Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2024 and reaffirmed its full year earnings guidance despite the expected earlier timing of business exits compared to guidance provided in February.
“We continue to perform while transforming. We expanded adjusted operating margins by 280 basis points driven by very strong productivity while continuing to invest in our future,” said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin. “We closed on Viessmann Climate Solutions at the beginning of the year, which will be transformational for Carrier and the industry. We are focused on capitalizing on the long-term secular sustainability trends, outperforming the market, and achieving and accelerating revenue and cost synergies. The business exits are also on track as we are within months of closing on three of our four transactions and are making significant progress on completing the fourth. We now expect to resume share repurchases in 2024 as the net proceeds from the announced transactions help us return to ~2x net leverage this year.”
First Quarter 2024 Results
Carrier’s first quarter sales of $6.2 billion were up 17% compared to the prior year including 2% organic growth and approximately 16% contribution from the acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions offset by about 1% from divestitures. Organic sales in the HVAC segment were up 2%. HVAC sales in the Americas were up mid-single-digits driven by continued strength in commercial and light commercial HVAC both of which were up approximately 20%, partially offset by residential HVAC which was down low-single-digits. HVAC organic sales in EMEA were down 10% with commercial HVAC up around 10% which was more than offset by a significant decline in EMEA residential and light commercial. These organic figures exclude the contribution of Viessmann Climate Solutions which was down 12% year-over-year in the quarter, more than half of which was driven by lower solar PV sales. HVAC sales in Asia Pacific were flat with strong growth in China offset by lower sales in Japan as we continue to improve our mix in that country. Refrigeration sales were down 2% organically driven by North America truck and trailer and commercial refrigeration, mostly offset by over 50% growth in container. Fire and Security showed broad-based growth and sales were up 7% organically in the quarter with commercial and residential fire up mid-single digits.
GAAP operating profit in the quarter of $500 million was down 10% from last year primarily due to acquisition costs and the amortization expense of acquired intangible assets, which more than offset the addition of Viessmann Climate Solutions. Adjusted operating profit of $927 million was up 44%, mostly driven by strong productivity and the contribution from Viessmann Climate Solutions.
Net income was $269 million and adjusted net income was $565 million. GAAP EPS was $0.29 and adjusted EPS was $0.62. Net cash flows generated in operating activities were $40 million and capital expenditures were $104 million, resulting in a free cash outflow of $64 million. The outflow was consistent with Carrier’s seasonal working capital pattern.
