Generac Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Strong end-market demand and execution drive 20% net sales growth for full-year 2018; Outlook for 2019 anticipates continued top line growth


WAUKESHA, Wis., Feb. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) (“Generac” or the “Company”), a leading global designer and manufacturer of power generation equipment and other engine powered products, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2018.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights

  • Net sales increased 14.3% to $563.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2018 as compared to $493.0 million in the prior-year fourth quarter. Core sales growth, which excludes both the impact of acquisitions and foreign currency, was approximately 12%.
  • Net income attributable to the Company during the fourth quarter was $75.6 million, or $1.20 per share, as compared to $80.9 million, or $1.29 per share, for the same period of 2017. The prior year quarter reflected $28.4 million of non-cash gains related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform Act”). 
  • Adjusted net income attributable to the Company, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $88.1 million, or $1.42 per share, as compared to $87.1 million, or $1.39 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Adjusted EBITDA before deducting for non-controlling interests, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $126.1 million, or 22.4% of net sales, as compared to $112.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, in the prior year.
  • Cash flow from operations was $108.2 million as compared to $136.7 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow, as defined in the accompanying reconciliation schedules, was $87.3 million as compared to $121.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The current-year quarter reflected increased working capital investment due to the strong organic growth, incremental inventory purchases ahead of expected tariff changes, and higher capital expenditure levels.

Full-Year 2018 Highlights

  • Net sales increased 20.5% to $2.023 billion during 2018 as compared to $1.679 billion in 2017, including $30.7 million of contribution from acquisitions. Total core sales growth for the year was approximately 19%.
  • Net income attributable to the Company during 2018 was $238.3 million, or $3.54 per share, as compared to $157.8 million, or $2.53 per share for 2017.
  • Adjusted net income attributable to the Company was $292.2 million, or $4.70 per share, as compared to $211.9 million, or $3.38 per share, in 2017.
  • Adjusted EBITDA before deducting for non-controlling interests for 2018 was $424.6 million, or 21.0% of net sales, as compared to $317.3 million, or 18.9% of net sales, last year.
  • Cash flow from operations was $247.2 million as compared to $257.3 million in the prior year. Free cash flow was $203.6 million as compared to $227.9 million in 2017. 

“Our strong fourth quarter results were an excellent finish to a record year for Generac in 2018 in terms of Net Sales and Adjusted EBITDA profitability,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Growing the company 20% for the year and surpassing $2 billion in revenue takes an enormous team effort and I couldn’t be prouder of our employees and their high level of execution in achieving these milestones while also continuing to provide great customer service. Using our strategy as our roadmap, we have more than tripled the revenues of the company and quadrupled the size of our served market over the last decade through our intense focus on developing the residential home standby generator category and our aggressive efforts to gain share in the mobile and stationary commercial and industrial markets that we now serve globally.”

Additional Fourth Quarter 2018 Consolidated Highlights

Residential product sales increased 10.3% to $293.9 million as compared to $266.6 million last year, despite the fact that the prior year quarter included the immediate impacts from an active hurricane season. Commercial & Industrial (“C&I”) product sales increased 17.5% to $223.2 million as compared to $189.9 million in the prior year, with core sales growth of approximately 15%.

Gross profit margin was 36.3% compared to 37.1% in the prior-year fourth quarter. Modestly favorable sales mix and pricing initiatives were more than offset by higher logistics and labor costs, as well as unfavorable commodity and currency fluctuations.

Operating expenses increased $7.9 million, or 9.0%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily driven by the higher sales volumes, an increase in employee costs including long-term incentive compensation, and recurring operating expenses from the Selmec acquisition. These items were partially offset by lower warranty and intangible amortization expenses.

Provision for income taxes for the current year quarter was $20.0 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.7%, as compared to $2.0 million, or a 2.4% effective tax rate, for the prior year. The prior year quarter included the impact of $28.4 million in non-cash gains primarily due to the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax liabilities associated with the enactment of the Tax Reform Act.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments, commonly known as the “new revenue recognition standard”. The full retrospective method was elected under this standard, which required application to all periods presented. As a result, the prior-year 2017 results have been restated accordingly. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In addition, upon finalizing our revenue recognition accounting under the new standard, we made certain immaterial prior quarter reclassifications to our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. There was no impact to income from operations or net income as a result of these prior quarter reclassifications. See accompanying Segment Reporting and Product Class Information schedule for more information.

