Energizer Holdings, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results and Financial Outlook for Fiscal 2025

• Delivered fiscal 2024 Net Sales and Adjusted EBITDA in line with our outlook, and Adjusted EPS above our originally guided range.⁽¹⁾
• Gross margin for the full year was 38.3% and on an adjusted basis 40.9%, up 190 basis points to prior year largely driven by the benefits of Project Momentum initiatives.⁽¹⁾
• Operating cash flow was $429.6 million and Free cash flow was 11.7% of Net Sales for the fiscal year.⁽¹⁾
• Reduced net leverage to 4.9 times in fiscal 2024 driven by $200 million of debt pay down and Adjusted EBITDA growth.⁽¹⁾
• Delivered earnings per share of $0.52 and Adjusted Earnings per share of $3.32 for the fiscal year, an increase of 7% on an adjusted basis.⁽¹⁾
• Company expects fiscal 2025 organic revenue growth of 1% to 2% and Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted earnings per share in the ranges of $625 to $645 million and $3.45 to $3.65, respectively.⁽¹⁾

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR) today announced results for the fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2024. 

"We finished fiscal 2024 with solid performances across both Battery and Auto Care, driving adjusted earnings growth above our initial expectations," said Mark LaVigne, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

"Our results are further proof that our strategies are working.  We generated organic growth in the back half of the year, strengthened our gross margins and delivered strong free cash flow, which enabled significant investment behind our long term growth objectives." 

"We enter fiscal 2025 having significantly advanced the Company's strategic foundation and financial position.  I am confident we are well positioned to deliver our financial algorithm, anchored by consistent, ratable growth and continued improvement in our operating margins."

(1) See Press Release attachments and supplemental schedules for additional information, including the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Top-Line Performance

Net sales were $805.7 million for the fourth fiscal quarter compared to $811.1 million in the prior year period and $2,887.0 million for the fiscal year compared to $2,959.7 million for the prior fiscal year.

For the fiscal quarter, organic net sales were consistent with prior year due to the following items: ⁽¹⁾

• Volume increases in the Battery & Lights segment driven by improved category trends and new distribution globally which resulted in 1.3% organic growth; and
• Volume increases in the Auto Care segment resulted in organic growth of 0.5% from distribution gains and early holiday sales, partially offset by timing of refrigerant sales that benefited the third quarter.
• These volume increases were offset by pricing declines of 1.8% driven by planned strategic pricing and promotional investments in the period.

For the fiscal year, organic net sales decreased 2.2% due to the following items: ⁽¹⁾

• The Battery & Lights segment experienced volume declines of approximately 0.7% primarily due to the timing of holiday orders compared to the prior year, which benefited the fourth quarter of 2023, partially offset by distribution gains and improved category trends; and
• Pricing declines of 2.2%, primarily within the Battery & Lights segment, driven by planned strategic pricing and promotional investments in the period.
• Offsetting these declines was increased Auto Care segment volumes of 0.7% largely driven by distribution gains in the period.

Gross Margin

Gross margin percentage on a reported basis for the fourth fiscal quarter was 38.1%, versus 37.9% in the prior year quarter. Excluding the current and prior year restructuring costs and the current year network transition costs and integration costs, Adjusted Gross margin was 42.2%, up 220 basis points from the prior year quarter and 70 basis points from the third fiscal quarter of 2024.⁽¹⁾

Gross margin percentage on a reported basis for fiscal 2024 was 38.3%, versus 38.0% in the prior year. Excluding the current and prior year restructuring costs and the current year network transition costs and integration costs, Adjusted Gross margin was 40.9% for the fiscal year, up 190 basis points from prior year.⁽¹⁾

Adjusted Gross margin improvement in the fourth fiscal quarter was driven by both Project Momentum initiatives, which delivered savings of approximately $18 million, as well as lower input costs, including improved commodity and material pricing. These benefits were partially offset by the planned strategic pricing and promotional investments noted above.

Adjusted Gross margin improvement in fiscal 2024 was driven by both Project Momentum initiatives, which delivered savings of approximately $59 million, as well as lower input costs, including improved commodities pricing and lower ocean freight. These benefits were partially offset by the planned strategic pricing and promotional investments noted above.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (SG&A)

SG&A for the fourth fiscal quarter was 15.3% of net sales, or $123.0 million, as compared to 14.2% of net sales, or $115.5 million, in the prior year when excluding restructuring and related costs, acquisition and integration costs and a litigation matter. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by an increase in labor and benefit costs, higher travel expense, increased depreciation expense related to our digital transformation initiatives and increased legal fees. This increase was partially offset by savings from Project Momentum of approximately $7 million.⁽¹⁾  

SG&A for fiscal 2024 was $473.1 million, or 16.4% of net sales, as compared to $459.4 million, or 15.5% of net sales, in the prior year when excluding restructuring and related costs, acquisition and integration costs, and a litigation matter. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by an increase in labor and benefit costs, higher travel expense, increased depreciation expense related to our digital transformation initiatives and increased legal, factoring and environmental fees. This increase was partially offset by Project Momentum savings of approximately $29 million in the period.⁽¹⁾  

Advertising and Promotion Expense (A&P)

A&P was 4.6% of net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter and 5.0% of net sales for fiscal 2024. A&P spending in the prior year was 4.1% for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 and 4.8% for fiscal 2023. For the quarter, this was an increase of 50 basis points, or $4.5 million and for fiscal 2024 this was an increase of 20 basis points or $1.4 million.

