Raises Full Year Organic Sales and Gross
Margin Outlook
Maintains Full Year EPS Outlook, Despite
Incremental F/X Headwinds
Church & Dwight Co., Inc:
2015 First Quarter
Results
- Organic sales growth of 3.6%, Reported growth 3.9%
- Gross Margin expansion of 40 basis points
- Reported EPS growth 9.6%: FX Neutral growth 13.6%
- Cash from Operations $144MM, up 40%
2015 Full Year
Outlook
- Organic sales growth of approximately 3%
- Gross Margin expansion of 25 to 35 basis points
- EPS growth of 7-9%, excluding pension charge
- Cash from operations, in excess of $570MM
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) today
announced first quarter 2015 reported EPS of $0.80 per share, a
9.6% increase over the prior year first quarter, driven by strong
organic sales growth and gross margin expansion. This equates to
13.6% currency neutral EPS growth.
First quarter 2015 reported net sales increased
$30 million or 3.9% to $812.3 million. Organic sales growth for
first quarter 2015 was 3.6%. Organic results were driven by volume
growth of 3.2%, and 0.4% favorable product mix and pricing.
James Craigie, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the sales and
earnings growth. The strong momentum we ended 2014 with has
continued in early 2015. This year, we launched innovative new
products in many of our major categories as we believe that
innovation is the key to increasing our market share and reviving
category growth in this challenging economy. The results to date
are promising, as three out of four megabrands achieved share
growth in the first quarter.”
First Quarter
Review
Consumer Domestic net sales were $614.6
million, a $21.3 million or 3.6% increase over the prior year first
quarter sales. First quarter organic sales increased by 1.6%,
primarily due to continued success of the ARM & HAMMER CLUMP
& SEAL cat litter franchise, including a new lightweight
variant, and higher sales of ARM & HAMMER liquid laundry
detergent and VITAFUSION vitamins, partially offset by lower sales
of XTRA laundry detergent, TROJAN condoms and OXICLEAN laundry
detergent. Volume growth contributed approximately 1.2% to organic
sales, while favorable product mix and pricing contributed
0.4%.
Consumer International net sales were
$120.4 million, a $3.4 million or 2.8% decrease compared to the
prior year first quarter sales. Organic sales increased 9.5%,
driven by higher sales in France, the UK and Mexico. Volume
increased 10.5%, partially offset by a 1.0% unfavorable product mix
and pricing.
Specialty Products net sales were $77.3
million, a $12.4 million or 19.2% increase from the prior year
first quarter sales. First quarter organic sales increased by
10.8%. The animal nutrition business was the largest driver of the
division’s 7.7% volume increase, and favorable product mix and
pricing contributed 3.1%. The animal nutrition business’s strong
performance is primarily related to the relative good health of the
U.S. dairy industry.
Gross margin increased 40 basis points
to 43.8% in the first quarter compared to 43.4% in the prior year
first quarter. The gross margin benefited from the higher margin
businesses acquired in late 2014 and early 2015, productivity
programs, and lower slotting. These factors were partially offset
by foreign exchange, higher manufacturing costs, and incremental
costs associated with the new vitamin capacity in our York
manufacturing facility. The 40 basis point improvement versus the
Company’s prior Q1 flat gross margin outlook was due to higher than
expected volumes, lower than expected commodity costs, and the
timing of startup expenses associated with the new vitamin
plant.
Marketing expense was $88.8 million, a
$1.0 million or 1.1% increase compared to the prior year first
quarter. Marketing expense as a percentage of net sales was 10.9%,
a 30 basis point decrease from the prior year first quarter.
Selling, general, and administrative expense
(SG&A) was $94.6 million, a $5.0 million increase from the
prior year first quarter. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was
11.7%, a 20 basis point increase from the prior year first quarter
primarily due to higher intangible amortization expense and higher
R&D expense.
Income from Operations was $172.1
million, a $10.1 million or 6.2% increase compared to the prior
year first quarter. Operating income as a percentage of net sales
was 21.2%, a 50 basis point increase from the prior year first
quarter.
The effective tax rate in the first
quarter was 35.1%, compared to 34.5% in the first quarter of 2014.
