Martin Marietta Materials(MLM) - 2023 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics - Consolidated total revenues for 2023 reached $6.8 billion, a 10% increase year-over-year [8] - Consolidated gross profit for 2023 was$ 2 billion, a 42.1% increase year-over-year [8] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 was $2.1 billion, a 33% increase year-over-year [277] - Aggregates gross profit per ton increased by 46.4% to$ 6.93 in 2023 [277] - Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations increased by 41% to $19.32 in 2023 [277] Business Line Performance - Aggregates business achieved record revenues of$ 4.3 billion in 2023, a 10.9% increase, with gross profit up 40.1% to $1.4 billion and gross margin increasing by 660 basis points to 32% [12] - Asphalt and paving revenues increased by 12.6% to$ 887.1 million, with gross profit up 34.7% to $109 million due to strong demand and lower bitumen costs [13] - Concrete revenues increased by 5.9% to$ 1 billion, with gross profit up 44.2% to $102 million, driven by pricing gains and mega project contributions [278] - Texas Cement revenues increased by 17% to$ 725.5 million, with gross profit up 64.6% to $333.6 million, driven by favorable supply/demand dynamics in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex [225] Market Performance - Aggregate shipments declined by 4.3% in 2023 due to softer demand in certain Midwest and Southwest markets, partially offset by strength in Southeast markets [9] - Aggregates pricing increased by 18.9% (17.2% mix-adjusted) in 2023, reflecting strong pricing fundamentals [9] - Infrastructure volumes were up 6% in Q4 2023, despite overall volumes being down 2% [126] - Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Minnesota saw significant increases in Department of Transportation budgets, supporting public infrastructure demand [75] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company completed several portfolio-enhancing transactions, including the acquisition of Blue Water Industries, which strengthens its position in attractive Southeast markets [5][6] - The company expects double-digit aggregates pricing growth to overcome inflationary pressures and lead to expanded gross margins and unit profitability growth [18] - The company's value-over-volume strategy has been successful, with pricing growth more than offsetting lower shipments [187] - The company anticipates healthy demand in public and heavy non-residential construction to offset softness in the residential sector and light non-residential construction [15] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects 2024 to be another record year, with flat aggregate shipments as infrastructure and large-scale non-residential projects offset softness in residential and light non-residential sectors [189] - The company expects consolidated adjusted EBITDA of$ 2.24 billion at the midpoint for 2024, driven by strong pricing growth and contributions from recent acquisitions [186] - Management highlighted the bipartisan support for infrastructure investment, with 88% of transportation-related state and local ballot initiatives approved in November 2023, representing approximately $7 billion in additional funding [16] - The company anticipates a recovery in single-family residential demand as interest rates decline and mortgage payments become more affordable [31] Other Important Information - The company returned$ 2.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases since the repurchase authorization announcement in February 2015 [14] - The company achieved a world-class total injury incident rate for the third consecutive year and a world-class lost-time incident rate for the seventh consecutive year in 2023 [190] - The company expects the new finish mill at its Midlothian, Texas plant to be fully operational in Q3 2024, adding approximately 450,000 tons of incremental high-margin production capacity [210] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of January weather on Q1 performance [22] - Management noted that Q1 2023 had unseasonably good weather, contributing to 15% of gross profit for the year, but expects Q1 2024 to be impacted by challenging weather conditions, with gross profit likely to be around 11.5% of the full year [37][38] Question: Capital expenditure guidance for 2024 [61] - The company expects CapEx to be between 8% to 10% of sales, with a midpoint of 9%, driven by large projects such as the Beckman plant upgrade in San Antonio and real estate purchases [79][80][81] Question: M&A pipeline and capital allocation [268] - Management expects 2024 to be an active year for M&A, with a focus on pure-play aggregates transactions, and remains open to tapping capital markets for the right deal [269][128] Question: Pricing dynamics and inflation [286] - Management believes the industry has learned from the hyperinflation period and expects pricing to remain disciplined, with long-term reserves becoming more valuable over time [287][288] Question: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) impact [105] - Management expects the IIJA to drive steady, multi-year demand for aggregates, with 2024 being the first year of significant stone demand related to the act [179][112] Question: Volume guidance for 2024 [165] - Management expects flat aggregate shipments for 2024, with potential upside in the second half of the year driven by infrastructure and large-scale non-residential projects [273][274]