Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion is a summary of the key factors management considers necessary in reviewing the Company's results of operations, operating segment results, and liquidity and capital resources. Statements in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) that are not historical may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
You should read the following MD&A in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please see Part I. Item 1A “Risk Factors” above and “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
All amounts discussed are in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events, including, without limitation, the future sales, gross margins, costs, earnings, cash flows, tax rates and performance of the Company. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "expectation," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "estimate," "plan," "target," "predict," "likely," "should," "forecast," "outlook," or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors," as updated from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful comparisons to the corresponding historical or future period, and are used for management incentive compensation. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that are not reflective of the Company's on-going operating performance, such as Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, impairments of goodwill and intangible assets, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buyout, the costs of exiting the Russian market, the gain on finance lease termination and the costs of the May 2022 flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility. In addition, these measures help investors to analyze year over year comparability when excluding currency fluctuations, acquisition activity as well as other company initiatives that are not on-going. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are an enhancement to assist investors in understanding our business and in performing analysis consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP measures. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may not be the same as similar measures used by other companies due to possible differences in method and in the items being adjusted.
We provide the following non-GAAP measures and calculations, as well as the corresponding reconciliation to the closest GAAP measure:
Segment Profit. This amount represents the operations of our two reportable segments including allocations for shared support functions. General corporate and other expenses, amortization expense, impairment of goodwill and intangible
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assets, interest expense, loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, other items, net, Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility have all been excluded from segment profit.
Adjusted net earnings and Adjusted Diluted net earnings per common share (EPS). These measures exclude the impact of Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, costs related to acquisition and integration, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility.
Non-GAAP Tax Rate. This is the tax rate when excluding the pre-tax impact of Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, the loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, as well as the related tax impact for these items, calculated utilizing the statutory rate for where the impact was incurred.
Organic. This is the non-GAAP financial measurement of the change in revenue or segment profit that excludes or otherwise adjusts for the change in Russia and Argentina operations and the impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:
Change in Russia Operations. The Company exited the Russian market in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 due to the increased global and economic and political uncertainty resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This adjusts for the change in Russian sales and segment profit from the prior year post exit.
Change in Argentina Operations. The Company is presenting separately all changes in sales and segment profit from our Argentina affiliate due to the designation of the economy as highly inflationary as of July 1, 2018.
Impact of currency. The Company evaluates the operating performance of our Company on a currency neutral basis. The Impact of Currency is the change in foreign currency exchange rates year-over-year on reported results, which is calculated by comparing the value of current year foreign operations at the current period USD exchange rate versus the value of current year foreign operations at the prior period USD exchange rate. The impact of currency also includes gains/(losses) of currency hedging programs, and it excludes hyper-inflationary markets.
Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, adjusted Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) as a percent of sales and adjusted Other items, net. Details for adjusted gross margin, adjusted SG&A as a percent of sales and adjusted Other items, net are also supplemental non-GAAP measure disclosures. These measures exclude the impact of Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition and integration costs, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buyout, the gain on finance lease termination, the costs of exiting the Russian market and the costs of the flooding of our manufacturing facility in Brazil.
Macroeconomic Environment
We continue to operate in an inflationary environment where macro-economic pressures and geopolitical instability are expected to continue into fiscal year 2025. While we did not experience significant disruptions in our operations in fiscal 2024, the risks of future negative impacts due to transportation, logistical or supply constraints and higher commodity costs for certain raw materials remain present, and the Company could continue to experience corresponding incremental costs and gross margin pressures, as well as currency headwinds throughout the year.
Argentina Economic Reform
In November 2023, a new president was elected in Argentina who is implementing significant economic reform. Upon his inauguration in December 2023, the government devalued the Argentine Peso (ARS) approximately 50% over night. As a result, Argentina's operating costs rose quicker than the Company was able to implement price increases to offset the rising costs. The Company anticipates this could continue, resulting in a continued decline to operating profit during fiscal 2025. The
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Company had net sales of $38.0, $45.8 and $51.0 for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had operating profit of $10.7, $16.0 and $17.4 in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The December 2023 currency devaluation and economic reform resulted in $22.0 of currency and related losses recognized in Other items, net during the twelve months ended September 30, 2024. This includes exchange losses of $14.7 from the December remeasurement of the Company's Argentina monetary assets and liabilities and $6.3 of transactional currency exchange losses on the ARS in December which are discussed further in Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. The Company also recorded a loss of $1.0 on the purchase and sale of bonds issued by the Argentina Central Bank (BCRA), named BOPREALs, which were issued to provide a USD denominated instrument for import companies to pay import debts existing before December 12, 2023, and regulate the flow of reserves from BCRA.
It is difficult to determine what continuing impact the new president and his economic reform or the use of highly inflationary accounting for Argentina may have on our consolidated financial statements as such impact is dependent upon movements in the applicable exchange rates between the local currency and the U.S. dollar and the amount of monetary assets and liabilities included in our affiliates' balance sheet, as well as any additional reforms that may be issued by the new Argentine Administration.
Centralsul Acquisition
On May 8, 2024, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Centralsul Ltda. (Centralsul), an auto appearance and fragrance manufacturer and distributor based in Southern Brazil (Centralsul Acquisition), which is expected to increase the Company's Auto Care presence in the region. The share purchase agreement (SPA) included a contractual purchase price of approximately $15. This contractual purchase price was adjusted by Centralsul's outstanding debt, an indemnity holdback and working capital adjustments, resulting in an initial cash payment of $10.6, which is further subject to a post closing working capital adjustment.
Belgium Acquisition
On October 27, 2023, the Company acquired certain battery manufacturing assets in Belgium from Advanced Power Solutions Belgium NV (APS Belgium) for a contractual purchase price of EUR3.5 (Belgium Acquisition). The Company also acquired certain raw materials from APS Belgium, procured by APS Belgium on the Company's behalf to facilitate the transition, for a total acquisition purchase price of $11.6 (including value added taxes). The Company assumed a building lease and the production employees as part of the acquisition, and acquired these assets to provide a battery manufacturing location in Europe.
APS NV Acquisition
On September 24, 2024, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all the shares of Advanced Power Solutions NV for a purchase price of EUR26.8, to be adjusted for closing net debt and working capital (APS NV Acquisition). The Company anticipates the acquisition will close during calendar year 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Acquisition and Integration Costs
The Company incurred pre-tax acquisition and integration costs related to the above acquisitions of $7.2 in the twelve months ended September 30, 2024. Pre-tax costs recorded in Costs of good sold were $3.1, the majority of which were recorded in the first fiscal quarter of 2024 as the Company was awaiting the receipt of the raw materials procured on the Company's behalf by APS Belgium as part of the Belgium Acquisition. These costs were offset by $1.0, recorded in Other items, net, from producing inventory for APS Belgium under a transaction services agreement (TSA) entered into at the closing of the transaction. No further income is expected from this TSA. The Company also recorded $5.1 of legal and diligence fees in Selling, general and administrative expenses related to acquisition and integration activities during the fiscal year.
There were no acquisition and integration costs during the twelve months ended September 30, 2023.
The Company incurred pre-tax acquisition and integration costs of $16.5 in the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 related to integration costs from the Spectrum Global Battery and Auto Care acquisitions completed in fiscal 2019. Pre-tax costs recorded in Costs of products sold were $6.0, which primarily related to facility exit and integration restructuring costs of $5.2 as discussed in Note 5, Restructuring. Pre-tax acquisition and integration costs recorded in SG&A were $9.4 and primarily related to the integration of acquired information technology systems, consulting costs, and retention-related compensation costs. The Company also recorded $1.1 in R&D related to the integration of these acquisitions.
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Project Momentum Costs
In November 2022, the Board of Directors approved a profit recovery program, Project Momentum, which includes an enterprise-wide restructuring focused on recovering operating margins, optimizing our manufacturing, distribution and global supply chain networks, and enhancing our organizational efficiency across the Company. In July 2023, the Company's Board of Directors approved an expansion of this program to include an additional year, which will allow for additional optimization of our battery manufacturing, distribution and global supply chain networks, further review of our global real estate footprint and the implementation of IT systems that will allow us to streamline our organization and fully execute the program.
Following the Belgium Acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company expanded the Project Momentum program and increased the savings and cost expectations, partially due to the impact the expanded manufacturing capacity will have on the Company's battery network. The restructuring component of the program is now expected to generate $160 to $180 of annual pre-tax savings, and the Company estimates that it will incur one-time restructuring cash operating costs of $180 to $185, non-cash restructuring costs of approximately $30, and capital expenditures of $80 to $90 over the three year program. Additionally, along side the restructuring component of the program, Project Momentum includes continuous improvement and working capital initiatives that are designed to strengthen our balance sheet, focus on cash flow, and generate P&L savings of approximately $20 annually.
Total expected pre-tax savings of Project Momentum are between $180 and $200 by the end of fiscal year 2025. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has realized approximately $142 of these savings from Project Momentum, with approximately $88 in fiscal year 2024. The savings were primarily within Cost of products sold and SG&A on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
The total pre-tax expense related to Project Momentum restructuring and other related costs for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were $91.7, $59.7 and $0.9, respectively. These consisted of charges for employee severance, retention, related benefit costs, accelerated depreciation, asset write-offs, relocation and decommissioning costs, environmental investigatory and mitigation costs, consulting costs, IT enablement and other exit costs, offset by a gain on sale of fixed assets in fiscal 2024. The costs were reflected in Cost of products sold, Selling, general and administrative expense, and Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. Total pre-tax charges related to Project Momentum since inception were $152.3. Refer to Note 5 Restructuring for further detail.
Although the Company's Project Momentum restructuring costs are recorded outside of segment profit, if allocated to our reportable segments, the restructuring costs noted above for fiscal 2024 would have been included in our Batteries & Lights and Auto Care segments in the amount of $87.0 and $4.7, respectively. The Momentum restructuring costs for fiscal year 2023 would have been included in our Batteries & Lights and Auto Care segments in the amount of $52.7 and $7.0, respectively. The Momentum restructuring costs for fiscal year 2022 would have been incurred within our Batteries & Lights and Auto Care segments in the amount of $0.7 and $0.2, respectively.
As a part of the planned Project Momentum decommissioning of certain facilities and relocation of multiple production and packaging lines, the Company incurred incremental costs related to network transition activities necessary to maintain business continuity. During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024, the Company incurred incremental costs of $11.7 primarily related to air freight and third-party packaging support to ensure product availability for key customers during the movement and subsequent prove-in of the relocated lines. These costs were incurred within Cost of products sold on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. We expect costs in the range of approximately $10 to $20 to continue to be incurred in the first half of fiscal year 2025, as Project Momentum network optimization activities are completed.
2019 & 2020 Restructurings
In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, the Company began implementing restructuring related integration plans for our manufacturing and distribution networks (2019 Restructuring). These plans included the closure and combination of distribution and manufacturing facilities in order to reduce complexity and realize greater efficiencies in our manufacturing, packaging and distribution processes.
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In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2020, the Company initiated a new restructuring program with a primary focus on reorganizing our global end-to-end supply chain network and ensuring accountability by category (2020 Restructuring). This program included streamlining the Company’s end-to-end supply chain model to enable rapid response to category specific demands and enhancing our ability to better serve our customers.
All activities within these plans were substantially complete by December 31, 2021. The total pre-tax expense related to the 2019 and 2020 restructuring plans for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.8. The costs were reflected in Cost of products sold, Selling, general and administrative expense, and Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. Although the Company's restructuring costs are recorded outside of segment profit, if allocated to our reportable segments, the restructuring costs noted above for fiscal year 2022 would have been incurred within our Batteries & Lights and Auto Care segments in the amount of $0.6 and $0.2, respectively.
