Ecolab Second Quarter Reported Diluted EPS $1.20; Adjusted Diluted EPS $1.27, +13%; Full Year 2018 Adjusted Diluted EPS Forecast $5.30 to $5.50 +13%-18%

Announces initiative to streamline organization and improve efficiency

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL):


SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Reported diluted EPS $1.20, +20%.
  • Adjusted diluted EPS $1.27, +13%, excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items.
  • Reported sales +7%. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales +5% with solid growth in all segments.
  • Strong sales gains, pricing, new product innovation and cost savings more than offset higher delivered product costs and investments in the business. Lower taxes also benefited the adjusted EPS gain.

2018 FORECAST:

  • 2018 adjusted diluted EPS forecast remains $5.30 to $5.50, +13% to 18%, as improving volume and pricing growth in all segments are expected to more than offset higher delivered product costs to drive the strong earnings gain.

EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED:

  • Expected to realize $200 million of run rate cost savings by 2021.
Second Quarter Ended June 30
Reported Adjusted *
(unaudited) Public Currency Rates % Public Currency Rates %
(millions, except per share) 2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
Net sales $3,689.6 $3,460.0 7 % $3,689.6 $3,460.0 7 %
Operating income 494.6 419.6 18 % 506.6 480.8 5 %
Net income attributable to Ecolab 351.3 294.8 19 % 372.3 330.7 13 %
Diluted earnings per share $1.20 $1.00 20 % $1.27 $1.12 13 %
Adjusted *
Fixed Currency Rates * % Fixed Currency Rates %
2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
Net sales $3,736.4 $3,585.4 4 % $3,736.4 $3,585.4 4 %
Operating income 500.9 435.8 15 % 512.9 497.0 3 %
* See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” section of this release for further discussion

New business gains, better pricing, product innovation and cost efficiencies more than offset higher delivered product costs and investments in the business, and along with a lower tax rate, yielded a 13% increase in second quarter 2018 adjusted diluted earnings per share.

CEO comment

Commenting on the quarter, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab’s chairman and chief executive officer said, "Our business continues to improve. We achieved another solid quarter, as strong sales actions and accelerated pricing drove top line growth, delivering 5% acquisition adjusted fixed currency growth. These attractive gains, along with cost efficiencies and a reduced tax rate, more than offset continued rising delivered product costs and yielded the 13% adjusted earnings per share growth.

"We expect these strong trends to continue in the second half, where we anticipate fixed currency sales and margins to continue to strengthen and deliver strong earnings per share growth. As our pricing and volumes continue to accelerate, we expect to fully offset the higher delivered product costs and unfavorable currency exchange that have developed since our first quarter earnings report. This should drive margin leverage versus last year, demonstrating the strength of our innovation and the value our products and services create for our customers.

“In addition, following the last several years’ investments in enterprise systems and technology platforms, we are undertaking a program to deliver $200 million of SG&A savings by 2021. This program leverages our more than $600 million investment in technology, and will streamline our organization, reduce complexity and improve our business processes to help drive our future growth and margin expansion. Internal teams will work through the balance of this year to develop final plans for our global business structure and resource improvement. This program will give us another important set of tools in addition to pricing to protect and expand margins in an environment where we expect cost inflation to remain a headwind for the foreseeable future. These efforts will be the primary focus of and source for our cost savings activities over the next several years as we reallocate our resources to pursuing them.

"We continue to expect strong results for the full year 2018 as we work to deliver attractive sales and earnings per share growth across all segments while also investing for better growth in our future. We have enhanced our industry leadership positions, building on our product and service strengths, to improve customer results. We are also rapidly developing our digital platforms that will bring our customers new insights and predictivity to their operations, as well as improve our service levels for them. We are excited about our opportunities, both over the near and long term, and are determined to continue delivering superior shareholder value.”

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Beginning in 2018, Ecolab adopted the new FASB revenue recognition and pension accounting standards. We reclassified certain costs, primarily compensation, from selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses to cost of sales (COS), to align with the costs of providing newly classified service revenue upon adoption of the new revenue standard. Adoption of the new revenue recognition standard reduced 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share by $0.01.

