Sensata Technologies Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial Results

SWINDON, United Kingdom, Feb. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sensata Technologies ST, a global industrial technology company and a leading provider of sensor-rich solutions that create insights for customers, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.

Operating results for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 are summarized below. These results include non-GAAP financial measures, each of which is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure later in this press release.

Revenue:

• Revenue was $846.7 million, a decrease of ($1.2) million, or (0.1%), compared to $847.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Revenue declined (0.8%) on an organic basis, which excludes the effects of the following:
  • Foreign currency exchange rates: (0.3%) change versus the prior year period.
  • Acquisitions and divestitures, net: 1.0% change versus the prior year period.

Operating income:

• Operating income was $120.7 million (14.3% of revenue), a decrease of ($41.6) million, or (26%), compared to $162.4 million (19.1% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Adjusted operating income was $192.5 million (22.7% of revenue), a decrease of ($17.6) million, or (8%), compared to $210.1 million (24.8% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Earnings per share:

• Earnings per share were $0.34, a decrease of (78%) compared to $1.54 per share in the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Adjusted earnings per share were $0.89, a decrease of (6%) compared to $0.95 per share in the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased Sensata's adjusted earnings per share by $0.01 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year period. The net effect of acquisitions and divestitures had a negligible effect on the company's adjusted earnings per share during the fourth quarter of 2019.

"We exceeded our revenue and EPS guidance in the fourth quarter as a result of strong secular growth and better than expected performance in China and our Industrial business," said Martha Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Sensata. "While our end-markets were weak throughout 2019, we continued to generate attractive content growth, outgrowing our automotive end-market by 490 basis points and outgrowing our HVOR end-market by 1190 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2019."

Jeffrey Cote, President & CEO-elect of Sensata added, "I am honored to be named as the next CEO of Sensata effective March 1st, and I am thrilled to lead such a talented group of individuals during this exciting time for our company. I appreciate the support that Martha, the senior management team and the board have provided me. I see a bright future ahead for Sensata and I am eager to help drive the company forward and capture strategic opportunities in megatrends and continue to diversify our business."

He added, "As we look ahead to 2020, our strong base of new business wins will enable us to sustain the attractive end-market outgrowth that we have generated over the past several years. We expect to maintain our industry-leading margin profile while continuing to invest in attractive long-term growth opportunities, such as our Smart & Connected initiative for fleet management, which represents incremental content and a new potential customer base for Sensata."

During the fourth quarter of 2019, Sensata repurchased approximately 1.6 million ordinary shares for total consideration of $84.2 million as part of a previously announced share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2019, approximately $337.5 million remained available for future share repurchases.

Paul Vasington, Chief Financial Officer of Sensata added, "Our first quarter 2020 guidance includes our best estimate of the business impact related to the recent CoronaVirus outbreak, which is quickly changing and highly uncertain. Furthermore, it is very difficult to predict when the government imposed quarantines will end, when travel restrictions will be lifted, when our plants will be fully operational, and the ultimate impact on end-market demand. That said, we estimate for both the first quarter and full year 2020 guidance a $40 million revenue and $20 million operating profit negative impact in the first quarter with minimal recovery over the balance of the year. The profit decline reflects the normal impact from expected lost revenue as well as underutilized and stranded costs related to this sudden event. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we are doing everything possible to protect our employees and serve our customers."

Full Year Ended December 31, 2019

Operating results for the full year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the full year ended December 31, 2018 are summarized below. These results include non-GAAP financial measures, each of which is defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure later in this press release.

Revenue:

• Revenue was $3,450.6 million, a decrease of ($71.0) million, or (2.0%), compared to $3,521.6 million in the full year ended December 31, 2018.
• Revenue declined (1.1%) on an organic basis, which excludes the effects of the following:
  • Foreign currency exchange rates: (0.7%) change versus the prior year period.
  • Acquisitions and divestitures, net: (0.2%) change versus the prior year period.

Operating income:

• Operating income was $556.9 million (16.1% of revenue), a decrease of ($153.5) million, or (22%), compared to $710.4 million (20.2% of revenue) in the full year ended December 31, 2018.
• Adjusted operating income was $785.7 million (22.8% of revenue), a decrease of ($46.3) million, or (6%), compared to $832.0 million (23.6% of revenue) in the full year ended December 31, 2018.

Earnings per share:

• Earnings per share were $1.75, a decrease of (50%) compared to $3.53 per share in the full year ended December 31, 2018.
• Adjusted earnings per share were $3.56, a decrease of (2%) compared to $3.65 per share in the full year ended December 31, 2018.
• Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased Sensata's adjusted earnings per share by $0.15 in the full year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the prior year. The net effect of acquisitions and divestitures decreased Sensata's adjusted earnings per share by $0.11 in the full year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the prior year.

Sensata generated $619.6 million of operating cash flow in full year 2019, which was approximately flat with the previous year. The Company's free cash flow totaled $458.3 million in full year 2019 compared to $460.8 million in full year 2018.

Segment Performance

Performance Sensing reported a 26.1% operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, Performance Sensing's operating margin was 25.9%. Sensing Solutions reported a 31.9% operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, Sensing Solutions' operating margin was 32.0%.

Performance Sensing reported a 25.5% operating margin in the full year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, Performance Sensing's operating margin was 24.7%. Sensing Solutions reported a 32.2% operating margin in the full year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, Sensing Solutions' operating margin was 32.2%.

