A recovery in demand for tires is finally taking shape for Titan International Inc (TWI +0.82%), although it's a little later than hoped. The fourth quarter of 2017 showed revenue growth accelerating, and management is "cautiously optimistic" the trend will continue in 2018.
Here's a look at Titan International's fourth-quarter highlights and what investors should look for in 2018.
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Titan International Inc: The raw numbers
| Metric | Q4 2017 | Q4 2016 | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | $376.0 | $307.3 million | 22.4% |
| Net income | ($32.7 million) | ($14.7 million) | n/a |
| Diluted EPS | ($0.55) | ($0.27) | n/a |
Data Source: Titan International Inc Q4 2017 earnings release. EPS = earnings per share.
What happened with Titan International Inc this quarter?
The loss above may seem alarming given the higher sales, but there were a number of one-time charges that impacted the bottom line. Here's a look at the detailed metrics investors should know beyond the headline numbers.
- Adjusted gross profit increased 42% to $13.3 million. This shows that margin expansion is starting to impact Titan International's financials.
- Adjusted operating income was $5.0 million, a $14.7 million improvement versus a year ago.
- On a segment basis, agricultural sales were up 14.2% to $165.9 million. Earth-moving and construction segment sales were up 35.2% to $165.9 million. Consumer sales increased 12.2% to $44.3 million.
- A fire caused an asset impairment charge of $9.9 million, which partially accounted for the larger loss in the quarter. There was also an $18.6 million loss on the repurchase of $400.0 million principal of debt due 2020.
- Refinanced debt is due in 2023 and carries an interest rate of 6.5%, lower than debt that's been paid back, which should give management flexibility in the future.
What management had to say
Continuous improvement throughout 2017 is what management pointed to as a sign strategic changes made in the last few years are working. CEO Paul Reitz said, "Our fourth quarter results continue to reflect the strengthening of our end-markets as well as the improvements we've made within the Titan organization. This quarter marks the fourth consecutive quarter of significant year-over-year growth in Titan's net sales."
I'll point out that revenue was about flat sequentially, so investors will have to see if growth continues as the comps get harder in 2018.
Looking forward
Management has been predicting a market turnaround for a couple of years now, but in 2017 it finally began to show in financial results. One-time charges kept Titan International in the red, but if we continue to see revenue growth and margin expansion in 2018, the company should start reporting steady profitability. That would be welcome news indeed for investors waiting for a turnaround at this giant tire manufacturer.
