Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (SPLP-PA) is a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses across various industries, including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, supply chain management and logistics, banking, and youth sports. The company's diverse portfolio and strategic approach have enabled it to navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, showcasing its resilience and adaptability.
Business Overview
SPLP operates through four primary segments: Diversified Industrial, Energy, Financial Services, and Supply Chain. The Diversified Industrial segment encompasses manufacturers of engineered niche industrial products, such as joining materials, tubing, building materials, performance materials, electrical products, cutting replacement products and services, and a packaging business. The Energy segment provides drilling and production services to the oil and gas industry and owns a youth sports business. The Financial Services segment consists primarily of the operations of WebBank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank that engages in a full range of banking activities, including originating loans, issuing credit cards, and taking deposits. The Supply Chain segment is comprised of the operations of Steel Connect's wholly-owned subsidiary, ModusLink, which provides supply chain management and logistics services.Financials
In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, SPLP reported annual net income of $150,829,000 and annual revenue of $1,900,744,000. The company's annual operating cash flow was $21,222,000, while its annual free cash flow was -$30,229,000. These financial results demonstrate the company's ability to generate substantial revenue and profitability, despite the challenges faced in the current economic environment.For the three months ended March 31, 2024, SPLP reported quarterly revenue of $476,346,000, up from $445,371,000 in the same period of the prior year, representing a 7.0% increase. The company's quarterly net income was $34,801,000, compared to $24,803,000 in the same quarter of 2023, reflecting a 40.2% increase. These strong quarterly results highlight SPLP's continued resilience and ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Segment Performance
The Diversified Industrial segment, which accounts for the largest portion of SPLP's revenue, reported quarterly net sales of $292,440,000, a 3.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by lower sales in the Tubing and Building Materials business units, which were impacted by lower sales volume. The Energy segment's quarterly net revenue decreased by 33.7% to $31,921,000, primarily due to lower rig hours. In contrast, the Financial Services segment experienced a 18.5% increase in quarterly revenue to $109,955,000, driven by higher interest income and fees from increased asset-based lending, credit risk transfer, and held-for-sale volume, as well as higher interest rates. The newly added Supply Chain segment contributed $42,030,000 in quarterly revenue.Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024, SPLP had a strong liquidity position, with $446,668,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $1,400,739,000 in loans receivable, including loans held for sale. The company's total availability under its senior credit facility was approximately $497,900,000 as of the same date. SPLP's working capital was $448,284,000 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $562,224,000 as of December 31, 2023.During the three months ended March 31, 2024, SPLP generated $197,460,000 in net cash from operating activities, a significant improvement compared to the $48,248,000 used in the same period of the prior year. This increase was primarily due to a net decrease in loans held for sale and the company's operating income. The company's net cash provided by investing activities was $39,149,000, while net cash used in financing activities was $367,312,000, primarily due to a decrease in deposits and net revolver repayments.