UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 000-00255

GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York	13-0794380
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
34 North Meramec Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri	63105
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(314) 573 - 9200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES xNO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES xNO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer x      Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES ¨NO x
Common Stock Outstanding at April 15, 2019: 21,518,322
(Number of Shares)

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)

Table of Contents

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION			Page
	Item 1.	Financial Statements
			Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	3
			Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	4
			Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	5
			Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
			Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	7
			Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		19
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		22
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		22
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		24
	Item 6.	Exhibits		25
	Signatures			26

2

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended   March 31,
(Stated in millions, except per share data)	2019			2018
Gross Sales	$	1,786.1		$	1,645.0
Cash discounts	(8.3		)	(7.3		)
Net Sales	1,777.8			1,637.7
Cost of merchandise sold	(1,439.1		)	(1,326.3		)
Gross Margin	338.7			311.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(273.5		)	(263.3		)
Depreciation and amortization	(12.5		)	(12.1		)
Other income, net	1.3			0.8
Income from Operations	54.0			36.8
Non-operating expenses	(6.6		)	(7.5		)
Income before Provision for Income Taxes	47.4			29.3
Provision for income taxes	(13.0		)	(8.1		)
Net Income	34.4			21.2
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Net Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$	34.3		$	21.1
Net Income per share of Common Stock(A)	$	1.59		$	0.98
Cash Dividends per share of Common Stock	$	0.30		$	0.30
Average Common Shares Outstanding(A)	21.6			21.5

^(A)Adjusted for the declaration of a 10% stock dividend in 2018, shares related to which were issued in February 2019.  Prior to the adjustment, the average common shares outstanding were 19.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended   March 31,
(Stated in millions)	2019		2018
Net Income	$	34.4	$	21.2
Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation	2.1		(2.6		)
Pension and postretirement benefits liability adjustment (net of tax of $(1.3), and $(1.7), respectively)	3.7		4.8
Total Other Comprehensive Income	5.8		2.2
Comprehensive Income	$	40.2	$	23.4
Less: comprehensive income attributable to        noncontrolling interests, net of tax	0.2		—
Comprehensive Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$	40.0	$	23.4

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in millions, except share and per share data)					March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
ASSETS					(Unaudited)
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents					$	85.0		$	58.9
Trade receivables (less allowances of $6.0 and $5.9, respectively)					1,124.2			1,187.0
Merchandise inventory					696.3			658.7
Other current assets					53.5			54.1
Total Current Assets					1,959.0			1,958.7
Property, at cost
Land					79.5			79.4
Buildings					489.6			489.2
Furniture and fixtures					234.8			233.0
Software					167.5			166.4
Finance leases					22.5			21.3
Total Property, at cost					993.9			989.3
Less – accumulated depreciation and amortization					(574.4		)	(565.4		)
Net Property					419.5			423.9
Operating Lease Right-of-use Assets					94.6			—
Other Non-current Assets					107.2			108.6
Total Assets					$	2,580.3		$	2,491.2
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings					$	220.0		$	235.0
Current portion of long-term debt					3.8			3.4
Trade accounts payable					925.3			895.2
Accrued payroll and benefit costs					109.5			158.2
Other accrued taxes					23.9			23.9
Current operating lease liabilities					26.0			—
Other current liabilities					89.0			101.0
Total Current Liabilities					1,397.5			1,416.7
Postretirement Benefits Liability					66.9			66.7
Pension Liability					122.5			118.6
Long-term Debt					8.7			10.0
Non-current Operating Lease Liabilities					73.1			—
Other Non-current Liabilities					3.3			8.7
Total Liabilities					1,672.0			1,620.7
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Shares at
Capital Stock	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Common, stated value $20.00 per share
Authorized	50,000,000		50,000,000
Issued to voting trustees	18,121,975		17,754,923
Issued to shareholders	3,815,159		3,744,318
In treasury, at cost	(334,322	)	(58,172	)
Outstanding Common Stock	21,602,812		21,441,069		432.1			428.8
Advance Payments on Subscriptions to Common Stock					1.1			—
Retained Earnings					705.9			678.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss					(234.6		)	(240.3		)
Total Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity					904.5			866.6
Noncontrolling Interests					3.8			3.9
Total Shareholders’ Equity					908.3			870.5
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity					$	2,580.3		$	2,491.2

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(Stated in millions)	2019			2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$	34.4		$	21.2
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12.5			12.1
Non-cash operating lease expense	7.1			—
Deferred income taxes	(1.8		)	(0.5		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.1		)	(0.1		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	62.8			10.8
Merchandise inventory	(37.6		)	(35.2		)
Other current assets	0.6			11.5
Other non-current assets	0.3			(6.0		)
Trade accounts payable	30.1			49.4
Accrued payroll and benefit costs	(48.7		)	(37.2		)
Other current liabilities	(9.6		)	(18.4		)
Other non-current liabilities	0.5			13.5
Total adjustments to net income	16.1			(0.1		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	50.5			21.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from disposal of property	0.1			0.6
Capital expenditures for property	(5.0		)	(8.4		)
Net cash used by investing activities	(4.9		)	(7.8		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings	(15.0		)	10.4
Principal payments under finance leases	(2.1		)	(2.4		)
Sale of common stock	9.9			9.5
Purchases of common stock	(5.5		)	(4.7		)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests’ common stock	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
Dividends paid	(6.5		)	(5.9		)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(19.5		)	6.7
Net Increase in Cash	26.1			20.0
Cash, Beginning of Year	58.9			42.8
Cash, End of Period	$	85.0		$	62.8
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Acquisitions of equipment under finance leases	$	1.2		$	—
Acquisitions of assets under operating leases	$	9.8		$	—
Acquisition of software and maintenance under financing arrangement	$	—		$	5.0

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	(Unaudited, stated in millions)
	Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
	Common Stock			Common Stock Subscribed, Unissued		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Shareholders’ Equity
December 31, 2017	$	387.7		$	—	$	619.9		$	(250.1	)	$	4.1		$	761.6
Net income						21.1						0.1			21.2
Other comprehensive income (loss)									2.3			(0.1		)	2.2
Adoption of ASC 606, net of tax						0.8									0.8
Stock issued	8.4														8.4
Stock purchased	(4.7		)									(0.2		)	(4.9		)
Advance payments				1.1											1.1
Dividends declared						(5.9		)							(5.9		)
March 31, 2018	$	391.4		$	1.1	$	635.9		$	(247.8	)	$	3.9		$	784.5
	Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
	Common Stock			Common Stock Subscribed, Unissued		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Shareholders’ Equity
December 31, 2018	$	428.8		$	—	$	678.1		$	(240.3	)	$	3.9		$	870.5
Net income						34.3						0.1			34.4
Other comprehensive income									5.7			0.1			5.8
Stock issued	8.8														8.8
Stock purchased	(5.5		)									(0.3		)	(5.8		)
Advance payments				1.1											1.1
Dividends declared						(6.5		)							(6.5		)
March 31, 2019	$	432.1		$	1.1	$	705.9		$	(234.6	)	$	3.8		$	908.3

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Stated in millions, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. (“Graybar”, “Company”, "we", "our", or "us") is a New York corporation, incorporated in 1925.  We are engaged in the distribution of electrical and communications and data networking products and are a provider of related supply chain management and logistics services.  We primarily serve customers in the construction, industrial & utility, and commercial, institutional and government ("CIG") vertical markets, with products and services that support new construction, infrastructure updates, building renovation, facility maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO"), and original equipment manufacturers ("OEM"). We purchase all of the products we sell from others, and we neither manufacture nor contract to manufacture any products we sell.  Our business activity is primarily based in the United States (“U.S.”).  We also have subsidiary operations with distribution facilities in Canada and Puerto Rico.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP”) and are applied on a consistent basis among all years presented. Significant accounting policies are described below.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Graybar pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) applicable to interim financial reporting.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts.  Our condensed consolidated financial statements include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, this quarterly report includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements presented.  Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Graybar and its subsidiary companies.  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.  The ownership interests that are held by owners other than the Company in subsidiaries consolidated by the Company are accounted for and reported as noncontrolling interests.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' financial information to conform to the December 31, 2018 presentation.

8

Revenue Recognition

Sales revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied, which is typically upon delivery of the product to the customer.  Sometimes product is purchased from the manufacturer and drop-shipped to the customer. We generally take control of the goods when shipped by the manufacturer and then recognize revenue when control of the product transfers to the customer. Revenues recognized are primarily for product sales, but may also include freight and handling charges. Our standard warehouse shipping terms are FOB shipping point, under which control passes to the customer at the time of shipment. We also earn revenue for professional services, general contracting services, and storage services. Service revenue represented less than 1% of gross sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  Revenue is reported net of all taxes assessed by governmental authorities as a result of revenue-producing transactions, primarily sales tax.

Outgoing Freight Expenses                                                                                        

We record certain outgoing freight expenses as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We account for cash on hand, deposits in banks, and other short-term, highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and a significant portion of our trade receivables is secured by mechanic’s lien or payment bond rights.  We maintain allowances to reflect the expected uncollectability of trade receivables based on past collection history and specific risks identified in the receivables portfolio.  Although actual credit losses have historically been within management’s expectations, additional allowances may be required if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate.

Merchandise Inventory

Our inventory is stated at the lower of cost (generally determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost method) or market.  LIFO accounting is a method of accounting that, compared with other inventory accounting methods, generally provides better matching of current costs with current sales. 

We make provisions for obsolete or excess inventories as necessary to reflect reductions in inventory value. 

