Energizer Holdings, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2023 Fourth Quarter and … – PR Newswire

• Net Sales for the fourth quarter up 2.6% to prior year, driven by organic growth of 2.0%.⁽¹⁾
• Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 37.9% and on an adjusted basis 40.0%, up 380 basis points to prior year largely driven by the benefits of Project Momentum initiatives.⁽¹⁾
• Operating cash flow of $395.2 million and Free cash flow of 11.5% of Net Sales for the fiscal year.⁽¹⁾
• Reduced net leverage by 0.6 times in fiscal 2023 driven by $225 million of debt pay down and over 5% Adjusted EBITDA growth.⁽¹⁾
• Company expects fiscal 2024 organic revenue to be flat to down low single digits, and Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings per share to be up low single digits and in the range of $600 to $620 million and $3.10 to $3.30, respectively.⁽¹⁾

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR) today announced results for the fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2023. 

“The fourth fiscal quarter provided a strong finish to fiscal year 2023,” said Mark LaVigne, Chief Executive Officer. “In a year impacted by continued macro-economic pressures, we delivered full year adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA within our original guided range and took actions to position the business for future success.”  

“We made significant progress in advancing Project Momentum, unlocking over $50 million in efficiencies in the year.  This contributed to the successful delivery against our strategic priorities – restoration of gross margin, healthy free cash flow generation, and reduction of debt – while allowing us to invest in new tools and capabilities to fuel our long-term financial algorithm.”

“As we look ahead, we expect macroeconomic uncertainty to persist in 2024. Our focus is on continuing to execute against the key strategic priorities that served us and our shareholders in 2023.”

Top-Line Performance

Net sales were $811.1 million for the fourth fiscal quarter compared to $790.4 million in the prior year period and $2,959.7 million for the fiscal year compared to $3,050.1 million for the prior fiscal year.

For the fiscal quarter, organic net sales increased 2.0% due to the following items: ⁽¹⁾

• The continued benefit of global pricing actions in both the battery and auto care businesses contributed approximately 1.5% to organic sales;
• Battery volumes increased by approximately 1% as earlier timing of holiday orders compared to prior year were partially offset by lower replenishment volume related to weaker performance in non-tracked customers and channel shifting favoring value offerings; and
• Partially offsetting the increases were volume declines of approximately 0.5% from lost battery distribution in international markets.

For the fiscal year, organic net sales decreased 1.0% due to the following items: ⁽¹⁾

• Volume declines of approximately 7.5% due to lower category volumes across both battery and auto care from higher retail pricing and general economic conditions impacting category performance and weaker battery performance across non-tracked channels;
• Volume declines of approximately 1.0% from the planned exit of low margin business, a decline in our sales to device manufacturers due to their delay of new product launches and fourth quarter lost battery distribution in international markets; and
• Partially offsetting these declines was the continued benefit of global pricing actions in both the battery and auto care businesses which increased organic sales by approximately 7.5%.

Gross Margin

Gross margin percentage on a reported basis for the fourth fiscal quarter was 37.9%, versus 36.1% in the prior year quarter. Excluding the current year restructuring costs and the prior year costs from the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility and exiting the Russian market, Gross margin was 40.0%, up 380 basis points from the prior year quarter and 120 basis points from the third fiscal quarter of 2023.⁽¹⁾

Gross margin percentage on a reported basis for fiscal 2023 was 38.0%, versus 36.7% in the prior year. Excluding the current year restructuring costs and the prior year costs from the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, exiting the Russian market and integration costs, the Gross margin was 39.0% for the fiscal year, up 170 basis points from prior year.⁽¹⁾

The Gross margin increase for the quarter was driven by Project Momentum savings of approximately $19 million, a decline in product costs as freight and other costs have stabilized and declined slightly from prior year, as well as the continued benefit of pricing initiatives and positive currency impacts.

The Gross margin increase for the year was primarily driven by the continued benefit of pricing initiatives and Project Momentum savings of approximately $47 million. Partially offsetting this improvement was higher operating costs for the full year, including raw material costs, as well as adverse currency impacts.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (SG&A)

SG&A for the fourth fiscal quarter was 14.2% of net sales, or $115.5 million, as compared to 15.1% of net sales, or $119.2 million, in the prior year when excluding restructuring and related costs in both years. The decrease was primarily driven by Project Momentum savings in the current year quarter. ⁽¹⁾   

SG&A for fiscal 2023 was $459.4 million, or 15.5% of net sales, as compared to $467.3 million, or 15.3% of net sales, in the prior year when excluding restructuring and related costs, acquisition and integration costs, acquisition earn out and the exit of the Russian market. The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by Project Momentum savings, favorable currency impacts and lower environmental costs this year due to a charge taken in the prior year related to a legacy facility that had been sold by the Company. These decreases were partially offset by higher compensation expense and factoring fees in the current year.⁽¹⁾  

Advertising and Promotion Expense (A&P)

A&P was 4.1% of net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter and 4.8% of net sales for fiscal 2023. A&P spending in the prior year was 3.5% for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2022 and 4.5% for fiscal 2022. For the quarter, this was a increase of 60 basis points, or $5.6 million and for fiscal 2023 this was an increase of 30 basis points or $5.2 million.

The increase in net earnings in the quarter and fiscal year was driven by the prior year non-cash pre-tax impairment charge of $541.9 million compared to no impairments in fiscal 2023. This was partially offset by the fourth quarter settlement charge on the US pension plan annuity buy out and recognition of $50.2 million of previously unamortized actuarial losses.

For the fourth fiscal quarter, the increase in Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA reflects the increase in organic Net sales and Gross margin improvement, including lower transportation cost, as well as the decrease in SG&A and R&D spend, and overall favorable currency movements.  This was partially offset by the higher A&P spend in the current year. Adjusted earnings per share further benefited from lower amortization expense, and lower interest expense as the Company’s overall debt balance has decreased, partially offset by higher tax expense in the current year quarter.

For the full year, Adjusted net earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA reflects the Gross margin improvement as well as decreases in SG&A and R&D spend.  This was partially offset by higher A&P spend and the unfavorable currency movement in the full year. Adjusted earnings per share was further impacted by higher interest expense due to the higher interest rates in fiscal 2023 as well as higher tax expense.

For the quarter, currency had a favorable pre-tax impact of $2.5 million, or $0.03 per share, and for fiscal 2023, currency had an unfavorable pre-tax impact of $21.3 million, or $0.23 per share.

Capital Allocation

• Operating cash flow for the quarter was $98.9 million and for fiscal 2023 was $395.2 million. Fiscal year 2023 free cash flow was $339.1 million, or 11.5% of Net Sales, as the Company continued the return to more normalized working capital levels.
• The Company paid down an additional $25 million of debt in the fourth quarter and $225 million in fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2023, Net debt decreased by $183.6 million and Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 5.2 times as of September 30, 2023, down from 5.8 times as of September 30, 2022.
• The Company paid dividends in the quarter of approximately $22 million, or $0.30 per common share. Dividend payments for the year were $86.3 million, or $1.20 per common share.

Financial Outlook and Assumptions for Fiscal 2024 ⁽¹⁾

During the course of fiscal 2023, we have successfully executed against our key priorities to ensure we deliver for our shareholders in the face of macroeconomic uncertainties. As we enter fiscal 2024, many of those same headwinds remain and we are planning accordingly. We plan to continue focusing on our strategic priorities of gross margin restoration, free cash flow generation and debt pay down into fiscal 2024.

For fiscal 2024, we expect organic revenue to be flat to down low single digits. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $600 million to $620 million and Adjusted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $3.10 to $3.30. Savings from Project Momentum initiatives and lower cost across materials and transportation are expected to offset declines in net sales. 

For the first quarter, organic revenue is expected to be down 6% to 8% impacted by projected category trends and the shift in timing of holiday orders that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Due to this decline in sales, we expect Adjusted earning per share to be in the range of $0.50 to $0.60.

Webcast Information

In conjunction with this announcement, the Company will hold an investor conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. eastern time today. The call will focus on fourth quarter and fiscal 2023 financial results and the financial outlook for fiscal 2024. All interested parties may access a live webcast of this conference call at www.energizerholdings.com, under “Investors” and “Events and Presentations” tabs or by using the following link:

https://app.webinar.net/rxlgQ1vBMZ2

For those unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay will be available on www.energizerholdings.com, under “Investors,” “Events and Presentations,” and “Past Events” tabs.

This document contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events, including, without limitation, the future sales, gross margins, costs, earnings, cash flows, tax rates and performance of the Company. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “expectation,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “belief,” “estimate,” “plan,” “target,” “predict,” “likely,” “should,” “forecast,” “outlook,” or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