The full amount of savings from these programs are now included within our run-rate cost structure. Energizer estimates that total project savings were approximately $55 to $60. Refer to Note 5 Restructuring for further detail.
Exit of Russian Market
During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company exited the Russian market due to global economic and political uncertainty related to the conflict between Russian and the Ukraine and the resultant sanctions imposed on Russia. While neither Russia nor Ukraine constitutes a material portion of our business, a significant escalation or expansion of economic disruption or the conflict's current scope could disrupt our supply chain, broaden inflationary costs, and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our Russian subsidiary comprised approximately one percent of our business.
With the decision to exit the Russian market, the Company terminated the employment of all our Russian colleagues and reviewed our Russian assets for impairment. Exiting the Russian market resulted in additional Costs of products sold of $1.3 related to the impairment of inventory in Russia and shipping costs to get inventory to other markets, impairment of other assets and severance recorded to SG&A of $5.8, and currency impacts recorded in Other items, net of $7.5 in fiscal 2022.
Brazil Manufacturing Plant Flood
In May 2022, the Company's Jaboatao, Brazil battery manufacturing facility had severe flooding due to historic levels of rain in the area. The plant was not operational for the month of June, however some production began again in July and was fully back on line in early fiscal 2023. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded costs related to the flood net of insurance proceeds of $9.7 in Cost of products sold, primarily related to damaged inventory at the plant. In fiscal 2023, the insurance claim was settled and no further losses were incurred.
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Overview
General
Energizer, through its operating subsidiaries, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers, marketers and distributors of household batteries, specialty batteries and lighting products, and a leading designer and marketer of automotive appearance, performance, refrigerant, and freshener products. Energizer manufactures, markets and/or licenses one of the most extensive product portfolios of household batteries, specialty batteries, auto care products and portable lights.
Energizer is the beneficiary of over 100 years of expertise in the battery and portable lighting products industries. Its brand names, Energizer, Eveready and Rayovac, have worldwide recognition for innovation, quality and dependability, and are marketed and sold around the world. Energizer has a long history of innovation within our categories. Since our commercialization of the first dry-cell battery in 1893 and the first flashlight in 1899, we have been committed to developing and marketing new products to meet evolving consumer needs and consistently advancing battery technology as the universe of devices powered by batteries has evolved. Over the past 100+ years we have developed or brought to market:
•the first flashlight;
•the first dry cell alkaline battery;
•the first mercury-free alkaline battery; and
•Energizer Ultimate Lithium®, the world’s longest-lasting AA and AAA battery for high-tech devices.
Energizer offers batteries using many technologies including lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide. These products are sold globally under the Energizer, Eveready and Rayovac brands, including hearing aid batteries, and the Varta brand in Latin America and Asia Pacific. These products include primary, rechargeable, specialty and hearing aid batteries and are offered in the performance, premium and price segments.
In addition, we offer auto care products in the appearance, fragrance, performance and air conditioning recharge product categories. The appearance and fragrance categories include protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners and washes designed to clean, shine, refresh and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names Armor All®, Nu Finish®, Refresh Your Car!®, LEXOL®, Eagle One®, NEVR-DULL®, California Scents®, Driven®, Bahama & Co®, Carnu®, Grand Prix®, Kit®, Tempo® and Centralsul®.
The performance product category includes STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids and other performance chemical products that benefit from a rich heritage in the car enthusiast and racing scenes, characterized by a commitment to technology, performance and motor sports partnerships for over 60 years. The brand equity of STP also provides for attractive licensing opportunities that augment our presence in our core performance categories.
The air conditioning recharge product category includes do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products led by the A/C PRO brand name, along with other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants and accessories.
In addition, we offer an extensive line of lighting products designed to meet a variety of consumer needs. We distribute and market lighting products including handheld, headlights, lanterns, and area lights. In addition to the Energizer, Eveready and Rayovac brands, we market our flashlights under the Hard Case, Dolphin, and WeatherReady® sub-brands. In addition to batteries and portable lights, Energizer licenses the Energizer, Eveready and Rayovac brands to companies developing consumer solutions in solar, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices (like smart phones), generators, power tools, household light bulbs and other lighting products.
Through our global supply chain, global manufacturing footprint and seasoned commercial organization, we seek to meet diverse customer demands within each of the markets we serve. Energizer distributes its portfolio of batteries, auto care and lighting products through a global sales force and global distributor model. We sell our products in multiple retail and business-to-business channels, including: mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical and catalog.
We use the Energizer name and logo as our trademark as well as those of our subsidiaries. Product names appearing throughout are trademarks of Energizer. This MD&A also may refer to brand names, trademarks, service marks and trade names of other companies and organizations, and these brand names, trademarks, service marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Operations for Energizer are managed via two major reportable product groupings: Battery & Lights and Auto Care.
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Financial Results
Net earnings for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 were $38.1, or $0.52 per diluted common share, compared $140.5, or $1.94 per diluted common share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and a Net loss of $231.5, or a loss of $3.37 per diluted common share, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.
Net earnings/(loss) and diluted net earnings/(loss) per common share for the time periods presented were impacted by certain items related to Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, costs related to acquisition and integration, an acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, the (gain)/loss on extinguishment of debt, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out, the costs of exiting the Russian market, the gain on finance lease termination and the costs of the flooding of our manufacturing facility in Brazil as described in the tables below. The impact of these items on reported net earnings/(loss) and reported diluted net earnings/(loss) per common share are provided below as a reconciliation to arrive at respective non-GAAP measures. See disclosure under Non-GAAP Financial Measures above.
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For the Twelve Months Ended September 30,
Net earning/(loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 38.1 $ 140.5 $ (235.5)
Mandatory preferred stock dividends — — (4.0)
Pre-tax adjustments
Project Momentum Restructuring and related costs (1) 91.7 59.7 0.9
Network transition costs (2) 11.7 — —
Acquisition and integration (3) 7.2 — 16.5
Acquisition earn out (4) — — 1.1
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets 110.6 — 541.9
Litigation matter (5) 13.7 — —
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt 2.4 (1.5) —
December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform (6) 22.0 — —
Settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out (7) — 50.2 —
Exit of Russian market (8) — — 14.6
Gain on finance lease termination (9) — — (4.5)
Brazil flood damage, net of insurance proceeds (10) — — 9.7
For the Twelve Months Ended September 30,
Diluted net earnings/(loss) per common share $ 0.52 $ 1.94 $ (3.37)
Adjustments
Project Momentum Restructuring and related costs 0.97 0.64 0.01
Network transition costs 0.12 — —
Acquisition and integration 0.08 — 0.17
Acquisition earn out — — 0.01
Impairment of goodwill & intangible assets 1.16 — 5.86
Litigation matter 0.14 — —
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt 0.03 (0.02) —
December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform 0.30 — —
Settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out — 0.53 —
Exit of Russian market — — 0.17
Gain on finance lease termination — — (0.05)
Brazil flood damage, net of insurance proceeds — — 0.14
Impact for diluted share calculation (12) — — 0.14
Adjusted diluted net earnings per diluted share $ 3.32 $ 3.09 $ 3.08
Weighted average shares of common stock - Diluted 72.7 72.4 69.9
Adjusted weighted average shares of common stock - Diluted (12) 72.7 72.4 71.7
Currency, excluding hyperinflationary markets, had an adverse impact to fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. Earnings before income tax was negatively impacted by $2.5, or $0.03 per share, compared to the prior year.
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Currency, excluding hyperinflationary markets, had an adverse impact to fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Earnings before income tax was negatively impacted by $21.3, or $0.23 per share, compared to the prior year.
(1) Project Momentum Restructuring and related costs were included in the following lines in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income:
Twelve Months Ended September 30,
Cost of products sold (COGS) $ 62.9 $ 29.9 $ —
SG&A - IT Enablement 14.5 3.3 —
Other items, net (5.6) (0.2) —
Total Project Momentum restructuring and related costs $ 91.7 $ 59.7 $ 0.9
(2) This represents incremental network transition costs, primarily related to air freight and third-party packaging support, to maintain business continuity and service our customers as the Company decommissions certain facilities and relocates production and packaging lines as part of Project Momentum. These costs were recorded in COGS on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
(3) Acquisition and integration costs were included in the following lines in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income:
Twelve Months Ended September 30,
Research and development expense (R&D) — — 1.1
Other items, net (1.0) — —
Total acquisition and integration costs $ 7.2 $ — $ 16.5
(4) This represents the estimated earn out achieved in the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 under the incentive agreements entered into with the fiscal 2021 Formulations Acquisition and is recorded in SG&A on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
(5) In 2021, Varta Microbattery GmbH filed a lawsuit against the Company alleging breach of a supply agreement related to zinc-air hearing aid batteries. In September 2024, a Swiss court issued a $13.7 judgment against the Company. The Company disagrees with the judgment and filed an appeal in October 2024. The Company recorded the judgment in SG&A on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
(6) During December 2023, a new president was inaugurated in Argentina bringing significant economic reform to the country including devaluing the Argentine Peso by 50% in the month of December 2023. As a result of this reform and devaluation, the Company recorded $22.0 of currency exchange and related losses in Other items, net on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024.
(7) The Settlement loss is due to the execution of a partial retiree annuity buy out on the U.S. pension plan in fiscal 2023. This charge is included in Other items, net in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
(8) These are the costs associated with the Company's exit of the Russian market during fiscal 2022. Exiting the Russian market resulted in additional COGS of $1.3 related to the impairment of inventory in Russia and shipping costs to get inventory to other markets, impairment of other assets and severance recorded to SG&A of $5.8, and currency impacts recorded in Other items, net of $7.5 in fiscal 2022.
(9) This represents the termination of finance lease in fiscal 2022 associated with a facility that was exited as part of the Company's 2019 Restructuring program. The gain was recorded in Other items, net in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
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(10) These are the costs associated with the May 2022 flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, net of insurance proceeds, which were recorded in COGS. The majority is related to damaged inventory.
(11) The effective tax rate for the Adjusted - Non-GAAP Net earnings and Diluted net earnings per common share was 22.9%, 21.2% and 19.5% for the years ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as calculated utilizing the statutory rate for where the costs were incurred.
(12) During the year ended September 30, 2022, the mandatory convertible preferred shares were converted to approximately 4.7 million common stock. The full conversion was dilutive and the mandatory preferred stock dividends are excluded from net earnings in the Adjusted dilution calculation. In addition, the dilutive restricted stock unit awards are included in the shares calculation on an adjusted basis.
Operating Results
For the Years Ended September 30,
Change in Russia Operations — — % (12.6) (0.4) %
Change in Argentina Operations (7.8) (0.3) % (5.3) (0.2) %
Impact of currency 1.3 — % (40.9) (1.4) %
Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2024 were $2,887.0, a decrease of 2.5% from the prior year. Organic net sales decreased 2.2% primarily due to:
•The Battery & Lights segment experienced volume declines of approximately 0.7% primarily due to the timing of holiday orders compared to the prior year, which benefited the fourth quarter of 2023, partially offset by distribution gains and improved category trends; and
•Pricing declines of 2.2%, primarily within the Battery & Lights segment, driven by planned strategic pricing and promotional investments in the period.
•Offsetting these declines was increased Auto Care segment volumes of 0.7% largely driven by distribution gains in the period.
Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2023 were $2,959.7, an decrease of 3.0%. Organic net sales decreased 1.0% primarily due to:
•Volume declines of approximately 7.5% due to lower category volumes across both battery and auto care from higher retail pricing and general economic conditions impacting category performance and weaker battery performance across non-tracked channels;
•Volume declines of approximately 1.0% from the planned exit of low margin business, a decline in our sales to device manufacturers due to their delay of new product launches and fourth quarter lost battery distribution in international markets; and
•Partially offsetting these declines was the continued benefit of global pricing actions in both the battery and auto care businesses which increased organic sales by approximately 7.5%.
For further discussion regarding net sales in each of our reportable product segments, including a summary of reported versus organic changes, please see the section titled “Segment Results” provided below.
Gross Profit
Gross profit dollars were $1,104.3 in fiscal 2024 versus $1,124.0 in fiscal 2023. Excluding the current and prior year Project Momentum restructuring costs of $62.9 and $29.9, respectively, and the current year Network transition costs of $11.7, Acquisition and integration costs of $3.1, adjusted gross profit dollars were $1,182.0 in fiscal 2024 versus $1,153.9 in fiscal
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2023. The increase in gross profit dollars was largely driven by Project Momentum, which delivered savings of approximately $59, as well as lower input costs, including improved commodities pricing and lower ocean freight. These benefits were partially offset by the planned strategic pricing and promotional investments noted above.
Gross profit dollars were $1,124.0 in fiscal 2023 versus $1,119.5 in fiscal 2022. Excluding the fiscal 2023 Project Momentum restructuring costs of $29.9, and the fiscal 2022 integration costs of $6.0, impact of costs from the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility of $9.7 and exiting the Russian market of $1.3, gross profit dollars were $1,153.9 in fiscal 2023 versus $1,136.5 in fiscal 2022. The increase in gross profit dollars was driven by the positive impact of executed price increases in battery and auto care and Project Momentum savings of approximately $47. Partially offsetting these margin impacts were higher operating costs, including raw material costs, as well as adverse currency impacts.
Gross margin as a percent of Net sales for fiscal 2024 was 38.3% versus 38.0% in the prior year. Excluding the current and prior year Project Momentum restructuring costs and the current year network transition costs and integration costs, adjusted gross margin was 40.9% for the fiscal year, up 190 basis points from prior year. Gross margin as a percent of Net sales for fiscal 2023 was 38.0% versus 36.7% in the prior year. Excluding the fiscal year 2023 Project Momentum restructuring costs and the fiscal year 2022 costs from the flooding of our Brazilian manufacturing facility, exiting the Russian market and integration costs, the gross margin was 39.0% for fiscal year 2023, up 170 basis points from the prior year.
For the Years Ended September 30,
Reported Adjusted Reported Adjusted
Project Momentum initiatives 1.9 % 1.9 % 1.4 % 1.4 %
Product cost impacts 1.8 % 1.8 % (3.7) % (3.7) %
Currency impact and other (0.3) % (0.3) % (0.2) % (0.2) %
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A)
SG&A expenses were $526.3 in fiscal 2024, or 18.2% of net sales, as compared to $489.4, or 16.5% of net sales for fiscal 2023, and $484.5, or 15.9% of net sales for fiscal 2022. Included in SG&A were Project Momentum restructuring and related costs of $34.4, $30.0 and $0.9 in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Fiscal 2024 also included $13.7 related to a litigation matter. Included in 2024 and 2022 were acquisition and integration costs of $5.1 and $9.4, respectively. Fiscal 2022 also included an acquisition earn out of $1.1 related to the fiscal year 2021 Formulations Acquisition and $5.8 related to the exit of the Russian market.
In fiscal 2024, SG&A, excluding Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, the litigation matter and acquisition and integration costs, was $473.1 or 16.4%, compared to fiscal 2023 of $459.4 or 15.5%, when excluding Project Momentum restructuring and related costs. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by an increase in labor and benefit costs, higher travel expense, increased depreciation expense related to our digital transformation initiatives and increased legal, factoring and environmental fees. This increase was partially offset by Project Momentum savings of approximately $29 in the period.
In fiscal 2023, SG&A excluding Project Momentum restructuring and related costs was $459.4 or 15.5%, compared to fiscal 2022 of $467.3 or 15.3%, when excluding acquisition and integration costs, the earn out, costs from exiting the Russian market and Project Momentum restructuring and related costs. The year-over-year decrease was primarily driven by Project Momentum savings, favorable currency impacts and lower environmental costs this year due to a charge taken in the prior year related to a legacy facility that has been sold by the Company. These decreases were partially offset by higher compensation expense and factoring fees in fiscal 2023.
Advertising and Sales Promotion (A&P)
A&P was $143.7 in fiscal 2024, an increase of $1.4 as compared to fiscal 2023 expense of $142.3. A&P was $137.1 in fiscal 2022. A&P as a percent of net sales was 5.0%, 4.8% and 4.5% in fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Research and Development (R&D)
R&D expense was $31.6 in fiscal 2024, $32.9 in fiscal 2023, $34.7 in fiscal 2022. As a percent of net sales, R&D expense was consistent as a percentage of sales at 1.1% in all three fiscal years.
Amortization Expense
Amortization expense was $58.2, $59.4 and $61.1 in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The year over year reduction is due to intangibles acquired as part of the 2019 Spectrum Battery acquisition now being fully amortized, partially offset by the increased amortization from the STP trade name beginning in fiscal 2023 and the Varta trade name beginning in fiscal 2024.
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets was $110.6 in fiscal 2024. This included a non-cash impairment on the Rayovac trade name of $85.2 and on the Varta trade name of $25.4. The non-cash impairments were driven by missed branded sales forecasts.
No impairment of goodwill and intangible assets was recorded in fiscal 2023.
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets for fiscal 2022 was $541.9. This included a non-cash impairment on the Armor All trade name of $370.4, STP trade name of $26.3, Rayovac trade name of $127.8 and a non-cash impairment related to the Auto Care International reporting unit goodwill of $17.4. For Armor All and STP, the non-cash impairments were primarily due to declines in their respective Auto Care category projections late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, significant increases in input costs, and a higher discount rate. The Rayovac non-cash impairment was primarily caused by significant sustained currency headwinds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which were expected to, and did, continue into fiscal 2023, a decrease in the branded sales forecast, increases in input costs, and a higher discount rate. The goodwill non-cash impairment was primarily driven by significant sustained currency headwinds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which were expected to, and did, continue into fiscal 2023, declines in the Auto Care category projections late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, and an increased discount rate.
Interest expense
Interest expense for fiscal 2024 was $155.7, as compared to fiscal 2023 expense of $168.7 and $158.4 in fiscal 2022. The lower interest expense in fiscal 2024 was due to a lower average outstanding debt balance in the current year due to the Company's initiatives to pay down debt, partially offset by higher interest rates. The increased interest expense in fiscal 2023 was due to higher interest rates compared to fiscal 2022, partially offset by lower average outstanding debt in the current year.
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt
The Loss on the extinguishment of debt was $2.4 for fiscal year 2024 and relates to the Company's early repayment of $188.0 outstanding on the term loan as well as the term loan repricing during the fiscal year. The Gain on the extinguishment of debt was $1.5 for fiscal year 2023 and related to the Company's retirement of $25.0 of outstanding Senior Notes at a discount and the early repayment of $188.0 outstanding on the term loan.
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Other Items, Net
Other items, net was expense of $22.0, $57.1 and $7.3 in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is summarized below:
For the Years Ended September 30,
Other items, net
Interest income $ (10.7) $ (8.9) $ (1.0)
Foreign currency exchange loss (1) 32.1 17.3 7.8
Loss on sale of available-for-sale securities 1.0 — —
Pension cost/(benefit) other than service costs 4.0 2.7 (4.1)
Settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out — 50.2 —
Exit of Russian market — — 7.5
Gain on finance lease termination — — (4.5)
Gain on sale of assets (4.4) — —
Transition services income (1.0) — —
Total Other items, net $ 22.0 $ 57.1 $ 7.3
(1) Foreign currency exchange loss in fiscal 2024 includes the currency impact from the December 2023 Argentina economic reform. During December 2023, a new president was inaugurated in Argentina bringing significant economic reform to the country including devaluing the Argentine Peso by 50% in the month of December. As a result of this reform and devaluation, the Company recorded $21.0 of exchange losses for the fiscal 2024 in Other items, net on the Consolidated (Condensed) Statement of Earnings
Income Taxes
For fiscal 2024, the effective tax rate was 29.2%. Excluding the impact of our non-GAAP adjustments, the year to date adjusted effective tax rate was 22.9% as compared to 21.2% in the prior year. The higher current year rate is driven by the higher foreign rate differential compared to the prior year.
For fiscal 2023, the effective tax rate was 20.0%. Excluding the impact of our non-GAAP adjustments, the year to date adjusted effective tax rate was 21.2% as compared to 19.5% in the prior year. The increase in the rate versus prior year is primarily due to the release of reserves from statute limitations and settlements with tax authorities in the prior year.
For fiscal 2022, the effective tax rate was a benefit of 24.2%. The current year rate was unfavorably impacted by the tax impact of the goodwill impairment. Excluding the impact of our non-GAAP adjustments, the year to date adjusted effective tax rate was 19.5% as compared to 22.6% in the prior year. The decrease in the rate versus prior year is primarily due to the release of reserves from statute limitations and settlements with tax authorities.
Energizer’s effective tax rate is highly sensitive to the mix of countries from which earnings or losses are derived. Declines in earnings in lower tax rate countries, earnings increases in higher tax rate countries, repatriation of foreign earnings or foreign operating losses in the future could increase future tax rates. In addition, the enactment of legislation implementing changes in the U.S. on the taxation of international business activities or the adoption of other U.S. tax reform could impact our effective tax rate in the future.
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Segment Results
Operations for Energizer are managed via two product segments: Batteries & Lights and Auto Care. Segment performance is evaluated based on segment operating profit, exclusive of general corporate expenses (including share-based compensation costs), amortization of intangibles, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition and integration activities, Project Momentum restructuring and related costs, network transition costs, acquisition earn out, a litigation matter, the costs of the flooding of our manufacturing facility in Brazil, the costs of exiting the Russian market, the December 2023 Argentina Economic Reform, the settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out and other items determined to be corporate in nature. Financial items, such as interest income and expense, gain on finance lease termination and loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt are managed on a global basis at the corporate level. The exclusion of these costs from segment results reflects management's view on how it evaluates segment performance. The Company also excludes amortization of intangibles and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets from segments as these are non-cash items related to the original purchase of the intangibles and are not utilized to evaluate current segment performance.
Energizer’s operating model includes a combination of standalone and shared business functions between the product segments, varying by country and region of the world. Shared functions include the sales and marketing functions, as well as human resources, IT and finance shared service costs. Energizer applies a fully allocated cost basis, in which shared business functions are allocated between segments. Such allocations are estimates, and do not represent the costs of such services if performed on a standalone basis.
Segment Net Sales For the Years Ended September 30,
Batteries & Lights
Change in Russia operations — — % (12.3) (0.5) %
Change in Argentina operations (7.2) (0.3) % (5.5) (0.2) %
Auto Care
Change in Russia operations — — % (0.3) — %
Change in Argentina operations (0.6) (0.1) % 0.2 — %
Impact of currency (0.6) (0.1) % (1.3) (0.2) %
Total Net Sales
Change in Russia operations — — % (12.6) (0.4) %
Change in Argentina operations (7.8) (0.3) % (5.3) (0.2) %
Impact of currency 1.3 — % (40.9) (1.4) %
Total net sales for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 decreased 2.5%, due to organic sales decline of $66.2, or 2.2%, and a $7.8 decrease from our Argentina operations, which were deemed to be highly inflationary. These declines were partially offset by favorable impact of currency of $1.3. Segment sales results for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 are as follows:
•Batteries & Lights net sales declined 3.6% versus the prior fiscal year, which included organic net sales decline of 3.4%. The organic decrease was driven by volume declines due to earlier holiday orders compared to the prior year, which benefited the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, partially offset by distribution gains and improved category trends (approximately 0.9%) and pricing declines driven by planned strategic pricing and promotional
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investments in the period (approximately 2.5%).