Business Segment Results

Domestic Segment

Domestic segment sales increased 14.3% to $437.8 million as compared to $382.9 million in the prior-year quarter. The current-year quarter continued to experience very strong growth in shipments of home standby generators given higher category awareness driven by the recent elevated outage environment. In addition, C&I stationary generator and mobile product shipments were also strong during the quarter, particularly with telecom and rental customers. The overall Domestic segment growth was partially offset by lower shipments of portable generators as the prior year quarter benefitted from elevated hurricane activity.

Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $115.5 million, or 26.4% of net sales, as compared to $101.9 million in the prior year, or 26.6% of net sales. Favorable sales mix, pricing initiatives, fixed operating cost leverage and lower warranty expense were more than offset by higher input costs, unfavorable commodity and currency fluctuations, and increased employee costs.

For the full year, Domestic segment sales increased 21.2% to $1.580 billion as compared to $1.304 billion in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $388.7 million, or 24.6% of net sales, as compared to $290.3 million in the prior year, or 22.3% of net sales.

International Segment

International segment sales increased 14.0% to $125.6 million as compared to $110.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Core sales growth was approximately 6%, with the Selmec acquisition contributing an additional $13.3 million. The overall core growth compared to the prior year was due to broad-based growth from the Pramac, Ottomotores and Motortech businesses. 

Adjusted EBITDA for the segment, before deducting for non-controlling interests, was $10.6 million, or 8.4% of net sales, as compared to $10.5 million, or 9.6% of net sales, in the prior year. Unfavorable customer sales mix and higher input costs drove the year over year decline. 

For the full year, International segment sales increased 17.9% to $443.1 million as compared to $375.9 million in the prior year, with core sales growth of approximately 13%. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment, before deducting for non-controlling interests, was $35.9 million, or 8.1% of net sales, as compared to $27.0 million in the prior year, or 7.2% of net sales.

2019 Outlook

The Company is initiating guidance for 2019 with net sales expected to increase between 3 to 7% as compared to the prior year on an as-reported basis, and 2 to 6% on a core basis. Based on the strength of current end market conditions, we expect net sales in the first half of the year will grow approximately 10 to 12% on an as-reported basis, and 8 to 10% on a core basis. Net sales growth in the second half of 2019 could range from low single-digit declines to low single-digit increases, depending on the severity of power outages during the year. 

Net income margins, before deducting for non-controlling interests, are expected to be between 11 to 12% for the full-year 2019, with adjusted EBITDA margins, also before deducting for non-controlling interests, expected to be between 20 to 21% for the year. Should there be a more active outage environment during 2019, we would expect margins to come in at the high end of the range.

Operating and free cash flow generation is expected to be strong, with the conversion of adjusted net income to free cash flow expected to be over 90%.

Mr. Jagdfeld concluded, “With this anticipated strong cash flow and available liquidity, we have tremendous flexibility with which to execute our long-term future strategic initiatives and drive shareholder value.”

Conference Call and Webcast

Generac management will hold a conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, February 14, 2019 to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2018 operating results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 415-3113 (domestic) or +1 (678) 509-7544 (international) and entering passcode 3499968.

The conference call will also be webcast simultaneously on Generac's website (http://www.generac.com), accessed under the Investor Relations link. The webcast link will be made available on the Company’s website prior to the start of the call within the Events section of the Investor Relations website.

Following the live webcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website. A telephonic replay will also be available approximately two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or +1 (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 3499968. The telephonic replay will be available for 7 days.

About Generac

Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment and other engine powered products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial, and industrial markets, Generac's power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers. 

Forward-looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Generac Holdings Inc. or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Generac's current expectations and projections relating to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "confident," "may," "should," "can have," "likely," "future," “optimistic” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions. Although Generac believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Generac's actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including:

  • frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for our products;
  • availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components and labor needed in producing our products;
  • the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix and regulatory tariffs;
  • the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
  • the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;
  • difficulties we may encounter as our business expands globally;
  • our dependence on our distribution network;
  • our ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;
  • loss of our key management and employees;
  • increase in product and other liability claims or recalls;
  • failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems; and
  • changes in environmental, health and safety, or product compliance laws and regulations affecting our products or operations.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, Generac's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Generac's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly in the Risk Factors section of the 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by Generac in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Generac undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Metrics

Core Sales

The Company references core sales to further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Core sales excludes the impact of acquisitions and fluctuations in foreign currency translation. Management believes that core sales facilitates easier and more meaningful comparison of net sales performance with prior and future periods.

