Stepan Reports First Quarter Results
Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) reported its first-quarter results on April 25, 2023. The company experienced a significant drop in net income, totaling $16.1 million ($0.70 per share), down 64% from $44.8 million ($1.93 per share) in the prior year. Adjusted net income also fell to $16.4 million from $40.7 million year-over-year. Total sales decreased by 4% to $651.4 million, while EBITDA dropped significantly to $48.3 million from $84.6 million last year. The decline was attributed to a 14% decrease in global sales volume across all segments, particularly surfactants and polymers, due to lower market demand and customer destocking. Despite these challenges, the company aims for a modest recovery in the second half of the year, bolstered by new contracted business and growth in Rigid Polyols.
- Higher selling prices partially offset the decline in sales volume, up 14% mainly due to increased raw material costs.
- The company reported a solid balance sheet and is committed to advancing strategic initiatives for long-term growth.
- Net income fell 64% to $16.1 million, driven by reduced sales volume.
- Total sales volume decreased by 14%, impacting all segments, with surfactant income slumping 50%.
First Quarter Highlights
- Reported net income was
, or$16.1 million per diluted share versus$0.70 , or$44.8 million per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income* was$1.93 , or$16.4 million per diluted share versus$0.71 , or$40.7 million per diluted share, in the prior year.$1.76 Total Company sales volume decreased14% versus the prior year. - Surfactant operating income was
versus$27.1 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to a$53.8 million 13% decline in global sales volume that was partially offset by improved product and customer mix. The lower sales volume was mostly due to lower global commodity laundry demand, low 1,4 dioxane transition start-up delays and the previously mentioned backward integration by one customer in the third quarter of 2022. Volumes were also negatively impacted by lower demand within the North American Personal Care end market and continued customer inventory destocking. Higher global demand in the Agricultural end market partially offset the above. - Polymer operating income was
versus$10.0 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to an$14.1 million 18% decline in global sales volume, including a19% volume decline in Rigid Polyols and lower demand in the Specialty Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride businesses. The lower demand reflects continued customer inventory destocking and lower construction-related activities. - Specialty Product operating income was
versus$2.5 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales volume and margins within the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line.$3.7 million - The effect of foreign currency translation negatively impacted net income by
, or$0.9 million per diluted share, versus the prior year.$0.04 - Total Company EBITDA** was
during the first quarter of 2023 versus$48.3 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA** was$84.6 million versus$48.7 million in the prior year.$79.3 million
* | Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures which exclude deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) income/expense, certain environmental remediation-related costs as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share. |
** | EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See Table VI for calculations and GAAP reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA. |
"The Company's first quarter financial results were significantly impacted by lower sales volume stemming from softening market demand, delays in the startup of new low 1,4 dioxane production assets and continued customer and channel destocking across most of our markets," said
Financial Summary
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | % | |||||||||
$ | 651,436 | $ | 675,276 | (4) | % | |||||||
Operating Income | $ | 21,057 | $ | 63,346 | (67) | % | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 16,142 | $ | 44,809 | (64) | % | ||||||
Earnings per Diluted Share | $ | 0.70 | $ | 1.93 | (64) | % | ||||||
Adjusted Net Income * | $ | 16,419 | $ | 40,728 | (60) | % | ||||||
Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share * | $ | 0.71 | $ | 1.76 | (60) | % |
* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share. |
Summary of First Quarter Adjusted Net Income Items
Adjusted net income excludes non-operational deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled SARs income/expense, certain environmental remediation costs and other significant and infrequent or non-recurring items.
- Deferred Compensation: The 2023 first quarter reported net income includes
of after-tax income versus$0.1 million of after-tax income in the prior year.$3.9 million - Cash Settled SARs: These management incentive instruments provide cash to participants equal to the appreciation on the price of specified shares of Company stock over a specified period of time. Because income or expense is recognized merely on the movement in the price of Company stock it has been excluded, similar to deferred compensation, to arrive at adjusted net income. The current year quarter includes less than
of after-tax income versus$0.1 million of after-tax income in the prior year.$0.4 million - Business Restructuring: The 2023 first quarter reported net income includes
of after-tax decommissioning expense related to the Company's Canadian plant closure versus less than$0.1 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.$0.1 million - Environmental Remediation – The first quarter of 2023 reported net income includes
of after-tax expense versus$0.3 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.$0.2 million
Percentage Change in
Net sales in the first quarter of 2023 decreased
Three Months Ended | ||||
Volume | (14) | % | ||
Selling Price & Mix | 12 | % | ||
Foreign Currency Translation | (2) | % | ||
Total | (4) | % |
Segment Results
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | % | |||||||||
Surfactants | $ | 467,828 | $ | 468,266 | (0) | % | ||||||
Polymers | $ | 161,127 | $ | 187,079 | (14) | % | ||||||
Specialty Products | $ | 22,481 | $ | 19,931 | 13 | % | ||||||
Total | $ | 651,436 | $ | 675,276 | (4) | % | ||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax) | 2023 | 2022 | % | |||||||||
Operating Income | ||||||||||||
Surfactants | $ | 27,056 | $ | 53,769 | (50) | % | ||||||
Polymers | $ | 10,004 | $ | 14,129 | (29) | % | ||||||
Specialty Products | $ | 2,530 | $ | 3,695 | (32) | % | ||||||
Segment Operating Income | $ | 39,590 | $ | 71,593 | (45) | % | ||||||
Corporate Expenses | $ | (18,533) | $ | (8,247) | 125 | % | ||||||
Consolidated Operating Income | $ | 21,057 | $ | 63,346 | (67) | % |
Total segment operating income for the first quarter of 2023 decreased
- Surfactant net sales were
for the quarter, flat versus the prior year. Selling prices were up$467.8 million 14% primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material and input costs as well as improved product and customer mix. Sales volume decreased13% year-over-year primarily due to lower global commodity laundry demand, startup delays associated with the low 1,4 dioxane transition, lower demand within the North American Personal Care end market and continued customer and channel inventory destocking. Higher global demand for products sold into the Agricultural end market partially offset the above. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales by1% . Surfactant operating income for the quarter decreased versus the prior year primarily due to the$26.7 million 13% decline in sales volume and higher expenses associated with the Company's transition to low 1,4 dioxane capabilities. - Polymer net sales were
for the quarter, a$161.1 million 14% decrease versus the prior year. Sales volume decreased18% in the quarter primarily due to a19% decline in Rigid Polyols and lower demand in the Specialty Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride businesses. This was partially offset by strong double digit sales volume growth inChina and mid-single digit growth in the North America CASE business. The lower demand reflects customer and channel inventory destocking and lower construction-related activities. Selling prices increased8% primarily due to the pass through of higher material raw material and input costs. The translation impact of a strongerU.S. dollar negatively impacted net sales by4% . Polymer operating income decreased versus the prior year primarily due to the$4.1 million 18% decrease in global sales volume.
- Specialty Product net sales were
for the quarter, a$22.5 million 13% increase versus the prior year. Sales volume was down7% between years while operating income decreased . The decline in operating income was primarily attributable to lower sales volume and margins within the MCT product line.$1.2 million
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | % | |||||||||
EBITDA | ||||||||||||
Surfactants | $ | 42.4 | $ | 67.0 | $ | (24.6) | ||||||
Polymers | $ | 18.3 | $ | 21.8 | $ | (3.5) | ||||||
Specialty Products | $ | 3.9 | $ | 5.2 | $ | (1.3) | ||||||
Unallocated Corporate | $ | (16.3) | $ | (9.4) | $ | (6.9) | ||||||
Consolidated EBITDA | $ | 48.3 | $ | 84.6 | $ | (36.3) | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||
Surfactants | $ | 42.3 | $ | 66.7 | $ | (24.4) | ||||||
Polymers | $ | 18.3 | $ | 21.7 | $ | (3.4) | ||||||
Specialty Products | $ | 3.9 | $ | 5.2 | $ | (1.3) | ||||||
Unallocated Corporate | $ | (15.8) | $ | (14.3) | $ | (1.5) | ||||||
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 48.7 | $ | 79.3 | $ | (30.6) |
- Consolidated EBITDA was
for the quarter, a$48.3 million 43% decrease versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was , a$48.7 million 38% decrease versus the prior year. The year-over-year decrease in both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the decline in sales volume in the three business segments.
Corporate Expenses
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | % | |||||||||
Total - Corporate Expenses | $ | 18,533 | $ | 8,247 | 125 | % | ||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Expense/(Income) | $ | 1,502 | $ | (7,501) | NM | |||||||
Business Restructuring Expense | $ | 157 | $ | 52 | 202 | % | ||||||
Environmental Remediation Expense | $ | 409 | $ | 303 | 35 | % | ||||||
Adjusted Corporate Expenses | $ | 16,465 | $ | 15,393 | 7 | % |
* See Table III for a discussion of deferred compensation plan accounting. |
- Corporate expenses, excluding deferred compensation, business restructuring and environmental remediation related costs, increased
, or$1.1 million 7% , for the quarter. This increase was primarily driven by inflation and the reallocation of some employee costs from the business units to corporate during the first quarter of 2023. Total Company SG&A expenses, excluding deferred compensation, business restructuring and environmental remediation related costs were down5% versus the prior year.
Income Taxes
The Company's effective tax rate was
Shareholder Return
The Company paid
Selected Balance Sheet Information
The Company's total debt increased by
($ in millions) | ||||||||
Net Debt | ||||||||
Total Debt | $ | 711.0 | $ | 587.1 | ||||
Cash | 127.0 | 173.8 | ||||||
Net Debt | $ | 584.0 | $ | 413.3 | ||||
Equity | 1,189.9 | 1,166.1 | ||||||
Net Debt + Equity | $ | 1,773.9 | $ | 1,579.4 | ||||
Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity) | 33 | % | 26 | % |
The major working capital components were:
($ in millions) | ||||||||||
Net Receivables | $ | 470.3 | $ | 436.9 | ||||||
Inventories | 368.4 | 402.5 | ||||||||
Accounts Payable | (289.1) | (375.7) | ||||||||
Net Total | $ | 549.6 | $ | 463.7 |
Capital spending during the first quarter of 2023 was
Outlook
"Looking forward, we believe second quarter volumes will remain depressed as markets continue to reconcile forward demand with inventory levels throughout the channel. We expect second half year over year volume growth driven by modest recovery in demand for Rigid Polyols, growth in Surfactant volumes associated with new contracted business and a low comparable base," said
Conference Call
Supporting Slides
Slides supporting this press release will be made available at www.stepan.com through the Investors/Presentations page at approximately the same time as this press release is issued.
Corporate Profile
Headquartered in
The Company's common stock is traded on the
More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com
Contact:
Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about
There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond
These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and
Tables follow
Table I | ||||||||
STEPAN COMPANY | ||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
$ | 651,436 | $ | 675,276 | |||||
Cost of Sales | 577,876 | 566,057 | ||||||
Gross Profit | 73,560 | 109,219 | ||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||
Selling | 13,067 | 15,277 | ||||||
Administrative | 22,639 | 21,572 | ||||||
Research, Development and Technical Services | 15,138 | 16,473 | ||||||
Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense | 1,502 | (7,501) | ||||||
52,346 | 45,821 | |||||||
Business Restructuring | 157 | 52 | ||||||
Operating Income | 21,057 | 63,346 | ||||||
Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||
Interest, Net | (2,822) | (2,306) | ||||||
Other, Net | 1,668 | (1,650) | ||||||
(1,154) | (3,956) | |||||||
Income Before Income Taxes | 19,903 | 59,390 | ||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | 3,761 | 14,581 | ||||||
Net Income | 16,142 | 44,809 | ||||||
Net Income Per Common Share | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.71 | $ | 1.96 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.70 | $ | 1.93 | ||||
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common | ||||||||
Basic | 22,757 | 22,896 | ||||||
Diluted | 22,994 | 23,167 |
Table II | ||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share* | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2023 | EPS | 2022 | EPS | ||||||||||||
Net Income Reported | $ | 16,142 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 44,809 | $ | 1.93 | ||||||||
Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense | $ | (104) | $ | - | $ | (3,948) | $ | (0.17) | ||||||||
Business Restructuring Expense | 115 | $ | - | 39 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Cash Settled SARs (Income) Expense | (40) | $ | - | (402) | $ | (0.01) | ||||||||||
Environmental Remediation Expense | 306 | $ | 0.01 | 230 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||||||
Adjusted Net Income | $ | 16,419 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 40,728 | $ | 1.76 |
* | All amounts in this table are presented after-tax |
The Company believes that certain measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company's operating performance and provide better clarity on the impact of non-operational items. Internally, the Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. These measures should be considered in addition to, and are neither a substitute for, nor superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliation of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2023 | EPS | 2022 | EPS | |||||||||||||
Pre-Tax Adjustments | |||||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense | $ | (137) | $ | (5,195) | |||||||||||||
Business Restructuring Expense | 157 | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Settled SARs (Income) Expense | (53) | (529) | |||||||||||||||
Environmental Remediation Expense | 409 | 303 | |||||||||||||||
Total Pre-Tax Adjustments | $ | 376 | $ | (5,369) | |||||||||||||
Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments | $ | (99) | $ | 1,288 | |||||||||||||
After-Tax Adjustments | $ | 277 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (4,081) | $ | (0.17) | |||||||||
Table III | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred Compensation Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||
The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was | ||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
3/31 | 12/31 | 9/30 | 6/30 | 3/31 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 103.03 | $ | 106.46 | $ | 93.67 | $ | 101.35 | $ | 98.81 | |||||||||||
The deferred compensation income statement impact is summarized below:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Deferred Compensation | ||||||||
Operating Income (Expense) | $ | (1,502) | $ | 7,501 | ||||
Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss) | 1,639 | (2,306) | ||||||
Total Pre-Tax Income (Expense) | $ | 137 | $ | 5,195 | ||||
Total After Tax Income (Expense) | $ | 104 | $ | 3,948 |
Table IV | ||||||||||||||||
Effects of Foreign Currency Translation | ||||||||||||||||
The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary income statements are translated into | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Three Months Ended | (Decrease) | Change Due to Foreign | |||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 651.4 | $ | 675.3 | $ | (23.9) | $ | (12.5) | |||||||||
Gross Profit | 73.6 | 109.2 | (35.6) | (1.5) | ||||||||||||
Operating Income | 21.1 | 63.3 | (42.2) | (1.1) | ||||||||||||
Pretax Income | 19.9 | 59.4 | (39.5) | (1.1) |
Table V | ||||||||
Stepan Company | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets | $ | 1,006,524 | $ | 1,044,802 | ||||
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net | 1,120,129 | 1,073,297 | ||||||
Other Assets | 319,284 | 315,073 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 2,445,937 | $ | 2,433,172 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | $ | 662,744 | $ | 670,649 | ||||
Deferred Income Taxes | 9,469 | 10,179 | ||||||
Long-term Debt | 453,742 | 455,029 | ||||||
Other Non-current Liabilities | 130,069 | 131,250 | ||||||
Total Stepan Company Stockholders' Equity | 1,189,913 | 1,166,065 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 2,445,937 | $ | 2,433,172 |
Table VI | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Surfactants | Polymers | Specialty | Unallocated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Operating Income | $ | 27.1 | $ | 10.0 | $ | 2.5 | $ | (18.5) | $ | 21.1 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 15.3 | $ | 8.3 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 0.5 | $ | 25.5 | ||||||||||
Other, Net Income (Expense) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1.7 | $ | 1.7 | ||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 42.4 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 3.9 | $ | (16.3) | $ | 48.3 | ||||||||||
Deferred Compensation | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (0.1) | $ | (0.1) | ||||||||||
Cash Settled SARs | $ | (0.1) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (0.1) | ||||||||||
Business Restructuring | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.2 | ||||||||||
Environmental Remediation | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.4 | ||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 42.3 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 3.9 | $ | (15.8) | $ | 48.7 | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Surfactants | Polymers | Specialty | Unallocated | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Operating Income | $ | 53.8 | $ | 14.1 | $ | 3.7 | $ | (8.2) | $ | 63.4 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 13.2 | $ | 7.7 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 0.5 | $ | 22.9 | ||||||||||
Other, Net Income (Expense) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (1.7) | $ | (1.7) | ||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 67.0 | $ | 21.8 | $ | 5.2 | $ | (9.4) | $ | 84.6 | ||||||||||
Deferred Compensation | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (5.2) | $ | (5.2) | ||||||||||
Cash Settled SARs | $ | (0.3) | $ | (0.1) | $ | (0.0) | $ | (0.1) | $ | (0.5) | ||||||||||
Business Restructuring | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.1 | ||||||||||
Environmental Remediation | $ | - | $ | 0.3 | $ | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 66.7 | $ | 21.7 | $ | 5.2 | $ | (14.3) | $ | 79.3 | ||||||||||
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FAQ
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