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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risks could materially and adversely affect Valvoline’s business, operations, financial position or future financial performance. This information should be considered when reviewing this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in addition to the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. These risk factors could cause future results to differ from those in forward-looking statements and from historical trends.

Risks related to the industries in which Valvoline operates

Valvoline faces significant competition from other companies, which places downward pressure on prices and margins and may adversely affect Valvoline’s business and results of operations.

Valvoline operates in a highly competitive market, competing against a wide variety of companies across the automotive services industry. Competition is based on several key criteria, including brand recognition, quality, price, customer service, and the ability to bring innovative services to the marketplace. Competitors include international, national, regional and local repair and maintenance shops, automobile dealerships, and oil change shops. Certain competitors are larger than Valvoline and have greater financial resources and more diverse portfolios, leading to greater operating and financial flexibility. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand adverse changes in conditions within the industry, market dynamics, the price of supplies or general economic conditions. In addition, competitors’ pricing decisions could compel Valvoline to decrease its prices, which could negatively affect Valvoline’s margins and profitability.

Rising and volatile supply costs and supply chain constraints or disruptions could adversely affect Valvoline’s results of operations.

Valvoline’s service center locations require large quantities of automotive products and supplies. The Company’s success depends in part on the ability to anticipate and react to changes in supply costs, and the Company is susceptible to increases in primary and secondary supply costs as a result of factors beyond its control. These factors include general economic conditions, including recessions, significant variations in supply and demand, pandemics, weather conditions, currency fluctuations where Valvoline operates, commodity market speculation, labor strikes, including rail strikes, and government regulations. Higher product and supply costs could reduce the Company’s profits, which in turn may adversely affect the business and results of operations for both company-operated and franchised stores.

Additionally, should conditions such as supply chain congestion or availability related to severe weather or climate conditions become severe or last for an extended period of time, Valvoline's inventory of supplies could impact its ability to meet customer demands. Government regulations related to the manufacture or transport of products provided by the supplier may also impede Valvoline’s ability to obtain those supplies on commercially reasonable terms. If Valvoline is unable to obtain and retain product supply under commercially acceptable terms, its ability to deliver services in a competitive and profitable manner or grow its business successfully could be adversely affected.

Demand for Valvoline’s services could be adversely affected by spending trends, declining economic conditions, industry trends and a number of other factors, all of which are beyond its control.

Demand for Valvoline’s services may be affected by a number of factors it cannot control, including the number and age of vehicles in current service, regulation and legislation, technological advances in the automotive industry and changes in engine technology, including the adoption rate of electric or other alternative engine technologies, changing automotive OEM specifications and longer recommended intervals between oil changes. In addition, during periods of declining economic conditions, including recessions, customers may defer vehicle maintenance. Similarly, increases in energy prices or other factors may cause miles driven to decline, resulting in less vehicle

wear and tear and lower demand for maintenance, which may lead to customers deferring purchases of Valvoline’s services. All of these factors, which impact metrics such as drain intervals and vehicles served per day, could result in a decline in the demand for Valvoline’s services and adversely affect its sales, cash flows and overall financial condition.

Failure to develop and market new services and technologies could impact Valvoline’s competitive position and have an adverse effect on its business and results of operations.

Valvoline’s efforts to respond to changes in customer demand in a timely and cost-efficient manner to drive growth could be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in service innovation, including the inability to identify or gain market acceptance of new service techniques. Due to the lengthy development process and intense competition, there can be no assurance that any of the services Valvoline is currently developing, or could develop in the future, will achieve substantial commercial success. Moreover, Valvoline may experience operating losses for new services after they are introduced and commercialized because of start-up costs or lack of demand.

The automotive maintenance service industry is subject to periodic technological change and ongoing product improvements. The adoption of electric vehicles is increasing, which reduces demand for lubricant services, but expands the opportunity for other services required by electric vehicles, including coolants, fluids and greases. If Valvoline is unable to develop and market services for electric vehicles, its business and results of operations could be adversely impacted. As automotive technologies evolve, Valvoline could be required to comply with any new or stricter laws or regulations, which could require additional expenditures by Valvoline that could adversely impact business results.

Damage to Valvoline’s brand and reputation could have an adverse effect on its business.

Maintaining Valvoline’s strong reputation with customers is a key component of its business. Liability claims, false advertising claims, service complaints, and governmental investigations could result in substantial and unexpected expenditures and affect consumer or customer confidence in Valvoline's services, which may materially and adversely affect its business operations, decrease sales and increase costs. Additionally, as customers are shifting to more environmentally-conscious electric and hybrid vehicles, the inability of Valvoline to continue its development of new services to adapt to those changing demands could affect the Company's reputation as an environmentally friendly choice for vehicle care and could reduce demand for its services. Further, legislators, customers, investors and other stakeholders are increasingly focusing on environmental, social and governance policies of companies. This focus could result in new or increased legislation or disclosure requirements. In the event that such requirements result in increased costs or a negative perception of the Company, there could be an adverse effect on the business or its results of operations.

If allegations are made that Valvoline’s automotive maintenance services were not provided in a manner consistent with its vision and values, the public may develop a negative perception of Valvoline and its brands. In addition, if Valvoline’s franchise or Express Care operators experience service failures or do not successfully operate their service centers in a manner consistent with Valvoline’s standards, its brand, image and reputation could be harmed, which in turn could negatively impact its business and operating results. A negative public perception of Valvoline’s brands, whether justified or not, could impair its reputation, involve it in litigation, damage its brand equity and have a material adverse effect on its business. In addition, damage to the reputation of Valvoline’s competitors or others in its industry could negatively impact Valvoline’s reputation and business.