•Auto Care net sales increased 2.1% versus the prior fiscal year, which was driven by organic net sales improvement of 2.3%. The increase was driven by increased distribution globally (approximately 2.3%) and increased volumes from timing of refrigerant sales (approximately 0.8%), partially offset by pricing declines driven by planned strategic pricing and promotional investments in the period (approximately 0.8%).
Total net sales for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023 decreased 3.0%, due to organic sales decline of $31.6, or 1.0%, a decrease in sales from exiting the Russian market of $12.6, or 0.4%, a $5.3 decrease from our Argentina operations, which were deemed to be highly inflationary, and unfavorable impact of currency of $40.9, or 1.4%. Segment sales results for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023 are as follows:
•Batteries & Lights net sales declined 3.4% versus the prior fiscal year, which included organic net sales decline of 1.0%. The organic decrease was driven by category declines from higher retail pricing and general economic conditions impacting category performance and weaker performance at several non-tracked customers (approximately 7.5%), as well as from the planned exit of low margin business and a decline in our sales to device manufacturers due to their delay of new product launches and fourth quarter lost battery distribution in international markets (approximately 1.5%). This was partially offset by the continued benefits of global pricing actions (approximately 8.0%).
•Auto Care net sales declined 1.3% versus the prior fiscal year, which was primarily driven by organic net sales decline of 1.1%. The organic decrease in Net sales was due to lower volumes from category declines from higher retail pricing and general economic conditions impacting category performance, cooler spring weather negatively impacting our refrigerant sales, and retailer inventory management (approximately 8.0%). This was partially offset by the continued benefits of global pricing actions (approximately 7.0%).
Segment Profit For the Years Ended September 30,
Batteries & Lights
Segment Profit - prior year $ 551.5 $ 553.6
Change in Russia operations — — % (1.2) (0.2) %
Change in Argentina operations (5.2) (0.9) % (1.4) (0.3) %
Impact of currency (5.5) (1.0) % (21.0) (3.8) %
Auto Care
Segment Profit - prior year $ 75.0 $ 46.5
Change in Argentina operations (0.2) (0.3) % — — %
Impact of currency (0.1) (0.1) % (1.0) (2.1) %
Total Segment Profit
Segment Profit - prior year $ 626.5 $ 600.1
Change in Russia operations — — % (1.2) (0.2) %
Change in Argentina operations (5.4) (0.9) % (1.4) (0.2) %
Impact of currency (5.6) (0.8) % (22.0) (3.7) %
Refer to Note 9, Segments, in the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation from segment profit to Earnings/(loss) before income taxes.
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Total segment profit in fiscal 2024 was $648.9, an increase of 3.6% versus the prior fiscal year. The increase was driven by organic segment profit increase of 5.3%. This was partially offset by unfavorable movement in foreign currency of $5.6, or 0.8% and a decline of $5.4, or 0.9%, in Argentina operations. Segment operating profit results for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 are as follows:
•Battery & Lights segment profit was $554.8, an increase of 0.6% versus the prior fiscal year driven by organic profit increase of $14.0, or 2.5%, which was partially offset by unfavorable currencies of $5.5, or 1.0%, and a decline of $5.2, or 0.9%, in Argentina operations. The organic growth was due to the improved gross margin from Project Momentum savings and reduced A&P and R&D spending compared to the prior year. This was partially offset by the organic Net sales decline discussed above as well as higher SG&A spending in the current year.
•Auto Care segment profit was $94.1, an increase of $19.1, or 25.5%, versus the prior fiscal year. Organic segment profit increased $19.4, or 25.9%. The growth was driven by higher organic Net sales discussed above and improved gross margin due to Project Momentum savings, as well as reduced R&D spending. This was partially offset by higher SG&A and A&P spending compared to prior year.
Total segment profit in fiscal 2023 was $626.5, an increase of 4.4% versus the prior fiscal year. The increase was driven by organic segment profit increase of 8.5%. This was partially offset by unfavorable movement in foreign currency of $22.0, or 3.7%, the change in Russian operating profit of $1.2 from exiting the Russian market and a decline of $1.4, or 0.2%, in Argentina operations. Segment operating profit results for the twelve months ended September 30, 2023 are as follows:
•Battery & Lights segment profit was $551.5, a decrease of 0.4% versus the prior fiscal year primarily driven by unfavorable currency movements. Offsetting this was organic profit increase of $21.5, or 3.9%. The growth was driven by improved operating margins driven by Project Momentum initiatives and decreased overhead and R&D spending. This growth was partially offset by lower organic sales as well as higher A&P spending in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year.
•Auto Care segment profit was $75.0, an increase of $28.5, or 61.3%, versus the prior fiscal year. Organic segment profit increased $29.5, or 63.4%. The growth was driven by improved operating margins driven by Project Momentum initiatives and decreased overhead spending. This growth was partially offset by lower organic sales as well as higher A&P and R&D spending in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year.
GENERAL CORPORATE For the Years Ended September 30,
% of net sales 4.0 % 3.6 % 3.3 %
For fiscal 2024, general corporate expenses were $115.3, an increase of $8.1 compared to fiscal 2023 expense of $107.2. The increase was primarily driven by increased factoring and legal fees, higher mark to market expenses on our deferred compensation plans as well as increased stock compensation in the current year. For fiscal 2023, general corporate expenses were $107.2, an increase of $5.6 compared to fiscal 2022 expense of $101.6. The increase was primarily driven by increased factoring fees, higher mark to market expenses on our deferred compensation plans as well as increased stock compensation in fiscal 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Energizer’s primary future cash needs are centered on operating activities, working capital and strategic investments. We believe that our future cash from operations, together with our access to capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund our short-term and long-term operating and financing needs. Our access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: (i) our financial condition and prospects, (ii) for debt, our credit rating, (iii) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (iv) the current state of the economy. There can be no assurances that we will continue to have access to capital markets on terms acceptable to us. See “Risk Factors” for a further discussion.
Cash is managed centrally with net earnings reinvested locally and working capital requirements met from existing
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liquid funds. At September 30, 2024, Energizer had $216.9 of cash and cash equivalents, approximately 77% of which was outside of the U.S. Given our extensive international operations, a significant portion of our cash is denominated in foreign currencies. We manage our worldwide cash requirements by reviewing available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct our business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements, however, those balances are generally available without legal restrictions to fund ordinary business operations.
In December 2020, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) which provided for a 5-year $400.0 revolving credit facility (2020 Revolving Facility) and a $1,200.0 Term Loan due December 2027. On December 31, 2021 the Company amended the Credit Agreement to increase the 2020 Revolving Facility to $500.0.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $782.0 outstanding on the Term Loan. The borrowings under the Term Loan require quarterly principal payments at a rate of 0.25% of the original principal balance. Borrowings under the 2020 Revolving Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, SOFR or the Base Rate (as defined) plus the applicable margin. The Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus the applicable margin. The Company completed a Term Loan reprice in the current fiscal year which decreased the applicable margin.
During fiscal 2024, the Company made early payments of $188.0 of the Term Loan. The write-off of associated deferred financing fees as well as the Term Loan reprice resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 of $2.4.
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Facility and $7.6 of outstanding letters of credit. Taking into account outstanding letters of credit, $492.4 remained available as of September 30, 2024.
Debt Covenants
The agreements governing the Company's debt contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and provisions relating to events of default. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants or with other requirements of these agreements, the lenders may have the right to accelerate the maturity of the debt. Acceleration under one of these facilities would trigger cross defaults to other borrowings. As of September 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the provisions and covenants associated with its debt agreements, and expects to remain in compliance for at least the next 12 months.
Operating Activities
Cash flow from operating activities is the primary funding source for operating needs and capital investments. Cash flow from operating activities was $429.6 in fiscal 2024, $395.2 in fiscal 2023, and $1.0 in fiscal 2022.
Cash flow from operating activities was $429.6 in fiscal 2024 as compared to $395.2 in the prior fiscal year. This increase of $34.4 was primarily driven by increased cash flow from working capital changes year over year of approximately $58.8 as the Company has continued to return to more normalized working capital levels. The working capital change of approximately $58.8 was primarily a result of the following:
•Approximately $152 of the cash flow increase from working capital was due to collections of accounts receivable in the current year compared to the prior year. As part of the Company's digital transformation, new automated tools were put in place to enable an enhanced and quicker collection process compared to prior year. In addition, the Company had higher outstanding factored receivables at September 30, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023.
•Approximately $44 of the cash flow increase from working capital was due to changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by timing of payments year over year.
•Offsetting the increase was approximately $136 year-over-year change in inventory. The current year's inventory has stayed relatively flat during fiscal 2024, whereas fiscal 2023 had reduced investments in inventory as our inventory returned to more normalized levels in fiscal 2023.
Cash flow from operating activities was $395.2 in fiscal 2023 as compared to $1.0 in the prior fiscal year. This increase of $394.2 was primarily driven by working capital changes year over year of approximately $397.3 as the Company
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has worked to return to a more normalized working capital levels. The working capital change of approximately $397.3 was primarily a result of the following:
•Approximately $105 is due to collections of accounts receivable in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year. The Company had reduced its factoring at the end of fiscal year 2022 compared to the prior year, which resulted in higher collections in fiscal 2023. This increase is partially offset by $55 of changes in accrued sales allowance.
•Approximately $227 of less inventory investment compared to fiscal 2022 as the Company was proactively building safety stock in the prior year and reduced the investment in fiscal 2023 as inventory levels continued the return to a more normalized level.
•Approximately $131 due to changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by timing of payments.
Investing Activities
Net cash used by investing activities was $114.0 in fiscal 2024 and $56.1 in fiscal 2023, and $90.9 in fiscal 2022, and consisted of the following:
•Capital expenditures were $97.9, $56.8, and $77.8 in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Higher capital spending in fiscal 2024 was primarily related to the Company's digital transformation IT projects and Project Momentum restructuring spend.
•Proceeds from asset sales were $7.3, $0.7, and $0.6 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Fiscal 2024 proceeds were from selling a facility in the Dominican Republic and a facility in Wisconsin.
•Acquisitions of intangible assets of $14.7 relating to the auto care appearance trade names and formulas acquired in Latin America during fiscal 2022.
•Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and working capital payments, were an outflow of $22.4 in fiscal 2024 and an inflow of $1.0 in fiscal 2022. The fiscal 2024 outflow was from the purchase of battery manufacturing assets in Belgium and the purchase of Centralsul. The fiscal 2022 inflow was from the Formulations Acquisition working capital settlement.
•Purchase of available-for-sale securities was $5.2 in fiscal 2024, related to the purchase of bonds issued by the Argentina Central bank, named BOPREALs.
•Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities were $4.2 in fiscal 2024, related to the sale of BOPREALs.
Investing cash outflows of approximately $80 to $90 are anticipated in fiscal 2025 for capital expenditures. This includes normal maintenance, product development and cost reduction investments, as well as approximately $25 to $35 of investment from Project Momentum initiatives including IT systems.
Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities was $300.3 in fiscal 2024 and $309.4 in fiscal 2023. Net cash from financing activities was $79.1 in fiscal 2022.
For fiscal 2024, cash flow used by financing activities consists of the following:
•Payments on debt with maturities greater than 90 days of $200.8, primarily related to the term loan principal payments of $200.0;
•Net decrease in debt with original maturities of 90 days or less of $6.2, primarily related to repayment of international borrowings;
•Debt issuance costs of $0.9 related to the Term Loan reprice;
•Dividends paid on common stock of $87.4 during fiscal 2024 (see below); and
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•Taxes paid for withheld share-based payments of $5.0.
