2022年5月3日、架空の証券集団訴訟、 In re Vertiv Holdings Co Securities Litigation22-cv-3572、ベルティブ、同社の役員および取締役、その他の被告に対して、ニューヨーク南部地区連邦地区裁判所に提訴されました。原告は2022年9月16日に修正された訴状を提出しました。修正訴状では、同社の一部の公表がインフレーションとサプライチェーンの圧力、価格問題に関して実質的に誤解を招いていたと主張し、1934年改正証券取引法の10(b)および20(a)セクションに基づく主張、および1933年改正証券法の11、12(a)(2)、15セクションに基づく主張がなされています。これらの主張は、2021年2月24日から2022年2月22日までにベルティブ証券を購入した全ての個人および団体、および(または)2021年11月4日のセカンダリー・パブリック・オファリングによるベルティブ証券を購入した買い手株主による転売登録声明に関するものです。2024年1月31日、裁判所は証券法の11、12(a)(2)、15セクションに基づく主張を却下する命令を出しました。証券取引所法10(b)および20(a)セクションに基づく主張の却下の動議は保留中です。
The following is detail of business segment results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Segment profitability is defined as operating profit (loss). Segment margin represents segment operating profit (loss) expressed as a percentage of segment net sales. For reconciliations of segment net sales and earnings to our consolidated results, see “Note 11 — Segment Information,” of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Segment net sales are presented excluding intercompany sales.
Americas
(Dollars in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
$ Change
% Change
Net sales
$
3,244.7
$
2,824.9
$
419.8
14.9
%
Operating profit (loss)
776.3
544.0
232.3
42.7
Margin
23.9
%
19.3
%
Americas net sales were $3,244.7 in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of $419.8, or 14.9%, from the first nine months of 2023. The increase in sales was primarily driven by higher sales volumes due to products increasing by $342.8 and service & spares increasing by $77.0. Americas net sales were negatively impacted by foreign currency of approximately $12.3.
Operating profit (loss) in the first nine months of 2024 was $776.3, an increase of $232.3 compared with the first nine months of 2023. Margin increased primarily due to higher sales volumes, manufacturing and procurement productivity, and improved price realization.
Asia Pacific net sales were $1,173.8 in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of $76.4, or 7.0%, from the first nine months of 2023. Sales increases were primarily driven by growth throughout the region, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency of approximately $15.1. Net sales of products improved by $50.9 and service & spares improved by $25.5.
Operating profit (loss) in the first nine months of 2024 was $106.8, an increase of $2.3 compared with the first nine months of 2023. Margin decreased primarily due to sales from lower margin products and a one-time supplier expense, slightly offset with price realization due fixed cost leverage.
Europe, Middle East & Africa
(Dollars in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
$ Change
% Change
Net sales
$
1,246.9
$
1,075.5
$
171.4
15.9
%
Operating profit (loss)
294.2
202.7
91.5
45.1
Margin
23.6
%
18.8
%
Europe, Middle East & Africa net sales were $1,246.9 in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of $171.4, or 15.9%, from the first nine months of 2023. Sales increases were driven by increased volume due to products increasing by $146.9, service & spares increasing by $24.5, and were negatively impacted by foreign currency of approximately $2.0.
Operating profit (loss) in the first nine months of 2024 was $294.2, an increase of $91.5 compared with the first nine months of 2023. Margin increased primarily due to higher sales volumes, improved price realization, and manufacturing and procurement productivity.
Vertiv Corporate and Other
Corporate and other costs include costs associated with our headquarters located in Westerville, Ohio, as well as centralized global functions including Finance, Treasury, Risk Management, Strategy & Marketing, and Legal. Corporate and other costs were $130.0 and $128.1 in the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total corporate, other, and elimination costs increased $1.9 compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to an increase of certain employee related costs and deceased foreign currency loss of $4.6. The first nine months of 2023 included a one-time $7.8 benefit from the settlement of an escrow agreement.
Our primary future cash needs relate to working capital, operating activities, capital spending, strategic investments and debt service.
Capital Expenditures: Our capital expenditures are primarily related to the maintenance of our long-term assets, as well as the investment in projects, such as capacity and facility expansion, that support growth and innovation to further our enterprise strategy. Our capital expenditures (including capitalized software) were approximately $120.7 during the first nine months of 2024. We expect to have capital expenditures (including capitalized software) of $175 to $200 for the full year 2024.