In connection with the Transaction, the parties have agreed to enter into a brand agreement (the “Brand Agreement”). Pursuant to the Brand Agreement, Valvoline will retain ownership of the Valvoline brand for generally all retail services purposes, and Global Products will own the brand for all product uses. The brand sharing arrangement may increase the risk of inconsistency in its use, messaging, or overall damage to the brand, which could have an adverse impact on Valvoline’s reputation and business.

Risks related to executing Valvoline’s strategy

Valvoline has set aggressive growth goals for its business, including increasing sales, cash flow, market share, margins and number of service center stores, to achieve its long-term strategic objectives. Execution of Valvoline’s growth strategies and business plans to facilitate that growth involves a number of risks.

Valvoline has set aggressive growth goals for its business to meet its long-term strategic objectives and improve shareholder value by aggressively growing Retail Services organically and through acquisitions and franchise development. Valvoline’s failure to meet one or more of these goals or objectives could negatively impact its business. Aspects of that risk include, among others, changes to the global economy, failure to identify acquisition targets or real estate for new stores to grow the Company’s network of retail service center stores, construction costs or delays limiting new store growth, changes to the competitive landscape, including those related to automotive maintenance recommendations and customer preferences, entry of new competitors, attraction and retention of skilled employees, failure to successfully develop and implement digital platforms to support the Company’s growth initiatives, failure to comply with existing or new regulatory requirements, failure to maintain a competitive cost structure and other risks outlined in greater detail in this “Risk Factors” section.

Valvoline's performance is highly dependent on attracting and retaining appropriately qualified employees in its service center stores and corporate offices. A tight labor market in recent years has led to challenges in staffing service center stores due to labor shortages as a number of trends conflate reflecting changing demographics, governmental policies, employee sentiment, and technological change. In response, Valvoline made labor investments and enhanced its recruiting programs to attract new employees. As trends in the labor market evolve, the Company may experience future challenges in recruiting and retaining talent in various locations. Valvoline operates in a competitive labor market, and failure to recruit or retain qualified employees in the future, or the Company's inability to implement corresponding adjustments to its labor model, including compensation and benefit packages, could impair the Company's ability to grow and meet its strategic goals.

Valvoline may be unable to execute its growth strategy, and acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships could result in operating difficulties, dilution and other harmful consequences that may adversely impact Valvoline’s business and results of operations.

Acquisitions are an important element of Valvoline’s overall growth strategy. Valvoline had strong acquisition growth in fiscal 2021 and 2022 and has developed a pipeline of future viable targets expected to complement the Company’s strong growth initiatives. An insufficient quantity of strategic acquisition targets in the marketplace with limited targets remaining, or the inability of Valvoline to successfully acquire those targets, may have a negative impact on Valvoline's ability to achieve future growth projections. Valvoline expects to continue to evaluate and enter into discussions regarding a wide array of potential strategic transactions and to continue to grow organically and through acquisitions. An inability to execute these plans could have a material adverse impact on Valvoline’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the anticipated benefits of Valvoline’s acquisitions may not be realized and the process of integrating an acquired company, business, or product may create unforeseen operating difficulties or expenditures.

Valvoline’s acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships could also result in dilutive issuances of its equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, impairment of goodwill or purchased long-lived assets and restructuring charges, any of which could harm its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The business model for Valvoline is affected by the financial results of its franchisees.

Valvoline’s business is made up of a network of both company-operated and franchised stores. Valvoline’s success relies in part on the operational and financial success, as well as the cooperation of, its franchisees to implement the Company’s strategic plans and their ability to secure adequate financing. However, Valvoline has limited influence over their operations and the quality of franchised store operations may be diminished by a number of factors beyond the Company’s control. Valvoline’s franchisees manage their businesses independently and are responsible for the day-to-day operations of approximately 54% of the Company’s system-wide service center stores as of September 30, 2022. Valvoline’s royalty, product, and other revenues from franchised stores are largely dependent on franchisee sales and compliance with franchise agreements. Valvoline’s revenues and margins could

be negatively affected should franchisees experience limited or no sales growth, or if the franchisee fails to renew its franchise agreements or otherwise fulfill its obligations under negotiated business development, franchise, or supply agreements with Valvoline. Additionally, if the franchisees are impacted by weak economic conditions and are unable to secure adequate sources of financing, their financial health may worsen, and Valvoline’s revenues may decline. If sales or business performance trends worsen for franchisees, their financial results may deteriorate, which could result in, among other things, store closures, delayed or reduced royalties and purchases and reduced growth in the number of service center stores.

Valvoline’s success also depends on the willingness and ability of its independent franchisees to implement major initiatives, which may require additional investment by them, and to remain aligned with Valvoline on operating, promotional and capital-intensive reinvestment plans. The ability of Valvoline’s franchisees to contribute to the achievement of Valvoline’s overall plans is dependent in large part on the availability of funding to its franchisees at reasonable interest rates and may be negatively impacted by the financial markets in general or the creditworthiness of individual franchisees. The size of Valvoline’s largest franchisees creates additional risk due to their importance to the Company’s growth strategy, requiring their cooperation and alignment with Valvoline’s initiatives. Furthermore, if the franchisees are not able to obtain the financing necessary to complete planned remodel and construction projects, they may be forced to postpone or cancel such projects, impacting the Company’s ability to grow and expand the Valvoline retail footprint.

