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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

November 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: Janet Kavinoky (205) 298-3220

 

 

VULCAN REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

 

Price Growth and Cost Control Drive Continued Expansion in Aggregates Profitability

 

Birmingham, Alabama – November 5, 2020 – Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC), the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

 

Net earnings were $200 million compared to $216 million in the prior year’s comparable quarter. Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $403 million versus $407 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margins expanded by 210 basis points despite an 8 percent decline in total revenues. This margin expansion was driven by effective cost control throughout the organization and price growth in each major product line.

 

Tom Hill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Building on strong performance from the first half of the year, our operational execution produced another quarter of unit margin expansion in the third quarter. Unit profitability gains were widespread across our footprint, and our team remained focused on driving those improvements. The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction activity, along with severe wet weather, led to lower shipment levels in the quarter. However, our resilient and best-in-class aggregates business overcame these disruptive conditions, which enabled us to expand cash gross profit per ton, drive higher cash flows, and improve returns on invested capital.”

 

Mr. Hill continued, “Year-to-date, cash gross profit per ton has increased 7 percent, despite a 4 percent decline in shipments. The flexibility of our operating plans and our aggregates-focused business model have enabled us to continue to perform at a high level while also positioning us for earnings growth in the future as demand recovers. The pricing environment remains supportive, and we are encouraged by the sequential improvement in demand visibility. Residential construction has rebounded quickly which should bode well for private nonresidential construction as it has been the weakest end market since the pandemic began. State transportation revenues continue to recover to pre-pandemic levels, and the one-year extension of federal highway funding will support future highway construction. Continued recovery in these fundamentals would point to construction activity stabilizing over the course of 2021. As we consider the remainder of 2020, we now believe we have sufficient near-term visibility to provide guidance for the full year. We expect that our 2020 Adjusted EBITDA will range between $1.285 billion to $1.315 billion.”

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2

November 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Highlights as of September 30, 2020 include:

 

   Third Quarter   Year-to-Date   Trailing-Twelve Months 
Amounts in millions, except per unit data  2020   2019   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Total revenues  $1,309.9   $1,418.8   $3,681.7   $3,743.0   $4,867.9   $4,831.0 
Gross profit  $380.5   $400.6   $978.7   $962.8   $1,271.8   $1,238.1 
Aggregates segment                              
Segment sales  $1,049.0   $1,133.1   $2,987.8   $3,030.1   $3,947.9   $3,904.1 
Freight-adjusted revenue  $807.6   $858.5   $2,270.3   $2,293.6   $2,990.9   $2,951.2 
Gross profit  $337.9   $357.2   $883.2   $872.1   $1,157.7   $1,128.5 
Shipments (tons)   55.9    60.9    157.2    163.8    208.8    213.6 
Freight-adjusted sales price per ton  $14.44   $14.10   $14.45   $14.00   $14.33   $13.82 
Gross profit per ton  $6.04   $5.87   $5.62   $5.32   $5.54   $5.28 
Asphalt, Concrete & Calcium segment gross profit  $42.6   $43.4   $95.6   $90.7   $114.1   $109.6 
Selling, Administrative and General (SAG)  $83.5   $88.8   $261.1   $274.7   $356.9   $359.1 
SAG as % of Total revenues   6.4%   6.3%   7.1%   7.3%   7.3%   7.4%
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes  $258.1   $271.5   $602.6   $591.7   $768.6   $745.6 
Net earnings  $199.8   $215.7   $470.0   $476.6   $611.1   $600.6 
Adjusted EBIT  $302.5   $310.6   $716.4   $692.6   $919.2   $888.4 
Adjusted EBITDA  $403.5   $406.8   $1,012.3   $971.6   $1,310.8   $1,257.1 
Earnings from continuing operations per diluted share  $1.51   $1.63   $3.54   $3.60   $4.61   $4.53 
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share  $1.56   $1.68   $3.62   $3.62   $4.70   $4.61 

 

Segment Results

Aggregates

Third quarter gross profit margin expanded 70 basis points despite a decrease in segment sales. Gross profit was $338 million compared to $357 million in the prior year. Unit profitability increased 3 percent to $6.04 per ton due to widespread growth in pricing and effective cost control.

