Brunswick Corporation Restarts 2020 Share Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) announced the resumption of its share repurchase program, which had been previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pause, the company had completed about one-third of its $100 million target for the year, adding to the $400 million repurchased in 2019. The announcement follows the repayment of an $85 million revolving credit line, enhancing Brunswick's liquidity. CFO Ryan Gwillim highlighted strong cash flow in the marine market and the share buyback as an opportunity to increase shareholder value.

Positive

• Resuming share repurchase program enhances shareholder value.
• Strong cash flow performance from a healthy marine market.
• Successful repayment of $85 million revolving credit ensures liquidity and financial flexibility.

Negative

• None.

METTAWA, Ill., Sept. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today announced the restart of its systematic share repurchase program. The share repurchase program had been suspended earlier this year due to the uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Prior to the suspension, the Company had completed roughly one-third of its $100 million target planned for the year.  This is in addition to the $400 million of share repurchases the Company completed in 2019. 

Today’s announcement to resume the Company’s share repurchase program is consistent with Brunswick’s long-term capital plan outlined at its February Investor Day event in Miami.   This comes just weeks after Brunswick announced the repayment of the remaining $85 million balance of its revolving line of credit, resulting in enhanced liquidity and financial flexibility.

“Entering September, we continue to see a very healthy marine market which is driving the strong cash flow performance of our business.   We believe that resuming this element of our capital plan offers a tremendous opportunity to drive and increase shareholder value,” said Ryan Gwillim, Brunswick Corporation Chief Financial Officer.   “This action, along with strategic investments in technology, capacity and growth initiatives, will strengthen our Company and position us for further success.”

About Brunswick

Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories including propellers and SmartCraft electronics; Power Products Integrated Solutions; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick, and Whale marine parts; Land ’N’ Sea, BLA, Payne’s Marine, Kellogg Marine, and Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club, NAUTIC-ON. For more information, visit https://www.brunswick.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Brunswick’s business and by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” "anticipate," "project," "position," “intend,” “target,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “outlook,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including, without limitation, the impact on global economic conditions and capital and financial markets, changes in consumer behavior and demand, the potential unavailability of personnel or key facilities, modifications to our operations, and the potential implementation of regulatory actions, the effect of adverse general economic conditions, including the amount of disposable income consumers have available for discretionary spending, tight consumer credit markets, and the level of consumer confidence on the demand for our products and services; our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan and growth initiatives; our ability to identify,  complete, and integrate targeted acquisitions; the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred in connection with these transactions; the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from these transactions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; having to record an impairment to the value of goodwill and other assets; changes to U.S. trade policy and tariffs; negative currency trends, including changes in exchange rates; fiscal policy concerns; adequate financing access for dealers and customers and our ability to access capital and credit markets; maintaining effective distribution; adverse economic, credit, and capital market conditions; loss of key customers; attracting and retaining skilled labor, implementing succession plans for key leadership, and executing organizational and leadership changes; inventory reductions by dealers, retailers, or independent boat builders; requirements for us to repurchase inventory; actual or anticipated increases in costs, disruptions of supply, or defects in raw materials, parts, or components we purchase from third parties, including as a result of new tariffs on raw materials, increased demand for shipping carriers, and transportation disruptions; higher energy and fuel costs; our ability to protect our brands and intellectual property; absorbing fixed costs in production; managing our manufacturing footprint; outages, breaches, or other cybersecurity events regarding our technology systems, which could result in lost or stolen information and associated remediation costs; managing our share repurchases; competitive pricing pressures; our ability to develop new and innovative products and services at a competitive price, in legal compliance with existing rules; maintaining product quality and service standards; product liability, warranty, and other claims risks; legal and regulatory compliance, including increased costs, fines, and reputational risks; changes in income tax legislation or enforcement; certain divisive shareholder activist actions; joint ventures that do not operate solely for our benefit; international business risks; and weather and catastrophic event risks.

Lee Gordon
Director – Brunswick Global Communications & Public Relations
Brunswick Office: 847-735-4003
Cell: 904-860-8848
Lee.Gordon@Brunswick.com

FAQ

What is the significance of Brunswick's share repurchase program announcement?

Brunswick's resumption of its share repurchase program indicates a commitment to enhancing shareholder value, following a suspension due to the pandemic.

How much of the share repurchase program target has Brunswick completed?

Prior to the suspension, Brunswick had completed roughly one-third of its $100 million target for the share repurchase program.

What financial steps did Brunswick take before resuming the buyback?

Brunswick repaid the remaining $85 million balance of its revolving credit line, boosting liquidity and financial flexibility.

What did Brunswick's CFO say about the marine market?

CFO Ryan Gwillim stated that the company continues to see a very healthy marine market driving strong cash flow performance.