Risks related to operating Valvoline's business

Changes in economic conditions that impact customer spending could harm Valvoline’s business.

Economic downturns, including a recession, may reduce customer demand or inhibit Valvoline’s ability to provide its services. Valvoline’s business and operating results are sensitive to declining economic conditions, credit market tightness, declining customer and business confidence, volatile exchange and interest rates, and other challenges, including those related to acts of aggression or threatened aggression that can affect the economy and financial markets. In the event of adverse developments or stagnation in the economy or financial markets, Valvoline’s customers may defer vehicle maintenance, oil changes, or other services, be unable to obtain credit, or repair and maintain their vehicles themselves.

In a prolonged economic downturn or recession, these risks and uncertainties could have a material negative impact on Valvoline’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The severity and duration of a downturn in economic and financial market conditions, as well as the timing, strength, and sustainability of a recovery, are unknown and are not within the Company’s control. There are predictions that the U.S. economy may enter a recession; therefore, the recessionary risks discussed above and elsewhere within these risk factors could be more pronounced in such an economic climate.

Economic weakness and uncertainty may cause changes in customer preferences and habits, and if such economic conditions persist for an extended period of time, this may result in customers making long-lasting changes to their spending behaviors, which could unfavorably impact Valvoline’s business, its results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, during periods of favorable economic conditions, customers may be more likely to purchase new vehicles rather than maintaining and servicing older vehicles, which could also have an adverse impact on Valvoline’s business, results of operations, cash flows and strategic objectives.

If Valvoline does not attract, train and retain quality employees in appropriate numbers, including key employees and management, performance could be adversely affected.

Valvoline’s performance is dependent on recruiting, developing, training and retaining quality service center employees in large numbers, as well as experienced management personnel. Valvoline’s service centers positions are subject to high rates of turnover. Valvoline’s ability to meet labor needs while controlling costs is subject to external factors, such as unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, wage legislation, and changes in rules governing eligibility for overtime and changing demographics. In the event of increasing wage rates, if Valvoline does not increase wages competitively, staffing levels and customer service could suffer because of declining workforce quality. Valvoline’s earnings could decrease if wage rates increase, whether in response to market demands or new wage legislation. In addition, inflation and economic uncertainty may negatively impact Valvoline’s ability to attract and retain employees.

Business disruptions from natural, operational and other catastrophic risks could seriously harm Valvoline’s operations and financial performance. In addition, a catastrophic event at one of Valvoline’s service center stores or involving its services or employees could lead to liabilities that could further impair its operations and financial performance.

Business disruptions, including those related to operating hazards inherent in servicing vehicles with lubricants, natural disasters, severe weather conditions, climate change, supply or logistics disruptions, increasing costs for energy, temporary store and/or power outages, information technology systems and network disruptions, cyber-security breaches, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, war, pandemic diseases, fires, floods or other catastrophic events, could seriously harm Valvoline’s operations, as well as the operations of Valvoline’s customers and suppliers, and may adversely impact Valvoline’s financial performance. Although it is impossible to predict the occurrence or consequences of any such events, they could result in reduced demand for Valvoline’s services or make it difficult or impossible for Valvoline to deliver services to its customers. In addition to leading to a serious disruption of Valvoline’s businesses, a catastrophic event at one of Valvoline’s service center stores or involving its employees could lead to substantial legal liability to or claims by parties allegedly harmed by the event.

While Valvoline maintains business continuity plans that are intended to allow it to continue operations or mitigate the effects of events that could disrupt its business, Valvoline cannot provide assurances that its plans would fully protect it from all such events. In addition, insurance maintained by Valvoline to protect against property damage, loss of business and other related consequences resulting from catastrophic events is subject to significant retentions and coverage limitations, depending on the nature of the risk insured. This insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of Valvoline’s damages or damages to others in the event of a catastrophe. In addition, insurance related to these types of risks may not be available now or, if available, may not be available in the future at commercially reasonable rates.

The limited diversity of Valvoline’s operations subject it to risks.

Valvoline has been able to take advantage of its size and global reach as a combined products and services company. The Transaction will result in Valvoline being a smaller, less diversified company, potentially making it more vulnerable to changing market, regulatory and economic conditions. Following completion of the Transaction, Valvoline will be more concentrated geographically in the U.S. and Canada and in serving the automotive aftermarket through company-operated, independent franchise and Express Care stores that service vehicles with Valvoline products. In addition, as a smaller company, Valvoline may be unable to obtain goods or services at prices or on terms that are as favorable as those obtained by Valvoline prior to the Transaction, and Valvoline’s ability to absorb costs or unexpected expenses whether due to contingencies or other risks as described herein, may be negatively impacted. Any of these factors could have an adverse effect on Valvoline’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Operating in numerous locations in the U.S. and Canada increases the scrutiny on Valvoline’s reputation for safety, quality, friendliness, trustworthy service, integrity and business ethics. Any negative publicity about these or other areas involving the business, including Valvoline’s response or lack thereof to external events involving civil unrest, social justice, and political issues, whether or not based in fact, could damage Valvoline’s reputation and the value of the brand.

Pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks, such as the novel coronavirus, may disrupt Valvoline’s business and operations, which could materially affect Valvoline’s financial condition, results of operations and forward-looking expectations.

Disruptions caused by pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, in the United States or Canada, could materially affect Valvoline's results of operations, financial condition and forward-looking expectations. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Valvoline's business, particularly as it relates to congestion in the supply chain and related cost, as well as the disruption in the labor market. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company experienced reduced traffic and sales volume due to changes in customer behavior as individuals decreased automobile use and practiced social distancing and other behavioral changes mandated by governmental authorities or independently undertaken out of an abundance of caution. The extent to which the pandemic will continue to impact Valvoline's business results and operations remains uncertain considering the rapidly evolving environment, duration and severity of the spread of COVID-19, emerging variants,

vaccine and booster effectiveness, public acceptance of safety protocols, and government measures, including vaccine mandates, implemented at the local and federal levels designed to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19, among others.

Worsening conditions in the severity and spread of COVID-19, or other pandemics, epidemics, or disease outbreaks, could result in the resurgence of lockdowns or stay-at-home guidelines which could adversely affect Valvoline’s ability to implement its growth plans, including, without limitation, delay the construction or acquisition of service center stores, or negatively impact Valvoline’s ability to successfully execute plans to enter into new markets; reduce demand for Valvoline’s services; affect the ability and cost to attract and retain talent within the labor market; reduce sales or profitability; negatively impact Valvoline’s ability to maintain operations; or lead to significant disruption of financial markets in which the Company operates, and may reduce Valvoline’s ability to access capital and, in the future, negatively affect the Company’s liquidity.

Valvoline uses information technology systems to conduct business, and a cyber security threat, privacy/data breach, or failure of a key information technology system could adversely affect Valvoline’s business and reputation.

Valvoline relies on its information technology systems, including systems which are managed or provided by third-party service providers, to conduct its business. The Company’s point-of-sale platforms for company-operated and franchisee retail stores could be subject to cyber security threats or data breaches, which could cause possible business interruptions or negatively impact Valvoline. Any security breach involving the point-of-sale or other systems within the Valvoline network could result in a loss of consumer confidence or costs associated with data recovery or breaches of data security laws.

Despite employee training and other measures to mitigate them, cyber security threats to its information technology systems, and those of its third-party service providers, are increasing and becoming more advanced and breaches have occurred and could occur as a result of denial-of-service attacks or other cyber-attacks, hacking, phishing, viruses, malicious software, ransomware, computer malware, social engineering, break-ins, security breaches or due to error or misconduct by its employees, contractors or third-party service providers. The data breaches that have occurred have not resulted in a material loss to Valvoline; however, a material breach of or failure of Valvoline’s information technology systems, including systems in which data is stored or may be transferred across third-party platforms, could lead to the loss and destruction of trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary data, intellectual property, customer and supplier data, and employee personal information, and could disrupt business operations which could adversely affect Valvoline’s relationships with business partners and harm its brands, reputation and financial results.

Valvoline’s customer and vendor data may include names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and payment account information, among other information. Depending on the nature of the customer data that is compromised, Valvoline may also have obligations to notify users, law enforcement or payment companies about the incident and may need to provide some form of remedy, such as refunds for the individuals affected by the incident. Valvoline could also face fines and penalties should it fail to adequately notify affected parties pursuant to new and evolving privacy laws in various jurisdictions in which it does business, as outlined in greater detail in the "Regulatory, legal, and financial risks" section below.

Regulatory, legal, and financial risks

Data protection requirements could increase operating costs and requirements and a breach in information privacy or other related risks could negatively impact operations.

Valvoline is subject to federal, state, local laws, directives, and regulations relating to the collection, use, retention, disclosure, security and transfer of personal data relating to its customers and employees. These laws, directives and regulations, and their interpretation and enforcement continue to evolve and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") applies to Valvoline's activities conducted in the state of California. Complying with the CCPA and similar emerging and changing privacy and data protection requirements may cause Valvoline to incur substantial costs or disruption to its operations.

Noncompliance with these legal obligations relating to privacy and data protection could damage Valvoline's reputation and affect its ability to retain and attract customers. Additionally, any failure or perceived failure by Valvoline or any third parties with which it does business, to comply with these privacy and data protection laws,

rules and regulations, or with respect to similar obligations to which Valvoline may be or become subject, may result in actions against Valvoline by governmental entities, private claims and litigation, fines, penalties or other liabilities. Any such action would be expensive to defend, damage Valvoline’s reputation and adversely affect business, operating results, financial position and cash flows.

The impact of changing laws or regulations or the manner of interpretation or enforcement of existing laws or regulations could adversely impact Valvoline’s financial performance and restrict its ability to operate its business or execute its strategies.

New laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement, could increase Valvoline’s cost of doing business and restrict its ability to operate its business or execute its strategies. This risk includes, among other things, compliance with a myriad of U.S. tax laws and regulations; anti-competition laws and regulations; product compliance regulations; anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”); anti-money-laundering laws; economic sanctions and export control laws and regulations, including those administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”); customs laws; and other laws governing Valvoline’s operations.

