Newell Brands Announces Third Quarter 2020 Results

Net Sales Growth 5.1%; Core Sales Growth 7.2%
Delivers Meaningful Operating Profit and Margin Expansion
Posts Significant Operating Cash Flow Improvement
Reinstitutes Guidance for 2020

Newell Brands (NASDAQ:NWL) today announced its third quarter 2020 financial results.

"We delivered very strong third quarter results, including broad-based sales growth underpinned by strong consumption, and significant improvement in operating margin and cash flow generation, as the organization rallied behind our strategic priorities,” said Ravi Saligram, Newell Brands President and CEO. “We are heading into the fourth quarter with a renewed sense of energy as we chase demand in certain high growth categories. We remain laser focused on increasing shareholder value by sustaining growth momentum, driving meaningful innovations that leverage consumer trends, building a competitive edge through omni-channel and significantly reducing organizational complexity."

Chris Peterson, Chief Financial Officer and President, Business Operations, said, “Stronger than anticipated top line growth, along with disciplined expense control, restructuring savings, sustained progress on complexity reduction and FUEL productivity savings drove significant year-over-year improvement in operating margin. Diligent execution behind working capital initiatives resulted in a substantial reduction in the company's cash conversion cycle time, with operating cash flow nearly doubling year-over-year during the first three quarters of 2020. For the full year, we expect to generate operating cash flow of $1.1 to $1.2 billion, with free cash flow productivity well over 100%.”

Third Quarter 2020 Executive Summary

• Net sales were $2.7 billion, an increase of 5.1 percent compared with the prior year period.
• Core sales grew 7.2 percent compared with the prior year period. Seven of eight business units and all major regions delivered core sales growth.
• Reported operating margin was 13.4 percent compared with a negative 33.4 percent in the prior year period. Normalized operating margin was 14.9 percent compared with 12.7 percent in the prior year period.
• Reported diluted earnings per share were $0.71 compared with a $1.48 diluted loss per share in the prior year period.
• Normalized diluted earnings per share were $0.84 compared with $0.73 per share in the prior year period.
• Year to date operating cash flow was $820 million compared with $424 million in the prior year period, with the improvement driven by working capital.
• The company redeemed the remaining $305 million of its 4.7 percent senior notes upon maturity.
• The company's leverage ratio improved to 3.9x at the end of the third quarter from 4.6x at the end of the previous quarter.
• The company reinstituted guidance for 2020, with projected full-year normalized earnings per share of $1.63 to $1.69 and operating cash flow of $1.1 to $1.2 billion.

Third Quarter 2020 Operating Results

Net sales were $2.7 billion, a 5.1 percent increase compared to the prior year period, as core sales growth of 7.2 percent was partially offset by a foreign exchange headwind and divested businesses.

Reported gross margin was 33.9 percent compared with 33.0 percent in the prior year period, as FUEL productivity savings more than offset the unfavorable impact from business unit mix, COVID-related expenses and inflation. Reported gross margin for the prior year period includes cumulative depreciation expense recorded as a result of the decision to retain the Commercial Products business. Normalized gross margin was 33.9 percent compared with 34.8 percent in the prior year period due to the business unit mix impact.

Reported operating income was $363 million compared with operating loss of $857 million in the prior year period, which reflected the impact of impairment charges. Reported operating margin was 13.4 percent compared with a negative 33.4 percent in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $403 million, or 14.9 percent of sales, compared with $326 million, or 12.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Interest expense was $71 million compared with $75 million in the prior year period, with the reduction driven by a lower debt balance.

The company reported tax benefit of $21 million compared with $327 million in the prior year period, reflecting a reduction in discrete tax benefits. Normalized tax benefit was $23 million, compared with $55 million in the prior year period.

The company reported net income of $304 million, or $0.71 diluted earnings per share, compared with net loss of $626 million, or $1.48 diluted loss per share, in the prior year period.

Normalized net income was $356 million, or $0.84 normalized diluted earnings per share, compared with $307 million, or $0.73 normalized diluted earnings per share, in the prior year period.

An explanation of non-GAAP measures and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP results to comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables attached to this release.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Year to date through the third quarter, the company generated operating cash flow of $820 million compared with $424 million in the prior year period, reflecting a significant improvement in working capital.

During the third quarter, the company redeemed the remaining $305 million of its 4.7 percent senior notes upon maturity. At the end of the third quarter Newell Brands had cash and cash equivalents of $858 million and net debt outstanding of $5.0 billion, as compared to $5.6 billion in the second quarter. The company maintained a strong liquidity position, with over $2 billion in available short-term liquidity, including cash on hand. Newell Brands exited the third quarter with a leverage ratio of 3.9x compared to 4.6x at the end of the prior quarter.

Leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of net debt to normalized EBITDA from continuing operations. An explanation of how the leverage ratio is calculated and a related reconciliation, as well as a reconciliation of reported results to normalized results, are included in the tables attached to this release.

Third Quarter 2020 Operating Segment Results

The Appliances & Cookware segment generated net sales of $479 million compared with $430 million in the year ago period, reflecting core sales growth of 17.0 percent, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating income was $32 million, or 6.7 percent of sales, compared with a loss of $595 million, or negative 138.4 percent of sales in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $35 million, or 7.3 percent of sales, versus $18 million, or 4.2 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $535 million compared with $475 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by a core sales increase of 13.3 percent. Core sales improved in both the Commercial and Connected Home & Security business units. Reported operating income was $84 million, or 15.7 percent of sales, compared with a loss of $216 million, or negative 45.5 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $88 million, or 16.4 percent of sales, versus $69 million, or 14.5 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home Solutions segment generated net sales of $574 million compared with $484 million in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales increase of 19.5 percent and the impact of favorable foreign exchange, partially offset by the exit of 76 underperforming Yankee Candle retail locations during the first nine months of the year. Both Food and Home Fragrance business units delivered core sales growth. Reported operating income was $112 million, or 19.5 percent of sales, compared with a loss of $112 million, or negative 23.1 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $124 million, or 21.6 percent of sales, versus $60 million, or 12.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $728 million compared with $824 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by a core sales decline of 9.5 percent. Core sales growth in Baby was more than offset by a decrease in the Writing business unit, reflecting the impact of the delayed re-opening of schools and offices. Reported operating income was $159 million, or 21.8 percent of sales, compared with $182 million, or 22.1 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $164 million, or 22.5 percent of sales, compared with $190 million, or 23.1 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $383 million compared with $356 million in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales increase of 8.1 percent and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating income was $40 million, or 10.4 percent of sales, compared with a loss of $41 million, or negative 11.5 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $46 million, or 12.0 percent of sales, compared with $37 million, or 10.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Outlook for Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2020

As visibility has improved in recent months relative to the impact of the pandemic on the business, the company reinstituted its practice of providing guidance as follows:

The company has presented forward-looking statements regarding core sales, normalized operating margin, normalized earnings per share and free cash flow productivity. These non-GAAP financial measures are derived by excluding certain amounts, expenses or income from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgement and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking core sales, normalized operating margin, normalized earnings per share, or free cash flow productivity to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort of expense. In addition, we believe such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the company's full-year and fourth quarter 2020 financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimate and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the company's actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Investor Relations Leadership Update

Nancy O'Donnell, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, and a valued member of Newell Brands' Leadership Team, will retire at year-end after twelve years with the company. Following O'Donnell's retirement, Sofya Tsinis, Vice President, Investor Relations, will lead the Investor Relations function. Tsinis joined the company's Investor Relations department four years ago, after a thirteen-year career in equity research at J.P. Morgan.

Conference Call

Newell Brands’ third quarter 2020 earnings conference call will be held today, October 30, at 10:00 a.m. ET. A link to the webcast is provided under Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.newellbrands.com . A webcast replay will be made available in the Quarterly Earnings section of the company’s website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and includes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures that are included in this press release and the additional financial information both to explain its results to stockholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of its businesses. The company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures (a) permit investors to view the company’s performance and liquidity using the same tools that management uses to evaluate the company’s past performance, reportable business segments, prospects for future performance and liquidity, and (b) determine certain elements of management incentive compensation.

The company’s management believes that core sales provides a more complete understanding of underlying sales trends by providing sales on a consistent basis as it excludes the impacts of acquisitions, planned and completed divestitures, retail store openings and closings, certain market exits, impact of customer returns related to a product recall in Outdoor and Recreation segment, and changes in foreign exchange from year-over-year comparisons. The effect of changes in foreign exchange on reported sales is calculated by applying the prior year average monthly exchange rates to the current year local currency sales amounts (excluding acquisitions and divestitures), with the difference between the 2020 reported sales and constant currency sales presented as the foreign exchange impact increase or decrease in core sales. The company’s management believes that “normalized” gross margin, “normalized” operating income, “normalized” operating margin, "normalized EBITDA", "normalized EBITDA from continuing operations", “normalized” net income, “normalized” diluted earnings per share, “normalized” interest and “normalized” tax benefits, which exclude restructuring and restructuring-related expenses and one-time and other events such as costs related to the extinguishment of debt, certain tax benefits and charges, impairment charges, pension settlement charges, divestiture costs, costs related to the acquisition, integration and financing of acquired businesses, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, inflationary adjustments, expenses related to certain product recalls and certain other items, are useful because they provide investors with a meaningful perspective on the current underlying performance of the company’s core ongoing operations and liquidity. On a pro forma basis, "normalized" items give effect to the company's decision not to sell the Commercial, Mapa and Quickie businesses. “Normalized EBITDA from continuing operations” is an ongoing liquidity measure (that excludes non-cash items) and is calculated as pro forma normalized earnings from continuing operations before interest, tax depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense. “Net debt to normalized continuing operations EBITDA leverage ratio” is a liquidity measure calculated as the ratio of total debt less cash and cash equivalents to normalized EBITDA from continuing operations. "Free cash flow productivity” is calculated as the ratio of free cash flow (calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) to normalized net income, and the company believes that free cash flow productivity is an important indicator of liquidity realized from the company’s core ongoing operations.

The company determines the tax effect of the items excluded from normalized diluted earnings per share by applying the estimated effective rate for the applicable jurisdiction in which the pre-tax items were incurred, and for which realization of the resulting tax benefit, if any, is expected. In certain situations in which an item excluded from normalized results impacts income tax expense, the company utilizes a “with” and “without” approach to determine normalized income tax benefit or expense. The company will also exclude one-time tax expenses related to a change in tax status of certain entities and the loss of GILTI tax credits as a result of utilizing the 50% IRC Section 163(j) limit resulting from the CARES Act to determine normalized income tax benefit.

While the company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the company’s performance and liquidity, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.

About Newell Brands

Newell Brands (NASDAQ:NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Marmot®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Mapa®, Spontex® and Yankee Candle®. Newell Brands is committed to enhancing the lives of consumers around the world with planet friendly, innovative and attractive products that create moments of joy and provide peace of mind.

This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the company’s website, www.newellbrands.com .

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release and its exhibits, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, operating strategies, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements generally can be identified by the use of words or phrases, including, but not limited to, "guidance", "outlook", “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “expect,” “setting up,” "beginning to,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “resume,” “are confident that,” "remain optimistic that," or similar statements. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees because there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including the impairment charges and accounting for income taxes. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• our ability to manage the demand, supply and operational challenges with the actual or perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;
• our dependence on the strength of retail, commercial and industrial sectors of the economy in various countries around the world;
• competition with other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products;
• major retailers’ strong bargaining power and consolidation of our customers;
• risks related to our substantial indebtedness, a potential increase in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings;
• our ability to improve productivity, reduce complexity and streamline operations;
• future events that could adversely affect the value of our assets and/or stock price and require additional impairment charges;
• our ability to remediate the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting and to consistently maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;
• our ability to develop innovative new products, to develop, maintain and strengthen end-user brands and to realize the benefits of increased advertising and promotion spend;
• the impact of costs associated with acquisitions and divestitures;
• our ability to effectively execute our turnaround plan;
• changes in the prices and availability of labor, transportation, raw materials and sourced products and our ability to obtain them in a timely manner;
• the impact of governmental investigations, inspections, lawsuits, legislative requests or other actions by third parties;
• the risks inherent to our foreign operations, including foreign exchange fluctuations, exchange controls and pricing restrictions;
• a failure of one of our key information technology systems, networks, processes or related controls or those of our service providers;
• the impact of U.S. and foreign regulations on our operations, including the escalation of tariffs on imports into the U.S. and exports to Canada, China and the European Union, environmental remediation costs and data privacy regulations;
• the potential inability to attract, retain and motivate key employees;
• the impact of new Treasury and tax regulations and the resolution of tax contingencies resulting in additional tax liabilities;
• product liability, product recalls or related regulatory actions;
• our ability to protect intellectual property rights;
• significant increases in funding obligations related to our pension plans; and
• other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

The consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Management’s application of U.S. GAAP requires the pervasive use of estimates and assumptions in preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. As discussed above, the world is currently experiencing the global COVID-19 pandemic which has required greater use of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although we have made our best estimates based upon current information, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business may result in future changes to management’s estimates and assumptions, especially if the severity worsens or duration lengthens. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions developed by management. If so, the company may be subject to future incremental impairment charges as well as changes to recorded reserves and valuations.

The information contained in this press release and the tables is as of the date indicated. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments.