Newell Brands Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its third quarter 2021 financial results.

"We continued to execute very well throughout the third quarter and our results reflect the effectiveness of our strategy, as well as the resilience and agility of our operating model. Strong consumer demand, supported by innovation, fueled core sales growth of 3.2 percent, at the high-end of our evergreen target, on top of a difficult year-ago comparison of 7.2 percent,” said Ravi Saligram, Newell Brands President and CEO. “While we are taking action to address the significant inflationary pressures and supply chain bottlenecks, we are also advancing our strategic priorities, by continuing to reduce complexity, capitalizing on the international opportunity, and building operational excellence throughout the organization. I am confident the company has a long runway for value creation, as we position it for sustainable and profitable growth, while building competitive advantage."

Chris Peterson, Chief Financial Officer and President, Business Operations, said, “During the third quarter, strong operational delivery, coupled with financial discipline, enabled us to deliver better than anticipated operating profit and sustained progress on the cash conversion cycle. While the external environment remains challenging and volatile, strong year-to-date results give us confidence to raise our top and bottom line outlooks for full year 2021. We now forecast core sales growth of 10 to 11 percent and normalized earnings per share of $1.69 to $1.73 in 2021."

Third Quarter 2021 Executive Summary

• Net sales were $2.8 billion, a 3.3 percent increase compared with the prior year period, during which the company experienced elevated demand across many of its categories. All five segments grew net sales versus the third quarter of 2019.
• Core sales grew 3.2 percent compared with the prior year period. Five of eight business units increased core sales compared with the prior year period.
• Reported operating margin was 10.1 percent compared with 13.4 percent in the prior year period, largely reflecting the significant headwind from inflation and an increase in advertising and promotion expense, which more than offset benefits from lower overhead costs, FUEL productivity savings, business mix and pricing. Normalized operating margin was 11.4 percent compared with 14.9 percent in the prior year period.
• Reported diluted earnings per share were $0.44 compared with $0.71 per share in the prior year period, with the year over year change largely reflecting the decline in reported operating profit and a change in the tax provision due to a reduction in discrete benefits.
• Normalized diluted earnings per share were $0.54 compared with $0.84 per share in the prior year period.
• In September, the company redeemed the remaining €300 million of its 3.75 percent senior notes that were scheduled to mature in October 2021. On October 15, the company announced its intention to redeem in November 2021 the remaining $250 million of its 4.00 percent senior notes that are scheduled to mature in June 2022.
• The company's leverage ratio improved to 3.1x at the end of the third quarter from 3.9x in the prior year period and 3.5x at the end of 2020.
• The company raised its 2021 full year net sales outlook to $10.38 billion to $10.46 billion from its previous range of $10.1 billion to $10.35 billion. The company also improved its 2021 full year outlook for normalized earnings per share to $1.69 to $1.73 from its previous range of $1.63 to $1.73.

Third Quarter 2021 Operating Results

Net sales were $2.8 billion, a 3.3 percent increase compared to the prior year period, largely reflecting core sales growth of 3.2 percent. Net sales were 8.5 percent above the third quarter 2019 level.

Reported gross margin was 30.4 percent compared with 33.9 percent in the prior year period, as the significant headwind from inflation, particularly related to resin, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, more than offset the benefits from FUEL productivity savings, business mix and pricing. Normalized gross margin was 30.6 percent compared with 33.9 percent in the prior year period.

Reported operating income was $281 million compared with reported operating income of $363 million in the prior year period. Reported operating margin was 10.1 percent compared with 13.4 percent in the prior year period, largely reflecting the significant headwind from inflation and an increase in advertising and promotion expense, which more than offset benefits from lower overhead costs, FUEL productivity savings, business mix and pricing. Normalized operating income was $317 million, or 11.4 percent of sales, compared with $403 million, or 14.9 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Interest expense was $65 million compared with $71 million in the prior year period.

The company reported a tax provision of $25 million compared with a tax benefit of $21 million in the prior year period, reflecting a reduction in discrete tax benefits. Normalized tax expense was $20 million compared with a tax benefit of $23 million in the prior year period.

The company reported net income of $190 million, or $0.44 diluted earnings per share, compared with net income of $304 million, or $0.71 diluted earnings per share, in the prior year period. The year over year change largely reflects the decline in reported operating profit and a change in the tax provision due to a reduction in discrete benefits.

Normalized net income was $231 million, or $0.54 normalized diluted earnings per share, compared with $356 million, or $0.84 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, operating cash flow was $490 million compared with $820 million in the prior year period, largely reflecting a working capital increase to support strong net sales growth, which more than offset the year-over-year improvement in operating income and cash conversion cycle.

In September, the company redeemed the remaining €300 million of its 3.75 percent senior notes that were scheduled to mature in October 2021. At the end of the third quarter, Newell Brands had cash and cash equivalents of $494 million and net debt outstanding of $4.6 billion. The company maintained a strong liquidity position, with approximately $2.0 billion in available short-term liquidity, including cash on hand. Newell Brands exited the third quarter with a leverage ratio of 3.1x compared to 3.9x in the prior year period and 3.5x at the end of 2020.