Adjusted EBITDA

The computation of adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Company is based on the definition of EBITDA contained in Generac's credit agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, as amended. To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Generac provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the impact of non-controlling interests, taking into account certain charges and gains that were recognized during the periods presented. 

Adjusted Net Income

To further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides a summary to show the computation of adjusted net income attributable to the Company. Adjusted net income attributable to the Company is defined as net income before non-controlling interests and provision for income taxes adjusted for the following items: cash income tax expense, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount related to the Company's debt, intangible impairment charges, certain transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments, losses on extinguishment of debt, business optimization expenses, certain other non-cash gains and losses, and adjusted net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

Free Cash Flow

In addition, we reference free cash flow to further supplement Generac's condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from beneficial interests in securitization transactions, less expenditures for property and equipment, and is intended to be a measure of operational cash flow taking into account additional capital expenditure investment into the business.

The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see the accompanying Reconciliation Schedules and our SEC filings for additional discussion of the basis for Generac's reporting of Non-GAAP financial measures, which includes why the Company believes these measures provide useful information to investors and the additional purposes for which management uses the non-GAAP financial information.

SOURCE: Generac Holdings Inc.

CONTACT:
York Ragen
Chief Financial Officer
(262) 506-6064
InvestorRelations@generac.com

 
Generac Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
      
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2018    2017    2018   2017 
        
Net sales$563,404  $493,047  $2,023,464  $1,679,373 
Costs of goods sold 359,098   310,119   1,298,424   1,094,587 
Gross profit 204,306   182,928   725,040   584,786 
        
Operating expenses:       
Selling and service 50,013   45,995   191,887   174,841 
Research and development 11,897   11,179   50,019   42,869 
General and administrative 28,228   23,073   103,841   87,581 
Amortization of intangibles 5,320   7,307   22,112   28,861 
Total operating expenses 95,458   87,554   367,859   334,152 
Income from operations 108,848   95,374   357,181   250,634 
        
Other (expense) income:       
Interest expense (10,017)  (10,314)  (40,956)  (42,667)
Investment income 798   241   1,893   298 
Loss on extinguishment of debt       (1,332)   
Other, net (2,946)  (1,041)  (5,710)  (4,566)
Total other expense, net (12,165)  (11,114)  (46,105)  (46,935)
        
Income before provision for income taxes 96,683   84,260   311,076   203,699 
Provision for income taxes 19,986   2,037   69,856   44,142 
Net income 76,697   82,223   241,220   159,557 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,122   1,316   2,963   1,749 
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$75,575  $80,907  $238,257  $157,808 
        
Net income attributable to common shareholders per       
common share - basic:$1.21  $1.31  $3.57  $2.56 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic: 61,669,467   61,883,857   61,662,031   62,040,704 
        
Net income attributable to common shareholders per       
common share - diluted:$1.20  $1.29  $3.54  $2.53 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted: 62,201,066   62,500,072   62,233,225   62,642,872 
        
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Foreign currency translation adjustment$(7,214) $(825) $(5,976) $15,191 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (7,479)  2,367   2,924   3,712 
Pension liability adjustment 437   62   437   62 
Other comprehensive income (loss) (14,256)  1,604   (2,615)  18,965 
Total comprehensive income 62,441   83,827   238,605   178,522 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 679   1,721   1,647   5,549 
Comprehensive income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$61,762  $82,106  $236,958  $172,973 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
    
 December 31,
  2018    2017  
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$224,482  $138,472 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,873 and       
$4,805 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 326,133   279,295 
Inventories 544,750   387,049 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 25,404   19,741 
Total current assets 1,120,769   824,557 
    
Property and equipment, net 278,929   230,380 
    
Customer lists, net 61,194   41,064 
Patents, net 29,970   39,617 
Other intangible assets, net 3,043   2,401 
Tradenames, net 152,283   152,683 
Goodwill 764,655   721,523 
Deferred income taxes 163   3,258 
Other assets 15,308   10,502 
Total assets$2,426,314  $2,025,985 
    
