MONTREAL, May 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WSP Global Inc. (TSX: WSP) (“WSP” or the “Corporation”) today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which ended on March 30, 2019.
FIRST QUARTER 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Solid start to the financial year with key financial metrics in line with Management's expectations; full year 2019 financial outlook reiterated. The Corporation adopted IFRS 16-Leases on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective method, for which no restatement of prior year financial statement presentation was required.
- Revenues and net revenues of $2,173.6 million and $1,663.4 million, up 13.8% and 13.2%, respectively, compared to Q1 2018.
- Consolidated organic growth in net revenues stood at 3.2%, in line with Management’s expectations.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $216.9 million, up $83.4 million, or 62.5%, compared to Q1 2018. The significant increase in adjusted EBITDA is due, in large part, to the adoption of IFRS 16-Leases, effective January 1, 2019. Excluding the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16-Leases, adjusted EBITDA would have stood at $153.1 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin at 13.0%, compared to 9.1% in Q1 2018. The significant increase in adjusted EBITDA margin is due, in large part, to the adoption of IFRS 16 - Leases, effective January 1, 2019. Excluding the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16- Leases, adjusted EBITDA margin would have stood at 9.2%.
- Adjusted net earnings of $70.2 million, or $0.67 per share, up $15.0 million and 27.2%, respectively, compared to Q1 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16- Leases, adjusted net earnings would have stood at $75.5 million or $0.72 per share.
- Net earnings attributable to shareholders of $63.6 million, or $0.61 per share, on a diluted basis, up 28.0% and 27.1%, respectively, compared to Q1 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16-Leases, net earnings attributable to shareholders would have stood at $68.9 million or $0.66 per share.
- Backlog at $7,873.1 million, representing 10.7 months of revenues, up $194.4 million, or 2.5% when compared to Q4 2018 and up $1,154.3 million, or 17.2% when compared to Q1 2018. Backlog organic growth stood at 1.4% compared to Q4 2018.
- DSO stood at 78 days, stable when compared to Q1 2018 and 2 days higher when compared to Q4 2018, mainly due to seasonality.
- Trailing twelve-month free cash flow of $453.8 million, representing 173.2% of net earnings attributable to shareholders.
- Incorporating a full twelve-month adjusted EBITDA for all acquisitions, net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio stood at 1.7x, in line with our target range. Excluding the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16-Leases, incorporating a full twelve-month adjusted EBITDA for all acquisitions, net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio would have stood at 1.9x.
- Quarterly dividend declared of $0.375 per share, with a 50.0% Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) participation.
“We are pleased with our financial performance for the first quarter as it met our targets set out in our 2019 outlook and provides a good start to our 2019-2021 strategic cycle,” said Alexandre L’Heureux, President and CEO of WSP. “In parallel, after a full quarter of combined activities with Louis Berger, we are now executing on our integration efforts according to plan. We have already began noticing the impact stemming from the collaboration of our teams and the synergistic benefits of the transaction,” he added.
OUTLOOK FOR 2019
Management provided guidance on 2019 operating results in the Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended December 31, 2018. The outlook was provided to assist analysts and shareholders in formalizing their respective views on 2019. These measures, which can be found in the MD&A for the 2019 first quarter, have been updated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16-Leases, effective January 1, 2019.
2019-2021 GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLAN
On January 30, 2019, as part of the presentation of the 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan, Management provided financial measures, to assist analysts and shareholders in formalizing their respective views on the Corporation’s Strategy. These measures have been updated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 16 - Leases, effective January 1, 2019. Updated measures can be found in the slideshow presentation for the results of the 2019 first quarter, available on www.wsp.com in the Investors section, under Presentations & Events.
DIVIDEND
The Board of WSP declared a dividend of $0.375 per share. This dividend will be payable on or about July 15, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2019.
FINANCIAL REPORT
This release includes, by reference, the 2019 first quarter financial reports, including the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the MD&A of the Corporation.
