Stepan Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) reported Q3 2024 results with net income of $23.6M, up 88% versus prior year. Adjusted net income was $23.7M, up 61%, driven by higher margins and lower tax rates. EBITDA reached $53.0M and Adjusted EBITDA was $53.1M, up 18% and 11% respectively. Global sales volume declined 1% year-over-year, with Surfactants showing growth while Polymers experienced weakness. The company achieved $13.3M in pre-tax cost savings and remains on track for its $50M cost reduction goal in 2024.

Positive

• Net income increased 88% to $23.6M
• EBITDA grew 18% to $53.0M
• Surfactant operating income up 71% to $26.3M
• Cost savings of $13.3M achieved in Q3
• Agricultural, Oilfield, and Construction markets showed double-digit growth

Negative

• Global sales volume down 1% year-over-year
• Negative free cash flow of $4.0M in Q3
• Polymer net sales decreased 12%
• Rigid Polyol volume declined 13%
• Specialty Product sales decreased 24%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Stepan Company delivered a mixed but generally positive Q3 2024 performance. Net income surged 88% to $23.6 million, with adjusted net income up 61%. Key positives include double-digit growth in several Surfactant markets and successful cost reduction initiatives, with $13.3 million in Q3 savings toward their $50 million annual goal.

The Surfactants segment showed strength with 71% operating income growth, while Polymers faced headwinds with a 30% decline in operating income due to weak demand. The negative $4.0 million free cash flow reflects strategic inventory building and planned maintenance.

The surprisingly low negative 10.7% effective tax rate, driven by GILTI tax regime elections, significantly boosted bottom-line results. This tax benefit contributed $6.8 million to net income, masking some underlying operational challenges.

Market Research Analyst

The divergent performance across segments reveals important market dynamics. Surfactants showed resilience with strong growth in Agricultural, Oilfield and Construction markets, indicating robust industrial demand. However, the 13% decline in Rigid Polyol volume signals concerning weakness in construction and renovation markets, likely due to high interest rates dampening real estate activity.

Latin American operations demonstrated particular strength, with mid-single-digit Surfactant growth in Brazil's agricultural sector and new Mexican contracts. This geographic diversification helps offset regional weaknesses. The inventory build-up strategy ahead of hurricane season and planned maintenance shows prudent operational management despite short-term cash flow impact.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Reported net income was $23.6 million, up 88% versus prior year. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $23.7 million, up 61% versus prior year, largely due to higher margins and a lower effective tax rate. The year-over-year change in effective tax rate positively impacted net income by $6.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.
• EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $53.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $53.1 million, up 18% and 11% respectively, year-over-year.
• Global sales volume was down 1% year-over-year. Double digit growth in several Surfactant end markets was fully offset by demand weakness in Polymers.
• Cash from Operations was $22.7 million during the quarter. Free cash flow⁽³⁾ for the quarter was a negative $4.0 million.
• The Company is on track to deliver its $50 million cost out goal for 2024 and recognized $13.3 million in pre-tax savings in the third quarter.

YTD 2024 Highlights

• Reported net income was $47.0 million, up 14% versus prior year. Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $47.7 million, up 10% year-over-year.
• EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $151.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was $151.9 million, up 8% and 7% respectively, year-over-year.
• Global sales volume was up 1% year-over-year.

"Team Stepan delivered a solid quarter despite significant challenges. Third quarter adjusted EBITDA grew double digits driven by the Surfactant and Specialty Product businesses. Surfactants continued its volume recovery and experienced double-digit volume growth within the Agricultural, Oilfield and the Construction and Industrial Solutions end markets and also with our Distribution partners. Latin America Surfactant volume grew mid-single digits driven by strong demand within the Agricultural end markets in Brazil and new contracted business in Mexico," said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Rigid Polyol volume was down 13% during the quarter due to soft demand and competitive pressures. We believe the sluggish demand is related to global macro-economic uncertainties including the high interest rate environment. Specialty Polyols volume and margins were up during the quarter. Global margins continue to improve and remain in line with expectations. Free Cash Flow for the quarter was in line with our expectations as we built inventory levels for the hurricane season and in anticipation of two Polymer plant turnarounds in October. The third quarter results are a testament to the resilience of Team Stepan and give us a strong base to grow from." 

