Carrier Enterprise I is a party to a shareholders’ agreement (the “Shareholders’ Agreement”) with RSI and its shareholders, consisting of five Sigler second generation family siblings and their affiliates, who collectively own 55.4% of RSI (the “RSI Majority Holders”) and certain next-generation Sigler family members and an employee, who collectively own 6.2% of RSI (the “RSI Minority Holders” and, together with the RSI Majority Holders, the “RSI Shareholders”). Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement, the RSI Shareholders have the right to sell, and Carrier Enterprise I has the obligation to purchase, their respective shares of RSI for a purchase price determined based on the higher of book value or a multiple of EBIT, the latter of which Carrier Enterprise I used to calculate the price for its 38.4% investment held in RSI. The RSI Shareholders may transfer their respective shares of RSI common stock only to members of the Sigler family or to Carrier Enterprise I, and, at any time from and after the date on which Carrier Enterprise I owns 85% or more of RSI’s outstanding common stock, it has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase from the RSI Shareholders the remaining outstanding shares of RSI common stock. At June 30, 2024, using the criteria set forth in the Shareholders’ Agreement, the valuation of the RSI Shareholders’ RSI common stock was approximately $457.0 million.
On July 28, 2023, Watsco, Carrier Enterprise I, and the RSI Majority Holders entered into an agreement that (1) provides Carrier Enterprise I the discretion, but not the obligation, to fund up to 80% of any purchase from the RSI Majority Holders of their RSI common stock, as required under the Shareholders’ Agreement, using Watsco Common stock (the “Offered Shares”), (2) provides that any Offered Shares actually issued would be valued based on the average volume-weighted average price of Watsco’s Common stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the payment date for the applicable RSI shares, and (3) limits the amount of RSI shares that may be collectively sold by the RSI Majority Holders to Carrier Enterprise I under the Shareholders’ Agreement to $125.0 million during any rolling 12-month period. We have not issued or sold any Offered Shares, and there is no assurance that we will issue and sell any Offered Shares, nor is the number of Offered Shares that may be issued and sold currently determinable.
We believe that our operating cash flows, cash on hand, short-term cash investments or funds available for borrowing under our revolving credit agreement, or use of the 2024 ATM Program would be sufficient to purchase any additional ownership interests in RSI for cash pursuant to the agreement described in the preceding paragraph.
Acquisitions
On February 1, 2024, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries acquired CSI, a distributor of HVAC products with annual sales of approximately $13.0 million, operating from two locations in Kentucky and Ohio. Consideration for the purchase consisted of $6.0 million in cash, 1,904 shares of Common stock having a fair value of $0.8 million, and $0.6 million for repayment of indebtedness, net of cash acquired of $1.4 million.
On September 1, 2023, we acquired substantially all the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of GWS, a plumbing and HVAC distributor with annual sales of approximately $180.0 million, operating from 16 locations in South Carolina and North Carolina. Consideration for the net purchase price consisted of $4.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired of $3.1 million, and 280,215 shares of Common stock having a fair value of $101.6 million, net of a discount for lack of marketability.
On March 3, 2023, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries acquired Capitol, a distributor of plumbing and air conditioning and heating products with annual sales of approximately $13.0 million, operating from three locations in New York. Consideration for the purchase consisted of $1.2 million in cash, net of cash acquired of $0.1 million, and $1.9 million for repayment of indebtedness.
We continually evaluate potential acquisitions and/or joint ventures and investments in unconsolidated entities. We routinely hold discussions with several acquisition candidates. Should suitable acquisition opportunities arise that would require additional financing, we believe our financial position and earnings history provide a sufficient basis for us to either obtain additional debt financing at competitive rates and on reasonable terms or raise capital through the issuance of equity securities.
Common Stock Dividends
We paid cash dividends of $5.15 and $4.90 per share on both Common and Class B common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On July 1, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $2.70 per share on both Common and Class B common stock that was paid on July 31, 2024 to shareholders of record as of July 16, 2024. Future dividends and/or changes in dividend rates are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and depend upon factors including, but not limited to, cash flow generated by operations, profitability, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
On March 29, 2024, we implemented the Watsco, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), under which existing shareholders may, in accordance with the Plan, acquire shares of Common stock or Class B common stock, as applicable (collectively “common stock”), by reinvesting all or a portion of the cash dividends paid on such shareholders’ shares of common stock. The Plan has been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to our automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-260758).
During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2024, we issued four shares of Common stock under the Plan.
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