Centuri Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results, Initiates 2024 Guidance

July 29, 2024

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$CTRI–Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI) (“Centuri” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter, ended June 30, 2024. The Company also provided an outlook for full year financial performance.

Second Quarter Business and Financial Highlights

Completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) and concurrent private placement of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”); raised final combined net proceeds of $328.0 million primarily used to pay down outstanding debt
Secured several notable customer awards reflecting total multi-year estimated revenue potential of more than $400 million from a combination of Master Service Agreement (MSA) extensions and strategic bid work; exited the second quarter 2024 with a backlog totaling $4.7 billion
Finalized extensive two-phase review of corporate and operating company overhead through an executive leadership-led process that is expected to generate approximately $29 million in annualized run rate savings in 2025
Revenue of $672.1 million
Net income attributable to common stock of $11.7 million (diluted earnings per share of $0.14)
Adjusted Net Income of $17.0 million (adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.20)
Adjusted EBITDA of $68.6 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.2%
Announced in June 2024 that Bill Fehrman will be stepping down as President and CEO of Centuri effective July 31, 2024 to take the CEO role at one of the nation’s largest publicly traded utility companies, while remaining on the Board until a new CEO is named
Appointed Paul Caudill, a highly experienced power and energy executive, prior Centuri advisory board member, and senior advisor to Bill Fehrman during his tenure as President and CEO of Centuri, as Interim President and CEO until a permanent CEO is identified
Engaged a national search firm in July 2024 to initiate the process of identifying a permanent CEO

“In the months since the IPO, we experienced weaker than expected customer spending in multiple states, including Illinois, California, and Maryland. This was largely due to unfavorable rate case outcomes for our regulated utility MSA customers, and we were also impacted by bid work with MSA customers that was either delayed or did not materialize. While these factors negatively affected financial results in the second quarter, our focus on cost reduction allowed us to maintain an EBITDA margin in line with historical averages. In addition, the cost saving initiatives, which we began early in Q1, have instilled discipline around capital allocation and drove solid free cash flow generation on adjusted EBITDA,” said Bill Fehrman, outgoing President and CEO of Centuri.

“Centuri is well positioned for the future. We are engaging new customers and new projects through our growth strategy, and we’ll continue the cost savings initiatives led by incoming Interim President & CEO Paul Caudill. Together, these efforts have set the stage for continued growth and customer diversification. I want to thank the highly capable team at Centuri who will continue to lead our new stand-alone public platform and drive significant stakeholder value over the long-term,” concluded Fehrman.

Management Commentary

Financial results during the second quarter of 2024 declined on a year-over-year basis primarily driven by 1) several of Centuri’s largest MSA clients reducing infrastructure spending due to unfavorable regulatory decisions or deferred hearings, 2) caution in spending among utilities due to a prolonged higher interest rate environment, 3) a seasonally uncharacteristic, higher margin bid job in the second quarter of 2023 that did not repeat, and 4) reduced offshore wind activities primarily due to the cancellation of a project in late 2023.

Centuri remains intensely focused on new business development initiatives. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company continued to execute its commercial strategy and had success in extending and securing new business across several service lines and regions, including notable strategic bid work wins that leverage Centuri’s core competencies. Further, management finalized its detailed corporate and operating company overhead reviews, which will drive meaningful savings in 2025, and started the process of identifying savings through a comprehensive supply chain and asset utilization review program that is in its early stages. The focus on cost control and capital efficiency will remain at the forefront under the leadership of Paul Caudill, who played a key role as an advisor to the CEO in helping to develop and implement these programs.

Full Year 2024 Outlook

Revenue of $2.5 to $2.7 billion
Adjusted EBITDA margin percentage of 9.0% to 9.6%
Net capital expenditures of $90 to $99 million

Centuri Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Segment Data

For the Fiscal Three and Six Months Ended

June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023

(In thousands, except percentages)

(Unaudited)