Financial Summary

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share data)		2024				2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
Net Sales		$	546,842			$	562,226				(3)	%		$	1,654,665			$	1,793,637				(8)	%
Operating Income		$	23,949			$	19,517				23	%		$	62,785			$	58,383				8	%
Net Income		$	23,606			$	12,571				88	%		$	47,020			$	41,397				14	%
Earnings per Diluted Share		$	1.03			$	0.55				87	%		$	2.05			$	1.80				14	%
Adjusted Net Income *		$	23,661			$	14,730				61	%		$	47,713			$	43,206				10	%
Adjusted Earnings per    Diluted Share *		$	1.03			$	0.64				61	%		$	2.08			$	1.88				11	%

* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

 

Percentage Change in Net Sales

Net sales in the third quarter of 2024 decreased 3% year-over-year. The decline in net sales was impacted equally by a 1% drop in volume, lower selling prices and foreign currency translation. 

		Three Months Ended September 30, 2024				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Volume			(1)	%			1	%
Selling Price & Mix			(1)	%			(9)	%
Foreign Translation			(1)	%			(—)	%
Total			(3)	%			(8)	%

 

Segment Results

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)		2024				2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
Net Sales
Surfactants		$	382,724			$	373,836				2	%		$	1,153,339			$	1,233,351				(6)	%
Polymers		$	149,796			$	169,559				(12)	%		$	455,061			$	495,200				(8)	%
Specialty Products		$	14,322			$	18,831				(24)	%		$	46,265			$	65,086				(29)	%
Total Net Sales		$	546,842			$	562,226				(3)	%		$	1,654,665			$	1,793,637				(8)	%

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax)		2024				2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
Operating Income
Surfactants		$	26,303			$	15,373				71	%		$	69,445			$	57,570				21	%
Polymers		$	15,248			$	21,813				(30)	%		$	37,227			$	48,137				(23)	%
Specialty Products		$	3,727			$	2,402				55	%		$	15,314			$	8,704				76	%
Total Segment    Operating Income		$	45,278			$	39,588				14	%		$	121,986			$	114,411				7	%
Corporate Expenses		$	(21,329)			$	(20,071)				6	%		$	(59,201)			$	(56,028)				6	%
Consolidated    Operating Income		$	23,949			$	19,517				23	%		$	62,785			$	58,383				8	%

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in millions)		2024				2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
EBITDA		$	53.0			$	45.1				18	%		$	151.0			$	140.1				8	%
Adjusted EBITDA
Surfactants		$	44.2			$	31.6				40	%		$	122.9			$	105.1				17	%
Polymers		$	23.4			$	29.7				(21)	%		$	61.6			$	72.6				(15)	%
Specialty Products		$	5.2			$	3.9				33	%		$	19.8			$	13.0				52	%
Unallocated Corporate		$	(19.7)			$	(17.2)				15	%		$	(52.4)			$	(48.2)				9	%
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA		$	53.1			$	48.0				11	%		$	151.9			$	142.5				7	%

 

Consolidated operating income increased $4.4 million, or 23%, year-over-year. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased $5.1 million, or 11%, year-over-year driven by higher Surfactant volume and margins, partially offset by demand weakness in Polymers.

• Surfactant net sales were $382.7 million for the quarter, a 2% increase versus the prior year. Selling prices were up 1% primarily due to improved product and customer mix. Sales volume was up 3% year-over-year primarily due to double digit growth within the Agricultural, Oilfield and the Construction and Industrial Solutions end markets along with our distribution partners. This growth was partially offset by lower demand within the Consumer Products end markets. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted net sales by 2%. Surfactant operating income for the quarter increased $10.9 million, or 71%, versus the prior year. Surfactant adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ increased $12.6 million, or 40%, versus the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the 3% growth in sales volume and margin improvement that was partially offset by pre-operating expenses at the Company's new alkoxylation facility being built in Pasadena, Texas.
• Polymer net sales were $149.8 million for the quarter, a 12% decrease versus the prior year. Selling prices decreased 3%, primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and competitive pressures. Sales volume declined 11% in the quarter primarily due to a 13% decrease in global Rigid Polyols demand and a 27% decrease in commodity Phthalic Anhydride volume. Specialty Polyols volume was up year-over-year. Foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 2%. Polymer operating income decreased $6.6 million, or 30%, versus the prior year. Polymer adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ decreased $6.3 million, or 21%, versus the prior year primarily due to the 11% decline in sales volume.
• Specialty Product net sales were $14.3 million for the quarter, a 24% decrease versus the prior year, primarily due to lower selling prices. Sales volume was down 5% versus the prior year. Specialty Product operating income increased $1.3 million, or 55%, versus the prior year. Specialty Product adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ increased $1.3 million, or 33%. The increase in adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ was primarily due to higher unit margins within the medium chain triglycerides product line.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was a negative 10.7% during the third quarter of 2024 versus 20.6% in the third quarter of 2023.  The decrease was primarily attributable to the Company's intention to make an election under the U.S. GILTI tax regime to exclude certain high taxed entities from the GILTI computation. The Company's effective tax rate was 18.9% for the first nine months of 2024 versus 20.5% for the first nine months of 2023. 

Outlook

"Team Stepan continues to be focused on executing our strategic growth projects. We are pleased that several of our Surfactant businesses continue to deliver strong volume growth. Agricultural volumes grew double-digits in the third quarter which aligns with our expectations for a second half 2024 recovery. We remain optimistic Rigid Polyol demand will increase as the market gets more macro-economic clarity and the interest rate environment improves," said Luis E. Rojo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Free cash flow should continue to improve versus prior year driven by the completion of our Pasadena investment, growth in market volumes, and our continued focus on cost reduction. We believe we are positioned to deliver full year Adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow."

Notes

(1) 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.

(2) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See Table VI for calculations and GAAP reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

(3) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and reflects cash generated from operations minus capital expenditures. Cash generated from operations was $22.7 million during the third quarter of 2024 and capital expenditures were $26.7 million.

Conference Call

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter results at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) on October 30, 2024. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. To access the call by phone, please click on this Registration Link, complete the form and you will be provided with dial in details and a PIN. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. The webcast can be accessed through the Investors/Conference Calls page at www.stepan.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available at the same location shortly after the 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

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com

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 Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to  accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Tables follow

Table I
STEPAN COMPANY For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (Unaudited – in 000's, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net Sales		$	546,842			$	562,226			$	1,654,665			$	1,793,637
Cost of Sales			471,157				490,990				1,439,147				1,582,444
Gross Profit			75,685				71,236				215,518				211,193
Operating Expenses:
Selling			11,394				11,811				34,610				35,987
Administrative			26,254				22,904				73,513				68,132
Research, Development and Technical Services			13,532				14,477				41,881				43,720
Deferred Compensation Expense			556				(3,101)				2,729				(856)
			51,736				46,091				152,733				146,983
Business Restructuring Expense			-				5,628				-				5,827
Operating Income			23,949				19,517				62,785				58,383
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, Net			(3,621)				(2,987)				(9,353)				(9,674)
Other, Net			989				(690)				4,551				3,348
			(2,632)				(3,677)				(4,802)				(6,326)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes			21,317				15,840				57,983				52,057
Provision for Income Taxes			(2,289)				3,269				10,963				10,660
Net Income			23,606				12,571				47,020				41,397
Net Income Per Common Share
Basic		$	1.03			$	0.55			$	2.06			$	1.82
Diluted		$	1.03			$	0.55			$	2.05			$	1.80
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per    Common Share
Basic			22,836				22,786				22,829				22,770
Diluted			22,923				22,930				22,936				22,956

 

Table II
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share*
		Three Months Ended September 30,																Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		2024				EPS				2023				EPS				2024				EPS				2023				EPS
Net Income Reported		$	23,606			$	1.03			$	12,571			$	0.55			$	47,020			$	2.05			$	41,397			$	1.80
Deferred Compensation    Income		$	(350)			$	(0.02)			$	(2,038)			$	(0.09)			$	(1,043)			$	(0.05)			$	(2,795)			$	(0.12)
Business Restructuring Expense		$	-			$	-			$	4,219			$	0.18			$	-			$	-			$	4,365			$	0.19
Cash-Settled SARs Income		$	-			$	-			$	(61)			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(145)			$	(0.01)
Environmental Remediation     Expense		$	405			$	0.02			$	39			$	-			$	1,736			$	0.08			$	384			$	0.02
Adjusted Net Income		$	23,661			$	1.03			$	14,730			$	0.64			$	47,713			$	2.08			$	43,206			$	1.88

* All amounts in this table are presented after-tax

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company's operating performance and financial condition.  The Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.  Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information because they exclude non-operational items that affect comparability between years.  These measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 contains additional information regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures.

Summary of Third Quarter 2024 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 third quarter of 2024 reported net income includes $0.4 million of after-tax income versus $2.0 million of after-tax income in the prior year.
• Environmental Remediation: The third quarter of 2024 reported net income includes $0.4 million of after-tax expense versus less than $0.1 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

 

Table III
Reconciliation of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments
Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted net income metric to evaluate the Company's operating performance.  Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items.  The cumulative tax effect was calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the transactions occurred.
		Three Months Ended September 30,																Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		2024				EPS				2023				EPS				2024				EPS				2023				EPS
Pre-Tax Adjustments
Deferred Compensation     Income		$	(466)							$	(2,717)							$	(1,390)							$	(3,726)
Business Restructuring Expense		$	-							$	5,628							$	-							$	5,827
Cash-Settled SARs Income		$	-							$	(82)							$	-							$	(193)
Environmental Remediation     Expense		$	541							$	52							$	2,315							$	513
Total Pre-Tax Adjustments		$	75							$	2,881							$	925							$	2,421
Cumulative Tax Effect     on Adjustments		$	(20)							$	(722)							$	(232)							$	(612)
After-Tax Adjustments		$	55			$	-			$	2,159			$	0.09			$	693			$	0.03			$	1,809			$	0.08

 

Table IV
Deferred Compensation Plans
The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was $0.5 million of income versus $2.7 million of income in the prior year.  The quarter-end market prices of Company stock and the impact of deferred compensation on specific income statement line items is summarized below:
		2024												2023
		9/30				6/30				3/31				12/31				9/30				6/30				3/31
Stepan Company		$	77.25			$	83.96			$	90.04			$	94.55			$	74.97			$	95.56			$	103.03

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Deferred Compensation
Operating Income (Expense)		$	(556)			$	3,101			$	(2,729)			$	856
Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)			1,022				(384)				4,119				2,870
Total Pre-Tax		$	466			$	2,717			$	1,390			$	3,726
Total After-Tax		$	350			$	2,038			$	1,043			$	2,795

 

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation
The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. These results are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period.  The table below presents the impact that foreign currency translation had on select income statement line items.
($ in millions)		Three Months Ended September 30,								Change				Change Due to Foreign Currency Translation				Nine Months Ended September 30,								Change				Change Due to Foreign Currency Translation
		2024				2023												2024				2023
Net Sales		$	546.8			$	562.2			$	(15.4)			$	(5.6)			$	1,654.7			$	1,793.6			$	(138.9)			$	7.0
Gross Profit			75.7				71.2			$	4.5				(0.9)				215.5				211.2			$	4.3				0.1
Operating Income			23.9				19.5			$	4.4				(0.4)				62.8				58.4			$	4.4				0.2
Pretax Income			21.3				15.8			$	5.5				(0.5)				58.0				52.1			$	5.9				0.0

 

Corporate Expenses
		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)		2024				2023				% Change				2024				2023				% Change
Total Corporate Expenses		$	21,329			$	20,071				6	%		$	59,201			$	56,028				6	%
Less:
Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense		$	556			$	(3,101)			NM				$	2,729			$	(856)			NM
Business Restructuring Expense		$	-			$	5,628			NM				$	-			$	5,827			NM
Environmental Remediation       Expense		$	541			$	52			NM				$	2,315			$	513			NM
Adjusted Corporate Expenses		$	20,232			$	17,492				16	%		$	54,157			$	50,544				7	%

Adjusted Corporate expenses increased $2.7 million, or 16% for the quarter. This increase was primarily due to $3.3 million of higher expenses associated with a criminal social engineering scheme at one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia, partially offset by productivity measures implemented in late 2023.

Table V
Stepan Company Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
		September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets		$	918,158			$	851,883
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net			1,201,946				1,206,665
Other Assets			293,685				304,806
Total Assets		$	2,413,789			$	2,363,354
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities		$	721,293			$	607,870
Deferred Income Taxes			10,676				10,373
Long-term Debt			348,670				401,248
Other Non-current Liabilities			113,785				127,373
Total Stepan Company Stockholders' Equity			1,219,365				1,216,490
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	2,413,789			$	2,363,354

