Smurfit Westrock Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE: SW) reported its Q3 2024 financial results with net sales of $7.7 billion and a net loss of $150 million. The company achieved Adjusted EBITDA of $1,265 million with a 16.5% margin. The net loss was primarily attributed to transaction-related expenses and purchase accounting adjustments totaling approximately $500 million. The company expects 2024 Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $4.7 billion. Operating cash flow was $320 million, with Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $118 million. The company maintained its quarterly dividend of $0.3025 per ordinary share.

Positive

• Net sales increased significantly to $7.7 billion from $2.9 billion YoY
• Strong Adjusted EBITDA of $1.265 billion with 16.5% margin
• Positive guidance with expected Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 billion
• Synergy target of $400 million identified from operational improvements

Negative

• Net loss of $150 million compared to net income of $229 million in Q3 2023
• Net income margin declined to -2.0% from 7.8% YoY
• Interest expense increased by $128 million to $167 million
• Operating cash flow decreased by $58 million to $320 million YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal significant post-merger challenges and opportunities. The $150 million net loss, primarily due to $500 million in transaction costs, masks underlying operational strength with $1.265 billion Adjusted EBITDA at 16.5% margin. The projected full-year Combined Adjusted EBITDA of $4.7 billion signals strong potential.

Key concerns include increased interest expense ($167 million, up from $39 million) and working capital deterioration. However, the $400 million synergy target appears achievable through operational improvements. Regional performance varies, with LATAM showing impressive 23.1% EBITDA margins while Europe faces margin pressure, declining to 15.5% from 18.8%.

Operations Management Expert

The integration process shows both challenges and opportunities in operational efficiency. The focus on plant-level autonomy coupled with operational improvements suggests potential upside beyond the stated $400 million synergy target. The regional performance disparity, particularly between LATAM's strong margins and Europe's compression, indicates opportunities for cross-regional best practice implementation.

Working capital management needs attention, as evidenced by the $272 million negative working capital change. The increased capital expenditure of $512 million versus $202 million year-over-year suggests significant investment in operational capabilities, though this impacts near-term free cash flow.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smurfit Westrock plc (NYSE: SW, LSE: SWR) today announced the financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Key points:

• Net Sales of approx. $7.7 billion
• Net Loss of $150 million, with a Net Income Margin of negative 2.0%
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $1,265 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA Margin¹ of 16.5%
• Continuing focus on asset optimization
• Previously announced quarterly dividend of $0.3025 per ordinary share

Smurfit Westrock plc’s performance for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 (in millions, except margin percentages):

	September 30, 20241		September 30, 20232
Net Sales	$	7,671	$	2,915
Net (Loss) Income	$	(150)	$	229
Net Income Margin		(2.0%)		7.8%
Adjusted EBITDA1	$	1,265	$	525
Adjusted EBITDA Margin1		16.5%		18.0%
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities	$	320	$	378
Adjusted Free Cash Flow1	$	118	$	214

Tony Smurfit, President and CEO, commented:

“I am pleased to report an excellent performance for the third quarter, the first for Smurfit Westrock. The Net Loss for the quarter of $150 million was primarily due to transaction related expenses and purchase accounting adjustments totalling approximately $500 million. With Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $1,265 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin¹ of 16.5%, these results are a strong foundation to build upon.

“Our established track record of delivering value to our customers through service, quality and innovation is already beginning to yield results. Equally, we believe our focus on plant level autonomy, operational improvement and profitability will deliver in time, benefits at least equal to the stated synergy target of $400 million.

“Our third quarter performance, combined with our deeper knowledge of the Combination and continuing asset optimization, clearly points to the opportunities ahead for Smurfit Westrock. We are at the start of our journey to build the ‘go-to’ sustainable packaging partner of choice, a global leader with an unrivalled scale, geographic reach and product portfolio. Having spent the last number of months visiting our plants, it is also clear that our people are excited and motivated to be a part of this journey.

“We expect 2024 Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA⁴ of approximately $4.7 billion and we are increasingly excited by our immediate and longer-term prospects.”

__________________

1 Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP measures. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” below for the discussion and reconciliation of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measures.

2 All results reported for the three months ended September 30, 2024 do not include the financial results of legacy WestRock Company (“WestRock”) for the first five days of July due to the closing of the combination between Smurfit Kappa Group plc and WestRock Company on July 5, 2024.

3 All results reported for the three months ended September 30, 2023 reflect the historical financial results of legacy Smurfit Kappa Group plc, which is considered the accounting acquirer in the combination between Smurfit Kappa Group plc and WestRock, which closed on July 5, 2024 (the “Combination”).

4 2024 Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We have not reconciled Adjusted EBITDA outlook to the most comparable GAAP outlook because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management’s control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide an outlook for the comparable GAAP measure (net income).

Third Quarter 2024 | Financial Performance

Smurfit Westrock’s net sales increased by $4,756 million, to $7,671 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $2,915 million in the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to the positive impact from acquisitions of $4,693 million, of which $4,684 million related to the acquisition of WestRock, and a net positive volume impact of $98 million (excluding the impact of acquisitions), primarily driven by an increase in corrugated volumes. The above increases were partially offset by the net negative impact of a lower selling price/mix of $30 million and a net negative currency impact of $5 million.

Net income decreased by $379 million, to a net loss of $150 million, with a net income margin of negative 2.0% in the third quarter of 2024, from net income of $229 million, with a net income margin of 7.8% in the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a $4,148 million increase in cost of goods sold (including an expense of $227 million for the amortization of the fair value step up on inventory recognized on WestRock’s inventory acquired) and a $657 million increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, both driven by additional costs related to the acquisition of WestRock. Additionally, transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination increased by $250 million. These increased costs were partially offset by the increase in net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ for the Company was $1,265 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA Margin¹ of 16.5% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $525 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA Margin¹ of 18.0% in the third quarter of 2023.

The Company’s interest expense, net increased by $128 million, to $167 million in the third quarter of 2024, from $39 million in the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to increased debt in connection with the Combination partially offset by higher interest income on cash balances.

Other expense, net increased to $13 million from $4 million in the third quarter of last year primarily due to a $12 million expense recorded in the third quarter in connection with the sale of receivables under an accounts receivable monetization program acquired as a result of the Combination and partially offset by other movements.

Income tax expense decreased by $40 million to $33 million in the third quarter of 2024, from $73 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to the loss in 2024 compared to a profit in 2023, the change in the geographical mix of earnings and the significant impact of transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination which are only partly deductible for tax.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $58 million, to $320 million in the third quarter of 2024, from $378 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in tax payments of $29 million, an increase in net cash interest paid of $162 million and a negative working capital change of $272 million, partly offset by an increase in consolidated net income adjusted for non-cash items.

Including capital expenditure of $512 million in the third quarter of 2024, and $202 million in the same period last year, free cash flow was an outflow of $192 million in the third quarter of 2024 and an inflow of $176 million in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding transaction, integration and restructuring costs of $310 million (net of tax) in the third quarter of 2024, Adjusted Free Cash flow for the period was an inflow of $118 million. Adjusted Free Cash Flow¹ in the third quarter of 2023 was an inflow of $214 million.

Adjusted EBITDA⁵ for our Europe, MEA and APAC segment remained at $411 million in the third quarter of 2024, consistent with the same period in 2023. This was primarily due to a $37 million positive impact from the acquisition of WestRock offset by a reduction in Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of acquisitions) primarily due to an increase in raw material, payroll and distribution costs, partially offset by an increase in net sales and a decrease in energy costs. The Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the Europe, MEA and APAC segment was 15.5% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 18.8% in the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA⁵ for our North America segment increased by $714 million, to $780 million in the third quarter of 2024, from $66 million for the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to a $724 million positive impact from the acquisition of WestRock partially offset by a $10 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of acquisitions) primarily due to an increase in raw material costs. The Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the North America segment was 16.8% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 16.4% in the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA⁵ for our LATAM segment increased by $42 million, to $116 million in the third quarter of 2024, from $74 million for the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to a positive impact of $56 million from the acquisition of WestRock partially offset by a reduction in Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of acquisitions) primarily due to an increase in payroll and other costs. The Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the LATAM segment was 23.1% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 22.0% in the third quarter of 2023.

__________________

5 For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the segments are our measures of segment profitability because they are used by our chief decision-maker (“CODM”) to make decisions regarding allocation of resources and to assess segment performance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280. These financial measures comply with GAAP when used in that context. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, segment information reflects performance of legacy Smurfit Kappa Group plc.

Earnings Call

Management will host an earnings conference call today at 7:30 AM ET / 11:30 AM GMT to discuss Smurfit Westrock’s financial results. The conference call will be accessible through a live webcast. Interested investors and other individuals can access the webcast, earnings release, and earnings presentation via the Company’s website at www.smurfitwestrock.com. The webcast will be available at https://investors.smurfitwestrock.com/overview and a replay of the webcast will be available on the website shortly after the call.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” (including within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies, outcomes, outlooks, and prospects, both business and financial, of Smurfit Westrock, the expected benefits of the completed combination of Smurfit Kappa Group plc and WestRock Company (the “Combination”), including, but not limited to, synergies, and any other statements regarding the Company's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, or future events, outlook or performance. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs and expectations of the management of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “target”, “prospects”, “potential”, “commit”, “forecasts”, “aims”, “considered”, “likely”, “estimate” and variations of these words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon future circumstances that may or may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from the current expectations of the Company depending upon a number of factors affecting its business, including risks associated with the integration and performance of the Company following the Combination. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include: economic, competitive and market conditions generally, including macroeconomic uncertainty, customer inventory rebalancing, the impact of inflation and increases in energy, raw materials, shipping, labor and capital equipment costs; the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and epidemics and any related company or governmental policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or governmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets; reduced supply of raw materials, energy and transportation, including from supply chain disruptions and labor shortages; developments related to pricing cycles and volumes; intense competition; the ability of the Company to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made events, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company's ability to respond to changing customer preferences and to protect intellectual property; the amount and timing of the Company's capital expenditures; risks related to international sales and operations; failures in the Company's quality control measures and systems resulting in faulty or contaminated products; cybersecurity risks, including threats to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data in the Company's systems; works stoppages and other labor disputes; the Company’s ability to establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with SOX, and remediate any weaknesses in controls and processes; the Company's ability to retain or hire key personnel; risks related to sustainability matters, including climate change and scarce resources, as well as the Company's ability to comply with changing environmental laws and regulations; the Company's ability to successfully implement strategic transformation initiatives; results and impacts of acquisitions by the Company; the Company's significant levels of indebtedness; the impact of the Combination on the Company's credit ratings; the potential impairment of assets and goodwill; the availability of sufficient cash to distribute dividends to the Company's shareholders in line with current expectations; the scope, costs, timing and impact of any restructuring of operations and corporate and tax structure; evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, and other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current or subsequent Irish, US or UK administrations; legal proceedings instituted against the Company; actions by third parties, including government agencies; the Company's ability to promptly and effectively integrate Smurfit Kappa's and WestRock's businesses; the Company's ability to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the Combination; the Company's ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the Combination, including the risk that the Internal Revenue Service may assert that the Company should be treated as a US corporation or be subject to certain unfavorable US federal income tax rules under Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a result of the Combination; other factors such as future market conditions, currency fluctuations, the behavior of other market participants, the actions of regulators and other factors such as changes in the political, social and regulatory framework in which the Company's group operates or in economic or technological trends or conditions, and other risk factors included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither the Company nor any of its associates or directors, officers or advisers provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the UK Market Abuse Regulation and other applicable regulations), the Company is under no obligation, and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Smurfit Westrock

Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with approximately 100,000 employees across 40 countries.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

	in $ millions, except share and per share data
		Three months ended			Nine months ended
		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net sales	$	7,671	$	2,915	$	13,570	$	9,231
Cost of goods sold		(6,321)		(2,173)		(10,817)		(6,878)
Gross profit		1,350		742		2,753		2,353
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(1,028)		(371)		(1,797)		(1,144)
Transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination		(267)		(17)		(350)		(17)
Operating profit		55		354		606		1,192
Pension and other postretirement non-service benefit (expense), net		8		(9)		(31)		(29)
Interest expense, net		(167)		(39)		(225)		(109)
Other expense, net		(13)		(4)		(13)		(19)
(Loss) income before income taxes		(117)		302		337		1,035
Income tax expense		(33)		(73)		(164)		(258)
Net (loss) income		(150)		229		173		777
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests		-		-		-		-
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	$	(150)	$	229	$	173	$	777
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.30)	$	0.89	$	0.51	$	3.01
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.30)	$	0.88	$	0.50	$	3.00

Segment Information

Following the completion of the Combination we reassessed our operating segments due to changes in our organizational structure and how our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) makes key operating decisions, allocates resources and assesses the performance of our business. The CODM is determined to be the executive management team, comprising the President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Smurfit and the Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer Ken Bowles. The CODM is responsible for assessing performance, allocating resources and making strategic decisions.

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we identified three operating segments, which are also our reportable segments:

1. Europe, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC).
2. North America, which includes operations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
3. Latin America (“LATAM”), which includes operations in Central America and Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

These changes reflect how we manage our business following the completion of the Combination. No operating segments have been aggregated for disclosure purposes. Prior period comparatives have been restated to reflect the change in segments.

In the identification of the operating and reportable segments, we considered the level of integration of our different businesses as well as our objective to develop long-term customer relationships by providing customers with differentiated packaging solutions that enhance the customer’s prospects of success in their end markets.

The Europe, MEA and APAC, North America, and LATAM segments are each highly integrated within the segment and there are many interdependencies within these operations. They each include a system of mills and plants that primarily produce a full line of containerboard that is converted into corrugated containers within each segment, or is sold to third parties.

In addition, the Europe, MEA and APAC segment also produces types of paper, such as solid board, sack kraft paper, machine glazed and graphic paper; and other paper-based packaging, such as honeycomb, solid board packaging, folding cartons, inserts and labels; and bag-in-box packaging (located in Europe, Argentina, Canada, Mexico and the U.S.).

The North America segment also produces paperboard and specialty grades; other paper-based packaging, such as folding cartons, inserts, labels; and displays and also engages in the assembly of displays as well as the distribution of packaging products.

The LATAM segment also comprises forestry; types of paper, such as boxboard and sack paper; and paper‑based packaging, such as folding cartons, honeycomb and paper sacks.

Inter-segment transfers or transactions are entered into under normal commercial terms and conditions that would also be available to unrelated third parties.

Segment profit is measured based on Adjusted EBITDA, defined as (loss) income before income taxes, unallocated corporate costs, depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of fair value step up on inventory, transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination, interest expense, net, pension and other postretirement non-service benefit (expense), net, share-based compensation expense, other expense, net. restructuring costs, legislative or regulatory fines and reimbursements, losses at closed facilities and impairment of goodwill and other assets.

Segment Information (continued)

Financial information by segment is summarized below and in the schedules with this release.

	in $ millions, except Adjusted EBITDA Margin and share and per share data
	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net sales (aggregate)
Europe, MEA and APAC	$	2,651	$	2,191	$	7,056	$	7,047
North America		4,649		401		5,499		1,239
LATAM		506		341		1,187		1,000
Total	$	7,806	$	2,933	$	13,742	$	9,286
Less net sales (intersegment)
Europe, MEA and APAC	$	5	$	3	$	13	$	9
North America		118		-		119		-
LATAM		12		15		40		46
Total	$	135	$	18	$	172	$	55
Net sales (unaffiliated customers)
Europe, MEA and APAC	$	2,646	$	2,188	$	7,043	$	7,038
North America		4,531		401		5,380		1,239
LATAM		494		326		1,147		954
Total	$	7,671	$	2,915	$	13,570	$	9,231
Adjusted EBITDA
Europe, MEA and APAC	$	411	$	411	$	1,158	$	1,330
North America		780		66		900		209
LATAM		116		74		257		217
Total	$	1,307	$	551	$	2,315	$	1,756
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Adjusted EBITDA/Net sales (aggregate)
Europe, MEA and APAC		15.5%		18.8%		16.4%		18.9%
North America		16.8%		16.4%		16.4%		16.9%
LATAM		23.1%		22.0%		21.6%		21.7%

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	in $ millions, except share and per share data
	As of
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash (amounts related to consolidated variable interest entities of $3 million and $3 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	$	951	$	1,000
Accounts receivable (amounts related to consolidated variable interest entities of $823 million and $816 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		4,613		1,806
Inventories		3,585		1,203
Other current assets		1,396		561
Total current assets		10,545		4,570
Property plant and equipment, net		23,206		5,791
Goodwill		7,215		2,842
Intangibles, net		1,094		218
Prepaid pension asset		615		29
Other non-current assets (amounts related to consolidated variable interest entities of $390 million and $- million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		2,354		601
Total assets	$	45,029	$	14,051
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,357	$	1,728
Accrued expenses		813		278
Accrued compensation and benefits		954		438
Current portion of debt		745		78
Other current liabilities		1,257		484
Total current liabilities		7,126		3,006
Non-current debt due after one year (amounts related to consolidated variable interest entities of $337 million and $20 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		13,174		3,669
Deferred tax liabilities		3,682		280
Pension liabilities and other postretirement benefits, net of current portion		788		537
Other non-current liabilities (amounts related to consolidated variable interest entities of $334 million and $- at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		2,267		385
Total liabilities		27,037		7,877
Equity:
Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 and Nil shares authorized; 10,000 shares and Nil outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		-		-
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 9,500,000,000 and 9,910,931,085 shares authorized; 520,056,084 and 260,354,342 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		1		-
Deferred shares, €1 par value; 25,000 shares and 25,000 shares authorized; 25,000 and 100 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		-		-
Treasury stock, at cost (2,037,589, and 1,907,129 common stock at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively)		(93)		(91)
Capital in excess of par value		15,890		3,575
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,011)		(847)
Retained earnings		3,178		3,521
Total stockholders’ equity		17,965		6,158
Noncontrolling interests		27		16
Total equity		17,992		6,174
Total liabilities and equity	$	45,029	$	14,051

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	in $ millions, except share and per share data
	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Operating activities:
Consolidated net (loss) income	$	(150)	$	229	$	173	$	777
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		564		147		872		430
Cash surrender value increase in excess of premiums paid		(14)		-		(14)		-
Share-based compensation expense		123		7		154		43
Deferred income tax benefit		(89)		8		(99)		(4)
Pension and other postretirement funding more than cost		(26)		(10)		(30)		(35)
Other		17		(8)		16		(4)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable		(186)		93		(422)		63
Inventories		140		29		120		161
Other assets		74		34		(31)		21
Accounts payable		(214)		(110)		(226)		(438)
Income taxes		(29)		(55)		34		(46)
Accrued liabilities and other		110		14		155		(20)
Net cash provided by operating activities		320		378		702		948
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(512)		(202)		(897)		(661)
Cash paid for purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired		(688)		(29)		(716)		(29)
Proceeds from corporate owned life insurance		2		-		2		-
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		12		10		15		11
Other		1		4		1		2
Net cash used for investing activities		(1,185)		(217)		(1,595)		(677)
Financing activities:
Additions to debt		315		8		3,127		77
Repayments of debt		(1,607)		(76)		(1,640)		(120)
Revolving credit facilities repayments, net		-		-		(4)		(4)
Changes in commercial paper, net		(33)		-		(33)		-
Other debt additions, net		17		-		17		-
Repayments of lease liabilities		(11)		-		(12)		(2)
Debt issuance costs		(15)		-		(44)		-
Tax paid in connection with shares withheld from employees		(21)		-		(21)		-
Purchases of treasury stock		-		-		(27)		(30)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders		(158)		-		(493)		(299)
Other		-		-		(1)		-
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	$	(1,513)	$	(68)	$	869	$	(378)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		4		(32)		(25)		(5)
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	(2,374)	$	61	$	(49)	$	(112)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		3,325		668		1,000		841
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	951	$	729	$	951	$	729

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations

Smurfit Westrock plc (“Smurfit Westrock”) reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). However, management believes certain non-GAAP financial measures provide Smurfit Westrock’s board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our ongoing performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions, and in evaluating company performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the GAAP results. The non‑GAAP financial measures we present may differ from similarly captioned measures presented by other companies. Smurfit Westrock uses the non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA Margin,” and “Adjusted Free Cash Flow.” We discuss below details of the non-GAAP financial measures presented by us and provide reconciliations of these non‑GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Definitions

Smurfit Westrock uses the non-GAAP financial measures “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” to evaluate its overall performance. The composition of Adjusted EBITDA is not addressed or prescribed by GAAP. Smurfit Westrock defines Adjusted EBITDA as (loss) income before income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of fair value step up on inventory, transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination, interest expense, net, pension and other postretirement non-service (benefit) expense, net, share-based compensation expense, other expense, net, restructuring costs, legislative or regulatory fines and reimbursements, losses at closed facilities and impairment of goodwill and other assets. Smurfit Westrock views Adjusted EBITDA as an appropriate and useful measure used to compare financial performance between periods. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Net Sales.

Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin measures provide Smurfit Westrock’s management, board of directors, investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others with useful information to evaluate Smurfit Westrock’s performance because, in addition to income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, interest expense, net, pension and other postretirement non‑service (benefit) expense, net, and share-based compensation expense, Adjusted EBITDA also excludes restructuring costs, impairment of goodwill and other assets and other specific items that management believes are not indicative of the operating results of the business. Smurfit Westrock and its board of directors use this information in making financial, operating and planning decisions and when evaluating Smurfit Westrock’s performance relative to other periods.

Smurfit Westrock uses the non-GAAP financial measure “Adjusted Free Cash Flow”. Smurfit Westrock defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities as adjusted for capital expenditures and to exclude certain costs not reflective of underlying operations. Management utilizes this measure in connection with managing Smurfit Westrock’s business and believes that Adjusted Free Cash Flow is useful to investors as a liquidity measure because it measures the amount of cash generated that is available, after reinvesting in the business, to maintain a strong balance sheet, pay dividends, repurchase stock, service debt and make investments for future growth. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. By adjusting for certain items that are not indicative of Smurfit Westrock’s underlying operational performance, Smurfit Westrock believes that Adjusted Free Cash Flow also enables investors to perform meaningful comparisons between past and present periods.

Reconciliations to Most Comparable GAAP Measure

Set forth below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to Net income and Net Income Margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, for the periods indicated.

	in $ millions, except margin percentages
	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net (loss) income	$	(150)	$	229	$	173	$	777
Income tax expense		33		73		164		258
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		564		147		872		430
Amortization of fair value step up on inventory		227		-		227		-
Transaction and integration-related expenses associated with the Combination		267		17		350		17
Interest expense, net		167		39		225		109
Pension and other postretirement non-service (benefit) expense, net		(8)		9		31		29
Share-based compensation expense		123		7		154		43
Other expense, net		13		4		13		19
Other adjustments (1)		29		-		11		-
Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,265	$	525	$	2,220	$	1,682
Net Income Margin (Net Income/Net Sales)		(2.0%)		7.8%		1.3%		8.4%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Adjusted EBITDA/Net Sales)		16.5%		18.0%		16.4%		18.2%
(1) Other adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2024 include restructuring costs of $19 million, losses at closed facilities of $8 million and impairment of other assets of $2 million (three months ended September 30, 2023: $- million, $- million & $- million, respectively).   Other adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 include restructuring costs of $19 million, losses at closed facilities of $8 million and impairment of other assets of $2 million partially offset by legislative or regulatory fine reimbursement of $18 million (nine months ended September 30, 2023: $- million, $- million, $‑ million & $- million, respectively).

Reconciliations to Most Comparable GAAP Measure (continued)

Set forth below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted Free Cash Flow to Net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated.

	in $ millions
	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023		September 30, 2024		September 30, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	320	$	378	$	702	$	948
Adjustments:
Capital expenditures		(512)		(202)		(897)		(661)
Free Cash Flow	$	(192)	$	176	$	(195)	$	287
Adjustments:
Transaction and integration costs		307		17		364		17
Bridge facility fees		-		8		-		8
Restructuring costs		45		13		45		13
Tax on above items		(42)		-		(42)		-
Adjusted Free Cash Flow	$	118	$	214	$	172	$	325

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030343869/en/

Ciarán Potts

Smurfit Westrock

T: +353 1 202 71 27

E: ir@smurfitwestrock.com



FTI Consulting

T: +353 1 765 0800

E: smurfitwestrock@fticonsulting.com

Source: Smurfit Westrock plc

FAQ

What was Smurfit Westrock's (SW) net loss in Q3 2024?

Smurfit Westrock reported a net loss of $150 million in Q3 2024, with a negative net income margin of 2.0%.

What is Smurfit Westrock's (SW) Adjusted EBITDA guidance for full-year 2024?

Smurfit Westrock expects Full Year Combined Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $4.7 billion for 2024.

How much were Smurfit Westrock's (SW) Q3 2024 net sales?

Smurfit Westrock reported net sales of $7.7 billion for Q3 2024.

What was Smurfit Westrock's (SW) quarterly dividend for Q3 2024?

Smurfit Westrock announced a quarterly dividend of $0.3025 per ordinary share.