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity   
Current liabilities:   
Short-term borrowings$45,583  $20,602 
Accounts payable 328,091   233,639 
Accrued wages and employee benefits 40,819   27,992 
Other accrued liabilities 144,236   112,618 
Current portion of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations 1,977   1,572 
Total current liabilities 560,706   396,423 
    
Long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations 876,396   906,548 
Deferred income taxes 71,300   41,852 
Other long-term liabilities 95,647   82,893 
Total liabilities 1,604,049   1,427,716 
    
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 61,004   43,929 
    
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 71,186,418   
and 70,820,173 shares issued at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively 712   708 
Additional paid-in capital 476,116   459,816 
Treasury stock, at cost, 9,047,060 and 8,448,874 shares at December 31,   
2018 and 2017, respectively (321,473)  (294,005)
Excess purchase price over predecessor basis (202,116)  (202,116)
Retained earnings 831,123   610,836 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (23,813)  (21,198)
Stockholders’ equity attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. 760,549   554,041 
Noncontrolling interests 712   279 
Total stockholders’ equity 761,261   554,320 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$2,426,314  $2,025,965 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
    
 Year Ended December 31,
  2018   2017  
Operating activities   
Net income$241,220  $159,557 
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation 25,296   23,127 
Amortization of intangible assets 22,112   28,861 
Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs 4,749   3,516 
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,332    
Deferred income taxes 23,600   19,502 
Share-based compensation expense 14,563   10,205 
Other 2,474   410 
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable (43,243)  (32,857)
Inventories (152,594)  (22,986)
Other assets (6,362)  (14,783)
Accounts payable 86,359   42,788 
Accrued wages and employee benefits 12,626   6,105 
Other accrued liabilities 16,972   37,029 
Excess tax benefits from equity awards (1,877)  (3,152)
Net cash provided by operating activities 247,227   257,322 
    
Investing activities   
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 214   82 
Proceeds from beneficial interest in securitization transactions 3,933   3,794 
Expenditures for property and equipment (47,601)  (33,261)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (65,440)  1,257 
Net cash used in investing activities (108,894)  (28,128)
    
Financing activities   
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 53,965   101,991 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 51,425   3,069 
Repayments of short-term borrowings (27,880)  (114,874)
Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations (101,827)  (117,475)
Stock repurchases (25,656)  (30,012)
Payment of debt issuance costs (1,702)  (3,901)
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interest of subsidiary (314)   
Taxes paid related to equity awards (5,659)  (5,892)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 5,614   6,951 
Net cash used in financing activities (52,034)  (160,143)
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (289)  2,149 
    
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 86,010   71,200 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 138,472   67,272 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$224,482  $138,472 
    
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information   
Cash paid during the period   
Interest$41,007  $41,105 
Income taxes 41,044   23,836 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.
Segment Reporting and Product Class Information
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 Net Sales
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
Reportable Segments2018 2017 2018 2017
Domestic (1)$437,837 $382,896 $1,580,325 $1,303,506
International 125,567  110,151  443,139  375,867
Total net sales$563,404 $493,047 $2,023,464 $1,679,373
        
Product Classes       
Residential products$293,949 $266,603 $1,042,739 $870,491
Commercial & industrial products 223,151  189,854  820,270  684,352
Other (1) 46,304  36,590  160,455  124,530
Total net sales$563,404 $493,047 $2,023,464 $1,679,373
        
 Adjusted EBITDA
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Domestic$115,500 $101,890 $388,685 $290,290
International 10,567  10,539  35,867  27,010
Total adjusted EBITDA (2)$126,067 $112,429 $424,552 $317,300
        
(1) The Company recorded revenue recognition reclassifications related to extended warranties, which were not material to the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the respective quarters within those periods. The reclassifications impacted the Domestic segment and the Other product class, and resulted in an increase to net sales and gross profit, with an equal offset to selling and service expenses. For the first, second and third quarters ended in 2018, net sales increased by $2,457, $2,632, and $2,873, and gross profit by $1,938, $2,217, and $2,449, respectively. For the first, second and third quarters ended in 2017, net sales increased by $1,571, $1,648, and $1,908, and gross profit by $1,154, $1,303, and $1,449, respectively. There was no impact to income from operations, net income or comprehensive income, the consolidated balance sheets, the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity, or the consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
(2) See reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. on the following reconciliation schedule.

