FirstService Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
*Double-Digit Annual Revenue and Operating Earnings Growth**Operating highlights:*
*Three months ended* *Year ended* *December 31* *December 31* *2023* *2022* *2023* *2022*
*Revenues (millions)* *$* *1,079.3* *$* *1,020.1* *$* *4,334.5* *$* *3,745.8*
*Adjusted EBITDA (millions) (note 1)* *103.3* *102.5* *415.7* *351.7*
*Adjusted EPS (note 2)* *1.11* *1.22* *4.66* *4.24*
*GAAP Operating Earnings* *48.1* *67.5* *244.9* *219.0*
*GAAP EPS* *0.14* *0.86* *2.24* *2.72*
TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstService Corporation (TSX: FSV; NASDAQ: FSV) today announced fourth quarter and full year results for the year ended December 31, 2023. All amounts are in US dollars.
Consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter were $1.08 billion, a 6% increase relative to the same quarter in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA (note 1) was $103.3 million, up 1%, and Adjusted EPS (note 2) was $1.11, versus $1.22 in the prior year quarter.
Operating Earnings for the quarter were $48.1 million, relative to $67.5 million in the prior year period, with the decrease attributable to contingent acquisition consideration fair value adjustments on prior tuck-under acquisitions. Diluted EPS was $0.14 per share in the quarter, compared to $0.86 for the same quarter a year ago.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, consolidated revenues were $4.33 billion, a 16% increase relative to the prior year, including 10% organic growth. Adjusted EBITDA was $415.7 million, up 18%, and Adjusted EPS was $4.66, versus the prior year of $4.24. Operating Earnings were $244.9 million, versus $219.0 million in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share was $2.24, compared to $2.72 in the prior year.
“We are pleased with our fourth quarter performance which lined up with our expectations,” said Scott Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of FirstService. “For the full year, we delivered double-digit organic top-line growth and strong profitability across both divisions, as our brands continued to realize share gains in their respective markets,” he concluded.
*About FirstService Corporation*
*FirstService Corporation* is a North American leader in the property services sector serving its customers through two industry leading platforms: *FirstService Residential* - North America’s largest manager of residential communities; and *FirstService Brands* - one of North America’s largest providers of essential property services delivered through individually branded franchise systems and company-owned operations.
FirstService generates more than US$4.3 billion in annual revenues and has approximately 29,000 employees across North America. With significant insider ownership and an experienced management team, FirstService has a long-term track record of creating value and superior returns for shareholders. The Common Shares of FirstService trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol “FSV” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “FSV”, and are included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index. More information is available at www.firstservice.com.
*Segmented Fourth Quarter Results*
FirstService Residential generated revenues of $496.3 million for the fourth quarter, up 12% relative to the prior year quarter, including 9% organic growth. Growth was driven by new contract wins, with particularly strong performance at our sited labour communities. Adjusted EBITDA was $43.5 million, an increase of 14% compared to $38.1 million reported in the prior year period. Operating Earnings were $34.1 million, versus $30.6 million for the fourth quarter of last year. Operating margins were relatively in-line with the prior year quarter.
FirstService Brands recorded revenues of $583.0 million, up 1% versus $578.0 million in the prior year period. Revenues declined 7% on an organic basis due to milder weather patterns at our restoration operations, compared to the significant loss claims activity from hurricanes Ian and Fiona in the prior year quarter. The division top-line performance included very strong growth at Century Fire together with solid contribution from our home services brands, partially offsetting the restoration-driven headwinds. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $61.1 million, compared to $67.4 million in the prior year quarter. Operating Earnings were $20.6 million, versus $44.0 million in the prior year quarter. The segment Adjusted EBITDA margin (note 1) decline was primarily attributable to lower profitability in our restoration operations due to the reduced weather-related activity during the period. The operating earnings margin was further impacted by contingent acquisition consideration fair value adjustments.
Corporate costs, as presented in Adjusted EBITDA (note 1), were $1.2 million in the fourth quarter, relative to $3.0 million in the prior year period. Corporate costs for the quarter were $6.7 million, relative to $7.1 million in the prior year period.
*Segmented Full Year Results*
FirstService Residential reported revenues of $2.0 billion, up 13% relative to 2022, including 10% organic growth and the balance from tuck-under acquisitions. The strong organic growth was primarily driven by new contract wins, together with contribution from increased labour-related and ancillary services with our existing clients. Adjusted EBITDA was $187.8 million, up 11% versus the prior year. Operating Earnings were $155.0 million, compared to $138.9 million in the prior year. Operating margins were in-line with the prior year.