Although Valvoline has implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, it cannot be sure that its policies and procedures are sufficient or that directors, officers, employees, representatives, consultants and agents have not engaged and will not engage in conduct for which Valvoline may be held responsible, nor can Valvoline be sure that its business partners, including franchisees, have not engaged and will not engage in conduct that could materially affect their ability to perform their contractual obligations to Valvoline or even result in Valvoline being held liable for such conduct. Violations of these laws or regulations may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions or penalties, or significant changes in existing laws and regulations may subject Valvoline to other liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Valvoline’s substantial indebtedness may adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Valvoline has substantial indebtedness and financial obligations. As of September 30, 2022, Valvoline had outstanding indebtedness of $1.7 billion, which includes $105.0 million required to be repaid in connection with closing the Transaction. Additionally, in connection with the sale of the Global Products business and based on the manner in which the net proceeds are utilized, a portion of the net proceeds may be utilized to reduce incremental debt.Based on the facilities expected to remain in place following the close of the Transaction, Valvoline has an available borrowing capacity of $470 million as of September 30, 2022. Valvoline may incur substantial additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other general corporate purposes.

Valvoline's substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition by, among other things: requiring Valvoline to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flows to pay principal and interest on its debt, which would reduce the availability of its cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, execution of its growth strategy and other general corporate purposes; limiting Valvoline’s ability to borrow additional amounts to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of its growth strategy and other general corporate purposes; making Valvoline more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and regulatory conditions and in its business by limiting its flexibility in planning for or reacting to changing conditions; placing Valvoline at a competitive disadvantage compared with its competitors that have less debt and lower debt service requirements; making Valvoline more vulnerable to increases in interest rates since some of its indebtedness is subject to variable rates of interest; and making it more difficult for Valvoline to satisfy its financial obligations.

In addition, Valvoline may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to repay its indebtedness when it becomes due and to meet its other cash needs. If Valvoline is not able to pay its debts as they become due, it could be in default under the terms of its indebtedness. Valvoline might also be required to pursue one or more alternative strategies to repay indebtedness, such as selling assets, refinancing or restructuring its indebtedness or selling additional debt or equity securities. Valvoline may not be able to refinance its debt or sell additional debt or equity securities or its assets on favorable terms, if at all, and if it must sell its assets, it may negatively affect Valvoline’s ability to generate revenues.

Valvoline’s pension and other postretirement benefit plan obligations are currently underfunded, and Valvoline may have to make significant cash payments to some or all of these plans, which would reduce the cash available for its business.

In connection with Valvoline’s separation from Ashland, Valvoline assumed certain of Ashland’s historical pension and other postretirement benefit plans and related liabilities. The most significant of these plans, the U.S. qualified pension plans, are estimated to be underfunded by $68.6 million as of September 30, 2022. The funded status of Valvoline's pension plans is dependent upon many factors, including returns on invested assets, the level of certain market interest rates and the discount rate used to determine pension obligations. Valvoline has taken a number of actions to reduce the risk and volatility associated with the pension plans, however, changing market conditions or laws and regulations could require material increases in the expected cash contributions to these plans in future years. Specifically, unfavorable returns on plan assets or unfavorable changes in applicable laws or regulations could materially change the timing and amount of required plan funding. In addition, a decrease in the discount rate used to determine pension obligations could result in an increase in the valuation of pension obligations, which could affect the reported funded status of Valvoline’s pension plans and future contributions. Similarly, an increase in discount rates could increase the periodic pension cost in subsequent fiscal years. If any of these events occur, Valvoline may have to make cash payments to its pension plans, which would reduce the cash available for its business. Finally, Valvoline’s policy to recognize changes in the fair value of the pension assets and liabilities annually and as otherwise required through mark to market accounting could result in volatility in Valvoline’s earnings, which could be material.

Valvoline may fail to adequately protect its intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.

Valvoline relies heavily upon its trademarks, domain names and logos to market its brands and to build and maintain brand loyalty and recognition. The Company’s success depends on the continued ability of Valvoline’s company-owned and franchise service center stores continued ability to use the intellectual property and on the adequate protection and enforcement of such intellectual property. Valvoline also relies on a combination of laws and contractual restrictions with employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates and others, to establish and protect its various intellectual property rights.

There can be no assurance that steps taken to protect and maintain the rights in Valvoline’s intellectual property will be adequate, or that third parties will not infringe, misappropriate or violate the intellectual property. If any efforts to protect the intellectual property are not adequate, or if any third party infringes, misappropriates or violates Valvoline’s intellectual property, the value of its brands may be harmed. The occurrence of any of these events could result in the erosion of Valvoline’s brands and limit its ability to market its brands using its various trademarks, cause Valvoline to lose such trade secrets, as well as impede its ability to effectively compete against competitors with similar products and services, any of which could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, Valvoline has been subject to legal proceedings and claims, including claims of alleged infringement of trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights held by third parties. In the future, third parties may sue Valvoline for alleged infringement of their proprietary or intellectual property rights. Valvoline may not be aware of whether its products do or will infringe on existing or future patents or other intellectual property rights of others. In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce Valvoline’s intellectual property rights, protect its trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any litigation or other intellectual property proceedings of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, or loss of rights in Valvoline’s intellectual property, any of which could adversely affect Valvoline’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Valvoline has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs as a result of Environmental Health and Safety (“EHS”) compliance requirements, which could adversely impact Valvoline’s cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.

