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Crown Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2019 Results

February 4, 2020 5:00 PM

YARDLEY, Pa., Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

Highlights

  • Fourth quarter earnings per share of $0.64 versus $0.40 in 2018
  • Fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.04 versus $1.00 in 2018
  • Full year cash from operations of $1.2 billion; record adjusted free cash flow of $754 million
  • Beverage can volumes up 7% in quarter, 3% for the year
  • Deleveraging plans on target
  • Beverage can capacity projects on schedule
  • Beverage can volumes expected to be up more than 5% in 2020
  • Increase in 2020 capital spending to support growing beverage can demand

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales in the fourth quarter were $2,791 million compared to $2,734 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, reflecting a 7% increase in beverage can volumes.

Income from operations was $199 million in the quarter compared to $218 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Segment income was $285 million in the fourth quarter compared to $279 million in the prior year fourth quarter.

Commenting on the quarter, Timothy J. Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The Company had a strong year in 2019, with fourth quarter overall performance in line with expectations, as strong operating results in Americas Beverage offset underperformance in the European Food business. Also, as planned, we reduced inventories in our Transit Packaging business in anticipation of a softness in manufacturing activity which, while having an adverse impact on segment income, helped the Company achieve record cash flow in 2019. Beverage can volumes were particularly robust in Brazil, Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States, as consumers in both emerging and developed markets continue to increasingly prefer cans over other packaging options. Our full year adjusted free cash flow of over $750 million allowed us to continue to reduce debt and meet our deleveraging targets.

"In 2019, the North American beverage can industry grew at its fastest pace in 25 years. This expansion was driven by a growing proportion of new beverage products being introduced in cans versus other packaging formats, which is expected to continue. To meet these increasing requirements in North America, we installed a new aluminum beverage can line at our Weston, Ontario plant which began production last month and are adding a third line at our Nichols, New York facility which will commence operations during the second quarter of this year. In addition, Crown holds beverage can leadership positions in a number of faster-growing developing regions, and we have established an excellent platform for further growth in the coming years. To meet this rising demand, during November 2019 the Company commenced operations at a new facility in Rio Verde, Brazil and has begun construction of a new beverage can plant in Nong Khae, Thailand which will begin production during the third quarter of 2020. Lastly, our multi-year project to convert beverage can capacity in Spain from steel to aluminum now nears completion. Both lines in the Seville plant, which have multi-size capability, will be in commercial production early in the second quarter.

"Looking ahead, we are excited about 2020. Beverage cans are the world's most sustainable and responsible beverage packaging format and, with the commercialization of significant new capacity, Crown is poised to continue to benefit from the global growth in beverage cans. Moreover, our other global metal packaging and transit businesses continue generating significant and stable free cash flow, funding beverage can expansion and rapid deleveraging."

Interest expense was $88 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $102 million in 2018 primarily due to lower debt levels in the current year.

Net income attributable to Crown Holdings in the fourth quarter was $87 million compared to $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Reported diluted earnings per share were $0.64 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $0.40 in 2018. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.04 compared to $1.00 in 2018.

A reconciliation from net income and diluted earnings per share to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is provided below.

Full Year Results

Net sales for the full year of 2019 increased to $11,665 million compared to $11,151 million in 2018 primarily due to the impact of the Signode acquisition, partially offset by $254 million of unfavorable currency translation.

Income from operations was $1,196 million in 2019 compared to $1,096 million in 2018. Segment income in 2019 increased to $1,381 million over the $1,328 million in the prior year period, reflecting the impact of the Signode acquisition offset by $24 million of unfavorable currency translation.

Interest expense was $378 million for 2019 compared to $384 million in 2018 primarily due to lower interest rates offset by higher average outstanding debt from borrowings incurred to finance the Signode acquisition.

Net income attributable to Crown Holdings in 2019 was $510 million compared to $439 million in 2018. Reported diluted earnings per share were $3.78 compared to $3.28 in 2018. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $5.11 compared to $5.20 in 2018.

