Pentair Reports Strong Third Quarter 2024 Results

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Oct 22, 2024

Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource, today announced third quarter 2024 sales of $993 million. Sales were down 2 percent compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 1 percent in the third quarter. Third quarter 2024 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (“EPS”) were $0.84 compared to $0.79 in the third quarter of 2023, a 6 percent increase. On an adjusted basis, the company reported third quarter 2024 EPS of $1.09 compared to $0.94 in the third quarter of 2023 reflecting a 16 percent increase. Adjusted operating income, reportable segment income, adjusted net income, free cash flow and adjusted EPS are described in the attached schedules.

John L. Stauch, Pentair’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Our relentless dedication to strong execution, Transformation, and delivering value to our customers has driven yet another quarter of significant free cash flow and outstanding results, surpassing our expectations. Our balanced approach across our water portfolio continues to validate the effectiveness of our strategy. We have made substantial progress on 80/20 with the completion of training on a majority of our total revenue. As a result, we are now implementing actions to drive more focused and profitable growth. Our disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy included strengthening our balance sheet, continuing our share repurchase program, and paying a dividend. We are proud of our dividend aristocrat status with 48 consecutive years of increased dividends. I want to thank our employees for their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers and shareholders. We also want to express our heartfelt sympathies to those impacted by the recent hurricanes.”

Third quarter 2024 operating income was $180 million, flat compared to operating income for the third quarter of 2023, and return on sales (“ROS”) was 18.1 percent, an increase of 20 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2023. On an adjusted basis, the company had adjusted operating income of $239 million for the third quarter of 2024, up 13 percent compared to adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2023, and ROS was 24.1 percent, an increase of 310 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Flow sales were down 7 percent compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 7 percent in the third quarter. Reportable segment income of $83 million was up 7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2023, and ROS was 22.2 percent, an increase of 280 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Water Solutions sales were down 3 percent compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 3 percent in the third quarter. Reportable segment income of $64 million was down 6 percent compared to the third quarter of 2023, and ROS was 22.2 percent, a decrease of 80 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Pool sales were up 7 percent compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales grew 8 percent in the third quarter. Reportable segment income of $113 million was up 24 percent compared to the third quarter of 2023, and ROS was 34.0 percent, an increase of 470 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $249 million for the quarter compared to $162 million in the third quarter of 2023. Free cash flow provided by continuing operations for the quarter was $234 million compared to $143 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Pentair paid a regular cash dividend of $0.23 per share in the third quarter of 2024. Pentair previously announced on September 23, 2024 that it will pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on November 1, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 18, 2024. This year marks the 48th consecutive year that Pentair has increased its dividend.

During the third quarter, the company repurchased 0.6 million of ordinary shares for $50 million. As of September 30, 2024, we had $500 million available for share repurchases under our share repurchase authorization.

OUTLOOK

Mr. Stauch concluded, “We are introducing fourth quarter guidance and increasing our full year adjusted earnings guidance driven by strong execution. While we continue to monitor the macroeconomic landscape, we remain confident in our Transformation initiatives and 80/20 and expect them to continue to drive strategic decisions and operational efficiencies across our balanced water portfolio. With a strong balance sheet and significant free cash flow generation, we remain focused on investing in the long-term growth of Pentair and confident in our resilient strategy and capital allocation priorities to drive long-term value creation. As a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource, we believe we are well positioned to capture opportunities from favorable secular trends such as water availability, increased awareness of water challenges, aging commercial, public and municipal infrastructure, outdoor healthy living and favorable housing migration.”

The company updates its estimated 2024 GAAP EPS from continuing operations to approximately $3.70 and increases estimated EPS on an adjusted basis to approximately $4.27, up approximately 14 percent compared to 2023. The Company maintains its full year 2024 sales of roughly flat to down 1 percent, or $4,075 million to $4,085 million, on a reported basis.

In addition, the company introduces fourth quarter 2024 GAAP EPS from continuing operations guidance of approximately $0.95 and on an adjusted EPS basis of approximately $1.02, up approximately 17 percent compared to the prior year period. The company expects fourth quarter sales to be approximately $965 million to $975 million, down 1 percent to 2 percent on a reported basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer John L. Stauch and Chief Financial Officer Robert P. Fishman will discuss the company’s third quarter 2024 results on a conference call with investors at 9:00 a.m. Eastern today. A live audio webcast of the call, along with the related presentation, can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.pentair.com, shortly before the call begins.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the attachments to this release and in the presentations, each of which can be found on Pentair’s website. The webcast and presentations will be archived at the Company’s website following the conclusion of the event.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.

ABOUT PENTAIR PLC

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2023 of approximately $4.1 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 10,500 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Three months ended

Nine months ended

In millions, except per-share data

September 30,
2024

September 30,
2023

September 30,
2024

September 30,
2023

Net sales

$

993.4

$

1,008.8

$

3,109.9

$

3,119.9

Cost of goods sold

600.2

637.0

1,888.7

1,966.8

Gross profit

393.2

371.8

1,221.2

1,153.1

% of net sales

39.6

%

36.9

%

39.3

%

37.0

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

190.4

166.2

540.7

504.6

% of net sales

19.2

%

16.5

%

17.4

%

16.2

%

Research and development expenses

22.9

25.5

71.8

76.3

% of net sales

2.3

%

2.5

%

2.3

%

2.4

%

Operating income

179.9

180.1

608.7

572.2

% of net sales

18.1

%

17.9

%

19.6

%

18.3

%

Other expense (income)

Other (income) expense

(0.1

)

(0.3

)

0.8

(4.4

)

Net interest expense

19.8

27.5

73.4

91.7

% of net sales

2.0

%

2.7

%

2.4

%

2.9

%

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

160.2

152.9

534.5

484.9

Provision for income taxes

20.6

20.8

75.3

70.1

Effective tax rate

12.9

%

13.6

%

14.1

%

14.5

%

Net income from continuing operations

139.6

132.1

459.2

414.8

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

—

—

(0.2

)

(0.1

)

Net income

$

139.6

$

132.1

$

459.0

$

414.7

Earnings per ordinary share

Basic

Continuing operations

$

0.84

$

0.80

$

2.77

$

2.51

Discontinued operations

—

—

—

—

Basic earnings per ordinary share

$

0.84

$

0.80

$

2.77

$

2.51

Diluted

Continuing operations

$

0.84

$

0.79

$

2.75

$

2.50

Discontinued operations

—

—

—

—

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

$

0.84

$

0.79

$

2.75

$

2.50

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding

Basic

165.6

165.2

165.7

165.0

Diluted

167.0

166.6

167.2

166.2

Cash dividends paid per ordinary share

$

0.23

$

0.22

$

0.69

$

0.66

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

September 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

In millions

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

218.1

$

170.3

Accounts receivable, net

497.1

561.7

Inventories

645.9

677.7

Other current assets

128.0

159.3

Total current assets

1,489.1

1,569.0

Property, plant and equipment, net

358.5

362.0

Other assets

Goodwill

3,280.8

3,274.6

Intangibles, net

1,002.8

1,042.4

Other non-current assets

341.4

315.3

Total other assets

4,625.0

4,632.3

Total assets

$

6,472.6

$

6,563.3

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$

286.4

$

278.9

Employee compensation and benefits

116.7

125.4

Other current liabilities

525.7

545.3

Total current liabilities

928.8

949.6

Other liabilities

Long-term debt

1,628.4

1,988.3

Pension and other post-retirement compensation and benefits

70.9

73.6

Deferred tax liabilities

40.3

40.0

Other non-current liabilities

305.4

294.7

Total liabilities

2,973.8

3,346.2

Equity

3,498.8

3,217.1

Total liabilities and equity

$

6,472.6

$

6,563.3

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Nine months ended

In millions

September 30,
2024

September 30,
2023

Operating activities

Net income

$

459.0

$

414.7

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

0.2

0.1

Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

Equity income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

(1.7

)

(2.1

)

Depreciation

45.3

44.3

Amortization

40.4

41.5

Deferred income taxes

3.6

(45.0

)

Share-based compensation

26.3

21.3

Asset impairment and write-offs

9.3

6.2

Gain on sale of assets

—

(3.4

)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions

Accounts receivable

66.2

23.9

Inventories

30.1

67.8

Other current assets

5.0

(14.7

)

Accounts payable

7.3

(63.8

)

Employee compensation and benefits

(8.0

)

11.7

Other current liabilities

(19.7

)

(0.2

)

Other non-current assets and liabilities

17.1

—

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

680.4

502.3

Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations

(0.2

)

(1.6

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

680.2

500.7

Investing activities

Capital expenditures

(51.7

)

(54.8

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

0.4

5.4

Payments upon the settlement of net investment hedges

(16.4

)

—

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

—

(0.6

)

Other

(0.5

)

4.1

Net cash used for investing activities

(68.2

)

(45.9

)

Financing activities

Net repayments of revolving long-term debt

—

(320.0

)

Repayments of long-term debt

(362.5

)

(6.3

)

Shares issued to employees, net of shares withheld

16.8

9.0

Repurchases of ordinary shares

(100.0

)

—

Dividends paid

(114.3

)

(108.9

)

Net cash used for financing activities

(560.0

)

(426.2

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(4.2

)

(0.5

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

47.8

28.1

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

170.3

108.9

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

218.1

$

137.0

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of the GAAP Operating Activities Cash Flow to the Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)

Three months
ended

Three months
ended

Three months
ended

Nine months
ended

In millions

March 31,
2024

June 30,
2024

September 30,
2024

September 30,
2024

Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities of continuing operations

$

(107.4

)

$

539.2

$

248.6

$

680.4

Capital expenditures

(19.3

)

(17.0

)

(15.4

)

(51.7

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

—

—

0.4

0.4

Free cash flow from continuing operations

(126.7

)

522.2

233.6

629.1

Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations

(0.2

)

—

—

(0.2

)

Free cash flow

$

(126.9

)

$

522.2

$

233.6

$

628.9

Three months
ended

Three months
ended

Three months
ended

Nine months
ended

In millions

March 31,
2023

June 30,
2023

September 30,
2023

September 30,
2023

Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities of continuing operations

$

(106.6

)

$

446.7

$

162.2

$

502.3

Capital expenditures

(16.6

)

(18.8

)

(19.4

)

(54.8

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

0.2

4.8

0.4

5.4

Free cash flow from continuing operations

(123.0

)

432.7

143.2

452.9

Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations

—

(1.6

)

—

(1.6

)

Free cash flow

$

(123.0

)

$

431.1

$

143.2

$

451.3

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Unaudited)

2024

2023

In millions

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Nine
Months

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Nine
Months

Net sales

Flow

$

384.3

$

396.8

$

372.2

$

1,153.3

$

391.8

$

411.6

$

400.2

$

1,203.6

Water Solutions

273.1

310.5

289.5

873.1

272.0

336.2

299.4

907.6

Pool

359.5

391.5

331.4

1,082.4

364.3

334.3

308.8

1,007.4

Reportable segment net sales

1,016.9

1,098.8

993.1

3,108.8

1,028.1

1,082.1

1,008.4

3,118.6

Corporate and other

0.3

0.5

0.3

1.1

0.5

0.4

0.4

1.3

Net sales

$

1,017.2

$

1,099.3

$

993.4

$

3,109.9

$

1,028.6

$

1,082.5

$

1,008.8

$

3,119.9

Reportable segment income (loss)

Flow

$

77.3

$

84.4

$

82.8

$

244.5

$

65.0

$

74.8

$

77.5

$

217.3

Water Solutions

55.6

72.9

64.4

192.9

52.4

74.8

68.8

196.0

Pool

110.8

133.6

112.7

357.1

116.2

105.1

90.6

311.9

Reportable segment income

243.7

290.9

259.9

794.5

233.6

254.7

236.9

725.2

Corporate and other

(26.4

)

(19.5

)

(20.7

)

(66.6

)

(22.6

)

(20.5

)

(24.8

)

(67.9

)

Adjusted operating income

$

217.3

$

271.4

$

239.2

$

727.9

$

211.0

$

234.2

$

212.1

$

657.3

Return on sales

Flow

20.1

%

21.3

%

22.2

%

21.2

%

16.6

%

18.2

%

19.4

%

18.1

%

Water Solutions

20.4

%

23.5

%

22.2

%

22.1

%

19.3

%

22.2

%

23.0

%

21.6

%

Pool

30.8

%

34.1

%

34.0

%

33.0

%

31.9

%

31.4

%

29.3

%

31.0

%

Adjusted return on sales

21.4

%

24.7

%

24.1

%

23.4

%

20.5

%

21.6

%

21.0

%

21.1

%

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the Year Ending December 31, 2024

Excluding the Effect of Adjustments (Unaudited)