For fiscal 2023, cash flow used by financing activities consists of the following:
•Payments on debt with maturities greater than 90 days of $222.1, primarily related to the early retirement of Senior notes of $21.6 and the term loan principal payments of $200.0;
•Net increase in debt with original maturities of 90 days or less of $1.2, primarily related to international borrowings;
•Dividends paid on common stock of $86.3 during fiscal 2023; and
•Taxes paid for withheld share-based payments of $2.2.
For fiscal 2022, cash flow from financing activities consists of the following:
•Cash proceeds from issuance of debt with original maturities greater than 90 days of $300.0 relating to the new Senior Notes due in 2027 issuance in the second quarter of fiscal 2022;
•Payments on debt with maturities greater than 90 days of $13.7, primarily related to the quarterly principal payments on the Term Loan;
•Net decrease in debt with original maturities of 90 days or less of $99.0, primarily related to repayments of borrowings under our 2020 Revolving Facility;
•Debt issuance costs of $7.6 relating to the amendment of the Credit Agreement in December 2021 and the issuance of the $300.0 Senior Notes due in 2027;
•Payments to terminate finance lease obligations of $5.1 related to the termination of our Dixon IL packaging facility lease;
•Dividends paid on common stock of $84.9 during fiscal 2022;
•Dividends paid on Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (MCPS) of $8.1 during fiscal 2022; and
•Taxes paid for withheld share-based payments of $2.5.
Dividends
Total dividends declared to common shareholders were $88.6, and $87.4 was paid in fiscal 2024.
Subsequent to the fiscal year end, on November 4, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a dividend for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 of $0.30 per share of common stock, payable on December 12, 2024, to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 27, 2024.
Share Repurchases
Subsequent to the fiscal year end, in November 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved an authorization for Energizer to acquire up to 7.5 million shares of its common stock. This replaced the previous authorization that was approved in November 2020. No shares were repurchased in fiscal 2024.
Future share repurchases, if any, would be made on the open market and the timing and the amount of any purchases will be determined by the Company based on its evaluation of the market conditions, capital allocation objectives, legal and regulatory requirements and other factors. Share repurchases may be effected through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including repurchase plans that satisfy the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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On August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which, among other changes, created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) based on adjusted financial statement income and imposed a 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases. The effective date of these provisions was January 1, 2023. There was no impact on the Company in fiscal 2024 as no shares were repurchased. Any excise tax incurred on corporate stock repurchases will generally be recognized as part of the cost basis of the treasury stock acquired and not reported as part of income tax expense.
The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to shareholders or repurchases of the Company’s Common stock will fall within the discretion of our Board of Directors. The Board’s decisions regarding the payment of dividends or repurchase of shares will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, covenants associated with certain of our debt service obligations, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations and meet its short-term and long-term obligations. The Company's material future obligations include the contractual and purchase commitments described below.
The Company has a contractual commitment to repay its long-term debt of $3,180.8 based on the defined terms of our debt agreements. Within the next twelve months, the company is obligated to pay $12.0 of this total debt. Our interest commitments based on the current debt balance and SOFR rate on drawn debt at September 30, 2024 is $568.1 with $136.6 expected within the next twelve months. The company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement that fixed the variable benchmark component (SOFR) on $700.0 of variable rate debt. Refer to Note 12 Debt for further details.
The Company has an obligation to pay a mandatory transition tax of $12.8. The next payment of $5.7 is due in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 with the remainder due in fiscal year 2026.
On September 24, 2024 the Company entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all the shares of Advanced Power Solutions NV for a purchase price of EUR 26.8, to be adjusted for closing net debt and working capital (APS NV Acquisition). The Company anticipates the acquisition will close during calendar year 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Refer to Note 4 Acquisitions for further details.
Additionally, Energizer has material future purchase commitments for goods and services which are legally binding and that specify all significant terms including price and/or quantity. Total future commitments for these obligations over the next 5 years is $10.6. Of this amount, $7.8 is due within the next twelve months. Refer to Note 17 Other Commitments and Contingencies for further details. Energizer is also party to various service and supply contracts that generally extend approximately one to three months. These arrangements are primarily individual, short-term purchase orders for routine goods and services at market prices, which are part of our normal operations and are reflected in historical operating cash flow trends. These contracts can generally be canceled at our option at any time. We do not believe such arrangements will adversely affect our liquidity position.
Finally, Energizer has operating and financing leases for real estate, equipment, and other assets that include future minimum payments with initial terms of one year or more. Total future operating and finance lease payments at September 30, 2024 are $145.3 and $90.1, respectively. Within the next twelve months, operating and finance lease payments are expected to be $20.9 and $4.0, respectively. Refer to Note 10 Leases for further details.
Other Matters
Environmental Matters
The operations of Energizer are subject to various federal, state, foreign and local laws and regulations intended to protect the public health and the environment. These regulations relate primarily to worker safety, air and water quality, underground fuel storage tanks and waste handling and disposal. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Energizer has been identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP) and may be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect to certain federal “Superfund” sites. It may also be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect to state-designated sites or other sites outside of the U.S.
Accrued environmental costs at September 30, 2024 were $10.3, of which approximately $3.1 is expected to be spent during fiscal 2025. It is difficult to quantify with certainty the cost of environmental matters, particularly remediation and future capital expenditures for environmental control equipment. Current environmental spending estimates could be modified as a
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result of changes in our plans or our understanding of underlying facts, changes in legal requirements or the enforcement or interpretation of existing requirements.
Legal Proceedings
In 2023, three purported class action lawsuits were filed against the Company and Wal-Mart Inc. in the Northern District of California alleging that the defendants conspired to inflate the prices of certain Energizer battery and lighting products (the “Products”) charged by the Company to other retailers and to prevent other retailers from charging consumers prices below Wal-Mart’s pricing, in violation of antitrust and consumer protection laws. The matters were filed on behalf of putative classes of entities that purchased the Products directly from Energizer, persons who purchased the Products directly from a Wal-Mart brick-and-mortar store, and persons who indirectly purchased the Products (other than for resale). All three lawsuits have been consolidated. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, monetary damages, costs and disbursements, reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as injunctive relief. The Company has not recorded any accruals in its consolidated financial statements as the likelihood of a loss from these cases is not probable nor estimable at this time. The Company believes that it has substantial defenses against the claims and intends to vigorously defend against them.
In November 2021, Varta Microbattery GmbH filed a lawsuit against the Company alleging breach of a supply agreement related to zinc-air hearing aid batteries. On September 3, 2024, the Commercial Court of the Canton of Zurich issued a $13.7 judgment against the Company. On October 3, 2024, the Company appealed the judgment with the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland. The appeal is pending. The Company has recorded the amount of the judgment within Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and in Selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
In addition to the above matters, the Company and its affiliates are subject to a number of legal proceedings in various jurisdictions arising out of its operations. Many of these legal matters are in preliminary stages and involve complex issues of law and fact, and may proceed for protracted periods of time. The amount of liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty. We are a party to legal proceedings and claims that arise during the ordinary course of business. We review our legal proceedings and claims, regulatory reviews and inspections on an ongoing basis and follow appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions. We establish accruals for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and we disclose the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for our financial statements to not be misleading. We do not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated. Based upon present information, the Company believes that its liability, if any, arising from such pending legal proceedings, asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are likely to be asserted, is not reasonably likely to be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The methods, estimates, and judgments Energizer uses in applying its most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results the Company reports in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Specific areas, among others, requiring the application of management’s estimates and judgment include assumptions pertaining to accruals for consumer and trade-promotion programs, pension benefit costs, acquisition, intangible assets and goodwill, uncertain tax positions, the reinvestment of undistributed foreign earnings and tax valuation allowances. On an ongoing basis, Energizer evaluates its estimates, but actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The Company's critical accounting policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. A summary of Energizer’s significant accounting policies is contained in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. This listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of Energizer’s accounting policies.
•Revenue Recognition - The Company measures revenue as the amount of consideration for which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods. Net sales reflect the transaction prices for agreements, which include units shipped at selling list prices reduced by variable consideration as determined by the terms of each individual agreement. Discounts are offered to customers for early payment and an estimate of the discount is recorded as a reduction of net sales in the same period as the sale. Our standard sales terms generally include payments within 30 to 60 days and are final with returns or exchanges not permitted unless a special exception is made. Our Auto Care channel terms are longer, in some cases up to 365 days, in which case we use our trade receivables factoring program for more timely collection. Reserves are established based on historical data and recorded in cases where the right of return does exist for a particular sale. The Company does not offer warranties on products.
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Energizer offers a variety of programs, primarily to its retail customers, designed to promote sales of its products. Such programs require periodic payments and allowances based on estimated results of specific programs and are recorded as a reduction to net sales. Methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on specific customer pricing and promotional practices, which range from contractually fixed percentage price reductions to reimbursement based on actual occurrence or performance. Where applicable, future reimbursements are estimated based on a combination of historical patterns and future expectations regarding specific in-market product performance. Energizer accrues, at the time of sale, the estimated total payments and allowances associated with each transaction. Customers redeem trade promotions in the form of payments from the accrued trade allowances or invoice credits against trade receivables. Additionally, Energizer offers programs directly to consumers to promote the sale of its products. Energizer continually assesses the adequacy of accruals for customer and consumer promotional program costs not yet paid. To the extent total program payments differ from estimates, adjustments may be necessary. Historically, these adjustments have not been material.
The Company’s agreements with customers do not have significant financing components or non-cash consideration and the Company does not have unbilled revenue or significant amounts of prepayments from customers. Revenue is recorded net of the taxes we collect on behalf of governmental authorities which are generally included in the price to the customer. Shipping and handling activities are accounted for as contract fulfillment costs and recorded in Cost of products sold.
•Pension Plans -The determination of the Company’s obligation and expense for pension benefits is dependent on certain assumptions developed by the Company and used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Assumptions include, among others, the discount rate, future salary increases and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. Actual results that differ from assumptions made, or impacts to the obligation that are due to changes to assumptions, are recognized on the balance sheet and subsequently amortized to earnings over future periods. Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in macroeconomic conditions resulting in changes to assumptions may materially affect pension obligations. In determining the discount rate, the Company uses the yield on high-quality bonds in conjunction with the cash flows of its plans’ estimated payouts. For the U.S. plans, which were frozen January 1, 2014 and represent the Company’s most significant obligations, we consider the Mercer Above-Mean yield curve in determining the discount rates.
Of the assumptions listed above, changes in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and changes in the discount rate used in developing plan obligations will likely have the most significant impact on the Company’s annual earnings, prospectively. Based on plan assets at September 30, 2024, a 100 basis point decrease or increase in expected asset returns would increase or decrease the Company’s U.S. pre-tax pension expense by $2.6. In addition, poor asset performance may increase and accelerate the rate of required pension contributions in the future. Uncertainty related to economic markets and the availability of credit may produce changes in the yields on corporate bonds rated as high-quality. As a result, discount rates based on high-quality corporate bonds may increase or decrease leading to lower or higher, respectively, pension obligations. A 100 basis point decrease in the discount rate would increase U.S. pension obligations by $20.2 at September 30, 2024.
As allowed under GAAP, the Company’s U.S. qualified pension plan's impact on earnings is determined using Market Related Value, which recognizes market appreciation or depreciation in the portfolio over five years and therefore reduces the short-term impact of market fluctuations.
•Business Combinations - The Company allocates the cost of an acquired business to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company uses a variety of information sources to determine the value of acquired assets and liabilities including: third-party appraisers for the values and lives of property, identifiable intangibles and inventories; actuaries for defined benefit retirement plans; and legal counsel or other advisors to assess the obligations associated with legal, environmental or other claims. The excess value of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill.