FirstService Brands revenues were $2.34 billion, up 18% versus the prior year, and comprised of 11% organic growth with the balance from acquisitions. All service lines contributed to the division’s organic revenue growth, including an exceptionally strong increase over the prior year at our Century Fire Protection operations. Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $242.4 million, up 23% relative to the prior year. Operating Earnings were $126.5 million, versus $111.6 million a year ago. The segment Adjusted EBITDA margin was positively impacted by operating leverage realized from the strong top-line performance in our restoration and Century Fire businesses. The operating earnings margin was slightly down due to acquisition-related items, primarily contingent acquisition consideration fair value adjustments.
Corporate costs, as presented in Adjusted EBITDA, were $14.4 million for the full year, relative to $13.2 million in the prior year. Corporate costs were $36.6 million, relative to $31.5 million a year ago, with the increase driven primarily by stock-based compensation expense.
*Conference Call & Presentation*
FirstService will be holding a conference call on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results for the fourth quarter and full year.
This call is being webcast live at the Company’s website at www.firstservice.com. Participants may register for the call here https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3a29ed98b6cc4f77b35613631b9849bb to receive the dial-in number and their unique PIN. To join the webcast in listen only mode, use this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/d4d3hvrj . It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).
*Forward-looking Statements*
This press release includes or may include forward-looking statements. Much of this information can be identified by words such as “expect to,” “expected,” “will,” “estimated” or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. FirstService believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements contemplated in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include: (i) general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things, impact demand for FirstService’s services and the cost of providing services; (ii) the ability of FirstService to implement its business strategy, including FirstService’s ability to acquire suitable acquisition candidates on acceptable terms and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses with its existing businesses; (iii) changes in or the failure to comply with government regulations; and (iv) other factors which are described in FirstService’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the heading “Risk factors” (a copy of which may be obtained at www.sedarplus.ca) and Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (a copy of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov), and subsequent filings (which factors are adopted herein). Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we do not intend, nor do we undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events, results or circumstances or otherwise.
Summary financial information is provided in this press release. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and MD&A to be made available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
*Notes*
1. Reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings, adjusted to exclude: (i) income tax; (ii) other expense (income); (iii) interest expense; (iv) depreciation and amortization; (v) acquisition-related items; and (vi) stock-based compensation expense. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its own operating performance and its ability to service debt, as well as an integral part of its planning and reporting systems. Additionally, this measure is used in conjunction with discounted cash flow models to determine the Company’s overall enterprise valuation and to evaluate acquisition targets. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure because the Company believes such measure is useful to investors as a reasonable indicator of operating performance because of the low capital intensity of its service operations. The Company believes this measure is a financial metric used by many investors to compare companies, especially in the services industry. This measure is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP in the United States, and should not be considered as a substitute for operating earnings, net earnings or cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other issuers and accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. A reconciliation of net earnings to Adjusted EBITDA appears below.
Three months ended Twelve months ended
(in thousands of US$) December 31 December 31 *2023* 2022 *2023* 2022
Net earnings *$* *23,783* $ 44,339 *$* *147,021* $ 145,007
Income tax *12,051* 14,806 *56,317* 48,974
Other income, net *(595* *)* (712 ) *(5,810* *)* (146 )
Interest expense, net *12,823* 9,025 *47,364* 25,191
Operating earnings *48,062* 67,458 *244,892* 219,026
Depreciation and amortization *33,872* 30,417 *127,934* 110,140
Acquisition-related items *16,485* 599 *21,517* 4,520
Stock-based compensation expense *4,924* 4,073 *21,385* 18,046
Adjusted EBITDA *$* *103,343* $ 102,547 *$* *415,728* $ 351,732
A reconciliation of segment operating earnings to segment Adjusted EBITDA appears below.
(in thousands of US$)
*Three months ended December 31, 2023* *FirstService* *FirstService* *Residential* *Brands* *Corporate*^*(1)*
Operating earnings (loss) *$* *34,136* *$* *20,603* *$* *(6,677* *)*
Depreciation and amortization *8,373* *25,477* *22*
Acquisition-related items *1,002* *14,992* *491*
Stock-based compensation expense *-* *-* *4,924*
Adjusted EBITDA *$* *43,511* *$* *61,072* *$* *(1,240* *)*
Three months ended December 31, 2022 FirstService FirstService Residential Brands Corporate^(1)
Operating earnings (loss) $ 30,562 $ 44,040 $ (7,144 )
Depreciation and amortization 7,591 22,804 22
Acquisition-related items (38 ) 594 43
Stock-based compensation expense - - 4,073
Adjusted EBITDA $ 38,115 $ 67,438 $ (3,006 )
*Year ended December 31, 2023* *FirstService* *FirstService* *Residential* *Brands* *Corporate*^*(1)*
Operating earnings (loss) *$* *155,044* *$* *126,468* *$* *(36,620* *)*
Depreciation and amortization *33,114* *94,729* *91*
Acquisition-related items *(366* *)* *21,159* *724*
Stock-based compensation expense *-* *-* *21,385*
Adjusted EBITDA *$* *187,792* *$* *242,356* *$* *(14,420* *)*
Year ended December 31, 2022 FirstService FirstService Residential Brands Corporate^(1)
Operating earnings (loss) $ 138,873 $ 111,638 $ (31,485 )
Depreciation and amortization 28,611 81,439 90
Acquisition-related items 1,153 3,200 167
Stock-based compensation expense - - 18,046
Adjusted EBITDA $ 168,637 $ 196,277 $ (13,182 )
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as segment Adjusted EBITDA divided by segment revenues.