 

Third quarter aggregates shipments were 8 percent lower than the prior year’s third quarter due to economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, severe wet weather and wildfires in key markets. Last year’s third quarter included very few severe weather events, helping drive strong volume growth. Despite lower shipments in most markets, virtually all of the Company’s markets improved their respective unit profitability compared to the prior year’s third quarter. Shipments declined in most of our markets reflecting weaker demand resulting from the pandemic. Shipments along the Atlantic Coast, in the Southeast and Texas were impacted by severe weather. Shipments in California were impacted by wildfires and resulting power outages which interrupted the supply of cement for ready-mix concrete production and limited construction activity.

 

On a mix-adjusted basis, most of the Company’s markets reported year-over-year price growth. For the quarter, mix-adjusted sales price increased 2.9 percent (reported freight-adjusted sales price increased 2.4 percent). Year-to-date, mix-adjusted pricing has increased 3.5 percent (reported freight-adjusted sales price increased 3.2 percent) despite a 4 percent decline in shipments.

 

Freight-adjusted unit cost of sales increased 2 percent, and cash costs were flat versus the prior year’s third quarter. Effective operating efficiencies and lower diesel fuel costs helped mitigate the cost impact of lower sales volumes. The Aggregates segment earnings impact from lower diesel fuel was $9 million in the quarter.

 

 

 

 

Page 3

November 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium

Asphalt segment gross profit was $30 million, an improvement of $3 million from the prior year’s third quarter. The year-over-year improvement was driven by higher material margins (sales price less unit cost of raw materials). Although asphalt volumes in the third quarter declined 13 percent compared to the prior year, results benefited from slightly higher prices and effective cost containment, including lower liquid asphalt costs. Shipments in the current year’s quarter were impacted by wildfires in California, the Company’s largest asphalt market, and the completion of certain large projects last year in the Tennessee market.

 

Concrete segment gross profit was $12 million compared with $15 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Shipments decreased 11 percent versus the prior year, and average selling prices increased 3 percent compared to the prior year. Third quarter shipments were impacted by wet weather in Virginia, the Company’s largest concrete market, and wildfires in Northern California.

 

Calcium segment gross profit was $0.2 million versus $0.8 million in the prior year quarter.

 

Selling, Administrative and General (SAG) and Other Operating Expense

SAG expense declined 6 percent to $84 million in the quarter due mostly to continued execution of cost reduction initiatives and general cost control. On a trailing twelve-month basis, SAG expense as a percentage of total revenues is 7.3 percent. The Company remains focused on further leveraging its overhead cost structure.

 

Other operating expense of $10 million included $6 million in charges associated with divested operations. The prior year did not include a similar charge.

 

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

Capital expenditures in the third quarter were $52 million and $229 million year-to-date. The Company expects to spend between $300 million and $350 million on capital this year, most of which is for core operating and maintenance projects. The Company continues to review its plans and will adjust as needed, while being thoughtful about preserving liquidity.

 

Year-to-date September 30, the Company returned $135 million to shareholders through dividends, a 10 percent increase versus the prior year. Year-to-date, the Company repurchased $26 million in common stock.

 

At quarter-end, total debt to trailing-twelve month Adjusted EBITDA was 2.5 times or 1.7 times on a net debt basis reflecting $1.1 billion of cash on hand - of which approximately $500 million will be used to pay off certain maturities due March 2021. The Company’s weighted-average debt maturity was 14 years, and the effective weighted-average interest rate was 4.1 percent.

 

On a trailing twelve-month basis, return on invested capital increased to 14.2 percent and operating cash flows were $1.1 billion, up 23 percent versus the comparable previous trailing twelve months. Solid earnings growth coupled with disciplined capital management led to these results.

 

 

 

 

Page 4

November 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Outlook

Mr. Hill stated, “Going into 2020, we expected shipment growth; however, in March, that trajectory was disrupted by COVID-19 and the resulting shelter-in-place ordinances. Since then, the economic uncertainty and the evolving nature of the pandemic have continued to weigh on construction activity. We are encouraged by the recent sequential improvement in leading indicators that foreshadow future construction activity, and now believe that we have sufficient near-term visibility to provide full-year guidance. We expect full-year 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $1.285 billion to $1.315 billion. This full year outlook reflects year-over-year earnings growth despite lower shipments. It assumes no major changes in COVID shelter-in-place restrictions and also assumes a normal weather pattern for the balance of the year. As we look ahead to 2021, the pricing environment remains positive and we continue to work hard to add value for our customers. We expect to provide full-year guidance when we report fourth quarter earnings in February.”

 

Reflecting on the Company’s execution, Mr. Hill went on to say, “While demand is subject to market fluctuations outside of our control, we remain focused on the factors we can control, such as our pricing and cost actions, both of which help to compound our unit margins. Our year-to-date results demonstrate our capabilities to drive continued improvement in challenging circumstances. Actions taken across our more than 360 locations have ensured an effective response to the economic disruption resulting from COVID-19. Our operating plans are underpinned by our four strategic disciplines (Commercial and Operational Excellence, Logistics Innovation and Strategic Sourcing), a healthy balance sheet, strong liquidity, and the engagement of our people.”

 

Conference Call

Vulcan will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CST on November 5, 2020. A webcast will be available via the Company’s website at www.vulcanmaterials.com. Investors and other interested parties may access the teleconference live by calling 833-962-1439, or 832-900-4623 if outside the U.S., approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. The conference ID is 7796747. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay at the Company’s website approximately two hours after the call.

 

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 Index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates – primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel – and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

 

 

 

 

Page 5

November 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This document contains forward-looking statements.  Statements that are not historical fact, including statements about Vulcan's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Generally, these statements relate to future financial performance, results of operations, business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings (including EBITDA and other measures), dividend policy, shipment volumes, pricing, levels of capital expenditures, intended cost reductions and cost savings, anticipated profit improvements and/or planned divestitures and asset sales. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions elsewhere in this document.  These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including but not limited to general business conditions, competitive factors, pricing, energy costs, and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports Vulcan periodically files with the SEC.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results, developments, and business decisions may vary significantly from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The following risks related to Vulcan's business, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: general economic and business conditions; a pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19; Vulcan’s dependence on the construction industry, which is subject to economic cycles; the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure; changes in the level of spending for private residential and private nonresidential construction; changes in Vulcan’s effective tax rate; the increasing reliance on information technology infrastructure, including the risks that the infrastructure does not work as intended, experiences technical difficulties or is subjected to cyber-attacks; the impact of the state of the global economy on Vulcan’s businesses and financial condition and access to capital markets; the highly competitive nature of the construction industry; the impact of future regulatory or legislative actions, including those relating to climate change, wetlands, greenhouse gas emissions, the definition of minerals, tax policy or international trade; the outcome of pending legal proceedings; pricing of Vulcan's products; weather and other natural phenomena, including the impact of climate change and availability of water; energy costs; costs of hydrocarbon-based raw materials; healthcare costs; the amount of long-term debt and interest expense incurred by Vulcan; changes in interest rates; the impact of a discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); volatility in pension plan asset values and liabilities, which may require cash contributions to the pension plans; the impact of environmental cleanup costs and other liabilities relating to existing and/or divested businesses; Vulcan's ability to secure and permit aggregates reserves in strategically located areas; Vulcan's ability to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions; the effect of changes in tax laws, guidance and interpretations; significant downturn in the construction industry may result in the impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets; changes in technologies, which could disrupt the way Vulcan does business and how Vulcan’s products are distributed; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the reports filed by Vulcan with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  Vulcan disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this document except as required by law.

