inc. in the United States and/or other countries. OneCloud is a trademark of OneCloud Consulting, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Forward-looking statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements.” Actual and anticipated future results may vary materially due to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, national and international political instability fostering uncertainty and volatility in the global economy including exposure to fluctuation in foreign currency rates, interest rates and downward pressure on prices; reduction of vendor incentive programs; and restrictions on our access to capital necessary to fund our operations; our ability to successfully perform due diligence and integrate acquired businesses; disruptions or a security breach in our or our vendor’s IT systems and data and audio communication networks; the possibility of goodwill impairment charges in the future; significant adverse changes in, reductions in, or losses of relationships with one or more of our largest volume customers or vendors; the demand for and acceptance of, our products and services; our ability to adapt our services to meet changes in market developments; our ability to implement comprehensive plans for the integration of sales forces, cost containment, asset rationalization, systems integration and other key strategies; our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses; our ability to secure our own and our customers’ electronic and other confidential information and remain secure during a cyber-security attack; future growth rates in our core businesses; the impact of competition in our markets; our reliance on third parties to perform some of our service obligations to our customers; the possibility of defects in our products or catalog content data; our ability to adapt to changes in the IT industry and/or rapid changes in product offerings, including the proliferation of the cloud, infrastructure as a service and software as a service; our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment; maintaining and increasing advanced professional services by recruiting and retaining highly skilled, competent personnel and vendor certifications; and other risks or uncertainties detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and ePlus undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 30, 2019

March 31, 2019

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$55,832

$79,816

Accounts receivable—trade, net

355,178

299,899

Accounts receivable—other, net

38,613

41,328

Inventories

57,198

50,493

Financing receivables—net, current

108,646

63,767

Deferred costs

19,225

17,301

Other current assets

6,867

7,499

Total current assets

641,559

560,103

Financing receivables and operating leases—net

79,512

59,032

Property, equipment and other assets

35,304

17,328

Goodwill

118,097

110,807

Other intangible assets—net

39,794

38,928

TOTAL ASSETS

$914,266

$786,198

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$107,336

$86,801

Accounts payable—floor plan

129,668

116,083

Salaries and commissions payable

23,679

21,286

Deferred revenue

50,284

47,251

Recourse notes payable—current

-

28

Non-recourse notes payable—current

77,608

38,117

Other current liabilities

32,924

19,285

Total current liabilities

421,499

328,851

Non-recourse notes payable—long term

8,404

10,502

Deferred tax liability—net

4,927

4,915

Other liabilities

29,147

17,677

TOTAL LIABILITIES

463,977

361,945

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred stock, $.01 per share par value; 2,000 shares authorized; none outstanding

-

-

Common stock, $.01 per share par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 13,513 outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 13,611 outstanding at March 31, 2019

144

143

Additional paid-in capital

141,297

137,243

Treasury stock, at cost, 884 shares at September 30, 2019 and 693 shares at March 31, 2019

(67,691)

(53,999)

Retained earnings

377,423

341,137

Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment

(884)

(271)

Total Stockholders' Equity

450,289

424,253

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$914,266

$786,198

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net sales

Product

$363,497

$309,475

$699,098

$632,292

Services

48,068

35,568

93,839

69,283

Total

411,565

345,043

792,937

701,575

Cost of sales

Product

278,863

238,134

538,926

493,946

Services

29,671

21,409

58,341

41,426

Total

308,534

259,543

597,267

535,372

Gross profit

103,031

85,500

195,670

166,203

Selling, general, and administrative

70,523

57,705

136,310

114,671

Depreciation and amortization

3,557

2,741

7,020

5,531

Interest and financing costs

576

484

1,204

960

Operating expenses

74,656

60,930

144,534

121,162

Operating income

28,375

24,570

51,136

45,041

Other income (expense)

(40)

322

(85)

419

Earnings before taxes

28,335

24,892

51,051

45,460

Provision for income taxes

8,237

6,889

14,765

12,184

Net earnings

$20,098

$18,003

$36,286

$33,276

Net earnings per common share—basic

$1.51

$1.33

$2.72

$2.47

Net earnings per common share—diluted

$1.51

$1.33

$2.71

$2.45

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

13,312

13,494

13,334

13,464

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

13,350

13,586

13,408

13,597

Technology Segment

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Net sales

Product

$349,650

$299,200

16.9%

$672,414

$612,349

9.8%

Services

48,068

35,568

35.1%

93,839

69,283

35.4%

Total

397,718

334,768

18.8%

766,253

681,632

12.4%

Cost of sales

Product

276,475

236,404

17.0%

534,529

490,468

9.0%

Services

29,671

21,409

38.6%

58,341

41,426

40.8%

Total

306,146

257,813

18.7%

592,870

531,894

11.5%

Gross profit

91,572

76,955

19.0%

173,383

149,738

15.8%

Selling, general, and administrative

67,189

55,138

21.9%

129,856

109,592

18.5%

Depreciation and amortization

3,529

2,740

28.8%

6,936

5,529

25.4%

Operating expenses

70,718

57,878

22.2%

136,792

115,121

18.8%

Operating income

$20,854

$19,077

9.3%

$36,591

$34,617

5.7%

Adjusted gross billings

$579,084

$485,856

19.2%

$1,127,447

$968,157

16.5%

Adjusted EBITDA

$27,789

$24,284

14.4%

$49,208

$44,625

10.3%

Technology Segment Net Sales by Customer End Market

Twelve Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

% Change

Technology

22%

23%

(1%)