Vendor Allowances

Our agreements with many of our suppliers provide for us to earn volume incentives based on purchases during the agreement period.  Based on the provisions of our vendor agreements, we develop vendor accrual rates by estimating the point at which we will have completed our performance under the agreement and the deferred amounts will be earned. We perform analyses and review historical trends to ensure the deferred amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Certain vendor agreements contain purchase volume incentives that provide for increased funding when graduated purchase volumes are met. Amounts accrued throughout the year are based on estimates of future activity levels, and could be materially impacted if actual purchase volumes differ. Changes in the estimated amount of incentives are treated as changes in estimate and are recognized in earnings in the period in which the change in estimate occurs.  In the event that the operating performance of our suppliers were to decline, however, there can be no assurance that amounts earned would be paid or that the volume incentives would continue to be included in future agreements.

Property and Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Interest costs incurred to finance expenditures for major long-term construction projects are capitalized as part of the asset's historical cost and included in property, plant and equipment, then depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred, while the costs of significant improvements, which extend the useful life of the underlying asset, are capitalized.

9

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables.  We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, and a significant portion of our trade receivables are secured by mechanic’s lien or payment bond rights.  We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses historically have been within management’s expectations.

Fair Value

We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value.  GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  The tiers in the hierarchy include:  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own data inputs and assumptions.  We have used fair value measurements to value our pension plan assets.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate

The functional currency for our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar.  Accordingly, its balance sheet amounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the end of each reporting period and its statements of income amounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the current period.  Currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Goodwill

Our goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested annually for impairment.  Goodwill is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter and when circumstances or other events might indicate that impairment may have occurred.  We first perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The qualitative assessment considers several factors including the excess fair value over carrying value as of the last quantitative impairment test, the length of time since the last fair value measurement, the current carrying value, market conditions, actual performance compared to forecasted performance, and the current business outlook. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the reporting unit is then quantitatively tested for impairment. If a quantitative assessment is required, the fair value is determined using a variety of assumptions including estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit and applicable discount rates. 

Definite Lived Intangible Assets

The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed, either on a straight-line or accelerated basis over the estimated periods benefited. Customer relationships, trade names and other non-contractual intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over periods generally ranging from 3 to 20 years. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if events or circumstances occur indicating that the respective asset might be impaired.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns.  A deferred tax asset or liability results from the temporary difference between an item’s carrying value as reflected in the financial statements and its tax basis, and is calculated using enacted applicable tax rates.  We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance is established.  Changes in the valuation allowance, when recorded, are included in the provision for income taxes in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  We classify interest expense and penalties as part of our provision for income taxes based upon applicable federal and state interest/underpayment percentages. We assess uncertainty regarding tax positions taken in previously filed returns and record reserves in accordance with the guidance under the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740-10, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes".

10

Other Postretirement Benefits

We account for postretirement benefits other than pensions by accruing the costs of benefits to be provided over the eligible employees’ periods of active service.  These costs are determined on an actuarial basis.  Our condensed consolidated balance sheets reflect the funded status of postretirement benefits.

Pension Plan

We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan accounted for by accruing the cost to provide the benefits over the eligible employees’ periods of active service.  These costs are determined on an actuarial basis.  Our condensed consolidated balance sheets reflect the funded status of the defined benefit pension plan.

Non-Operating Expenses

Non-operating expenses are comprised of interest expense, net and non-service cost components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The non-service cost components include interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of net actuarial gains/losses, and amortization of prior service costs/gains.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities, and non-current operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Amounts related to finance leases are included in property and equipment, current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized and measured on the date the underlying asset is made available to us.

Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. We use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

For certain leases, such as real estate and information technology (IT) equipment, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. All other leases that contain lease and non-lease components are accounted for separately. We have elected as an accounting policy not to apply the recognition requirements for short-term leases. Therefore, leases with a term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease expenses associated with short-term leases are immaterial and are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income in selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, for certain vehicle leases, we apply a portfolio approach to account for the operating lease ROU assets and liabilities.

New Accounting Standards

No new accounting standards that were issued or became effective during 2019 have had or are expected to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements, except those noted below:

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU” or “Update”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” ("ASU 2016-02"). The core principle of this new guidance requires a lessee to recognize an ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for both operating and finance leases while disclosing key information about the leasing arrangements. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019, using a modified retrospective approach. Therefore, comparative periods are presented in accordance with the previous lease guidance and do not include retrospective adjustments to reflect the adoption of the new lease guidance.

We elected the package of transitional practical expedients which allows an entity not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases, lease classification of expired or existing leases, and whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under Topic 842. As the guidance allows, this package can be elected separate of any other practical expedient. As a practical expedient, we have elected as an accounting policy not to separate non-lease components from lease components for real estate properties and information technology.

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In preparation for adoption of the standard, we have implemented internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information. The standard had a material impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, but did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of income. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while our accounting for capital leases remains unchanged.

Adoption of the ASU 2016-02 resulted in the recognition of additional ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases of $98.1 million at January 1, 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on certain financial instruments. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We currently believe that the adoption of this Update will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" ("ASU 2018-13") that makes minor changes to the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The guidance eliminates requirements for certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds new disclosure requirements that the FASB considers pertinent. ASU 2018-13 is effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the Update on our consolidated financial statements, but do not expect it to have a material impact.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans" ("ASU 2018-14") that makes minor changes to the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance eliminates requirements for certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds new disclosure requirements that the FASB considers pertinent. ASU 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 for public entities. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the Update on our consolidated financial statements, but do not expect it to have a material impact.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract" ("ASU 2018-15") requiring a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets. Capitalized implementation costs related to a hosting arrangement that is a service contract will be amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years for public entities. Early adoption is permitted. We currently believe that the adoption of this Update will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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3. REVENUE

The following table summarizes the percentages of our net sales attributable to each of our vertical markets for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended  March 31,
	2019		2018
Construction	59.8	%	58.7	%
Industrial & Utility	20.7		22.1
CIG	19.5		19.2
Total net sales	100.0	%	100.0	%

We had no material contract assets, contract liabilities, or deferred contract costs recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, revenue recognized in the reporting period that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period is not material.

Revenue expected to be recognized in any future year related to remaining performance obligations is not material. As permitted in ASC Topic 606, we have elected to omit disclosure related to performance obligations for revenue pertaining to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less, to contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and to contracts with variable consideration related to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations.

4. INCOME TAXES

Our unrecognized tax benefits of $2.7 million and $2.6 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are uncertain tax positions that would impact our effective tax rate if recognized.  We are periodically engaged in tax return examinations, the review of statute of limitation periods, and settlements surrounding income taxes. We do not anticipate a material change in unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.

We classify interest expense and penalties as part of our provision for income taxes based upon applicable federal and state interest and underpayment percentages.  We have accrued $0.5 million and $0.4 million in interest and penalties at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.  Interest was computed on the difference between the provision for income taxes recognized in accordance with GAAP and the amount of benefit previously taken or expected to be taken in our federal, state, and local income tax returns.

Our federal income tax returns for the tax years 2015 and forward are available for examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  The statute of limitations for the 2015 federal return will expire on September 15, 2019, unless extended by consent. Our state income tax returns for 2014 through 2018 remain subject to examination by various state authorities with the latest period closing on December 31, 2023.  We have not extended the statutes of limitations in any state jurisdictions with respect to years prior to 2014.

5. DEBT

Revolving Credit Facility

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we, along with Graybar Canada Limited, our Canadian operating subsidiary ("Graybar Canada"), had an unsecured, five-year, $750.0 million revolving credit agreement maturing in August 2023 with Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders named therein (the "Credit Agreement"), which includes a combined letter of credit sub-facility of up to $25.0 million, a U.S. swing-line loan facility of up to $75.0 million, and a Canadian swing-line loan facility of up to $20.0 million. The Credit Agreement includes a $100.0 million sublimit (in U.S. or Canadian dollars) for borrowings by Graybar Canada.  The Credit Agreement contains an accordion feature, which allows us to request increases in the aggregate borrowing commitments of up to $375.0 million. 

We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

There were $220.0 million and $235.0 million in short-term borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

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Short-term borrowings outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 ranged from a minimum of $120.0 million and $140.0 million to a maximum of $250.0 million and $234.0 million, respectively.

At March 31, 2019, we had unused lines of credit under the Credit Agreement amounting to $529.5 million available, compared to $515.0 million at December 31, 2018.  These lines are available to meet our short-term cash requirements and are subject to annual fees of up to 40 basis points (0.40%).

Interest expense, net was $1.8 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Private Placement Shelf Agreements

We have an uncommitted $100.0 million private placement shelf agreement with PGIM, Inc. (the "Prudential Shelf Agreement"), which is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes to affiliates of PGIM, Inc. at fixed rate terms to be agreed upon at the time of any issuance during a three-year issuance period ending in August 2020. We also have an uncommitted $100.0 million private placement shelf agreement (the "MetLife Shelf Agreement") with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC and each other affiliate of MetLife that becomes a party to the agreement (collectively, "MetLife"). The MetLife Shelf Agreement is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes to MetLife at fixed or floating rate economic terms to be agreed upon at the time of issuance during a three-year period ending in August 2021.

We remain obligated under a most favored lender clause which is designed to ensure that any notes in the future under the Prudential Shelf Agreement and MetLife Shelf Agreement will continue to be of equal ranking with indebtedness under our Credit Agreement.

No notes have been issued under either the Prudential Shelf Agreement or the MetLife Shelf Agreement as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Each shelf agreement contains representations and warranties of the Company and the applicable lender, customary events of default and affirmative and negative covenants, customary for agreements of this type.  These covenants are substantially similar to those contained in the Credit Agreement, subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the applicable shelf agreement. All outstanding obligations of Graybar under one or both of these agreements may be declared immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of an event of default.

We were in compliance with all covenants under the Prudential Shelf Agreement and the MetLife Shelf Agreement as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Letters of Credit

We had total letters of credit of $5.6 million outstanding at March 31, 2019, of which $0.5 million were issued under the Credit Agreement. We had total letters of credit of $5.6 million outstanding at December 31, 2018, of which none were issued under the Credit Agreement. The letters of credit are issued primarily to support certain workers' compensation insurance policies.