Valvoline is subject to extensive federal, state, local and non-U.S. laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to pollution, protection of the environment and human health and safety, as well as the storage, handling, treatment,

disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and waste materials. Valvoline has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs and capital expenditures to comply with these laws and regulations.

EHS regulations change frequently, and such regulations and their enforcement have tended to become more stringent over time. Accordingly, changes in EHS laws and regulations and the enforcement of such laws and regulations could interrupt Valvoline’s operations, require modifications to its facilities or cause it to incur significant liabilities, costs or losses that could adversely affect its profitability. Actual or alleged violations of EHS laws and regulations could result in restrictions or prohibitions on service center operations as well as substantial damages, penalties, fines, civil or criminal sanctions and remediation costs.

Valvoline’s business involves the purchase, storage and transportation of hazardous substances. Under some environmental laws, Valvoline may be strictly liable and/or jointly and severally liable for environmental damages caused by releases of hazardous substances and waste materials into the environment. For instance, under relevant laws and regulations Valvoline may be deemed liable for soil and/or groundwater contamination at sites it currently owns and/or operates even though the contamination was caused by a third party such as a former owner or operator, and at sites it formerly owned and operated if the release of hazardous substances or waste materials was caused by it or by a third party during the period it owned and/or operated the site. Valvoline also may be deemed liable for soil and/or groundwater contamination at sites to which it sent hazardous wastes for treatment or disposal, notwithstanding that the original treatment or disposal activity accorded with all applicable regulatory requirements.

The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) designate the Fayette County Circuit Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between the Company and its shareholders, which may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a favorable judicial forum for disputes with the Company and its directors, officers or employees.

The Company’s Articles specify that the Fayette County Circuit Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, any action asserting a breach of a fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, or any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Company believes that the exclusive forum provision in the Articles benefits the Company by providing increased consistency in the application of Kentucky law for the specified types of actions and may benefit the Company by preventing it from having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions (and incur additional expenses) and be subject to potential inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations. The exclusive forum provision in the Articles, however, may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against Valvoline's directors, officers or employees as it could increase a shareholder’s cost to bring a claim or limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for such claims. In connection with any applicable action brought against the Company, it is possible that a court could find the forum selection provisions contained in the Articles to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. If a court were to render such a finding, the Company may incur additional costs to resolve the action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect Valvoline’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks related to the pending sale of the Global Products business

The pending sale of the Global Products business is subject to various risks, uncertainties and conditions and may not be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, if at all.

On July 31, 2022, Valvoline entered into the Purchase Agreement to sell its former Global Products reportable segment to Aramco for $2.65 billion in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments. The Purchase Agreement provides that completion of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of standard closing conditions, including, among other things, obtaining certain required regulatory and third-party approvals. The Transaction is expected to close in early calendar year 2023. There can be no assurance regarding the ultimate timing of the Transaction or that the Transaction will be completed. Unanticipated developments could delay, prevent or otherwise adversely

affect the Transaction, including but not limited to potential problems or delays in obtaining various regulatory approvals.

During the period leading to closing the Transaction, or whether or not the Transaction is completed, the ongoing businesses may be adversely affected, including as a result of one or more of the following:

•the diversion of management’s attention from operating and growing the business as a result of the time and effort required to execute the Transaction;

•expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction, including the tax effects of the divestiture, in addition to legal, professional advisory and consulting fees to complete the sale and separation of the legal entities and business processes;

•challenges in separating the businesses, including separating the assets and liabilities, infrastructure and personnel, potentially resulting in delays and additional costs in achieving the completion of the Transaction;

•disruptions to and potential adverse impacts on relationships with suppliers, customers and others with whom Valvoline does business;

•challenges in establishing the desired capital structure for the remaining Valvoline business, including challenges accessing the financial markets;

•uncertainty among key employees concerning their future with Valvoline or the Buyer, leading to potential distraction, as well as potential difficulty in attracting, retaining or motivating key employees during the pendency of the Transaction and following its completion;

•potential adverse impact on credit ratings; and

•potential negative reactions from the financial markets if Valvoline fails to complete the Transaction as currently expected.

Valvoline may be unable to achieve some or all of the strategic and financial benefits that it expects to achieve from the Transaction.

After giving effect to estimated taxes and other expenses, Valvoline expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $2.25 billion. Valvoline expects to use the net proceeds to accelerate return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases, with the remainder used for debt reduction and to invest in growth opportunities in Retail Services. In connection with the sale of Global Products, Valvoline expects to drive growth and shareholder value as a best-in-class, pure-play automotive retail service provider.

The anticipated operational, financial, strategic and other benefits may not be achieved upon completion of the Transaction and could have an adverse impact on Valvoline’s business, financial condition and results of operations. The anticipated benefits are based on a number of assumptions, some of which may prove incorrect, and could be affected by a number of factors beyond Valvoline’s control, including, without limitation, general economic conditions, increased operating costs, regulatory developments and the other risks described in these risk factors.

Following the Transaction, Valvoline will be dependent on Global Products for its product supply and certain transition services for which Valvoline may be negatively affected if Global Products is unable to provide these products or services.