We have additional obligations as part of our ordinary course of business, beyond those committed for capital expenditures, which consist of debt obligations and other financial instruments. Refer below, as well as to “Note 5 — Debt” and “Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies” of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. In addition, we have uncertain tax positions that are further discussed in “Note 6 — Income Taxes” of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We anticipate payments for lease obligations of approximately $60 for the full year 2024. We do not have any guarantees or other off-balance sheet financing arrangements, including variable interest entities, which could materially impact our financial condition or liquidity.
We, through our subsidiaries, are party to certain indebtedness arrangements, including the Senior Secured Notes due 2028, with an outstanding principal amount of $850.0 as of September 30, 2024 (the “Notes”), the Term Loan due 2027, with an outstanding principal amount of $2,102.2, as of September 30, 2024 (the “Term Loan”), and the ABL Revolving Credit Facility due 2029, which was extended earlier in 2024, providing up to $600.0 of revolving borrowings, for which we had no amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2024 (the “ABL Revolving Credit Facility” and collectively with the Term Loan, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). See “Note 5 — Debt” of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more detailed discussion of the material terms of the Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
At September 30, 2024, we had $908.7 in cash and cash equivalents, which includes amounts held outside of the U.S., primarily in Europe and Asia. Non-U.S. cash is generally available for repatriation without legal restrictions, subject to certain taxes, mainly withholding taxes. We are not asserting indefinite reinvestment of cash or outside basis for our non-U.S. subsidiaries due to the outstanding debt obligations in instances where alternative repatriation options, other than dividends, are not available. At September 30, 2024, Vertiv had $584.2 of availability (subject to customary borrowing base and other conditions) under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, net of letters of credit outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $15.8, and taking into account the borrowing base limitations set forth in the ABL Revolving Credit Facility.
We believe our current cash and cash equivalent levels, augmented by availability under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility, will provide adequate near-term liquidity for the next 12 months of independent operations, as well as the resources necessary to invest for growth in existing businesses and manage our capital structure on a short- and long-term basis. We expect to continue to opportunistically access the capital and financing markets from time to time. Access to capital and the availability of financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including our credit rating, economic conditions, and the overall liquidity of capital markets. There can be no assurance that we will continue to have access to the capital and financing markets on acceptable terms.
Summary Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
(Dollars in millions)
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
$
894.1
$
544.3
$
349.8
64.3
%
Net cash used for investing activities
(120.7)
(71.1)
(49.6)
(69.8)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Net Cash provided by (used for) Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $894.1 in the first nine months of 2024, a $349.8 increase in cash generation compared to the first nine months of 2023. Net income from operations of $348.8 included $453.4 of net non-cash expense items, consisting of depreciation and amortization of $206.0, a loss on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $269.2, non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $25.8, and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs of $5.5, offset by deferred taxes of $53.1. Trade working capital provided $69.2 in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $17.8 utilized in the first nine months of 2023.
Net Cash used for Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $120.7 in the first nine months of 2024 compared to net cash used for investing activities of $71.1 in the first nine months of 2023. The increased use of cash over the comparable period was primarily driven by decreased proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment of $12.4, increased capital expenditures of $26.2, and an increase in investments of capitalized software of $11.0.
Net Cash provided by (used for) Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $640.4 in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $236.7 provided by financing activities in the first nine months of 2023. The increase in cash used in 2024 was primarily the result of $599.9 of share repurchases related to common stock, $28.1 in dividend payments, offset by a decrease in year-over-year net repayments of $235.0 on the ABL Revolving Credit Facility in the first nine months of 2023, $16.6 decrease in net cash received associated with equity-based compensation activity, and $5.9 decrease of repayments on the Term Loan in the first nine months of 2024.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The preceding discussion and analysis of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The 2023 financial statements, as part of the 2023 Form 10-K, includes additional information about us, our operations, our financial condition, our critical accounting policies and accounting estimates, and should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our significant accounting policies are described in “Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the 2023 Form 10-K.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There has been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risk disclosures from those described in our 2023 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains (a) disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), and (b) internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024 (the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2024, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information for the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
With the exception of the below, the Company is not a party to any material, pending legal proceedings or claims at September 30, 2024. From time-to-time, the Company may be a party to, or otherwise involved in, legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. The nature of the Company’s business ordinarily results in a certain amount of pending as well as threatened claims, litigation, investigations, regulatory and legal and administrative cases, matters and proceedings, all of which are considered incidental to the normal conduct of business. When the Company determines that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted, the Company vigorously defends itself. The Company considers settlement of cases when, in management’s judgment, it is in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders to do so.