The Company continues to expect the full year effective tax rate to
be approximately 34.5%.
Operating Cash
Flow
For the first three months of 2015, net cash
from operating activities was $144.2 million, a $41.8 million
increase from the prior year primarily due to lower working capital
and higher net income. Capital expenditures for the first three
months were $21.9 million, a $15.6 million increase from the prior
year first quarter. The Company’s full year outlook for capital
expenditures remains $70 million.
At March 31, 2015, cash on hand was $300
million, while total debt was $1,227 million. The Company continues
to have significant financial flexibility for acquisitions.
New
Products
Mr. Craigie stated, “2015 is expected to be an
exciting year for Church & Dwight as we have launched a number
of innovative new products across every one of our megabrands and
continue to support our 2014 launches.
“Innovation has been a key driver of our past
success as shown by the fact that over 1/3 of our net sales in 2014
came from new products launched since 2007.
“We continue to believe that innovation is the
key to driving both improved category growth and our share results.
A recent example of this is our new ARM & HAMMER CLUMP &
SEAL lightweight cat litter, whose success with consumers has led
to a double digit increase in sales and consumption that drove the
total brand’s share up 1.4pts. to 23.8% in the first quarter to
become the # 2 brand in the category. Most importantly, this new
product innovation drove category sales up over 8%, the strongest
growth of any of our categories.”
Gummy Vitamin
Expansion
“We have substantially completed construction
of our new gummy vitamin manufacturing facility in York,
Pennsylvania. This significant $60MM investment is expected to
expand our production capacity by 75%.The gummy vitamin business is
strategically important to Church & Dwight and is expected to
be a significant contributor to the future growth of sales,
earnings, and cash flows,” said James R. Craigie, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. “We believe the future prospects of the
gummy vitamin category are strong as more adults switch from
traditional vitamin pills to gummy vitamins, as evidenced by the
continued double-digit growth of the category.”
Outlook for
2015
Mr. Craigie said, “2015 is off to a strong
start with solid first quarter results. We continue to believe that
we are positioned to deliver strong sales and earnings growth with
our balanced portfolio of value and premium products, the launch of
innovative new products, aggressive productivity programs and tight
management of overhead costs. Despite continued headwinds from weak
U.S. consumer demand, foreign currency, and aggressive competition,
we feel confident in achieving our 2015 business targets.”
With regard to 2015, Mr. Craigie said, “We now
expect organic sales growth of approximately 3% in 2015 (previously
2-3%) behind new product introductions on our core business. We now
expect gross margin to expand by approximately 25 to 35 basis
points (previously 25 basis points) from reduced slotting fees,
lower trade spending as pricing competition in the value laundry
category has begun to normalize, and expected lower commodity costs
in the second half of 2015. We intend to continue to heavily invest
in the OXICLEAN brand as 2015 will mark the second year of our
quest to establish it as our next megabrand across multiple
categories. Marketing spending is expected to be approximately
12.5% of sales, comparable to the 2014 and 2013 rate of investment.
To the extent the Company over-delivers on gross margin expansion,
we expect to incrementally invest in marketing spending behind our
mega brands. We now expect to achieve approximately 50 to 60 basis
points of operating margin expansion, excluding a previously
disclosed pension termination charge, or operating margin expansion
of 25 to 35 basis points on a reported basis.”
In conclusion, Mr. Craigie said, “Based on our
current growth momentum, continued focus on innovation, and
confidence in gross margin expansion, and despite the F/X
headwinds, we expect to achieve 7-9% EPS growth in 2015. This
excludes the previously disclosed pension termination charge of
approximately $0.05, which results in 5-7% reported EPS growth. The
midpoint of our 7-9% 2015 outlook now equates to 11.0% currency
neutral EPS growth excluding an estimated 3.0% (previously 2.5%)
EPS negative impact from foreign exchange. This EPS growth is top
tier within the consumer packaged goods industry. This earnings
forecast does not include any benefit from potential acquisitions,
which we continue to aggressively pursue.”
