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:
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 | % | ||||
2 See 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. | ||||||||||
“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 | % | ||||||
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 | % | ||||||
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 | % | ||||||
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
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
Full Year 2024
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:
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. | |||||||||||||||
1 Acquisition, 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.
2 Included 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.
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 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. | |||||||||||||||
1 Acquisition, 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.
2 Included 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).
4 Included 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 | % | |||||||||
1 Included 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).
4 Included 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 | |||