Sensata Technologies Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

Company delivers solid revenue growth, margin expansion, and double-digit EPS growth in FY-2017


HENGELO, The Netherlands, Feb. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017.

Revenue was $840.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $52.1 million, or 6.6%, from revenue of $788.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Excluding a 1.4% positive effect from changes in foreign exchange rates, Sensata reported organic revenue growth of 5.2% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Net income was $169.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was 20.1% of revenue, or $0.98 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $66.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, which was 8.4% of revenue, or $0.39 per diluted share. Adjusted net income was $149.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was 17.8% of revenue, or $0.87 per diluted share. This was an increase of 14.1% compared to adjusted net income of $131.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, which was 16.6% of revenue, or $0.76 per diluted share. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased Sensata's adjusted earnings per share by $0.04 in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the prior year period.

Revenue for the full year ended December 31, 2017 was $3.307 billion, an increase of $104.4 million, or 3.3%, from $3.202 billion for the full year ended December 31, 2016. Excluding a 0.7% negative effect from changes in foreign exchange rates, Sensata reported organic revenue growth of 4.0% in the full year ended December 31, 2017.

Net income for the full year ended December 31, 2017 was $408.4 million, which was 12.3% of revenue, or $2.37 per diluted share. This compares to net income for the full year ended December 31, 2016 of $262.4 million, which was 8.2% of revenue, or $1.53 per diluted share. Adjusted net income for the full year ended December 31, 2017 was $548.7 million, which was 16.6% of revenue, or $3.19 per diluted share. This was an increase of 10.9% compared to adjusted net income for the full year ended December 31, 2016 of $494.8 million, which was 15.5% of revenue, or $2.89 per diluted share. Changes in foreign exchange rates had a nominal effect on Sensata's adjusted earnings per share for the full year 2017 compared to the prior year period.

Sensata’s ending cash balance at December 31, 2017 was $753.1 million, an improvement from $351.4 million as of December 31, 2016. During the full year ended December 31, 2017, Sensata's operating cash flow totaled $557.6 million, which was an increase of 6.9% from the prior year. The Company's free cash flow grew 5.6% year over year, totaling $413.1 million in the full year ended December 31, 2017.

“We finished the year strong in the fourth quarter, accelerating our organic revenue growth, expanding our adjusted EBIT margins and delivering attractive EPS growth,” said Martha Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our full year 2017 revenue growth exceeded our initial guidance and was driven by 14 percent organic revenue growth in our heavy vehicle & off road business, strength in China, and solid demand from our industrial customers.  Our strong margin expansion and adjusted EPS growth are the result of both M&A cost synergies and core productivity improvements.   I would like to thank all of Sensata's employees who helped to make 2017 such a successful year.  Looking ahead, with our strong cash flow and improved balance sheet, we have significant opportunities to augment our solid operational performance with a balanced, value-creating capital deployment strategy in 2018.”

Segment Performance

 For the three months ended December 31,For the full year ended December 31,
$ in 000s2017201620172016
Performance Sensing revenue$634,696 $587,985 $2,460,600 $2,385,380 
Performance Sensing profit$180,695 $161,986 $664,186 $615,526 
% of Performance Sensing revenue28.5%27.5%27.0%25.8%
     
Sensing Solutions revenue$205,838 $200,411 $846,133 $816,908 
Sensing Solutions profit$67,539 $63,177 $277,450 $261,914 
% of Sensing Solutions revenue32.8%31.5%32.8%32.1%
         

Performance Sensing’s profit as a percentage of revenue totaled 28.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, Performance Sensing’s profit as a percentage of revenue increased 110 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2016. Sensing Solutions' profit as a percentage of revenue totaled 32.8% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, Sensing Solutions' profit as a percentage of revenue increased 120 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2016.

FY 2018 Guidance

Sensata anticipates revenue to be between $3.442 billion and $3.542 billion for full year 2018, which would represent organic revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent.  For full year 2018, Sensata expects adjusted EBIT to be between $818 and $846 million.  Additionally, the Company expects adjusted net income to be between $617 million and $645 million and adjusted earnings per share to be between $3.57 and $3.73 for full year 2018, which would represent organic growth of 9 to 13 percent.  Sensata expects that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will increase revenues by approximately 1 to 2 percent and will increase adjusted earnings per share by $0.10 to $0.14 for full year 2018.

Q1 2018 Guidance

Sensata anticipates revenue to be between $849 million and $873 million for the first quarter of 2018, which would represent organic revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent. Additionally, Sensata expects adjusted EBIT to be between $191 and $197 million and for adjusted net income to be between $141 million and $147 million, which would represent organic growth of 11 to 15 percent.  The Company expects adjusted earnings per share to be between $0.81 and $0.85 for the first quarter of 2018.

