Olin Hosts 2024 Investor Day and Announces Increase in Share Repurchase Authorization to $2.0 Billion

Rhea-AI Summary

Olin (NYSE: OLN) hosted its 2024 Investor Day in New York City, where management presented updates on core businesses, long-term strategy, and financial targets. The company announced a significant expansion of its share repurchase authorization to $2.0 billion through a new program.

The new $1.3 billion share repurchase program complements the existing program, which had approximately $0.7 billion remaining authorization as of September 30, 2024. The 2024 Share Repurchase Program has no time limit and provides flexibility in timing and execution method. Management will determine the actual implementation based on market conditions and other factors.

Positive

• Authorization of new $1.3 billion share repurchase program, increasing total buyback capacity to $2.0 billion
• Existing $0.7 billion buyback authorization from 2022 remains intact
• Flexible repurchase terms with no time limit, allowing optimal execution

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement of a $2.0 billion share repurchase authorization signals strong confidence in Olin's financial health and cash flow generation capabilities. The new $1.3 billion program, combined with the remaining $0.7 billion from the 2022 program, represents a significant capital return initiative that could provide substantial support for the stock price. The flexible, open-ended nature of the program without time constraints allows management to opportunistically buy back shares when valuations are attractive. This strategic move, coupled with the company's vertically integrated business model in chemicals and ammunition, demonstrates a balanced approach to capital allocation between operational investments and shareholder returns.

Market Research Analyst

The timing of this announcement at their Investor Day reflects a strategic move to reinforce investor confidence. The focus on "self-help initiatives and low-capital growth projects" suggests a prudent approach to organic growth while maintaining strong cash flows. Their value-first commercial strategy in leading market positions across chlorine, caustic soda and ammunition segments provides diversified revenue streams. The substantial buyback authorization could potentially reduce the float significantly, potentially leading to higher EPS and improved return metrics. This commitment to shareholder returns while maintaining operational excellence positions Olin well in the specialty chemicals sector.

CLAYTON, Mo., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) will host an Investor Day in New York City today, beginning at 9:00am (ET). The event is expected to conclude at approximately 12:00pm (ET). A live webcast of the presentation, along with the presentation materials, will be available at https://www.olin.com. A replay of the 2024 Investor Day will be available within 24 hours of the event's conclusion.

Ken Lane, President & CEO, will be joined by members of the Executive Leadership Team, who will deliver updates on Olin's core businesses, long-term value creation strategy, and financial targets. The event will include formal presentations as well as a Q&A session.

"We are excited to provide the investment community with an update on our core businesses and go-forward strategy to optimize and grow the core through self-help initiatives and low-capital growth projects. We continue to safely and reliably deliver essential materials to customers and deliver higher returns to shareholders through our leading market positions, value-first commercial approach, and disciplined capital allocation framework," said Ken Lane, Olin's President and CEO. "Additionally, we are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has authorized a new share repurchase program ("2024 Share Repurchase Program"), increasing our authorization to $2.0 billion and emphasizing their continued confidence in Olin's earnings potential and cash flow generation."

Under the new $1.3 billion share repurchase program ("2024 Share Repurchase Program") approved by Olin's Board of Directors, shares of the Company's common stock may be repurchased periodically, including in the open market, or privately negotiated transactions. The actual timing, manner, number, and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of Olin's common stock, general market and economic conditions, applicable requirements, and other business considerations. The 2024 Share Repurchase Program has no time limit and does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of shares of the Company's common stock.

On September 30, 2024, Olin had remaining authorization to repurchase approximately $0.7 billion of the Company's common stock under its existing stock repurchase plan approved in July 2022 (the "2022 Share Repurchase Program"). The authorization remaining available under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program is not affected by the authorization of the 2024 Share Repurchase Program.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Olin Corporation is a leading vertically integrated global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and a leading U.S. manufacturer of ammunition. The chemical products produced include chlorine and caustic soda, vinyls, epoxies, chlorinated organics, bleach, hydrogen, and hydrochloric acid. Winchester's principal manufacturing facilities produce and distribute sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, industrial cartridges, and clay targets.

Visit www.olin.com for more information on Olin.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on management's beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, forecasts of future results, and current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets and economy in which we and our various segments operate. The statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

We have used the words "anticipate," "intend," "may," "expect," "believe," "should," "plan," "outlook," "project," "estimate," "forecast," "optimistic," "target," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intent to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's common stock. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. The payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including our earnings, our operations, our financial conditions, our capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In the future, our board of directors may change our dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involved in our forward-looking statements, many of which are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports furnished or filed with the SEC, include, but are not limited to, the following:

Business, Industry and Operational Risks

• sensitivity to economic, business and market conditions in the United States and overseas, including economic instability or a downturn in the sectors served by us;
• declines in average selling prices for our products and the supply/demand balance for our products, including the impact of excess industry capacity or an imbalance in demand for our chlor alkali products;
• unsuccessful execution of our strategic operating model, which prioritizes Electrochemical Unit (ECU) margins over sales volumes;
• failure to identify, attract, develop, retain and motivate qualified employees throughout the organization and ability to manage executive officer and other key senior management transitions;
• failure to control costs and inflation impacts or failure to achieve targeted cost reductions;
• our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for specified feedstock and services and our reliance on third-party transportation;
• the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions and production hazards;
• exposure to physical risks associated with climate-related events or increased severity and frequency of severe weather events;
• availability of and/or higher-than-expected costs of raw material, energy, transportation, and/or logistics;
• the failure or an interruption, including cyber-attacks, of our information technology systems;
• our inability to complete future acquisitions or joint venture transactions or successfully integrate them into our business;
• risks associated with our international sales and operations, including economic, political or regulatory changes;
• our indebtedness and debt service obligations;
• weak industry conditions affecting our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior credit facility;
• adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
• the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates or other significant assumptions used to value the liabilities in, and funding of, our pension plans;
• our long-range plan assumptions not being realized, causing a non-cash impairment charge of long-lived assets;

Legal, Environmental and Regulatory Risks

• changes in, or failure to comply with, legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes regarding our ability to manufacture or use certain products and changes within the international markets in which we operate;
• new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
• unexpected outcomes from legal or regulatory claims and proceedings;
• costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;
• various risks associated with our Lake City U.S. Army Ammunition Plant contract and performance under other governmental contracts; and
• failure to effectively manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and related regulations, including climate change and sustainability.

All of our forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements.

2024-17

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SOURCE Olin Corporation

FAQ

How much is Olin's new share repurchase authorization announced in December 2024?

Olin announced a new $1.3 billion share repurchase program, bringing the total authorization to $2.0 billion when combined with the existing program.

What is the remaining balance of OLN's 2022 share repurchase program?

As of September 30, 2024, approximately $0.7 billion remained available under Olin's 2022 Share Repurchase Program.

Does Olin's 2024 share repurchase program have a time limit?

No, the 2024 Share Repurchase Program has no time limit and provides flexibility in execution.

How will OLN implement its 2024 share repurchase program?

The program will be implemented through periodic repurchases in open market or private transactions, with timing, manner, and value determined by management based on market conditions and other factors.