 

 

 

 

Table A

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

   (in thousands, except per share data) 
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings  September 30   September 30 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2020   2019   2020   2019 
                 
Total revenues  $1,309,890   $1,418,758   $3,681,707   $3,742,951 
Cost of revenues   929,392    1,018,115    2,702,967    2,780,131 
Gross profit   380,498    400,643    978,740    962,820 
Selling, administrative and general expenses   83,511    88,789    261,146    274,747 
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses   1,576    234    2,317    10,982 
Other operating expense, net   (10,459)   (8,712)   (20,610)   (15,173)
Operating earnings   288,104    303,376    699,301    683,882 
Other nonoperating income, net   5,787    359    3,818    5,954 
Interest expense, net   35,782    32,197    100,509    98,165 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes   258,109    271,538    602,610    591,671 
Income tax expense   56,984    53,472    130,530    111,764 
Earnings from continuing operations   201,125    218,066    472,080    479,907 
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax   (1,337)   (2,353)   (2,118)   (3,338)
Net earnings  $199,788   $215,713   $469,962   $476,569 
                     
Basic earnings (loss) per share                    
Continuing operations  $1.52   $1.65   $3.56   $3.63 
Discontinued operations  $(0.01)  $(0.02)  $(0.01)  $(0.03)
Net earnings  $1.51   $1.63   $3.55   $3.60 
                     
Diluted earnings (loss) per share                    
Continuing operations  $1.51   $1.63   $3.54   $3.60 
Discontinued operations  $(0.01)  $(0.01)  $(0.01)  $(0.02)
Net earnings  $1.50   $1.62   $3.53   $3.58 
                     
Weighted-average common shares outstanding                    
Basic   132,573    132,414    132,564    132,244 
Assuming dilution   133,268    133,375    133,192    133,273 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization  $100,962   $96,247   $295,912   $278,925 
Effective tax rate from continuing operations   22.1%   19.7%   21.7%   18.9%

 

 

 

 

Table B

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

(in thousands) 
Consolidated Balance Sheets  September 30   December 31   September 30 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2020   2019   2019 
Assets            
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,084,100   $271,589   $90,411 
Restricted cash   630    2,917    691 
Accounts and notes receivable               
Accounts and notes receivable, gross   647,362    573,241    727,900 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   (3,155)   (3,125)   (2,960)
Accounts and notes receivable, net   644,207    570,116    724,940 
Inventories               
Finished products   384,575    391,666    364,164 
Raw materials   34,562    31,318    31,250 
Products in process   5,098    5,604    6,062 
Operating supplies and other   31,226    29,720    28,184 
Inventories   455,461    458,308    429,660 
Other current assets   80,935    76,396    78,540 
Total current assets   2,265,333    1,379,326    1,324,242 
Investments and long-term receivables   41,778    60,709    57,059 
Property, plant & equipment               
Property, plant & equipment, cost   8,958,342    8,749,217    8,657,731 
Allowances for depreciation, depletion & amortization   (4,614,543)   (4,433,179)   (4,370,386)
Property, plant & equipment, net   4,343,799    4,316,038    4,287,345 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net   431,227    408,189    410,833 
Goodwill   3,172,112    3,167,061    3,167,061 
Other intangible assets, net   1,107,091    1,091,475    1,071,330 
Other noncurrent assets   229,193    225,995    221,803 
Total assets  $11,590,533   $10,648,793   $10,539,673 
Liabilities               
Current maturities of long-term debt   509,435    25    24 
Trade payables and accruals   263,296    265,159    265,012 
Other current liabilities   297,162    270,379    270,248 
Total current liabilities   1,069,893    535,563    535,284 
Long-term debt   2,777,072    2,784,315    2,783,068 
Deferred income taxes, net   685,520    633,039    628,726 
Deferred revenue   174,488    179,880    180,541 
Operating lease liabilities   407,336    388,042    391,079 
Other noncurrent liabilities   547,872    506,097    478,736 
Total liabilities  $5,662,181   $5,026,936   $4,997,434 
Equity               
Common stock, $1 par value   132,454    132,371    132,350 
Capital in excess of par value   2,797,222    2,791,353    2,785,245 
Retained earnings   3,204,671    2,895,871    2,795,834 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (205,995)   (197,738)   (171,190)
Total equity  $5,928,352   $5,621,857   $5,542,239 
Total liabilities and equity  $11,590,533   $10,648,793   $10,539,673 

 

 

 

 

Table C

 

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

(in thousands) 
   Nine Months Ended 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  September 30 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2020   2019 
Operating Activities        
Net earnings  $469,962   $476,569 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities          
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   295,912    278,925 
Noncash operating lease expense   27,820    26,349 
Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses   (2,317)   (10,982)
Contributions to pension plans   (6,540)   (6,767)
Share-based compensation expense   23,239    24,815 
Deferred tax expense (benefit)   50,346    62,232 
Changes in assets and liabilities before initial effects of business acquisitions and dispositions   (76,545)   (221,001)
Other, net   (3,951)   15,989 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $777,926   $646,129 
Investing Activities          
Purchases of property, plant & equipment   (268,989)   (306,893)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment   9,440    12,112 
Proceeds from sale of businesses   651    1,744 
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash   (5,668)   1,122 
Other, net   10,819    (11,342)
Net cash used for investing activities  $(253,747)  $(303,257)
Financing Activities          
Proceeds from short-term debt   0    366,900 
Payment of short-term debt   0    (499,900)
Payment of current maturities and long-term debt   (250,018)   (17)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt   750,000    0 
Debt issuance and exchange costs   (15,394)   0 
Settlements of interest rate derivatives   (19,863)   0 
Purchases of common stock   (26,132)   (2,602)
Dividends paid   (135,161)   (122,943)
Share-based compensation, shares withheld for taxes   (16,303)   (37,598)
Other, net   (1,084)   (14)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities  $286,045   $(296,174)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash   810,224    46,698 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year   274,506    44,404 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period  $1,084,730   $91,102 

 

 

 

 

Table D

Segment Financial Data and Unit Shipments

(in thousands, except per unit data) 
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Total Revenues                
Aggregates 1  $1,048,962   $1,133,085   $2,987,784   $3,030,111 
Asphalt 2   235,201    270,237    597,940    649,490 
Concrete   102,807    112,964    298,255    300,369 
Calcium   1,354    2,119    5,269    6,073 
Segment sales  $1,388,324   $1,518,405   $3,889,248   $3,986,043 
Aggregates intersegment sales   (78,434)   (99,647)   (207,541)   (243,092)
Total revenues  $1,309,890   $1,418,758   $3,681,707   $3,742,951 
Gross Profit                    
Aggregates  $337,891   $357,202   $883,184   $872,133 
Asphalt   30,217    27,639    58,246    51,950 
Concrete   12,157    15,037    35,597    36,487 
Calcium   233    765    1,713    2,250 
Total  $380,498   $400,643   $978,740   $962,820 
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization                    
Aggregates  $82,487   $78,978   $240,370   $227,259 
Asphalt   8,644    8,909    26,046    26,343 
Concrete   3,987    3,371    12,070    9,662 
Calcium   49    59    146    177 
Other   5,795    4,930    17,280    15,484 
Total  $100,962   $96,247   $295,912   $278,925 
Average Unit Sales Price and Unit Shipments                    
Aggregates                    
Freight-adjusted revenues 3  $807,575   $858,522   $2,270,321   $2,293,573 
Aggregates - tons   55,920    60,898    157,163    163,845 
Freight-adjusted sales price 4  $14.44   $14.10   $14.45   $14.00 
Other Products                    
Asphalt Mix - tons   3,493    4,007    8,953    9,624 
Asphalt Mix - sales price  $58.36   $58.20   $58.05   $57.76 
                     
Ready-mixed concrete - cubic yards   775    875    2,295    2,359 
Ready-mixed concrete - sales price  $131.51   $127.99   $128.93   $126.19 
                     
Calcium - tons   49    75    193    216 
Calcium - sales price  $27.51   $28.33   $27.18   $28.04 

 

1Includes product sales (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates), as well as freight & delivery costs that we pass along to our customers, and service revenues related to aggregates.
2Includes product sales, as well as service revenues from our asphalt construction paving business.
3Freight-adjusted revenues are Aggregates segment sales excluding freight & delivery revenues and immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees, that are derived from our aggregates business.
4Freight-adjusted sales price is calculated as freight-adjusted revenues divided by aggregates unit shipments.

