Sonoco Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

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The Q3 results show mixed performance with some concerning trends. $1.7B in net sales reflects a 2% YoY decline, while GAAP operating profit dropped 21% to $128M. However, Adjusted EBITDA remained stable at $281M with improved productivity of $39M.

The pending $3.9B Eviosys acquisition marks a significant strategic move, though it will substantially increase leverage. The planned divestitures of TFP ($1.3B revenue) and ThermoSafe ($283M revenue) businesses signal major portfolio restructuring. Cash position is strong at $1.9B, but total debt has increased to $4.8B.

The strategic transformation through the Eviosys acquisition and planned divestitures represents a decisive shift toward metal packaging leadership. The TFP and ThermoSafe reviews indicate aggressive portfolio optimization, potentially improving operational focus and balance sheet efficiency. The maintained investment grade rating despite significant acquisition financing demonstrates market confidence, though execution risks remain in integration and divestiture timing.

10/31/2024 - 04:07 PM

HARTSVILLE, S.C., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 29, 2024.

Summary:

Achieved GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco of $51 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $281 million, diluted earnings per share of $0.51 and Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.49
Generated productivity improvements of $39 million during the third quarter of 2024 and $141 million during the first nine months of 2024
Generated $438 million of operating cash flow and $171 million of Free Cash Flow during the first nine months of 2024
Entered into an agreement on June 24, 2024, to acquire Eviosys for approximately €3.6 billion (approximately $3.9 billion); on track to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2024
Secured financing for the Eviosys acquisition by entering into new term loan agreements and completing a public offering of senior unsecured notes
Announced strategic review of the Thermoformed and Flexible Packaging (“TFP”) business to accelerate portfolio simplification; review expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024
Reaffirms full year 2024 guidance for Adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow (excluding effects of the pending Eviosys acquisition and potential divestitures)

Third Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results
(Dollars in millions except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
GAAP Results	September 29, 2024		October 1, 2023		Change

Net sales¹	$	1,676	$	1,710		(2	)%
Operating profit	$	128	$	163		(21	)%
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	51	$	131		(61	)%
EPS (diluted)	$	0.51	$	1.32		(61	)%

¹Net sales for the three months ended October 1, 2023 include $21 million from recycling operations. Effective January 1, 2024, recycling operations are conducted as a procurement function, hence, recycling sales margins are only reflected in cost of sales.

	Three Months Ended
Non-GAAP Results²	September 29, 2024		October 1, 2023		Change

Adjusted operating profit	$	211	$	213		(1	)%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	281	$	280		—	%
Adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco	$	148	$	145		2	%
Adjusted EPS (diluted)	$	1.49	$	1.46		2	%
²See the Company’s definitions of non-GAAP financial measures, explanations as to why they are used, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures later in this release.

Net sales of $1.7 billion reflect the Protective Solutions (“Protexic”) divestiture, the closure of a thermoformed food packaging plant, the treatment of recycling operations as a procurement function beginning January 1, 2024 and lower selling prices; overall volumes were positive and up low single digits including the impact of acquisitions
GAAP operating profit was $128 million from higher acquisition-related costs and net loss on divestitures; unfavorable price/cost was offset by higher productivity from procurement savings, production efficiencies and fixed cost reduction initiatives
Effective tax rates on GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco and Adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco were 30.4% and 21.3%, respectively, in Q3 2024, compared to 23.6% and 22.7%, respectively, in Q3 2023
GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco was $51 million, resulting in GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.51
Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA were $211 million and $281 million, respectively
Adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco increased to $148 million, resulting in Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.49

“Our third-quarter results were within expectations from seasonally higher Consumer Packaging demand and continued strong productivity,” said Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker. “Consumer and Industrial volumes were higher year-over-year and price/cost headwinds were persistent across both segments. Overall, we achieved strong profit margin and operating cash flow in the quarter from the solid execution of our global team.”

Third Quarter 2024 Segment Results
(Dollars in millions except per share data)

Sonoco reports its financial results in two reportable segments: Consumer Packaging (“Consumer”) and Industrial Paper Packaging (“Industrial”), with all remaining businesses reported as All Other.

	Three Months Ended
Consumer Packaging	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023			Change

Net sales	$	984		$	985			—	%
Segment operating profit	$	123		$	117			5	%
Segment operating profit margin		13	%		12	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA¹	$	160		$	151			6	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin¹		16	%		15	%

Consumer segment net sales were consistent with prior year results; higher sales from year-over-year volume growth in metal aerosol cans and flexible packaging were offset by the closure of a thermoformed food packaging plant and lower selling prices.
Segment operating profit margin increased to 13% and Adjusted EBITDA margin to 16% as a result of higher productivity from procurement savings, production efficiencies, and fixed cost reduction initiatives, and higher volumes.

