Berry Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results
Third Quarter Highlights
-
GAAP: Net sales of
$3.2 billion ; Operating income of$303 million ; Earnings per share of$1.65 -
Non-GAAP: Operating EBITDA of
$546 million ; Adjusted earnings per share of$2.18 (up 16% vs PY) - Third quarter volume and earning results in-line with expectations; +2% organic volume growth
- Continued progress in portfolio optimization; HHNF spin/merger on track
-
Fiscal 2024 outlook: Adjusted EPS of
$7.60 and free cash flow of$800-$900 million
We are confident in the strength of our underlying businesses, our customer value proposition, and our execution capabilities. We expect business momentum to continue as we demonstrated in the June quarter, including delivering, low-single digit volume growth in the fiscal fourth quarter and exiting fiscal 2024 at or below our 3.5x leverage target.
I am excited by the attainable growth and operational excellence opportunities ahead. We’re focusing on three key efforts: optimizing our portfolio to accelerate growth and deleveraging, implementing our lean transformation, and driving growth by enhancing our commercial excellence.”
Key Financials (1)
|
|
Reported |
|
||
GAAP results |
2024 |
2023 |
Δ% |
|
|
Net sales |
|
|
|
(2%) |
|
Operating income |
|
303 |
267 |
13% |
|
EPS (diluted) |
|
1.65 |
1.18 |
40% |
|
Adj. non-GAAP results |
|
|
|
Comparable
|
Operating EBITDA |
|
|
5% |
6% |
Adjusted EPS (diluted) |
2.18 |
1.90 |
15% |
16% |
(1) |
Adjusted non-GAAP results exclude items not considered to be ongoing operations. In addition, comparable change % excludes the impacts of foreign currency, acquisitions, and recent divestitures. Further details related to non-GAAP measures and reconciliations can be found under our “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Estimates” section and in reconciliation tables in this release. In millions of USD, except per share data. |
Financial Results – Third Quarter 2024
Consolidated Overview
Net sales decreased 2% to
Operating income increased by 13% compared to the prior year quarter, reaching
Net sales decreased 7% to
Operating income increased 16% to
Net sales increased 4% to
Operating income increased 16% to
Flexibles
Net sales decreased by 2%, reaching
Operating income remained similar to the prior year quarter, coming in at
Health, Hygiene & Specialties
Net sales decreased by 2% totaling
Operating income increased to
Cash Returns to Shareholders
Berry generates significant cash flow and is committed to returning capital to shareholders. This annual cash flow provides substantial capacity to simultaneously reinvest in the business for organic growth, pay down debt, pursue bolt-on acquisitions, and return cash to shareholders through a compelling dividend as well as share repurchases. The Company expects to be within its leverage target of 2.5x – 3.5x by the end of fiscal 2024, while also returning cash to shareholders during the year, through continued share repurchases and dividends, subject to market conditions, available cash on hand and cash needs, overall financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors.
Dividend and Share Repurchases
As previously announced, Berry’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of
Announcement of Combination of Berry’s Health, Hygiene and Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films Business with Glatfelter Corporation
In February, the Company announced plans for a spin-off of the majority of its HH&S segment to include its global nonwovens and films business, which is then to be merged with Glatfelter Corporation (“GLT”) to create a global leader in specialty materials. Upon the completion of the transaction, Berry shareholders are expected to own approximately ninety percent of the newly combined company. The transaction valued the combined company at
“This announcement is the culmination of a comprehensive review to determine the highest value alternative for Berry shareholders. We believe these two businesses can drive significant value for their respective stakeholders with more focused portfolios, positioning each for greater success. Berry will now become a pure-play leading supplier of innovative, sustainable global packaging solutions and we believe this focus will result in an even more predictable, stable earnings and growth profile for Berry. This proposed transaction is a significant step in the optimization of our portfolio and allows Berry’s management team to be one hundred percent laser-focused on driving consistent long-term growth with a more simplified and aligned portfolio,” stated
In July, Berry’s Health, Hygiene and Specialties Global Nonwovens and Films (“HHNF”) business and Glatfelter Corporation progressed further with the creation of the Magnera brand, a global leader in the specialty materials industry.