Segment Results

Three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended July 2, 2023

	Fiscal Three Months Ended									Change
(dollars in thousands)	June 30, 2024					July 2, 2023				$			%
Revenue:
U.S. Gas	$	340,686		50.7	%	$	391,882	48.6	%	$	(51,196	)	(13.1	%)
Canadian Gas		40,990		6.1	%		48,084	6.0	%		(7,094	)	(14.8	%)
Union Electric		164,211		24.4	%		218,225	27.1	%		(54,014	)	(24.8	%)
Non-Union Electric		120,512		17.9	%		133,561	16.6	%		(13,049	)	(9.8	%)
Other		5,676		0.8	%		14,027	1.7	%		(8,351	)	(59.5	%)
Consolidated revenue	$	672,075		100.0	%	$	805,779	100.0	%	$	(133,704	)	(16.6	%)
Gross profit (loss):
U.S. Gas	$	25,156		7.4	%	$	44,040	11.2	%	$	(18,884	)	(42.9	%)
Canadian Gas		9,358		22.8	%		7,574	15.8	%		1,784		23.6	%
Union Electric		12,079		7.4	%		17,097	7.8	%		(5,018	)	(29.4	%)
Non-Union Electric		16,237		13.5	%		20,575	15.4	%		(4,338	)	(21.1	%)
Other		(2,326	)	(41.0	%)		686	4.9	%		(3,012	)	NM
Consolidated gross profit	$	60,504		9.0	%	$	89,972	11.2	%	$	(29,468	)	(32.8	%)

NM — Percentage is not meaningful

Revenue from our U.S. Gas segment totaled $340.7 million, reflecting a decrease of $51.2 million, or 13.1%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was largely due to a reduction in net volumes under existing customer MSAs stemming primarily from delayed or unfavorable regulatory decisions faced by key customers and timing of bid projects, as the prior year benefited from the commencement of a large project that has since been completed. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 7.4% in the current period from 11.2% in the same period from the prior year. Profitability was negatively affected by lower margins on bid work and one-time severance costs incurred during the current period. Additionally, the prior year period reflected higher utilization of fixed costs due to increased volumes on both MSA and bid projects.

Revenue from our Canadian Gas segment totaled $41.0 million, reflecting a decrease of $7.1 million, or 14.8%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in net volumes under existing MSAs. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit increased to 22.8% in the current period as compared to 15.8% in the same period from the prior year primarily due to favorable changes in mix of work.

Revenue from our Union Electric segment totaled $164.2 million, reflecting a decrease of $54.0 million, or 24.8%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was driven by a decline in offshore wind revenue of $20.7 million due to timing of projects, as well as a net reduction in volumes under other existing MSAs. Storm restoration services revenue for the Union Electric segment was $6.1 million for the current period compared to $5.1 million for the prior year period. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 7.4% in the current period as compared to 7.8% in the prior year period primarily due to changes in the mix of work.

Revenue from our Non-Union Electric segment totaled $120.5 million, reflecting a decrease of $13.0 million, or 9.8%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily driven by a reduction in net volumes under existing customer MSAs. Storm restoration services revenue for the Non-Union Electric Segment was $30.2 million for the current period, compared to $28.9 million for the prior year period. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 13.5% in the current period, compared to 15.4% in the prior year period. Profitability was negatively affected by lower work hours for existing crews which caused underutilization of fixed costs.

Centuri Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Segment Data

For the Fiscal Three and Six Months Ended

June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023

(In thousands, except percentages)

(Unaudited)

Six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended July 2, 2023

	Fiscal Six Months Ended									Change
(dollars in thousands)	June 30, 2024					July 2, 2023				$			%
Revenue:
U.S. Gas	$	567,264		47.3	%	$	651,219	44.6	%	$	(83,955	)	(12.9	%)
Canadian Gas		75,638		6.3	%		87,387	6.0	%		(11,749	)	(13.4	%)
Union Electric		328,062		27.3	%		423,894	29.1	%		(95,832	)	(22.6	%)
Non-Union Electric		217,127		18.1	%		270,167	18.5	%		(53,040	)	(19.6	%)
Other		12,007		1.0	%		26,405	1.8	%		(14,398	)	(54.5	%)
Consolidated revenue	$	1,200,098		100.0	%	$	1,459,072	100.0	%	$	(258,974	)	(17.7	%)
Gross profit (loss):
U.S. Gas	$	21,180		3.7	%	$	47,406	7.3	%	$	(26,226	)	(55.3	%)
Canadian Gas		14,903		19.7	%		12,050	13.8	%		2,853		23.7	%
Union Electric		23,448		7.1	%		32,306	7.6	%		(8,858	)	(27.4	%)
Non-Union Electric		19,037		8.8	%		39,062	14.5	%		(20,025	)	(51.3	%)
Other		(4,785	)	(39.9	%)		1,097	4.2	%		(5,882	)	NM
Consolidated gross profit	$	73,783		6.1	%	$	131,921	9.0	%	$	(58,138	)	(44.1	%)

NM — Percentage is not meaningful

Revenue from our U.S. Gas segment totaled $567.3 million, reflecting a decrease of $84.0 million, or 12.9%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was largely due to a reduction in net volumes under existing customer MSAs stemming primarily from delayed or unfavorable regulatory decisions faced by key customers, unfavorable winter weather which delayed work in the first quarter, and timing of bid projects, as the prior year benefited from the commencement of a large project that has since been completed. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 3.7% in the current period from 7.3% in the prior year period. Profitability was negatively affected by unfavorable winter weather and lower margins on bid work. Additionally, the prior year period reflected higher utilization of fixed costs due to increased volumes on both MSA and bid projects.