	Three Months Ended
Industrial Paper Packaging	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023			Change

Net sales²	$	585		$	580			1	%
Segment operating profit	$	70		$	75			(6	)%
Segment operating profit margin		12	%		13	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA¹	$	102		$	105			(3	)%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin¹		17	%		18	%

Industrial segment net sales were $585 million from acquisitions and higher selling prices, and reflect lower sales related to the treatment of recycling as a procurement function effective January 1, 2024.
Segment operating profit margin was 12% and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17% as productivity from procurement savings, production efficiencies and fixed cost reduction initiatives was offset by continued pressure from price/cost impacts.

	Three Months Ended
All Other	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023			Change

Net sales	$	107		$	146		(26)%
Operating profit	$	17		$	21		(16)%
Operating profit margin		16	%		14	%
Adjusted EBITDA¹	$	20		$	25		(18)%
Adjusted EBITDA margin¹		19	%		17	%

Net sales were $107 million reflecting the sale of the Protexic business.
Operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA margins were 16% and 19%, respectively, reflecting higher productivity from procurement savings, production efficiencies, and fixed cost reduction initiatives, and the sale of the Protexic business.

¹Segment and All Other Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See the Company’s reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures later in this release.
²Net sales for the three months ended October 1, 2023 include $21 million from recycling operations.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents were $1,931 million as of September 29, 2024, compared to $152 million as of December 31, 2023, primarily related to the financing for the pending Eviosys acquisition
Total debt was $4.8 billion as of September 29, 2024, an increase of $1.7 billion compared to December 31, 2023, primarily related to the financing for the pending Eviosys acquisition
On September 29, 2024, the Company had available liquidity of $3.1 billion, including available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility and cash on hand; $1.8 billion of this liquidity is intended to fund a portion of the pending Eviosys acquisition
Cash flow from operating activities for the first nine months of 2024 was $438 million, compared to $617 million in the same period of 2023
Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of fixed assets, for the first nine months of 2024 were $267 million, compared to $182 million for the same period last year
Free Cash Flow for the first nine months of 2024 was $171 million compared to $435 million for the same period of 2023. Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the Company’s definition of Free Cash Flow, the explanation as to why it is used, and the reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities later in this release
Dividends paid during the nine months ended September 29, 2024 increased to $152 million compared to $147 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year

Announced Acquisition

On June 24, 2024, Sonoco announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Titan Holdings I B.V. (“Eviosys”), a leading European manufacturer of food cans, ends and closures from an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) (the “Transaction”) to expand Sonoco’s global leadership in metal food can and aerosol packaging. Sonoco believes that both Sonoco’s metal packaging business and Eviosys have demonstrated meaningful commercial momentum, and the Transaction is expected to facilitate Sonoco’s ability to partner with customers and lead with innovation and sustainability.

The Transaction advances Sonoco’s strategy of disciplined and high return capital allocation. Under the terms of the agreement, Sonoco agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in Eviosys for approximately €3.6 billion (approximately $3.9 billion) on a cash-free and debt-free basis and subject to customary adjustments. The Transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Adjusted EPS.

Sonoco secured financing for the Transaction through a $700 million delayed draw term loan facility on July 12, 2024, a $1.5 billion 364-day delayed draw term loan facility on September 16, 2024, and a registered public offering of senior unsecured notes of $1.8 billion on September 19, 2024, and has maintained its investment grade credit rating. With increased debt reduction from divestitures and cash from operations, Sonoco expects to further reduce net leverage from previous estimates within 24 months of the closing of the Transaction.

The Transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including expiration, termination, or receipt of the applicable waiting period or clearances, as applicable under certain specified antitrust laws.

Eviosys’ current CEO, Tomas Lopez, is expected to remain with Sonoco and lead Sonoco’s EMEA metal packaging business and Rodger Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, is expected to lead the integration effort.

Strategic Reviews of TFP and ThermoSafe Businesses as Part of Further Portfolio Simplification Efforts

On September 4, 2024, Sonoco announced a review of strategic alternatives for the TFP business, included in the Consumer segment. Sonoco’s TFP business is a market leader in thermoformed and flexible packaging serving a wide range of customers in food, retail and medical markets. The TFP business provides a variety of complex packaging to value-added categories including snacks, condiments, healthcare, prepared meals, fresh products and coffee and pet. On a standalone basis, the TFP business generated revenue of $1.3 billion in 2023. The strategic review process of the TFP business is underway and Sonoco expects to complete the review processes in the fourth quarter of 2024.

As previously announced, Sonoco also intends to divest the,ThermoSafe business, included in the All Other group of businesses. The ThermoSafe business is Sonoco’s leading temperature-assured packaging business and generated revenue of $283 million in 2023. The strategic review process of the ThermoSafe business is underway and Sonoco expects to complete the review processes in the third quarter of 2025.

Guidance⁽¹⁾
Fourth Quarter 2024

Adjusted EPS⁽²⁾: $1.15 to $1.35

Full Year 2024

Adjusted EPS⁽²⁾: $5.05 to $5.25
Cash flow from operating activities: $650 million to $750 million
Adjusted EBITDA: $1,050 to $1,090

Commenting on the Company’s outlook, Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker, said, “Our earnings and cash results year-to-date keep us on track to deliver within our annual guidance range for 2024. We are excited about the anticipated completion of the pending Eviosys acquisition, which we expect will bring incremental growth to our metal packaging business and continue the transformation and simplification of our portfolio.”

⁽¹⁾Guidance provided excludes any impact of the pending Eviosys acquisition or potential divestitures. Although the Company believes the assumptions reflected in the range of guidance are reasonable, given the uncertainty regarding the future performance of the overall economy, the effects of inflation, the challenges in global supply chains, potential changes in raw material prices, other costs, and the Company’s effective tax rate, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those described below, actual results could vary substantially. Further information can be found in the section entitled “Forward-looking Statements” in this release.

⁽²⁾Fourth quarter and full year 2024 GAAP guidance are not provided in this release due to the likely occurrence of one or more of the following, the timing and magnitude of which we are unable to reliably forecast without unreasonable efforts: restructuring costs and restructuring-related impairment charges, acquisition/divestiture-related costs, gains or losses from the sale of businesses or other assets, and the income tax effects of these items and/or other income tax-related events. These items could have a significant impact on the Company’s future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EPS guidance has been omitted in reliance on the exception provided by Item 10 of Regulation S-K.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Company integrated its flexible packaging and thermoformed packaging businesses within the Consumer segment in order to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and better position the business for accelerated growth. As a result, the Company changed its operating and reporting structure to reflect the way it now manages its operations, evaluates performance, and allocates resources. Beginning the first quarter of 2024, the Company’s consumer thermoformed businesses moved from the All Other group of businesses to the Consumer segment. The Company’s Industrial segment was not affected by these changes.

Investor Conference Call Webcast
The Company will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter 2024 results. A live audio webcast of the call along with supporting materials will be available on the Sonoco Investor Relations website at https://investor.sonoco.com/. A webcast replay will be available on the Company’s website for at least 30 days following the call.

Time:		Friday, November 1, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time

Audience Dial-In:		To listen via telephone, please register in advance at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I122823.6267774588438875e+24 After registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that can be used to access the call.

Webcast Link:		https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/808697672

Contact Information:
Lisa Weeks
Vice President of Investor Relations & Global Communications
lisa.weeks@sonoco.com
843-383-7524

About Sonoco
With net sales of approximately $6.8 billion in 2023, Sonoco has approximately 21,000 employees working in more than 300 operations around the world, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. With our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products and a better world for our customers, employees and communities. Sonoco was named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements included herein that are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also “forward-looking statements.” Words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “can,” “consider,” “committed,” “continue,” “could,” “develop,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “focused,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “is designed to,” “likely,” “maintain,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “strategy,” “will,” “would,” or the negative thereof, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements regarding, but not limited to: the Company’s future operating and financial performance, including fourth quarter and full year 2024 outlook and the anticipated drivers thereof; the Company’s ability to support its customers and manage costs; opportunities for productivity and other operational improvements; price/cost, customer demand and volume outlook; anticipated benefits of the proposed Transaction, including the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions and the anticipated timing and benefits of the Transaction, including with respect to market leadership, strategic alignment, customer relationships, sustainability, innovation and cost synergies; expected benefits from divestitures, including the sale of Protexic, the potential divestitures of the ThermoSafe and TFP businesses and other potential divestitures, and the timing thereof; the effectiveness of the Company’s strategy and strategic initiatives, including with respect to capital expenditures, portfolio simplification, leverage reduction and capital allocation priorities; the effects of the macroeconomic environment and inflation on the Company and its customers; and the Company’s ability to generate continued value and return capital to shareholders.

Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, perceived opportunities, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, goals and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, without limitation, those related to: the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy, including with respect to the proposed Transaction and other acquisitions (and integrations thereof), divestitures, cost management, productivity improvements, restructuring and capital expenditures, and achieve the benefits it expects therefrom; the ability to receive regulatory approvals for the proposed Transaction in a timely manner, on acceptable terms or at all, or to satisfy the other closing conditions to the proposed Transaction; conditions in the credit markets; the ability to retain key employees and successfully integrate Eviosys; the ability to realize estimated cost savings, synergies or other anticipated benefits of the proposed Transaction, or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; diversion of management’s attention; the potential impact of the consummation of the proposed Transaction on relationships with clients and other third parties; the operation of new manufacturing capabilities; the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated cost and energy savings; the availability, transportation and pricing of raw materials, energy and transportation, including the impact of potential changes in tariffs or sanctions and escalating trade wars, and the impact of war, general regional instability and other geopolitical tensions (such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as the economic sanctions related thereto, and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza), and the Company’s ability to pass raw material, energy and transportation price increases and surcharges through to customers or otherwise manage these commodity pricing risks; the costs of labor; the effects of inflation, fluctuations in consumer demand, volume softness, and other macroeconomic factors on the Company and the industries in which it operates and that it serves; the Company’s ability to meet its environmental and sustainability goals, including with respect to greenhouse gas emissions; and to meet other social and governance goals, including challenges in implementation thereof; and the other risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur.

References to our Website Address

References to our website address and domain names throughout this release are for informational purposes only, or to fulfill specific disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules or the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. These references are not intended to, and do not, incorporate the contents of our website by reference into this release.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023			September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023
Net sales	$	1,675,866		$	1,710,419		$	4,936,888		$	5,145,492
Cost of sales		1,317,129			1,346,163			3,883,244			4,049,490
Gross profit		358,737			364,256			1,053,644			1,096,002
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		190,645			182,672			586,337			541,421
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		8,190			18,110			59,058			52,981
(Loss)/Gain on divestiture of business and other assets		(31,770	)		(537	)		(27,292	)		78,844
Operating profit		128,132			162,937			380,957			580,444
Non-operating pension costs		2,947			3,424			10,412			10,424
Net interest expense		55,629			29,674			109,376			94,684
Other income, net		—			36,943			5,867			36,943
Income before income taxes		69,556			166,782			267,036			512,279
Provision for income taxes		21,154			39,351			65,821			127,003
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		48,402			127,431			201,215			385,276
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		2,807			3,627			6,218			8,795
Net income		51,209			131,058			207,433			394,071
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(288	)		(309	)		(524	)		(354	)
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	50,921		$	130,749		$	206,909		$	393,717

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		99,267			98,912			99,221			98,800

Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.51		$	1.32		$	2.09		$	3.98
Dividends per common share	$	0.52		$	0.51		$	1.55		$	1.51

FINANCIAL SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023			September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023
Net sales:
Consumer Packaging	$	983,511		$	984,840		$	2,821,817		$	2,914,168
Industrial Paper Packaging		585,082			580,035			1,778,912			1,781,033
Total reportable segments		1,568,593			1,564,875			4,600,729			4,695,201
All Other		107,273			145,544			336,159			450,291
Net sales	$	1,675,866		$	1,710,419		$	4,936,888		$	5,145,492


Operating profit:
Consumer Packaging	$	123,021		$	116,800		$	328,190		$	314,408
Industrial Paper Packaging		70,206			75,006			203,008			256,413
Segment operating profit		193,227			191,806			531,198			570,821
All Other		17,440			20,740			48,430			66,085
Corporate
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		(8,190	)		(18,110	)		(59,058	)		(52,981	)
Amortization of acquisition intangibles		(22,645	)		(21,379	)		(68,095	)		(63,082	)
(Loss)/Gain on divestiture of business and other assets		(31,770	)		(537	)		(27,292	)		78,844
Acquisition, integration, and divestiture-related costs		(19,623	)		(12,472	)		(47,553	)		(22,192	)
Other operating (charges)/income, net		(307	)		2,889			3,327			2,949
Operating profit	$	128,132		$	162,937		$	380,957		$	580,444

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023

Net income	$	207,433		$	394,071
Net losses/(gains) on asset impairments, disposition of assets and divestiture of business and other assets		43,946			(87,770	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		270,691			249,387
Pension and postretirement plan (contributions), net of non-cash expense		(1,612	)		2,368
Changes in working capital		(115,825	)		67,335
Changes in tax accounts		6,165			(4,902	)
Other operating activity		26,840			(3,612	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		437,638			616,877

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net		(266,817	)		(182,137	)
Proceeds from the sale of business, net		81,212			31,147
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,743	)		(313,362	)
Net debt proceeds		1,695,093			27,088
Cash dividends		(152,397	)		(147,477	)
Payments for share repurchases		(9,172	)		(10,605	)
Other, including effects of exchange rates on cash		(3,118	)		8,971
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,778,696			30,502
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		151,937			227,438
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,930,633		$	257,940

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
	September 29, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,930,633	$	151,937
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances		1,042,520		904,898
Other receivables		110,042		106,644
Inventories		755,252		773,501
Prepaid expenses		130,584		113,385
Total Current Assets		3,969,031		2,050,365
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,930,025		1,906,137
Right of use asset-operating leases		314,611		314,944
Goodwill		1,780,967		1,810,654
Other intangible assets, net		785,616		853,670
Other assets		262,611		256,187
Total Assets	$	9,042,861	$	7,191,957
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Payable to suppliers and other payables	$	1,186,489	$	1,107,504
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt		481,706		47,132
Accrued taxes		10,084		10,641
Total Current Liabilities		1,678,279		1,165,277
Long-term debt, net of current portion		4,320,442		3,035,868
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities		269,251		265,454
Pension and other postretirement benefits		137,302		142,900
Deferred income taxes and other		150,427		150,623
Total equity		2,487,160		2,431,835
	$	9,042,861	$	7,191,957

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company’s results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are referred to as “as reported” or “GAAP” results. The Company uses certain financial performance measures, both internally and externally, that are not in conformity with GAAP (“non-GAAP financial measures”) to assess and communicate the financial performance of the Company. These non-GAAP financial measures, which are identified using the term “Adjusted” (for example, “Adjusted Operating Profit”), reflect adjustments to the Company’s GAAP operating results to exclude amounts, including the associated tax effects, relating to:

restructuring/asset impairment charges¹;
acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs;
gains or losses from the divestiture of businesses and other assets;
losses from the early extinguishment of debt;
non-operating pension costs;
amortization expense on acquisition intangibles;
changes in last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory reserves;
certain income tax events and adjustments;
derivative gains/losses;
other non-operating income and losses; and
certain other items, if any.

¹Restructuring and restructuring-related asset impairment charges are a recurring item as the Company’s restructuring programs usually require several years to fully implement, and the Company is continually seeking to take actions that could enhance its efficiency. Although recurring, these charges are subject to significant fluctuations from period to period due to the varying levels of restructuring activity, the inherent imprecision in the estimates used to recognize the impairment of assets, and the wide variety of costs and taxes associated with severance and termination benefits in the countries in which the restructuring actions occur.

The Company’s management believes the exclusion of the amounts related to the above-listed items improves the period-to-period comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business.

In addition to the “Adjusted” results described above, the Company also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding the following: interest expense; interest income; provision for income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; non-operating pension costs; net income/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests; restructuring/asset impairment charges; changes in LIFO inventory reserves; gains/losses from the divestiture of businesses and other assets; acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs; other income; derivative gains/losses; and other non-GAAP adjustments, if any, that may arise from time to time. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with, nor are they an alternative for, measures conforming to GAAP, and they may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles.

The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures to provide investors with information to evaluate Sonoco’s operating results in a manner similar to how management evaluates business performance. The Company consistently applies its non-GAAP financial measures presented herein and uses them for internal planning and forecasting purposes, to evaluate its ongoing operations, and to evaluate the ultimate performance of management and each business unit against plans/forecasts. In addition, these same non-GAAP financial measures are used in determining incentive compensation for the entire management team and in providing earnings guidance to the investing community.

Material limitations associated with the use of such measures include that they do not reflect all period costs included in operating expenses and may not be comparable with similarly named financial measures of other companies. Furthermore, the calculations of these non-GAAP financial measures are based on subjective determinations of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that the investor may find material and view differently.

To compensate for any limitations in such non-GAAP financial measures, management believes that it is useful in evaluating the Company’s results to review both GAAP information, which includes all of the items impacting financial results, and the related non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain elements, as described above. Further, Sonoco management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider any non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Whenever reviewing a non-GAAP financial measure, investors are encouraged to review and consider the related reconciliation to understand how it differs from the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

QUARTERLY RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the three-month periods ended September 29, 2024 and October 1, 2023.

Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Sonoco, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

	For the three-month period ended September 29, 2024
Dollars in thousands, except per share data	Operating Profit			Income Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Income Attributable to Sonoco			Diluted EPS
As Reported (GAAP)	$	128,132		$	69,556		$	21,154		$	50,921		$	0.51
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs¹		19,623			49,804			6,512			43,292		$	0.44
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		790			790			199			591			0.01
Amortization of acquisition intangibles		22,645			22,645			5,563			17,082			0.17
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		8,190			8,190			1,497			6,560			0.07
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets		31,770			31,770			454			31,316			0.31
Non-operating pension costs		—			2,947			738			2,209			0.02
Net gains from derivatives		(210	)		(210	)		(53	)		(157	)		—
Other adjustments		(273	)		(695	)		3,233			(3,928	)		(0.04	)
Total adjustments		82,535			115,241			18,143			96,965			0.98
Adjusted	$	210,667		$	184,797		$	39,297		$	147,886		$	1.49
Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.
¹Acquisition, integration and divestiture related costs include losses on treasury lock derivative instruments and amortization of financing fees totaling $30,181 related to debt instruments associated with the financing of the pending Eviosys acquisition. These amortization costs are included in “Interest expense” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

	For the three-month period ended October 1, 2023
Dollars in thousands, except per share data	Operating Profit			Income Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Income Attributable to Sonoco			Diluted EPS
As Reported (GAAP)	$	162,937		$	166,782		$	39,351		$	130,749		$	1.32
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs		12,472			12,472			1,979			10,493			0.10
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		(3,186	)		(3,186	)		(816	)		(2,370	)		(0.02	)
Amortization of acquisition intangibles		21,379			21,379			5,197			16,182			0.16
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		18,110			18,110			4,385			13,974			0.14
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets		537			537			125			412			—
Other income, net		—			(36,943	)		(8,929	)		(28,014	)		(0.28	)
Non-operating pension costs		—			3,424			852			2,572			0.03
Net gains from derivatives		(3,310	)		(3,310	)		(830	)		(2,480	)		(0.03	)
Other adjustments		3,607			3,607			252			3,355			0.04
Total adjustments		49,609			16,090			2,215			14,124			0.14
Adjusted	$	212,546		$	182,872		$	41,566		$	144,873		$	1.46
Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
	Three Months Ended
Dollars in thousands	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	50,921		$	130,749
Adjustments:
Interest expense		61,643			32,847
Interest income		(6,014	)		(3,173	)
Provision for income taxes		21,154			39,351
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		90,646			85,570
Non-operating pension costs		2,947			3,424
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		288			309
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		8,190			18,110
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		790			(3,186	)
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets		31,770			537
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs		19,623			12,472
Other income, net		—			(36,943	)
Net gains from derivatives		(210	)		(3,310	)
Other adjustments		(273	)		3,607
Adjusted EBITDA	$	281,475		$	280,364

Net Sales	$	1,675,866		$	1,710,419
Net Income Margin		3.0	%		7.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		16.8	%		16.4	%

The Company does not calculate net income by segment; therefore, Adjusted EBITDA by segment is reconciled to the closest GAAP measure of segment profitability, segment operating profit. Segment operating profit is the measure of segment profit or loss reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280 - Segment Reporting, as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Segment results viewed by the Company’s management to evaluate segment performance do not include the following: restructuring/asset impairment charges; amortization of acquisition intangibles; acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs; changes in LIFO inventory reserves; gains/losses from the sale of businesses or other assets; gains/losses from derivatives; or certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves the comparability and analysis of the ongoing operating performance of the business. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “operating profit” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments and the All Other group of businesses.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
For the Three Months Ended September 29, 2024
Dollars in thousands	Consumer Packaging segment			Industrial Paper Packaging segment			All Other			Corporate			Total
Segment and Total Operating Profit	$	123,021		$	70,206		$	17,440		$	(82,535	)	$	128,132
Adjustments:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization¹		36,283			28,989			2,729			22,645			90,646
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		369			2,438			—			—			2,807
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges²		—			—			—			8,190			8,190
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves³		—			—			—			790			790
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs⁴		—			—			—			19,623			19,623
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets⁵		—			—			—			31,770			31,770
Net gains from derivatives⁶		—			—			—			(210	)		(210	)
Other adjustments		—			—			—			(273	)		(273	)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	159,673		$	101,633		$	20,169		$	—		$	281,475

Net Sales	$	983,511		$	585,082		$	107,273
Segment Operating Profit Margin		12.5	%		12.0	%		16.3	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin		16.2	%		17.4	%		18.8	%

¹Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $16,131, the Industrial segment of $6,306, and the All Other group of businesses of $208.
²Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $4,509 and the Industrial segment of $3,798.
³Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $758 and the Industrial segment of $32.
⁴Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $465 and the Industrial segment of $(4,529).
⁵Included in Corporate are losses on the divestiture of businesses associated with the Industrial segment of $29,965 related to the pending sale of two production facilities in China, and the All Other group of businesses of $1,805 related to the sale of Protexic.
⁶Included in Corporate are net gains from derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(41), the Industrial segment of $(160), and the All Other group of businesses of $(9).

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
For the Three Months Ended October 1, 2023
Dollars in thousands	Consumer Packaging segment			Industrial Paper Packaging segment			All Other			Corporate			Total
Segment and Total Operating Profit	$	116,800		$	75,006		$	20,740		$	(49,609	)	$	162,937
Adjustments:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization¹		33,833			26,558			3,800			21,379			85,570
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		284			3,343			—			—			3,627
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges²		—			—			—			18,110			18,110
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves³		—			—			—			(3,186	)		(3,186	)
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs⁴		—			—			—			12,472			12,472
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets⁵		—			—			—			537			537
Net gains from derivatives⁶		—			—			—			(3,310	)		(3,310	)
Other adjustments		—			—			—			3,607			3,607
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	150,917		$	104,907		$	24,540		$	—		$	280,364

Net Sales	$	984,840		$	580,035		$	145,544
Segment Operating Profit Margin		11.9	%		12.9	%		14.2	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin		15.3	%		18.1	%		16.9	%

¹Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $15,980, the Industrial segment of $3,414, and the All Other group of businesses of $1,985.
²Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $9,784, the Industrial segment of $6,430, and the All Other group of businesses of $270.
³Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $(3,325) and the Industrial segment of $139.
⁴Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $410 and the Industrial segment of $5,046.
⁵Included in Corporate is a loss from the sale of the Company’s U.S. BulkSak business, associated with the Industrial segment, in the amount of $537.
⁶Included in Corporate are net gains from derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(507), the Industrial segment of $(2,178), and the All Other group of businesses of $(625).

YEAR-TO-DATE RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the nine-month period ended September 29, 2024 and the nine-month period ended October 1, 2023.

	For the nine-month period ended September 29, 2024
Dollars in thousands, except per share data	Operating Profit			Income Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Income Attributable to Sonoco			Diluted EPS
As Reported (GAAP)	$	380,957		$	267,036		$	65,821		$	206,909		$	2.09
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs		47,553			77,734			13,670			64,064			0.64
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		(197	)		(197	)		(49	)		(148	)		—
Amortization of acquisition intangibles		68,095			68,095			16,672			51,423			0.52
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		59,058			59,058			11,754			47,260			0.48
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets		27,292			27,292			1,676			25,616			0.26
Other income, net		—			(5,867	)		—			(5,867	)		(0.06	)
Non-operating pension costs		—			10,412			2,593			7,819			0.08
Net gains from derivatives		(3,981	)		(3,981	)		(1,001	)		(2,980	)		(0.03	)
Other adjustments		851			851			8,812			(7,961	)		(0.09	)
Total adjustments		198,671			233,397			54,127			179,226			1.80
Adjusted	$	579,628		$	500,433		$	119,948		$	386,135			3.89
Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.
¹Acquisition, integration and divestiture related costs include losses on treasury lock derivative instruments and amortization of financing fees totaling $30,181 related to debt instruments associated with the financing of the pending Eviosys acquisition. These amortization costs are included in “Interest expense” line in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

	For the nine-month period ended October 1, 2023
*Dollars in thousands, except per share data*	Operating Profit			Income Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Income Attributable to Sonoco			Diluted EPS
As Reported (GAAP)	$	580,444		$	512,279		$	127,003		$	393,717		$	3.98
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs		22,192			22,192			4,249			17,943			0.18
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		(10,186	)		(10,186	)		(2,564	)		(7,622	)		(0.08	)
Amortization of acquisition intangibles		63,082			63,082			15,312			47,770			0.48
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		52,981			52,981			12,344			40,658			0.41
Gain on divestiture of business and other assets		(78,844	)		(78,844	)		(18,823	)		(60,021	)		(0.61	)
Other income, net		—			(36,943	)		(8,929	)		(28,014	)		(0.28	)
Non-operating pension costs		—			10,424			2,589			7,835			0.08
Net gains from derivatives		(1,513	)		(1,513	)		(381	)		(1,132	)		(0.01	)
Other adjustments		8,750			8,750			1,423			7,327			0.09
Total adjustments		56,462			29,943			5,220			24,744			0.26
Adjusted	$	636,906		$	542,222		$	132,223		$	418,461		$	4.24
Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
	Nine Months Ended
*Dollars in thousands*	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	206,909		$	393,717
Adjustments:
Interest expense		122,503			101,363
Interest income		(13,127	)		(6,679	)
Provision for income taxes		65,821			127,003
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		270,691			249,387
Non-operating pension costs		10,412			10,424
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		524			354
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		59,058			52,981
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves		(197	)		(10,186	)
Loss/(Gain) on divestiture of business and other assets		27,292			(78,844	)
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs		47,553			22,192
Other income, net		(5,867	)		(36,943	)
Net gains from derivatives		(3,981	)		(1,514	)
Other adjustments		851			8,750
Adjusted EBITDA	$	788,442		$	832,005

Net Sales	$	4,936,888		$	5,145,492
Net Income Margin		4.2	%		7.7	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		16.0	%		16.2	%

The following tables reconcile segment operating profit, the closest GAAP measure of profitability, to Segment Adjusted EBITDA.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
For the Nine Months Ended September 29, 2024
Dollars in thousands	Consumer Packaging segment			Industrial Paper Packaging segment			All Other			Corporate			Total
Segment and Total Operating Profit	$	328,190		$	203,008		$	48,430		$	(198,671	)	$	380,957
Adjustments:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization¹		107,365			86,133			9,098			68,095			270,691
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		416			5,802			—			—			6,218
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges²		—			—			—			59,058			59,058
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves³		—			—			—			(197	)		(197	)
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs⁴		—			—			—			47,553			47,553
Loss on divestiture of business and other assets⁵		—			—			—			27,292			27,292
Net gains from derivatives⁶		—			—			—			(3,981	)		(3,981	)
Other adjustments		—			—			—			851			851
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	435,971		$	294,943		$	57,528		$	—		$	788,442

Net Sales	$	2,821,817		$	1,778,912		$	336,159
Segment Operating Profit Margin		11.6	%		11.4	%		14.4	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin		15.5	%		16.6	%		17.1	%

¹ Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $48,307, the Industrial segment of $19,168, and the All Other group of businesses of $620.
²Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $20,597, the Industrial segment of $34,138, and the All Other group of businesses of $1,362.
³ Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $388 and the Industrial segment of $(585).
⁴Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $518 and the Industrial segment of $(3,658).
⁵ Included in Corporate are net losses on the divestiture of business associated with the Industrial segment of $28,715, including a loss of $29,965 from the pending sale of two production facilities in China, partially offset by a gain of $(1,250) from the sale of the S3 business, and a gain associated with the All Other group of businesses of $(1,423) related to the sale of Protexic.
⁶ Included in Corporate are net gains from derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(624), the Industrial segment of $(2,628), and the All Other group of businesses of $(729).

Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
For the Nine Months Ended October 1, 2023
Dollars in thousands	Consumer Packaging segment			Industrial Paper Packaging segment			All Other			Corporate			Total
Segment and Total Operating Profit	$	314,408		$	256,413		$	66,084		$	(56,461	)	$	580,444
Adjustments:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization¹		98,847			76,444			11,014			63,082			249,387
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		493			8,302			—			—			8,795
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges²		—			—			—			52,981			52,981
Changes in LIFO inventory reserves³		—			—			—			(10,186	)		(10,186	)
Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs⁴		—			—			—			22,192			22,192
Gain on divestiture of business and other assets⁵											(78,844	)		(78,844	)
Net gains from derivatives⁶		—			—			—			(1,514	)		(1,514	)
Other adjustments		—			—			—			8,750			8,750
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	413,748		$	341,159		$	77,098		$	—		$	832,005

Net Sales	$	2,914,168		$	1,781,033		$	450,291
Segment Operating Profit Margin		10.8	%		14.4	%		14.7	%
Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin		14.2	%		19.2	%		17.1	%

¹Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $48,193, the Industrial segment of $8,913, and the All Other group of businesses of $5,976.
² Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $16,480, the Industrial segment of $32,961, and the All Other group of businesses of $1,188.
³  Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $(9,428) and the Industrial segment of $(758).
⁴Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $1,302 and the Industrial segment of $5,394.
⁵  Included in Corporate are gains from the sale of the Company’s timberland properties of $(60,945), the sale of its S3 business of $(11,065), and the sale of its U.S. BulkSak business of $(6,834), all of which are associated with the Industrial segment.
⁶  Included in Corporate are net gains from derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(210), the Industrial segment of $(1,045), and the All Other group of businesses of $(259).

Free Cash Flow

The Company uses the non-GAAP financial measure of “Free Cash Flow,” which it defines as cash flow from operations minus net capital expenditures. Net capital expenditures are defined as capital expenditures minus proceeds from the disposition of capital assets. Free Cash Flow may not represent the amount of cash flow available for general discretionary use because it excludes non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt repayments and required settlements of recorded and/or contingent liabilities not reflected in cash flow from operations.

	Nine Months Ended
FREE CASH FLOW	September 29, 2024			October 1, 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities	$	437,638		$	616,877
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net		(266,817	)		(182,137	)
Free Cash Flow	$	170,821		$	434,740

FAQ

What was Sonoco's (SON) Q3 2024 earnings per share?

Sonoco reported GAAP diluted EPS of $0.51 and Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.49 in Q3 2024.

How much is Sonoco (SON) paying for the Eviosys acquisition?

Sonoco agreed to acquire Eviosys for approximately €3.6 billion (approximately $3.9 billion) on a cash-free and debt-free basis.

What is Sonoco's (SON) full-year 2024 guidance?

Sonoco reaffirmed full-year 2024 guidance with Adjusted EPS of $5.05-$5.25 and operating cash flow of $650-750 million.

What was Sonoco's (SON) operating cash flow in the first nine months of 2024?

Sonoco generated $438 million in operating cash flow during the first nine months of 2024.

Sonoco Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

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Sonoco Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

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