Garmin announces first quarter 2024 results

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May 01, 2024, 07:00 ET

Company reports record first quarter revenue and operating income

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin^® Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2024.

Highlights for first quarter 2024 include:

Garmin announces first quarter 2024 results with record first quarter revenue and operating income.

Consolidated revenue of $1.38 billion, a 20% increase compared to the prior year quarter
Achieved record first quarter revenue in four segments
Gross margin and operating margins expanded to 58.1% and 21.6%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter
Operating income of $298 million, a 51% increase compared to the prior year quarter
GAAP EPS of $1.43 and pro forma EPS⁽¹⁾ of $1.42, representing 39% growth in pro forma EPS over the prior year quarter
Named 2024 Supplier of the Year by Independent Boat Builders, Inc.
Published our 2023 Garmin inReach^® SOS Year in Review, highlighting the important role served by inReach devices in remote communications and emergency response coordination around the globe

(In thousands, except per share information)	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30,			April 1,			YoY
	2024			2023			Change
Net sales	$	1,381,649		$	1,147,424		20 %
Fitness		342,892			244,721		40 %
Outdoor		366,193			328,662		11 %
Aviation		216,855			213,582		2 %
Marine		326,736			278,975		17 %
Auto OEM		128,973			81,484		58 %

Gross margin %		58.1	%		56.9	%

Operating income %		21.6	%		17.2	%

GAAP diluted EPS	$	1.43		$	1.05		36 %
Pro forma diluted EPS⁽¹⁾	$	1.42		$	1.02		39 %

(1) See attached Non-GAAP Financial Information for discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including pro forma diluted EPS

Executive Overview from Cliff Pemble, President and Chief Executive Officer:

"We delivered outstanding performance in the first quarter with double-digit percentage growth in revenue and operating income. We attribute these noteworthy results to our strong product portfolio and the robust demand trends that we have been experiencing. We are pleased with our results and look forward to the opportunities ahead as the year continues to unfold." - Cliff Pemble, President and Chief Executive Officer of Garmin Ltd.

Fitness:

Revenue from the fitness segment increased 40% in the first quarter with growth across all categories, led by strong demand for advanced wearables. Gross and operating margins were 57% and 20%, respectively, resulting in $68 million of operating income. During the quarter, we launched the Forerunner^® 165 Series, providing athletes of all skill levels an affordable running smartwatch with a vibrant AMOLED display and compelling health, fitness and connected features. Also during the quarter, we published a new edition of the Garmin Health Research Glimpse, which focused on sleep research initiatives. The health metrics collected through Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers coupled with Garmin Health software development kit and the Garmin Connect™ Developer Program, provides researchers with a wealth of information contributing to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between sleep and overall well-being.

Outdoor:

Revenue from the outdoor segment increased 11% in the first quarter primarily driven by growth in wearables. Gross and operating margins were 66% and 29%, respectively, resulting in $107 million of operating income. During the quarter, we released our annual inReach SOS Year in Review highlighting the importance of Garmin Response℠, our emergency response coordination center, which coordinates emergency response services in more than 200 countries and territories, and supports rescue efforts in more than 210 languages. We also produced and launched an original docuseries, 7 Days Out, which follows two ordinary people on their trek through Nepal's Langtang Circuit and the power of friendship, perseverance, and Garmin smartwatches.

Aviation:

Revenue from the aviation segment increased 2% in the first quarter driven by growth in OEM product categories. Gross and operating margins were 75% and 24%, respectively, resulting in $52 million of operating income. During the quarter, we unveiled our complete avionics modernization program for the highly popular Cessna Citation CJ2 business jet that offers new technologies and features designed to reduce pilot workload and improve safety. Also during the quarter, we added display options for our GWX™ 8000 StormOptix™ Weather Radar which expands the availability of this advanced radar system to aircraft equipped with our highly popular GTN™ and TXi™ displays.