(1) Corporate costs represent corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to reportable segments and are therefore unallocated within segment operating earnings (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA.
2. Reconciliation of net earnings and net earnings (loss) per common share to adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share:Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted net earnings per share, adjusted for the effect, after income tax, of: (i) the non-controlling interest redemption increment; (ii) acquisition-related items; (iii) amortization of intangible assets recognized in connection with acquisitions; and (iv) stock-based compensation expense. The Company believes this measure is useful to investors because it provides a supplemental way to understand the underlying operating performance of the Company and enhances the comparability of operating results from period to period. Adjusted EPS is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as a substitute for diluted net earnings per common share, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s method of calculating this non-GAAP measure may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. A reconciliation of diluted net earnings per common share to Adjusted EPS appears below.
Three months ended Twelve months ended
(in thousands of US$) December 31 December 31 *2023* 2022 *2023* 2022
Net earnings *$* *23,783* $ 44,339 *$* *147,021* $ 145,007
Non-controlling interest share of earnings *(3,925* *)* (3,462 ) *(14,140* *)* (9,381 )
Acquisition-related items *16,485* 599 *21,517* 4,520
Amortization of intangible assets *13,942* 13,659 *54,238* 48,725
Stock-based compensation expense *4,924* 4,073 *21,385* 18,046
Income tax on adjustments *(4,905* *)* (4,611 ) *(19,662* *)* (17,361 )
Non-controlling interest on adjustments *(665* *)* (254 ) *(1,517* *)* (968 )
Adjusted net earnings *$* *49,639* $ 54,343 *$* *208,842* $ 188,588 Three months ended Twelve months ended
(in US$) December 31 December 31 *2023* 2022 *2023* 2022
Diluted net earnings per share *$* *0.14* $ 0.86 *$* *2.24* $ 2.72
Non-controlling interest redemption increment *0.30* 0.06 *0.72* 0.33
Acquisition-related items *0.36* 0.01 *0.47* 0.10
Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax *0.23* 0.22 *0.88* 0.79
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax *0.08* 0.07 *0.35* 0.30
Adjusted earnings per share *$* *1.11* $ 1.22 *$* *4.66* $ 4.24
*FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION*
*Operating Results*
(in thousands of US$, except per share amounts) Three months Twelve months ended December 31 ended December 31 *2023* 2022 *2023* 2022
*Revenues* *$* *1,079,260* $ 1,020,101 *$* *4,334,548* $ 3,745,835
Cost of revenues *735,920* 690,314 *2,947,008* 2,565,720
Selling, general and administrative expenses *244,921* 231,313 *993,197* 846,429
Depreciation *19,930* 16,758 *73,696* 61,415
Amortization of intangible assets *13,942* 13,659 *54,238* 48,725
Acquisition-related items (1) *16,485* 599 *21,517* 4,520
*Operating earnings* *48,062* 67,458 *244,892* 219,026
Interest expense, net *12,823* 9,025 *47,364* 25,191
Other income, net *(595* *)* (712 ) *(5,810* *)* (146 )
Earnings before income tax *35,834* 59,145 *203,338* 193,981
Income tax *12,051* 14,806 *56,317* 48,974
*Net earnings* *23,783* 44,339 *147,021* 145,007
Non-controlling interest share of earnings *3,925* 3,462 *14,140* 9,381
Non-controlling interest redemption increment *13,596* 2,631 *32,490* 14,552
*Net earnings attributable to Company* *$* *6,262* $ 38,246 *$* *100,391* $ 121,074
*Net earnings per common share* Basic *$* *0.14* $ 0.86 *$* *2.25* $ 2.74 Diluted *0.14* 0.86 *2.24* 2.72
*Adjusted earnings per share (2)* *$* *1.11* $ 1.22 *$* *4.66* $ 4.24
Weighted average common shares (thousands) Basic *44,639* 44,420 *44,556* 44,175 Diluted *44,874* 44,499 *44,795* 44,494
(1) Acquisition-related items include transaction costs, and contingent acquisition consideration fair value adjustments.
(2) See definition and reconciliation above.
*Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets*
(in thousands of US$) *December 31, 2023* December 31, 2022
*Assets*
Cash and cash equivalents *$* *187,617* $ 136,219
Restricted cash *19,260* 23,129
Accounts receivable *848,230* 635,942
Other current assets *311,889* 313,582 *Current assets* *1,366,996* 1,108,872
Other non-current assets *34,418* 38,549
Fixed assets *204,188* 167,012
Operating lease right-of-use assets *218,299* 205,544
Goodwill and intangible assets *1,807,836* 1,254,537 *Total assets* *$* *3,631,737* $ 2,774,514
*Liabilities and shareholders' equity*
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities *$* *477,077* $ 398,313
Other current liabilities *211,661* 153,866
Operating lease liabilities - current *50,898* 49,145
Long-term debt - current *37,132* 35,665 *Current liabilities* *776,768* 636,989
Long-term debt - non-current *1,144,975* 698,798
Operating lease liabilities - non-current *183,923* 168,557
Other liabilities *115,938* 78,178
Deferred income tax *53,024* 51,097
Redeemable non-controlling interests *332,963* 233,429
Shareholders' equity *1,024,146* 907,466 *Total liabilities and equity* *$* *3,631,737* $ 2,774,514
*Supplemental balance sheet information*
Total debt *$* *1,182,107* $ 734,463
Total debt, net of cash *994,490* 598,244
*Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows*
(in thousands of US$) Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31 December 31 *2023* 2022 *2023* 2022
*Cash provided by (used in)*
*Operating activities*
Net earnings *$* *23,783* $ 44,339 *$* *147,021* $ 145,007
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization *33,872* 30,417 *127,934* 110,140
Deferred income tax *(18,413* *)* 9,249 *(19,049* *)* 7,436
Other *18,384* 2,076 *34,416* 18,371 *57,626* 86,081 *290,322* 280,954
Changes in non-cash working capital
Accounts receivable *(23,039* *)* (68,445 ) *(99,816* *)* (69,671 )
Payables and accruals *44,153* 28,729 *25,656* (11,118 )
Other *36,040* 7,653 *68,532* (94,272 )
Contingent acquisition consideration paid *(4,334* *)* - *(4,334* *)* -
Net cash provided by operating activities *110,446* 54,018 *280,360* 105,893
*Investing activities*
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired *(434,366* *)* (44,464 ) *(547,182* *)* (51,994 )
Purchases of fixed assets *(25,065* *)* (22,155 ) *(92,734* *)* (77,609 )
Other investing activities *(6,173* *)* (15,196 ) *(6,413* *)* (31,197 )
Net cash used in investing activities *(465,604* *)* (81,815 ) *(646,329* *)* (160,800 )
*Financing activities*
Increase in long-term debt, net *390,998* 14,338 *446,847* 80,156
Purchases of non-controlling interests, net *(111* *)* (114 ) *(4,285* *)* (21,451 )
Dividends paid to common shareholders *(10,042* *)* (8,954 ) *(39,055* *)* (34,884 )
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests *(454* *)* - *(7,376* *)* (8,061 )
Other financing activities *4,178* (2,960 ) *17,814* 3,022
Net cash provided by financing activities *384,569* 2,310 *413,945* 18,782
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash *(420* *)* (347 ) *(447* *)* 1,202
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash *28,991* (25,834 ) *47,529* (34,923 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, start of period *177,886* 185,182 *159,348* 194,271
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period *$* *206,877* $ 159,348 *$* *206,877* $ 159,348
*Segmented Results*
(in thousands of US$) FirstService FirstService Residential Brands Corporate Consolidated
*Three months ended December 31*
*2023* *Revenues* *$* *496,281* *$* *582,979* *$* *-* *$* *1,079,260* *Adjusted EBITDA (1)* *43,511* *61,072* *(1,240* *)* *103,343* *Operating earnings* *34,136* *20,603* *(6,677* *)* *48,062*
2022 Revenues $ 442,124 $ 577,977 $ - $ 1,020,101 Adjusted EBITDA 38,115 67,438 (3,006 ) 102,547 Operating earnings 30,562 44,040 (7,144 ) 67,458 FirstService FirstService Residential Brands Corporate Consolidated
*Year ended December 31*
*2023* *Revenues* *$* *1,996,823* *$* *2,337,725* *$* *-* *$* *4,334,548* *Adjusted EBITDA* *187,792* *242,356* *(14,420* *)* *415,728* *Operating earnings* *155,044* *126,468* *(36,620* *)* *244,892*
2022 Revenues $ 1,772,258 $ 1,973,577 $ - $ 3,745,835 Adjusted EBITDA 168,637 196,277 (13,182 ) 351,732 Operating earnings 138,873 111,638 (31,485 ) 219,026 (1) See definition and reconciliation on pages 5 and 6.
*COMPANY CONTACTS:**D. Scott Patterson*
*Chief Executive Officer*
*Jeremy Rakusin*
*Chief Financial Officer*
*(416) 960-9566*