Ritchie Bros. reports fourth quarter and 2017 annual results

VANCOUVER, Feb. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE & TSX: RBA, the "Company" or "Ritchie Bros.") reports results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2017. 

(All figures are presented in U.S. dollars)
Fourth quarter highlights

The Company generated $178.8 million of revenues, an increase of 22% compared to the same quarter last year. Net income attributable to stockholders was $36.8 million compared to $27.9 million for the same quarter in 2016. Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to stockholders was $0.34 in the fourth quarter of 2017, which included a $10.1 million favorable impact of the recent U.S. tax reform and $3.1 million of acquisition-related costs. This compares to diluted EPS attributable to stockholders of $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2016. Diluted adjusted EPS attributable to stockholders¹ (non-GAAP measure), which excludes the $10.1 million impact of the U.S. tax reform and certain acquisition-related costs, decreased 13% to $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2017 from $0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2016. Other key fourth quarter highlights included:

• Consolidated Revenue Rate² was 13.81% compared to 14.11% in the fourth quarter of 2016
• Auctions and Marketplaces ("A&M") segment revenues increased 20%; segment Revenue Rate² decreased 49 basis points ("bps") to 12.64% from 13.13% in the fourth quarter of 2016
• Revenue from other services of $15.1 million; an increase of 48% compared to the fourth quarter of 2016
• Gross Transaction Value ("GTV")² of $1.3 billion, a 24% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2016

Full year highlights

Full year results were influenced by broad-based effects of unprecedented demand for infrastructure projects, high equipment utilization rates, and an overall equipment shortage principally in the United States and Canada, resulting in lower than expected full year GTV and revenue performance. On May 31, 2017, the Company acquired IronPlanet (the "Acquisition") for $776.5 million and undertook the complex integration work, which resulted in some temporary sales productivity decline.

The Company generated $610.5 million of revenues in 2017, an increase of 8% compared to $566.4 million in 2016, and $75.0 million of net income attributable to stockholders. Diluted EPS attributable to stockholders was $0.69, which included $38.3 million of acquisition-related costs and $38.3 million of interest expense. This compares to diluted EPS attributable to stockholders of $0.85 in 2016. Diluted adjusted EPS attributable to stockholders (non-GAAP measure) decreased 30% to $0.81 in 2017 from $1.15 in 2016. Other key 2017 highlights included:

• Consolidated Revenue Rate of 13.66% compared to 13.07% in 2016
• A&M segment revenues increased 6%; segment Revenue Rate increased 36 basis points to 12.63% from 12.27% in 2016
• Revenues from other services of $46.2 million; an increase of 34% compared to 2016
• Cash provided by operating activities of $146.3 million
• Declared quarterly dividends aggregating to $0.68 per common share in 2017
• GTV of $4.5 billion, a 3% increase compared to 2016

"In the fourth quarter, despite a continuation of supply constraints, we delivered GTV and revenue growth both on a reported and combined-company basis as our integration efforts started taking hold, the salesforce stabilized and our go to market execution improved", said Ravi Saligram, Chief Executive Officer of Ritchie Bros.

Mr. Saligram continued, "2017 as a whole was a historic year for Ritchie Bros. as we reshaped our future through the transformational acquisition of IronPlanet, a pivotal step in our evolution to become a truly diversified asset management and disposition company. Our full year financial results are a reflection of the unprecedented shortage of equipment supply, softness in Alberta's oil patch, and uncertainty caused by a significant delay in regulatory approvals that led to some salesforce turnover. However, we made meaningful progress on several fronts including solid revenue rate expansion over prior year, strong operating free cash flow, and excellent growth in EMEA, RBFS and Mascus. We are pleased to have completed our 2017 integration milestones and are on track to achieve our stated synergy targets.

Looking ahead, we are very excited about the future of Ritchie Bros. and our results in our record-breaking auction last week in Orlando are testimony to the power of the combined company's capabilities. We are encouraged by the results in the fourth quarter and our progress to-date in 2018 but remain balanced as we navigate continued tight supply in 2018."

Financial Overview
(Unaudited)

Adjusted (non-GAAP) figures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 in the table above have not adjusted for the impact of $1.4 million and $21.3 million of pre-tax acquisition-related costs, respectively. Segmented information, which includes segment revenues and profits, can be found in the tables on page 11 of this News Release.

Results of operations – fourth quarter and full year update

GTV increased 24% to $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $1.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. The higher online marketplace GTV is primarily driven by the Acquisition. The increase was partially offset by global equipment shortages particularly in the United States, some lower sales productivity as the Company progresses through the integration of its sales teams post-acquisition, and weaknesses in the Canadian oil patches. For the full year, GTV increased 3% to $4.5 billion compared to $4.3 billion in 2016.

Revenues increased 22% to $178.8 million in the fourth quarter 2017 compared to $146.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily due to the Acquisition, revenue growth in Europe and strong Mascus performance, partially offset by lapping large Canadian inventory dispersals, which favorably impacted the fourth quarter of 2016. Consolidated Revenue Rate declined 30 bps to 13.81% versus the same period last year. This rate decline was the result of the performance of the Company's underwritten business, and lapping the inventory dispersals in the fourth quarter. For the full year, revenues increased $44.1 million, or 8%, driven principally by the Acquisition and growth of value-added services.

Costs of services increased $8.8 million to $25.0 million compared to $16.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily due to costs associated with the Company's inspection and appraisal activities, which increased as a result of the Acquisition. Cost of services for 2017 was $79.0 million, which represents a $13.0 million increase from $66.1 million in 2016.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased $18.8 million, or 25%, in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily due to the Acquisition, including increased headcount, travel costs, and search engine fees associated with the online marketplace channel, as well as merit increases and higher bank fees attributable to the new credit facility. For the full year, SG&A expenses of $323.3 million increased $39.7 million, or 14%, compared to 2016.

Acquisition-related costs consist of operating expenses directly incurred as part of a business combination, due diligence, and integration planning – including those related to the Acquisition – and continuing employment costs that are recognized separately from the Company's business combinations. Fourth quarter 2017 and 2016 post acquisition-related costs were $3.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of costs associated with the Acquisition. Fiscal 2017 acquisition-related costs were $38.3 million compared to $11.8 million in 2016.

Operating income modestly declined to $40.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $40.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. This was primarily due to higher SG&A expenses, costs of services, and depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by the increase in revenues.  For the full year, operating income decreased $28.3 million, or 21%, to $107.5 million compared to $135.7 million in 2016.

Net income attributable to stockholders increased $8.9 million, or 32%, in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. This improvement is primarily due to the favorable impact from the US tax reform partially offset by the increases in interest expense due to the increased indebtedness to fund the Acquisition. In 2017, net income attributable to stockholders decreased $16.8 million to $75.0 million from $91.8 million in 2016.

Primarily for the same reasons noted above, diluted EPS attributable to stockholders was $0.34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to diluted EPS attributable to stockholders of $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2016. In 2017, diluted EPS attributable to stockholders decreased 19% to $0.69 from $0.85 in 2016.

Results by segment

A&M segment

Revenue. Segment revenue increased 20% to $163.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $136.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase was primarily due to the Acquisition and revenue growth in Europe, partially offset by the performance of the Company's underwritten business, including the significant inventory dispersals in the fourth quarter of 2016. Segment Revenue Rate declined 49 basis points to 12.64% in the fourth quarter of 2017 from 13.13% in the fourth quarter of 2016 for the same reasons as noted above. In 2017, segment revenue increased 6% to $564.3 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $531.8 million in 2016. Segment Revenue Rate increased 36 basis points to 12.63% in 2017.

SG&A expenses. Segment SG&A expenses increased $17.8 million to $89.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, primarily for the same reasons noted above in the consolidated SG&A expense commentary. On an annual basis, segment SG&A expenses increased $36.6 million to $308.9 million in 2017 compared to 2016.

Other services

Revenue from other services grew $4.9 million, or 48% in the fourth quarter of 2017, versus the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase is primarily due to growth of our ancillary services, as well as increases in revenue from Mascus and RBFS. For the full year, revenue from other services grew $11.7 million, or 33.7% in 2017, versus 2016. 

RBFS operating segment. RBFS segment revenues were $4.6 million, a 19% increase for the fourth quarter in 2017 compared to the $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Funded volume, which represents the amount of lending brokered by RBFS, increased 30% in the fourth quarter of 2017 to $90.5 million. RBFS segment profit increased 13% to $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year, RBFS segment revenues were $16.1 million, a 26% increase in 2017 compared to the $12.8 million in 2016. Funded volume increased 17% from $261.4 million in 2016 to $306.4 million in 2017. RBFS segment operating profit increased 28% over the same comparative period to $8.2 million from $6.4 million.

Dividend Information
Quarterly dividend
The Company declared on January 26, 2018, a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share payable on March 9, 2018 to shareholders of record on February 16, 2018.

Q4 2017 Earnings Conference Call
Ritchie Bros. is hosting a conference call to discuss its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, at 8:00 am Pacific time / 11:00 am Eastern time / 4:00 pm GMT on February 27, 2018.  A replay will be available shortly after the call.

Conference call and webcast details are available at the following link:
https://investor.ritchiebros.com

About Ritchie Bros.
Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a multitude of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the Company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live on site auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing its exclusive IronClad Assurance® equipment condition certification program; Marketplace^e, an online auction marketplace; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The Company also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy Auctioneers, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about the unprecedented choice provided by Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including, in particular, statements regarding future financial and operational results, including growth prospects and potential ability to generate cash, shareholder returns, and payment of dividends. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or statements that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur.  All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.  Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, including the numerous factors that influence the supply of and demand for used equipment; economic and other conditions in local, regional and global sectors; the Company's ability to successfully integrate IronPlanet, and to receive the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; and the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, available on the SEC, SEDAR, and Company websites. The foregoing list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements.  There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable securities legislation.  For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

GTV and Consolidated Financial Information

GTV and consolidated income statements – fourth quarter
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

GTV and consolidated income statements – year-to-date
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Consolidated balance sheets
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share data)
(Unaudited)

Consolidated statements of cash flows
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)
(Unaudited)

Segmented information
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

Selected Data
(Unaudited)

Selected balance sheet data

Selected operating data

Average industrial auction data

Non-GAAP Measures

This news release makes reference to various non-GAAP measures. These measures do not have a standardized meaning and are, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of this financial information, which is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The following tables present adjusted operating income (non-GAAP measure) and adjusted operating income margin (non-GAAP measure) results for the three and twelve months, respectively, ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, as well as reconcile those metrics to operating income, revenues, and operating income margin, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures in, or calculated from, the consolidated income statements:

The fourth quarter 2017 included one adjusting item of $2.2 million ($1.6 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) related to severance and retention costs in a corporate reorganization that followed the Acquisition. There were no adjustments for the fourth quarter of 2016.

The adjusting items for the year ended December 31, 2017 were:

• $4.8 million ($4.8 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) of stock option compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of certain IronPlanet stock options assumed as part of the Acquisition
• $9.1 million ($6.6 million after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share) of acquisition and finance structure advisory costs
• $3.6 million ($2.5 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share) of severance and retention costs in a corporate reorganization that followed the Acquisition
• $8.9 million ($6.6 million after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share) impairment loss recognized on various technology assets

The adjusting item for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a $28.2 million ($26.4 million after tax, or $0.25 per diluted share) impairment loss on EquipmentOne reporting unit goodwill and customer relationships.

The following tables present adjusted net income attributable to stockholders (non-GAAP measure) and diluted adjusted EPS attributable to stockholders (non-GAAP measure) results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, as well as reconciles those metrics to net income attributable to stockholders, the effect of dilutive securities, the weighted average number of dilutive shares outstanding, and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to stockholders, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the consolidated income statements: