TUCSON, Ariz. - Mister Car Wash , Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:MCW), the nation's leading car wash brand, reported fourth-quarter earnings that aligned with analysts' expectations but offered a softer outlook for fiscal year 2024, sending its shares down 6.5%. The company announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, noting a 7.4% increase in net revenues to $230.1 million, matching the consensus estimate of $230.11 million.
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $0.07, in line with analysts' predictions. Despite this, the company's stock experienced a considerable decline following the release of its fiscal 2024 guidance, which fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Mister Car Wash forecasted an adjusted EPS of $0.30 to $0.34 for the upcoming year, below the consensus estimate of $0.37. The revenue outlook was also slightly below expectations, with the company projecting $988 to $1016 million against a consensus of $1017 million.
John Lai, Chairman and CEO, highlighted the company's achievements, including a record opening of 35 new greenfield locations in 2023 and a 10.3% increase in Unlimited Wash Club memberships. "Our team has entered 2024 with positive momentum and a commitment to expand the Mister brand," Lai stated. "We will do this with a clear focus on managing our business to deliver quality, profitable growth that will create lasting shareholder value."
The company's net income for the quarter was $12.4 million, with a diluted net income per share of $0.04. The adjusted net income and diluted adjusted net income per share were $24.0 million and $0.07, respectively. Mister Car Wash also reported an adjusted EBITDA increase of 5.0% to $69.5 million from $66.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Looking ahead, Mister Car Wash plans to open approximately 40 new greenfield locations and anticipates total capital expenditures for fiscal 2024 to consist of approximately $314 million to $350 million for new store growth and $50 million to $55 million for store-level maintenance, productivity improvements, and the integration of acquired locations.
The softer guidance for the fiscal year 2024 has been pinpointed as the driver for the stock's negative market response, overshadowing the solid performance in the fourth quarter. Investors appear to be adjusting their expectations in light of the company's conservative projections for the coming year.
InvestingPro Insights
Mister Car Wash, Inc. (NYSE: MCW) has demonstrated resilience with a reported 7.4% increase in net revenues for Q4 2023. Despite the positive performance, the company's forward-looking guidance has led to a dip in investor confidence. To provide a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and future prospects, let's delve into some key metrics and InvestingPro Tips.
InvestingPro Data highlights a market capitalization of $2.73 billion, reflecting the company's size and market value. With a P/E ratio of 31.19 and an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q3 2023 at 32.2, Mister Car Wash is trading at a high earnings multiple, which suggests that the stock may be valued optimistically compared to its earnings. The company's revenue growth for the last twelve months stands at 6.76%, indicating steady top-line growth.
Two notable InvestingPro Tips for Mister Car Wash include:
1. The stock price has seen a large uptick over the last six months, with a total return of 37.14%, showcasing investor enthusiasm and potential growth recognition.
2. Despite a strong return in recent months, the company operates with a significant debt burden, which could impact financial flexibility and future growth strategies.
For investors seeking a comprehensive analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide further insights into Mister Car Wash's financials and market performance. Interested readers can explore these tips by visiting https://www.investing.com/pro/MCW and can benefit from an exclusive offer using the coupon code PRONEWS24 for an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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