DuPont Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

Press Release | August 3, 2021
Press Release
DuPont Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results
 
 
 
  • 2Q21 GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $1.04; adjusted EPS of $1.06
  • 2Q21 Net Sales of $4.1 billion, up 26 percent; organic sales up 23 percent versus the year-ago period
  • 2Q21 GAAP Income from continuing operations of $564 million; operating EBITDA of $1.06 billion, up 53 percent versus the year-ago period; operating EBITDA margin expansion of 460 basis points
  • Approximately $800 million of capital returned to shareholders during the quarter through share repurchases and dividends
  • Announces change to treatment of intangible amortization expense for non-GAAP reporting effective 3Q21
  • Raises full year 2021 guidance for net sales, operating EBITDA and adjusted EPS
 
 
 

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WILMINGTON, Del., August 3, 2021 - DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced financial results for the second quarter 2021.

“Continued positive momentum in almost all of our key end-markets, including semiconductor, smartphones, automotive, and residential construction, enabled us to deliver strong second quarter results ahead of expectations with year-over-year and sequential growth in all three reporting segments,” said Ed Breen, DuPont Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our teams’ intense focus on working closely with customers and suppliers during an environment of global supply chain and logistics challenges and escalating raw material costs was critical to our second quarter results.”

“In addition to solid financial performance, we continue to shift our portfolio and investments toward higher growth and higher margin businesses,” Breen continued. “We closed the divestiture of the Solamet® business at the end of June and on July 1st, we completed the acquisition of Laird Performance Materials which strategically complements our Electronics & Industrial segment. It also further strengthens our ability to address key innovation needs for high frequency connectivity, high performance computing and advanced mobility with sustainable offerings that customers and society demand. Additionally, in line with our balanced capital allocation approach, we de-levered our balance sheet by paying down $2 billion of bonds in May and returned $800 million of capital to shareholders during the quarter through share purchases and dividends.”

 

Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales totaled $4.1 billion, up 26 percent versus the year-ago period as reported and up 23 percent on an organic(1) basis. Sales were up double-digit percent in all three reporting segments driven most notably by the ongoing recovery in key end-markets adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year-ago period such as automotive, construction and industrial, along with continued strength in areas such as semiconductor and smartphones. On a regional basis, organic sales growth was 20 percent or greater in all regions.

GAAP EPS from continuing operations totaled $1.04 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $564 million, versus GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $(3.26) on a GAAP loss from continuing operations of $(2.4) billion in the year-ago period. The improvement is driven mainly by the absence of a prior year goodwill impairment charge, higher segment earnings and a significantly lower share count. 

Operating EBITDA(1) was $1.06 billion, up 53 percent versus operating EBITDA(1) 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, and the absence of approximately $150 million in charges recorded in the year-ago period associated with temporarily idling certain facilities to align supply with demand, which were partially offset by the absence of a $64 million gain recorded in Corporate in the year-ago period associated with a joint venture customer settlement. Operating EBITDA improvement drove 460 basis points of operating EBITDA margin expansion. Adjusted EPS(1) was $1.06, up about 240% versus adjusted EPS(1) in the year-ago period due to higher segment results, a significantly lower share count, and lower interest expense partially offset by a higher base tax rate.

Operating cash flow for the quarter was $440 million and included working capital headwinds of about $140 million led by higher inventories and higher accounts receivable balances on increased sales. Capital expenditures of $216 million resulted in free cash flow(1) of $224 million.

 

Second Quarter 2021 Segment Highlights

Electronics & Industrial

Electronics & Industrial reported net sales of $1.3 billion, up 19 percent from the year-ago period. Organic sales were up 17 percent on a 17 percent increase in volume. Currency was a 2 percent tailwind.

Sales gains were led by Industrial Solutions, up mid-twenties percent versus the year-ago period, reflecting broad-based demand most notably in displays, electronics, healthcare and automotive markets. Interconnect Solutions also delivered growth over 20 percent driven by continued demand for higher content in premium, next-generation smartphones, along with improvement in industrial markets. Continued strength in Semiconductor Technologies resulted in double-digit volume growth driven by new technology ramps in advanced nodes within logic and foundry and higher demand for memory in servers and data centers.

Operating EBITDA for the segment was $424 million, an increase of 26 percent from operating EBITDA of $336 million in the year-ago period driven by volume gains. Operating EBITDA margins increased 190 basis points from the year-ago period.

 

Water & Protection

Water & Protection reported net sales of $1.4 billion, up 14 percent from the year-ago period. Organic sales were up 11 percent on an 11 percent increase in volume. Currency was a 3 percent tailwind.