•Intangible Assets - Significant judgment is required in assigning the respective useful lives of intangible assets. Certain brand intangibles are expected to have indefinite lives based on their history and our plans to continue to support and build the acquired brands. Other intangible assets are expected to have determinable useful lives. Our assessment of intangible assets that have an indefinite life and those that have a determinable life is based on a number of factors including the competitive environment, market share, brand history, underlying product life cycles, operating plans and the macroeconomic environment. Our estimates of the useful lives of determinable-lived
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intangible assets are primarily based on the same factors. The carrying value of determinable-lived intangible assets are amortized to expense over the estimated useful life. The value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment. The Company assesses the appropriateness of an indefinite life being assigned to certain intangible assets as a part of this annual impairment analysis. The useful life of a determinable-lived intangible asset would be reassessed if a triggering event was identified that indicated a potential change in the value or use of our determinable-lived assets. A change in the useful life of these assets could have a material impact on our financial statements.
The Company has certain trade names with indefinite lives that are reviewed for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year following the annual forecasting process, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate the trade name may be impaired. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. However, the Company can elect not to perform the qualitative assessment, and is then required to perform a quantitative impairment test that involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company determined a triggering event had occurred due to missed branded sales forecasts. As a result, the Company performed an interim impairment analysis. The result of the impairment analysis indicated the carrying values of the Rayovac and Varta trade names were greater than their fair values, resulting in indefinite-lived intangible asset non-cash impairments of $85.2 and $25.4 for the Rayovac and Varta trade names, respectively.
The quantitative estimated fair value of the Rayovac trade name was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method, which requires significant assumptions, including estimates related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses (SG&A, R&D, and A&P) and discount rate. The projections for the Rayovac fair value model were generated using the brand's historical performance and long-term category projections, to determine forecasted cash flows and operating data. Specifically, revenue growth assumptions were based on historical trends and management’s expectations for future growth of the category. Gross margin rate assumptions were based on historical trends, management's cost cutting strategies, and a market place participant's production capabilities. Operating expenses were based on historical trends. The discount rate used in the trade name fair value estimate was 11.5% and was based on a weighted-average cost of capital utilizing industry market data of similar companies. The new carrying value for the Rayovac trade name is $337.0 as of the date of the impairment and remained there at September 30, 2024.
The quantitative estimated fair value of the Varta trade name was determined using the relief from royalty model, which requires significant assumptions, including estimated related revenue growth rates, royalty rates, and discount rate. The revenue projections for the Varta fair value model were based on the brand's historical performance and long-term category projections. Royalty rate assumptions were determined based on branded profit levels and research of external royalty rates by third-party experts. The discount rate used in the trade name fair value estimate was 11.0% and was based on a weighted-average cost of capital utilizing industry market data of similar companies. The new carrying value for the Varta trade name is $11.6. Following the impairment, the Varta trade name was converted to a definite lived intangible asset with a 15 year useful life. The conversion increased annual amortization by approximately $0.8.
These fair value measurements fell within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, see Note 16, Financial Instruments and Risk Management.
Changes in the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets could result in impairment charges in future periods, which could be material. Additionally, certain factors have the potential to create variances in the estimated fair values of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which also could result in material impairment charges. These factors include (i) failure to achieve forecasted revenue growth rates, (ii) failure to achieve cost cutting and margin improvement initiatives the Company is implementing, (iii) failure to meet forecasted operating expenses, or (iv) increases in the discount rate. Specifically, a 50 basis point change in the discount rate used in the valuations would result in an additional impairment of $16.7 and $0.3 for the Rayovac and Varta trade names, respectively.
In fiscal 2024, the Company also performed a qualitative assessment over the Energizer, Eveready and Armor All trade name and no impairments were identified.
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In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company completed the indefinite lived intangibles annual assessment. A quantitative assessment was performed over the Rayovac and Armor All trade names due to the prior year impairments, and a qualitative assessment was performed over the Energizer, Eveready and Varta trade names. No impairment were identified and the Armor All trade name fair value exceeded its carrying value by more than 20%.
For Rayovac, the fair value of the trade name exceeded its carrying value of $422.2 by approximately 5%. The quantitative estimate of fair value for the Rayovac trade name was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method, which requires significant assumptions, including estimates related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses (SG&A, R&D, and A&P) and discount rate. The projections for the Rayovac fair value model were generated using the Company’s three-year strategic plan, the Company's annual budget plan for fiscal 2024, and long-term category projections, to determine forecasted cash flows and operating data. Specifically, the revenue growth assumption was based on historical trends and management’s expectations for future category trends. The gross margin rate assumption was based on historical trends, management's cost cutting strategies and a market place participant's production capabilities. The gross margin rate utilized was also consistent with rates achieved in fiscal 2023. Operating expenses are based on historical trends and management's annual budget plan for fiscal 2024, as well as long-term operating and advertising strategies. The discount rate used was based on a weighted-average cost of capital utilizing industry market data of similar companies. Changes in the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Rayovac tradename could result in impairment charges in future periods, which could be material. Specifically, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would have resulted in the carrying value of the Rayovac trade name exceeding the fair value by approximately 0.6%.
In fiscal 2022, a quantitative assessment was performed over the Armor All, STP and Rayovac trade names, resulting in non-cash impairments of $370.4, $26.3 and $127.8, respectively. For Armor All and STP, the non-cash impairments were primarily due to declines in their respective Auto Care category projections late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, significant increases in input costs, and a higher discount rate. The Rayovac non-cash impairment was primarily caused by significant sustained currency headwinds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which were expected to continue into fiscal 2023 and were included within the cash flow models, a decrease in the branded sales forecast, increases in input costs, and a higher discount rate. The quantitative estimated fair values were determined using the multi-period excess earnings method, which requires significant assumptions for each brand, including estimates related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses (SG&A, R&D and A&P), and discount rates. The projections for the Armor All, STP and Rayovac fair value models were generated using the Company’s three-year strategic plan, the Company's annual budget plan for fiscal 2023, and long-term category projections, to determine forecasted cash flows and operating data. Specifically, revenue growth assumptions were based on historical trends and management’s expectations for future growth by brand and category. Gross margin rate assumptions were based on historical trends and management's cost cutting strategies. Operating expenses were based on historical trends and management's annual budget plan for fiscal 2023, as well as long-term operating and advertising strategies. The discount rates used in the trade name fair value estimates ranged between 9.5% and 10.0%, and were based on a weighted-average cost of capital utilizing industry market data of similar companies. The new carrying values for Armor All, STP, and Rayovac trade names were $228.5, $76.4, and $422.2, respectively.
STP is within the fuel and oil additives category and due to the expectation for an increased percentage of electric vehicles in the car parc over the long term, the Company converted the STP trade name into a definite-life intangible asset with a 25 year useful life. This conversion resulted in additional annual pre-tax amortization expense of approximately $3.0 which was included in Amortization of intangible assets expense in fiscal 2023.
Changes in the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets could result in additional impairment charges in future periods, which could be material. Additionally, certain factors have the potential to create variances in the estimated fair values of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which could also result in material impairment charges. These factors include (i) failure to achieve forecasted revenue growth rates, (ii) failure to achieve cost cutting and margin improvement initiatives the Company is implementing, (iii) failure to meet forecasted operating expenses, or (iv) increases in the discount rate.
For the year ended September 30, 2022, a qualitative analysis was performed over the Energizer, Eveready and Varta trade names and no impairments were identified.
•Goodwill - In fiscal 2022, the Company changed its reportable segments and correspondingly reallocated goodwill to the current reporting units: Battery & Lights North America, Battery & Lights International, Auto Care North America and Auto Care International. The Company performed an assessment of goodwill at October 1, 2021 before the change in segments, noting no impairments identified. Goodwill was reallocated to the reporting units based on the relative fair value of each reporting unit on October 1, 2021.
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The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment analysis in the fourth fiscal quarter each year over each of these reporting units. When performing a quantitative analysis the Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit under the income approach utilizing a discounted cash flow model which incorporates significant estimates and assumptions, including future cash flows driven by revenue and gross margin projections and discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows. The Company uses the three-year strategic plan, the annual budget plan for the following fiscal year, and long-term category projections, to determine forecasted cash flows and operating data for the discounted cash flow model. Specifically, revenue growth assumptions are based on historical trends and management’s expectations for future growth by category. Gross margin rate assumptions are based on historical trends and management's cost cutting strategies. The discount rates are based on a weighted-average cost of capital utilizing industry market data of similar companies.
In fiscal 2024, the Company completed a qualitative analysis on all four reporting units and no impairments were identified.
In fiscal 2023, the Company completed a quantitative analysis on the Auto Care North America reporting unit and a qualitative analysis over the Battery & Lights reporting units. No impairments were identified and the Auto Care North America reporting unit's fair value exceed its carrying value by more than 20%.
In fiscal 2022, the Company completed a quantitative analysis on all four reporting units. As a part of the annual assessment, the Company identified a non-cash impairment of the Auto Care International reporting unit of $17.4. This non-cash impairment was primarily driven by significant sustained currency headwinds in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which were expected to continue into fiscal 2023 and were included within the cash flow models, declines in the Auto Care category projections late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, and an increased discount rate. The impairment brought the Auto Care International reporting unit allocated goodwill balance down to zero as of September 30, 2022.
In fiscal 2022, the Battery & Lights reporting units estimated fair value exceeded their carrying values by more than 100%. The estimated fair value of the Auto Care North America reporting unit, exceeded its carrying value by 12%. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of significant judgment, estimates and assumptions. Changes in the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our reporting units could result in impairment charges in future periods. Additionally, certain factors have the potential to create variances in the estimated fair values of our reporting units, which also could result in impairment charges. These factors include (i) failure to achieve forecasted revenue growth rates, (ii) failure to achieve cost cutting and margin improvement initiatives the Company is implementing, or (iii) increases in the discount rate. An increase in discount rates, a reduction in projected cash flows or a combination of the two could lead to a reduction in the estimated fair values, which may result in impairment charges that could materially impact our financial statements in any given year.
While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, these estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized, and also on the magnitude of any such charge. The results of an impairment analysis are as of a point in time. There is no assurance that actual future earnings or cash flows of the reporting units will not decline significantly from these projections. The Company will monitor any changes to these assumptions and will evaluate goodwill as deemed warranted during future periods.
•Income Taxes - The Company's annual effective income tax rate is determined based on our income, statutory tax rates and the tax impacts of items treated differently for tax purposes than for financial reporting purposes. Tax law requires certain items be included in the tax return at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in our tax return, and some differences are temporary, reversing over time, such as depreciation expense. These temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The Company estimates income taxes and the effective income tax rate in each jurisdiction that it operates. This involves estimating taxable earnings, specific taxable and deductible items, the likelihood of generating sufficient future taxable income to utilize deferred tax assets, the portion of the income of foreign subsidiaries that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable and possible exposures related to future tax audits. Deferred tax assets are evaluated on a subsidiary by subsidiary basis to ensure that the asset will be realized. Valuation allowances are established when the realization is not deemed to be more likely than not. Future performance is monitored, and when objectively measurable operating trends change, adjustments are made to the valuation allowances accordingly. To the extent the estimates described above change, adjustments to income taxes are made in the period in which the estimate is changed.
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In determining whether a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets are warranted, the Company assesses all available positive and negative evidence such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carry-back and carry-forward periods and the feasibility of ongoing tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset. After the evaluation of all available positive and negative evidence, the conclusion was that it is more likely than not that the Company will generate enough future taxable income to realize the U.S. net deferred tax asset on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2024. The Company will continue to regularly assess the potential for realization of net deferred tax assets in future periods. Changes in future earnings projections, among other factors, may result in a valuation allowance against some or all of the net deferred tax assets, which may materially impact income tax expense in the period if it is determined that these factors have changed.