We also adopted the new pension accounting standard beginning in 2018, recording the employee compensation cost of pension expense (the service component) in COS and SG&A, while all other non-service components of pension income are recorded below operating income in other (income)/expense. We adopted the new standards retrospectively and revised the 2016 and 2017 financial information to reflect the adoption of the standards.

Second Quarter 2018 Consolidated Results

Ecolab's second quarter reported sales increased 7% and fixed currency sales increased 4%. Acquisition and divestiture adjusted fixed currency sales increased 5% when compared to the prior year.

Second quarter 2018 reported operating income increased 18%, fixed currency operating income increased 15%, and adjusted and acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income both increased 3%. Pricing, volume growth and cost savings initiatives more than offset the impact of higher delivered product costs and investments in the business during the quarter.

Other income, which primarily consists of the return on pension assets and other costs of our pension obligations, increased 17% reflecting our expected return on increased pension assets.

Reported net interest expense decreased in the quarter primarily reflecting lower interest rate debt.

The reported income tax rate for the second quarter of 2018 was 22.8% compared with the reported rate of 21.4% in the second quarter of 2017. Excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items, the adjusted tax rate was 20.3% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with 24.2% for the same period last year. The decrease in our adjusted tax rate was primarily driven by changes in the U.S. tax law and global tax planning strategies.

Second quarter 2018 reported net income attributable to Ecolab increased 19%. Excluding the impact of special gains and charges and discrete tax items, adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab increased 13%.

Diluted earnings per share increased 20%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 13% when compared against second quarter 2017. Currency translation had a $0.03 favorable impact on second quarter 2018 adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Ecolab did not engage in open market repurchases of its common stock during the second quarter of 2018.

Second Quarter 2018 Segment Review

Global Industrial
(unaudited) Second Quarter Ended June 30 Acq. Adj.
(millions) 2018 2017 % Change % Change
Fixed currency
Sales $1,348.4 $1,267.0 6 % 5 %
Operating income 173.1 176.4 (2) % (2) %
Operating income margin 12.8 % 13.9 %
Acq. adj. operating income margin 13.0 % 14.0 %
Public currency
Sales $1,327.2 $1,208.7 10 %
Operating income 170.3 167.7 2 %

Global Industrial acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales rose 5% led by Water, Food & Beverage and Life Sciences. All regions showed good sales growth. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income decreased 2% as improved pricing and sales volume gains were more than offset by higher delivered product costs and investments in the business.

Global Institutional
(unaudited) Second Quarter Ended June 30 Acq. Adj.
(millions) 2018 2017 % Change % Change
Fixed currency
Sales $1,311.7 $1,262.8 4 % 3 %
Operating income 252.0 257.1 (2) % (2) %
Operating income margin 19.2 % 20.4 %
Acq. adj. operating income margin 19.3 % 20.4 %
Public currency
Sales $1,296.7 $1,217.7 6 %
Operating income 249.8 251.4 (1) %

Global Institutional acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales grew 3% led by Specialty. Sales for the segment showed good growth in North America and Asia Pacific. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income declined 2% as pricing and sales volume gains were more than offset by investments in the business and higher delivered product costs.

Global Energy
(unaudited) Second Quarter Ended June 30 Acq. Adj.
(millions) 2018 2017 % Change % Change
Fixed currency
Sales $854.0 $813.4 5 % 6 %
Operating income 91.4 72.1 27 % 29 %
Operating income margin 10.7 % 8.9 %
Acq. adj. operating income margin 10.8 % 8.9 %
Public currency
Sales $845.2 $797.4 6 %
Operating income 90.0 69.7 29 %

Global Energy acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 6% reflecting strong growth in the well stimulation business and moderate gains in production and downstream. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 29% as higher delivered product costs were more than offset by volume gains, pricing, a favorable product mix and a relatively favorable comparison to the year ago period; underlying operating income growth is trending in the mid-teens.