Sensata expects that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will increase revenues by approximately 3 percent and will increase adjusted EPS by $0.03 to $0.04 in the first quarter of 2018.

Conference Call and Webcast

Sensata will conduct a conference call today at 8:00 AM eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results and its outlook for the first quarter and full year 2018. The dial-in numbers for the call are 1-844-784-1726 or +1-412-380-7411 and callers can reference the Sensata Q4 and Full Year 2017 Earnings Call. A live webcast and a replay of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of Sensata’s website at http://investors.sensata.com.  Additionally, a replay of the call will be available until February 8, 2018.  To access the replay dial 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 and enter confirmation code: 10115767.

About Sensata Technologies

Sensata Technologies is one of the world’s leading suppliers of sensing, electrical protection, control and power management solutions with operations and business centers in 12 countries.  Sensata’s products improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day in automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, military, heavy vehicle, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, data, telecommunications, recreational vehicle, and marine applications. For more information, please visit Sensata’s website at www.sensata.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) with certain non-GAAP financial measures. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to make operating and strategic decisions, including the preparation of our annual operating plan, evaluation of our overall business performance, and as a factor in determining compensation for certain employees. We believe presenting non-GAAP financial measures is useful for period-over-period comparisons of underlying business trends and our ongoing business performance. We also believe presenting these non-GAAP measures provides additional transparency into how management evaluates our business.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as supplemental in nature and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as, or comparable to, similar non-GAAP measures presented by other companies.

The non-GAAP financial measures referenced by Sensata in this release include: adjusted net income, adjusted net income margin, adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”), adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”), adjusted EBIT margin, free cash flow, net debt, organic revenue growth, and segment profit margin measured on a constant currency basis.  We also refer to the change of certain non-GAAP measures, usually reported either as a percentage or number of basis points, between two periods and measured on either a reported or an organic basis, the latter of which excludes the impact of acquisitions, net of exited businesses that occurred within the previous 12 months and the effect of foreign currency exchange rate differences between the comparative periods.  Such changes are also considered non-GAAP measures.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding certain non-GAAP adjustments which are described in the accompanying reconciliation tables. Adjusted net income margin is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by net revenue. Adjusted EPS is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the number of diluted weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding in the period. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Adjusted EBIT is defined as net income, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding interest expense, net, provision for/(benefit from) income taxes, and certain non-GAAP adjustments which are described in the accompanying reconciliation tables. Adjusted EBIT margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBIT by net revenue. We believe that these measures are useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, less additions to property, plant and equipment and capitalized software. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management as a measure of cash generated by business operations that will be used to repay scheduled debt maturities and can be used to fund acquisitions, repurchase ordinary shares, or accelerate the repayment of debt obligations.

Net debt is defined as total debt, capital lease and other financing obligations, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, less cash and cash equivalents. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management as an indicator of trends in our overall financial condition.

Organic revenue growth is defined as the reported percentage change in net revenue, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding the impact of acquisitions, net of exited businesses that occurred within the previous 12 months and the effect of foreign currency exchange rate differences between the comparative periods. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Segment profit margin measured on a constant currency basis is defined as segment profit, excluding the favorable or unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate differences with the comparative (prior) period, divided by segment revenue, also adjusted to exclude the favorable or unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate differences with the comparative (prior) period. We believe that this measure is useful to investors and management in understanding our ongoing operations and in analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Safe Harbor Statement

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sensata believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results, or other expectations expressed in this earnings release, including, without limitation, risks associated with regulatory, legal, governmental, political, economic and military matters; adverse conditions in the automotive industry; competition in our industry, including pressure from customers to reduce prices; supplier interruption limiting access to manufactured components or raw materials; business disruptions due to natural disasters; labor disruptions; difficulties or failures to integrate businesses we acquire; market acceptance of new products; and our level of indebtedness. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made; and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other public filings and press releases. Copies of our filings are available from our Investor Relations department or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov.