Actual

Forecast

In millions, except per-share data

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

Full
Year

Net sales

$

1,017.2

$

1,099.3

$

993.4

approx

Down
1% - 2%

approx

Down
1% to flat

Operating income

180.8

248.0

179.9

approx

Up 25%

approx

Up 10%

Return on sales

17.8

%

22.6

%

18.1

%

Adjustments:

Restructuring and other

4.6

5.9

23.4

approx

$

—

approx

$

34

Transformation costs

17.0

11.8

12.6

approx

—

approx

41

Intangible amortization

13.5

13.4

13.5

approx

14

approx

55

Legal accrual adjustments and settlements

(0.3

)

(7.9

)

0.7

approx

—

approx

(8

)

Asset impairment and write-offs

0.8

—

8.5

approx

—

approx

9

Equity income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

0.9

0.2

0.6

approx

1

approx

3

Adjusted operating income

217.3

271.4

239.2

approx

Up 13%

approx

Up 11%

Adjusted return on sales

21.4

%

24.7

%

24.1

%

Net income from continuing operations—as reported

133.5

186.1

139.6

approx

$

158

approx

$

617

Other income

—

—

(0.5

)

approx

—

approx

(1

)

Adjustments to operating income

35.6

23.2

58.7

approx

14

approx

131

Income tax adjustments

(11.3

)

(5.4

)

(15.4

)

approx

(2

)

approx

(34

)

Net income from continuing operations—as adjusted

$

157.8

$

203.9

$

182.4

approx

$

170

approx

$

713

Continuing earnings per ordinary share—diluted

Diluted earnings per ordinary share—as reported

$

0.80

$

1.11

$

0.84

approx

$

0.95

approx

$

3.70

Adjustments

0.14

0.11

0.25

approx

0.07

approx

0.57

Diluted earnings per ordinary share—as adjusted

$

0.94

$

1.22

$

1.09

approx

$

1.02

approx

$

4.27

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Excluding the Effect of Adjustments (Unaudited)

In millions, except per-share data

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

Full
Year

Net sales

$

1,028.6

$

1,082.5

$

1,008.8

$

984.6

$

4,104.5

Operating income

183.6

208.5

180.1

167.0

739.2

Return on sales

17.8

%

19.3

%

17.9

%

17.0

%

18.0

%

Adjustments:

Restructuring and other

2.9

0.6

1.6

(1.7

)

3.4

Transformation costs

8.5

6.0

13.5

16.3

44.3

Intangible amortization

13.8

13.9

13.8

13.8

55.3

Legal accrual adjustments and settlements

(1.9

)

4.1

—

—

2.2

Asset impairment and write-offs

3.9

0.5

1.8

1.7

7.9

Equity income of unconsolidated subsidiaries

0.2

0.6

1.3

0.7

2.8

Adjusted operating income

211.0

234.2

212.1

197.8

855.1

Adjusted return on sales

20.5

%

21.6

%

21.0

%

20.1

%

20.8

%

Net income from continuing operations—as reported

128.5

154.2

132.1

208.1

622.9

Pension and other post retirement mark to market loss

—

—

—

6.1

6.1

Other income

—

(5.1

)

—

—

(5.1

)

Adjustments to operating income

27.2

25.1

30.7

30.1

113.1

Income tax adjustments (1)

(4.6

)

(3.1

)

(6.6

)

(98.5

)

(112.8

)

Net income from continuing operations—as adjusted

$

151.1

$

171.1

$

156.2

$

145.8

$

624.2

Continuing earnings per ordinary share—diluted

Diluted earnings per ordinary share—as reported

$

0.78

$

0.93

$

0.79

$

1.25

$

3.75

Adjustments

0.13

0.10

0.15

(0.38

)

—

Diluted earnings per ordinary share—as adjusted

$

0.91

$

1.03

$

0.94

$

0.87

$

3.75

(1)

Income tax adjustments in the fourth quarter include $74.3 million resulting from favorable impacts of worthless stock deductions related to exiting certain businesses in our Water Solutions segment and favorable discrete items primarily related to the recognition of deferred tax assets.

Pentair plc and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Sales Growth to Core Net Sales Growth by Segment

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 (Unaudited)

Q3 Net Sales Growth

Core

Currency

Acq. / Div.

Total

Total Pentair

(1.5) %

0.2 %

(0.2) %

(1.5) %

Flow

(7.3) %

0.3 %

— %

(7.0) %

Water Solutions

(3.5) %

0.2 %

— %

(3.3) %

Pool

8.0 %

— %

(0.7) %

7.3 %

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