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| Statement |
|---|
| Gross margin was up over 15 points year-over-year and operating margin was up nearly 15 points, reflecting a higher value product mix and operational efficiencies |
| So I expect that demand is likely to remain stable and strong, which is a very good thing throughout 2024, and we would expect that 12-month backlog to reflect that strong and stable demand environment |
| During the fourth quarter, strong operational execution, improved supply chain balance and robust customer demand supported financial results ahead of our expectations, including single quarter record revenue for our Network Solutions and Outcomes segments |
| Today, only about a third of utilities are really doing something with AI, and there's a substantial productivity gain that can be possible when you do use that capability in a responsible way |
| We reacted quickly to better than expected component supply, ramped manufacturing output and shipments to customers, enabling us to convert a greater than expected amount of supply constrained demand |
| Itron's platform approach to provide grid edge intelligence has a proven track record in addressing these customer concerns |
| Our teams pivoted to growth and improved profitability |
| Gross margin of 32.8% increased by 370 basis points year-over-year due to favorable product mix and operational efficiencies |
| We do have primarily our Devices business, that has a good amount of revenue in Europe and Devices was much stronger than we expected in 2023, on the backs of really strength in the water, meter and water communication modules business |
| TECO continues to adopt grid edge intelligence and is increasing the use and scale of distributed intelligence applications, most recently through the deployment of location awareness at scale by leveraging the consolidated Itron network and embracing distributed intelligence, TECO will be able to introduce more value and service resilience to their consumers |
| Gross margin of 34% was 390 basis points higher than last year, primarily due to favorable product mix and operational efficiencies related to increased volumes |
| Our Networks and Outcomes segments both delivered record revenue in 2023 |
| Q4 was a very, very strong margin quarter |
| We continue to see a strong and stable pipeline of customer opportunities with accelerating interest in new technologies |
| And so we feel good about the projections we're providing for 2024 |
| And that just is good for the customers, they're exercising the assets that they bought in multiple ways to help their communities, but it's also good for us, as it adds to that software and services activity for the company itself |
| During 2023, efforts to improve our price cost ratio gained traction and we were pleased with the results |
| Network Solutions revenue of $391 million established a new quarterly record and gross margin was 35% |
| In addition, we were pleased with increased customer adoption of our grid edge intelligence technology |
| Revenue growth was supported by strong operational execution and increased component availability, which allowed us to continue to catch-up on previously supply constrained revenue |
| It's good for the customer, and it's good for us and good for our shareholders when we do that |
| Revenue of $2.17 billion grew 21% versus 2022, supported by a substantial conversion of previously constrained revenue as supply availability improved faster than expected |
| Our market demand outlook for 2024 remains constructive and customer interest in new technology continues to accelerate |
| While there may be continued volatility in the world ahead, we have assembled a strong and capable team that has proven itself and is poised to continue to perform in 2024 |
| Outcomes revenue of $73 million was also a quarterly record and gross margin was 39.8% |
| We drove margin expansion through the year while continuing to earn high quality customer awards that maintain our backlog at near record levels |
| The improvement reflects significant year-over-year earnings growth |
| Our teams executed at a high level across the organization and delivered significantly improved results |
| To recap today's call, Itron had a strong fourth quarter and full year 2023 |
| Growth was enabled by improved supply chain conditions, which allowed us to continue to catch-up on previously constrained revenue |
| Statement |
|---|
| Gross margin decreased 670 basis points year-over-year and operating margin was down 650 basis points due to a lower mix of software licensing activity |
| You may recall that we entered 2023 with approximately $400 million of revenue we were unable to deliver due to component supply constraints |
| Our customers faced pressure due to increased resource demand, climate and sustainability related challenges, and the need to improve consumer experience |
| So that is why, as we've mentioned a couple of times, 2024 margins are a little bit muted from a standpoint of the unpriced backlog, as well as the fact that the factories aren't closed yet |
| Higher tax expense had a negative year-over-year impact of $0.27 per share |
| Those are the pressures that drive our customers towards new technology |
| I would expect Q1 to be sequentially lower than Q4 |
| You've got some of the old backlog that still is maybe mixed disadvantaged, right, rolling through revenue this year |
| And so part of that is this headwind of the 30% non-indexed backlog coming in and that primarily affects networks |
| But I do think that margins in the Network segment are probably most affected the other segments are a little bit more free in terms of that margin compression dynamic from pre-pandemic backlog |
| Free cash flow was $39 million in Q4 versus negative $18 million a year ago |
| And while it's difficult to know what a "normal" contribution looks like, I think if we look historically, that skews a little bit rich, which might imply some conservatism embedded in the 2Q, 3Q, 4Q outlook |
| I apologize, I'm losing my voice here |
| This has allowed Itron to fulfill a meaningful portion of previously constrained revenue and build inventory of certain critical components in light of a more uncertain and potentially volatile global landscape |
| So what we did to get the 16% is we took the 2023, booked revenue, reduced it by the $275 million of catch-up, and then compared that to the 2024 midpoint guidance I just provided, and reduced that by $125 million of catch-up |
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