Fiscal Year 2024 Guidance
-
Adjusted earnings per share of
$7.60 -
Cash flow from operations of
$1.4-$1.5 billion ; free cash flow of$800-$900 million - Committed to being 3.5x leverage or lower and within our long-term targeted range
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call today,
By Telephone
Participants may register for the call here now or any time up to and during the time of the call, and will immediately receive the dial-in number and a unique pin to access the call. While you may register at any time up to and during the time of the call, you are encouraged to join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event.
Via the Internet
The conference call and accompanying webcast slides will also be broadcast live over the internet. To access the event, click on the following link: https://ir.berryglobal.com/financials. A replay of the webcast will be available via the same link on our website approximately two hours after the completion of the call.
About Berry
At
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Estimates
This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures such as operating EBITDA, Adjusted operating income, Adjusted earnings per share (or adjusted EPS), free cash flow, and comparable basis net sales, comparable adjusted EPS and comparable operating EBITDA. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to comparable measures determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical, including statements relating to the expected future performance of the Company as well as estimates and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed transaction between Berry and Glatfelter, are considered “forward looking” within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are presented pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “outlook,” “anticipates” or “looking forward,” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, plans, intentions, or expectations. All statements we make relating to estimates and statements about the expected timing and structure of the proposed transaction, the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction, benefits of the Glatfelter transaction, including future financial and operating results, executive and Board transition considerations, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts, as well as statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments.
Our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected due to a variety of factors, including without limitation: (1) risks associated with our substantial indebtedness and debt service; (2) changes in prices and availability of resin and other raw materials and our ability to pass on changes in raw material prices to our customers on a timely basis; (3) risks related to acquisitions or divestitures and integration of acquired businesses and their operations, and realization of anticipated cost savings and synergies; (4) risks related to international business, including transactional and translational foreign currency exchange rate risk and the risks of compliance with applicable export controls, sanctions, anti-corruption laws and regulations; (5) increases in the cost of compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, and climate change laws and regulations; (6) labor issues, including the potential labor shortages, shutdowns or strikes, or the failure to renew effective bargaining agreements; (7) risks related to disruptions in the overall global economy, persistent inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the financial markets that may adversely impact our business; (8) risk of catastrophic loss of one of our key manufacturing facilities, natural disasters, and other unplanned business interruptions; (9) risks related to weather-related events and longer-term climate change patterns; (10) risks related to the failure of, inadequacy of, or attacks on our information technology systems and infrastructure; (11) risks that our restructuring programs may entail greater implementation costs or result in lower cost savings than anticipated; (12) risks related to future write-offs of substantial goodwill; (13) risks of competition, including foreign competition, in our existing and future markets; (14) risks related to market conditions associated with our share repurchase program; (15) risks related to market disruptions and increased market volatility; (16) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transaction; (17) the risk that Glatfelter shareholders may not approve the transaction proposals; (18) the risk that the necessary regulatory approvals may not be obtained or may be obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated or may be delayed; (19) risks that any of the other closing conditions to the proposed transaction may not be satisfied in a timely manner; (20) risks that the anticipated tax treatment of the proposed transaction is not obtained; (21) risks related to potential litigation brought in connection with the proposed transaction; (22) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; (23) risks and costs related to the implementation of the separation of the Berry Spinco from Berry., including timing anticipated to complete the separation, any changes to the configuration of the businesses included in the separation if implemented, as well as unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (24) the risk that the integration of the combined companies is more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; (25) risks related to financial community and rating agency perceptions of each of Berry and Glatfelter and its business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which they operate; (26) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; (27) failure to realize the benefits expected from the proposed transaction; (28) the effects of the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed transaction on the ability of the parties to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their counterparties, and on their operating results and businesses generally; and (29) the other factors and uncertainties discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction between Berry and Glatfelter. In connection with the proposed transaction, Berry and Glatfelter intend to file relevant materials with the