• Global economic and financial market conditions, including the conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and actions taken by our customers, suppliers, other business partners and governments in markets in which we compete might materially and negatively impact us.
• Competition in our product categories might hinder our ability to execute our business strategy, achieve profitability, or maintain relationships with existing customers.
• Changes in the retail environment and consumer preferences could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
• We must successfully manage the demand, supply, and operational challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and any other disease outbreak, including epidemics, pandemics, or similar widespread public health concerns.
• Loss or impairment of the reputation of our Company or our leading brands or failure of our marketing plans could have an adverse effect on our business.
• Loss of any of our principal customers could significantly decrease our sales and profitability.
• Our ability to meet our growth targets depends on successful product, marketing and operations innovation and successful responses to competitive innovation and changing consumer habits.
• We are subject to risks related to our international operations, including currency fluctuations, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
• If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights, competitors may manufacture and market similar products, which could adversely affect our market share and results of operations.
• Changes in production costs, including raw material prices and transportation costs, from inflation or otherwise, have adversely affected, and in the future could erode, our profit margins and negatively impact operating results.
• Our reliance on certain significant suppliers subjects us to numerous risks, including possible interruptions in supply, which could adversely affect our business.
• Our business is vulnerable to the availability of raw materials, our ability to forecast customer demand and our ability to manage production capacity.
• The manufacturing facilities, supply channels or other business operations of the Company and our suppliers may be subject to disruption from events beyond our control.
• The Company’s future results may be affected by its operational execution, including scenarios where the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than estimated.
• If our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets become impaired, we will be required to record impairment charges, which may be significant.
• A failure of a key information technology system could adversely impact our ability to conduct business.
• We rely significantly on information technology and any inadequacy, interruption, theft or loss of data, malicious attack, integration failure, failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on our systems or other security failure of that technology could harm our ability to effectively operate our business and damage the reputation of our brands.
• We have significant debt obligations that could adversely affect our business and our ability to meet our obligations.
• If we pursue strategic acquisitions, divestitures or joint ventures, we might experience operating difficulties, dilution, and other consequences that may harm our business, financial condition, and operating results, and we may not be able to successfully consummate favorable transactions or successfully integrate acquired businesses.
• Our business involves the potential for product liability claims, labeling claims, commercial claims and other legal claims against us, which could affect our results of operations and financial condition and result in product recalls or withdrawals.
• Our business is subject to increasing government regulations in both the U.S. and abroad that could impose material costs.
• Increased focus by governmental and non-governmental organizations, customers, consumers and shareholders on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, including those related to sustainability and climate change, may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and damage our reputation.
• We are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may expose us to significant liabilities and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. The list of factors above is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Additional risks and uncertainties include those detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2022.

ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
Supplemental Schedules
Introduction to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
For the Quarter and Twelve Months ended September 30, 2023

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).  However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful comparisons to the corresponding historical or future period, and are used for management incentive compensation. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that are not reflective of the Company’s on-going operating performance, such as restructuring and related costs, an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, the costs of exiting the Russian market, the gain on finance lease termination and the costs of the May 2022 flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility.  In addition, these measures help investors to analyze year over year comparability when excluding currency fluctuations as well as other Company initiatives that are not on-going.  We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are an enhancement to assist investors in understanding our business and in performing analysis consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP measures. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may not be the same as similar measures used by other companies due to possible differences in methods and in the items being adjusted.

We provide the following non-GAAP measures and calculations, as well as the corresponding reconciliation to the closest GAAP measure in the following supplemental schedules:

Segment Profit.  This amount represents the operations of our two reportable segments including allocations for shared support functions. General corporate and other expenses, amortization expense, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, interest expense, loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, other items, net, restructuring and related costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out,  settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility have all been excluded from segment profit. 

Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share (EPS).  These measures exclude the impact of restructuring and related costs, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, costs related to acquisition and integration, an acquisition earn out, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility.

Non-GAAP Tax Rate. This is the tax rate when excluding the pre-tax impact of restructuring and related costs, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, as well as the related tax impact for these items, calculated utilizing the statutory rate for where the impact was incurred.

Organic.  This is the non-GAAP financial measurement of the change in revenue or segment profit that excludes or otherwise adjusts for the change in Russia and Argentina operations and impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:

Change in Russia Operations. The Company exited the Russian market in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 due to the increased global and economic and political uncertainty resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This adjusts for the change in Russian sales and segment profit from the prior year post exit.

Change in Argentina Operations. The Company is presenting separately all changes in sales and segment profit from our Argentina affiliate due to the designation of the economy as highly inflationary as of July 1, 2018.

Impact of currency. The Company evaluates the operating performance of our Company on a currency neutral basis. The Impact of Currency is the change in foreign currency exchange rates year-over-year on reported results, which is calculated by comparing the value of current year foreign operations at the current period USD exchange rate versus the value of current year foreign operations at the prior period USD exchange rate. The impact of currency also includes gains/(losses) of currency hedging programs, and it excludes hyper-inflationary markets.

Adjusted Comparisons.  Detail for adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin, adjusted SG&A and adjusted SG&A as percent of sales and adjusted Other items, net are also supplemental non-GAAP measure disclosures. These measures exclude the impact of restructuring and related costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, and the costs of exiting the Russian market.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA is defined as net earnings before income tax provision, interest, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the impact of the costs related to restructuring, the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, exiting the Russian market, gains on finance lease termination, the costs of the flooding of our manufacturing facility in Brazil, and share based payments.

Free Cash Flow. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities reduced by capital expenditures, net of the proceeds from asset sales.

Net Debt. Net Debt is defined as total Company debt, less cash and cash equivalents.

Currency-neutral. Currency-neutral excludes the Impact of currency as defined above on key measures. Hyper inflationary markets are excluded from this calculation. 

SOURCE Energizer Holdings, Inc.