Newell Brands Announces Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2023 Results

Q4 Net Sales and Core Sales Decline 9%
Q4 Gross Margin and Operating Margin Improve Versus Prior Year
Full Year Operating Cash Flow Increases $1.2 Billion Versus Prior Year
Provides Initial Outlook for Full Year 2024

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2024-- Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results.

Chris Peterson, Newell Brands President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Since our leadership transition in May 2023, we introduced and deployed a comprehensive corporate strategy, which focuses on disproportionately investing in innovation, brand building, and go-to-market excellence in our largest and most profitable countries and brands as part of a clear set of Where to Play and How to Win choices. Behind this clear focus, and amidst a difficult external environment, we drove record productivity across the supply chain, significantly improved cash flow by rightsizing inventory, further reduced Newell's SKU count and took decisive actions to strengthen the company's front-end commercial capabilities, which are critical to returning Newell to sustainable and profitable growth. The tangible progress on our strategy, together with our actions to reduce overhead cost structure, bolster our confidence that we are taking appropriate actions to strengthen the organization, improve its financial performance and create value for our stakeholders."

Mark Erceg, Newell Brands Chief Financial Officer, said, "We dramatically improved the underlying structural economics of the business during the fourth quarter, as both gross margin and operating margin expanded significantly versus last year. In addition, full year operating cash flow was very strong, increasing by $1.2 billion to $930 million, which allowed us to reduce debt by about $500 million. We remain confident that despite a challenging macro-economic backdrop, the significant investments we are making to augment our core capabilities and accelerate our business transformation will allow us to fully operationalize our new corporate strategy and strengthen the company's performance going forward."

Executive Summary

Fourth quarter net sales were $2.1 billion, a decline of 9.1 percent compared with the prior year period. Core sales declined 9.3 percent compared with the prior year period.
Fourth quarter reported gross margin increased to 29.9 percent compared with 26.3 percent in the prior year period. Normalized gross margin increased to 32.3 percent compared with 26.6 percent in the prior year period.
Fourth quarter reported operating margin was negative 0.5 percent compared with negative 11.9 percent in the prior year period, as both periods included the impact of non-cash impairment charges. Normalized operating margin increased to 7.7 percent compared with 4.9 percent in the prior year period.
Fourth quarter reported diluted loss per share was $0.21 compared with $0.60 in the prior year period. Normalized diluted earnings per share were $0.22 compared with $0.16 per share in the prior year period.
Full year operating cash flow increased by $1.2 billion to $930 million compared with outflow of $272 million in the prior year.
The company reduced debt to $4.9 billion at the end of 2023 compared with $5.4 billion at the end of 2022.
In January 2024, the company announced an organizational realignment, which is expected to strengthen the company's front-end commercial capabilities and result in restructuring and related charges in the range of $75 million to $90 million and annualized pre-tax savings in the range of $65 million to $90 million, net of reinvestment.
The company initiated its full year 2024 outlook for net sales decline of 8 percent to 5 percent and normalized earnings per share of $0.52 to $0.62.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Results

Net sales were $2.1 billion, a 9.1 percent decline compared to the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decrease of 9.3 percent, as well as the impact of category exits and favorable foreign exchange.

Reported gross margin was 29.9 percent compared with 26.3 percent in the prior year period, as the benefits from FUEL productivity savings and pricing more than offset the impact of fixed cost deleveraging and higher restructuring-related charges. Normalized gross margin was 32.3 percent compared with 26.6 percent in the prior year period, which represents the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement.

Reported operating loss was $10 million compared with $273 million in the prior year period. Non-cash impairment charges of $68 million and $326 million were incurred in the current and prior year periods, respectively, related to goodwill and intangible assets. Reported operating margin was negative 0.5 percent compared with negative 11.9 percent in the prior year period, as the contribution from pricing, FUEL productivity savings and Project Phoenix savings, as well as lower non-cash impairment charges, more than offset the impact of lower net sales and higher restructuring and related costs. Normalized operating income was $159 million, or 7.7 percent of sales, compared with $113 million, or 4.9 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Net interest expense was $70 million compared with $64 million in the prior year period.