The Company operates in multiple jurisdictions with complex tax and regulatory environments, which are subject to differing interpretations by the taxpayer and the taxing authorities. At times, we may take positions that management believes are supportable, but are potentially subject to successful challenges by the appropriate taxing authority. The Company evaluates its tax positions and establishes liabilities in accordance with guidance governing accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The Company reviews these tax uncertainties in light of the changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, and adjusts them accordingly. The Company's policy on accounting for tax on the global intangible low-taxed income is to treat the taxes due as a period expense when incurred.
In general, it is our practice and intention to permanently reinvest the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries and repatriate earnings only when the tax impact is zero or very minimal. No provision has been provided for taxes that would result upon repatriation of our foreign investments to the United States. We intend to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in our foreign subsidiaries to fund local operations, fund strategic growth objectives, and fund capital projects. See Note 6, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This guidance requires disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis. This amendment is effective for our fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 and our interim periods within the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. We are currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This guidance requires consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and disclosures of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. This amendment is effective for our fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. We are currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. ASU 2024-03 requires disclosure of certain costs and expenses on an interim and annual basis in the notes to the financial statements. The guidance is effective for our fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. We are currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our disclosures.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market Risk Sensitive Instruments and Positions
The market risk inherent in the Company's financial instruments’ positions represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in currency rates, commodity prices and interest rates. The following risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analysis are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. The Company's derivatives are used only for identifiable exposures, and we have not entered into hedges for trading purposes where the sole objective is to generate profits.
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Currency Exposure
Our business is conducted on a worldwide basis, with approximately 40% of our sales in fiscal 2024 arising from foreign countries, and a significant portion of our production capacity and cash located overseas. Consequently, we are subject to currency risks associated with doing business in foreign countries. Currency risk is heightened in areas with political or economic instability such as the Eurozone, Egypt, Russia and the Middle East and certain markets in Latin America. A significant portion of our sales are denominated in local currencies but reported in U.S. dollars, and a high percentage of product costs for such sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, although we may hedge a portion of the exposure, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to such currencies can negatively impact our reported sales and operating profits. The following discussion describes programs in place to mitigate our foreign currency exposure:
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
A significant share of Energizer's product cost is more closely tied to the U.S. dollar than to the local currencies in which the product is sold. As such, a weakening of currencies relative to the U.S. dollar results in margin declines unless mitigated through pricing actions, which are not always available due to the economic or competitive environment. Conversely, strengthening of currencies relative to the U.S. dollar can improve margins. The primary currencies to which Energizer is exposed include the Euro, the British pound, the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar. However, the Company also has significant exposures in many other currencies which, in the aggregate, may have a material impact on the Company's operations.
The Company has entered into a series of forward currency contracts to hedge the cash flow uncertainty of forecasted inventory purchases due to currency fluctuations. Energizer’s primary foreign affiliates, which are exposed to U.S. dollar purchases, have the Euro, the British pound, the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar as their local currencies. These foreign currencies represent a significant portion of Energizer's foreign currency exposure. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, Energizer had an unrealized pre-tax loss of $4.6 and an unrealized pre-tax gain of $3.3, respectively, on these forward currency contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Assuming foreign exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar remain at September 30, 2024 levels, over the next twelve months, $4.3 of the pre-tax loss included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be included in earnings.
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Energizer's foreign subsidiaries enter into internal and external transactions that create nonfunctional currency balance sheet positions at the foreign subsidiary level. These exposures are generally the result of intercompany purchases, intercompany loans and to a lesser extent, external purchases, and are revalued in the foreign subsidiary’s local currency at the end of each period. Changes in the value of the non-functional currency balance sheet positions in relation to the foreign subsidiary’s local currency results in an exchange gain or loss recorded in Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The primary currency to which Energizer’s foreign subsidiaries are exposed is the U.S. dollar.
The Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts which are not designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes to hedge balance sheet exposures. Any gains or losses on these contracts would be offset by corresponding exchange gains or losses on the underlying exposures; thus they are not subject to significant market risk. The change in estimated fair value of the foreign currency contracts for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 resulted in a gain of $6.2 and was recorded in Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
Commodity Price Exposure
The Company uses raw materials that are subject to price volatility. The Company has in the past and may in the future use hedging instruments to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows associated with future purchases of certain materials and commodities.
In February 2019, the Company entered a hedging program on zinc purchases. This program was determined to
be a cash flow hedge and qualified for hedge accounting. Energizer had an unrealized pre-tax gain on the zinc contracts of $4.0 and an unrealized pre-tax loss of $0.7 at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These were included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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Interest Rate Exposure
The Company has interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt. At September 30, 2024, Energizer had variable rate debt outstanding with a principal balance of $784.1 under the 2020 Term Loans and international borrowings. There were no outstanding borrowings on the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2024.
The Company has an interest rate swap that fixes the variable benchmark component (SOFR) at an interest rate of 1.042% on variable debt of $700.0. The notional value will decrease by $100.0 on December 22, 2024 and by $100.0 each year thereafter until its termination date on December 22, 2027. The notional vale of the swap was $700.0 at September 30, 2024.
The pre-tax gain recognized on this interest rate swap was $39.8 and $79.8 as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These were included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For the year ended September 30, 2024, our weighted average interest rate on variable rate debt was 3.40%.
Hyperinflationary Economies and Foreign Currency Exposure
Effective July 1, 2018, the financial statements for our Argentina subsidiary were consolidated under the rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy. Under U.S. GAAP, an economy is considered highly inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate for a three year period meets or exceeds 100 percent. The Argentina economy exceeded the three year cumulative inflation rate of 100 percent as of June 2018, and remains highly inflationary as of September 30, 2024. If a subsidiary is considered to be in a highly inflationary economy, the financial statements of the subsidiary must be remeasured into the Company’s reporting currency (U.S. dollar or USD) and future exchange gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings, rather than exclusively in the equity section of the balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary.
In November 2023, a new president was elected in Argentina who implemented significant economic reform. Upon his inauguration in December 2023, the government devalued the Argentine Peso (ARS) approximately 50%. On December 13, 2023, the ARS exchange rate moved from 367:1 to 800:1 with the USD. The rate remained around this level throughout December, ending December 31, 2023 at a rate of 808:1. The rates have continued to devalue and ended September 30, 2024 at 969:1. The currency devaluation had a significant impact on the remeasurement of the Company's monetary assets and liabilities during the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company's assets and liabilities on the Argentina subsidiary's balance sheet translated to USD was $40.1 and $14.7, respectively. The translated asset and liability balances declined to $25.8 and $14.6, respectively, at December 31, 2023, and resulted in an exchange loss of $14.7 in Other items, net during the month of December. The Company does not manufacture in Argentina and is an importer primarily of batteries in this region. As a result, the liability balances included USD denominated debt of $10.3 and $8.8 at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively. In addition to the revaluation, the Company also recorded $6.3 of transactional currency exchange losses in Other items, net during December 2023. The Company also recorded a loss of $1.0 on the purchase and sale of bonds issued by the Argentina Central Bank (BCRA), named BOPREALs, which were issued to provide a USD denominated instrument for import companies to pay import debts existing before December 12, 2023, and regulate the flow of reserves from BCRA. As of September 30, 2024, the USD denominated debt has decreased to $8.6.
Effective October 1, 2024, the financial statements for our Egypt subsidiary will also be consolidated under the rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy. As of September 30, 2024, the USD value of monetary assets, net of monetary liabilities, which will now be subject to an earnings impact from translation rate movements for our Egypt affiliate under highly inflationary accounting was $2.4. We have not included any adjustments for Egypt's highly inflationary accounting in our current results as the economy was deemed highly inflationary subsequent to year-end.
It is difficult to determine what future impact the use of highly inflationary accounting for Argentina or Egypt or the new Argentine president and his economic reforms may have on our consolidated financial statements as such impact is dependent upon movements in the applicable exchange rates between the local currency and the USD and the amount of monetary assets and liabilities included in our affiliates' balance sheet, as well as any additional reforms that may be issued by the new Argentine Administration.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238) 59
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income 62
Consolidated Balance Sheets 63
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 64
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity 65
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 66
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Energizer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, of shareholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
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Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue Recognition - Trade Promotion Programs
As described in Notes 2 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company offers a variety of programs, primarily to its retail customers, designed to promote sales of its products. These programs resulted in an allowance for trade promotions of $189.0 million, which is reflected as a reduction in trade receivables, net and $53.3 million of accrued trade promotions within other current liabilities as of September 30, 2024. Such programs require periodic payments and allowances based on estimated results of specific programs and are recorded as a reduction to net sales. Methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on specific customer pricing and promotional practices, which range from contractually fixed percentage price reductions to reimbursement based on actual occurrence or performance. Where applicable, future reimbursements are estimated based on a combination of historical patterns and future expectations regarding specific in-market product performance. Management accrues, at the time of sale, the estimated total payments and allowances associated with each transaction. Customers redeem trade promotions in the form of payments from the accrued trade allowances or invoice credits against trade receivables.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition for trade promotion programs is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the estimated allowance for trade promotions and accrued trade promotions and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to historical patterns and future expectations regarding specific in-market product performance.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the estimated allowance for trade promotions and accrued trade promotions. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the estimated allowance for trade promotions and accrued trade promotions; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the methods used by management; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the methods; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to historical patterns and future expectations regarding specific in-market product performance. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to historical patterns and future expectations regarding specific in-market product performance involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the historical performance of similar trade programs; (ii) testing payments and invoice credits related to these trade programs on a sample basis; and (iii) whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Interim Impairment Assessment - Rayovac Trade Name
As described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets balance was $641.6 million as of September 30, 2024, of which the carrying value for the Rayovac trade name was $337.0 million. Intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life are not amortized, but are reviewed annually for impairment of value or when indicators of a potential impairment are present. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, management determined a triggering event had occurred due to missed branded sales forecasts. As a result, management performed an interim impairment analysis over the Rayovac trade name. The quantitative estimate of fair value was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method, which requires significant assumptions, including estimates related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses, and discount rate. The result of the impairment analysis indicated the carrying value of the Rayovac trade name was greater than its fair value, resulting in indefinite-lived intangible asset non-cash impairment of $85.2 million for the Rayovac trade name.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the indefinite-lived intangible asset interim impairment assessment for the Rayovac trade name is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing the fair value estimate of the Rayovac trade name; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses, and discount rate; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
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Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Rayovac trade name. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the Rayovac trade name; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the multi-period excess earnings method used by management; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the multi-period excess earnings method; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, operating expenses, and discount rate. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to revenue growth rates, gross margin rates, and operating expenses involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the brand; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating (i) the appropriateness of the multi-period excess earnings method and (ii) the reasonableness of the discount rate assumption.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