Marine:

Revenue from the marine segment increased 17% in the first quarter primarily driven by the acquisition of JL Audio^®. Gross and operating margins were 55% and 27%, respectively, resulting in $88 million of operating income. During the quarter, we launched the GPSMAP^® 16x3 chartplotters adding larger touchscreen options for greater clarity, connectivity, and control at the helm. Also during the quarter, we launched the Panoptix™ PS70, our first deep water live sonar, allowing anglers real-time views at depths up to 1,000 feet. Garmin sponsored angler, Justin Hamner, claimed the championship title at the recent Bassmaster Classic on a boat exclusively equipped with our ECHOMAP™ Ultra 2 chartplotters, Force^® trolling motor, and LiveScope™ Plus sonar system.

Auto OEM:

Revenue from the auto OEM segment increased 58% during the first quarter primarily due to increased shipments of domain controllers to BMW. Gross margin was 18% and we recorded an operating loss of $16 million. During the quarter, we were awarded new business for digital instrument clusters in 2-wheel vehicles, as well as infotainment systems for trucks.

Additional Financial Information:

Total operating expenses in the first quarter were $504 million, an 11% increase over the prior year. Research and development increased 10% primarily due to engineering personnel costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11% driven primarily by personnel related costs, including the impact of the acquisition of JL Audio.

The effective tax rate in the first quarter was 15.6% compared to 8.8% in the prior year quarter. The year-over-year increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the increase in the combined federal and cantonal Switzerland statutory tax rate in response to global minimum tax requirements.

In the first quarter of 2024, we generated operating cash flows of $435 million and free cash flow⁽¹⁾ of $402 million. We paid a quarterly dividend of approximately $140 million. We ended the quarter with cash and marketable securities of approximately $3.3 billion.

(1)	See attached Non-GAAP Financial Information for discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including free cash flow.

2024 Fiscal Year Guidance:

Consistent with prior years, and as the first quarter historically represents the lowest seasonal quarter of our financial year, we are not updating our 2024 guidance for revenue of approximately $5.75 billion and pro forma EPS of $5.40 (see attached discussion on Forward-looking Financial Measures).

Dividend Recommendation:

As announced in February, the Board will recommend to the shareholders for approval at the annual meeting to be held on June 7, 2024, a cash dividend in the total amount of $3.00 per share payable in four equal quarterly installments.

Webcast Information/Forward-Looking Statements:

The information for Garmin Ltd.'s earnings call is as follows:

When:	Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern
Where:	Join a live stream of the call at the following link
	https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/events/

An archive of the live webcast will be available until April 30, 2025 on the Garmin website at www.garmin.com. To access the replay, click on the Investors link and click over to the Events Calendar page.

This release includes projections and other forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business that are commonly identified by words such as "anticipates," "would," "may," "expects," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "projects," and other words or phrases with similar meanings. Any statements regarding the Company's expected fiscal 2024 GAAP and pro forma estimated earnings, EPS, and effective tax rate, and the Company's expected segment revenue growth rates, consolidated revenue, gross margins, operating margins, potential future acquisitions, share repurchase programs, currency movements, expenses, pricing, new product launches, market reach, statements relating to possible future dividends, and the Company's plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). A copy of Garmin's 2023 Form 10-K can be downloaded from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. All information provided in this release and in the attachments is as of March 30, 2024. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

This release and the attachments contain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure and a discussion of the Company's use of these measures are included in the attachments.

Garmin, the Garmin logo, the Garmin delta, Forerunner, GPSMAP, Force, inReach and JL Audio are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries and are registered in one or more countries, including the U.S. ECHOMAP, Garmin Connect, GTN, GWX, LiveScope, Panoptix, StormOptix and TXi are trademarks, and Garmin Response is a service mark, of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Investor Relations Contact:	Media Relations Contact:
Teri Seck	Krista Klaus
913/397-8200	913/397-8200
[email protected]	[email protected]

Change in Operating Expense Presentation

Certain prior period information presented here has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company changed the presentation of operating expense to include advertising expense within selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income, which management believes to be a more meaningful presentation. This change in presentation had no effect on the Company's consolidated operating or net income.