6. LEASES

We have operating and finance leases for corporate offices, warehouse buildings, sales offices, branch locations, vehicles, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one to ten years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to five years, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases within one year. In addition to fixed lease payments, we incur variable lease charges that are recognized as incurred. These charges are primarily for maintenance and real estate taxes on leased facilities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, assets recorded under finance leases net of accumulated depreciation were $9.4 million and $8.7 million, respectively.

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The components of the lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost		$	8.1
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets		0.5
Interest on lease liabilities		0.2
Total finance lease cost		0.7
Variable lease cost		2.3
Total lease cost		$	11.1

Supplemental balance sheet information at March 31, 2019 related to leases was as follows:

	March 31, 2019
Operating leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets		$	94.6
Current operating lease liabilities		$	26.0
Non-current operating lease liabilities		73.1
Total operating lease liabilities		$	99.1
Finance leases:
Property, at cost		$	22.5
Less – accumulated depreciation and amortization		13.1
Net property		$	9.4
Current obligations of finance leases		$	2.1
Finance leases, net of current obligations		8.7
Total finance lease liabilities		$	10.8
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Operating leases		5.1 years
Finance leases		5.6 years
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases		3.6		%
Finance leases		7.1		%

Supplemental cash flow and other information for the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases		$	8.0
Operating cash flows from finance leases		0.2
Financing cash flows from finance leases		2.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases		$	9.8
Finance leases		1.2

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Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:

	March 31, 2019
	Operating Leases				Finance Leases
Future minimum lease payments
2019 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2019)		$	21.8			$	2.1
2020		24.9				2.6
2021		18.8				2.5
2022		14.3				1.9
2023		10.0				1.3
Thereafter		18.9				3.0
Total future minimum lease payments		$	108.7			$	13.4
Less: imputed interest		(9.6		)		(2.6		)
Total lease obligation		$	99.1			$	10.8
Less: current obligations		(26.0		)		(2.1		)
Long-term lease obligation		$	73.1			$	8.7

Disclosures related to periods prior to adoption of Leases (Topic 842)

Rental expense was $29.4 million, $27.3 million, and $25.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have either initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018 were as follows:

For the Years Ending December 31,	Minimum Rental Payments
2019	$	30.0
2020	21.9
2021	16.4
2022	12.3
2023	8.8
After 2023	17.3

7. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

We have a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the "Pension Plan") covering substantially all employees first hired prior to July 1, 2015 after the completion of one year of service and 1,000 hours of service.  The Pension Plan provides retirement benefits based on an employee’s average earnings and years of service.  These employees become 100% vested after three years of service, regardless of age.  A supplemental benefit plan provides nonqualified pension benefits for compensation in excess of the IRS compensation limits applicable to the Pension Plan and eligible compensation deferred by a participant.

Our funding policy is to make contributions to the Pension Plan, provided that the total annual contributions will not be less than ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 minimums or greater than the maximum tax-deductible amount, to review the contribution and funding strategy on a regular basis, and to allow discretionary contributions to be made by us from time to time.  The assets of the Pension Plan are invested primarily in fixed income investments and equity securities. We pay nonqualified pension benefits when they are due according to the terms of the supplemental benefit plan.

We provide certain postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to retired employees. Substantially all of our employees hired or rehired prior to 2014 may become eligible for postretirement medical benefits if they reach the age and service requirements of the retiree medical plan and retire on a pension (except a deferred pension) under the Pension Plan. Medical benefits are self-insured and claims are administered through a third party administrator. The cost of coverage is determined based on the annual projected plan costs. The participant's premium or cost is determined based on Company guidelines. Postretirement life insurance benefits are insured through an insurance company. We fund postretirement benefits as incurred, and accordingly, there were no assets held in the postretirement benefits plan at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

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The net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 includes the following components: 

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended   March 31,						Three Months Ended   March 31,
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	2019			2018			2019		2018
Selling, general, and administrative expenses:
Service cost	$	6.5		$	7.1		$	0.5	$	0.6
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses	$	6.5		$	7.1		$	0.5	$	0.6
Non-operating expenses:
Interest cost	7.6			7.0			0.8		0.7
Expected return on plan assets	(8.6		)	(8.1		)	—		—
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	4.9			6.7			0.1		0.2
Prior service cost (gain)	—			0.1			—		(0.5		)
Total non-operating expenses	$	3.9		$	5.7		$	0.9	$	0.4
Net periodic benefit cost	$	10.4		$	12.8		$	1.4	$	1.0

We made qualified and nonqualified pension contributions totaling $1.7 million and $11.6 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Additional contributions expected to be paid during the remainder of 2019 are not expected to be material, but may change at our discretion.

8. CAPITAL STOCK

Our common stock is 100% owned by active and retired employees, and there is no public trading market for our common stock.  Since 1928, substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock have been held of record by voting trustees under successive voting trust agreements. A new Voting Trust Agreement was established effective March 3, 2017, which expires by its terms on March 1, 2027. At March 31, 2019, approximately 83% of the total shares of common stock was held in the voting trust. The participation of shareholders in the voting trust is voluntary at the time the voting trust is created, but is irrevocable during its term. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the voting trust hold their common stock as shareholders of record. Shareholders may elect to participate in the voting trust at any time during the term of the voting trust.

No holder of our common stock or voting trust interests representing our common stock ("common stock", "common shares", or "shares") may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares without first offering us the option to purchase those shares at the price at which they were issued.  We also have the option to purchase at the issue price the common shares of any shareholder who ceases to be an employee for any reason other than death or "retirement" (as defined in our amended restated certificate of incorporation), and on the first anniversary of any holder's death. In the past, we have always exercised these purchase options, and we expect to continue to do so in the foreseeable future. However, we can make no assurance that we will continue to exercise our purchase option in the future.  All outstanding shares have been issued at $20.00 per share.

Cash dividends paid were $6.5 million and $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We also have authorized 10,000,000 shares of Delegated Authority Preferred Stock (“preferred stock”), par value one cent ($0.01). The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with the designations, relative rights, preferences, and limitations of shares of each such series being fixed by a resolution of our Board of Directors. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

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9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table represents amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended   March 31, 2019								Three Months Ended   March 31, 2018
	Amortization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Items								Amortization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Items
	Actuarial Losses Recognized			Prior Service Costs Recognized		Total			Actuarial Losses Recognized			Prior Service Costs Recognized			Total
Affected Line in Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income:
Non-operating expenses	$	5.0		$	—	$	5.0		$	6.9		$	(0.4	)	$	6.5
Tax (benefit) expense	(1.3		)	—		(1.3		)	(1.8		)	0.1			(1.7		)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	$	3.7		$	—	$	3.7		$	5.1		$	(0.3	)	$	4.8

The following table represents the activity included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended   March 31, 2019									Three Months Ended   March 31, 2018
	Foreign Currency			Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits			Total			Foreign Currency			Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits			Total
Beginning balance January 1	$	(12.4	)	$	(227.9	)	$	(240.3	)	$	(4.6	)	$	(245.5	)	$	(250.1	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2.0			—			2.0			(2.5		)	—			(2.5		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax $(1.3) and $(1.7))	—			3.7			3.7			—			4.8			4.8
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	2.0			3.7			5.7			(2.5		)	4.8			2.3
Ending balance March 31	$	(10.4	)	$	(224.2	)	$	(234.6	)	$	(7.1	)	$	(240.7	)	$	(247.8	)

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Graybar and our subsidiaries are subject to various claims, disputes, and administrative and legal matters incidental to our past and current business activities.  As a result, contingencies arise resulting from an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving an uncertainty as to the realization of a possible loss.

Estimated loss contingencies are accrued only if the loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  With respect to a particular loss contingency, it may be probable that a loss has occurred but the estimate of the loss is a wide range.  If we deem an amount within the range to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, that amount will be accrued.  However, if no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount of the range is accrued.  While we believe that none of these claims, disputes, administrative, and legal matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, these matters are uncertain and we cannot at this time determine whether the financial impact, if any, of these matters will be material to our results of operations in the period in which such matters are resolved or a better estimate becomes available.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and our audited consolidated financial statements, notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for such period as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).  The results shown herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future periods.

Certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believes”, “projects”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “strategy”, “plan”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue”, “will likely result”, and other similar expressions.  We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.  Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.  Factors which could have a material adverse impact on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, particularly in the residential, commercial, and industrial building construction industries; volatility in the prices of industrial commodities; a sustained interruption in the operation of our information systems; cyber-attacks; increased funding requirements and expenses related to our pension plan; disruptions in our sources of supply; the inability, or limitations on our ability to borrow under our existing credit facilities or any replacements thereof; adverse legal proceedings or other claims; compliance with changing governmental regulations; and the inability, or limitations on our ability, to raise debt or equity capital.  These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities law.  Further information concerning our business, including additional factors that could materially impact our financial results, is included herein and in our other filings with the Commission.  Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, a number of which are outlined in Item 1A., “Risk Factors”, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

All dollar amounts, except per share data, are stated in millions in the following discussion and accompanying tables.

Background

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. (“Graybar”, “Company”, "we", "our", or "us") is a New York corporation, incorporated in 1925.  We are engaged in the distribution of electrical and communications and data networking products and are a provider of related supply chain management and logistics services. We primarily serve customers in the construction, industrial & utility and commercial, institutional and government ("CIG") vertical markets, with products and services that support new construction, infrastructure updates, building renovation, facility maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO"), and original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). We purchase all the products we sell from others, and we neither manufacture nor contract to manufacture any products we sell.  Our business activity is primarily based in the United States ("U.S.").  We also have subsidiary operations with distribution facilities in Canada and Puerto Rico.

Our common stock is 100% owned by active and retired employees, and there is no public trading market for our common stock.  No holder of our common stock or voting trust interests representing our common stock (“common stock”, “common shares”, or “shares”) may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any shares without first offering us the option to purchase those shares at the price at which they were issued.  We also have the option to purchase at the issue price the common shares of any shareholder who ceases to be an employee for any reason other than death or "retirement" (as defined in our amended restated certificate of incorporation), and on the first anniversary of any holder's death. In the past, we have always exercised these purchase options, and we expect to continue to do so in the foreseeable future.  However, we can make no assurance that we will continue to exercise our purchase option in the future. All outstanding shares have been issued at $20.00 per share.

Business Overview

The strong sales performance we experienced in 2018 continued into the first quarter of 2019, producing the highest first quarter net sales and net income in Company history.

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Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $1,777.8 million, compared to $1,637.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. This represents an increase of $140.1 million, or 8.6%. Gross margin increased $27.3 million, or 8.8%, to $338.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $311.4 million for the same period last year. Gross margin rate increased to 19.1% for the period ended March 31, 2019 from 19.0% for the same period in 2018. Net income attributable to Graybar was $34.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and was $13.2 million, or 62.6%, higher than the same period last year. This increase was driven by growth in sales and profitability, combined with effective management of our selling, general and administrative expenses.

We believe our strategic emphasis on growth and innovation is producing positive results today and accelerating our progress for the future. As we continue to pursue digital transformation, we remain focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience, enhancing efficiency and productivity in the supply chain, and positioning our Company for continued success.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

The following table sets forth certain information relating to our operations stated in millions of dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019					March 31, 2018
	Dollars			Percent		Dollars			Percent
Net Sales	$	1,777.8		100.0	%	$	1,637.7		100.0	%
Cost of merchandise sold	(1,439.1		)	(80.9	)	(1,326.3		)	(81.0	)
Gross Margin	338.7			19.1		311.4			19.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(273.5		)	(15.5	)	(263.3		)	(16.1	)
Depreciation and amortization	(12.5		)	(0.7	)	(12.1		)	(0.7	)
Other income, net	1.3			0.1		0.8			—
Income from Operations	54.0			3.0		36.8			2.2
Non-operating expenses	(6.6		)	(0.4	)	(7.5		)	(0.4	)
Income before Provision for Income Taxes	47.4			2.6		29.3			1.8
Provision for income taxes	(13.0		)	(0.7	)	(8.1		)	(0.5	)
Net Income	34.4			1.9		21.2			1.3
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.1		)	—		(0.1		)	—
Net Income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc.	$	34.3		1.9	%	$	21.1		1.3	%

Net sales increased to $1,777.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to $1,637.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $140.1 million, or 8.6%.  Net sales in our construction, CIG, and industrial & utility vertical markets increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same three-month period of 2018 by 10.9%, 10.7%, and 0.7%, respectively.

Gross margin increased$27.3 million, or 8.8%, to $338.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $311.4 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to increased net sales in the first quarter of 2019. Our gross margin as a percent of net sales was 19.1% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to 19.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased$10.2 million, or 3.9%, to $273.5 million in the first quarter of 2019 from $263.3 million in the first quarter of 2018, due primarily to higher compensation and benefit-related costs.  SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales totaled 15.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, down from 16.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2019increased$0.4 million, or 3.3%, to $12.5 million from $12.1 million in the first quarter of 2018. The increase was due to an increase in property, at cost. Total property, at cost, at March 31, 2019 was $993.9 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 2.5%, when compared to total property, at cost, at March 31, 2018 of $969.8 million. Depreciation and amortization as a percentage of net sales remained constant at 0.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Other income, net totaled $1.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Other income, net consists primarily of gains or losses on the disposal of property, trade receivable interest charges to customers, and other miscellaneous income items related to our business activities. 

Non-operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019declined$0.9 million, or 12.0%, to $6.6 million from $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was due to decreases in non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs of $1.3 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense, net of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same three-month period in 2018. The increase in interest expense, net was due to higher interest rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same three-month period in 2018.

Income before provision for income taxes totaled $47.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $18.1 million, or 61.8%, from $29.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to our growth in gross margin outpacing our growth in SG&A expenses and depreciation and amortization.

Our total provision for income taxes increased$4.9 million, or 60.5%, to $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $8.1 million for the same period of 2018.  The increase in our provision for income taxes quarter over quarter is primarily due to increased pretax income. Our effective tax rate was 27.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 27.7% for the same period of 2018. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was higher than the 21.0% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state, local and foreign income taxes.

Net income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2019increased$13.2 million, or 62.6%, to $34.3 million from $21.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

We manage our liquidity and capital levels so that we have the capability to invest in the growth of our business, meet debt service obligations, finance anticipated capital expenditures, pay dividends, make benefit payments, finance information technology needs, fund acquisitions and finance other miscellaneous cash outlays. We believe that maintaining a strong company financial condition enables us to competitively access multiple financing channels, maintain an optimal cost of capital and enables us to invest in strategic long-term growth plans.

We have historically funded our working capital requirements using cash flows generated by the collection of trade receivables and trade accounts payable terms with our suppliers, supplemented by short-term bank lines of credit.  Capital expenditures have been financed primarily by cash from working capital management and short-term bank lines of credit.

