RBC Bearings Incorporated (NYSE: RBC, RBCP), a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision bearings, components and essential systems for the industrial, defense and aerospace industries, today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
First Quarter Financial Highlights
First quarter net sales of $387.1 million increased 9.3% over last year, Aerospace/Defense up 21.2% and Industrial up 4.7%.
Gross margin of 43.4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 39.9% for the same quarter last year. Up 400bps from adjusted gross margin for fiscal year 2022.
First quarter net income as a percentage of net sales of 12.9% vs 10.6% last year; Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales of 31.1% vs 28.4% last year.
Free cash flow of $55.1 million, net debt to TTM adjusted EBITDA reduced to 2.84.
GAAP diluted EPS of $1.52 and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.13.
'We are pleased with our first quarter results, as net sales increased 9.3% during the period,' said Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 'As anticipated, we see strong demand for products from the aerospace and defense marine sectors. Our aircraft customers' pursuit of even greater plane build rates has pushed RBC sales growth well into the double digits and our industrial sector experiences continuing benefit from healthy order rates for bearings servicing high-growth markets.'
First Quarter Results
Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 were $387.1 million, an increase of 9.3% from $354.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Net sales for our Industrial segment increased 4.7%, while net sales for our Aerospace/Defense segment increased 21.2%. Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $167.9 million compared to $141.2 million for the same period last year.
SG&A for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $64.7 million, an increase of $8.9 million from $55.8 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A was 16.7% for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 15.8% for the same period last year.
Other operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $18.2 million compared to $20.9 million for the same period last year. For the first quarter of fiscal 2024, other operating expenses included $17.5 million of amortization of intangible assets, $0.3 million of restructuring costs, and $0.4 million of other items. For the first quarter of fiscal 2023, other operating expenses included $17.3 million of amortization of intangible assets and $3.8 million of costs associated with the Dodge acquisition, partially offset by $0.2 million of other income.
Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $85.0 million compared to $64.5 million for the same period last year. Excluding approximately $0.3 million of restructuring costs associated with the closing of a plant located in California, adjusted operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $85.3 million; excluding approximately $3.8 million of acquisition costs associated with the Dodge acquisition, adjusted operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $68.3 million. Adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales was 22.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 19.3% for the same period last year.
Interest expense, net, was $20.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $15.8 million for the same period last year.
Income tax expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $14.0 million compared to $10.5 million for the same period last year. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was 21.9% compared to 21.8% for the same period last year.
Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $50.0 million compared to $37.4 million for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, net income was $67.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $57.5 million for the same period last year. Net income attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $44.3 million compared to $31.7 million for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, net income attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $61.9 million compared to $51.8 million for the same period last year.
Diluted EPS attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.52 compared to $1.09 for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, diluted EPS attributable to common stockholders was $2.13 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $1.79 for the same period last year.
Backlog as of July 1, 2023 was $641.1 million compared to $635.7 million as of July 2, 2022 and $663.8 million as of April 1, 2023. The $641.1 million backlog amount excludes $124.1 million of orders that we expect to fulfill beyond 12 months from July 1, 2023. The $635.7 million backlog amount excluded $67.0 million of orders that we expected to fulfill beyond 12 months from July 2, 2022. The $663.8 million backlog amount excludes $95.6 million of orders that we expect to fulfill beyond 12 months from April 1, 2023.
Outlook for the Second Quarter Fiscal 2024
The Company expects net sales to be approximately $380.0 million to $390.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to $369.2 million last year, a growth rate of 2.9% to 5.6%. Keep in mind our first and fourth quarters are historically our strongest as second and third quarter holidays reduce production days. We are on track to reach full year fiscal 2024 net sales of approximately $1.6 billion.
About RBC Bearings
RBC Bearings Incorporated is an international manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered precision bearings, components and essential systems. Founded in 1919, the Company is primarily focused on producing highly technical or regulated bearing products and components requiring sophisticated design, testing, and manufacturing capabilities for the diversified industrial, aerospace and defense markets. The Company is headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut.
Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release contain 'forward-looking statements.' All statements other than statements of historical fact are 'forward-looking statements' for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including the following: the section of this press release entitled 'Outlook'; any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items relating to the Company, any statement of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed future growth rates in the markets we serve; any statements of belief; any characterization of and the Company's ability to control contingent liabilities; anticipated trends in the Company's businesses and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words 'may,' 'would,' 'estimate,' 'intend,' 'continue,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' and other similar words. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to general economic conditions, geopolitical factors, future levels of aerospace/defense and industrial market activity, future financial performance, our debt level, the integration of the Dodge acquisition, market acceptance of new or enhanced versions of the Company's products, the pricing of raw materials, changes in the competitive environments in which the Company's businesses operate, the outcome of pending or future litigation and governmental proceedings and approvals, estimated legal costs, increases in interest rates, tax legislation and changes, our ability to meet our debt obligations, the Company's ability to acquire and integrate complementary businesses, and risks and uncertainties listed or disclosed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risks identified under the heading 'Risk Factors' set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Robert Sullivan
Tel: 203-267-5014
Email: Rsullivan@rbcbearings.com
RBC BEARINGS INCORPORATED 