The increase in net earnings in the fourth fiscal quarter was driven by the prior year settlement charge on the US pension plan annuity buy out of $50.2 million of previously unamortized actuarial losses. The decrease in net earnings in the fiscal year was driven by the current year non-cash pre-tax impairment charge of $110.6 million compared to no impairments in fiscal 2023 as well as the Argentina devaluation recorded in the current fiscal year, partially offset by the prior year US pension plan annuity buy out.

For the fourth fiscal quarter, the increase in Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA reflects an increase in Gross margin due to Project Momentum savings, partially offset by higher SG&A and A&P spending as well as unfavorable currency in the current year. Adjusted earnings per share further benefited from lower interest expense as the Company's overall debt balance has decreased, partially offset by increased tax expense.

For the full year, Adjusted net earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA reflects the Gross margin improvement as well as decreased R&D spend. This was partially offset by higher A&P and SG&A spend and the unfavorable currency movement in the full year. Adjusted earnings per share further benefited from lower interest expense as the Company's overall debt balance has decreased and lower amortization expense, partially offset by increased tax expense.

For the quarter, currency had an unfavorable pre-tax impact of $3.7 million, or $0.04 per share, and for fiscal 2024, currency had an unfavorable pre-tax impact of $2.5 million, or $0.03 per share.

Capital Allocation

• Operating cash flow for the quarter was $168.9 million and for fiscal 2024 was $429.6 million. Fiscal year 2024 free cash flow was $339.0 million, or 11.7% of Net Sales.
• The Company completed two acquisitions in fiscal 2024 including the acquisition of battery manufacturing equipment, raw materials and a leased facility in Belgium for $11.6 million in the first fiscal quarter and an Auto Care appearance and fragrance manufacturer and distributor based in Southern Brazil for $10.6 million during the third fiscal quarter.
• The Company paid down an additional $50 million of debt in the fourth quarter and $200 million in fiscal 2024. In fiscal 2024, Net debt decreased by $138.5 million and Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 4.9 times as of September 30, 2024, down from 5.2 times as of September 30, 2023.
• The Company paid dividends in the quarter of $21.6 million, or $0.30 per common share. Dividend payments for the year were $87.4 million, or $1.20 per common share.
• The Board has approved a new share repurchase program for up to 7.5 million shares. This replaced the prior authorization that was outstanding.

Financial Outlook and Assumptions for Fiscal 2025 ⁽¹⁾

In fiscal 2024, the Company was successful in achieving its priorities of restoring gross margin, generating healthy free cash flow, and reducing debt. As we move into fiscal 2025, the Company expects to continue to execute against those priorities while growing our Adjusted EBITDA and EPS.

For fiscal 2025, we expect organic revenue to be up 1% to 2%.  The increase in revenues as well as implementing the last year of our Project Momentum initiatives are expected to drive an increase in Adjusted EBITDA. For fiscal 2025, Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $625 million to $645 million, and Adjusted earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $3.45 to $3.65. For the first quarter, we expect organic revenue to be up 2% to 3% and Adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.60 to $0.65.

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 2024 financial results and the financial outlook for fiscal 2025. 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/BwdOWXlWNk9

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," "will," "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. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. 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 beyond our control 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 on by any 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 its ability to achieve cost savings as a result of any current or future restructuring events.
• 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 14, 2023.

ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
Supplemental Schedules
Introduction to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
For the Quarter and Twelve Months ended September 30, 2024

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 impairment of intangible assets, restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, a litigation matter, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform and the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout. 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 intangible assets, interest expense, loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, other items, net, restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, a litigation matter, and acquisition and integration costs 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, network transition costs, impairment of intangible assets, costs related to acquisition and integration, a litigation matter, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform and the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout.

Non-GAAP Tax Rate. This is the tax rate when excluding the pre-tax impact of restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, impairment of intangible assets, costs related to acquisition and integration, a litigation matter, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform and the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, 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 Argentina operations and impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:

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, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, a litigation matter, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform and the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout.

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, network transition costs, a litigation matter, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on US pension annuity buyout, impairment of intangible assets, acquisition and integration costs, 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.

Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Schedules - Segment Information and Supplemental Sales Data
For the Quarter and Twelve Months ended September 30, 2024
(In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

Operations for Energizer are managed via two product segments: Batteries & Lights and Auto Care. Energizer's operating model includes a combination of standalone and shared business functions between the product segments, varying by country and region of the world. Shared functions include the sales and marketing functions, as well as human resources, IT and finance shared service costs. Energizer applies a fully allocated cost basis, in which shared business functions are allocated between segments. Such allocations are estimates, and may not represent the costs of such services if performed on a standalone basis. Segment sales and profitability, as well as the reconciliation to earnings before income taxes for the quarters and twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are presented below:

Supplemental product information is presented below for depreciation and amortization:

SOURCE Energizer Holdings, Inc.