Jabil(JBL) - 2022 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Jabil reported core earnings per share of $1.68 on revenue of$ 7.6 billion, resulting in a core operating margin of 4.6%, a 40 basis point increase year-on-year [5][12] - Revenue increased by 10.6% compared to the prior year quarter, exceeding the midpoint of guidance from December [12] - Core operating income rose to $344 million, a 21% year-over-year increase [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the DMS segment was$ 3.8 billion, an increase of 4% year-over-year, with a core margin of 5.1% [13] - Revenue for the EMS segment also reached $3.8 billion, up 19% year-over-year, with a core margin of 4%, reflecting a 90 basis point improvement [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive end market saw top line revenue growth exceeding 50% this year, driven by the transition to electric vehicles [18] - Jabil expects double-digit growth in healthcare, automotive, retail, industrial, and semi-cap markets, as well as in 5G wireless and cloud end markets [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Jabil's strategy focuses on diversifying its portfolio across various end markets, including 5G, electric vehicles, personalized healthcare, cloud computing, and clean energy [6][18] - The company aims to achieve a core earnings per share of$ 7.25 for FY '22, with total revenue projected to be around $32.6 billion, reflecting a more than 10% year-on-year increase [7][19] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the sustainability of operating margins, attributing improvements to outstanding execution and a diverse portfolio [23] - Concerns regarding the geopolitical situation, particularly the war in Ukraine, were acknowledged, but management indicated strong confidence in navigating supply chain challenges [29] Other Important Information - Jabil remains committed to generating a minimum of$ 700 million in free cash flow for the year, despite higher revenue and associated working capital [8][19] - The company repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares for $145 million during Q2, with a total of 4.4 million shares repurchased for$ 272 million for the year [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in Operating Margins Sustainability - Management highlighted that the margin profile has improved from around 3.5% pre-COVID to 4.6% currently, driven by diversification and operational execution [23] Question: Growth at Scale and Global Footprint - Management discussed the company's strategic focus on substantial secular markets and the importance of a diversified global footprint, particularly in Eastern Europe [25][26] Question: Concerns for the Second Half of Fiscal 2022 - Management expressed concerns about the ongoing war and its impact on employee safety but indicated confidence in navigating supply chain issues and inflation [29] Question: Capital Allocation Priorities - Management stated a focus on small M&A and buybacks, with no immediate plans for dividend increases [32] Question: Inventory Management - Management explained that the increase in inventory days was due to kitting issues and strategic buffering, with confidence in maintaining free cash flow guidance [44] Question: Supply Chain and Semiconductor Availability - Management noted that while legacy semiconductors remain constrained, overall supply chain challenges are showing signs of improvement [40] Question: Core Margin Expectations by Segment - Management indicated that the diversified manufacturing segment aims for a core margin around 5%, while the EMS segment targets around 4% [48]