Media Relations
Kristin Robinson
Vice President, Global Communications
kristin.robinson@averydennison.com
Investor Relations
John Eble
Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
john.eble@averydennison.com
Highlights:
MENTOR, Ohio, October 25, 2023 – Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) today announced preliminary, unaudited results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2023. Non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release are reconciled from GAAP in the attached financial schedules. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same period in the prior year.
“Earnings per share were in line with our expectations for the third quarter, again increasing sequentially,” said Deon Stander, president and CEO. “Volume in both Label Materials and Apparel Solutions improved sequentially, continuing to recover from slow market conditions, largely inventory destocking, while our Intelligent Labels platform continued to accelerate adoption into new categories.
“We expect further sequential improvement in the fourth quarter, as the pace of inventory destocking continues to moderate and non-apparel intelligent label programs accelerate.
“In Intelligent Labels, we expect to deliver more than twenty percent growth annually in the coming years, as adoption accelerates in logistics, food, and general retail, and apparel rebounds, further advancing our leadership position at the intersection of the physical and digital,” added Stander.
“We remain confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to meet our long-term goals for superior value creation through a balance of profitable growth and capital discipline.
“Once again, I want to thank our entire team for their continued resilience and commitment to addressing the unique challenges at hand.”
Third Quarter 2023 Results by Segment
Materials Group
Solutions Group
Other
Balance Sheet and Capital Deployment
During the first three quarters of the year, the company deployed $204 million for acquisitions and returned $309 million in cash to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases. The company repurchased 0.7 million shares at an aggregate cost of $117 million during the first three quarters of the year. Net of dilution from long-term incentive awards, the company’s share count at the end of the quarter was down 0.7 million compared to the same time last year.
The company continues to deploy capital in a disciplined manner, executing its long-term capital allocation strategy. The company’s balance sheet remains strong. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was 2.6x at the end of the third quarter.
Income Taxes
The company’s reported third quarter effective tax rate was 25.1%. The adjusted tax rate (non-GAAP) for the quarter was 26.3%.
The company’s 2023 adjusted tax rate is expected to be in the mid-twenty percent range based on current tax regulations.
Cost Reduction Actions
During the first three quarters of the year, the company realized approximately $45 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring, net of transition costs, and incurred approximately $71 million in pre-tax restructuring charges.
Guidance
In its supplemental presentation materials, “Third Quarter 2023 Financial Review and Analysis,” the company provides a list of factors that it believes will contribute to its fourth quarter 2023 financial results. Based on the factors listed and other assumptions, the company expects fourth quarter 2023 reported earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.20.
Excluding an estimated $0.05 per share impact of restructuring charges and other items, the company expects fourth quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share of $2.10 to $2.25.
For more details on the company’s results, see the summary tables accompanying this news release, as well as the supplemental presentation materials, “Third Quarter 2023 Financial Review and Analysis,” posted on the company’s website at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished to the SEC on Form 8-K.
Throughout this release and the supplemental presentation materials, amounts on a per share basis reflect fully diluted shares outstanding.
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company that provides branding and information labeling solutions, including pressure-sensitive materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, and a variety of converted products and solutions. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of labeling and functional materials that enhance branded packaging, carry or display information that connects the physical and the digital, and improve customers’ product performance. The company serves an array of industries worldwide, including home and personal care, apparel, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2022 were $9.0 billion.
###
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained in this document are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, and financial or other business targets, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.
We believe that the most significant risk factors that could affect our financial performance in the near term include: (i) the impacts to underlying demand for our products from global economic conditions, political uncertainty, and changes in environmental standards and governmental regulations; (ii) the cost and availability of raw materials; (iii) competitors' actions, including pricing, expansion in key markets, and product offerings; (iv) the degree to which higher costs can be offset with productivity measures and/or passed on to customers through price increases, without a significant loss of volume; (v) foreign currency fluctuations; and (vi) the execution and integration of acquisitions.
Actual results and trends may differ materially from historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the following:
For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2022 Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2023, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, other than as may be required by law.
For more information and to listen to a live broadcast or an audio replay of the quarterly conference call with analysts, visit the Avery Dennison website at www.investors.averydennison.com.
Media Relations
Kristin Robinson
Vice President, Global Communications
kristin.robinson@averydennison.com
Investor Relations
John Eble
Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
john.eble@averydennison.com
Various trademarks and trade names are used herein and are the property of their respective owners.