November 19, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
FOR THE YEARS ENDEDSEPTEMBER 30,
Selling, general and administrative expense 526.3 489.4 484.5
Research and development expense 31.6 32.9 34.7
Amortization of intangible assets 58.2 59.4 61.1
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 110.6 — 541.9
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt 2.4 (1.5) —
Earnings/(loss) before income taxes $ 53.8 $ 175.7 $ (305.5)
Income tax provision/(benefit) 15.7 35.2 (74.0)
Mandatory preferred stock dividends — — (4.0)
Net earnings/(loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 38.1 $ 140.5 $ (235.5)
Earnings Per Share
Basic net earnings/(loss) per common share $ 0.53 $ 1.97 $ (3.37)
Diluted net earnings/(loss) per common share $ 0.52 $ 1.94 $ (3.37)
Weighted average shares of common stock - Basic 71.8 71.5 69.9
Weighted average shares of common stock- Diluted 72.7 72.4 69.9
Dividend Per Common Share $ 1.20 $ 1.20 $ 1.20
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax (benefit)/expense
Foreign currency translation adjustments (7.1) (12.0) 32.1
Total comprehensive (loss)/income $ (4.8) $ 148.1 $ (146.4)
The above financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions, except share count and par values)
SEPTEMBER 30,
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 216.9 $ 223.3
Property, plant and equipment, net 380.1 363.7
Operating lease assets 94.7 98.4
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 12.0 $ 12.0
Current portion of finance leases 0.6 0.3
Notes payable 2.1 8.2
Current operating lease liabilities 18.2 17.3
Total current liabilities $ 819.8 $ 734.2
Operating lease liabilities 82.4 84.7
Deferred tax liability 8.3 12.4
Shareholders' equity
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (180.6) (137.7)
Total shareholders' equity $ 135.8 $ 210.7
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,342.4 $ 4,509.6
The above financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings/(loss) to net cash flow from operations:
Non-cash integration and restructuring charges 13.0 7.7 3.0
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 110.6 — 541.9
Share based compensation expense 23.1 21.8 13.2
Gain on finance lease termination — — (4.5)
Loss/(gain) on extinguishment of debt 2.4 (1.5) —
Gain on sale of real estate (4.4) — —
Foreign currency exchange loss included in income 32.1 17.3 7.8
Settlement loss on U.S. pension annuity buy out — 50.2 —
Non-cash charges for Brazil flood — — 9.7
Non-cash charges for exiting the Russian market — — 12.6
Non-cash items included in income, net 17.8 14.6 (1.6)
Changes in assets and liabilities used in operations, net of acquisitions
Decrease/(increase) in trade receivables, net 71.8 (80.4) (185.5)
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (4.0) 132.3 (94.2)
(Increase)/decrease in other current assets (0.1) 10.0 20.6
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable 62.2 35.2 (113.8)
(Decrease)/increase in other current liabilities (8.0) (34.0) 38.7
Net cash from operating activities $ 429.6 $ 395.2 $ 1.0
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of assets 7.3 0.7 0.6
Acquisition of intangible assets — — (14.7)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired and working capital settlements (22.4) — 1.0
Purchase of available-for-sale securities (5.2) — —
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities 4.2 — —
Net cash used by investing activities $ (114.0) $ (56.1) $ (90.9)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Payments on debt with maturities greater than 90 days (200.8) (222.1) (13.7)
Net (decrease)/increase in debt with maturities 90 days or less (6.2) 1.2 (99.0)
Debt issuance costs (0.9) — (7.6)
Payments to terminate finance leases obligations — — (5.1)
Dividends paid on common stock (87.4) (86.3) (84.9)
Dividends paid on mandatory convertible preferred shares — — (8.1)
Taxes paid for withheld share-based payments (5.0) (2.2) (2.5)
Net cash (used by)/from financing activities $ (300.3) $ (309.4) $ 79.1
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (21.7) (11.7) (22.8)
The above financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in millions, shares in thousands)
Number of Shares Amount
Share-based payments — — — — 13.2 — — — 13.2
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (2,156) 4,687 — 0.1 — — — — 0.1
Common stock purchased — (451) — — 15.0 — — (15.0) —
Activity under stock plans — 170 — — (10.1) (0.1) — 7.7 (2.5)
Dividends to common shareholders — — — — (21.4) (64.1) — — (85.5)
Dividends to preferred shareholders — — — — — (4.0) — — (4.0)
Other comprehensive income — — — — — — 85.1 — 85.1
Share-based payments — — — — 22.2 — — — 22.2
Dividends to common shareholders — — — — (88.0) — — — (88.0)
Other comprehensive income — — — — — — 7.6 — 7.6
Net earnings — — — — — 38.1 — — 38.1
Share-based payments — — — — 23.5 — — — 23.5
Dividends to common shareholders — — — — (88.6) — — — (88.6)
Other comprehensive loss — — — — — — (42.9) — (42.9)
The above financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except per share)
(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business–Energizer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Energizer or the Company) is a global manufacturer, marketer and distributor of household batteries, specialty batteries and portable lights under the Energizer®, Eveready® and Rayovac® brand names globally, as well as the Varta® brand name in Latin America and Asia Pacific. Energizer offers batteries using lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air and silver oxide constructions.
Energizer is also a leading designer and marketer of auto care products in the appearance, fragrance, performance, and air conditioning recharge product categories under the Armor All®, Nu Finish®, Refresh Your Car!®, LEXOL®, Eagle One®, NEVR-DULL®, California Scents®, Driven®, Bahama & Co®, STP® and A/C Pro® trade names. In fiscal 2022, the portfolio was expanded in Latin America to add the Carnu®, Grand Prix®, Kit®, and Tempo® trademarks, and in fiscal 2024, the Company added the Centralsul® trademarks to its portfolio.
Energizer operates as an independent, publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol "ENR."
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Energizer’s significant accounting policies, which conform to GAAP and are applied on a consistent basis in all years presented, except as indicated, are described below.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, Energizer evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer promotional programs and incentives, product returns, bad debts, the carrying value of inventories, intangible and other long-lived assets, income taxes, pensions and other postretirement benefits, share-based compensation, contingencies and acquisitions. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. In regard to ongoing impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets, significant deterioration in future cash flow projections, changes in discount rates used in discounted cash flow models or changes in other assumptions used in estimating fair values, versus those anticipated at the time of the initial acquisition, as well as subsequent estimated valuations, could result in impairment charges that may materially affect the financial statements in a given year. Refer to Note 11, Goodwill & Intangibles, for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, Energizer had $216.9 and $223.3, respectively, in available cash, 76.6% and 84.4% of which was outside of the U.S., respectively. The Company has extensive operations, including a significant manufacturing footprint outside of the U.S. We manage our worldwide cash requirements by reviewing available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct our business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements; however, those balances are generally available without legal restrictions to fund ordinary business operations. Our intention is to reinvest these funds indefinitely.
Restricted Cash – The Company defines restricted cash as cash that is legally restricted as to withdrawal or usage. There was no restricted cash at September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Foreign Currency Translation – Financial statements of foreign operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated using end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during the period for results of operations. Related translation adjustments are reported as a component within accumulated other comprehensive loss in the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Effective July 1, 2018, the financial statements for our Argentina subsidiary are consolidated under the rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy. Under U.S. GAAP, an economy is considered highly inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate for a three year period meets or exceeds 100 percent. The Argentina economy exceeded the three year cumulative inflation rate of 100 percent as of June 2018 and remains highly inflationary as of September 30, 2024. If a subsidiary is considered to be in a highly inflationary economy, the financial statements of the subsidiary must be remeasured into the Company’s reporting currency (U.S. dollar) and future exchange gains and losses from
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except per share)
the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings, rather than exclusively in the equity section of the balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary.
The Egypt economy exceeded the three year cumulate inflation rate of 100 percent as of September 30, 2024. Subsequent to year-end, effective October 1, 2024, the financial statements of our Egypt subsidiary will be consolidated under rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy.
Financial Instruments and Derivative Securities – Energizer uses financial instruments, from time to time, in the management of foreign currency, interest rate risk and commodity price risks that are inherent to its business operations. Such instruments are not held or issued for trading purposes. Every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) is required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or liability. Changes in fair value of recorded derivatives are required to be recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
Foreign exchange instruments, including currency forwards, are used primarily to reduce cash transaction exposures and to manage other translation exposures. Foreign exchange instruments used are selected based on their risk reduction attributes, costs and the related market conditions. The Company has designated certain foreign currency contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.
The Company has interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt. The Company has an interest rate swap that fixed the variable benchmark component (SOFR) at an interest rate of 1.042% on variable debt of $700.0 The notional value of the swap will stay at this value through December 22, 2024, then will decrease by $100.0 on December 22, 2024 and by $100.0 each year thereafter until its termination date on December 22, 2027. The notional value of the swap was $700.0 at September 30, 2024.
Energizer uses raw materials that are subject to price volatility. The Company may use hedging instruments to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows associated with future purchases of commodities. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had derivative contracts for the future purchases of zinc.
Cash Flow Presentation – The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are prepared using the indirect method, which reconciles Net earnings/(loss) to cash flow from operating activities. The reconciliation adjustments include the removal of timing differences between the occurrence of operating receipts and payments and their recognition in Net earnings/(loss). The adjustments also remove cash flows arising from investing and financing activities, which are presented separately from operating activities. Cash flows from foreign currency transactions and operations are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Cash flows from hedging activities are included in the same category as the items being hedged, which is primarily operating activities. Cash payments related to income taxes are classified as operating activities.
Trade Receivables, net – Trade receivables are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance for trade promotions reflects management's estimate of the amount of trade promotions that customers will take as an invoice reduction, rather than receiving cash payments for the trade allowances earned. See additional discussion on the trade allowances in the revenue recognition discussion further in this note. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. Receivables that the Company has factored at September 30, 2024 and 2023 are excluded from the Trade receivables, net balance. Bad debt expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.
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ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except per share)
Trade Receivables, net consists of:
September 30,
Allowance for trade promotions (189.0) (174.0)
Allowance for doubtful accounts (5.7) (4.6)
Trade Receivables Factoring - Energizer enters into various factoring agreements and early pay programs with our customers to sell our trade receivables under non-recourse agreements in exchange for cash proceeds. The Credit Agreement allows for Energizer to sell a maximum of $600.0 in accounts receivable annually.
During fiscal years 2024 and 2023, the Company sold $591.4 and $587.0, respectively, of receivables under this program. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, Energizer had $135.4 and $77.5, respectively, of outstanding sold receivables, which are excluded from the Trade receivables, net balance above. In some instances, we may continue to service the transferred receivables after factoring has occurred. However, any servicing of the trade receivable does not constitute significant continuing involvement and we do not carry any material servicing assets or liabilities. These receivables qualify for sales treatment under ASC 860 Transfers and Servicing, and the proceeds for the sale of these receivables is included in net cash from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
As of September 30, 2024, cash from factored receivables collected but not yet due to the bank included in Other current liabilities was $1.3. There were no factored receivable amounts included in Other current liabilities at September 30, 2023. Additionally, the fees associated with factoring our receivables were $18.3, $15.7, and $7.5 during the years ended September 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Any discounts and factoring fees related to these receivables are expensed as incurred in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income in SG&A expense.
Inventories – Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost generally being determined using average cost or the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon the historical usage rates, sales patterns of its products and specifically-identified obsolete inventory.
Capitalized Software Costs – Capitalized software costs are included in Other assets. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over periods of related benefit ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures related to capitalized software are included in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, amortization expense was $15.5, $13.6 and $10.4, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, net – Property, plant and equipment, net is stated at historical costs. Expenditures for new facilities and expenditures that substantially increase the useful life of property, including interest during construction, are capitalized and reported in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and gains or losses on the disposition are reflected in earnings. Property, plant and equipment, net held under finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset and such amortization is included in depreciation expense.
Depreciation is generally provided on the straight-line basis by charges to pre-tax earnings at rates based on estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives range from two to twenty-five years for machinery and equipment and three to thirty years for buildings and building improvements. Depreciation expense in 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $54.3, $55.4, and $53.1, respectively, including accelerated depreciation charges of $7.5, $5.7, and $3.0 in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Accelerated depreciation in fiscal 2024 and 2023 relates to certain manufacturing assets including property, plant and equipment located at facilities being consolidated as a part of Project Momentum. Accelerated depreciation in fiscal 2022 was primarily related to the IT integration assets and certain manufacturing assets located at facilities that were being consolidated as part of the integration of the Spectrum Holdings Battery and Auto Care Acquisitions completed in fiscal 2019.
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