Climb Global Solutions, Inc. (CLMB) FY 2023 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto. This discussion and analysis contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
Our Company is a value added IT distribution and solutions company, primarily selling software and other third-party IT products and services through two reportable operating segments. Through our “Distribution” segment we sell products and services to corporate resellers, VAR, consultants and systems integrators worldwide, who in turn sell these products to end users. Through our “Solutions” segment we act as a cloud solutions provider and value-added reseller, selling computer software and hardware developed by others and provide technical services directly to end user customers worldwide. We offer an extensive line of products from leading software vendors and tools for virtualization/cloud computing, security, networking, storage and infrastructure management, application lifecycle management and other
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technically sophisticated domains as well as computer hardware. We market these products through creative marketing communications, including our web sites, local and on-line seminars, webinars, social media, direct e-mail, and printed materials.
We have subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland, through which sales are made.
Factors Influencing Our Financial Results
We derive most of our net sales though the sale of third-party software licenses, maintenance and service agreements. In our Distribution segment, sales are impacted by the number of product lines we distribute, and sales penetration of those products into the reseller channel, product lifecycle competition, and demand characteristics of the products which we are authorized to distribute. In our Solutions segment sales are generally driven by sales force effectiveness and success in providing superior customer service and cloud solutions support, competitive pricing, and flexible payment solutions to our customers. Our sales are also impacted by external factors such as levels of IT spending and customer demand for products we distribute.
We sell in a competitive environment where gross product margins have historically declined due to competition and changes in product mix towards products where no delivery of a physical product is required. In addition, we grant discounts, allowances, and rebates to certain customers, which may vary from period to period, based on volume, payment terms and other criteria. To date, we have been able to implement cost efficiencies such as the use of drop shipments, electronic ordering (“EDI”) and other capabilities to be able to operate our business profitably as gross margins have declined. We evaluate the profitability of our business based on return on equity and effective margin (see discussion below).
Gross profit is calculated as net sales less cost of sales. We record customer rebates, discounts and returns as a component of net sales and record vendor rebates, discounts and returns as a component of cost of sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised mainly of employee salaries, commissions and other employee related expenses, facility costs, costs to maintain our IT infrastructure, public company compliance costs and professional fees. We monitor our level of accounts payable, inventory turnover and accounts receivable turnover which are measures of how efficiently we utilize capital in our business.
The Company’s sales, gross profit and results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate on a quarterly basis as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to: the condition of the software industry in general, shifts in demand for software products, pricing, industry shipments of new software products or upgrades, fluctuations in merchandise returns, adverse weather conditions that affect response, distribution or shipping, shifts in the timing of holidays and changes in the Company’s product offerings. The Company’s operating expenditures are based on sales forecasts. If sales do not meet expectations in any given quarter, operating results may be materially adversely affected.
Dividend Policy and Share Repurchase Program. Historically we have sought to return value to investors through the payment of quarterly dividends and share repurchases. Total dividends paid and the dollar value of shares repurchased were $3.0 million and $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, respectively, and $3.0 million and $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively. The payment of future dividends and any share repurchases are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and dependent on results of operations, projected capital requirements and other factors the Board of Directors may find relevant.
Stock Volatility. The technology, distribution and services sectors of the United States stock markets is subject to substantial volatility. Numerous conditions which impact these sectors or the stock market in general or the Company in particular, whether or not such events relate to or reflect upon the Company’s operating performance, could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s Common Stock. Furthermore, fluctuations in the Company’s operating results, announcements regarding litigation, the loss of a significant vendor partner or customer, increased competition, reduced
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vendor incentives and trade credit, higher operating expenses, and other developments, could have a significant impact on the market price of our Common Stock.
Inflation. We have historically not been adversely affected by inflation, as abrupt changes in technology, rapid changes in customer preferences, short product life cycles and evolving industry standards within the IT industry have generally caused the prices of the products we sell to decline. This requires us to sell new products and have growth in unit sales of existing products in order to increase our net sales. We believe that most price increases could be passed on to our customers, as prices charged by us are not set by long-term contracts; however, as a result of competitive pressure, there can be no assurance that the full effect of any such price increases could be passed on to our customers or cause a reduction in our customers spending.