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
*(In thousands, except per share information)*

	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30,		April 1,
	2024		2023
Net sales	$	1,381,649	$	1,147,424
Cost of goods sold		579,510		494,630
Gross profit		802,139		652,794

Research and development expense		242,535		221,485
Selling, general and administrative expenses		261,194		234,327
Total operating expense		503,729		455,812

Operating income		298,410		196,982

Other income (expense):
Interest income		25,027		15,899
Foreign currency gains		2,282		7,688
Other income		1,321		1,203
Total other income (expense)		28,630		24,790

Income before income taxes		327,040		221,772
Income tax provision		51,079		19,445
Net income	$	275,961	$	202,327

Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.44	$	1.06
Diluted	$	1.43	$	1.05

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		191,890		191,498
Diluted		192,698		191,886

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
*(In thousands)*

	March 30, 2024		December 30, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,921,782	$	1,693,452
Marketable securities		274,579		274,618
Accounts receivable, net		694,690		815,243
Inventories		1,302,230		1,345,955
Deferred costs		18,329		16,316
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		305,674		318,556
Total current assets		4,517,284		4,464,140

Property and equipment, net		1,206,401		1,224,097
Operating lease right-of-use assets		136,285		143,724
Noncurrent marketable securities		1,133,958		1,125,191
Deferred income tax assets		763,083		754,635
Noncurrent deferred costs		10,480		11,057
Goodwill		601,618		608,474
Other intangible assets, net		176,647		186,601
Other noncurrent assets		88,124		85,650
Total assets	$	8,633,880	$	8,603,569

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	243,087	$	253,790
Salaries and benefits payable		192,832		190,014
Accrued warranty costs		55,219		55,738
Accrued sales program costs		77,592		98,610
Other accrued expenses		191,474		245,874
Deferred revenue		100,740		101,189
Income taxes payable		256,442		225,475
Dividend payable		—		139,997
Total current liabilities		1,117,386		1,310,687

Deferred income tax liabilities		113,932		114,682
Noncurrent income taxes payable		16,128		16,521
Noncurrent deferred revenue		33,928		36,148
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities		105,859		113,035
Other noncurrent liabilities		550		436

Stockholders' equity:
Common shares (194,901 and 195,880 shares authorized and issued; 192,079 and 191,777 shares outstanding)		19,490		19,588
Additional paid-in capital		2,135,384		2,125,467
Treasury shares (2,822 and 4,103 shares)		(226,921)		(330,909)
Retained earnings		5,440,200		5,263,528
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(122,056)		(65,614)
Total stockholders' equity		7,246,097		7,012,060
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	8,633,880	$	8,603,569

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
*(In thousands)*

	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30, 2024		April 1, 2023
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	275,961	$	202,327
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		33,892		31,952
Amortization		10,933		11,463
Gain on sale or disposal of property and equipment		(12)		(129)
Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains)		2,974		(867)
Deferred income taxes		(9,611)		(15,713)
Stock compensation expense		30,719		20,732
Realized loss on marketable securities		—		20
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		108,453		46,873
Inventories		16,545		43,712
Other current and noncurrent assets		2,117		4,780
Accounts payable		(1,281)		(4,202)
Other current and noncurrent liabilities		(64,699)		(67,405)
Deferred revenue		(2,549)		(1,876)
Deferred costs		(1,451)		622
Income taxes		33,314		6,921
Net cash provided by operating activities		435,305		279,210

Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(33,168)		(46,814)
Purchase of marketable securities		(85,626)		(18,684)
Redemption of marketable securities		77,131		57,789
Net cash from (payments for) acquisitions		5,011		—
Other investing activities, net		(223)		(190)
Net cash used in investing activities		(36,875)		(7,899)

Financing activities:
Dividends		(140,212)		(139,847)
Purchase of treasury shares related to equity awards		(15,987)		(9,169)
Purchase of treasury shares under share repurchase plan		—		(43,273)
Net cash used in financing activities		(156,199)		(192,289)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(13,913)		3,387

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		228,318		82,409
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period		1,694,156		1,279,912
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	1,922,474	$	1,362,321

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries Net Sales, Gross Profit and Operating Income by Segment (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	Fitness		Outdoor		Aviation		Marine		Auto OEM		Total
13-Weeks Ended March 30, 2024
Net sales	$	342,892	$	366,193	$	216,855	$	326,736	$	128,973	$	1,381,649
Gross profit		194,802		242,739		162,626		179,252		22,720		802,139
Operating income (loss)		68,133		106,950		52,134		87,692		(16,499)		298,410