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 2021 Operating Segment Results

Note: Prior year period results reflect meaningful shifts in consumer demand from the COVID-19 pandemic, with comparability impacted by elevated prior year results in the Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances, Home Solutions and Outdoor & Recreation operating segments, and subdued prior year results in the Learning & Development operating segment.

The Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $486 million compared with $535 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales decline of 9.2 percent; net sales exceeded the 2019 level. Core sales declined in both the Commercial and the Connected Home & Security business units. Reported operating income was $18 million, or 3.7 percent of sales, compared with reported operating income of $84 million, or 15.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $21 million, or 4.3 percent of sales, versus $88 million, or 16.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home Appliances segment generated net sales of $443 million compared with $430 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales growth of 1.9 percent and the impact of favorable foreign exchange; net sales exceeded the 2019 level. Reported operating income was $19 million, or 4.3 percent of sales, compared with reported operating income of $19 million, or 4.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $24 million, or 5.4 percent of sales, versus $22 million, or 5.1 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home Solutions segment generated net sales of $598 million compared with $623 million in the prior year period, mostly reflecting core sales decline of 3.6 percent; net sales exceeded the 2019 level. Core sales decline in the Food business unit more than offset core sales growth in the Home Fragrance business unit. Reported operating income was $75 million, or 12.5 percent of sales, compared with reported operating income of $123 million, or 19.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $86 million, or 14.4 percent of sales, versus $137 million, or 22.0 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $869 million compared with $728 million in the prior year period, driven by core sales growth of 19.6 percent; net sales exceeded the 2019 level. Core sales increased in both the Writing and Baby business units. Reported operating income was $195 million, or 22.4 percent of sales, compared with reported operating income of $158 million, or 21.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $197 million, or 22.7 percent of sales, compared with $164 million, or 22.5 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $391 million compared with $383 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting core sales growth of 1.7 percent and the impact of favorable foreign exchange; net sales exceeded the 2019 level. Reported operating income was $27 million, or 6.9 percent of sales, compared with reported operating income of $39 million, or 10.2 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $34 million, or 8.7 percent of sales, compared with $46 million, or 12.0 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Project Ovid

During the third quarter, Newell Brands announced Project Ovid, a multi-year initiative that is expected to transform the company's go-to-market capabilities and end-to-end customer experience in the U.S., improve customer service levels and drive operational efficiencies. Through Project Ovid, the company seeks to optimize its distribution network in the U.S. by consolidating 23 business-unit-centric supply chains into a single integrated supply chain. The company will establish shared distribution centers in the U.S., so that products from business units will be combined and shipped together in full truckloads to more quickly and efficiently satisfy customer and consumer demand, enable omnichannel success and achieve an operational cadence defined by one order, one truck and one invoice. The new operating model should unlock significant value by leveraging the scale of the organization and is expected to be implemented in multiple phases over the next eighteen months.

Outlook for Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2021

The company updated its full year outlook for 2021 and initiated its fourth quarter 2021 guidance as follows:

The company has presented forward-looking statements regarding normalized operating margin and normalized earnings per share. 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 normalized operating margin or normalized earnings per share 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 or 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 future financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates 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.

Conference Call

Newell Brands’ third quarter 2021 earnings conference call will be held today, October 29, at 11:00 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, 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. "Leverage ratio" is a liquidity measure calculated as the ratio of net debt (defined as 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 Rubbermaid®, Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Marmot®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Mapa®, Spontex® and Yankee Candle®. Newell Brands' beloved, planet friendly brands enhance and brighten consumers lives at home and outside by creating moments of joy, building confidence and providing 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,” "could," “resume,” “are confident that,” "remain optimistic that," "seek to," 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, including as a result of any additional variants of the virus or the efficacy and distribution of vaccines, as well as the impact of any vaccine mandates on our global businesses;
• 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;
• changes in the prices and availability of labor, transportation, raw materials and sourced products, including significant inflation, and our ability to obtain them in a timely manner;
• our ability to improve productivity, reduce complexity and streamline operations;
• the cost and outcomes of governmental investigations, inspections, lawsuits, legislative requests or other actions by third parties, the potential outcomes of which could exceed policy limits, to the extent insured;
• 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;
• our ability to consistently maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;
• risks related to our substantial indebtedness, potential increases in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings;
• future events that could adversely affect the value of our assets and/or stock price and require additional impairment charges;
• unexpected costs or expenses associated with divestitures;
• our ability to effectively execute our turnaround plan;
• the risks inherent to our foreign operations, including currency fluctuations, exchange controls and pricing restrictions;
• a failure or breach 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 impact of tariffs and environmental remediation costs;
• the potential inability to attract, retain and motivate key employees;
• changes in tax laws 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, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings.

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.