“For the second quarter, we expect organic
sales growth of approximately 3 to 4%. Gross margin is expected to
be flat versus year ago as we continue to invest behind OXICLEAN,
experience unfavorable currency impacts, and absorb incremental
costs for our new gummy vitamin manufacturing facility. We expect
second quarter earnings per share to increase 8% to approximately
$0.70, excluding the $0.05 pension termination charge.”
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. will host a
conference call to discuss first quarter 2015 results on May 7,
2015 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). To participate, dial in at 877-322-9846,
access code: 24334757 (International: 631-291-4539, same
access code: 24334757). A replay will be available two hours
after the call at 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 (same access code:
24334757. You also can participate via webcast by visiting
the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at
www.churchdwight.com.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. manufactures and
markets a wide range of personal care, household and specialty
products under the ARM & HAMMER brand name and other well-known
trademarks.
This release contains forward-looking
statements, including, among others, statements relating to
expected future financial and operating results, including earnings
per share, reported net sales growth and organic sales growth,
volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into
new and existing categories, gross margin, operating margin and net
cash from operating activities; category trends; the effect of
product mix; impairments and other charges; consumer demand and
spending, including consumer response to new product launches; the
effects of competition; earnings per share; gross margin changes;
trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of
net sales; cost savings programs; the impact of foreign exchange
and commodity price fluctuations; the impact of a pension
settlement charge; the impact of acquisitions; capital
expenditures; the effective tax rate; the effect of the credit
environment on the Company’s liquidity and capital expenditures;
the Company’s fixed rate debt; sufficiency of cash flows from
operations; payment of dividends; and category trends. These
statements represent the intentions, plans, expectations and
beliefs of the Company, and are based on assumptions that the
Company believes are reasonable but may prove to be incorrect.
In addition, these statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the
Company’s control and could cause actual results to differ
materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors
that might cause such differences include a decline in market
growth, retailer distribution and consumer demand ( as a result of,
among other things, political, economic and marketplace conditions
and events ); unanticipated increases in raw material and energy
prices; adverse developments affecting the financial condition of
major customers and suppliers; competition, including The Procter
& Gamble Company’s participation in the value laundry detergent
category; changes in marketing and promotional spending; growth or
declines in various product categories and the impact of customer
actions in response to changes in consumer demand and the economy,
including increasing shelf space of private label products;
consumer and competitor reaction to, and customer acceptance of new
product introductions and features; disruptions in the banking
system and financial markets; foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations; the impact of natural disasters on the Company and
its customers and suppliers, including third party information
technology service providers; the acquisition or divestiture of
assets; the outcome of contingencies, including litigation, pending
regulatory proceedings and environmental matters; and changes in
the regulatory environment.
For a description of additional factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward
looking statements, please see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the
Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.
CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Income (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share data)
Mar. 31,
2015 Mar. 31, 2014
Net Sales
$ 812.3 $ 782.0
Cost of sales
456.8 442.6
Gross
profit 355.5 339.4 Marketing expenses
88.8 87.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses
94.6
89.6
Income from Operations 172.1 162.0 Equity
in earnings (losses) of affiliates
2.3 1.6 Other income
(expense), net
(9.1 ) (6.9 ) Income before
income taxes
165.3 156.7 Income taxes
58.1
54.1
Net Income
$ 107.2 $ 102.6
Net Income per share - Basic $ 0.81 $ 0.74
Net Income per share - Diluted
$ 0.80 $ 0.73
Dividends per share
$ 0.335 $ 0.31 Weighted
average shares outstanding - Basic
132.0 138.0 Weighted