Financial Overview
Net sales increased 16%, or $47.7 million, to $352.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $304.3 million for the same period in 2022. Gross profit increased 19%, or $10.1 million, to $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $54.1 million for the same period in 2022. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased 30%, or $10.2 million, to $44.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $34.1 million for the same period in 2022. Acquisition related costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0.6 million, respectively. Amortization and depreciation expense increased $0.7 million to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $2.1 million for the same period in the prior year. Net income decreased 2%, or $0.2 million, to $12.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $12.5 million for the same period in 2022. Income per diluted share decreased 3%, or $0.09, to $2.72 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $2.81 for the same period in 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, investments, intangible assets, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies and litigation.
The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements affect its more significant judgments and estimates.
Revenue
The Company utilizes judgment regarding performance obligations inherent in the products for services it sells including, whether ongoing maintenance obligations performed by third party vendors are distinct from the related software licenses, and allocation of sales prices among distinct performance obligations. These estimates require judgment to determine whether the software’s functionality is dependent on ongoing maintenance or if substantially all functionality is available in the original software download. We also use judgment in the allocation of sales proceeds among performance obligations, utilizing observable data such as stand-alone selling prices, or market pricing for similar products and services.
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Allowances for Expected Credit Losses
The Company maintains allowances for expected credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Management determines the estimate of the allowance for expected credit losses by considering a number of factors, including historical experience, aging of the accounts receivable, as well as current market conditions and future forecasts of our customers’ ability to make payments for goods and services. At the time of sale, we record an estimate for sales returns based on historical experience, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If actual sales returns are greater than estimated by management, additional expense may be incurred.
Business Combinations
We apply the provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), in accounting for our acquisitions. ASC 805 requires that we evaluate whether a transaction pertains to an acquisition of assets, or to an acquisition of a business. A business is defined as an integrated set of assets and activities that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return to investors. Asset acquisitions are accounted for by allocating the cost of the acquisition to the individual assets and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis; whereas the acquisition of a business requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.
Our valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets that was derived using valuation techniques and models such as the income approach. Such models require use of estimates including discount rates, and future expected revenue. The approach to estimating an initial contingent consideration associated with the purchase price also uses similar unobservable factors such as projected cash flows over the term of the contingent earn-out period, discounted for the period over which the initial contingent consideration is measured and expected volatility. Based upon these assumptions, the initial contingent consideration is then valued using a Monte Carlo simulation.
We have used third-party qualified specialists to assist management in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This includes assistance with the determination of economic useful lives and valuation of identifiable intangibles.
We estimate the fair value based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from our estimates. Estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the business acquisition date, we record certain adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
All acquisition-related costs are accounted for as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. Contingent consideration is remeasured each reporting period using Level 3 inputs, and the change in fair value, including accretion for the passage of time, is recognized in acquisition related costs in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Goodwill
We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company performs an evaluation of goodwill, utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative impairment test. The annual test for impairment is conducted as of October 1. The Company’s reporting units included in the assessment of potential goodwill impairment are the same as its operating segments. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to periodic testing for impairment at the reporting unit level.
In a qualitative assessment, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including
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goodwill. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary.
If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. We may also elect the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test.
In the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. Conversely, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including net sales growth rates, gross profit margins, operating margins, discount rates and future market conditions, among others. Any changes in the judgments, estimates or assumptions used could produce significantly different results.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives, which is determined based on their expected period of benefit. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value. In addition, each quarter, the Company evaluates whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining estimated useful life of each of these intangible assets. If the Company were to determine that a change to the remaining estimated useful life of an intangible asset was necessary, then the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset would be amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life.
Income Taxes
The Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets. In the event the Company were to determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
Share-Based Payments
Under the fair value recognition provision, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We make certain assumptions in order to value and expense our various share-based payment awards. In connection with our restricted stock programs we record the forfeitures when they occur. We review our valuation assumptions periodically and, as a result, we may change our valuation assumptions used to value stock-based awards granted in future periods. Such changes may lead to a significant change in the expense we recognize in connection with share-based payments.