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy, or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful, prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer or sale of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Participants in Solicitation
Berry and its directors and executive officers, and Glatfelter and its directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the holders of Glatfelter capital stock and/or the offering of securities in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Berry, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management” in the definitive proxy statement for Berry’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the
|
||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) |
||||||||||||
|
Quarterly Period Ended |
|
Three Quarterly Periods Ended |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net sales |
$ |
3,161 |
|
|
$ |
3,229 |
|
$ |
9,090 |
|
$ |
9,577 |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cost of goods sold |
|
2,560 |
|
|
|
2,649 |
|
|
7,448 |
|
|
7,873 |
Selling, general and administrative |
|
216 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
664 |
|
|
671 |
Amortization of intangibles |
|
58 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
177 |
|
|
181 |
Restructuring and transaction activities |
|
24 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
133 |
|
|
74 |
Operating income |
|
303 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
668 |
|
|
778 |
Other expense (income) |
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
13 |
Interest expense, net |
|
77 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
225 |
|
|
228 |
Income before income taxes |
|
231 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
435 |
|
|
537 |
Income tax expense |
|
38 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
67 |
|
|
114 |
Net income |
$ |
193 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
$ |
368 |
|
$ |
423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Basic net income per share |
$ |
1.69 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
$ |
3.19 |
|
$ |
3.50 |
Diluted net income per share |
|
1.65 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
3.11 |
|
|
3.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Outstanding weighted average shares (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Basic |
|
114.5 |
|
|
|
118.7 |
|
|
115.2 |
|
|
121.0 |
Diluted |
|
116.7 |
|
|
|
121.1 |
|
|
118.2 |
|
|
121.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) |
||||
(in millions of USD) |
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
509 |
$ |
1,203 |
Accounts receivable |
|
1,630 |
|
1,568 |
Inventories |
|
1,679 |
|
1,557 |
Other current assets |
|
318 |
|
205 |
Property, plant, and equipment |
|
4,558 |
|
4,576 |
|
|
7,294 |
|
7,478 |
Total assets |
$ |
15,988 |
$ |
16,587 |
Current liabilities, excluding current debt |
|
2,245 |
|
2,703 |
Current and long-term debt |
|
8,699 |
|
8,980 |
Other long-term liabilities |
|
1,673 |
|
1,688 |
Stockholders’ equity |
|
3,371 |
|
3,216 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ |
15,988 |
$ |
16,587 |
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) |
|||||||
|
Three Quarterly Periods Ended |
||||||
(in millions of USD) |
|
|
|
||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
||||
Net income |
$ |
368 |
|
|
$ |
423 |
|
Depreciation |
|
463 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
Amortization of intangibles |
|
177 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
Non-cash interest, net |
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
(45 |
) |
Settlement of derivatives |
|
27 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(94 |
) |
Share-based compensation expense |
|
38 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
Loss on divestitures |
|
57 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other non-cash operating activities, net |
|
14 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Changes in working capital |
|
(708 |
) |
|
|
(490 |
) |
Net cash from operating activities |
|
297 |
|
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
||||
Additions to property, plant, and equipment, net |
|
(473 |
) |
|
|
(560 |
) |
Divestitures, acquisitions and other activities |
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(88 |
) |
Net cash from investing activities |
|
(494 |
) |
|
|
(648 |
) |
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
||||
Repayments on long-term borrowings |
|
(3,441 |
) |
|
|
(687 |
) |
Proceeds from long-term borrowings |
|
3,150 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
Repurchase of common stock |
|
(117 |
) |
|
|
(415 |
) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
|
33 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
Dividends paid |
|
(104 |
) |
|
|
(97 |
) |
Other, net |
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
Net cash from financing activities |
|
(501 |
) |
|
|
(666 |
) |
Effect of currency translation on cash |
|
4 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(694 |
) |
|
|
(777 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
1,203 |
|
|
|
1,410 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ |
509 |
|
|
$ |
633 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
Non- |
|
|
|
||||
Cash flow from operating activities |
$ |
297 |
|
|
$ |
490 |
|
Additions to property, plant, and equipment (net) |
|
(473 |
) |
|
|
(560 |
) |
Non- |
$ |
(176 |
) |
|
$ |
(70 |
) |
Segment and Supplemental Comparable Basis Information (Unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
|
Quarterly Period Ended |
|||||||||||||
(in millions of USD) |
|
|
Consumer
|
|
Health,
|
|
Flexibles |
|
Total |
|||||
Net sales |
$ |
959 |
|
$ |
831 |
|
$ |
647 |
|
$ |
724 |
|
$ |
3,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating income |
$ |
79 |
|
$ |
103 |