average shares outstanding - Diluted
134.6 140.6
CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Assets Current Assets
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
$ 299.7 $ 423.0 Accounts Receivable
337.1 322.9 Inventories
256.8 245.9 Other Current
Assets
38.4 40.7
Total
Current Assets 932.0
1,032.5 Property, Plant and Equipment (Net)
617.8 616.2
Equity Investment in Affiliates
24.9 24.8 Tradenames and
Other Intangibles
1,299.6 1,272.4 Goodwill
1,354.6
1,325.0 Other Long-Term Assets
115.8
110.4
Total Assets $ 4,344.7
$ 4,381.3
Liabilities and Stockholders’
Equity
Short-Term Debt
$ 273.4 $ 146.7 Current portion of
Long-Term debt
249.9 249.9 Other Current Liabilities
527.1 508.7
Total Current
Liabilities 1,050.4
905.3 Long-Term Debt
703.5 698.6 Other Long-Term Liabilities
682.1 675.5 Stockholders’ Equity
1,908.7
2,101.9
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders’ Equity $ 4,344.7
$ 4,381.3
CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flow (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended (Dollars in millions)
Mar. 31, 2015 Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income $ 107.2 $ 102.6 Depreciation
and amortization
26.0 22.8 Deferred income taxes
6.0
5.2 Non cash compensation
1.7 2.3 Other
3.9 1.5
Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable
(22.0 ) (13.8 ) Inventories
(15.2 )
(14.3 ) Other current assets
(1.3 ) (2.7 ) Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
(2.5 ) (27.7 ) Income
taxes payable
48.3 37.1 Excess tax benefit on stock options
exercised
(8.0 ) (6.1 ) Other
0.1
(4.5 )
Net cash from operating
activities 144.2 102.4 Capital expenditures
(21.9 ) (6.3 ) Acquisition
(74.9 ) -
Other
(1.1 ) (0.3 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities (97.9
) (6.6 ) Net change in short-term debt
127.1
(0.5 ) Payment of cash dividends
(43.7 ) (42.5 )
Stock option related
19.3 13.3 Purchase of treasury stock
(256.2 ) (260.0 ) Other
(0.4 )
(0.2 )
Net cash (used in) financing
activities (153.9 ) (289.9 )
F/X impact
on cash (15.7 ) (2.8
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents $
(123.3 ) $ (196.9 )
2015 and 2014
Product Line Net Sales
Three Months Ended Percent
3/31/2015 3/31/2014
Change Household Products
$ 366.5 $ 352.5 4.0 %
Personal Care Products 248.1
240.8 3.0 % Consumer
Domestic $ 614.6 $ 593.3 3.6
% Consumer International 120.4
123.8 -2.8 %
Total Consumer Net Sales $ 735.0 $
717.1 2.5 % Specialty Products Division
77.3 64.9
19.2 % Total Net Sales $ 812.3
$ 782.0 3.9
%
The following discussion
addresses the non-GAAP measures used in this press release and
reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most directly
comparable GAAP measures:
The following non-GAAP
measures may not be the same as similar measures provided by other
companies due to differences in methods of calculation and items
and events being excluded.
Organic Sales
Growth: This press release provides information regarding
organic sales growth, namely net sales growth excluding the effect
of acquisitions and foreign exchange rate changes. Management
believes that the presentation of organic sales growth is useful to
investors because it enables them to assess, on a consistent basis,
sales trends related to products that were marketed by the Company
during the entirety of relevant periods and foreign exchange rate
changes that are out of the control of, and do not reflect the
performance of, the Company and management.
Reported EPS excluding a
pension termination charge and currency neutral reported EPS
excluding a pension termination charge:
This press release also presents reported EPS
excluding a pension termination charge, namely, earnings per share
calculated in accordance with GAAP adjusted to exclude a
significant one-time item that is not indicative of the Company’s
period to period performance. We believe that this metric provides
investors a more meaningful perspective of underlying business
trends and results and provides a more comparable measure of year
over year earnings per share growth.
Currency neutral reported EPS excluding a
pension termination charge is a measure of the Company's reported
EPS excluding a pension termination charge, further adjusted to
exclude the impact of foreign exchange. We believe that this metric
further enhances investors’ understanding of the Company’s year
over year earnings per share growth.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Organic Sales
Three Months Ended 3/31/2015
Total Worldwide Consumer
Consumer Specialty Company Consumer
Domestic International Products
Reported Sales Growth 3.9 % 2.5
% 3.6 % -2.8 % 19.2
% Less: Acquisitions 2.5 %
1.8 % 1.8 % 1.4 %
10.4 % Add: FX / Other
2.2 % 2.2 % -0.2 %
13.7 % 2.0 %
Organic Sales Growth 3.6
% 2.9 % 1.6 % 9.5
% 10.8 %
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Rick Dierker,
609-806-1900VP, Corporate Finance
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