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Foreign Exchange
The Company’s foreign currency exposure relates primarily to international transactions where the currency collected from customers can be different from the currency used to purchase the product. In cases where the Company is not able to create a natural hedge by maintaining offsetting asset and liability amounts in the same currency, it may enter into foreign exchange contracts, typically in the form of forward purchase agreements, to facilitate the hedging of foreign currency exposures to mitigate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts generally have terms of no more than two months. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to these contracts and therefore the changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts for trading purposes and the risk of loss on a foreign exchange contract is the risk of nonperformance by the counterparties, which the Company minimizes by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 revises the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. Originally, ASU 2016-13 was effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. In November 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-10, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for public companies that are considered smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the new credit loss standard and it did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In July 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-03, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718).” This ASU amends various paragraphs in the accounting codification pursuant to the issuance of Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) number 120. The ASU provides clarifying guidance related to employee and non-employee share-based payment accounting, including guidance related to spring-loaded awards. ASU 2023-03 was effective upon issuance. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. The amendments in this ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The Company will adopt the update in the first quarter of 2024 but does not expect there to be a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth for the years indicated the percentage of net sales represented by selected items reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The year-to-year comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results:
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended | | | | ||
| | | December 31, | | | | ||
| | 2023 | | 2022 | ||||
| Net sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||
| Cost of sales | 81.7 | | 82.2 | | |||
| Gross profit | 18.3 | | 17.8 | | |||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 12.6 | | 11.2 | | |||
| Acquisition related costs | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | | 0.8 | | 0.7 | | | |
| Income from operations | 4.7 | | 5.7 | | |||
| Other income (expense) | 0.1 | | (0.3) | | |||
| Income before income taxes | 4.8 | | 5.4 | | |||
| Income tax provision | 1.3 | | 1.3 | | |||
| Net income | 3.5 | % | 4.1 | % |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our management monitors several financial and non-financial measures and ratios on a regular basis in order to track the progress of our business. We believe that the most important of these measures and ratios include net sales, adjusted gross billings, gross profit, net income, net income excluding separation expenses, net of taxes, adjusted EBITDA, gross profit as a percentage of adjusted gross billings and adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of gross profit. We use a variety of operating and other information to evaluate the operating performance of our business, develop financial forecasts, make strategic decisions, and prepare and approve annual budgets. These key indicators include financial information that is prepared in accordance with US GAAP and presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements as well as non-US GAAP performance measurement tools.
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended | | | ||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | ||
| Reconciliation of net sales to adjusted gross billings (Non-GAAP): | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | ||
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 352,013 | | $ | 304,348 | | |
| Costs of sales related to sales where the Company is an agent | | | 908,369 | | | 760,310 | | |
| Adjusted gross billings | | $ | 1,260,382 | | $ | 1,064,658 | | |
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We define adjusted gross billings as net sales in accordance with US GAAP, adjusted for the cost of sales related to sales where the Company is an agent. We provided a reconciliation of adjusted gross billings to net sales, which is the most directly comparable US GAAP measure. We use adjusted gross billings of product and services as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into the volume of business generated by our business, and to analyze the changes to our accounts receivable and accounts payable. Our use of adjusted gross billings of product and services as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under US GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate adjusted gross billings of product and services or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended | | | ||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | ||
| Net income reconciled to adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP): | | 2023 | 2022 | | | |||
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 12,323 | | $ | 12,497 | | |
| Provision for income taxes | | | 4,458 | | | 4,035 | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,798 | | | 2,054 | | |
| Interest expense | | | 264 | | | 71 | | |
| EBITDA | | | 19,843 | | | 18,657 | | |
| Share-based compensation | | | 4,148 | | | 1,897 | | |
| Acquisition related costs | | | 629 | | | 582 | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 24,620 | | $ | 21,136 | | |
We define adjusted EBITDA, as net income, plus provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, interest, and acquisition related costs. We define effective margin as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of gross profit. We provided a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, which is the most directly comparable US GAAP measure. We use adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into our businesses profitability when compared to the prior year and our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA is also a component to our financial covenants in our credit facility. Our use of adjusted EBITDA has limitations, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under US GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate adjusted EBITDA, or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.
Key Financial Metrics
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year ended | | | | ||||
| | | December 31, | | December 31, | | | | ||
| | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | ||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 352,013 | | $ | 304,348 | | | |
| Adjusted gross billings (Non-GAAP) | | $ | 1,260,382 | | $ | 1,064,658 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit | | $ | 64,247 | | $ | 54,094 | | | |
| Gross profit - Distribution | | $ | 53,363 | | $ | 44,970 | | | |
| Gross profit - Solutions | | $ | 10,884 | | $ | 9,124 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) | | $ | 24,620 | | $ | 21,136 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross margin % - Adjusted gross billings (Non-GAAP) | | | 5.1% | | | 5.1% | | | |
| Effective margin % - Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) | | | 38.3% | | | 39.1% | | | |
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We consider gross profit growth and effective margin to be key metrics in evaluating our business. During the year ended December 31, 2023, gross profit increased 19%, or $10.1 million, to $64.2 million compared to $54.1 million for the same period in 2022 while effective margin decreased 80 basis points to 38.3% compared to 39.1% for the same period in 2022.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Acquisitions
On October 6, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Data Solutions for an aggregate purchase of approximately €15.0 million (equivalent to $15.9 million USD), subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, paid at closing plus a potential post-closing earn-out. The operating results of Data Solutions are included in our operating results from the date of acquisition.
The Company recorded net revenue for Data Solutions of approximately $14.3 million and net income of approximately $0.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
On August 18, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Spinnakar Limited (“Spinnakar”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately £9.8 million (equivalent to $11.8 million USD), subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, paid at closing plus a potential post-closing earn-out. The operating results of Spinnakar are included in our operating results from the date of acquisition.
Operating results of Data Solutions and Spinnakar are included in our Distribution segment.
Net Sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 16%, or $47.7 million, to $352.0 million compared to $304.3 million for the same period in 2022.
Adjusted gross billings, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 18%, or $195.7 million, to $1,260.4 million compared to $1,064.7 million for the same period in 2022.
Net sales in our Distribution segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 15%, or $42.8 million, to $325.3 million compared to $282.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted gross billings for the Distribution segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 18%, or $178.1 million, to $1,176.9 million compared to $998.8 million for the same period in 2022. Net sales and adjusted gross billings increased due to organic growth at our existing vendor lines as well as the impact of the Data Solutions acquisition in the current year. Adjusted gross billings increased at a greater rate than net sales due to differences in the product mix between the two periods.
Net sales in our Solutions segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 22%, or $4.9 million, to $26.8 million compared to $21.8 million for the prior year. Adjusted gross billings for the Solutions segment for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 27%, or $17.6 million, to $83.5 million compared to $65.9 million for the same period in 2022. Adjusted gross billings increased at a greater rate than net sales due to differences in the product mix between the two periods.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we relied on two key customers for a total of 35% of our total net sales. One major customer accounted for 20% and the other for 15%, of our total net sales during the year ended December 31, 2023. These same customers accounted for 15% and 6%, of total net accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 19%, or $10.1 million, to $64.2 million compared to $54.1 million for the same period in 2022.
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Distribution segment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 19%, or $8.4 million, to $53.4 million compared to $45.0 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in Distribution segment gross profit resulted primarily from the organic growth at our existing vendor lines, impact of Data Solutions since the date of acquisition, and increased rebates and discounts from our vendor partners partially offset by higher early pay discounts and other rebates and discounts offered to our customers as a percentage of adjusted gross billings.
Solutions segment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 19%, or $1.8 million, to $10.9 million compared to $9.1 million for the same period in 2022. This increase was the result of the aforementioned increase in adjusted gross billings.
Customer rebates and discounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $12.8 million compared to $8.8 million for the same period in the prior year. Customer rebates and discounts vary based on terms of rebate and early pay discount programs offered to customers and timing of payments ultimately received from our customers.
Vendor rebates and discounts for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $7.9 million compared to $6.1 million for the same period in the prior year. Vendor rebates are dependent on programs offered by our vendors and in some cases reaching certain volume targets set by our vendors or meeting certain early payment programs offered by our vendors. The Company monitors vendor rebate levels, competitive pricing, and gross profit margins carefully. We anticipate that price competition in our market will continue in both of our business segments.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased 30%, or $10.2 million, to $44.3 million, compared to $34.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher payroll and related costs consistent with higher gross profit, as well as the impact of the Data Solutions acquisition. SG&A expenses were 3.7% of adjusted gross billings, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.5% for the same period in the prior year.