  

 

 

 

Appendix 1

1.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

Aggregates segment freight-adjusted revenues is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this presentation is consistent with our competitors and meaningful to our investors as it excludes revenues associated with freight & delivery, which are pass-through activities. It also excludes immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees, that are derived from our aggregates business. Additionally, we use this metric as the basis for calculating the average sales price of our aggregates products. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

Aggregates Segment Freight-Adjusted Revenues

(in thousands, except per ton data) 
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Aggregates segment                    
Segment sales  $1,048,962   $1,133,085   $2,987,784   $3,030,111 
Less: Freight & delivery revenues 1   225,382    259,417    671,969    695,924 
Other revenues   16,005    15,146    45,494    40,614 
Freight-adjusted revenues  $807,575   $858,522   $2,270,321   $2,293,573 
Unit shipment - tons   55,920    60,898    157,163    163,845 
Freight-adjusted sales price  $14.44   $14.10   $14.45   $14.00 

 

1At the segment level, freight & delivery revenues include intersegment freight & delivery (which are eliminated at the consolidated level) and freight to remote distribution sites.

 

Aggregates segment incremental gross profit flow-through rate is not a GAAP measure and represents the year-over-year change in gross profit divided by the year-over-year change in segment sales excluding freight & delivery (revenues and costs). We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this presentation is consistent with our competitors and meaningful to our investors as it excludes revenues associated with freight & delivery, which are pass-through activities. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

Aggregates Segment Incremental Gross Profit Margin in Accordance with GAAP

(dollars in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $337,891   $357,202   $883,184   $872,133 
Segment sales  $1,048,962   $1,133,085   $2,987,784   $3,030,111 
Gross profit margin   32.2%   31.5%   29.6%   28.8%
Incremental gross profit margin   N/A           N/A        

 

Aggregates Segment Incremental Gross Profit Flow-through Rate (Non-GAAP)

(dollars in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $337,891   $357,202   $883,184   $872,133 
Segment sales  $1,048,962   $1,133,085   $2,987,784   $3,030,111 
Less: Freight & delivery revenues 1   225,382    259,417    671,969    695,924 
Segment sales excluding freight & delivery  $823,580   $873,668   $2,315,815   $2,334,187 
Gross profit margin excluding freight & delivery   41.0%   40.9%   38.1%   37.4%
Incremental gross profit flow-through rate   N/A          N/A       

 

1At the segment level, freight & delivery revenues include intersegment freight & delivery (which are eliminated at the consolidated level) and freight to remote distribution sites.

 

GAAP does not define "Aggregates segment cash gross profit" and it should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We and the investment community use this metric to assess the operating performance of our business. Additionally, we present this metric as we believe that it closely correlates to long-term shareholder value. We do not use this metric as a measure to allocate resources.  Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton is computed by dividing Aggregates segment cash gross profit by tons shipped. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

 

 

Aggregates Segment Cash Gross Profit

(in thousands, except per ton data)
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $337,891   $357,202   $883,184   $872,133 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   82,487    78,978    240,370    227,259 
Aggregates segment cash gross profit  $420,378   $436,180   $1,123,554   $1,099,392 
Unit shipments - tons   55,920    60,898    157,163    163,845 
Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton  $7.52   $7.16   $7.15   $6.71 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 2

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)

 

GAAP does not define "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization" (EBITDA) and it should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We use this metric to assess the operating performance of our business and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting as we believe that it closely correlates to long-term shareholder value. We do not use this metric as a measure to allocate resources. We adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of earnings performance from period to period. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   TTM 
   September 30   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Net earnings  $199,788   $215,713   $469,962   $476,569   $611,055   $600,591 
Income tax expense   56,984    53,472    130,530    111,764    153,964    141,408 
Interest expense, net   35,782    32,197    100,509    98,165    131,344    131,022 
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax   1,337    2,353    2,118    3,338    3,621    3,596 
EBIT  $293,891   $303,735   $703,119   $689,836   $899,984   $876,617 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   100,962    96,247    295,912    278,925    391,583    368,708 
EBITDA  $394,853   $399,982   $999,031   $968,761   $1,291,567   $1,245,325 
Gain on sale of businesses   0    0    0    (4,064)   (9,289)   (4,064)
Property donation   0    0    0    0    10,847    0 
Charges associated with divested operations   5,892    0    6,666    0    9,699    8,497 
Business development 1   346    403    (2,113)   403    (768)   403 
COVID-19 direct incremental costs   2,380    0    7,389    0    7,389    0 
Restructuring charges 2   0    6,457    1,333    6,457    1,333    6,970 
Adjusted EBITDA  $403,471   $406,842   $1,012,306   $971,557   $1,310,778   $1,257,131 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   (100,962)   (96,247)   (295,912)   (278,925)   (391,583)   (368,708)
Adjusted EBIT  $302,509   $310,595   $716,394   $692,632   $919,195   $888,423 

 

1Represents non-routine charges or gains associated with acquisitions including the cost impact of purchase accounting inventory valuations.
2Restructuring charges are included within other operating expenses. The charges relate to managerial restructuring.

 

Similar to our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, we present Adjusted Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations to provide a more consistent comparison of earnings performance from period to period. This metric is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations (Adjusted Diluted EPS)

             
   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended   TTM 
   September 30   September 30   September 30 
   2020   2019   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations  $1.51   $1.63   $3.54   $3.60   $4.61   $4.53 
Items included in Adjusted EBITDA above   0.05    0.05    0.08    0.02    0.09    0.08 
Adjusted Diluted EPS  $1.56   $1.68   $3.62   $3.62   $4.70   $4.61 

 

 

 

 

The following reconciliation to the mid-point of the range of 2020 Projected EBITDA excludes adjustments (as noted in Adjusted EBITDA above) as they are difficult to forecast (timing or amount). Due to the difficulty in forecasting such adjustments, we are unable to estimate their significance. This metric is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings measures defined by GAAP.  Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

2020 Projected EBITDA    
    (in millions) 
   Mid-point 
Net earnings  $607 
Income tax expense   168 
Interest expense, net   135 
Discontinued operations, net of tax   0 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   390 
Projected EBITDA  $1,300 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 3

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)  

 

We define Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing-twelve months divided by average invested capital (as illustrated below) during the trailing 5-quarters. Our calculation of ROIC is considered a non-GAAP financial measure because we calculate ROIC using the non-GAAP metric EBITDA. We believe that our ROIC metric is meaningful because it helps investors assess how effectively we are deploying our assets. Although ROIC is a standard financial metric, numerous methods exist for calculating a company's ROIC. As a result, the method we use to calculate our ROIC may differ from the methods used by other companies.

 

Return on Invested Capital

(in thousands) 
   TTM 
   September 30 
   2020   2019 
Adjusted EBITDA  $1,310,778   $1,257,131 
Average invested capital 1          
Property, plant & equipment   4,346,256    4,255,879 
Goodwill   3,169,082    3,166,195 
Other intangible assets   1,093,601    1,085,689 
Fixed and intangible assets  $8,608,939   $8,507,763 
           
Current assets   1,655,158    1,183,633 
Less: Cash and cash equivalents   477,562    47,241 
Less: Deferred tax   16,002    9,078 
Adjusted current assets   1,161,594    1,127,314 
           
Current liabilities   731,033    630,289 
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt   201,907    24 
Less: Short-term debt   0    129,700 
Adjusted current liabilities   529,126    500,565 
Adjusted net working capital  $632,468   $626,749 
Average invested capital  $9,241,407   $9,134,512 
Return on Invested Capital   14.2%   13.8%

 

1Average Invested Capital is based on a trailing 5-quarters.