DuPont Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced financial results for the third quarter 2021.

"We delivered third quarter financial results ahead of expectations by maintaining a disciplined focus on operational excellence and pricing actions in the face of unprecedented global supply shortages, logistics challenges and sustained inflationary pressure," said Ed Breen, DuPont Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We leveraged our global supply network to meet the needs of our customers as demand remained robust across the electronics, automotive, construction and water end-markets and continued to improve across industrial end-markets globally."

"Today we also separately announced a definitive agreement to acquire Rogers Corporation⁽¹⁾, an advanced materials provider with superior technology innovation, applications engineering expertise, and leading end-market positions. In addition, we announced we are exploring options to divest a substantial portion of the Mobility & Materials segment⁽²⁾," Breen continued. "With these announcements, and building on our recent acquisition of Laird Performance Materials, we are significantly advancing our position as a premier multi-industrial company focused in the secular growth areas of electronics, water, protection, industrial technologies and next generation automotive. We are strengthening these pillars to further expand our capabilities to deliver differentiated, value-added technologies. These steps are expected to create tremendous opportunities for employees and unlock significant value for shareholders."

Third Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales totaled $4.3 billion, up 18 percent versus the year-ago period and up 16 percent on an organic⁽³⁾ basis including high-single to low-double digit volume growth across each of the three reporting segments. Double-digit organic growth across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America reflects robust global customer demand in key end-markets. The organic sales growth during the quarter includes 6 percent pricing gains which primarily reflects actions taken to offset higher raw material costs.

GAAP EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.80 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $433 million, versus GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.11 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $86 million in the year-ago period. The improvement was driven mainly by a lower share count, higher segment earnings and lower net charges associated with significant items⁽³⁾.

Operating EBITDA⁽³⁾ was $1.09 billion, up 20 percent versus operating EBITDA⁽³⁾ in the prior year. The improvement was driven by the ongoing recovery in key end-markets impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year-ago period, most notably automotive, continued strength in electronics markets and the impact of the July 1, 2021 Laird Performance Materials acquisition. Operating EBITDA improvement drove 50 basis points of operating EBITDA margin expansion. Adjusted EPS⁽³⁾ was $1.15, up 89% versus adjusted EPS⁽³⁾ in the year-ago period primarily due to a lower share count and higher segment results.

Operating cash flow in the quarter of $842 million and capital expenditures of $208 million resulted in adjusted free cash flow conversion⁽³⁾ of 112 percent. 

Third Quarter 2021 Segment Highlights

Electronics & Industrial
Electronics & Industrial reported net sales of $1.5 billion, up 21 percent from the year-ago period. Volume gains delivered 9 percent organic sales growth. The July 1, 2021 acquisition of Laird Performance Materials increased net sales by 11 percent. Currency was a 1 percent tailwind.

Volume growth was led by double-digit gains in Industrial Solutions with strength in consumer electronics, healthcare and industrial markets. Continued strength in Semiconductor Technologies also resulted in double-digit volume growth with demand driven by the on-going transition to more advanced technologies and growth in high performance computing and 5G communications. Within Interconnect Solutions, organic sales were down mid-single digits due to the anticipated shift in demand related to premium next-generation smartphones to the first half of the year, along with softness in automotive end-markets due to supply chain constraints. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, organic sales for Interconnect Solutions were up high-single digits compared to the same period of the prior year.

Operating EBITDA for the segment was $475 million, an increase of 13 percent from operating EBITDA of $421 million in the year-ago period. Volume gains and earnings associated with Laird Performance Materials more than offset a headwind associated with a technology sale in the prior year.

Water & Protection
Water & Protection reported net sales of $1.4 billion, up 12 percent from the year-ago period. Organic sales were up 11 percent on a 9 percent increase in volume and a 2 percent increase in price. Currency was a 1 percent tailwind.

Sales gains versus the year-ago period were led by Safety Solutions as continued recovery in industrial end-markets resulted in significant volume improvement for aramid fibers, coupled with pricing gains. Within Shelter Solutions, high-single digit organic growth reflects continued recovery in commercial construction led by demand for solid surfaces, as well as pricing gains. Demand in North American residential construction and retail channels for do-it-yourself applications remains strong. Broad-based demand for Water Solutions technologies also remained strong, however, logistics challenges continued to impact our ability to meet demand which resulted in organic growth in the low-single digits versus the year-ago period.

Operating EBITDA for the segment totaled $353 million, an increase of 12 percent compared to operating EBITDA of $314 million in the year-ago period. Volume growth and the absence of charges incurred in the prior year associated with temporarily idled facilities more than offset higher raw materials and logistics costs.

Mobility & Materials
Mobility & Materials reported net sales of $1.3 billion, up 30 percent from the year-ago period. Organic sales were up 28 percent on a 16 percent increase in price and a 12 percent increase in volume. Currency was a 2 percent tailwind.

Sales gains were broad-based across the segment reflecting significant organic growth within each of Engineering Polymers, Performance Resins and Advanced Solutions. The local price increase of 16 percent reflects actions taken to offset raw material costs and higher metals pricing. Volume improvement reflects strong recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic including continued demand in the third quarter from automotive component manufacturers.

Operating EBITDA for the segment was $280 million, an increase of 75 percent compared to operating EBITDA of $160 million in the year-ago period. The improvement was driven primarily by higher volumes, pricing gains and the absence of charges incurred in the prior year associated with temporarily idled facilities.

Outlook

"As our third quarter results demonstrate, the demand across our end-markets is strong and we are successfully executing against a backdrop of raw material inflation and global supply chain challenges. We moved quickly to implement strategic price increases in response to rising raw material costs and we will continue these actions in the fourth quarter to deliver neutral price/cost for the year," said Lori Koch, Chief Financial Officer of DuPont. "As we head into the fourth quarter, strong demand trends are expected to continue across almost all end-markets; however, we are seeing a deceleration in order patterns stemming from the ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage, primarily in automotive end-markets, which is consistent with the revisions to global auto build estimates which have come down 17 percent for the second half of 2021 versus estimates for the same period from just a few months ago. For full year 2021, we now estimate net sales to be between $16.34 billion and $16.40 billion, operating EBITDA between $4.14 billion and $4.17 billion and adjusted EPS in the range of $4.18 to $4.22 per share."

Conference Call
The Company will host a live webcast of its third quarter earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results and business outlook, along with a strategic update today at 8:00 a.m. ET and extending until approximately 9:30 a.m. ET. The slide presentation that accompanies the conference call will be posted on the DuPont's Investor Relations Events and Presentations page. A replay of the webcast also will be available on the DuPont's Investor Relations Events and Presentations page following the live event.

About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at www.investors.dupont.com.

DuPont^TM and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with ^TM, ^SM or ® are trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Overview
Effective August 31, 2017, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company ("EID") and The Dow Chemical Company ("TDCC") each merged with subsidiaries of DowDuPont Inc. (n/k/a "DuPont") and, as a result, EID and TDCC became subsidiaries of the Company (the "DWDP Merger"). On April 1, 2019, the Company completed the separation of the materials science business through the spin-off of Dow Inc., ("Dow") including Dow's subsidiary The Dow Chemical Company (the "Dow Distribution"). On June 1, 2019, the Company completed the separation of the agriculture business through the spin-off of Corteva, Inc. ("Corteva") including Corteva's subsidiary E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company ("EID"), (the "Corteva Distribution" and together with the Dow Distribution, the "DWDP Distributions").

On February 1, 2021, the Company completed the divestiture of the Nutrition & Biosciences ("N&B") business to International Flavors & Fragrance Inc. ("IFF") in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction (the "N&B Transaction") that resulted in IFF issuing shares to DuPont stockholders. The results of operations of DuPont for all periods presented reflect the historical financial results of N&B as discontinued operations, as applicable. The cash flows related to N&B have not been segregated and are included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the applicable periods.

In addition, the Company includes in discontinued operations activity related to the indemnification obligations pertaining to EID legacy liabilities including eligible PFAS costs under the cost sharing arrangement (the "MOU") by and between DuPont, Corteva and The Chemours Company.

On July 1, 2021, DuPont completed the previously announced acquisition (the "Laird PM Acquisition") of the Laird Performance Materials business, ("Laird PM").

On November 2, 2021, DuPont announced it has entered definitive agreements to acquire Rogers Corporation ("Rogers"), (the "Intended Rogers Acquisition"). The transaction is subject to approval by Rogers shareholders, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

On November 2, 2021, DuPont announced that it has initiated a divestiture process (the "In-Scope M&M Divestiture Process") related to a substantial portion of its Mobility & Materials segment, (the "In-Scope M&M Businesses"). The outcome of which, including the entry into definitive agreements, is subject to approval of the DuPont Board of Directors.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words.

Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain and subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which that are beyond DuPont's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. Some of the important factors that could cause DuPont's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) in connection with the Intended Rogers Acquisition, the failure to (x) obtain the necessary approval from Rogers' shareholders, regulatory approvals, or anticipated tax treatment, or (y) satisfy any of the other conditions to closing; (ii) the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies could impact the value, timing or pursuit of the closing of the Intended Rogers Acquisition; (iii) the timing and outcome of the In-Scope M&M Divestiture Process and the risks, costs and ability to realize benefits from the pursuit of any disposition of the In-Scope M&M Businesses resulting therefrom; (iv) the ability to achieve expected benefits, synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with the Laird PM Acquisition within the expected time frames or at all or to successfully integrate Laird PM; (v) ability to achieve anticipated tax treatments in connection with the N&B Transaction, Laird PM Acquisition or the DWDP Distributions; (vi) changes in relevant tax and other laws; (vii) indemnification of certain legacy liabilities of EID in connection with the Corteva Distribution; (viii) risks and costs related to the performance under and impact of the cost sharing arrangement by and between DuPont, Corteva and The Chemours Company related to future eligible PFAS costs; (ix) failure to effectively manage acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, joint ventures and other portfolio changes, including meeting conditions under the Letter Agreement entered in connection with the Corteva Distribution, related to the transfer of certain levels of assets and businesses; (x) uncertainty as to the long-term value of DuPont common stock; (xi) risks and uncertainties related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the responses thereto (such as voluntary and in some cases, mandatory quarantines as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel and commercial, social and other activities) on DuPont's business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition which depend on highly uncertain and unpredictable future developments, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume; and (xii) other risks to DuPont's business, operations; each as further discussed in detail in and results of operations as discussed in DuPont's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business or supply chain disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on DuPont's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. DuPont assumes no obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release includes information that does not conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and are considered non-GAAP measures. Management uses these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the Company, including allocating resources. DuPont's management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they provide additional information related to the ongoing performance of DuPont to offer a more meaningful comparison related to future results of operations. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement disclosures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should not be viewed as an alternative to U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, such non-GAAP measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided or used by other companies. Reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures to U.S. GAAP are provided in the Selected Financial Information and Non-GAAP Measures starting on page 11 and in the Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Measures on the Investors section of the Company's website. Non-GAAP measures included in this release are defined below. The Company has not provided forward-looking U.S. GAAP financial measures or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain future events. These events include, among others, the impact of portfolio changes, including asset sales, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; contingent liabilities related to litigation, environmental and indemnifications matters; impairments and discrete tax items. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on U.S. GAAP results for the guidance period.

Adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted ("Adjusted EPS"), is defined as earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted, excluding the after-tax impact of significant items, after-tax impact of amortization expense of intangibles and the after-tax impact of non-operating pension / other post employment benefits ("OPEB") benefits / charges. Management estimates amortization expense in 2021 associated with intangibles to be approximately $720 million on a pre-tax basis, or approximately $1.03 per share.

Operating EBITDA, is defined as earnings (i.e. income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes) before interest, depreciation, amortization, non-operating pension / OPEB benefits / charges, and foreign exchange gains / losses, adjusted to exclude significant items. Operating EBITDA margin is calculated as operating EBITDA divided by net sales. Operating EBITDA leverage is calculated as the year-over-year percentage change in operating EBITDA divided by the year-over-year percentage change in net sales.

Significant items are items that arise outside the ordinary course of the Company's business that management believes may cause misinterpretation of underlying business performance, both historical and future, based on a combination of some or all of the item's size, unusual nature and infrequent occurrence. Management classifies as significant items certain costs and expenses associated with integration and separation activities related to transformational acquisitions and divestitures as they are considered unrelated to ongoing business performance.

Organic Sales is defined as net sales excluding the impacts of currency and portfolio.

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by/used for operating activities less capital expenditures. As a result, free cash flow represents cash that is available to the Company, after investing in its asset base, to fund obligations using the Company's primary source of liquidity, cash provided by operating activities. Management believes free cash flow, even though it may be defined differently from other companies, is useful to investors, analysts and others to evaluate the Company's cash flow and financial performance, and it is an integral measure used in the Company's financial planning process. Free cash flow conversion is defined as free cash flow divided by net income adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of non-cash impairment charges, gains or losses on divestitures, and amortization expense of intangibles.

SOURCE DuPont

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