Newell Brands Announces Third Quarter 2022 Results

Net Sales Decline 19.2%; Core Sales Decline 10.8%

Diluted EPS $0.07; Normalized Diluted EPS $0.53

Strengthens Financial Flexibility

Updates Outlook for Full Year 2022

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its third quarter 2022 financial results.

"Following strong performance over the first half of the year, results decelerated in Q3, reflecting a tough operating environment as many retailers rightsized their inventory positions, inflationary pressure on both the consumer and our business, as well as the impact of a stronger dollar,” said Ravi Saligram, Newell Brands CEO. “We expect economic uncertainty and external disruptions to persist in the near-term and are staying agile, as we adjust our playbook to this environment, while taking decisive actions to maximize profits and cash. We remain confident in the strength of our brands and our ability to drive sustainable and profitable growth over the long term."

Chris Peterson, President and Chief Financial Officer, said, “During the third quarter we enhanced Newell's financial flexibility and maintained strong cost discipline, as results were impacted by top line deleveraging. We remain laser focused on aligning the company's cost structure with the macro backdrop, reducing inventory and strengthening cash flow, while continuing to invest in core capabilities."

Third Quarter 2022 Executive Summary

• Net sales were $2.3 billion, a 19.2 percent decline compared with the prior year period, including the year over year impact from the sale of the Connected Home & Security (CH&S) business at the end of the first quarter 2022.
• Core sales declined 10.8 percent compared with the prior year period. One of seven business units increased core sales compared with the prior year period.
• Reported operating margin was 1.6 percent, including the impact of a $148 million non-cash impairment charge, compared with 10.1 percent in the prior year period. Normalized operating margin was 10.2 percent compared with 11.4 percent in the prior year period.
• Reported diluted earnings per share were $0.07 compared with $0.44 per share in the prior year period.
• Normalized diluted earnings per share were $0.53 compared with $0.54 per share in the prior year period.
• The company strengthened its financial flexibility and refinanced its unsecured revolving credit facility as well as its senior notes due April 2023 (April 2023 notes). In September, the company issued $1.0 billion of senior notes and in October, used the net proceeds, together with available cash, to redeem the April 2023 notes.
• The company's leverage ratio was 3.9x at the end of the third quarter versus 3.1x in the prior year period and 3.0x at the end of 2021.
• The company updated its full year 2022 net sales and normalized earnings per share outlook to $9.35 billion to $9.43 billion and $1.56 to $1.61, respectively.

Third Quarter 2022 Operating Results

Net sales were $2.3 billion, a 19.2 percent decline compared to the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decrease of 10.8 percent, the impact of the sale of the CH&S business at the end of the first quarter 2022, unfavorable foreign exchange, as well as category and retail store exits.

Reported gross margin was 29.0 percent compared with 30.4 percent in the prior year period, as fixed cost deleveraging and significant headwinds from foreign exchange and inflation, particularly related to sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, more than offset benefits from pricing and FUEL productivity savings. Normalized gross margin was 29.4 percent compared with 30.6 percent in the prior year period.

Reported operating income was $35 million compared with $281 million in the prior year period. A non-cash impairment charge of $148 million related to goodwill and intangible assets was incurred in the current period. Reported operating margin was 1.6 percent compared with 10.1 percent in the prior year period, as the impact of lower net sales, the impairment charge, significant headwinds from inflation and foreign exchange and an increase in advertising and promotion expense as a percentage of sales more than offset benefits from pricing, FUEL productivity savings and lower overhead costs. Normalized operating income was $229 million, or 10.2 percent of sales, compared with $317 million, or 11.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Net interest expense was $57 million compared with $65 million in the prior year period.

Reported tax benefit was $61 million compared with a tax provision of $25 million in the prior year period, largely reflecting an increase in discrete tax benefits. The normalized tax benefit was $58 million compared with a normalized tax provision of $20 million in the prior year period.

The company reported net income of $31 million, or $0.07 diluted earnings per share, compared with $190 million, or $0.44 diluted earnings per share, in the prior year period.

Normalized net income was $220 million, or $0.53 normalized diluted earnings per share, compared with $231 million, or $0.54 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 outflow was $567 million compared with operating cash flow of $490 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting an increase in working capital use, largely due to higher inventory levels driven by significantly greater than anticipated pullback in retailer orders and slowing consumer demand, lower accounts payable due to the timing of supply plan reductions, as well as a decline in operating income.

The company strengthened its financial flexibility by refinancing its prior senior unsecured revolving credit facility and upsizing borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility to $1.5 billion. In September, the company also raised $1.0 billion through the issuance of $500 million of 6.375% notes due 2027 and $500 million of 6.625% notes due 2029 and in October, used the net proceeds, together with available cash, to redeem the remaining $1.1 billion of the April 2023 notes.

At the end of the third quarter, Newell Brands had cash and cash equivalents of $636 million and net debt outstanding of $5.2 billion. Newell Brands exited the third quarter with a leverage ratio of 3.9x compared to 3.1x in the prior year period and 3.0x at the end of 2021.

Leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of net debt to normalized EBITDA over the preceding twelve-month period. 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 2022 Operating Segment Results

The Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $397 million compared with $486 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales growth of 9.2 percent, which was more than offset by the impact of the sale of the CH&S business at the end of the first quarter 2022 and unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating income was $28 million, or 7.1 percent of sales, compared with $18 million, or 3.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $31 million, or 7.8 percent of sales, versus $21 million, or 4.3 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home Appliances segment generated net sales of $305 million compared with $443 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales decline of 23.2 percent, as well as the impact of exits from certain low margin categories and unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating loss was $20 million, or negative 6.6 percent of sales, compared with an operating income of $19 million, or 4.3 percent of sales, in the prior year period. The year over year difference was impacted by a $15 million impairment charge related to intangible assets. Normalized operating loss was $3 million, or negative 1.0 percent of sales, versus an operating income of $24 million, or 5.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home Solutions segment generated net sales of $510 million compared with $598 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales decline of 11.6 percent, the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange and the exit of 42 Yankee Candle retail locations during the first nine months of the year. Core sales declined across both the Home Fragrance and Food business units. Reported operating loss was $88 million, or negative 17.3 percent of sales, compared with an operating income of $75 million, or 12.5 percent of sales, in the prior year period. The year over year difference was impacted by a $108 million impairment charge related to goodwill. Normalized operating income was $30 million, or 5.9 percent of sales, versus $86 million, or 14.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $751 million compared with $869 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales decline of 9.9 percent and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange. Core sales declined in both the Writing and Baby business units. Reported operating income was $120 million, or 16.0 percent of sales, compared with $195 million, or 22.4 percent of sales, in the prior year period. The year over year difference was impacted by a $25 million impairment charge related to intangible assets. Normalized operating income was $148 million, or 19.7 percent of sales, compared with $197 million, or 22.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $289 million compared with $391 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales decline of 18.4 percent, as well as the impact of exits from certain low margin categories and unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating income was $8 million, or 2.8 percent of sales, compared with $27 million, or 6.9 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $18 million, or 6.2 percent of sales, compared with $34 million, or 8.7 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Outlook for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022

The company initiated its outlook for fourth quarter 2022 and updated its full year 2022 outlook.

The full year 2022 outlook for net sales, normalized operating margin and normalized EPS includes the contribution from CH&S during the first quarter. Core sales growth outlook for full year 2022 excludes the contribution from CH&S. Net sales outlooks for both Q4 2022, as well as for the full year 2022, account for the expected unfavorable foreign exchange movements, using current rates, as well as closures of Yankee Candle retail locations and market and category exits, primarily in the Outdoor & Recreation and Home Appliances segments.

For full year 2022, the company currently expects to deliver operating cash flow significantly below its prior range of $400 million to $500 million, including the impact of the loss of profits from the sale of the CH&S business, as well as a one-time cash tax payment on this transaction.

The company has presented forward-looking statements regarding core sales, 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 2022 earnings conference call will be held today, October 28, 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 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, divestitures, retail store openings and closings, certain market and category 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 2022 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” net income, “normalized” diluted earnings per share, “normalized” interest and “normalized” income tax benefit or expense, 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. “Normalized EBITDA” is an ongoing liquidity measure (that excludes non-cash items) and is calculated as normalized earnings 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.

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.

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, FoodSaver, Calphalon, Sistema, Sharpie, Paper Mate, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Yankee Candle, Graco, NUK, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Spontex, Coleman, Campingaz, Contigo, Oster, Sunbeam and Mr. Coffee. 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 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 optimize costs and cash flow and mitigate the impact of retailer inventory rebalancing through discretionary and overhead spend management, advertising and promotion expense optimization, demand forecast and supply plan adjustments and actions to improve working capital;
• our dependence on the strength of retail and consumer demand and commercial and industrial sectors of the economy in various countries around the world;
• our ability to improve productivity, reduce complexity and streamline operations;
• our ability to manage 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;
• competition with other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products;
• major retailers’ strong bargaining power and consolidation of our customers;
• supply chain and operational disruptions in the markets in which we operate, whether as a result of the actual or perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or broader geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions, including the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine;
• changes in the prices and availability of labor, transportation, raw materials and sourced products, including significant inflation, and our ability to offset cost increases through pricing and productivity in a timely manner;
• 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;
• the risks inherent to our foreign operations, including currency fluctuations, exchange controls and pricing restrictions;
• 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 dispositions;
• our ability to effectively execute our turnaround plan, including Project Ovid;
• risks related to our substantial indebtedness, potential increases in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings;
• 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 and legislation and regulatory actions related to data privacy and climate change;
• 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 the funding obligations related to our pension plans; and
• other factors listed from time to time in our SEC filings, 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. The company continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary and supply chain pressures, and the indirect macroeconomic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, 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, actual results could materially differ and may require future changes to such estimates and assumptions, including reserves, which may result in future expense.

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.