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FROM MSA Safety Incorporated Ticker MSA (NYSE) Media Relations Contact Mark Deasy (412) 559-8154 Investor Relations Contact Chris Hepler (412) 225-3717 MSA Safety Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Y

Key Takeaway: MSA Safety Incorporated has reported solid financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2023, showing a 12% increase in quarterly net sales and a 17% increase for the full year. The company's GAAP operating income for Q4 was $102 million, reflecting strong profitability. MSA also indicated a positive outlook moving into 2024, emphasizing strong demand and continued growth despite broader economic uncertainties. The management announced plans for an Investor Day scheduled for May 22, 2024, providing further engagement with stakeholders.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • MSA achieved a strong 12% increase in net sales for Q4 2023.
  • The company reported a robust operating income margin of 20.6%.
  • Investments in new products and strategies are expected to drive future growth.

Full Press Release Details

FROM MSA Safety Incorporated
Media Relations Contact Mark Deasy (412) 559-8154
Investor Relations Contact Chris Hepler (412) 225-3717
MSA Safety Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
Strong quarterly results and resilient demand support healthy outlook for 2024
PITTSBURGH, February 14, 2024 - Global safety equipment and solutions provider MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE MSA) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
Achieved net sales of $495 million, a 12% increase year-over-year, reflecting strength across MSA's portfolio and in each reportable segment.
Generated GAAP operating income of $102 million, or 20.6% of sales, and adjusted operating income of $115 million, or 23.3% of sales.
Recorded GAAP net income of $76 million, or $1.93 per diluted share, and adjusted net income of $82 million, or $2.06 per diluted share.
Invested $12 million for capital expenditures, repaid $145 million of debt, and returned
$18 million to shareholders through dividends.
Full Year 2023 Highlights
Achieved net sales of $1.8 billion, a 17% increase year-over-year.
Generated GAAP operating income of $231 million, or 12.9% of sales, and adjusted operating income of $398 million, or 22.2% of sales.
Recorded GAAP earnings of $59 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, and adjusted earnings of $278 million, or $7.03 per diluted share.
Invested $43 million for capital expenditures, repaid $289 million of debt subsequent to the January 2023 divestiture of a subsidiary holding legacy liabilities, and returned $73 million to shareholders through dividends.
Strengthened financial position with net leverage of 1.0x at year end.
"Our strong performance in the fourth quarter capped an outstanding 2023 for MSA," said Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our team delivered excellent full year results with double-digit sales growth and robust margin expansion. Investments we have made in the development of innovative new products and solutions, our commercial strategy, and across our functional support areas are enabling us to better serve our customers and advance our mission. We enter 2024 with strong momentum and an ongoing focus on delivering value for all our stakeholders. Looking ahead, I believe our unique mission, highly talented team, and differentiated portfolio provide a solid foundation to fuel future growth and generate attractive long-term returns for our shareholders."
Financial Highlights and Balance Sheet
Financial Highlights Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
($ millions, except per share data) 2023 2022 % Change (a) 2023 2022 % Change (a)
Net Sales $ 495 $ 443 12 % $ 1,788 $ 1,528 17 %
Operating Income 102 71 45 % 231 239 (3) %
Adjusted Operating Income 115 96 20 % 398 290 37 %
Net Income 76 51 48 % 59 180 (67) %
Diluted EPS 1.93 1.31 47 % 1.48 4.56 (68) %
Adjusted Earnings 82 71 15 % 278 223 25 %
Adjusted Diluted EPS 2.06 1.80 14 % 7.03 5.65 24 %
(a) Percentage change may not calculate exactly due to rounding.
"Our team's strong commercial and operational execution resulted in a year of accelerated sales growth, margin enhancement, and free cash flow generation. We also made substantial progress during the year to strengthen our financial position, with net leverage of 1.0x at year end," commented Lee McChesney, MSA Safety Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "As we move forward, we expect to build on our progress and leverage the MSA Business System to drive further sales growth and margin expansion. Despite the backdrop of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, we are focused on delivering mid-single digit sales growth in 2024. We continue to execute our disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy with a focus on driving sustainable value creation in 2024 and beyond."
MSA Safety will host a conference call on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 10 00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2023 results. The call and an accompanying slide presentation will be webcast at http investors.msasafety.com under the News and Events tab, subheading Events Presentations. Investors and interested parties can also dial into the call at 1-844-854-4415 (Toll Free) or 1-412-902-6599 (International). When prompted, please instruct the operator to be joined into the MSA Safety Incorporated conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available at http investors.msasafety.com shortly after the conclusion of the presentation and will be available for the next 90 days.
Investor Day Announcement
MSA Safety will hold an Investor Day for institutional investors and financial analysts in New York City on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, with a presentation given by members of executive management, along with Q A sessions. A live webcast and presentation slides will be posted on the day of the event. Dial-in information and a detailed agenda will be provided at a later date. Due to limited capacity, in-person attendance is by invitation only.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Net sales $ 495,358 $ 443,254 $ 1,787,647 $ 1,527,953
Cost of products sold 257,175 246,002 935,509 854,122
Gross profit 238,183 197,252 852,138 673,831
Selling, general and administrative 107,043 91,494 396,645 338,872
Research and development 19,082 13,995 67,988 57,012
Restructuring charges 1,510 4,819 9,892 7,965
Currency exchange losses, net 8,298 5,467 17,079 10,255
Product liability expense - 10,857 3 20,590
Loss on divestiture of MSA LLC - - 129,211 -
Operating income 102,250 70,620 231,320 239,137
Interest expense 9,584 7,502 46,733 21,660
Other income, net (6,614) (5,935) (22,101) (21,056)
Total other expense, net 2,970 1,567 24,632 604
Income before income taxes 99,280 69,053 206,688 238,533
Provision for income taxes 22,870 17,564 148,105 58,903
Net income 76,410 51,489 58,583 179,630
Earnings per share attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated common shareholders
Basic $ 1.94 $ 1.31 $ 1.49 $ 4.58
Diluted $ 1.93 $ 1.31 $ 1.48 $ 4.56
Basic shares outstanding 39,339 39,200 39,307 39,232
Diluted shares outstanding 39,541 39,387 39,473 39,407
MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 146,442 $ 162,902
Trade receivables, net 294,678 297,028
Inventories 292,604 338,316
Notes receivable, insurance companies - 5,931
Other current assets 52,546 75,949
Total current assets 786,270 880,126
Property, plant and equipment, net 211,877 207,552
Prepaid pension cost 172,161 141,643
Goodwill 627,534 620,622
Intangible assets, net 266,134 281,853
Notes receivable, insurance companies, noncurrent - 38,695
Insurance receivable, noncurrent - 110,300
Other noncurrent assets 106,174 96,185
Total assets $ 2,170,150 $ 2,376,976
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net $ 26,522 $ 7,387
Accounts payable 111,872 112,532
Other current liabilities 194,424 225,946
Total current liabilities 332,818 345,865
Long-term debt, net 575,170 565,445
Pensions and other employee benefits 143,967 137,810
Deferred tax liabilities 102,419 31,881
Product liability and other noncurrent liabilities 48,974 372,234
Total shareholders' equity 966,802 923,741
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,170,150 $ 2,376,976
MSA Safety Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Net income $ 76,410 $ 51,489 $ 58,583 $ 179,630
Depreciation and amortization 15,808 14,434 60,773 56,317
Tax-effected loss on divestiture of MSA LLC - - 199,578 -
Contribution on divestiture of MSA LLC - - (341,186) -
Change in working capital and other operating 66,696 (12,371) 115,109 (78,492)
Cash flow from operating activities 158,914 53,552 92,857 157,455
Capital expenditures (11,785) (13,800) (42,764) (42,553)
Change in short-term investments - 15,138 - 39,458
Property disposals and other investing 121 (1,427) 2,811 (1,389)
Cash flow used in investing activities (11,664) (89) (39,953) (4,484)
Change in debt (144,750) (40,000) 23,898 (13,000)
Cash dividends paid (18,489) (18,050) (73,488) (71,497)
Other financing 479 863 (2,663) (28,853)
Cash flow used in financing activities (162,760) (57,187) (52,253) (113,350)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (2,519) 6,867 (16,671) (16,631)
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (18,029) $ 3,143 $ (16,020) $ 22,990
MSA Safety Incorporated
Segment Information (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except percentage amounts)
Americas International Corporate Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Net sales to external customers $ 332,676 $ 162,682 $ - $ 495,358
Operating income 102,250
Operating margin % 20.6 %
Restructuring charges 1,510
Currency exchange losses, net 8,298
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 2,310
Transaction costs (a) 887
Adjusted operating income (loss) 99,189 29,600 (13,534) 115,255
Adjusted operating margin % 29.8 % 18.2 % 23.3 %
Depreciation and amortization 13,498
Adjusted EBITDA 108,968 33,108 (13,323) 128,753
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 32.8 % 20.4 % 26.0 %
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Net sales to external customers $ 289,122 $ 154,132 $ - $ 443,254
Operating income 70,620
Operating margin % 15.9 %
Restructuring charges 4,819
Currency exchange losses, net 5,467
Product liability expense 10,857
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 2,285
Transaction costs (a) 1,757
Adjusted operating income (loss) 82,728 26,249 (13,172) 95,805
Adjusted operating margin % 28.6 % 17.0 % 21.6 %
Depreciation and amortization 12,149
Adjusted EBITDA 91,525 29,471 (13,042) 107,954
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 31.7 % 19.1 % 24.4 %
