Axalta Releases Third Quarter 2020 Results

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights:

• Sequential recovery from all end-markets; Q3 2020 net sales 57.3% higher than Q2 2020
• Q3 2020 net sales decreased 7.2% year-over-year to $1,026.9 million
• Income from operations of $141.7 million; record Adjusted EBIT of $210.4 million
• Diluted EPS of $0.35 versus $0.28 in Q3 2019; record Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.59 versus $0.52 in Q3 2019
• Cash from operations of $233.4 million; over $1.7 billion in total liquidity available at September 30, 2020

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE:AXTA) ("Axalta"), a leading global coatings company, announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Third Quarter 2020 Consolidated Financial Results

Third quarter net sales of $1,026.9 million decreased 7.2% year-over-year, including a 0.1% foreign currency benefit, driven by 6.0% lower volumes and 1.4% lower average price and product mix. Lower volumes across all end-markets were driven by ongoing COVID-19 related macroeconomic impacts, though volumes improved considerably through the quarter and exceeded earlier expectations due to faster recovery pacing in key end-markets. Performance Coatings recorded a 5.7% net sales decline, including nearly flat Industrial net sales versus the prior year quarter, while the Refinish net sales decline of 9.0% showed strong recovery ahead of expectations. The 10.2% net sales decline for Transportation Coatings benefited from faster than expected recovery in Light Vehicle production, most notably in North America and China. Axalta posted 1.4% headwinds in year-over-year price and product mix, still impacted by abnormal product mix given substantial product and geographic mix differences from the prior year given overall volume declines.         

Income from operations for Q3 2020 totaled $141.7 million versus $123.0 million in Q3 2019. Net income to common shareholders was $82.5 million for the quarter compared with $65.5 million in Q3 2019, and diluted earnings per share was $0.35 compared with $0.28 in Q3 2019. The increases were primarily driven by lower operating expenses inclusive of cost actions taken this year in response to COVID-19 and favorable variable input costs, offset partly by lower global net sales across all end-markets.  Additionally, income from operations was negatively impacted by termination charges of $35.7 million associated with our recently announced restructuring plan which compares to a $29.2 million charge in Q3 2019.

Adjusted EBIT of $210.4 million for the third quarter compared with $191.2 million in Q3 2019. Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.59 compared with $0.52 in Q3 2019. These results were driven by lower operating expenses inclusive of cost actions initiated in response to COVID-19 and lower variable input costs, partly offset by lower global net sales across all end-markets.

Robert W. Bryant, Axalta's President and CEO, commented, "Although economic impacts from the coronavirus pandemic persisted across our business in the period, we were very pleased to see rapidly improving demand, and the effectiveness of our cost management programs has continued to help offset volume impacts. We are proud to report stronger, and actually record-setting, operating earnings metrics thanks to the success we have had as a coordinated global team in responding to these considerable end-market demand challenges."

Mr. Bryant continued, "Axalta saw ongoing demand recovery across all business lines and regions during third quarter, and our team executed well on cost actions to deliver a result that surpassed expectations set in July. The global team produced year-over-year temporary operating cost savings of approximately $50 million in the quarter. Our operating results showcase the resilience of Axalta's coatings businesses, which have provided superior service for customers throughout 2020. We also made good progress with structural cost savings, including ongoing Axalta Way incremental savings on track to meet our goal for the year, and early contributions from our recently announced incremental COVID-driven restructuring actions."

Mr. Bryant concluded, "In addition to meeting delivery requirements throughout the pandemic, we have also enjoyed new business gains during the period from existing and new customers as we continue to commercialize new products from our innovation pipeline and drive overall execution of our organic growth plan. I remain thankful to work with a team of such dedicated professionals who continue to demonstrate the Axalta Way and prove that devotion to customer satisfaction produces results."

Performance Coatings Results

Performance Coatings third quarter net sales were $682.7 million, a decrease of 5.7% year-over-year. Constant currency organic net sales decreased 6.9% in the period, driven by a 4.5% volume decline primarily from Refinish, as well as a 2.4% decrease in average price and product mix, including impacts from both end-markets. Foreign exchange was a 1.1% tailwind and M&A benefits were modest in the period.