Reported tax benefit was $78 million compared with $81 million in the prior year period. The normalized tax benefit was $10 million compared with $5 million in the prior year period.

Reported net loss was $86 million, or $0.21 diluted loss per share, compared with $249 million, or $0.60 diluted loss per share, in the prior year period.

Normalized net income was $92 million, or $0.22 normalized diluted earnings per share, compared with $65 million, or $0.16 normalized diluted earnings per share, in the prior year period.

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

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Full year operating cash flow increased by $1.2 billion to $930 million compared with outflow of $272 million in the prior year period, with the significant improvement largely driven by working capital and a reduction in incentive compensation payments, which more than offset the impact of lower operating income and higher restructuring payments. The company continued to reduce inventories, which declined nearly $700 million versus the prior year period and nearly $250 million versus the third quarter of 2023.

At the end of 2023, Newell Brands had debt outstanding of $4.9 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $332 million, compared with $5.4 billion and $287 million, respectively, at the end of 2022.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Segment Results

The Home & Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $1.3 billion compared with $1.4 billion in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 8.2 percent and the impact of certain category exits, partially offset by the impact of favorable foreign exchange. Core sales decreased in all three businesses: Kitchen, Home Fragrance and Commercial. Reported operating income was $31 million, or 2.4 percent of sales, compared with operating loss of $300 million, or negative 21.6 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $162 million, or 12.7 percent of sales, compared with $58 million, or 4.2 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $635 million compared with $684 million in the prior year period, as a core sales decline of 7.7 percent was partially offset by the impact of favorable foreign exchange. Core sales decreased in both the Writing and Baby businesses. Reported operating income was $80 million, or 12.6 percent of sales, compared with $88 million, or 12.9 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $88 million, or 13.9 percent of sales, compared with $98 million, or 14.3 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $165 million compared with $211 million in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 21.8 percent. Reported operating loss was $45 million, or negative 27.3 percent of sales, compared with $14 million, or negative 6.6 percent of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating loss was $25 million, or negative 15.2 percent of sales, compared with $4 million, or negative 1.9 percent of sales, in the prior year period.

Full Year 2023 Operating Results

Net sales for the full year ended December 31, 2023 were $8.1 billion, a decline of 14.0 percent compared to the prior year, reflecting a core sales decrease of 12.1 percent, the impact of the sale of the Connected Home & Security business at the end of the first quarter 2022, as well as the impact of certain category exits and unfavorable foreign exchange.

Reported gross margin was 28.9 percent compared with 30.0 percent in the prior year, as the impact of fixed cost deleveraging, inflation and higher restructuring-related charges more than offset the benefits from FUEL productivity savings and pricing. Normalized gross margin was 30.2 percent, in-line with the prior year.

Reported operating loss was $85 million, or negative 1.0 percent of sales, compared with operating income of $312 million, or positive 3.3 percent of sales in the prior year. Non-cash impairment charges of $342 million and $474 million were incurred in the current and prior year, respectively, primarily related to goodwill and intangible assets. Normalized operating income was $570 million, or 7.0 percent of sales, compared with $956 million, or 10.1 percent of sales, in the prior year.

Net interest expense was $283 million compared with $235 million in the prior year.

Reported tax benefit was $155 million compared with $40 million in the prior year. The normalized tax benefit was $68 million compared with a tax provision of $17 million in the prior year.

Reported net loss was $388 million, or $0.94 diluted loss per share, compared with net income of $197 million, or $0.47 diluted earnings per share, in the prior year. Normalized net income was $330 million, or $0.79 normalized diluted earnings per share, compared with $654 million, or $1.57 normalized diluted earnings per share, in the prior year.