The Company expects that its SG&A expenses, as a percentage of adjusted gross billings, a non-GAAP financial measure, may vary depending on changes in sales volume, as well as the levels of continuing investments in key growth initiatives. We plan to continue to expand our investment in information technology to support the growth of our business.
Acquisition Related Costs
Acquisition related costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0.6 million, respectively. These expenses in the current year relate to costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition of Data Solutions, while these expenses in the same period the prior year related to the acquisition of Spinnakar.
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss
Foreign currency transaction loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0.6 million compared to a foreign currency transaction loss of $0.9 million for the same period in the prior year. These expenses primarily relate to the change in the value of accounts payable and other monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than their functional currency between the date of origination and settlement.
Income Taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $4.5 million, or 26.6% of income before taxes, compared to $4.0 million, or 24.4% of income before taxes for the same period in the prior year. The change in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year is a result of limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation amounts during the current period, as well as the Company’s effective tax rate for both periods were impacted by limitations on the deductibility of certain facilitative acquisition related costs.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $16.1 million to $36.3 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $20.2 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily the result of $42.1 million of cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities, offset by $12.7 million payment for the Data Solutions acquisition, $5.0 million of cash used in other investing activities, $8.9 million of cash used in financing activities and $0.5 million positive impact of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $42.1 million, comprised of net income adjusted for non-cash items of $19.2 million offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities of $22.9 million.
Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $17.7 million, comprised of $5.0 million of purchases of fixed assets supporting our ongoing ERP project and $12.7 million payment for the Data Solutions acquisition, net of cash acquired. On October 6, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Data Solutions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately €15.0 million (equivalent to $15.9 million USD), subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, paid at closing plus a potential post-closing earn-out. The operating results of Data Solutions are included in our operating results from the date of acquisition.
Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $8.9 million, comprised of net repayments of borrowings under credit facilities of $3.1 million, dividend payments on our Common Stock of $3.0 million, purchases of treasury stock of $1.7 million, payments of deferred financing costs of $0.6 million and repayments of borrowing under term loan of $0.5 million.
On December 3, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase of 500,000 shares of Common Stock to the number of shares of Common Stock available for repurchase under its repurchase plans. On February 2, 2017, the Board of Directors approved an increase of 500,000 shares of Common Stock to the number of shares of Common Stock available for repurchase under its repurchase plans. The Company is authorized to purchase 545,786 shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 2023. The Common Stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date.
As of December 31, 2023, we held 711,052 shares of our Common Stock in treasury at an average cost of $17.75 per share. As of December 31, 2022, we held 806,068 shares of our Common Stock in treasury at an average cost of $16.41 per share. We intend to hold the repurchased shares in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various stock plans.
On May 18, 2023, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPM”), providing for a revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million subject to a borrowing base, including the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans not to exceed $2.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, at any time outstanding. In addition, subject to certain conditions enumerated in the Credit Agreement, the Company has the right to increase the revolving credit facility by a total amount not to exceed $20.0 million. The proceeds of the revolving loans, letters of credit and swingline loans under the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital needs, general corporate purposes and for acquisitions permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement. All outstanding loans issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement become due and payable, on May 18, 2028. There were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company voluntarily terminated that certain existing revolving credit agreement, dated November 15, 2017, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company and Citibank, N.A.
On April 8, 2022, the Company entered into a $2.1 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) with First American Commercial Bancorp, Inc. pursuant to a Master Loan and Security Agreement. The proceeds from the Term Loan will be used to fund certain capital expenditures. The borrowing under the Term Loan bears interest at a rate of 3.73% per annum and is being repaid over forty-eight monthly installments of principal and interest through April 2026. The Company had $1.3 million and $1.8 million outstanding under the Term Loan as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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We anticipate that our working capital needs will increase as we invest in the growth of our business. We believe that the funds held in cash and cash equivalents and our unused borrowings under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our working capital and cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. We continuously evaluate our liquidity and capital resources, including access to external capital, to ensure we can finance our future capital requirements.
Foreign Exchange
The Company’s foreign business is subject to changes in demand or pricing resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates or other factors. We are subject to fluctuations primarily in the Canadian Dollar, Euro Dollar and British Pound-to-U.S. Dollar exchange rate.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.