SLED

17%

17%

-

Telecom, Media, & Entertainment

16%

13%

3%

Healthcare

15%

15%

-

​Financial Services

14%

15%

(1%)

​All others

16%

17%

(1%)

Total

100%

100%

Financing Segment

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Net sales

$13,847

$10,275

34.8%

$26,684

$19,943

33.8%

Cost of sales

2,388

1,730

38.0%

4,397

3,478

26.4%

Gross profit

11,459

8,545

34.1%

22,287

16,465

35.4%

Selling, general, and administrative

3,334

2,567

29.9%

6,454

5,079

27.1%

Depreciation and amortization

28

1

2,700.0%

84

2

4,100.0%

Interest and financing costs

576

484

19.0%

1,204

960

25.4%

Operating expenses

3,938

3,052

29.0%

7,742

6,041

28.2%

Operating income

$7,521

$5,493

36.9%

$14,545

$10,424

39.5%

Adjusted EBITDA

$7,616

$5,596

36.1%

$14,764

$10,625

39.0%

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION

We included reconciliations below for the following non-GAAP information: (i) Adjusted Gross Billings, (ii) Adjusted EBITDA, (iii) Segment Adjusted EBITDA, (iv) non-GAAP Net Earnings and (v) non-GAAP Net Earnings per Common Share - Diluted.

We define adjusted gross billings as our technology segment net sales calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to exclude the costs incurred related to sales of third-party maintenance, software assurance and subscription/SaaS licenses, and services.

We define adjusted EBITDA as net earnings calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for the following: interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share based compensation, acquisition and integration expense, provision for income taxes, and other income (expense). Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for interest expense, share based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, and depreciation and amortization. We consider the interest on notes payable from our financing segment and depreciation expense presented within cost of sales, which includes depreciation on assets financed as operating leases, to be operating expenses.

Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per common share – diluted are based on net earnings calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to exclude other income (expense), share based compensation, and acquisition related amortization expense, and the related tax effects.

Our use of non-GAAP information as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate non-GAAP adjusted gross billings, adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per common share or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

(in thousands)

Technology segment net sales

$397,718

$334,768

$766,253

$681,632

Costs incurred related to sales of third-party maintenance, software assurance and subscription / SaaS licenses, and services

181,366

151,088

361,194

286,525

Adjusted gross billings

$579,084

$485,856

$1,127,447

$968,157

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

(in thousands)

Consolidated

Net earnings

$20,098

$18,003

$36,286

$33,276

Provision for income taxes

8,237

6,889

14,765

12,184

Depreciation and amortization [1]

3,557

2,741

7,020

5,531

Share based compensation

2,135

1,868

4,077

3,561

Acquisition and integration expense

1,338

701

1,739

1,117

Other (income) expense [2]

40

(322)

85

(419)

Adjusted EBITDA

$35,405

$29,880

$63,972

$55,250

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

(in thousands)

Technology Segment

Operating income

$20,854

$19,077

$36,591

$34,617

Depreciation and amortization [1]

3,529

2,740

6,936

5,529

Share based compensation

2,068

1,766

3,942

3,362

Acquisition and integration expense

1,338

701

1,739

1,117

Adjusted EBITDA

$27,789

$24,284

$49,208

$44,625

Financing Segment

Operating income

$7,521

$5,493

$14,545

$10,424

Depreciation and amortization [1]

28

1

84

2

Share based compensation

67

102

135

199

Adjusted EBITDA

$7,616

$5,596

$14,764

$10,625

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

(in thousands)

GAAP: Earnings before taxes

$28,335

$24,892

$51,051

$45,460

Share based compensation

2,135

1,868

4,077

3,561

Acquisition and integration expense

1,338

701

1,739

1,117

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

2,345

1,719

4,532

3,483

Other (income) expense [2]

40

(322)

85

(419)

Non-GAAP: Earnings before taxes

34,193

28,858

61,484

53,202

GAAP: Provision for income taxes

8,237

6,889

14,765

12,184

Share based compensation

624

525

1,183

1,008

Acquisition and integration expense

391

197

506

316

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

663

455

1,270

929

Other (income) expense [2]

12

(90)

25

(118)

Tax benefit on restricted stock

38

103

48

672

Non-GAAP: Provision for income taxes

9,965

8,079

17,797

14,991

Non-GAAP: Net earnings

$24,228

$20,779

$43,687

$38,211

Three Months Ended September 30,

Six Months Ended September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

GAAP: Net earnings per common share – diluted

$1.51

$1.33

$2.71

$2.45

Share based compensation

0.11

0.10

0.22

0.19

Acquisition and integration expense

0.07

0.04

0.09

0.06

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

0.12

0.09

0.24

0.19

Other (income) expense [2]

-

(0.02)

-

(0.03)

Tax benefit on restricted stock

-

(0.01)

-

(0.05)

Total non-GAAP adjustments – net of tax

$0.30

$0.20

$0.55

$0.36

Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share – diluted

$1.81

$1.53

$3.26

$2.81

[1] Amount consists of depreciation and amortization for assets used internally.

[2] Interest income and foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

[3] Amount consists of amortization of intangible assets from acquired businesses.

Kleyton Parkhurst, SVP

ePlus inc.

[email protected]

703-984-8150

Source: ePlus inc.

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