Sales gains were led by Shelter Solutions, up over 30 percent versus the year-ago period, reflecting continued strong demand in North American residential construction and retail channels for do-it-yourself applications and continued recovery in commercial construction. Within Safety Solutions, sales were up high-single-digits on an organic basis as recovery in industrial and automotive end-markets resulted in significant volume improvement for aramid fibers. Broad-based demand for Water Solutions technologies remained strong, however, logistics challenges impacted our ability to supply customers which resulted in low-single-digit volume declines versus the year-ago period.

Operating EBITDA for the segment totaled $352 million, an increase of 4 percent compared to operating EBITDA of $339 million in the year-ago period. Volume growth was mostly offset by higher raw materials and logistics costs.

 

Mobility & Materials

Mobility & Materials reported net sales of $1.3 billion, up 61 percent from the year-ago period. Organic sales were up 55 percent on a 42 percent increase in volume and a 13 percent increase in price. Currency was a 6 percent tailwind.

Sales gains were broad-based as key end-markets continued to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, the continued recovery of the global automotive market helped to deliver strong volume improvement across Engineering Polymers, Advanced Solutions and Performance Resins. Within Engineering Polymers, global supply constraints of key raw materials improved but are expected to remain tight through the end of the year. We expect to recover volume lost in the quarter due to these disruptions as the raw material constraints are alleviated.

Local price increased 13 percent on actions taken to offset raw material costs and higher metals pricing.

Operating EBITDA for the segment was $294 million, an increase of $317 million from operating EBITDA of ($23) million in the year-ago period. The improvement was driven primarily by the absence of approximately $130 million in charges recorded in the year-ago period associated with temporarily idling certain facilities to align supply with demand, higher volumes, and pricing gains.

 

Third Quarter and Full Year 2021 Outlook

The Company is changing its treatment of intangible amortization expense for non-GAAP reporting. Beginning third quarter 2021, DuPont’s adjusted EPS(1) will exclude all amortization of intangible assets and will no longer differentiate based on the origin of the intangibles. The Company’s outlook for adjusted EPS(1) provided below has been updated to reflect this change in non-GAAP reporting, including the retroactive impact of the change on first half 2021 results. For comparative purposes, a recast of historical periods is included beginning on page 14 of this release.

“As a result of our strong first half of the year, our expectations of continued momentum within our key end-markets, and confidence in our team’s ability to navigate through global supply chain constraints, we are raising our guidance for the year for net sales, operating EBITDA and adjusted EPS,” said Lori Koch, Chief Financial Officer of DuPont. “In addition, we are adjusting our guidance to reflect the July 1st acquisition of Laird Performance Materials, the divestiture of the Solamet® business at the end of June and the impact of the retroactive reporting change that we are making for adjusted EPS. For full year 2021, we now estimate net sales to be between $16.45 billion and $16.55 billion and operating EBITDA between $4.21 billion and $4.26 billion. Our outlook for full year adjusted EPS on the new basis is now in the range of $4.24 to $4.30 per share, and includes a full year benefit estimated at $0.27 per share related to the amortization reporting change.”

“We estimate third quarter 2021 net sales to be between $4.18 billion and $4.23 billion, operating EBITDA between $1.06 billion and $1.08 billion and adjusted EPS on the new basis between $1.11 and $1.13 per share.”

 

Conference Call

The Company will host a live webcast of its second quarter earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results and business outlook today at 8:00 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.

 

For further information contact:

 

DuPont

Investors:

Leland Weaver

leland.weaver@dupont.com

+1 302-999-2477

 

 

 

Media:

Dan Turner

daniel.a.turner@dupont.com

+1 302-996-8372

 

DuPontTM 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 of the Laird Performance Materials business, (the “Laird PM Acquisition”).

 

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) 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 the Laird Performance Materials business; (ii) ability to achieve anticipated tax treatments in connection with the N&B Transaction, Laird PM Acquisition or the DWDP Distributions; (iii) changes in relevant tax and other laws; (iv) indemnification of certain legacy liabilities of EID in connection with the Corteva Distribution; (v) 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; (vi) 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; (vii) uncertainty as to the long-term value of DuPont common stock; (viii) 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 (ix) 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 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 associated with intangibles acquired as part of the DWDP Merger and the after-tax impact of non-operating pension / other post employment benefits (“OPEB”) benefits / charges. Although amortization of EID intangibles acquired as part of the DWDP Merger is excluded from these non-GAAP measures, management believes it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of intangible assets that relate to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized.

Beginning July 1, 2021, adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted ("Updated 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 / OPEB. Management estimates amortization expense in 2021 associated with intangibles to be between $710 million and $730 million on a pre-tax basis, or approximately $1.00 to $1.05 per share. The Company will report financial results under this new definition following the second quarter 2021. Outlook information above is presented using Updated Adjusted EPS. For additional information, refer to pages 14 and 15.

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. 

 
 
 

Media Contact:

Dan Turner

Corporate Media Relations

+1 302-996-8372

daniel.a.turner@dupont.com