 

Generac Holdings, Inc.
Reconciliation Schedules
(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
        
Net income to Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation       
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2018   2017   2018   2017 
        
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$75,575  $80,907  $238,257  $157,808 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,122   1,316   2,963   1,749 
Net income 76,697   82,223   241,220   159,557 
Interest expense 10,017   10,314   40,956   42,667 
Depreciation and amortization 12,284   13,297   47,408   51,988 
Provision for income taxes 19,986   2,037   69,856   44,142 
Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1) 10   291   3,532   2,923 
Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2) 4,653   1,803   14,563   10,205 
Loss on extinguishment of debt (3)       1,332   - 
Transaction costs and credit facility fees (4) 1,413   1,175   3,883   2,145 
Business optimization expenses (5) 202   979   952   2,912 
Other 805   310   850   761 
Adjusted EBITDA 126,067   112,429   424,552   317,300 
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,126   2,486   7,759   6,075 
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$123,941  $109,943  $416,793  $311,225 
        
(1) Includes gains/losses on disposals of assets, unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts, and certain foreign currency and purchase accounting related adjustments. A full description of these and the other reconciliation adjustments contained in these schedules is included in Generac's SEC filings.
        
(2) Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods.
        
(3) Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.
        
(4) Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement, equity issuance or debt issuance or refinancing, together with certain fees relating to our senior secured credit facilities.
        
(5) Represents severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges related to the consolidation of certain of our facilities.
        
Net income to Adjusted net income reconciliation       
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2018   2017   2018   2017 
        
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$75,575  $80,907  $238,257  $157,808 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,122   1,316   2,963   1,749 
Net income 76,697   82,223   241,220   159,557 
Provision for income taxes 19,986   2,037   69,856   44,142 
Income before provision for income taxes 96,683   84,260   311,076   203,699 
Amortization of intangible assets 5,320   7,307   22,112   28,861 
Amortization of deferred finance costs and original issue discount 1,195   1,116   4,749   3,516 
Loss on extinguishment of debt (3)       1,332   - 
Transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments (6) 1,062   727   2,578   1,706 
Business optimization expenses (5) 202   979   952   2,912 
Adjusted net income before provision for income taxes 104,462   94,389   342,799   240,694 
Cash income tax expense (7) (15,355)  (6,017)  (47,064)  (25,624)
Adjusted net income 89,107   88,372   295,735   215,070 
Adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,031   1,289   3,522   3,201 
Adjusted net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$88,076  $87,083  $292,213  $211,869 
        
Adjusted net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. per       
common share - diluted:$1.42  $1.39  $4.70  $3.38 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted: 62,201,066   62,500,072   62,233,225   62,642,872 
        
(6) Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement, equity issuance or debt issuance or refinancing, and certain purchase accounting adjustments.
        
(7) Amount for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018 is based on an anticipated cash income tax rate of 15% for the full year ended 2018. Amount for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 is based on an anticipated cash income tax rate of 12.5% for the full year ended 2017. Cash income tax expense for the respective periods is based on the projected taxable income and corresponding cash tax rate for the full year after considering the effects of current and deferred income tax items, and is calculated for each respective period by applying the derived cash tax rate to the period’s pretax income.
        
Free Cash Flow Reconciliation       
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2018   2017   2018   2017 
        
Net cash provided by operating activities$108,229  $136,705  $247,227  $257,322 
Proceeds from beneficial interests in securitization transactions 1,108   1,692   3,933   3,794 
Expenditures for property and equipment (22,024)  (16,603)  (47,601)  (33,261)
Free cash flow$87,313  $121,794  $203,559  $227,855 
        
GAAP Earnings Per Share       
 Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
  2018   2017   2018   2017 
                
Numerator     
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.$75,575  $80,907  $238,257  $157,808 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment (1,088)  -   (17,970)  909 
Net income attributable to common shareholders$74,487  $80,907  $220,287  $158,717 
        
Denominator       
Weighted average shares, basic 61,669,467   61,883,857   61,662,031   62,040,704 
Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards 531,599   616,215   571,194   602,168 
Diluted shares 62,201,066   62,500,072   62,233,225   62,642,872 
        
Net income attributable to common shareholders per share       
Basic$1.21  $1.31  $3.57  $2.56 
Diluted$1.20  $1.29  $3.54  $2.53