In connection with the Transaction, the parties have agreed to enter into a Supply Agreement and an agreement for certain transition services. Pursuant to the Supply Agreement, Valvoline will purchase substantially all lubricant and certain ancillary products for its stores from Global Products after the Transaction. Additionally, Valvoline will receive and provide certain transition services to Global Products following the Transaction. Valvoline will be dependent on Global Products for product supply and each party will be reliant on one another for transition services. Any interruption, delay, quality issue or other failure in product supply or service could result in disputes between the parties or otherwise have an adverse effect on Valvoline’s business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Risks related to Valvoline’s separation from Ashland

The Distribution could result in significant tax liability to Ashland, and in certain circumstances, Valvoline could be required to indemnify Ashland for material taxes pursuant to indemnification obligations.

Ashland obtained a written opinion of counsel to the effect that the Distribution should qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The opinion does not address any U.S. state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of the Distribution. The opinion assumes that the Distribution is completed according to the terms of certain agreements entered into between Ashland and Valvoline and the accuracy of certain assumptions and representations and covenants made by the parties. The opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts, and thus there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position.

If the Distribution were determined not to qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss, then Ashland would recognize a gain as if it had sold its Valvoline common stock in a taxable transaction in an amount up to the fair market value of the common stock it distributed in the Distribution. In addition, certain reorganization transactions undertaken in connection with the separation and the Distribution could be determined to be taxable, which could result in additional taxable gain. Under certain circumstances, Valvoline could have joint and several liability for gain recognition relating to the separation from Ashland, and/or a substantial indemnification obligation to Ashland with respect to the tax associated with some or all of such gain, which could have a material adverse impact on Valvoline's financial condition.

Ashland has agreed to indemnify Valvoline for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure Valvoline against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Ashland’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.

Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement and certain other agreements with Ashland, Ashland agreed to indemnify Valvoline for certain liabilities. However, third parties could also seek to hold Valvoline responsible for any of the liabilities that Ashland agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from Ashland will be sufficient to protect Valvoline against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Ashland will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future. Even if Valvoline ultimately succeeded in recovering from Ashland any amounts for which Valvoline is held liable, Valvoline may be temporarily required to bear these losses. Each of these risks could negatively affect Valvoline’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Valvoline is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, where the Company leases over 210,000 square feet of office and warehouse space to support operations across its business. In addition, Valvoline owns or leases the property associated with 790 company-operated retail service center stores under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM and Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brands throughout the United States and Canada, respectively. Valvoline’s store leases typically have initial terms of 15 to 20 years with renewal options, exercisable at the Company’s discretion.

Valvoline believes its physical properties are suitable and adequate for the Company’s business, and none of the property owned by Valvoline is subject to any major known encumbrances. Additional information regarding lease obligations may be found in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, Valvoline is party to lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. For a description of Valvoline's legal proceedings, refer to Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market information

Valvoline common stock is listed on the NYSE and trades under the symbol “VVV.” As of November 18, 2022, there were approximately 8,500 registered holders of Valvoline common stock.

Dividend policy

The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of Valvoline common stock will be at the discretion of Valvoline's Board of Directors (the “Board”) after taking into account various factors, including Valvoline’s financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, cash flows, impact on Valvoline’s effective tax rate, indebtedness, legal requirements and other factors that the Board considers relevant. In addition, the instruments governing Valvoline’s indebtedness may limit its ability to pay dividends. Therefore, no assurance is given that Valvoline will pay any dividends to its stockholders, or as to the amount of any such dividends if the Board determines to do so. As focus further shifts to the growth of Valvoline in connection with the sale of Global Products, Valvoline expects to discontinue the dividend following the December 2022 payment and return value to shareholders through share repurchases, the timing and amount of which will be at the discretion of the Company and based on Valvoline’s liquidity, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.

Stock performance graph

Valvoline has historically compared the cumulative total return on its common stock with that of the S&P MidCap 400 Consumer Staples Index. As a result of the Global Products business being classified as discontinued operations and held for sale, the Company has added the S&P MidCap 400 Specialty Retail Index to reflect more relevant comparisons for the continuing operations. The performance graph below presents the indices used in the prior year and the newly selected index.

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on a $100 investment in Valvoline common stock, the S&P MidCap 400 Index, the S&P MidCap Specialty Retail Index and the S&P MidCap 400 Consumer Staples Index for the period from September 30, 2017 to September 30, 2022. This graph assumes an investment in Valvoline common stock and each index were $100 on September 30, 2017 and that all dividends were reinvested.

Years ended September 30

Purchases of Company common stock

Repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2022 pursuant to the May 17, 2021 Board authorization to repurchase up to $300 million of common stock through September 30, 2024 were:

ITEM 6. RESERVED

Business Overview 28

Results of Operations - Consolidated Review 33

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources 39

New Accounting Pronouncements 44

Critical Accounting Estimates 44

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

The quick, easy, and trusted name in preventive vehicle maintenance, Valvoline leads the industry with vehicle service innovations that simplify customer’s lives and take the worry out of car care. With average customer ratings that indicate high levels of service satisfaction, Valvoline has built a new model for transparency in vehicle maintenance. From the signature 15-minute stay-in-your-car oil change to cabin air filters to battery replacements to tire rotations, the Company’s model offers maintenance solutions for all types of vehicles. The Company operates and franchises more than 1,700 service center locations that operate in 47 states in the United States (U.S.”) and five provinces in Canada and is the second and third largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores through its Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM and Great Canadian Oil Change retail locations.

Valvoline is focused on expanding its footprint and driving a best-in-class customer experience, while evolving its service offerings to capture growing opportunities in the market by growing non-oil change services, services for the future of mobility, and pursuing fleet service solutions to address medium and heavy-duty vehicles that require comprehensive maintenance needs.