|
$ |
34 |
|
$ |
87 |
|
$ |
303 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
79 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
45 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
213 |
Restructuring and transaction activities |
|
11 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
24 |
Other non-cash charges |
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
6 |
Operating EBITDA |
$ |
171 |
|
$ |
168 |
|
$ |
85 |
|
$ |
122 |
|
$ |
546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Period Ended |
|||||||||||||||||
Reported net sales |
$ |
1,036 |
|
|
$ |
798 |
|
$ |
657 |
|
|
$ |
738 |
|
|
$ |
3,229 |
|
Foreign currency, acquisitions & divestitures |
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(28 |
) |
Comparable net sales (1) |
$ |
1,010 |
|
|
$ |
803 |
|
$ |
651 |
|
|
$ |
737 |
|
|
$ |
3,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating income |
$ |
68 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
267 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
79 |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
Restructuring and transaction activities |
|
17 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Other non-cash charges |
|
6 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Foreign currency, acquisitions & divestitures |
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
Comparable operating EBITDA (1) |
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
153 |
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
120 |
|
|
$ |
517 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The prior year comparable basis change excludes the impacts of foreign currency, acquisitions, and divestitures. Further details related to non-GAAP measures and reconciliations can be found under our “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Estimates” section or in reconciliation tables in this release. |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures |
|||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Net income and earnings per share (EPS) to adjusted operating income, operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), and adjusted earnings per share (adjusted EPS) |
|||||||||||||||
(in millions of USD, except per share data amounts) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Quarterly Period Ended |
Three Quarterly Periods Ended |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net income |
$ |
193 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
368 |
|
|
$ |
423 |
|
Add: other expense |
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Add: interest expense |
|
77 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
228 |
|
Add: income tax expense |
|
38 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
Operating income |
$ |
303 |
|
|
$ |
267 |
|
|
$ |
668 |
|
|
$ |
778 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Add: restructuring and transaction activities |
|
24 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
Add: Impact of hyperinflation |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Add: other non-cash charges (1) |
|
6 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
Adjusted operating income (3) |
$ |
333 |
|
|
$ |
315 |
|
|
$ |
858 |
|
|
$ |
900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Add: depreciation |
|
154 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
463 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
Add: amortization of intangibles |
|
59 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
Operating EBITDA (3) |
$ |
546 |
|
|
$ |
522 |
|
|
$ |
1,499 |
|
|
$ |
1,506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net income per diluted share |
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.11 |
|
|
$ |
3.47 |
|
Other expense, net |
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
Restructuring and transaction activities |
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
0.61 |
|
Impact of hyperinflation |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Amortization of intangibles from acquisitions (2) |
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
Income tax impact on items above |
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
Foreign currency, acquisitions, and divestitures |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
||||
Adjusted net income per diluted share (3) |
$ |
2.18 |
|
|
$ |
1.88 |
|
|
$ |
5.35 |
|
|
$ |
5.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Fiscal
|
|
|
Cash flow from operating activities |
|
|
Net additions to property, plant, and equipment |
(600) |
|
Free cash flow (3) |
|
|
(1) |
Other non-cash charges are primarily stock compensation expense |
|
(2) |
Amortization of intangibles from acquisition are added back to better align our calculation of adjusted EPS with peers. |
|
(3) |
Supplemental financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in |
|
We define “free cash flow” as cash flow from operating activities, less net additions to property, plant, and equipment. We believe free cash flow is useful to an investor in evaluating our liquidity because free cash flow and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in our industry to measure a company’s liquidity. We also believe free cash flow is useful to an investor in evaluating our liquidity as it can assist in assessing a company’s ability to fund its growth through its generation of cash. |
||
We also use Adjusted operating income, Operating EBITDA, adjusted EPS and comparable basis measures, among other measures, to evaluate management performance and in determining performance-based compensation. Operating EBITDA is a measure widely used by investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in our industry to measure a company’s performance. We also believe EBITDA and Adjusted operating income are useful to an investor in evaluating our performance without regard to revenue and expense recognition, which can vary depending upon accounting methods. |
(BERY-F)
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240802115890/en/
VP, Investor Relations
+1 (812) 306 2964
ir@berryglobal.com
Source: