ABM Industries Announces 2013 Third Quarter Financial Results

ABM Industries Announces 2013 Third Quarter Financial Results

Acquisitions and Organic Growth Increase Revenue by 13%

Reported EPS $0.29; Adjusted EPS $0.41, up 11%

Guidance for FY13 Adjusted EPS $1.45 - $1.50; Higher-End of Range

Declares 190 ^th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ABM (NYSE: ABM), a leading provider of integrated facility solutions, today announced financial results for the fiscal 2013 third quarter that ended July 31, 2013.

(This release refers to non-GAAP financial measures described as "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted income from continuing operations", and "Adjusted income from continuing operations per diluted share" (or "Adjusted EPS"). Refer to the accompanying financial schedules for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to certain GAAP financial measures.)

Executive Summary:

• Revenues were $1.2 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, up almost 13% compared to $1.08 billion last year, due to $105.7 million in contributions from recent acquisitions and $31.9 million in organic growth or 3.0%.
• Janitorial, Facility Services, and Security segments achieved organic growth of 3.2%, 6.3%, and 5.0%, respectively, from new business and increased scope of work with existing clients.
• Adjusted income from continuing operations for the fiscal 2013 third quarter was $0.41 per diluted share, up 10.8%, compared to $0.37 per diluted share in the prior year.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 14.9% to $57.2 million as a result of contributions from recent acquisitions and new business.
• Net cash from operations was $84.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013, compared to net cash from operations of $83.8 million for the same period last year.
• Outstanding borrowings under the Company's credit facility decreased by $36 million in the third quarter to $348 million.

Third Quarter Results and Recent Events

"We are very pleased with our third quarter financial results as underlying business trends continue to strengthen," said ABM's president and chief executive officer Henrik Slipsager. "The momentum across our businesses grew throughout the quarter and we achieved a 12.8% increase in revenue due to our recent acquisitions and strong organic growth in our Janitorial, Facility Services and Security segments. Janitorial sales increased 3.2%, representing our largest quarterly organic sales improvement in 5 years and reflecting new significant business wins. We're also encouraged by progress in our Building & Energy Solutions segment, where sales increased 21.6% due to acquisitions and new commercial service and maintenance contracts, which included bundled energy solutions jobs. Operating profits were up 82.5% for Building & Energy Solutions as we are beginning to benefit from our investments in our healthcare vertical and energy business as well as effective cost control. We continue to expand our pipeline of new sales in a number of key verticals and we are further developing our capabilities in a number of areas to drive long-term growth."

Slipsager continued, "Adjusted income from continuing operations in the third quarter increased $2.8 million, or approximately 14%, as the benefits from acquisitions, new sales and expense management were partially offset by higher initial costs associated with new contracts in our Janitorial and Air Serv businesses.

"On a reported basis, we achieved a 27.8% increase in net income, primarily due to contributions from recent acquisitions and new business. Based on the results of an independent external actuarial evaluation conducted in the quarter, we increased insurance reserves related to claims from prior years by $9.9 million ($6.0 million after-tax), compared to the $9.5 million ($5.6 million after-tax) increase in the third quarter of fiscal 2012."

Interest expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was $3.3 million, an increase from $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to higher average borrowings on the Company's credit facility to fund acquisitions made in early fiscal 2013.

James Lusk, executive vice president and chief financial officer, added, "We continue to deliver strong free cash flow and to return value to our shareholders through the payment of a quarterly cash dividend. During the third quarter, we reduced our debt levels by $36 million, ending the quarter with $348 million in borrowings under our credit facility."

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was 40.4%, compared to 41.3% in the same period last year.

Slipsager concluded, "The combination of strong revenue momentum, anticipated margin improvement and good progress on the integration of our acquisitions gives us confidence in our earnings outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. We remain highly encouraged by our business and expect to see continued earnings growth as recent client wins ramp up fully in the fourth quarter and operating leverage improves as we benefit from the ongoing cost initiatives within the Onsite businesses. We remain pleased with the pace of integration from businesses acquired earlier in fiscal 2013, and sales contributions from these acquisitions continue to exceed our expectations. Our reorganization efforts remain on track and we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the substantial market opportunities before us and to continue improving our long-term growth prospects."

Nine Months Results

The Company reported revenues for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 of $3.57 billion, which represents an 11.3% increase compared to year-ago revenues of $3.21 billion. The growth was driven by a combination of revenue from recent acquisitions and organic growth of 1.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2013.

Income from continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 was $48.7 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, compared to $35.0 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012.

Adjusted income from continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 was $58.0 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, compared to $48.4 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012. The increase of $9.6 million is primarily the result of higher revenue from acquisitions and organic growth, lower payroll and payroll related expenses as a result of one less working day, and an improvement in operating margins due to continued expense control, partially offset by higher interest expense.

Dividend

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors has declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.15 per common share payable on November 4, 2013 to stockholders of record on October 3, 2013. This will be ABM's 190^th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Guidance

Based on ABM's strong year-to-date performance and outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company is narrowing its guidance for fiscal year 2013 to the high end of the previously issued guidance range. The Company now anticipates income from continuing operations of $1.26 to $1.31 per diluted share and adjusted income from continuing operations of $1.45 to $1.50 per diluted share.

Earnings Webcast

On Wednesday, September 4, at 9:00 a.m. ET, ABM will host a live webcast of remarks by president and chief executive officer Henrik Slipsager, executive vice president and chief financial officer James Lusk, executive vice president Jim McClure, and executive vice president Tracy Price. A supplemental presentation will accompany the webcast and will be accessible through the Investor Relations portion of ABM's website by clicking on the "Presentations" tab.

The webcast will be accessible at: http://investor.abm.com/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=133592

Listeners are asked to be online at least 15 minutes early to register, as well as to download and install any complimentary audio software that might be required. Following the call, the webcast will be available at this URL for a period of 90 days.

In addition to the webcast, a limited number of toll-free telephone lines will also be available for listeners who are among the first to call (877) 664-7395 within 15 minutes before the event. Telephonic replays will be accessible during the period from two hours to seven days after the call by dialing (855) 859-2056 and then entering ID #32550158.

Earnings Webcast Presentation

In connection with the webcast to discuss earnings (see above), a slide presentation related to earnings and operations will be available on the Company's website at www.abm.com and can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of ABM's website by clicking on the "Presentations" tab.

ABOUT ABM

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues exceeding $4 billion and 100,000 employees in over 350 offices deployed throughout the United States and various international locations. ABM's comprehensive capabilities include facilities engineering, commercial cleaning, energy solutions, HVAC, electrical, landscaping, parking and security, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban and rural areas to properties of all sizes — from schools and hospitals to the largest and most complex facilities, such as manufacturing plants and major airports. ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries, was founded in 1909. For more information, visit www.abm.com.

Cautionary Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements that set forth management's anticipated results based on management's current plans and assumptions. Any number of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These factors include but are not limited to the following: (1) risks relating to our acquisition strategy may adversely impact our results of operations; (2) our strategy of moving to an integrated facility solutions provider platform, which focuses on vertical market strategy, may not generate the growth in revenues or profitability that we expect; (3) we are subject to intense competition that can constrain our ability to gain business, as well as our profitability; (4) increases in costs that we cannot pass on to clients could affect our profitability; (5) we have high deductibles for certain insurable risks, and therefore we are subject to volatility associated with those risks; (6) we primarily provide our services pursuant to agreements that are cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days' notice; (7) our success depends on our ability to preserve our long-term relationships with clients; (8) we are at risk of losses and adverse publicity stemming from any accident or other incident involving our airport operations; (9) our international business exposes us to additional risks; (10) we conduct some of our operations through joint ventures, and our ability to do business may be affected by the failure of our joint venture partners to perform their obligations or the improper conduct of joint venture employees, partners, or agents; (11) significant delays or reductions in appropriations for our government contracts may negatively affect our business and could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows; (12) we are subject to a number of procurement rules and regulations relating to our business with the U.S. Government and if we fail to comply with those rules, our business and our reputation could be adversely affected; (13) negative or unexpected tax consequences could adversely affect our results of operations; (14) we are subject to business continuity risks associated with centralization of certain administrative functions; (15) a decline in commercial office building occupancy and rental rates could affect our revenues and profitability; (16) deterioration in economic conditions in general could reduce the demand for facility services and, as a result,reduce our earnings and adversely affect our financial condition; (17) a variety of factors could adversely affect the results of operations of our building and energy services business; (18) financial difficulties or bankruptcy of one or more of our major clients could adversely affect ourresults; (19) our ability to operate and pay ourdebt obligations depends upon our access to cash; (20) future declines in the fair value of our investments in auction rate securities could negatively impact our earnings; (21) uncertainty in the credit markets may negatively impact our costs of borrowing, our ability to collect receivables on a timely basis, and our cash flow; (22) we incur accounting and other control costs that reduce profitability; (23) sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011 or alternative measures that may be adopted in lieu of sequestration may negatively impact our business; (24) any future increase in our level of debt or in interest rates could affect our results of operations; (25) an impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations; (26) we are defendants in class and representative actions and other lawsuits alleging various claims that could cause us to incur substantial liabilities; (27) federal health care reform legislation may adversely affect our business and results of operations; (28) changes in immigration laws or enforcement actions or investigations under such laws could significantly adversely affect our labor force, operations, and financial results; (29) labor disputes could lead to loss of revenues or expense variations; (30) we participate in multi-employer pension plans which, under certain circumstances, could result in material liabilities being incurred; and (31) natural disasters or acts of terrorism could disrupt services.

Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties the Company faces is contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012 and in other reports the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company urges readers to consider these risks and uncertainties in evaluating its forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement ABM's consolidated financial information, the Company has presented income from continuing operations, as adjusted for items impacting comparability, for the third quarter and nine months of fiscal years 2013 and 2012. These adjustments have been made with the intent of providing financial measures that give management and investors a better understanding of the underlying operational results and trends as well as ABM's marketplace performance. In addition, the Company has presented earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and excluding discontinued operations and items impacting comparability (adjusted EBITDA) for the third quarter and nine months of fiscal years 2013 and 2012. Adjusted EBITDA is among the indicators management uses as a basis for planning and forecasting future periods. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. (See accompanying financial tables for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to certain GAAP financial measures.)