For a copy of our full financial results for the first quarter of 2019, including the MD&A and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, please visit our website at www.wsp.com.
CONFERENCE CALL
WSP will hold a conference call at 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 14, 2019 to discuss these results.
To participate in the conference call, dial 1-647-427-2309 or 1-866-521-4907 (toll free). A presentation of the 2019 first quarter results will be available on the same day at www.wsp.com in the Investors section, under Presentations & Events.
The conference call and slideshow presentation will also be broadcasted live and archived in the Investors section of the WSP website.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
| Q1 | ||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||
| (in millions of dollars, except number of shares and per share data) | For the period from January 1 to March 30 | For the period from January 1 to March 31 | ||
| Revenues | $2,173.6 | $1,910.7 | ||
| Less: Subconsultants and direct costs | $510.2 | $441.0 | ||
| Net revenues* | $1,663.4 | $1,469.7 | ||
| Personnel costs | $1,290.1 | $1,136.9 | ||
| Other operational costs(1) | $160.5 | $199.9 | ||
| Share of earnings of associates | $(4.1) | $(0.6) | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA* | $216.9 | $133.5 | ||
| Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs* | $9.0 | $7.2 | ||
| EBITDA* | $207.9 | $126.3 | ||
| Amortization of intangible assets | $24.4 | $25.2 | ||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | $24.0 | $21.7 | ||
| Right-to-use asset depreciation | $59.1 | $— | ||
| Financial expenses | $13.7 | $13.6 | ||
| Share of depreciation of associates | $0.5 | $0.3 | ||
| Earnings before income taxes | $86.2 | $65.5 | ||
| Income-tax expense | $23.2 | $15.7 | ||
| Share of tax of associates | $1.0 | $0.1 | ||
| Net earnings | $62.0 | $49.7 | ||
| Attributable to: | ||||
| - Shareholders | $63.6 | $49.7 | ||
| - Non-controlling interests | $(1.6) | $— | ||
| Basic net earnings per share | $0.61 | $0.48 | ||
| Diluted net earnings per share | $0.61 | $0.48 | ||
| Basic weighted average number of shares | 104,768,837 | 103,505,642 | ||
| Diluted weighted average number of shares | 105,031,582 | 103,701,337 | ||
* Non-IFRS measures are described in the “Glossary” section of the MD&A
(1) Other operational costs include operation exchange losses or gains and interest income
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
| March 30, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | |||
| Assets | $ | $ | ||
| Current assets | ||||
| Cash (note 4) | 219.7 | 254.7 | ||
| Trade, prepaids and other receivables | 1,838.6 | 1,857.6 | ||
| Income taxes receivable | 13.4 | 13.6 | ||
| Cost and anticipated profits in excess of billings | 1,044.6 | 1,116.1 | ||
| 3,116.3 | 3,242.0 | |||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Other assets | 211.0 | 197.0 | ||
| Deferred income tax assets | 112.3 | 116.1 | ||
| Property and equipment | 335.5 | 350.6 | ||
| Intangible assets | 341.7 | 367.7 | ||
| Right-to-use assets (note 5) | 1,024.1 | — | ||
| Goodwill (note 6) | 3,436.0 | 3,493.2 | ||
| Total assets | 8,576.9 | 7,766.6 | ||
| Liabilities and equity | ||||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 1,619.3 | 1,787.5 | ||
| Billings in excess of costs and anticipated profits | 597.5 | 678.3 | ||
| Income taxes payable | 45.8 | 52.1 | ||
| Dividends payable to shareholders (note 12) | 39.3 | 39.2 | ||
| Current portion of long-term debt (note 7) | 4.1 | 42.3 | ||
| Current portion of lease liability (note 5) | 193.3 | — | ||
| Other current financial liabilities | 5.8 | 14.5 | ||
| 2,505.1 | 2,613.9 | |||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Long-term debt (note 7) | 1,534.2 | 1,461.2 | ||
| Lease liability (note 5) | 943.3 | — | ||
| Other non-current financial liabilities | 8.8 | 6.7 | ||
| Provisions | 71.9 | 153.1 | ||
| Retirement benefit obligations | 205.0 | 197.7 | ||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 70.2 | 74.3 | ||
| Total liabilities | 5,338.5 | 4,506.9 | ||
| Equity | ||||
| Equity attributable to shareholders | ||||
| Share capital (note 8) | 2,676.2 | 2,656.5 | ||
| Contributed surplus | 204.9 | 204.9 | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 152.6 | 216.3 | ||
| Retained earnings | 205.6 | 181.3 | ||
| 3,239.3 | 3,259.0 | |||
| Non-controlling interest | (0.9 | ) | 0.7 | |
| Total equity | 3,238.4 | 3,259.7 | ||
| Total liabilities and equity | 8,576.9 | 7,766.6 | ||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
| March 30, 2019 | March 31, 2018 | |||
| $ | $ | |||
| Operating activities | ||||
| Net earnings for the period | 62.0 | 49.7 | ||
| Adjustments (note 13a)) | 94.7 | 48.4 | ||
| Income tax expense | 23.2 | 15.7 | ||
| Income taxes paid | (20.4 | ) | (11.5 | ) |
| Net finance expenses (note 11) | 10.7 | 12.2 | ||
| Change in non-cash working capital items (note 13b) | (142.5 | ) | (54.0 | ) |
| Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities | 27.7 | 60.5 | ||
| Financing activities | ||||
| Dividends paid to shareholders | (19.6 | ) | (19.5 | ) |
| Net variation in long-term debts | 64.0 | 45.5 | ||
| Net variation in other financial liabilities | (4.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) |
| Finance expenses paid and financing costs | (7.5 | ) | (11.1 | ) |
| Lease payments (note 5) | (65.4 | ) | — | |
| Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs | 0.1 | 0.7 | ||
| Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities | (32.7 | ) | 11.4 | |
| Investing activities | ||||
| Business acquisitions | (4.7 | ) | (41.3 | ) |
| Additions to property and equipment | (22.6 | ) | (19.6 | ) |
| Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment | 6.5 | 0.7 | ||
| Additions to intangible assets | (4.4 | ) | (6.2 | ) |
| Other | — | 0.2 | ||
| Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities | (25.2 | ) | (66.2 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate change on cash | (6.4 | ) | 7.5 | |
| Net change in cash | (36.6 | ) | 13.2 | |
| Cash, net of bank overdraft – Beginning of period | 253.9 | 178.6 | ||
| Cash, net of bank overdraft (note 4) - End of period | 217.3 | 191.8 | ||
NON-IFRS MEASURES
The Corporation reports its financial results in accordance with IFRS. However, in this MD&A, the following non-IFRS measures are used by the Corporation: net revenues; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; adjusted EBITDA before Global Corporate costs; adjusted EBITDA margin before Global Corporate costs; adjusted net earnings; adjusted net earnings per share; adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions; adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions per share; acquisition, integration and restructuring costs; backlog; funds from operations; funds from operations per share; free cash flow; free cash flow per share; days sales outstanding (“DSO”) and net debt to adjusted EBITDA. Additional details for these non-IFRS measures can be found in WSP’s MD&A, which is posted on WSP’s website at www.wsp.com, and filed with SEDAR at www.sedar.com
Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations as they provide key metrics of its performance. These non-IFRS measures are not recognized under IFRS, do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and may differ from similar computations as reported by other issuers, and accordingly may not be comparable. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS.
ABOUT WSP
As one of the world's leading professional services firms, WSP provides engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 48,000 talented people globally, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. wsp.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information regarding WSP contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although WSP believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. WSP's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect WSP's actual or projected results are included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and WSP does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Isabelle Adjahi
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
WSP Global Inc.
Tel: (438) 843-7548
isabelle.adjahi@wsp.com