(a) Transaction costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees incurred during acquisitions and divestitures. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Segment Information (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except percentage amounts)
Americas International Corporate Consolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Net sales to external customers $ 1,235,594 $ 552,053 $ - $ 1,787,647
Operating income 231,320
Operating margin % 12.9 %
Restructuring charges 9,892
Currency exchange losses, net 17,079
Loss on divestiture of MSA LLC 129,211
Product liability expense 3
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 9,246
Transaction costs (a) 965
Adjusted operating income (loss) 359,617 89,699 (51,600) 397,716
Adjusted operating margin % 29.1 % 16.2 % 22.2 %
Depreciation and amortization 51,527
Adjusted EBITDA 396,596 103,404 (50,757) 449,243
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 32.1 % 18.7 % 25.1 %
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Net sales to external customers $ 1,043,238 $ 484,715 $ - $ 1,527,953
Operating income 239,137
Operating margin % 15.7 %
Restructuring charges 7,965
Currency exchange losses, net 10,255
Product liability expense 20,590
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 9,207
Transaction costs (a) 3,233
Adjusted operating income (loss) 267,392 60,923 (37,928) 290,387
Adjusted operating margin % 25.6 % 12.6 % 19.0 %
Depreciation and amortization 47,110
Adjusted EBITDA 301,726 73,179 (37,408) 337,497
Adjusted EBITDA margin % 28.9 % 15.1 % 22.1 %
(a) Transaction costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees incurred during acquisitions and divestitures. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Americas segment is comprised of our operations in North America and Latin America geographies. The International segment is comprised of our operations in all geographies outside of the Americas. Certain global expenses are allocated to each segment in a manner consistent with where the benefits from the expenses are derived.
Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA margin are the measures used by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. As such, management believes that adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are useful metrics for investors. Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income excluding restructuring charges, currency exchange gains losses, loss on divestiture of MSA LLC, product liability expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and transaction costs. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating income divided by segment net sales to external customers. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as adjusted operating income plus depreciation and amortization, and adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by segment net sales to external customers. Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized terms under GAAP, and therefore do not purport to be alternatives to operating income or operating margin as a measure of operating performance. The company's definition of adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider operating income determined on a GAAP basis in addition to these non-GAAP measures.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 17% 11% 5% 12%
Plus Currency translation effects (1)% (2)% (3)% (2)%
Constant currency sales change 16% 9% 2% 10%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 18% 20% 12% 17%
Plus Currency translation effects -% (1)% (2)% (1)%
Constant currency sales change 18% 19% 10% 16%
(a) Firefighter Safety includes Breathing Apparatus and Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel.
(b) Detection includes Fixed Gas and Flame Detection and Portable Gas Detection.
(c) Industrial PPE and Other includes Industrial Head Protection, Fall Protection and Non-Core.
Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 22% 15% 4% 15%
Plus Currency translation effects -% (1)% (2)% (1)%
Constant currency sales change 22% 14% 2% 14%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 20% 20% 13% 18%
Plus Currency translation effects -% (1)% (2)% (1)%
Constant currency sales change 20% 19% 11% 17%
(a) Firefighter Safety includes Breathing Apparatus and Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel.
(b) Detection includes Fixed Gas and Flame Detection and Portable Gas Detection.
(c) Industrial PPE and Other includes Industrial Head Protection, Fall Protection and Non-Core.
Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Constant currency revenue growth (Unaudited)
International Segment
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 6% 5% 6% 6%
Plus Currency translation effects (4)% (3)% (3)% (3)%
Constant currency sales change 2% 2% 3% 3%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Firefighter Safety (a) Detection (b) Industrial PPE and Other (c) Net Sales
GAAP reported sales change 12% 20% 8% 14%
Plus Currency translation effects (1)% (1)% -% (1)%
Constant currency sales change 11% 19% 8% 13%
(a) Firefighter Safety includes Breathing Apparatus and Firefighter Helmets and Protective Apparel.
(b) Detection includes Fixed Gas and Flame Detection and Portable Gas Detection.
(c) Industrial PPE and Other includes Industrial Head Protection, Fall Protection and Non-Core.