Revenue from our Canadian Gas segment totaled $75.6 million, reflecting a decrease of $11.7 million, or 13.4%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in net volumes under existing MSAs. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit increased to 19.7% in the current period as compared to 13.8% in the prior year period primarily due to favorable changes in mix of work.

Revenue from our Union Electric segment totaled $328.1 million, reflecting a decrease of $95.8 million, or 22.6%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was driven by a decline in offshore wind revenue of $33.4 million due to timing of projects, as well as a reduction in net volumes under existing customer MSAs, which was partially due to unfavorable weather. Storm restoration services revenue for the Union Electric segment was $13.6 million for the current period compared to $13.4 million for the prior year period. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 7.1% in the current period as compared to 7.6% in the prior year period primarily due to changes in the mix of work.

Revenue from our Non-Union Electric segment totaled $217.1 million, reflecting a decrease of $53.0 million, or 19.6%, compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in volumes under existing MSAs, and a decrease in storm restoration revenue of $19.1 million (which was $32.0 million for the first six months of 2024 compared to $51.1 million for the same period in 2023). As a percentage of revenue, gross profit decreased to 8.8% in the current period, compared to 14.5% in the same period from the prior year. Profitability was negatively affected by unfavorable changes in mix of work, including less storm restoration revenue (which typically generates higher profit margins) and underutilization of fixed costs.

Conference Call Information

Centuri will conduct a conference call today, Monday, July 29, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT to discuss its second quarter 2024 financial results, business highlights, and the Company’s previously disclosed leadership transition. Speakers on the call will include Bill Fehrman, President and Chief Executive Officer; Gregory Izenstark, Chief Financial Officer; and other members of management. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company’s investor relations (IR) website at https://investor.centuri.com. The conference call can also be accessed via phone by dialing (800) 267-6316, or for international callers, (203) 518-9783. A supplemental investor presentation will also be available on the IR website prior to the start of the conference call. The earnings call will also be archived on the IR website and a replay of the call will be available by dialing (888) 562-0855 in the U.S., or (402) 220-7339 internationally. The replay dial-in feature will be made available one hour after the call’s conclusion and will be active for 12 months.

About Centuri

Centuri Holdings, Inc. was formed for the purpose of completing an IPO and other related transactions in order to carry on the business of Centuri Group, Inc., its predecessor for financial reporting purposes. Centuri Group, Inc. is a strategic utility infrastructure services company that partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes and businesses across the United States and Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “predict,” “continue,” “forecast,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “could,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “should,” “may” and “assume,” as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future. The specific forward-looking statements made herein include (without limitation) statements regarding our belief that the fundamentals of our business and services to our customers remain strong; our belief that, in the near term, the Company is well positioned to further implement its cost-focused initiatives while growing the business under the leadership of incoming Interim CEO Paul Caudill; our confidence that Centuri will benefit from multi-decade secular tailwinds in the energy and power infrastructure industries and the deployment of clean technologies, and that these forces are expected to drive growth with new and existing customers and support expansion into adjacent high growth service lines; our belief that the team at Centuri will continue to lead the Company and drive significant stakeholder value over the long-term; our estimation that awards secured in the quarter represent over $400 million in potential revenue; our expectation that our review of corporate and operating company overhead will result in meaningful savings, and our estimation that these savings will be $29 million annually; number ranges presented in our Full Year 2024 Outlook; and our belief that the current focus on cost control and capital efficiency will remain at the forefront under the leadership of Paul Caudill. A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of Centuri could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, capital market risks and the impact of general economic or industry conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ also include (without limitation) those discussed in Centuri’s filings filed from time to time with the SEC. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by Centuri on its website or otherwise. Centuri does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Backlog

Backlog represents our expected revenue from existing contracts and work in progress as of the end of the applicable reporting period.