Project Phoenix and Organizational Realignment Update

In January 2023, the company announced a restructuring and savings initiative, Project Phoenix, which was substantially implemented by the end of 2023. It incorporated a variety of initiatives designed to simplify the organizational structure, streamline the company’s real estate, centralize its supply chain functions, which include manufacturing, distribution, transportation and customer service, transition to a unified One Newell go-to-market model in key international geographies, and otherwise reduce overhead costs. The company implemented the new operating model in the first quarter 2023, consolidating its prior five operating segments into three operating segments: Home & Commercial Solutions, Learning & Development and Outdoor & Recreation. The company realized $154 million in pre-tax savings during 2023 and is on track to realize annualized savings in the range of $220 million to $250 million by the end of 2024. The company incurred $97 million in restructuring and related charges associated with Project Phoenix during 2023.

In January 2024, the company announced an organizational realignment, which is expected to strengthen the company’s front-end commercial capabilities, such as consumer understanding and brand communication, in support of the Where to Play / How to Win choices the company unveiled in June of 2023. In addition to improving accountability, Newell’s organizational realignment should further unlock operational efficiencies and cost savings, reduce complexity and free up funds for reinvestment. As part of the organizational realignment, the company is making several organizational design changes, which entail: standing up a cross-functional brand management organization, realigning business unit finance to fully support the new global brand management model, further simplifying and standardizing regional go-to-market organizations, and centralizing domestic retail sales teams, the digital technology team, business-aligned accounting personnel, the Manufacturing Quality team, and the Human Resources functions into the appropriate center-led teams to drive standardization, efficiency and scale with a One Newell approach. The company will also further optimize Newell’s real estate footprint and pursue other cost reduction initiatives. These actions are expected to be substantially implemented by the end of 2024. Once the organizational design changes are fully executed, the company expects to realize annualized pre-tax savings in the range of $65 million to $90 million, net of reinvestment, with $55 million to $70 million expected in 2024. Restructuring and related charges associated with these actions are estimated to be in the range of $75 million to $90 million and are expected to be substantially incurred by the end of 2024.

Outlook for First Quarter and Full Year 2024

The company initiated its outlook for first quarter and full year 2024 as follows:

	Q1 2024 Outlook	Full Year 2024 Outlook
Net Sales	10% to 8% decline	8% to 5% decline
Core Sales	8% to 6% decline	6% to 3% decline
Normalized Operating Margin	2.4% to 3.2%	7.8% to 8.2%
Normalized EPS	($0.09) to ($0.05)	$0.52 to $0.62

The company initiated its outlook for full year 2024 operating cash flow of $400 million to $500 million, including approximately $150 million to $200 million in cash payments associated with restructuring and related initiatives.

The company has presented or will present 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 in reliance on the exception provided by item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking 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 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’ fourth quarter and full year 2023 earnings conference call will be held today, February 9 at 9:30 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 and the accompanying remarks contain 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, the additional financial information and accompanying remarks 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 current year 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; fire related loss, net of insurance recoveries; 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.

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 defines "net debt" as short-term debt, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. "Free cash flow" is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. "Free cash flow productivity" is defined as the ratio of free cash flow to normalized net income less tax-effected restructuring and related costs. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking free cash flow productivity or normalized gross margin 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 measure without unreasonable effort 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, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. Newell Brands is focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments.

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 benefits and savings associated with Project Phoenix and the Organizational Realignment, future macroeconomic conditions and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. 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,” “remain confident,” "remain optimistic," "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 softening global demand and 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;
risks related to our substantial indebtedness, potential increases in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings, including the failure to maintain financial covenants which if breached could subject us to cross-default and acceleration provisions in our debt documents;
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, including as a result of geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions and any global military conflicts, including those between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East;
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;
our ability to effectively execute our turnaround plan, including Project Ovid, Project Phoenix, the Network Optimization Project and the Organizational Realignment;
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 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;
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 consistently maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;
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 product safety, 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 our 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other 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 condensed consolidated financial statements. The company continues to be impacted by inflationary pressures, softening global demand, focus by major retailers to rebalance inventory levels, rising interest rates and the indirect macroeconomic impact of global military conflicts, which has required greater use of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although we believe we have made our best estimates based upon current information, actual results could differ materially 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.