CLEVELAND, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its second quarter of 2024.

Net sales in the second quarter of 2024 were $138.7 million compared to $181.8 million in the second quarter of 2023, a 24% decrease. The decrease in sales is a continuation of the slowdown in spending in the communications end market.  Foreign currency translation reduced second quarter 2024 net sales by $1.1 million.

Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $9.4 million, or $1.89 per diluted share, compared to $20.5 million, or $4.08 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023. The second quarter of 2024 net income was impacted by decreased gross profit from lower sales levels, similar to our Q1 2024 results, partially offset by lower period expenses, lower interest expense and reduced income tax expense. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 31.9% for the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 460 basis points versus the same quarter in 2023. 

Net sales decreased 23% to $279.6 million for the first six months of 2024 compared to $363.6 million for the first six months of 2023. The year-over-year decline in sales is due primarily to the slowdown in spending and inventory de-stocking within the communications end market. Foreign currency translation rates reduced net sales by $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $19.0 million, or $3.83 per diluted share, compared to $41.9 million, or $8.35 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2023.  YTD June 30, 2024 net income was impacted by decreased gross profit resulting from the decrease in sales which was partially offset by lower period expenses, lower interest expense and reduced income tax expense.

Rob Ruhlman, Executive Chairman, said, "The decline in net sales continues to be primarily related to the softness in the communications end market, caused primarily by a reduction in deployment due to higher borrowing costs, a delay in BEAD stimulus funding and continued inventory de-stocking to re-align customer inventory levels with current manufacturing lead times.  Our cost reduction activities implemented in 2023 have helped us maintain solid financial results during this expected temporary slow-down within our end markets.  We remain optimistic about the prospects of the markets that we serve and will continue our investment in new product development, streamlining our manufacturing operations and expanding our customer service portfolio.  These actions, along with our continued strong liquidity, will allow us to take advantage of favorable market conditions when they return.  Our current focus is unchanged:  provide our customers with the high-quality products and timely service they have come to expect from PLP."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the Company, including those statements regarding the Company's and management's beliefs and expectations concerning the Company's future performance or anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements include the uncertainty in global business conditions and the economy due to factors such as inflation, rising interest rates, labor disruptions, military conflict, political instability, exchange rates and lingering effects of COVID-19, the strength of demand and availability of funding for the Company's products and the mix of products sold, the relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company's products, the cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products, opportunities for business growth through acquisitions and the ability to successfully integrate any acquired businesses, changes in regulations and tax rates, security breaches, litigation and claims and the Company's ability to continue to develop proprietary technology and maintain high-quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations, and other factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024 and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other filings with the SEC can be found on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.

ABOUT PLP

PLP protects the world's most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The company's precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.

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SOURCE Preformed Line Products