Research News and Market Data on ACCO
- Reported net sales of $438 million, with gross margin expanding 150 basis points
- On track to deliver over $20 million in cost savings in 2024 from multi-year cost savings program
- Net operating cash flow improved $42 million; Anticipate free cash flow of approximately $130 million for full year 2024
- Consolidated leverage ratio of 3.7x at quarter-end; Net debt position decreased $130 million
- Loss per share of ($1.29) includes impairment charges; adjusted EPS of $0.37, above the Company’s outlook
LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today reported financial results for its second quarter and first six-months ended June 30, 2024.
“Our prudent approach to cost management, as well as strategic improvements in our infrastructure and operational efficiencies delivered strong bottom-line results and improved cash flow and we achieved a lower leverage ratio this quarter. We’ve made significant headway with our multi-year $60 million cost reduction program and are on track to achieve more than $20 million in savings this year. While demand headwinds in certain markets persist, we expect to see a moderation in sales declines across many categories. Additionally, the second quarter was also impacted by our previously communicated exit of lower margin business primarily in our back-to-school categories. The impact of the exits will lessen throughout the remainder of 2024. With the softer than anticipated sales, we are reviewing our cost structure for additional cost reduction opportunities,” stated ACCO Brands’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Tedford.
“Our results reflect an improved cost structure, better service and strengthened relationships with key customers. Over the past two years, our unwavering commitment to debt reduction has significantly improved our financial position, which will allow greater flexibility with our capital allocation priorities. We are operating effectively in a challenging environment and are actively investing in new product development while refining our strategy to enhance business performance,” concluded Mr. Tedford.
Second Quarter Results
Net sales were $438.3 million down 11.2 percent from $493.6 million in 2023. Adverse foreign exchange reduced sales by $4.7 million, or 1.0 percent. Comparable sales decreased 10.2 percent. Both reported and comparable sales declines reflect softer global business and consumer demand for our office products and gaming accessories, and our exit of lower margin business, which accounted for approximately 4.0 percent of the decline. These declines were partially offset by growth in computer accessories.
Operating loss was $111.2 million versus operating income of $55.2 million in 2023 primarily due to non-cash impairment charges of $165.2 million related to goodwill and intangible assets, within the Americas segment. Adjusted operating income was $64.6 million down from $66.2 million in 2023. Both reported and adjusted operating income declines reflect lower sales volume, which were partially offset by moderating product costs, improved product mix and the impact of SG&A cost reduction initiatives and lower incentive compensation expense.
Net loss was $125.2 million, or $(1.29) per share, compared with prior-year net income of $26.4 million, or $0.27 per share, in 2023. The net loss is primarily due to the non-cash charges of $165.2 million related to goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted net income was $36.6 million compared with $36.5 million in 2023, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.37 per share, compared to $0.38 in the prior year.
Business Segment Results
ACCO Brands Americas – Second quarter segment net sales of $292.3 million decreased 13.1 percent from $336.4 million in the prior year, and comparable sales declined 12.7 percent. Both reported and comparable sales decreases reflect softer business and consumer demand for our office products and gaming accessories, and our exit of lower margin business, which accounted for approximately 5.0 percent of the decline. These declines were partially offset by growth in computer accessories.
Second quarter operating loss was $108.7 million versus operating income of $60.4 million a year earlier, primarily due to the non-cash charges of $165.2 million related to goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted operating income was $63.2 million, down from $66.8 million in the prior year. Both reported and adjusted operating income declines reflect lower sales volume, partly offset by moderating product costs, improved product mix and lower SG&A expense due to cost reduction initiatives and lower incentive compensation.
ACCO Brands International – Second quarter segment net sales of $146.0 million decreased 7.1 percent from $157.2 million in the prior year. Adverse foreign exchange reduced sales by 2.0 percent. Comparable sales were $149.2 million, down 5.1 percent versus the prior year. Both reported and comparable sales decreases reflect reduced business and consumer demand for our office products, partially offset by the benefit of price increases and growth in computer accessories.
Second quarter operating income was $7.8 million, an increase from $7.1 million in the prior year, with adjusted operating income of $11.7 million, flat with the prior year. This reflects moderating product costs and the cumulative benefit of pricing and cost actions offsetting the impact of lower sales volume.
Six Month Results
Net sales were $797.2 million down 11.0 percent from $896.2 million in 2023. Adverse foreign exchange reduced sales by $3.0 million, or 0.3 percent. Comparable sales decreased 10.7 percent. Both reported and comparable sales declines reflect softer global business and consumer demand for our office products and technology accessories, and our exit of lower margin business, which accounted for approximately 3.0 percent of the decline.
Operating loss was $105.3 million versus operating income of $65.3 million in 2023, primarily due to non-cash impairment charges of $165.2 million related to goodwill and intangible assets within the Americas segment. Adjusted operating income was $80.8 million, down from $90.5 million in 2023. Both reported and adjusted operating income (loss) declines reflect lower sales volume, partially offset by moderating product costs and the cumulative effect of cost reduction initiatives and lower incentive compensation expense resulting in lower SG&A expense.
Net loss was $131.5 million, or $(1.37) per share, compared with a net income of $22.7 million, or $0.23 per share, in 2023, primarily due to the non-cash impairment charges of $165.2 million related to goodwill and intangible assets. Adjusted net income was $39.2 million compared with $45.0 million in 2023, and adjusted earnings per share were $0.40 per share compared with $0.47 per share in 2023.
Capital Allocation and Dividend
Year to date, the Company significantly improved its operating cash flow to $2.6 million versus a cash outflow of $39.3 million in the prior year, driven primarily by working capital. The Company’s consolidated leverage ratio as of June 30, 2024, was 3.7x, versus 4.3x at the end of the prior year second quarter.
On July 26, 2024, ACCO Brands announced that its board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 4, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 16, 2024.
Full Year 2024 and Third Quarter Outlook
The Company is updating its full year 2024 outlook and providing a third quarter outlook. For the full year the Company now expects reported sales to be down in the range of 8.0% to 9.0%. Full year adjusted EPS is expected to be within a range of $1.04 to $1.09. The Company expects 2024 free cash flow of approximately $130 million with a year-end consolidated leverage ratio of approximately 3.0x to 3.2x.
In the third quarter, the Company expects reported sales to be down in the range of 5.0% to 7.0%, and adjusted EPS within a range of $0.21 to $0.24.
Webcast
At 8:30 a.m. ET on August 2, 2024, ACCO Brands Corporation will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2024 results. The call will be broadcast live via webcast. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com . The webcast will be in listen-only mode and will be available for replay following the event.
About ACCO Brands Corporation
ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, designs, manufactures and markets consumer and end-user products that help people work, learn, and play. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com .
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we have provided certain non-GAAP financial information in this earnings release to aid investors in understanding the Company’s performance. Each non-GAAP financial measure is defined and reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this earnings release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and those relating to cost reductions and anticipated pre-tax savings and restructuring costs are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of events outside the Company’s control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities.
Our outlook is based on certain assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding the impact of inflation and global geopolitical and economic uncertainties and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and the other factors described below.
Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: a limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; sales of our products are affected by general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories that are experiencing higher growth rates; the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality; the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, and our ability to license rights from major gaming console makers and video game publishers to support our gaming accessories business; our ability to successfully execute our multi-year restructuring and cost savings program and realize the anticipated benefits; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with inflation and other changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or its supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions, and successfully integrate them; risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; the impact of additional tax liabilities stemming from our global operations and changes in tax laws, regulations and tax rates; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by telecommunication failures, labor strikes, power and/or water shortages, public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.