Non-GAAP Measures

We prepare and present our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. However, management believes that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Conversion, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share, all of which are measures not presented in accordance with GAAP, provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate performance and to make financial, investment, and operational decisions. We believe that presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparisons of results. Management also believes that providing these non-GAAP measures helps investors evaluate the Company’s operating performance, profitability, and business trends in a way that is consistent with how management evaluates such matters.

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for (i) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, (ii) strategic review costs, and (iii) severance costs. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as the percentage derived from dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenue.

Free Cash Flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less net capital expenditures. Net capital expenditures is defined as capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sale of property and equipment. Free Cash Flow Conversion is derived from dividing Free Cash Flow by Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) is defined as net income (loss) adjusted for (i) strategic review costs, (ii) severance costs, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and (v) the income tax impact of adjustments that are subject to tax, which is determined using the incremental statutory tax rates of the jurisdictions to which each adjustment relates for the respective periods. Adjusted Dilutive Earnings per Share is defined as Adjusted Net Income (Loss) divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Using EBITDA as a performance measure has material limitations as compared to net income (loss), or other financial measures as defined under GAAP, as it excludes certain recurring items, which may be meaningful to investors. EBITDA excludes interest expense net of interest income; however, as we have borrowed money to finance transactions and operations, or invested available cash to generate interest income, interest expense and interest income are elements of our cost structure and can affect our ability to generate revenue and returns for our stockholders. Further, EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization; however, as we use capital and intangible assets to generate revenues, depreciation and amortization are necessary elements of our costs and ability to generate revenue. Finally, EBITDA excludes income taxes; however, as we are organized as a corporation, the payment of taxes is a necessary element of our operations. As a result of these exclusions from EBITDA, any measure that excludes interest expense net of interest income, depreciation and amortization, and income taxes has material limitations as compared to net income (loss). When using EBITDA as a performance measure, management compensates for these limitations by comparing EBITDA to net income (loss) in each period to allow for the comparison of the performance of the underlying core operations with the overall performance of the company on a full-cost, after-tax basis.

As to certain of the items related to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Conversion, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share: (i) non-cash stock-based compensation expense varies from period to period due to changes in the estimated fair value of performance-based awards, forfeitures, and amounts granted; (ii) strategic review costs related to the separation of Centuri are non-recurring; and (iii) severance costs relate to non-recurring restructuring activities. Because EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow Conversion, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share as defined exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income (loss) such measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The most comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss), and information reconciling the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, are set forth below. We are unable to provide reconciliations for forward-looking non-GAAP metrics without unreasonable efforts due to our inability to project non-recurring expenses.

Centuri Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures For the Fiscal Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023 (In thousands) (Unaudited)

	Fiscal Three Months Ended						Fiscal Six Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
Net income (loss)	$	11,697		$	18,527		$	(13,536	)	$	11,422
Interest expense, net		22,629			24,525			46,728			46,901
Income tax (benefit) expense		(474	)		11,033			(21,247	)		6,825
Depreciation expense		27,724			30,190			55,375			61,393
Amortization of intangible assets		6,661			6,670			13,329			13,337
EBITDA		68,237			90,945			80,649			139,878
Non-cash stock-based compensation		80			689			(508	)		833
Strategic review costs		(1,867	)		1,137			2,010			1,228
Severance costs		2,186			163			6,657			232
Adjusted EBITDA	$	68,636		$	92,934		$	88,808		$	142,171
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (% of revenue)		10.2	%		11.5	%		7.4	%		9.7	%


	Fiscal Three Months Ended						Fiscal Six Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
Adjusted EBITDA	$	68,636		$	92,934		$	88,808		$	142,171
Net capital expenditures		(20,029	)		(28,575	)		(48,904	)		(49,146	)
Free Cash Flow	$	48,607		$	64,359		$	39,904		$	93,025
Free Cash Flow Conversion (% of adjusted EBITDA)		70.8	%		69.3	%		44.9	%		65.4	%

Centuri Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures For the Fiscal Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023 (In thousands) (Unaudited)

	Fiscal Three Months Ended						Fiscal Six Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023			June 30, 2024			July 2, 2023
Net income (loss)	$	11,697		$	18,527		$	(13,536	)	$	11,422
Strategic review costs		(1,867	)		1,137			2,010			1,228
Severance costs		2,186			163			6,657			232
Amortization of intangible assets		6,661			6,670			13,329			13,337
Non-cash stock-based compensation		80			689			(508	)		833
Income tax impact of adjustments⁽¹⁾		(1,766	)		(2,165	)		(5,373	)		(3,908	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)	$	16,991		$	25,021		$	2,579		$	23,144