Other
(unaudited) Second Quarter Ended June 30 Acq. Adj.
(millions) 2018 2017 % Change % Change
Fixed currency
Sales $222.3 $242.2 (8) % 8 %
Operating income 39.3 34.2 15 % 17 %
Operating income margin 17.7 % 14.1 %
Acq. adj. operating income margin 18.3 % 16.8 %
Public currency
Sales $220.5 $236.2 (7) %
Operating income 39.1 33.6 16 %

Other segment acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 8% as Pest Elimination enjoyed strong growth, led by North America. Acquisition and divestiture adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 17% as pricing and sales volume gains more than offset increased field-related costs. The Equipment Care business was sold on November 1, 2017.

Corporate

The corporate segment expense includes amortization expense of $43 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $43 million in the second quarter of 2017 related to the Nalco merger intangible assets. Corporate segment operating income also includes net special charges of $12 million ($9 million after tax) primarily related to restructuring activities.

Special gains and charges for the second quarter of 2017 were a net charge of $61 million ($46 million after tax).

Efficiency Initiative

Ecolab has undertaken a comprehensive plan to leverage its recent technology and systems investments and organizational changes in order to streamline operations, improve sales growth and increase operating efficiency while delivering better customer outcomes.

Internal teams will work through the balance of this year to develop final plans for global resource and business structure improvement, to be implemented in 2019 and 2020. Our plans will leverage technology and structural improvements to simplify and automate processes and tasks, reduce complexity and management layers, consolidate facilities and focus on key long-term growth areas, thereby creating a leaner, more productive and more empowered business structure.

The efficiency initiative and other cost savings actions are expected to be completed by the end of 2020 and are expected to result in approximately $200 million of SG&A savings by 2021.

In connection with these actions, Ecolab expects to incur pre-tax charges of $170 million ($130 million after tax) over the next 3 years, beginning with $10 million of charges in the second quarter of 2018. The charges are expected to be primarily related to team reorganizations and some facility closures.

Business Outlook

2018

Ecolab continues to expect full year 2018 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $5.30 to $5.50 range, representing a 13% to 18% increase over 2017.

When compared with our 2017 performance, we expect improved acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales growth in all of our segments. Versus the comparable measures last year, we anticipate slightly lower adjusted gross margin as volume gains, pricing and cost efficiency actions nearly offset higher delivered product costs (which are expected to show somewhat moderating increases in the fourth quarter), with a lower SG&A ratio to sales, higher other income, and lower interest expense and a lower adjusted tax rate versus 2017 reflecting the impact of the recently enacted U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and tax planning.

We expect special charges in 2018 to be $0.30 to $0.40 per share principally related to the charges for the efficiency initiative, a previously announced $25 million funding commitment to the Ecolab Foundation, as well as integration of previously announced acquisitions. In addition, the discrete tax item related to excess tax benefits on share-based compensation is expected to be favorable. Other than this discrete tax item and special gains and charges noted above, other such amounts are not currently quantifiable.

At current rates of exchange, we expect foreign currency translation to have an approximate $0.02 benefit to diluted earnings per share versus the previously expected $0.10 benefit.

Our detailed outlook for the full year of 2018 (which reflects adoption of the new accounting standards) is as follows:

Adjusted Gross Margin, excluding special gains and charges 41% to 42%
SG&A % of Sales approx. 27%
Other income and expense approx. $80 million
Interest expense, net approx. $230 million
Adjusted tax rate approx. 21%
Noncontrolling interest approx. $0.05
Adjusted EPS, excluding special gains and charges $5.30 to $5.50
Diluted shares approx. 293 million

Reported 2017 diluted earnings per share of $5.12 included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items, 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.68.

2018 — Third Quarter

Ecolab expects third quarter 2018 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $1.49 to $1.57 range, rising 8% to 14% compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.38 a year ago.

Versus the comparable measures last year, we expect year-on-year acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales growth in all our segments. Volume gains and higher pricing are expected to more than offset significantly higher delivered product costs in the quarter (which are expected to represent an approximate $0.15 per share year-on-year negative cost impact on third quarter earnings, or about double their impact on the second quarter results). We expect consolidated gross margin and the SG&A ratio to sales to be similar to last year, higher other income and an improved adjusted tax rate versus 2017 resulting from the new U.S. tax law referenced above and tax planning.

We expect special charges in the third quarter of 2018 to be $0.10 to $0.15 per share principally related to the aforementioned efficiency initiative and integration of previously announced acquisitions. In addition, the discrete tax item related to excess tax benefits on share-based compensation is expected to be favorable. Other than this discrete tax item and special gains and charges noted above, other such expected amounts are not currently quantifiable.

At current rates of exchange, we expect foreign currency to be unfavorable $0.01 per share in the third quarter.

Our detailed outlook for the third quarter of 2018 (which reflects adoption of the new accounting standards) is as follows:

Adjusted Gross Margin, excluding special gains and charges approx. 42%
SG&A % of Sales approx. 26%
Other income and expense approx. $20 million
Interest expense, net approx. $60 million
Adjusted tax rate approx. 21%
Noncontrolling interest approx. $0.02
Adjusted EPS, excluding special gains and charges $1.49 to $1.57
Diluted shares approx. 293 million

Reported third quarter 2017 diluted earnings per share of $1.34 included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items, third quarter 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.38.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With annual sales of $14 billion and 48,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. For more Ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com.

Ecolab will host a live webcast to review the second quarter earnings announcement and earnings guidance today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webcast, along with related materials, will be available to the public on Ecolab's website at www.ecolab.com/investor. A replay of the webcast and related materials will be available at that site. Listening to the webcast requires Internet access, the Windows Media Player or another compatible streaming media player.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication contains certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations and predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our financial and business performance and prospects, including forecasted 2018 third quarter and full-year financial and business results, including sales growth, adjusted gross margin, SG&A ratios to sales, interest expense, adjusted tax rate, noncontrolling interest, adjusted diluted earnings per share and diluted shares outstanding, volume, pricing, delivered product costs, global economic environment, investments in digital technology and information technology systems, foreign currency, special gains and charges and quantifiable discrete tax items; actions and impact associated with adoption of new accounting standards and timing, amount and type of restructuring or efficiency initiative costs and savings from restructuring or efficiency initiative activities. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. In particular, the ultimate results of any restructuring or efficiency initiative, integration and business improvement actions, including cost synergies, depend on a number of factors, including the development of final plans, the impact of local regulatory requirements regarding employee terminations, the time necessary to develop and implement the restructuring or efficiency initiative and other business improvement initiatives and the level of success achieved through such actions in improving competitiveness, efficiency and effectiveness.

Additional risks and uncertainties that may affect operating results and business performance are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and include the vitality of the markets we serve, including the impact of oil price fluctuations on the markets served by our Global Energy segment; the impact of economic factors such as the worldwide economy, capital flows, interest rates and foreign currency risk, including reduced sales and earnings in other countries resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar; our ability to execute key business initiatives, including upgrades to our information technology systems; potential information technology infrastructure failures and cybersecurity attacks; our ability to attract and retain high caliber management talent to lead our business; exposure to global economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations including trade sanctions; our ability to develop competitive advantages through innovation and to commercialize digital solutions; the costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations, including those relating to the environment and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products; difficulty in procuring raw materials or fluctuations in raw material costs; pressure on operations from consolidation of customers, vendors or competitors; the occurrence of litigation or claims, including related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual obligations; our ability to acquire complementary businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses; changes in tax law and unanticipated tax liabilities; potential loss of deferred tax assets or increase in deferred tax liabilities; our substantial indebtedness; public health epidemics; potential losses arising from the impairment of goodwill or other assets; potential chemical spill or release; potential class action lawsuits; the loss or insolvency of a major customer or distributor; acts of war or terrorism; natural or man-made disasters; water shortages; severe weather conditions; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in expectations, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This news release and certain of the accompanying tables include financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures include:

  • fixed currency sales
  • acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales
  • adjusted cost of sales
  • adjusted gross margin
  • fixed currency operating income
  • fixed currency operating income margin
  • adjusted operating income
  • adjusted fixed currency operating income
  • adjusted fixed currency operating income margin
  • acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income
  • acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income margin
  • adjusted tax rate
  • adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab
  • adjusted diluted earnings per share

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results.


Contacts

Ecolab Inc.
Michael J. Monahan, 651-250-2809
or
Andrew C. Hedberg, 651-250-2185


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