Our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2019 were $85.0 million, compared to $58.9 million at December 31, 2018, an increase of $26.1 million, or 44.3%. Our short-term borrowings decreased by $15.0 million, or 6.4%, during the three-month period to $220.0 million at March 31, 2019 from $235.0 million at December 31, 2018. Current assets exceeded current liabilities by $561.5 million at March 31, 2019, an increase of $19.5 million, or 3.6%, from $542.0 million at December 31, 2018.  

Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $50.5 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $21.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to net income of $34.4 million, an increase in collections of trade receivables of $62.8 million from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019, and an increase in trade accounts payable of $30.1 million from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019, partially offset by an increase in merchandise inventory levels of $37.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 to support the increase in net sales, as well as a decrease in accrued payroll and benefit costs of $48.7 million from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

The average number of days of sales in trade receivables for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 improved modestly compared to the same three-month period ended March 31, 2018. The days in inventory increased moderately for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018.

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Investing Activities

Net cash used by investing activities totaled $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to net cash used by investing activities of $7.8 million for the same three-month period in 2018, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 37.2%. The decrease was due to lower capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018, partially offset by lower proceeds received on the disposal of property during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 totaled $19.5 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $26.2 million, or 391.0%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in short-term borrowings in the first quarter of 2019 compared to an increase in short-term borrowings in the first quarter of 2018.

Liquidity

We had a $750.0 million revolving credit facility with $529.5 million in available capacity at March 31, 2019, compared to available capacity of $515.0 million at December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we also had two uncommitted $100.0 million private placement shelf agreements ("Shelf Agreements"). One of the Shelf Agreements is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes to PGIM, Inc., at fixed rate terms to be agreed upon at the time of any issuance during a three-year issuance period ending in August 2020. Our other Shelf Agreement is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC and each other affiliate of MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC that becomes a party to the agreement, at fixed or floating rate terms to be agreed upon at the time of any issuance during a three-year issuance period ending in August 2021.

We have not issued any notes under the Shelf Agreements as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. For further discussion related to our revolving credit facility and our Shelf Agreements, refer to Note 5, "Debt", of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements located in Item 1.

We had total letters of credit of $5.6 million outstanding at March 31, 2019, of which $0.5 million were issued under the revolving credit facility. We had total letters of credit of $5.6 million outstanding at December 31, 2018, of which none were issued under the revolving credit facility. The letters of credit are issued primarily to support certain workers' compensation insurance policies.

New Accounting Standards Updates

Our adoption of new accounting standards is discussed in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements located in Item 1., "Financial Statements", of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in the policies, procedures, controls, or risk profile from those provided in Item 7A., “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2019, was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management.  Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

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(b)  Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Our common stock is 100% owned by active and retired employees, and there is no public trading market for our common stock.  Since 1928, substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock have been held of record by voting trustees under successive voting trust agreements.  A new Voting Trust Agreement was established effective March 3, 2017, which expires by its terms on March 1, 2027. At March 31, 2019, approximately 83% of the common stock was held in the voting trust.  The participation of shareholders in the voting trust is voluntary at the time the voting trust is created, but is irrevocable during its term.  Shareholders who elect not to participate in the voting trust hold their common stock as shareholders of record. Shareholders may elect to participate in the voting trust at any time during the term of the voting trust.

No holder of our common stock or voting trust interests representing our common stock ("common stock", "common shares", or "shares") may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any shares without first offering us the option to purchase those shares at the price at which they were issued.  We also have the option to purchase at the issue price the common shares of any shareholder who ceases to be an employee for any cause other than death or "retirement" (as defined in our amended restated certificate of incorporation), and on the first anniversary of any holder's death.  In the past, we have always exercised these purchase options, and we expect to continue to do so in the foreseeable future.  However, we can make no assurance that we will continue to exercise our purchase option in the future. All outstanding shares have been issued at $20.00 per share.

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of common stock by the Company, all of which were made pursuant to the foregoing provisions:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
January 1 - January 31, 2019	80,260	$20.00	N/A
February 1 - February 28, 2019	85,473	$20.00	N/A
March 1 - March 31, 2019	110,417	$20.00	N/A
Total	276,150	$20.00	N/A

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 8, 2017 (Commission File No. 000-00255) and incorporated herein by reference.
3.2	By-laws as amended through March 9, 2017, filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 2017 (Commission File No. 000-00255) and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2	Voting Trust Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, a form of which is attached as Exhibit A to the Prospectus dated January 6, 2017, constituting a part of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Registration No. 333-214560), and incorporated herein by reference.
9	Voting Trust Agreement dated as of March 3, 2017, included at Exhibit 4.2 above.
31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Principal Executive Officer
31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Principal Financial Officer
32.1	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Principal Executive Officer
32.2	Certification of Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Principal Financial Officer
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
April 30, 2019	/s/ KATHLEEN M. MAZZARELLA
Date	Kathleen M. Mazzarella
	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
April 30, 2019	/s/ RANDALL R. HARWOOD
Date	Randall R. Harwood
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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