On May 3, 2022, a putative securities class action, In re Vertiv Holdings Co Securities Litigation, 22-cv-3572, was filed against Vertiv, certain of the Company’s officers and directors, and other defendants in the Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on September 16, 2022. The amended complaint alleges that certain of the Company’s public statements were materially false and/or misleading with respect to inflationary and supply chain pressures and pricing issues, and asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These claims are asserted on behalf of a putative class of all persons and entities that (i) purchased Vertiv securities between February 24, 2021 and February 22, 2022; and/or (ii) purchased Vertiv securities in or traceable to the November 4, 2021 secondary public offering by a selling stockholder pursuant to a resale registration statement. On January 31, 2024, the Court issued an order dismissing the claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act. The motion to dismiss the claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act remains pending.
On June 9, 2023, two Vertiv shareholders, Matthew Sullivan and Jose Karlo Ocampo Avenido, brought a derivative lawsuit, Sullivan v. Johnson, et al., C.A. No. 2023-0608, against Vertiv (as nominal defendant only) and certain of the Company’s directors and officers in Delaware Court of Chancery for breach of fiduciary duty. The complaint alleges that certain of the named directors and officers caused the Company to issue materially false and/or misleading public statements with respect to inflationary and supply chain pressures and pricing issues, and that the Company suffered damages as a result. This action has been stayed since August 10, 2023, pending the securities class action.
We believe we have meritorious defenses against the allegations made in the aforementioned lawsuits, which are at the preliminary stages. However, we are unable at this time to predict the outcome of these matters or the amount of any cost associated with their resolution.
In November 2023, following the filing of the actions described above, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and a parallel request for documents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which relate to the allegations made in the class action complaint and derivative action. The Company is actively responding to these matters.
In January 2024, the Mexican tax administration service, the Servicio de Administracion Tributaria (the "SAT"), initiated a process to suspend the importer registration of one of the Company's wholly owned Mexico subsidiaries, Tecnología del Pacífico S.A. de C.V. (“TDP”), in connection with a contested customs tax audit for the period April 2016 to February 2018. SAT claimed its basis for the suspension was a failure by TDP to provide sufficient evidence of the export of goods temporarily imported at required levels under Mexico's Manufacturing, Maquila and Export Services Industries Program ("IMMEX Program"). The Company and TDP has disputed SAT’s position throughout the customs tax audit, through the filing of various petitions and appeals with appropriate documentation evidencing the complete and timely export of the goods temporarily imported during the audit period. TDP accepted a proposal from SAT to close the audit by making payments and fees totaling approximately $10.1 which was recorded in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and subsequently paid in the first quarter of 2024. The Company intends to seek reimbursement of this amount as an undue payment in the near future from SAT, for which the outcome is currently unknown and no receivable has been established.
We are unable at this time to predict the outcome of these matters, including whether any proceedings may be instituted in connection with the government inquiries, or the amount of any cost associated with their resolution.
At September 30, 2024, other than as described above, there were no known contingent liabilities (including guarantees, taxes and other claims) that management believes were or will be material in relation to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, nor were there any material commitments outside the normal course of business.
The Company's risk factors, as of September 30, 2024, have not materially changed from those described in Part 1, Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
A) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
B) Use of Proceeds from our Initial Public Offering of Common Stock
Not applicable.
C) Repurchases of Shares or of Company Equity Securities
On November 29, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a stock repurchase program, which authorizes the repurchase of shares of Company Class A common stock in an aggregate amount of up to $3.0 billion through December 31, 2027. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific dollar amount or number of shares of Class A common stock and the Board's authorization of the program may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.
During the first quarter of 2024, Vertiv purchased 9,076,444 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. During the second quarter of 2024, all shares repurchased were retired. As of September 30, 2024, $2.4 billion remain for additional share repurchases. Excess share repurchase price over par value is allocated between additional paid-in capital, which is limited to amounts initially recorded for the same issue, and retained earnings. During the third quarter of 2024, Vertiv made no share repurchases.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5A.Other Information
None.
Item 5C. Plan 10b5-1 Plan Adoptions and Modification
During the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Robin Washington, a member of the Company's board of directors adopted a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" as such each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K. The Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, adopted by Ms. Washington on August 8, 2024, provides for the sale of up to 5,000 shares of Company Class A common stock and will remain in effect until the earlier of (1) November 12, 2025; (2) the first date on which all trades have been executed or all orders relating to such trades have expired; (3) upon written notice by Ms. Washington or the broker to terminate or modify the Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
During the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement previously adopted on September 7, 2023 for Karsten Winther, President EMEA of the Company (the "Winther 10b5-1 Plan"), terminated pursuant to its terms. The Winther 10b5-1 Plan was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act and provided for the potential sale of up to 44,924 shares of Company Class A common stock.
The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss), (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags
Cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (and contained in Exhibit 101)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.