Outlook

The Company currently expects 2020 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $5.40 to $5.60. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the 2020 first quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.90 to $1.00.

The adjusted effective income tax rate for 2020 is expected to be between 24% and 25%.

Cash provided by operating activities is currently expected to be approximately $1,200 million for 2020 with capital spending of approximately $600 million.

Non-GAAP Measures

Segment income, adjusted free cash flow, net leverage ratio, adjusted net income, the adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP measures). Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income from operations, net income, diluted earnings per share, effective tax rates, cash flow or leverage ratio data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies.

The Company views segment income as the principal measure of the performance of its operations and adjusted free cash flow and net leverage ratio as the principal measure of its liquidity. The Company considers all of these measures in the allocation of resources. Adjusted free cash flow has certain limitations, however, including that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure. The amount of mandatory versus discretionary expenditures can vary significantly between periods. The Company believes that adjusted net income, the adjusted effective tax rate and adjusted diluted earnings per share are useful in evaluating the Company's operations as these measures are adjusted for items that affect comparability between periods. Reconciliations of estimated adjusted diluted earnings per share for the first quarter and full year of 2020 to estimated diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis are not provided in this release due to the unavailability of estimates of the following, the timing and magnitude of which the Company is unable to reliably forecast without unreasonable efforts, which are excluded from estimated adjusted diluted earnings per share and could have a significant impact on earnings per share on a GAAP basis: gains or losses on the sale of businesses or other assets, restructuring and other costs, asset impairment charges, asbestos-related charges, losses from early extinguishment of debt, pension settlement and curtailment charges, the tax and noncontrolling interest impact of the items above, and the impact of tax law changes or other tax matters. The Company believes that adjusted free cash flow and net leverage ratio provide meaningful measures of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing the Company's ability to fund its activities, including the financing of acquisitions, debt repayments, share repurchases or possible future dividends. Segment income, adjusted free cash flow, net leverage ratio, the adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are derived from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows and Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable, and reconciliations to segment income, adjusted free cash flow, net leverage ratio, the adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA can be found within this release.

Conference CallThe Company will hold a conference call tomorrow, February 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss this news release. Forward-looking and other material information may be discussed on the conference call. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are (630) 395-0194 or toll-free (888) 324-8108 and the access password is "packaging." A live webcast of the call will be made available to the public on the internet at the Company's website, www.crowncork.com. A replay of the conference call will be available for a one-week period ending at midnight on February 12. The telephone numbers for the replay are (402) 998-0478 or toll free (800) 759-4056.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsExcept for historical information, all other information in this press release consists of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the future impact of currency translation; the continuation of performance and market trends in 2020, including consumer preference for beverage cans and increasing global beverage can demand and demand in Brazil, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States; the Company's ability to successfully complete and begin production at capacity expansion projects within expected timelines and budgets in the U.S. and Thailand and the Company's ability to generate expected earnings and cash flow in 2020 that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the statements made in this press release or the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ are discussed under the caption "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in subsequent filings made prior to or after the date hereof. The Company does not intend to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement in light of future events.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

For more information, contact:Thomas A. Kelly, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (215) 698-5341Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs, (215) 552-3720

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, Balance Sheets, Statements of Cash Flows, Segment Information and Supplemental Data follow.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in millions, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net sales

$2,791

$2,734

$11,665

$11,151

Cost of products sold

2,267

2,224

9,349

9,028

Depreciation and amortization

124

120

490

425

Selling and administrative expense

161

156

631

558

Restructuring and other

40

16

(1)

44

Income from operations (1)

199

218

1,196

1,096

Pension settlements and curtailments

7

42

30

42

Other pension and postretirement

(6)

(20)

(17)

(67)

Foreign exchange

3

4

9

18

Earnings before interest and taxes

195

192

1,174

1,103

Interest expense

88

102

378

384

Interest income

(5)

(4)