 
 
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)


(In 000s, except per share amounts)    
 For the three months endedFor the full year ended
 December 31, 2017December 31, 2016December 31, 2017December 31, 2016
Net revenue$840,534 $788,396 $3,306,733 $3,202,288 
Operating costs and expenses:    
Cost of revenue540,118 509,498 2,141,308 2,084,261 
Research and development33,172 31,425 130,204 126,665 
Selling, general and administrative75,555 68,950 302,811 293,587 
Amortization of intangible assets39,472 49,926 161,050 201,498 
Restructuring and special charges207 946 18,975 4,113 
Total operating costs and expenses688,524 660,745 2,754,348 2,710,124 
Profit from operations152,010 127,651 552,385 492,164 
Interest expense, net(39,183)(40,617)(159,761)(165,818)
Other, net2,627 (9,793)9,817 (4,901)
Income before taxes115,454 77,241 402,441 321,445 
(Benefit from)/provision for income taxes(53,675)10,714 (5,916)59,011 
Net income$169,129 $66,527 $408,357 $262,434 
     
Net income per share:    
Basic$0.99 $0.39 $2.39 $1.54 
Diluted$0.98 $0.39 $2.37 $1.53 
     
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding:    
Basic171,314 170,870 171,165 170,709 
Diluted172,604 171,765 172,169 171,460 
     


 
 
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)


($ in 000s)    
 For the three months endedFor the full year ended
  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
Net income$169,129 $66,527 $408,357 $262,434 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:    
Deferred (loss)/gain on derivative instruments, net of reclassifications(10,382)21,181 (28,202)(3,829)
Defined benefit and retiree healthcare plans(2,384)(4,539)(895)(4,248)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income(12,766)16,642 (29,097)(8,077)
Comprehensive income$156,363 $83,169 $379,260 $254,357 


 
 
 
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)


($ in 000s)December 31, 2017December 31, 2016
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$753,089 $351,428 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances556,541 500,211 
Inventories446,129 389,844 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets92,532 100,002 
Total current assets1,848,291 1,341,485
 
Property, plant and equipment, net750,049 724,046 
Goodwill3,005,464 3,005,464 
Other intangible assets, net920,124 1,075,431 
Deferred income tax assets33,003 20,695 
Other assets84,594 73,855 
Total assets$6,641,525 $6,240,976 
   
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity  
Current liabilities:  
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations$15,720 $14,643 
Accounts payable322,671 299,198 
Income taxes payable31,544 23,889 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities259,560 245,566 
Total current liabilities629,495 583,296
 
Deferred income tax liabilities338,228 392,628 
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations40,055 34,878 
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion28,739 32,369 
Long-term debt, net3,225,810 3,226,582 
Other long-term liabilities33,572 29,216 
Total liabilities4,295,899 4,298,969
 
Total shareholders’ equity2,345,626 1,942,007 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$6,641,525 $6,240,976 


 
 
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)


($ in 000s)  
 For the full year ended
 December 31, 2017December 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net income$408,357 $262,434 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation109,321 106,903 
Amortization of deferred financing costs debt discounts7,241 7,334 
Gain on sale of assets(1,180) 
Share-based compensation19,819 17,425 
Loss on debt financing2,670 0 
Amortization of inventory step-up to fair value 2,319 
Amortization of intangible assets161,050 201,498 
Deferred income taxes(56,757)8,344 
Unrealized loss on hedges and other non-cash items1,961 9,198 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions(94,836)(93,930)
Net cash provided by operating activities557,646 521,525 
   
Cash flows from investing activities:  
Acquisition of CST, net of cash received 4,688 
Additions to property, plant and equipment and capitalized software(144,584)(130,217)
Investment in equity securities (50,000)
Proceeds from the sale of assets8,862 751 
Other(5,000) 
Net cash used in investing activities(140,722)(174,778)
   
Cash flows from financing activities:  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of ordinary shares7,450 3,944 
Proceeds from issuance of debt927,794  
Payments on debt(943,554)(336,256)
Payments to repurchase ordinary shares(2,910)(4,752)
Payments of debt issuance costs(919)(518)
Other(3,124) 
Net cash used in financing activities(15,263)(337,582)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents401,661 9,165 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period351,428 342,263 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$753,089 $351,428 
       
       
       

Revenue by Business, Geography, and End-Market (unaudited)

    
(% of total net revenue) Three months ended
December 31,
Full year ended
December 31,
  2017201620172016
Performance Sensing 75.5% 74.6% 74.4% 74.5% 
Sensing Solutions 24.5% 25.4% 25.6% 25.5% 
Total                                               100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 


    
(% of total net revenue) Three months ended
December 31,
Full year ended
December 31,
  2017201620172016
Americas 39.8% 40.8% 41.3% 42.7% 
Europe  30.2% 30.4% 31.4% 32.0% 
Asia/Rest of World                                                30.0% 28.8% 27.3% 25.3% 
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 