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information
The Company's total debt increased by $31.4 million and cash increased by $22.6 million versus June 30, 2024.  The increase in debt primarily reflects higher borrowings against the Company's revolving credit facility that were partially offset by scheduled debt repayments.  The Company's net debt level increased $8.8 million versus June 30, 2024 and the net debt ratio remained constant at 31% in the quarter (Net Debt and Net Debt Ratio are non-GAAP measures, reconciliations of which are shown in the table below).  Management uses the non-GAAP net debt metric to show a more complete picture of the Company's overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage level.
($ in millions)	September 30, 2024				June 30, 2024				March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Net Debt
Total Debt	$	688.5			$	657.1			$	646.0			$	654.1
Cash		147.3				124.7				125.8				129.8
Net Debt	$	541.2			$	532.4			$	520.2			$	524.3
Equity		1,219.4				1,192.4				1,214.5				1,216.5
Net Debt + Equity	$	1,760.6			$	1,724.8			$	1,734.7			$	1,740.8
Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)		31	%			31	%			30	%			30	%

 

The major working capital components were:

($ in millions)	September 30, 2024				June 30, 2024				March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Net Receivables	$	434.1			$	437.3			$	446.6			$	422.1
Inventories		296.7				266.0				257.1				265.6
Accounts Payable		(257.1)				(251.2)				(256.9)				(233.0)
	$	473.7			$	452.1			$	446.8			$	454.7

 

Table VI
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Management uses the non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA metrics to evaluate the Company's operating performance.  Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items.  Refer to the Income Statement on Table I for a bridge between Operating Income and Net Income.
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	26.3			$	15.2			$	3.7			$	(21.3)			$	23.9
Depreciation and Amortization		$	17.9			$	8.2			$	1.5			$	0.5			$	28.1
Other, Net Income		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	1.0			$	1.0
EBITDA																		$	53.0
Deferred Compensation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(0.4)			$	(0.4)
Environmental Remediation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	0.5			$	0.5
Adjusted EBITDA		$	44.2			$	23.4			$	5.2			$	(19.7)			$	53.1
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	15.4			$	21.8			$	2.4			$	(20.1)			$	19.5
Depreciation and Amortization		$	16.3			$	7.9			$	1.5			$	0.6			$	26.3
Other, Net Income		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(0.7)			$	(0.7)
EBITDA																		$	45.1
Deferred Compensation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(2.7)			$	(2.7)
Cash Settled SARs		$	(0.1)			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(0.1)
Business Restructuring		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	5.6			$	5.6
Environmental Remediation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	0.1			$	0.1
Adjusted EBITDA		$	31.6			$	29.7			$	3.9			$	(17.2)			$	48.0
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	69.4			$	37.2			$	15.3			$	(59.2)			$	62.7
Depreciation and Amortization		$	53.5			$	24.4			$	4.5			$	1.3			$	83.7
Other, Net Income		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	4.6			$	4.6
EBITDA																		$	151.0
Deferred Compensation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(1.4)			$	(1.4)
Environmental Remediation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	2.3			$	2.3
Adjusted EBITDA		$	122.9			$	61.6			$	19.8			$	(52.4)			$	151.9
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
($ in millions)		Surfactants				Polymers				Specialty Products				Unallocated Corporate				Consolidated
Operating Income		$	57.6			$	48.1			$	8.7			$	(56.0)			$	58.4
Depreciation and Amortization		$	47.7			$	24.5			$	4.3			$	1.9			$	78.4
Other, Net Income (Expense)		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	3.3			$	3.3
EBITDA																		$	140.1
Deferred Compensation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(3.7)			$	(3.7)
Cash Settled SARs		$	(0.2)			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	(0.2)
Business Restructuring		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	5.8			$	5.8
Environmental Remediation		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	0.5			$	0.5
Adjusted EBITDA		$	105.1			$	72.6			$	13.0			$	(48.2)			$	142.5

 

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SOURCE Stepan Company

FAQ

What was Stepan's (SCL) net income for Q3 2024?

Stepan reported net income of $23.6 million in Q3 2024, representing an 88% increase compared to the prior year.

How much did Stepan's (SCL) global sales volume change in Q3 2024?

Stepan's global sales volume decreased 1% year-over-year in Q3 2024, with growth in Surfactants offset by weakness in Polymers.

What was Stepan's (SCL) cost savings achievement in Q3 2024?

Stepan achieved $13.3 million in pre-tax cost savings during Q3 2024 and remains on track to meet its $50 million cost reduction goal for 2024.

What was Stepan's (SCL) EBITDA performance in Q3 2024?

Stepan's EBITDA was $53.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $53.1 million in Q3 2024, up 18% and 11% respectively year-over-year.