Guidance

Sensata expects that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will decrease revenues between $13 and $17 million and will decrease adjusted earnings per share by $0.03 - $0.04 for the full year 2020.

Sensata expects that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will decrease revenues $5 million and will decrease adjusted earnings per share by $0.01.

Conference Call and Webcast

Sensata will conduct a conference call today at 8:00 AM eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results and its outlook for the first quarter and full year 2020. The dial-in numbers for the call are 1-844-784-1726 or +1-412-380-7411. Callers should reference the "Sensata Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Earnings Call". A live webcast and a replay of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of Sensata's website at http://investors.sensata.com. Additionally, a replay of the call will be available until February 18, 2020. To access the replay dial 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 and enter confirmation code: 10138324.

About Sensata Technologies

Sensata Technologies is a leading industrial technology company that develops sensors, sensor-based solutions, including controllers and software, and other mission-critical products to create valuable business insights for customers and end users. For more than 100 years, Sensata has provided a wide range of customized, sensor-rich solutions that address complex engineering requirements to help customers solve difficult challenges in the automotive, heavy vehicle & off-road, industrial and aerospace industries. With more than 21,000 employees and operations in 11 countries, Sensata's solutions help to make products safer, cleaner and more efficient, more electrified, and more connected. For more information, please visit Sensata's website at www.sensata.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with certain non-GAAP financial measures. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to make operating and strategic decisions, including the preparation of our annual operating plan, evaluation of our overall business performance, and as a factor in determining compensation for certain employees. We believe presenting non-GAAP financial measures is useful for period-over-period comparisons of underlying business trends and our ongoing business performance. We also believe presenting these non-GAAP measures provides additional transparency into how management evaluates the business.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplemental in nature and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as, or comparable to, similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.

The non-GAAP financial measures referenced by Sensata in this release include: adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share ("EPS"), adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, free cash flow, organic revenue growth, and segment operating margin measured on a constant currency basis. We also refer to changes in certain non-GAAP measures, usually reported either as a percentage or number of basis points, between two periods and measured on either a reported, constant currency, or an organic basis, the latter of which excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures for the 12-month period following the respective transaction date(s) and the effect of foreign currency exchange rate differences between the comparative periods. Such changes are also considered non-GAAP measures.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding certain non-GAAP adjustments which are described in the accompanying reconciliation tables. Adjusted EPS is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the number of diluted weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding in the period. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding certain non-GAAP adjustments which are described in the accompanying reconciliation tables. Adjusted operating margin is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by net revenue. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, less additions to property, plant and equipment and capitalized software. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management as a measure of cash generated by business operations that will be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and can be used to fund acquisitions, repurchase ordinary shares, or for the accelerated repayment of debt obligations.

Organic revenue growth is defined as the reported percentage change in net revenue calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding the period-over-period impact of foreign exchange rate differences as well as the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures for the 12-month period following the respective transaction date(s). We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Safe Harbor Statement

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sensata believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results, or other expectations expressed in this earnings release, including, without limitation: risks associated with regulatory, legal, governmental, political, economic, and military matters; adverse conditions in the automotive industry; competition in our industry, including pressure from customers to reduce prices; supplier interruptions, which could limit access to manufactured components or raw materials; business disruptions due to natural disasters; labor disruptions; difficulties with or failures integrating acquired businesses; market acceptance of new products; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and our level of indebtedness. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made; and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other public filings and press releases. Copies of our filings are available from our Investor Relations department or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov.

Revenue by Business, Geography, and End-Market (Unaudited)

*    Includes amounts reflected in the Sensing Solutions segment as follows: $9.6 million and $11.6 million of revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

*    Contains revenue reflected in Sensing Solutions segment related to electrical protection products sold into automotive industry. Total impact from all geographies totals $42.4 million for full year 2019 and $50.0 million for full year 2018.

End-Market Growth (Unaudited)

*     Excludes Toyota, adjusted for Sensata's geographic mix.

The following unaudited tables reconcile Sensata's GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for the three month and full year periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Amounts presented in these tables may not sum due to the effect of rounding.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation - Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

*Includes $17.8 million of costs relating to exiting an unfavorable long-term supplier agreement

We treat deferred taxes as a non-GAAP adjustment. Accordingly, the tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments above refers only to the current tax effect, if applicable. With respect to the three months ended December 31, 2018, the current tax effect of the related non-GAAP adjustments was not material, individually or in the aggregate.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation - Full year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

*Includes $17.8 million of costs relating to exiting an unfavorable long-term supplier agreement

We treat deferred taxes as a non-GAAP adjustment. Accordingly, the tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments above refers only to the current tax effect, if applicable. With respect to the full year ended December 31, 2018, the current tax effect of the related non-GAAP adjustments was not material, individually or in the aggregate.

The following unaudited table identifies where in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations the adjustments to reconcile operating income and net income to adjusted operating income and adjusted net income were recorded for the three month and full year periods ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Cash Flow Reconciliation

Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow.

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata's projected (GAAP) diluted EPS per share to its projected adjusted EPS for the three months ending March 31, 2020 and the full year ending December 31, 2020. The amounts in the table below have been calculated based on unrounded numbers. Accordingly, certain amounts may not appear to recalculate due to the effect of rounding.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation of EPS Guidance

* We are unable to predict movements in commodity prices and, therefore, the impact of mark-to-market adjustments on our commodity forward contracts to our projected 2020 diluted net income per share. In prior periods, such adjustments have been significant to our reported GAAP earnings.