13-Weeks Ended April 1, 2023
Net sales	$	244,721	$	328,662	$	213,582	$	278,975	$	81,484	$	1,147,424
Gross profit		120,910		204,948		154,454		149,631		22,851		652,794
Operating income (loss)		10,578		76,743		57,695		71,908		(19,942)		196,982

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Net Sales by Geography (Unaudited)
*(In thousands)*

	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30,		April 1,		YoY
	2024		2023		Change
Net sales	$	1,381,649	$	1,147,424	20 %
Americas		716,116		611,704	17 %
EMEA		463,384		355,853	30 %
APAC		202,149		179,867	12 %

EMEA - Europe, Middle East and Africa; APAC - Asia Pacific and Australian Continent

Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, this release includes the following measures defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as non-GAAP financial measures: pro forma effective tax rate, pro forma net income (earnings) per share and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, limiting the usefulness of the measures for comparison with other companies. Management believes providing investors with an operating view consistent with how it manages the Company provides enhanced transparency into the operating results of the Company, as described in more detail by category below.

The tables below provide reconciliations between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures.

Pro forma effective tax rate

The Company's income tax expense is periodically impacted by discrete tax items that are not reflective of income tax expense incurred as a result of current period earnings. Therefore, management believes the effective tax rate and income tax provision before the effect of certain discrete tax items are important measures to permit investors' consistent comparison between periods. In the first quarter 2024 and 2023 there were no such discrete tax items identified.

Pro forma net income (earnings) per share

Management believes net income (earnings) per share before the impact of foreign currency gains or losses and certain discrete income tax items, as discussed above, is an important measure to permit a consistent comparison of the Company's performance between periods.

(In thousands, except per share information)	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30,		April 1,
	2024		2023
GAAP net income	$	275,961	$	202,327
Foreign currency gains⁽¹⁾		(2,282)		(7,688)
Tax effect of foreign currency gains⁽²⁾		356		674
Pro forma net income	$	274,035	$	195,313

GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	1.44	$	1.06
Diluted	$	1.43	$	1.05

Pro forma net income per share:
Basic	$	1.43	$	1.02
Diluted	$	1.42	$	1.02

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		191,890		191,498
Diluted		192,698		191,886

(1) Foreign currency gains and losses for the Company are driven by movements of a number of currencies in relation to the U.S. Dollar and the related exchange rate impact on the significant cash, receivables, and payables held in a currency other than the functional currency at a given legal entity. However, there is minimal cash impact from such foreign currency gains and losses.

(2) The tax effect of foreign currency gains was calculated using the effective tax rate of 15.6% for the 13-weeks ended March 30, 2024 and 8.8% for the 13-weeks ended April 1, 2023.

Free cash flow

Management believes free cash flow is an important liquidity measure because it represents the amount of cash provided by operations that is available for investing and defines it as operating cash flows less capital expenditures for property and equipment. Management believes excluding purchases of property and equipment provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company's operations and allows more accurate comparisons of the Company's results between periods. This metric may also be useful to investors but should not be considered in isolation as it is not a measure of cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. The most comparable GAAP measure is net cash provided by operating activities.

(In thousands)	13-Weeks Ended
	March 30,		April 1,
	2024		2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	435,305	$	279,210
Less: purchases of property and equipment		(33,168)		(46,814)
Free Cash Flow	$	402,137	$	232,396

Forward-looking Financial Measures

The forward-looking financial measures in our 2024 guidance provided above do not consider the potential future net effect of foreign currency exchange gains and losses, certain discrete tax items and any other impacts that may be identified as pro forma adjustments in calculating the non-GAAP measures described above.

The estimated impact of foreign currency gains and losses cannot be reasonably estimated on a forward-looking basis due to the high variability and low visibility with respect to non-operating foreign currency exchange gains and losses and the related tax effects of such gains and losses. The impact on diluted net income per share of foreign currency gains and losses, net of tax effects, was $0.01 per share for the 13-weeks ended March 30, 2024.

At this time, management is unable to determine whether or not significant discrete tax items will occur in fiscal 2024, estimate the impact of any such items, or anticipate the impact of any other events that may be considered in the calculation of non-GAAP financial measures.

SOURCE Garmin Ltd.