   
(% of total net revenue)1Three months ended
December 31,
Full year ended
December 31,
 2017201620172016
European automotive23.5% 23.8% 24.0% 25.2% 
North American automotive17.7% 19.8% 18.6% 20.1% 
Asian automotive21.5% 20.2% 18.8% 17.6% 
Rest of world automotive0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 
Heavy vehicle off-road13.9% 11.9% 14.3% 12.8% 
Appliance and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning5.8% 6.0% 6.3% 5.9% 
Industrial9.1% 8.9% 9.4% 9.0% 
Aerospace4.5% 5.1% 4.6% 4.7% 
All other3.7% 4.0% 3.7% 4.5% 
Total100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 
         
         

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata’s net income to adjusted net income for the three month and full year periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

   
(In 000s, except per share amounts)Three months ended
December 31,
Full year ended
December 31,
 2017201620172016
     
Net income$169,129  $66,527   $408,357  $262,434 
Restructuring and special charges3,032 3,985
  21,331 14,982 
Financing and other transaction costs4,729 
  9,267 1,508 
Deferred (gain)/loss on other hedges(2,124)5,150
  (7,365(19,347)
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in
  fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory
40,294 52,559
  165,040 210,847 
Deferred income tax and other tax (benefit)/expense(67,343936
  (55,156)17,086 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts1,713 1,833
  7,241 7,334 
Total adjustments$(19,699)$64,463  $140,358 $232,410 
Adjusted net income$149,430 $130,990  $548,715 $494,844 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding172,604 171,765
  172,169 171,460 
Adjusted net income per diluted share$0.87 $0.76  $3.19 $2.89 
              
              

Sensata’s definition of adjusted net income excludes the deferred provision for/(benefit from) income taxes and other tax expense/(benefit). Sensata’s deferred provision for/(benefit from) income taxes includes adjustments for book-to-tax basis differences due primarily to the step-up in fair value of fixed and intangible assets and goodwill, the utilization of net operating losses, and adjustments to our U.S. valuation allowance in connection with certain acquisitions. Other tax expense/(benefit) includes certain adjustments to unrecognized tax positions.

As Sensata treats deferred income tax and other tax expense/(benefit) as an adjustment to compute adjusted net income, the deferred income tax effect associated with the reconciling items, above, would not change adjusted net income for any period presented.

The current income tax (benefit)/expense associated with the reconciling items above, which is included in adjusted net income, would be as follows: Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory: $0.0 million and $(0.0) million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively and $0.0 million and $(0.1) million for the full year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively; and Restructuring and special charges of $(0.2) million and $(0.5) million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $(0.5) million and $(1.0) million for the full year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following unaudited table identifies where in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations the adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted net income were recorded for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

   
($ in 000s)Three months ended
December 31,
Full year ended
December 31,
 2017201620172016
     
Cost of revenue$4,453 $6,791 $20,217 $19,653 
Selling, general and administrative3,849 262 11,216 4,140 
Amortization of intangible assets37,883 48,634 155,292 195,848 
Restructuring and special charges(800)857 6,243 2,829 
Interest expense, net1,713 1,833 7,241 7,334 
Other, net546 5,150 (4,695)(14,480)
(Benefit from)/provision for income taxes(67,343)936 (55,156)17,086 
Total adjustments$(19,699)$64,463 $140,358 $232,410 
             
             

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata’s net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow.

    
($ in 000s) Three months ended December 31,Full Year ended December 31,
  2017 20162017 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities $185,367  $125,174 $557,646  $521,525 
Additions to property, plant and equipment and capitalized software (41,048) (35,633)(144,584) (130,217)
Free cash flow   $144,319  $89,541 $413,062  $391,308 
                
                

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata’s diluted net income per diluted share to organic adjusted EPS growth for the three month and full year periods December 31, 2017 and 2016. The amounts in the table below have been calculated based on unrounded numbers. Accordingly, certain amounts may not sum due to the effect of rounding.

     
  Three months ended December 31,  Full year ended December 31,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
         
Net income per diluted share $0.98  $0.39  $2.37  $1.53 
Non-GAAP adjustments:        
Restructuring and special charges 0.02  0.02  0.12  0.09 
Financing and other transaction costs 0.03    0.05  0.01 
Deferred (gain)/loss on other hedges (0.01) 0.03  (0.04) (0.11)
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in
  fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory
 0.23  0.31  0.96  1.23 
Deferred income tax expense and other tax (benefit)/expense (0.39) 0.01  (0.32) 0.10 
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts 0.01  0.01  0.04  0.04 
Adjusted EPS $0.87  $0.76  $3.19  $2.89 
         
Percentage change in adjusted EPS 14.5%   10.4%  
Less: year-over-year impact due to:        
Foreign exchange rate differences 6.6%   0.0% 0.0%
Organic adjusted EPS growth 7.9%   10.4%  
           
           

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata’s total debt, capital lease and other financing obligations to net debt.

     
  Balance as of  
($ in 000s) December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change ($)
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease and other financing obligations $15,720  $14,643  $1,077 
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion 28,739  32,369  (3,630)
Long-term debt, net 3,225,810  3,226,582  (772)
Total debt, capital lease and other financing obligations 3,270,269  3,273,594  (3,325)
Less: Discounts (14,424) (17,655) 3,231 
Less: Deferred financing costs (27,758) (33,656) 5,898 
Gross indebtedness 3,312,451  3,324,905  (12,454)
Less: Cash and cash equivalents 753,089  351,428  401,661 
Net debt $2,559,362  $2,973,477  $(414,115)
             
             

The following unaudited tables reconcile Sensata’s net income to adjusted EBIT for the three month and full year periods December 31, 2017 and 2016. Percentage amounts in the table below have been calculated based on unrounded numbers. Accordingly, certain amounts may not sum due to the effect of rounding.

   
 $ in thousands% of net revenue
 Three months ended
December 31,
Three months ended
December 31,
 2017 20162017 2016
Net income$169,129  $66,527 20.1% 8.4%
Interest expense, net39,183  40,617 4.7% 5.2%
(Benefit from)/provision for income taxes(53,675) 10,714 (6.4)% 1.4%
Earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”)154,637  117,858 18.4% 14.9%
Non-GAAP adjustments:      
Restructuring and special charges3,032  3,985 0.4% 0.5%
Financing and other transaction costs4,729   0.6% %
Deferred (gain)/loss other hedges(2,124) 5,150 (0.3)% 0.7%
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in
  fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory
40,294  52,559 4.8% 6.7%
Adjusted EBIT $200,568   $179,552 23.9%   22.8%
        
Year-over-year change11.7%  110 bps   
Less: year-over-year impact due to:       
Foreign exchange rate differences3.9%  60 bps   
Organic adjusted EBIT growth7.8%  50 bps   


   
   
 $ in thousands% of net revenue
 Full year ended December 31,Full year ended December 31,
 2017201620172016
Net income $408,357  $262,434 12.3%8.2%
Interest expense, net159,761 165,818 4.8%5.2%
(Benefit from)/provision for income taxes(5,916)59,011 (0.2)%1.8%
EBIT562,202 487,263 17.0%15.2%
Non-GAAP adjustments:     
Restructuring and special charges21,331 14,982 0.6%0.5%
Financing and other transaction costs9,267 1,508 0.3%0.0%
Deferred gain on other hedges(7,365)(19,347(0.2)%(0.6)%
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in
  fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory
165,040 210,847 5.0%6.6%
Adjusted EBIT$750,475 $695,253 22.7%   21.7%
      
Year-over-year change7.9% 100 bps  
Less: year-over-year impact due to:     
Foreign exchange rate differences0.0% 20 bps  
Organic adjusted EBIT growth7.9% 80 bps  
       
       

The following unaudited table reconciles Sensata’s projected (GAAP) diluted net income per share to its projected adjusted EPS for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 and full year ended December 31, 2018. The amounts in the table below have been calculated based on unrounded numbers. Accordingly, certain amounts may not add due to the effect of rounding.

   
 Three months ended
March 31, 2018
Full year ended
December 31, 2018
 Low EndHigh EndLow EndHigh End
     
Projected GAAP earnings per diluted share$0.49  $0.50  $2.32  $2.39 
Restructuring and special charges0.03 0.04 0.06 0.10 
Financing and other transaction costs0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04 
Deferred (gain)/loss on other hedges*    
Depreciation and amortization expense related to the step-up in
  fair value of fixed and intangible assets and inventory
0.20 0.20 0.92 0.92 
Deferred income tax and other tax expense/(benefit)0.05 0.06 0.20 0.24 
Amortization of deferred financing costs0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 
Projected adjusted net income per diluted share$0.81  $0.85  $3.57  $3.73 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in 000s)        172,800       172,800       172,800         172,800 
     

* We are unable to predict movements in commodity prices and, therefore, the impact of mark-to-market adjustments on our commodity forward contracts to our projected 2018 GAAP diluted net income per share.  In prior years such adjustments have been significant to our reported GAAP earnings.

    
Contact:   
    
Investors: Media: 
Joshua Young Alexia Taxiarchos               
(508) 236-2196 (508) 236-1761 
joshua.young@sensata.com ataxiarchos@sensata.com