Refinish net sales decreased 9.0% to $401.7 million in Q3 2020 with high single digit volume decreases, including demand impact from ongoing reduced global vehicle traffic, as well as low single digit average price and product mix decline contribution due to differences in product mix. Refinish continued to recover during the third quarter along with further improvement in global passenger miles driven, largely correlated locally with reduced COVID-19 restrictions.

Industrial net sales decreased 0.4% to $281.0 million, including essentially flat volumes coupled with modestly reduced average price and product mix globally. Industrial sub-businesses including wood, coil, and energy solutions saw increased net sales for the third quarter, while all end businesses and regions saw net sales increase year-over-year in September.

The Performance Coatings segment generated Adjusted EBIT of $133.9 million in the third quarter compared with $124.9 million in Q3 2019, with associated margins of 19.6% and 17.3%, respectively. The increase included benefits from lower operating expenses and lower variable costs, offset in part by lower volume and price and product mix impacts.

Transportation Coatings Results

Transportation Coatings net sales were $344.2 million in Q3 2020, a decrease of 10.2% year-over-year, including a 1.6% negative currency translation impact. Constant currency net sales declined 8.6% in the period, driven by a 9.0% decrease in volume offset partly by a 0.4% higher average price and product mix.

Light Vehicle net sales decreased 6.6% to $276.3 million year-over-year (decreased 5.0% excluding foreign currency headwinds), driven by lower global automotive production persisting through the period and modest foreign exchange and price and product mix headwinds. Encouragingly, Axalta's Light Vehicle net sales were up year-over-year during September on improving sequential recovery, including notable strength in North America as well as ongoing recovery in China.

Commercial Vehicle net sales decreased 22.5% to $67.9 million from Q3 2019 (decreased 20.8% excluding foreign currency), also driven by global customer production rate declines. Average price and product mix was a moderate offsetting tailwind in the period, similar to the second quarter. While Commercial Vehicle net sales remain pressured, recent new truck order trends have strengthened and global truck production forecast revisions for 2020 have shown better recovery for several months now.

The Transportation Coatings segment generated Adjusted EBIT of $48.5 million in Q3 2020 compared with $37.2 million in Q3 2019, with associated margins of 14.1% and 9.7%, respectively. This result was driven principally by lower operating costs and reduced variable costs as well as modest price and product mix effects, offset partly by the impact of lower volume and moderate foreign exchange headwinds.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

Axalta ended the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.3 billion. Our debt, net of cash, was $2.7 billion as of September 30, 2020, compared with $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2019. Our net debt to trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA ratio was 3.7x at quarter end versus 4.0x as of June 30, 2020. Axalta ended the quarter with over $1.7 billion in available liquidity and we ended Q3 2020 with an Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio of 4.9x.

Third quarter total operating cash flow was $233.4 million versus $221.0 million in Q3 2019, reflecting stronger operating income in the period. Free cash flow totaled $223.3 million compared with $198.1 million in Q3 2019, including lower capital expenditures in the period totaling $13.8 million versus $26.7 million in the prior year quarter.

"It was gratifying to see not only strong operating profit during the third quarter but also very good cash flow conversion, resulting in a terrific outcome for our balance sheet position, particularly when compared to expectations in the spring," said Sean Lannon, Axalta's Chief Financial Officer. "Third quarter results benefited from approximately $50 million in cost savings as well as ~$60 million in incremental cash flows versus our January guidance as we benefited from reduced capital expenditures and actions to drive working capital savings. We continue to expect approximately $195 million of in-year 2020 cost savings from ongoing cost savings programs. Regarding our Q4 and full year guidance, we expect Q4 to have less benefit from temporary cost savings, as well as assumed weaker mix within Performance Coatings in the period. We're also mindful that COVID-19 and other macroeconomic factors could negatively affect the outlook versus the stabilizing demand environment we saw in Q3."

Full Year 2020 Financial Guidance Update

• Net sales: Expected to be down ~18% compared to 2019 including -2% FX and M&A impact
• Q4 net sales: Expected to be down ~6-8% compared to Q4 2019
• Adjusted EBIT: $495-515 million
• Adjusted diluted EPS: $1.15-1.20
• Interest expense: ~$155 million
• Diluted shares outstanding: ~236 million
• Free cash flow: $280-310 million; including $90 million capex
• Tax rate: ~20-21%

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, Axalta will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2020 financial results on October 22, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in phone number for the conference call is +1-201-689-8560. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available online at www.axalta.com/investorcall. For those unable to participate, a replay will be available through October 29, 2020, with a dial-in number of +1-412-317-6671 and pin: 13711874.

Reclassifications and Revisions

The condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 have been updated for comparability with the current year presentation to separately present other operating charges as detailed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding Axalta and its subsidiaries including our outlook, which includes net sales growth, currency effects, acquisition or divestment impacts, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted diluted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, interest expense, income tax rate, as adjusted, free cash flow, capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization, and diluted shares outstanding and the effects of COVID-19 on Axalta's business and financial results. Axalta has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "outlook", "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "plans" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable or similar terminology. All of these statements are based on management's expectations as well as estimates and assumptions prepared by management that, although they believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of Axalta's control, including the effects of COVID-19, that may cause its business, industry, strategy, financing activities or actual results to differ materially. The extent and duration of COVID-19 on our business and operations is uncertain. Factors that will influence the impact on our business and operations include the duration and extent of COVID-19, the extent of imposed or recommended containment and mitigation measures, and the general economic consequences of COVID-19. More information on potential factors that could affect Axalta's financial results is available in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section within Axalta's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, and in other documents that we have filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Axalta undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The historical financial information included in this presentation includes financial information that is not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), including constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in the analysis of our financial and operating performance because they assist in the evaluation of underlying trends in our business. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted diluted EPS consist of EBITDA, EBIT and Diluted EPS, respectively, adjusted for (i) certain non-cash items included within net income, (ii) certain items Axalta does not believe are indicative of ongoing operating performance or (iii) certain nonrecurring, unusual or infrequent items that have not occurred within the last two years or we believe are not reasonably likely to recur within the next two years. We believe that making such adjustments provides investors meaningful information to understand our operating results and ability to analyze financial and business trends on a period-to-period basis. Adjusted net income shows the adjusted value of net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests after removing the items that are determined by management to be items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance or unusual or nonrecurring in nature. Our use of the terms constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio may differ from that of others in our industry. Constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio should not be considered as alternatives to net sales, net income (loss), income (loss) before operations or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or operating cash flows or as measures of liquidity. Constant currency net sales growth, income tax rate, as adjusted, EBIT, Adjusted EBIT, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, free cash flow, net debt, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense coverage ratio have important limitations as analytical tools and should be considered in conjunction with, and not as substitutes for, our results as reported under GAAP. This release includes a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Axalta does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates for constant currency net sales growth, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, income tax rate, as adjusted, or free cash flow on a forward-looking basis because the information necessary to calculate a meaningful or accurate estimation of reconciling items is not available without unreasonable effort. For example, such reconciling items include the impact of foreign currency exchange gains or losses, gains or losses that are unusual or nonrecurring in nature, as well as discrete taxable events. We cannot estimate or project these items and they may have a substantial and unpredictable impact on our US GAAP results.

Constant Currency

Constant currency or ex-FX percentages are calculated by excluding the impact the change in average exchange rates between the current and comparable period by currency denomination exposure of the comparable period amount.

Organic Growth

Organic growth or ex-M&A percentages are calculated by excluding the impact of recent acquisitions and divestitures.

Segment Financial Measures

The primary measure of segment operating performance is Adjusted EBIT, which is a key metric that is used by management to evaluate business performance in comparison to budgets, forecasts and prior year financial results, providing a measure that management believes reflects Axalta's core operating performance. As we do not measure segment operating performance based on net income, a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is not available.

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information, visit axalta.com and follow us @axalta on Twitter.

The following table reconciles income from operations to adjusted EBIT and segment adjusted EBIT for the periods presented (in millions):

The following table reconciles net income to adjusted net income for the periods presented (in millions, except per share data):

The following table reconciles cash (used for) provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the periods presented (in millions):

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented (in millions):

Contact
Christopher Mecray
D +1 215 255 7970
Christopher.Mecray@axalta.com

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SOURCE Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.