(17)

(21)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

21

27

Income before income taxes

91

94

786

740

Provision for income taxes

(24)

20

166

216

Equity earnings

1

1

5

4

Net income

116

75

625

528

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(29)

(22)

(115)

(89)

Net income attributable to Crown Holdings

$87

$53

$510

$439

Earnings per share attributable to Crown Holdings

common shareholders:

Basic

$0.65

$0.40

$3.81

$3.28

Diluted

$0.64

$0.40

$3.78

$3.28

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

133,987,700

133,738,344

133,888,302

133,640,902

Diluted

135,187,487

134,095,905

134,884,969

133,878,064

Actual common shares outstanding

135,577,878

135,173,948

135,577,878

135,173,948

(1) A reconciliation from income from operations to segment income follows.

Consolidated Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)

(in millions)

Reconciliation from Income from Operations to Segment IncomeThe Company views segment income, as defined below, as a principal measure of performance of its operations and for the allocation of resources. Segment income is defined by the Company as income from operations adjusted to exclude intangibles amortization charges, provisions for asbestos and restructuring and other, and the impact of fair value adjustments to inventory acquired in an acquisition.

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Income from operations

$

199

$

218

$

1,196

$

1,096

Intangibles amortization

46

45

186

148

Fair value adjustment to inventory (1)

40

Provision for restructuring and other

40

16

(1)

44

Segment income

$

285

$

279

$

1,381

$

1,328

(1) Included in cost of products sold

Segment Information

Net Sales

Three Months Ended December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Americas Beverage

$

856

$

804

$

3,369

$

3,282

European Beverage

332

295

1,497

1,489

European Food

400

417

1,887

1,982

Asia Pacific

331

326

1,290

1,316

Transit Packaging

549

595

2,274

1,800

Total reportable segments

2,468

2,437

10,317

9,869

Non-reportable segments (2)

323

297

1,348

1,282

Total net sales

$

2,791

$

2,734

$

11,665

$

11,151

Segment Income

Americas Beverage

$

148

$

118

$

534

$

454

European Beverage

27

13

190

193

European Food

16

26

205

257

Asia Pacific

51

49

194

186

Transit Packaging

63

80

290

255

Total reportable segments

305

286

1,413

1,345

Non-reportable segments (2)

23

20

126

122

Corporate and other unallocated items

(43)

(27)

(158)

(139)

Total segment income

$

285

$

279

$

1,381

$

1,328

(2) Includes the Company's food can and closures businesses in North America, aerosol can businesses in North America and Europe, promotional packaging business in Europe, and tooling and equipment operations in the U.S. and United Kingdom.

Consolidated Supplemental Data (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

Reconciliation from Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table reconciles reported net income and diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, as used elsewhere in this release.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income/diluted earnings per share

attributable to Crown Holdings, as reported

$87

$0.64

$53

$0.40

$510

$3.78

$439

$3.28

Intangibles amortization (1)

46

0.34

45

0.34

186

1.38

148

1.11

Fair value adjustment to inventory (2)

40

0.30

Restructuring and other (3)

40

0.30

16

0.12

(1)

(0.01)

44

0.33

Pension settlements and curtailments (4)

7

0.05

42

0.31

30

0.22

42

0.31

Acquisition costs (5)

24

0.18

Loss from early extinguishment of debt (6)

21

0.16

27

0.20

Income taxes (7)

(59)

(0.44)

(22)

(0.17)

(79)

(0.58)

(40)

(0.30)

Noncontrolling interests (8)

(1)

(0.01)

16

0.12

(1)

(0.01)

Adjusted net income/diluted earnings per share

$141

$1.04

$134

$1.00

$689

$5.11

$696

$5.20

Effective tax rate as reported

(26.4)%

21.3%

21.1%

29.2%

Adjusted effective tax rate (9)

17.1%

21.3%

23.8%

24.7%

Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and the adjusted effective tax rate are non-GAAP measures and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, diluted earnings per share and effective tax rates determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to evaluate the performance of the Company's ongoing business.

(1)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded charges of $45 million ($34 million net of tax) and $181 million ($135 million net of tax) for intangibles arising from acquisitions. Also in the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded charges of $1 million ($1 million net of tax) and $5 million ($4 million net of tax) for accelerated depreciation related to the planned shutdown of a steel beverage can operation in Spain. In the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, the Company recorded charges of $45 million ($35 million net of tax) and $148 million ($111 million net of tax) for intangibles amortization.

(2)

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $40 million ($29 million net of tax) in cost of products sold for fair value adjustment related to the sale of inventory acquired in its acquisition of Signode.

(3)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded net restructuring and other charges of $40 million ($36 million net of tax) and gains of $1 million ($10 million charge net of tax). The fourth quarter included a charge of $25 million for goodwill impairment in the European Aerosols and Promotional Packaging reporting unit, and restructuring and other charges of $15 million. In addition to the goodwill charge, the full year also included gains of $50 million arising from favorable court rulings in lawsuits brought by the Company's Brazilian subsidiaries claiming they were overcharged by local tax authorities for indirect taxes paid in prior years, offset by other net charges of $24 million primarily related to restructuring actions. In the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, the Company recorded net restructuring and other charges of $16 million ($12 million net of tax) and $44 million ($35 million net of tax) including $22 million of transaction costs for the year in connection with its acquisition of Signode.

(4)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded charges of $7 million ($6 million net of tax) and $44 million ($37 million net of tax) arising from pension plan settlements. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a curtailment gain of $14 million ($12 million net of tax) in connection with the closure of a defined benefit pension plan to future accrual for active members. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded pension and postretirement charges of $42 million ($35 million net of tax) arising from pension liability settlements.

(5)

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $15 million ($10 million net of tax) for net losses arising from its hedge of the U.S. dollar purchase price of its acquisition of Signode. Also in the first quarter of 2018, the Company incurred net charges of $9 million ($7 million net of tax) for pre-acquisition interest carrying costs on borrowings to finance the acquisition.

(6)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded charges of $21 million ($15 million net of tax) and $27 million ($20 million net of tax) for the write off of deferred financing fees in connection with the repayment of a portion of its term loans.

(7)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $22 million and $48 million related to the items described above. Also in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded benefits of $37 million primarily related to a deferred tax valuation allowance release arising from an internal debt restructuring. In the third quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $9 million arising from tax law changes in India. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a charge of $15 million to settle a tax contingency arising from a transaction that occurred prior to its acquisition of Signode. In the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $21 million and $71 million related to the items described above. Also in the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $1 million and charges of $31 million related to taxes on the distribution of foreign earnings, including an adjustment for the impact of the "Tax Cut and Jobs Act."

(8)

In the fourth quarter and full year of 2019, the Company recorded noncontrolling interest benefits of $1 million and expense of $16 million related to the items described above. In the full year of 2018, the Company recorded a noncontrolling interest benefit of $1 million related to the items described above.

(9)

Income tax effects on adjusted net income were calculated using the applicable tax rates of the underlying jurisdictions.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Condensed & Unaudited)

(in millions)

December 31,

2019 (1)

2018

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

607

$

607

Receivables, net

1,528

1,602

Inventories

1,626

1,690

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

241

180

Total current assets

4,002

4,079

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

6,445

6,635

Property, plant and equipment, net

3,887

3,745

Other non-current assets

1,148

803

Total

$

15,482

$

15,262

Liabilities and equity

Current liabilities

Short-term debt

$

75

$

89

Current maturities of long-term debt

62

86

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

3,762

3,738

Total current liabilities

3,899

3,913

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

7,818

8,517

Other non-current liabilities

1,673

1,546

Noncontrolling interests

379

349

Crown Holdings shareholders' equity

1,713

937

Total equity

2,092

1,286

Total

$

15,482

$

15,262

(1) On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted new lease accounting guidance resulting in increases in other non- current assets and other non-current liabilities of $220. Prior period amounts have not been recast and continue to be reported in accordance with accounting guidance in effect for those periods.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Condensed & Unaudited)

(in millions)

Year ended December 31,

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$

625

$

528

Depreciation and amortization

490

425

Restructuring and other

(1)

44

Pension expense

66

45

Pension contributions

(23)

(20)

Stock-based compensation

29

27

Working capital changes and other

(23)

(478)

Net cash provided by operating activities (1)

1,163

571

Cash flows from investing activities

Capital expenditures

(432)

(462)

Beneficial interest in transferred receivables

490

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

(11)

(3,912)

Proceeds from sale of assets

47

36

Other

22

5

Net cash used for investing activities

(374)

(3,843)

Cash flows from financing activities

Net change in debt

(639)

3,680

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

(101)

(60)

Common stock repurchased

(7)

(4)

Debt issue costs

(18)

(70)

Other, net

(21)

(13)

Net cash provided by/(used for) financing activities

(786)

3,533

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

1

(37)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

4

224

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

659

435

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31 (2)

$

663

$

659

(1) Adjusted free cash flow is defined by the Company as net cash from operating activities plus beneficial interest in transferred receivables less capital expenditures and certain other items. A reconciliation from net cash from operating activities to adjusted free cash flow for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 follows.

(2) Cash and cash equivalents includes $56 and $52 of restricted cash at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net cash from operating activities

$962

$803

$1,163

$571

Beneficial interest in transferred receivables (3)

490

Acquisition costs

22

Adjusted cash from operating activities

962

803

1,163

1,083

Interest included in investing activities (4)

2

15

23

15

Capital expenditures

(190)

(157)

(432)

(462)

Adjusted free cash flow

$774

$661

$754

$636

(3) Subsequent to amendments to the Company's receivables securitization program during the third quarter of 2018, certain activity that was previously reported as investing activity is now reported as operating activity.(4) Interest benefit of cross currency swaps included in investing activities.

Consolidated Supplemental Data (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

Impact of Foreign Currency Translation by Segment (1) – Favorable/(Unfavorable)

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019

Net Sales

SegmentIncome

Net Sales

SegmentIncome

Americas Beverage

$5

$1

$(20)

$(2)

European Beverage

(3)

(56)

(5)

European Food

(9)

1

(102)

(11)

Asia Pacific

4

1

(1)

Transit Packaging

(6)

(1)

(58)

(7)

Corporate and Non-Reportable

(1)

(17)

1

$(10)

$2

$(254)

$(24)

(1)

The impact of foreign currency translation represents the difference between actual current year U.S. dollar results and pro forma amounts assuming constant foreign currency exchange rates for translation in both periods. In order to compute the difference, the Company compares actual U.S. dollar results to an amount calculated by multiplying or dividing, as appropriate, the current U.S. dollar results by current year average foreign exchange rates and then multiplying or dividing, as appropriate, those amounts by the applicable prior year average foreign exchange rates.

Comparative Results for Transit Packaging

Revenue

Segment Income

Depreciation (2)

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

Q1

$569

$588

$526

$73

$79

$76

$15

$13

$12

Q2

592

620

575

80

94

80

14

14

13

Q3

564

585

565

74

81

82

13

15

12

Q4

549

595

566

63

80

82

15

14

13

$2,274

$2,388

$2,232

$290

$334

$320

$57

$56

$50

(2)

Amount of depreciation expense included in segment income.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA

2019

2018

Income from operations

$1,196

$1,096

Add:

Intangibles amortization

186

148

Fair value adjustment to inventory

40

Provision for restructuring and other

(1)

44

Segment income

1,381

1,328

Other pension and postretirement

17

67

Depreciation

304

277

Adjusted EBITDA

$1,702

$1,672

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-holdings-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2019-results-300999002.html

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.

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