Newell Brands Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Newell Brands (NWL) reported Q4 2024 financial results with net sales of $1.9 billion, down 6.1% year-over-year, with core sales declining 3.0%. The company showed improvements in profitability metrics, with reported gross margin increasing to 34.2% from 29.9% and normalized operating margin rising to 7.1% from 6.4% year-over-year.

Q4 normalized diluted EPS was $0.16 compared to $0.18 in the prior year. For full-year 2024, the company achieved normalized EBITDA of $900 million, up from $782 million in 2023. The Learning & Development segment showed positive core sales growth, while Home & Commercial Solutions and Outdoor & Recreation segments experienced declines.

Looking ahead, Newell provided its 2025 outlook, projecting net sales to decline 4% to 2%, with core sales ranging from a 2% decline to a 1% increase. The company expects normalized EPS of $0.70 to $0.76 for 2025.

Positive

• Gross margin increased 430 basis points to 34.2% in Q4
• Normalized EBITDA improved to $900M from $782M year-over-year
• Learning & Development segment achieved 0.4% core sales growth
• Successfully refinanced $1.25B of debt at attractive rates
• Realized $75M in annualized pretax savings from realignment plan

Negative

• Net sales declined 6.1% to $1.9B in Q4 2024
• Core sales decreased 3.0% in Q4 2024
• Operating cash flow decreased to $496M from $930M year-over-year
• Q4 normalized diluted EPS declined to $0.16 from $0.18
• Projected net sales decline of 4% to 2% for 2025

Insights

Financial Analyst

Newell Brands' Q4 and FY2024 results reveal a compelling transformation story focused on structural economics improvement, despite top-line pressures. The standout achievement is the 790 basis point gross margin expansion since Q4 2022, accomplished during a period of inventory reduction and lower plant utilization - a remarkable feat that demonstrates fundamental improvements in operational efficiency.

The Learning & Development segment emerged as a bright spot, achieving 0.4% core sales growth against category declines, highlighting successful execution of the new corporate strategy. The segment's normalized operating margin of 16.1% leads the company's divisions and shows strong profit potential.

The January 2024 organizational realignment, delivering $75 million in annualized savings, represents a strategic shift toward centralized brand management and standardized operations. This 'One Newell' approach should drive better resource allocation and scale benefits, though the $52 million in restructuring charges indicates significant transformation costs.

The 2025 outlook, projecting core sales between -2% to +1%, suggests a gradual recovery with positive inflection expected in H2 2025. The projected normalized operating margin of 9.0% to 9.5% indicates continued structural improvements, though macroeconomic uncertainties remain a headwind.

The successful $1.25 billion debt refinancing, being six times oversubscribed, demonstrates strong market confidence in the company's transformation strategy. The reduction in total debt to $4.6 billion from $4.9 billion YoY, coupled with EBITDA growth, shows meaningful progress in strengthening the balance sheet.

Transformation of Structural Economics Continues at Pace

Operating and Gross Margin Both Improve Year-over-Year

Provides Preliminary Outlook for Full Year 2025

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results.

Chris Peterson, Newell Brands President, and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Newell Brands delivered strong results in 2024 driven by disciplined implementation of our new corporate strategy, operating model and culture transformation. We drove year-over-year sales performance improvement as we significantly strengthened the company’s front-end selling and marketing capabilities. The Learning and Development segment returned to positive annual sales growth despite category declines. We drove strong gross and operating margin improvement, while purposely increasing our level of A&P investment, and we meaningfully de-levered the balance sheet through both debt reduction and EBITDA growth. While much work remains and the macroeconomic backdrop is still uncertain, we are laser-focused on returning the company to sustainable topline growth, continuing to drive operating margin improvement ahead of our evergreen target and strengthening the balance sheet."

Mark Erceg, Newell Brands Chief Financial Officer, said, "During the fourth quarter we successfully refinanced $1.25 billion of debt at attractive rates as part of an offering which was six times oversubscribed. We believe the strong support our offering received reflects the considerable work done since the adoption of our new corporate strategy six quarters ago which has improved Newell’s top-line performance, strengthened our balance sheet and, most importantly, fundamentally transformed our structural economics. Fourth quarter reported gross margin increased by 430 basis points to 34.2% compared to the same quarter last year and was 790 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2022. The fact that we have driven such rapid and pronounced gross margin expansion during a period of top line compression and a sustained and sizable draw down in inventory levels, both of which drove our plant networks capacity utilization levels down, is particularly notable. Looking forward, Newell Brands' core sales growth is expected to positively inflect during the back half of 2025 and, when that occurs, we believe the work done to create operational scale and efficiency across our plant and distribution system will be even more apparent."

Fourth Quarter 2024 Executive Summary

• Net sales were $1.9 billion, a decline of 6.1% compared with the prior year period. Core sales declined 3.0% compared with the prior year period.
• Reported gross margin increased to 34.2% compared with 29.9% in the prior year period. Normalized gross margin increased to 34.6% compared with 31.1% in the prior year period.
• Reported operating margin improved to 0.5% compared with negative 0.5% in the prior year period. Normalized operating margin increased to 7.1% compared with 6.4% in the prior year period.
• Reported net loss was $54 million compared with $86 million in the prior year period. Normalized net income was $69 million compared with $73 million in the prior year period.
• Reported diluted loss per share was $0.13 compared to $0.21 in the prior year period. Normalized diluted EPS was $0.16 compared with $0.18 in the prior year period.
• Full year normalized EBITDA increased to $900 million compared with $782 million in the prior year period.
• Full year operating cash flow was $496 million compared with $930 million in the prior year period.
• The Company initiated its full year 2025 outlook for net sales to decline in the range of 4% to 2%, core sales in the range of a 2% decline to a 1% increase and a normalized EPS range of $0.70 to $0.76.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Operating Results

Net sales were $1.9 billion, a decline of 6.1% compared with the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 3.0%, as well as the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange and business exits. Pricing in international markets to offset inflation and currency movements was a meaningful contributor to the Company's core sales performance.

Reported gross margin was 34.2% compared with 29.9% in the prior year period, as the positive impact from productivity savings and pricing more than offset the headwinds from lower sales volume, inflation and foreign exchange. Normalized gross margin was 34.6% compared with 31.1% in the prior year period, which represents the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement.

Reported operating income was $9 million compared with operating loss of $10 million in the prior year period. Non-cash impairment charges of $87 million and $68 million were incurred in the current and prior year periods, respectively, primarily related to intangible assets. Reported operating margin was 0.5% compared with negative 0.5% in the prior year period, largely reflecting benefits from higher gross margin and higher savings from restructuring actions that were partially offset by higher advertising and promotions costs as well as incentive compensation costs. Normalized operating income was $139 million, or 7.1% of sales, compared with $133 million, or 6.4% of sales, in the prior year period.

Net interest expense was $72 million compared with $70 million in the prior year period.

Reported tax benefit was $25 million compared with $78 million in the prior year period. The normalized tax benefit was $4 million compared with $17 million in the prior year period.

Reported net loss was $54 million compared with $86 million in the prior year period. Normalized net income was $69 million compared with $73 million in the prior year period. Normalized EBITDA was $216 million compared with $219 million in the prior year period.

Reported diluted loss per share was $0.13 compared with $0.21 in the prior year period. Normalized diluted EPS was $0.16 compared with $0.18 in the prior year period.

An explanation of non-GAAP measures disclosed in this release and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP results to comparable GAAP measures, if available, are included in the tables attached to this release.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Full year operating cash flow was $496 million compared with $930 million in the prior year period. The prior year operating cash flow included a significant contribution from working capital primarily due to inventory reduction.

During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company refinanced $1.25 billion of debt. At the end of 2024, Newell Brands had debt outstanding of $4.6 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $198 million, respectively, compared with $4.9 billion and $332 million, respectively at the end of the prior year.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Operating Segment Results

The Learning & Development segment generated net sales of $628 million compared with $635 million in the prior year period, reflecting core sales growth of 0.4%, which more than offset the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange. Core sales increased in the Writing business and decreased in the Baby business. Reported operating income was $99 million, or 15.8% of sales, compared with $80 million, or 12.6% of sales, in the prior period. Normalized operating income was $101 million, or 16.1% of sales, compared with $88 million, or 13.9% of sales, in the prior year period.

The Home & Commercial Solutions segment generated net sales of $1.2 billion compared with $1.3 billion in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 4.6%, as well as the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange and certain business exits. Core sales increased in the Commercial business, primarily due to international pricing to offset inflation and currency movements, while core sales declined in the Kitchen and Home Fragrance businesses. Reported operating income was $28 million, or 2.4% of sales, compared with $31 million, or 2.4% of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating income was $137 million, or 11.7% of sales, compared with $137 million, or 10.7% of sales, in the prior year period.

The Outdoor & Recreation segment generated net sales of $152 million compared with $165 million in the prior year period, reflecting a core sales decline of 3.8%, as well as the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange. Reported operating loss was $34 million, or negative 22.4% of sales, compared with $45 million, or negative 27.3% of sales, in the prior year period. Normalized operating loss was $28 million, or negative 18.4% of sales, compared with $25 million, or negative 15.2% of sales, in the prior year period.

Full Year 2024 Operating Results

Net sales for the full year ended December 31, 2024 were $7.6 billion, a decline of 6.8% compared to the prior year, reflecting a core sales decrease of 3.4%, as well as the impact of certain category exits and unfavorable foreign exchange.

Reported gross margin was 33.6% compared with 28.9% in the prior year, as the positive impact from productivity savings and pricing more than offset the headwinds from lower sales volume, inflation and foreign exchange. Normalized gross margin was 34.1%, compared with 29.5% in the prior year.

Reported operating income was $67 million, or 0.9% of sales, compared with operating loss of $85 million, or negative 1.0% of sales, in the prior year. Non-cash impairment charges of $353 million and $342 million were incurred in the current and prior year, respectively. Normalized operating income was $618 million, or 8.2% of sales, compared with $499 million, or 6.1% of sales, in the prior year.

Net interest expense was $295 million compared with $283 million in the prior year.

Reported tax benefit was $44 million compared with $155 million in the prior year. The normalized tax provision was $21 million compared with a normalized tax benefit of $86 million in the prior year.

Reported net loss was $216 million compared with $388 million in the prior year. Normalized net income was $286 million compared with $277 million in the prior year. Normalized EBITDA was $900 million compared with $782 million in the prior year.

Reported diluted loss per share was $0.52 compared with $0.94 in the prior year. Normalized diluted EPS was $0.68 compared with $0.67 in the prior year.

Organizational Realignment Plan

In January 2024, the Company announced an organizational realignment, which is expected to strengthen the Company’s front-end commercial capabilities, such as consumer understanding and brand communication, in support of the Where to Play / How to Win choices the Company unveiled in June of 2023 (the "Realignment Plan"). As part of the organizational realignment, the Company made several organizational design changes, which entailed: standing up a cross-functional brand management organization, realigning business unit finance to fully support the new global brand management model, further simplifying and standardizing regional go-to-market organizations, and centralizing domestic retail sales teams, the digital technology team, business-aligned accounting personnel, the Manufacturing Quality team, and the Human Resources functions into the appropriate center-led teams to drive standardization, efficiency and scale with a One Newell approach. Under the Realignment Plan in 2024, the Company realized annualized pretax savings of $75 million, net of reinvestment, and incurred restructuring and related charges of $52 million.

Outlook

The Company initiated its preliminary outlook for first quarter and full year 2025 as follows:

		Q1 2025 Outlook		Full Year 2025 Outlook
Net Sales		8% to 5% decline		4% to 2% decline
Core Sales		4% to 2% decline		(2%) to +1%
Normalized Operating Margin		2.0% to 4.0%		9.0% to 9.5%
Normalized EPS		($0.09) to ($0.06)		$0.70 to $0.76

The Company initiated its outlook for full year 2025 operating cash flow of $450 million to $500 million.

The Company has presented forward-looking statements regarding core sales, normalized operating margin and normalized EPS. These non-GAAP financial measures are derived by excluding certain amounts, expenses or income, from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgement and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period in reliance on the exception provided by item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking normalized operating margin or normalized EPS to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, we believe such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the Company's future financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures are preliminary estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, changes in connection with quarter-end and year-end adjustments. Any variation between the Company's actual results and preliminary financial data set forth above may be material.

Conference Call

Newell Brands’ fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings conference call will be held today, February 7, at 9:00 a.m. ET. A link to the webcast is provided under Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.newellbrands.com. A webcast replay will be made available in the Quarterly Earnings section of the Company’s website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release and the accompanying remarks contain non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and includes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures that are included in this press release, the additional financial information and accompanying remarks both to explain its results to stockholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of its businesses. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors since these measures (a) permit investors to view the Company’s performance and liquidity using the same tools that management uses to evaluate the Company’s past performance, reportable segments, prospects for future performance and liquidity, and (b) determine certain elements of management incentive compensation.

The Company’s management believes that core sales provides a more complete understanding of underlying sales trends by providing sales on a consistent basis as it excludes the impacts of acquisitions, divestitures, retail store openings and closings, certain market and category exits, and changes in foreign exchange from year-over-year comparisons. The effect of changes in foreign exchange on reported sales is calculated by applying the prior year average monthly exchange rates to the current year local currency sales amounts (excluding acquisitions and divestitures), with the difference between the current year reported sales and constant currency sales presented as the foreign exchange impact increase or decrease in core sales. The Company’s management believes that “normalized” gross margin, “normalized” operating income, “normalized” operating margin, "normalized EBITDA", “normalized” net income, “normalized” diluted earnings per share, “normalized” interest and “normalized” income tax benefit or expense, which exclude restructuring and restructuring-related expenses and one-time and other events such as costs related to the extinguishment of debt; certain tax benefits and charges; impairment charges; pension settlement charges; divestiture costs; costs related to the acquisition, integration and financing of acquired businesses; amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; inflationary adjustments; and certain other items, are useful because they provide investors with a meaningful perspective on the current underlying performance of the Company’s core ongoing operations and liquidity. “Normalized EBITDA” is an ongoing liquidity measure (that excludes non-cash items) and is calculated as normalized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense.

Commencing in the third quarter of 2024, the Company changed its normalization practice. Historically, the Company has excluded from normalized results inventory write-downs and accelerated depreciation charges relating to restructuring and exit activities that were reflected within its restructuring-related costs non-GAAP adjustment. Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the Company no longer excludes these charges from its normalized results. The Company has also ceased to exclude from normalized results prior period adjustments related to a bad debt reserve and subsequent recovery with respect to the bankruptcy of an international customer. The Company’s outlook for the first quarter and twelve months ending December 31, 2025 reflect these changes, and we have recast prior periods presented in this release to conform to current period presentation. The Company will continue to provide normalized measures which exclude the impact of restructuring costs and restructuring-related costs (other than inventory write-downs and accelerated depreciation), acquisition-related amortization expense and impairment charges, pension settlement losses and other items. Additional prior periods have been recast as presented in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 25, 2024.

The Company uses a "with" and "without" approach to calculate normalized income tax expense or benefit. At an interim period, the Company determines the year to date tax effect of the pretax items excluded from normalized results by allocating the difference between the calculated GAAP and calculated normalized tax expense or benefit.

The Company defines "net debt" as short-term debt, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.

While the Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and liquidity, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies.

About Newell Brands

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. Newell Brands is focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments.

This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the Company’s website, www.newellbrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release and its exhibits, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, operating strategies, the benefits and savings associated with the Realignment Plan, future macroeconomic conditions and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements generally can be identified by the use of words or phrases, including, but not limited to, "guidance," "outlook," “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “expect,” “setting up,” "beginning to,” “will,” “should,” “would,” "could," “resume,” “remain confident,” "remain optimistic," "seek to," or similar statements. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees because there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• the Company’s ability to optimize costs and cash flow and mitigate the impact of soft global demand and retailer inventory rebalancing through discretionary and overhead spend management, advertising and promotion expense optimization, demand forecast and supply plan adjustments and actions to improve working capital;
• the Company’s dependence on the strength of retail and consumer demand and commercial and industrial sectors of the economy in various countries around the world;
• the Company’s ability to improve productivity, reduce complexity and streamline operations;
• risks related to the Company’s substantial indebtedness, potential increases in interest rates or changes in the Company’s credit ratings including the failure to maintain financial covenants which if breached could subject us to cross-default and acceleration provisions in our debt documents;
• competition with other manufacturers and distributors of consumer products;
• major retailers’ strong bargaining power and consolidation of the Company’s customers;
• supply chain and operational disruptions in the markets in which we operate, including as a result of geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions and any global military conflicts including those between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East;
• changes in the prices and availability of labor, transportation, raw materials and sourced products, including significant inflation, and the Company’s ability to offset cost increases through pricing and productivity in a timely manner;
• the Company's ability to effectively execute its turnaround plan, including the Realignment Plan and other restructuring initiatives;
• the Company’s ability to develop innovative new products, to develop, maintain and strengthen end-user brands and to realize the benefits of increased advertising and promotion spend;
• the risks inherent to the Company’s foreign operations, including currency fluctuations, exchange controls and pricing restrictions;
• future events that could adversely affect the value of the Company’s assets and/or stock price and require additional impairment charges;
• unexpected costs or expenses associated with dispositions;
• the cost and outcomes of governmental investigations, inspections, lawsuits, legislative requests or other actions by third parties, the potential outcomes of which could exceed policy limits, to the extent insured;
• the Company’s ability to remediate the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;
• risk associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the Company’s operations and the Company’s ability to properly manage such use;
• a failure or breach of one of the Company’s key information technology systems, networks, processes or related controls or those of the Company’s service providers;
• the impact of United States and foreign regulations on the Company’s operations, including the impact of tariffs and environmental remediation costs and legislation and regulatory actions related to product safety, data privacy and climate change;
• the potential inability to attract, retain and motivate key employees;
• changes in tax laws and the resolution of tax contingencies resulting in additional tax liabilities;
• product liability, product recalls or related regulatory actions;
• the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights;
• the impact of climate change and the increased focus of governmental and non-governmental organizations and customers on sustainability issues, as well as external expectations related to environmental, social and governance considerations;
• significant increases in the funding obligations related to the Company’s pension plans; and
• other factors listed from time to time in our SEC filings, including but not limited to our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings.

The consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Management’s application of U.S. GAAP requires the pervasive use of estimates and assumptions in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements. The company continues to be impacted by inflationary pressures, soft global demand, major retailers' focus on tight control over inventory levels, elevated interest rates and indirect macroeconomic impacts from geopolitical conflicts, which has required greater use of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Although we believe we have made our best estimates based upon current information, actual results could differ materially and may require future changes to such estimates and assumptions, including reserves, which may result in future expense or impairment charges.

The information contained in this press release and the tables is as of the date indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company has correctly identified and assessed all of the factors affecting the Company or that the publicly available and other information the Company receives with respect to these factors is complete or correct.

NEWELL BRANDS INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,										Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023			Change			2024				2023			Change
Net sales	$	1,949			$	2,076			(6.1)%		$	7,582			$	8,133			(6.8)%
Cost of products sold		1,283				1,455						5,034				5,780
Gross profit		666				621			7.2%			2,548				2,353			8.3%
Selling, general and administrative expense		565				544			3.9%			2,083				2,001			4.1%
Restructuring costs, net		5				19						45				95
Impairment of goodwill, intangibles and other assets		87				68						353				342
Operating income (loss)		9				(10	)		NM			67				(85	)		NM
Non-operating expenses:
Interest expense, net		72				70						295				283
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt		13				—						14				—
Other expense, net		3				84						18				175
Loss before income taxes		(79	)			(164	)		51.8%			(260	)			(543	)		52.1%
Income tax benefit		(25	)			(78	)					(44	)			(155	)
Net loss	$	(54	)		$	(86	)		37.2%		$	(216	)		$	(388	)		44.3%
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		416.1				414.2						415.5				414.1
Diluted		416.1				414.2						415.5				414.1
Loss per share:
Basic	$	(0.13	)		$	(0.21	)				$	(0.52	)		$	(0.94	)
Diluted	$	(0.13	)		$	(0.21	)				$	(0.52	)		$	(0.94	)
Dividends per share	$	0.07			$	0.07					$	0.28			$	0.44
* NM - NOT MEANINGFUL

NEWELL BRANDS INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in millions)
	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets:
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	198		$	332
Accounts receivable, net		878			1,195
Inventories		1,400			1,531
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		299			296
Total current assets		2,775			3,354
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,157			1,212
Operating lease assets		466			515
Goodwill		3,038			3,071
Other intangible assets, net		2,008			2,488
Deferred income taxes		806			806
Other assets		754			717
Total assets	$	11,004		$	12,163
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	891		$	1,003
Other accrued liabilities		1,459			1,565
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		87			329
Total current liabilities		2,437			2,897
Long-term debt		4,508			4,575
Deferred income taxes		178			241
Operating lease liabilities		418			446
Other noncurrent liabilities		712			892
Total liabilities		8,253			9,051
Total stockholders' equity		2,751			3,112
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	11,004		$	12,163

NEWELL BRANDS INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in millions)
	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(216	)		$	(388	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		323				334
Impairment of goodwill, intangibles and other assets		353				342
Deferred income taxes		(114	)			(283	)
Stock based compensation expense		74				50
Pension settlement		(1	)			126
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt		14				—
Other, net		(16	)			(34	)
Changes to operating accounts, excluding the effects of divestitures:
Accounts receivable		241				67
Inventories		70				673
Accounts payable		(96	)			(50	)
Accrued liabilities and other, net		(136	)			93
Net cash provided by operating activities		496				930
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(259	)			(284	)
Proceeds from sale of divested businesses and investments		14				11
Proceeds from settlement of swaps		60				43
Other investing activities, net		34				31
Net cash used in investing activities		(151	)			(199	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (payments on) short-term debt, net		(91	)			(488	)
Payments on current portion of long-term debt		(701	)			(2	)
Proceeds from short-term debt with original maturities greater than 90 days		431				—
Payments on short-term debt with original maturities greater than 90 days		(431	)			—
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		1,237				—
Payments on long-term debt		(750	)			—
Debt extinguishment and modification costs		(14	)			(1	)
Cash dividends		(118	)			(184	)
Equity compensation activity and other, net		(14	)			11
Net cash used in financing activities		(451	)			(664	)
Exchange rate effect on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(36	)			(9	)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(142	)			58
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		361				303
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	219			$	361
Supplemental disclosures:
Restricted cash at beginning of period	$	29			$	16
Restricted cash at end of period		21				29

NEWELL BRANDS INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following tables present a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and a comparison to prior year. The company has chosen to present the following non-GAAP measures to investors to enable additional analyses of past, present and future operating performance and as a supplemental means of evaluating the company’s performance and operating results absent the effect of certain items that are deemed to be stand-alone items apart from the company’s core operations (“Normalized Adjustments”). While these costs or gains are not expected to continue for any individual transaction on an ongoing basis, similar types of costs, expenses and charges or gains have occurred in prior periods.

Normalized Adjustments in 2024 and 2023 include the following:

Restructuring and restructuring-related costs		The company incurs restructuring and restructuring-related costs in connection with various discrete initiatives, including previously disclosed initiatives such as our Realignment Plan, Network Optimization Project, Project Phoenix as well as other discrete actions. Restructuring charges primarily relate to severance and other employee termination costs as well as contract termination and other costs. Restructuring-related costs are costs that are directly attributable to a restructuring action or exit activity and would not have been incurred absent the action. Restructuring-related costs primarily relate to duplicative costs pending facility closure, asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains and consulting costs. Restructuring-related costs primarily related to manufacturing and distribution personnel, facilities and assets are generally recorded in cost of products sold, while restructuring-related costs primarily related to office facilities and assets and professional or clerical personnel are generally recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restructuring and restructuring-related charges primarily related to the Realignment Plan for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and to Project Phoenix for the comparable periods ended December 31, 2023, respectively.
Amortization expense and impairments of acquired intangible assets		Represents the amortization expense and impairment charges associated with acquired intangible assets.
Argentina hyperinflationary currency movements		Represents the favorable or unfavorable movement in Argentine pesos related to our subsidiary operating in Argentina, which is considered a hyperinflationary economy
(Gain) loss on divestitures and transaction costs		Represents the gain or loss on disposal of a business, which represents the difference between the fair value (less costs to sell) and carrying value of the business being disposed, as well as transaction costs associated with acquisitions and divestitures.
(Gain) loss on pension settlement		Represents charges associated with settlement of certain of the Company’s defined benefit plans, which relates to the recognition of previously unrecognized actuarial losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Other adjustments		The following adjustments comprise other adjustments below: Legal expenses for certain proceedings primarily related to a completed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation as well as completed shareholder securities class action and derivative litigation which was disclosed in Note 18 (Litigation and Contingencies) to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; inventory write-down due to regulatory restrictions banning the salability of certain of the company’s products in certain jurisdictions; the portion of a tax reserve associated with prior periods that was recorded due to the outcome of a judicial ruling relating to indirect taxes in an international entity; gains/losses arising from the mark-to-market of an investment with a readily determinable fair value; loss on extinguishment and modification of debt; and an insurance recovery related to fire-related costs that were previously normalized.
Normalized income tax adjustments		The company uses a “with” and “without” approach to calculate normalized income tax expense or benefit. At an interim period, the company determines the year-to-date tax effect of the pretax items excluded from normalized results by allocating the difference between the calculated GAAP and calculated normalized tax expense or benefit. In addition, normalized income tax adjustments includes the income tax expense ($11 million and benefit of $14 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, $44 million and $40 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) that results from the amortization of a prior year normalized tax benefit.

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) CERTAIN LINE ITEMS (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Gross profit, as reported under GAAP	$	666			$	621			$	2,548			$	2,353
As a % of net sales		34.2	%			29.9	%			33.6	%			28.9	%
Normalized Adjustments:
Restructuring-related costs:
Asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains or losses		6				10				21				19
Duplicative costs pending facility closure or exit of business activity		1				2				4				6
Argentina hyperinflationary charge		2				2				11				9
Other, net		—				11				—				11
Normalized gross profit	$	675			$	646			$	2,584			$	2,398
As a % of net sales		34.6	%			31.1	%			34.1	%			29.5	%
Operating income (loss), as reported under GAAP	$	9			$	(10	)		$	67			$	(85	)
As a % of net sales		0.5	%			(0.5	)%			0.9	%			(1.0	)%
Normalized Adjustments:
Restructuring:
Severance and other employee termination costs		4				18				40				89
Contract termination and other costs		1				1				5				6
Restructuring-related costs:
Asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains or losses		5				13				29				13
Duplicative costs pending facility closure or exit of business activity		3				3				9				11
Consulting costs		1				2				8				4
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		24				19				99				76
Impairment of acquired intangible assets		85				68				345				339
Loss on divestitures and transaction costs		6				6				7				13
Argentina hyperinflationary charge		2				2				11				9
Other, net		(1	)			11				(2	)			24
Total normalized adjustments to operating income (loss), as reported under GAAP		130				143				551				584
Normalized operating income	$	139			$	133			$	618			$	499
As a % of net sales		7.1	%			6.4	%			8.2	%			6.1	%

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) CERTAIN LINE ITEMS (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Loss before income taxes, as reported under GAAP	$	(79	)		$	(164	)		$	(260	)		$	(543	)
Normalized Adjustments:
Restructuring:
Severance and other employee termination costs		4				18				40				89
Contract termination and other costs		1				1				5				6
Restructuring-related costs:
Asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains or losses		5				13				29				13
Duplicative costs pending facility closure or exit of business activity		3				3				9				11
Consulting costs		1				2				8				4
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		24				19				99				76
Impairment of acquired intangible assets		85				68				345				339
Loss on divestitures and transaction costs		7				10				6				17
(Gain) loss on pension settlement		(1	)			60				(1	)			126
Argentina hyperinflationary charge		3				14				16				30
Other, net		12				12				11				23
Normalized income before income taxes	$	65			$	56			$	307			$	191
Income tax benefit, as reported under GAAP	$	(25	)		$	(78	)		$	(44	)		$	(155	)
Effective income tax rates, as reported under GAAP		(31.6	)%			(47.6	)%			(16.9	)%			(28.5	)%
Normalized income tax adjustments		21				61				65				69
Normalized income tax provision (benefit)	$	(4	)		$	(17	)		$	21			$	(86	)
Effective income tax rates, as adjusted		(6.2	)%			(30.4	)%			6.8	%			(45.0	)%

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) CERTAIN LINE ITEMS (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net loss, as reported under GAAP	$	(54	)		$	(86	)		$	(216	)		$	(388	)
Normalized Adjustments:
Restructuring:
Severance and other employee termination costs		4				18				40				89
Contract termination and other costs		1				1				5				6
Restructuring-related costs:
Asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains or losses		5				13				29				13
Duplicative costs pending facility closure or exit of business activity		3				3				9				11
Consulting costs		1				2				8				4
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		24				19				99				76
Impairment of acquired intangible assets		85				68				345				339
Loss on divestitures and transaction costs		7				10				6				17
(Gain) loss on pension settlement		(1	)			60				(1	)			126
Argentina hyperinflationary charge		3				14				16				30
Other, net		12				12				11				23
Normalized income tax adjustments		(21	)			(61	)			(65	)			(69	)
Total normalized adjustments, net of tax		123				159				502				665
Normalized net income	$	69			$	73			$	286			$	277

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) CERTAIN LINE ITEMS (Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		416.1				414.2				415.5				414.1
Diluted		421.3				415.7				418.9				415.6
Diluted loss per share, as reported under GAAP	$	(0.13	)		$	(0.21	)		$	(0.52	)		$	(0.94	)
Normalized Adjustments:
Restructuring:
Severance and other employee termination costs		0.01				0.04				0.10				0.21
Contract termination and other costs		—				—				0.01				0.01
Restructuring-related costs:
Asset valuation adjustments and disposal gains or losses		0.01				0.03				0.07				0.03
Duplicative costs pending facility closure or exit of business activity		0.01				0.01				0.02				0.03
Consulting costs		—				—				0.02				0.01
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		0.06				0.05				0.24				0.18
Impairment of acquired intangible assets		0.20				0.16				0.82				0.82
Loss on divestitures and transaction costs		0.02				0.02				0.01				0.04
(Gain) loss on pension settlement		—				0.14				—				0.30
Argentina hyperinflationary charge		0.01				0.03				0.04				0.07
Other, net		0.03				0.03				0.03				0.06
Normalized income tax adjustments		(0.05	)			(0.15	)			(0.16	)			(0.17	)
Normalized diluted earnings per share *	$	0.16			$	0.18			$	0.68			$	0.67
*Totals may not add due to rounding

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) SEGMENT REPORTING (Amounts in millions)
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024															Three Months Ended December 31, 2023															Change
	Net Sales		Reported Operating Income (Loss)			Reported Operating Margin		Normalized Items *		Normalized Operating Income (Loss) *			Normalized Operating Margin			Net Sales		Reported Operating Income (Loss)			Reported Operating Margin		Normalized Items *		Normalized Operating Income (Loss) *			Normalized Operating Margin			Net Sales							Normalized Operating Income (Loss)
																															$				%			$				%
Home and Commercial Solutions	$	1,169	$	28		2.4	%	$	109	$	137		11.7	%		$	1,276	$	31		2.4	%	$	106	$	137		10.7	%		$	(107	)		(8.4	)%		$	—			—	%
Learning and Development		628		99		15.8	%		2		101		16.1	%			635		80		12.6	%		8		88		13.9	%			(7	)		(1.1	)%			13			14.8	%
Outdoor and Recreation		152		(34	)	(22.4	)%		6		(28	)	(18.4	)%			165		(45	)	(27.3	)%		20		(25	)	(15.2	)%			(13	)		(7.9	)%			(3	)		(12.0	)%
Corporate		—		(84	)	—	%		13		(71	)	—	%			—		(76	)	—	%		9		(67	)	—	%			—			―				(4	)		(6.0	)%
	$	1,949	$	9		0.5	%	$	130	$	139		7.1	%		$	2,076	$	(10	)	(0.5	)%	$	143	$	133		6.4	%		$	(127	)		(6.1	)%		$	6			4.5	%

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024															Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023															Change
	Net Sales		Reported Operating Income (Loss)			Reported Operating Margin		Normalized Items *		Normalized Operating Income (Loss) *			Normalized Operating Margin			Net Sales		Reported Operating Income (Loss)			Reported Operating Margin		Normalized Items *		Normalized Operating Income (Loss) *			Normalized Operating Margin			Net Sales							Normalized Operating Income (Loss)
																															$				%			$				%
Home and Commercial Solutions	$	4,071	$	(2	)	—	%	$	376	$	374		9.2	%		$	4,428	$	37		0.8	%	$	198	$	235		5.3	%		$	(357	)		(8.1	)%		$	139			59.1	%
Learning and Development		2,717		473		17.4	%		98		571		21.0	%			2,706		213		7.9	%		279		492		18.2	%			11			0.4	%			79			16.1	%
Outdoor and Recreation		794		(86	)	(10.8	)%		33		(53	)	(6.7	)%			999		(83	)	(8.3	)%		53		(30	)	(3.0	)%			(205	)		(20.5	)%			(23	)		(76.7	)%
Corporate		—		(318	)	—	%		44		(274	)	—	%			—		(252	)	—	%		54		(198	)	—	%			—			―				(76	)		(38.4	)%
	$	7,582	$	67		0.9	%	$	551	$	618		8.2	%		$	8,133	$	(85	)	(1.0	)%	$	584	$	499		6.1	%		$	(551	)		(6.8	)%		$	119			23.8	%

*Refer to Total normalized adjustments to operating income (loss), as reported under GAAP in the "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited) - Certain Line Items" for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in this release for further information.

NEWELL BRANDS INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
CORE SALES GROWTH BY SEGMENT
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024									Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
	Net Sales (Reported)		Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other, Net [2]		Currency Impact [3]		Core Sales [1] [4]			Net Sales (Reported)		Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other, Net [2]		Currency Impact [3]		Core Sales [1] [4]
Home and Commercial Solutions	(8.4	)%	0.8	%	3.0	%	(4.6	)%		(8.1	)%	0.8	%	3.4	%	(3.9	)%
Learning and Development	(1.1	)%	—	%	1.5	%	0.4	%		0.4	%	—	%	1.6	%	2.0	%
Outdoor and Recreation	(7.9	)%	0.2	%	3.9	%	(3.8	)%		(20.5	)%	0.7	%	3.8	%	(16.0	)%
Total Company	(6.1	)%	0.5	%	2.6	%	(3.0	)%		(6.8	)%	0.5	%	2.9	%	(3.4	)%
Total Company - Second Half										(5.5	)%	0.5	%	2.7	%	(2.3	)%

CORE SALES GROWTH BY GEOGRAPHY
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024									Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
	Net Sales (Reported)		Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other, Net [2]		Currency Impact [3]		Core Sales [1] [4]			Net Sales (Reported)		Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other, Net [2]		Currency Impact [3]		Core Sales [1] [4]
North America	(7.3	)%	0.6	%	0.1	%	(6.6	)%		(7.2	)%	0.6	%	0.1	%	(6.5	)%
International	(3.8	)%	0.4	%	7.4	%	4.0	%		(5.9	)%	0.4	%	8.4	%	2.9	%
Total Company	(6.1	)%	0.5	%	2.6	%	(3.0	)%		(6.8	)%	0.5	%	2.9	%	(3.4	)%

[1]	“Core Sales” provides a consistent basis for year-over-year comparisons in sales as it excludes the impacts of acquisitions and divestitures (including the sale of the Millefiori business), retail store openings and closings, certain market and category exits, as well as changes in foreign currency.
[2]	Divestitures include the sale of the Millefiori business, certain market and category exits and current and prior period net sales from retail store closures (consistent with standard retail practice).
[3]	“Currency Impact” represents the effect of foreign currency on 2024 reported sales and is calculated by applying the 2023 average monthly exchange rates to the current year local currency sales amounts (excluding acquisitions and divestitures) and comparing to 2024 reported sales.
[4]	Totals may not add due to rounding.

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in millions)   NORMALIZED EBITDA RECONCILIATION
	Three Months Ended December 31,						Change					Twelve Months Ended December 31,						Change
		2024			2023		$			%			2024			2023		$		%
Net loss, as reported under GAAP [1]	$	(54	)	$	(86	)	$	32		37.2%		$	(216	)	$	(388	)	$	172	44.3%
Total normalized adjustments, net of tax [2]		123			159								502			665
Normalized net income [2]		69			73								286			277
Normalized income tax [3]		(4	)		(17	)							21			(86	)
Interest expense, net [1]		72			70								295			283
Normalized depreciation and amortization [2] [4] [5]		54			75								224			258
Stock-based compensation [4]		25			18								74			50
Normalized EBITDA [6]	$	216		$	219		$	(3	)	(1.4)%		$	900		$	782		$	118	15.1%

[1]	Refer to “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)” for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in this release.
[2]	Refer to Total normalized adjustments, net of tax in the "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited) - Certain Line Items" for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in this release.
[3]	Refer to Normalized income tax provision (benefit) in the "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited) - Certain Line Items" for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in this release.
[4]	Refer to "Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)" for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in this release.
[5]	Normalized depreciation and amortization exclude the amortization of acquired intangibles. For the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, excludes $24 million and $19 million, respectively, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 excludes $99 million and $76 million, respectively.
[6]	The Company defines Normalized EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for certain items and non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

NET DEBT RECONCILIATION
		At December 31, 2024			At December 31, 2023
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		$	87		$	329
Long-term debt			4,508			4,575
Gross debt			4,595			4,904
Less: Cash and cash equivalents			198			332
Net debt [1]		$	4,397		$	4,572

[1]	The Company defines net debt as gross debt less the total of cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes net debt is meaningful to investors as it considers net debt and its components to be an important indicator of liquidity and a guiding measure of capital structure strategy.

NEWELL BRANDS INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)   CORE SALES OUTLOOK
	Three Months Ending March 31, 2025				Twelve Months Ending December 31, 2025
Estimated net sales change (GAAP)	(8)%	to	(5)%		(4)%	to	(2)%
Estimated currency impact [1] and divestitures [2], net	~4% to 3%				~2% to 3%
Core sales change (Non-GAAP) [3]	(4)%	to	(2)%		(2)%	to	1%

[1]	“Currency Impact” represents the effect of foreign currency on 2025 estimated sales and is calculated by applying the 2024 average monthly exchange rates to the current year local currency sales amounts (excluding acquisitions and divestitures) and comparing to 2025 estimated sales.
[2]	Divestitures include certain market and category exits and current and prior period net sales from retail store closures (consistent with standard retail practice).
[3]	Totals may not add due to rounding.

 

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Investor Contact:

Joanne Freiberger

SVP, Investor Relations & Chief Communications Officer

+1 (727) 947-0891

joanne.freiberger@newellco.com

Media Contact:

Danielle Clark

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

+1 (404) 783-0419

danielle.clark@newellco.com

Source: Newell Brands

FAQ

What were Newell Brands (NWL) Q4 2024 earnings per share?

Newell Brands reported Q4 2024 normalized diluted EPS of $0.16, compared to $0.18 in the prior year period.

How much did Newell Brands (NWL) sales decline in Q4 2024?

Newell Brands' net sales declined 6.1% to $1.9 billion in Q4 2024, with core sales declining 3.0%.

What is Newell Brands (NWL) full-year 2025 earnings guidance?

Newell Brands projects normalized EPS of $0.70 to $0.76 for full-year 2025.

How much debt did Newell Brands (NWL) refinance in Q4 2024?

Newell Brands successfully refinanced $1.25 billion of debt during the fourth quarter of 2024.

What was Newell Brands (NWL) gross margin improvement in Q4 2024?

Newell Brands' reported gross margin increased by 430 basis points to 34.2% compared to the same quarter last year.