Management believes that constant currency revenue growth is a useful metric for investors, as foreign currency translation can have a material impact on revenue growth trends. Constant currency revenue growth highlights ongoing business performance excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies, which is outside of management's control. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of constant currency revenue growth is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider revenue growth determined on a GAAP basis in addition to this non-GAAP financial measure.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Supplemental Segment Information (Unaudited)
Summary of constant currency revenue growth by segment and product group
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Americas International
Firefighter Safety 16 % 22 % 2 %
Detection 9 % 14 % 2 %
Industrial PPE and Other 2 % 2 % 3 %
Net Sales 10 % 14 % 3 %
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Americas International
Firefighter Safety 18 % 20 % 11 %
Detection 19 % 19 % 19 %
Industrial PPE and Other 10 % 11 % 8 %
Net Sales 16 % 17 % 13 %
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted earnings (Unaudited)
Adjusted earnings per diluted share (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023 2022 % Change 2023 2022 % Change
Net income attributable to MSA Safety Incorporated $ 76,410 $ 51,489 48% $ 58,583 $ 179,630 (67)%
Loss on divestiture of MSA LLC - - 129,211 -
Deferred tax asset write-off related to divestiture of MSA LLC - - 70,366 -
Product liability expense - 10,857 3 20,590
Restructuring charges 1,510 4,819 9,892 7,965
Transaction costs (a) 887 1,757 965 3,233
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 2,310 2,285 9,246 9,207
Currency exchange losses, net 8,298 5,467 17,079 10,255
Asset related losses and other 844 1,515 173 6,290
Tax benefit associated with tax reform (5,313) - (5,313) -
Income tax expense on adjustments (3,409) (7,263) (12,657) (14,662)
Adjusted earnings $ 81,537 $ 70,926 15% $ 277,548 $ 222,508 25%
Adjusted earnings per diluted share $ 2.06 $ 1.80 14% $ 7.03 $ 5.65 24%
(a) Transaction costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees incurred during acquisitions and divestitures. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Management believes that adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share are useful measures for investors, as management uses these measures to internally assess the Company's performance and ongoing operating trends. There can be no assurances that additional special items will not occur in future periods, nor that MSA's definition of adjusted earnings is consistent with that of other companies. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both net income determined on a GAAP basis as well as adjusted earnings.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Debt to adjusted EBITDA Net debt to adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023
Operating income $ 231,320
Loss on divestiture of MSA LLC 129,211
Depreciation and amortization 51,527
Product liability expense 3
Restructuring charges 9,892
Currency exchange losses, net 17,079
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 9,246
Transaction costs (a) 965
Adjusted EBITDA $ 449,243
Total end-of-period debt 601,692
Debt to adjusted EBITDA 1.3
Total end-of-period debt 601,692
Total end-of-period cash and cash equivalents 146,442
Net debt $ 455,250
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA 1.0
(a) Transaction costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees incurred during acquisitions and divestitures. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Management believes that Debt to Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors, as management uses these measures to internally assess the Company's liquidity and balance sheet strength. There can be no assurances that that MSA's definition of Debt to Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is consistent with that of other companies.
MSA Safety Incorporated
Reconciliation of As Reported Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Payments on Debt (Unaudited)
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Change in debt $ 23,898 $ (13,000)
Borrowings related to divestiture of MSA LLC (a) (312,943) $ -
Adjusted payments on debt $ (289,045) $ (13,000)
(a) Net of foreign exchange and issuance costs
Management believes that Adjusted Payments on Debt is a useful measure for investors, as management uses this measure to internally assess the Company's debt activity, less the divestiture of MSA LLC. There can be no assurances that MSA's definition of Adjusted Payments on Debt is consistent with that of other companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were MSA Safety's fourth quarter 2023 net sales?

MSA Safety reported net sales of $495 million for Q4 2023.

How did MSA Safety perform for the full year 2023?

For the full year 2023, MSA Safety achieved net sales of $1.8 billion.

What was MSA Safety's adjusted operating income in Q4 2023?

The adjusted operating income for MSA Safety in Q4 2023 was $115 million.

How much debt did MSA Safety repay in 2023?

MSA Safety repaid $289 million of debt during the year 2023.

When is MSA Safety's Investor Day scheduled for 2024?

MSA Safety's Investor Day will be held on May 22, 2024, in New York City.

Last updated: Feb 14, 2024