Valvoline's fiscal year ends on September 30 of each year.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On July 31, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Global Products business to Aramco Overseas Company B.V. (“Aramco”) for a cash purchase price of $2.65 billion, subject to customary adjustments with respect to working capital and net indebtedness (the “Transaction”). The Transaction is subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to close in early calendar year 2023. The divestiture of the Global Products business allows the Company to focus exclusively on its retail business and represents a strategic shift in operations. The assets and liabilities associated with Global Products have been classified as held for sale within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the Global Products operations have been classified as discontinued operations and are reported separately for all periods presented herein. Refer to Note 3 included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding the divestiture.

Once the Transaction closes, Valvoline will retain the Valvoline brand for all retail services purposes globally, excluding China and certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa, while Global Products will own the Valvoline brand for all product uses globally. Based on this brand-sharing arrangement, there will be no licensing

fees between the parties. In addition, Valvoline will procure motor oil and related products from the Global Products business through a long-term supply agreement that will be effective following the close of the Transaction.

Estimated net proceeds of approximately $2.25 billion, after taxes and other expenses, are expected to be utilized to accelerate the return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases with the remainder used for debt reduction and to invest in growth opportunities within the retail services business. Valvoline anticipates enhancing its capital structure through targeting a 2.5 to 3.5 times adjusted EBITDA net leverage ratio to allow for both investment in the business as well as delivery of returns to shareholders through share repurchases.

FISCAL 2022 OVERVIEW

Key operating highlights from continuing operations are presented below, each of which is discussed more fully in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Summarized below are Valvoline's trends in the results of its continuing operations net revenues, income from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDA over the last three fiscal years:

(a)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, further described and defined within the “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” section below. Also refer to the “Continuing operations EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” section within “Results of Operations” below for a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for each period presented above.

Net revenues and adjusted EBITDA increased for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 over the prior year periods due to strong top-line performance from system-wide SSS growth driven by contributions from both transactions and average ticket, in addition to acquisitions. Income from continuing operations decreased for the

fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 compared to the prior year primarily driven by the remeasurement of pension and other postretirement plans that generated losses in fiscal 2022 compared to gains in the prior year, as well as separation-related expenses incurred in fiscal 2022 to evaluate and plan for the separation of the Company’s businesses. Each of these measures is discussed further below.

Fiscal year 2022 marked the 16th consecutive year for system-wide same-store-sales ("SSS") growth and added 121 net new stores to the system. The table below highlights the growth over the last two years:

(In millions, except store count) Fiscal Year 2022 Growth vs. Growth vs.

System-wide store sales (a) $ 2,360.2 20 % 55 %

System-wide store count (a) 1,715 8 % 17 %

Years ended September 30

System-wide SSS growth (a) 13.7 % 21.2 % 2.3 %

Summarized below are Valvoline's trends in net income and adjusted EBITDA for the continuing operations over the interim quarterly periods for the last two fiscal years:

COVID-19 UPDATE

Valvoline has substantially maintained its operations, demonstrating growth and strong results, while managing through the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Valvoline’s global offices and locations have established protocols based on continuous monitoring of the circumstances and trend data surrounding the pandemic. During fiscal 2022, Valvoline updated its protocols, easing restrictions. Employees are allowed to more broadly travel for business and are encouraged to reconnect and collaborate on-site in locations and circumstances where protocols support in-person work, while the flexibility and convenience for employees to work remotely has been maintained in many locations.

Management is unable to reasonably quantify the impact of COVID-19 on its current year results. The continually evolving COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain and its future impact on Valvoline will depend on a number of factors, including among others, the duration and severity of the spread of COVID-19, emerging variants, vaccine and booster effectiveness, public acceptance of safety protocols, and government measures, including vaccine and mask mandates, among others. While the Company cannot predict the duration or the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, or the effect it may continue to have on Valvoline's business, results of operations, or liquidity, management continuously monitors the situation, the sufficiency of its responses, and makes adjustments as needed.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

To aid in the understanding of Valvoline’s ongoing business performance, certain items within this document are presented on an adjusted, non-GAAP basis. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, the financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully evaluated.

The following are the non-GAAP measures management has included and how management defines them:

•EBITDA - net income/loss, plus income tax expense/benefit, net interest and other financing expenses, and depreciation and amortization;

•Adjusted EBITDA - EBITDA adjusted for certain unusual, infrequent or non-operational activity not directly attributable to the underlying business, which management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods ("key items," as further described below);

•Adjusted EBITDA margin - adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues;

•Free cash flow - cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures and certain other adjustments as applicable; and

•Discretionary free cash flow - cash flows from operating activities less maintenance capital expenditures and certain other adjustments as applicable.

These measures are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and management believes the use of non-GAAP measures provides a useful supplemental presentation of Valvoline's operating performance, enables comparison of financial trends and results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allows for transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating the business and measuring performance. The non-GAAP information used by management may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because of differing methods used in calculating such measures. For a reconciliation of the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures to the non-GAAP measures, refer to the “Results of Operations” and “Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections below.

Management believes EBITDA measures provide a meaningful supplemental presentation of Valvoline’s operating performance due to the depreciable assets associated with the nature of the Company’s operations and income tax and interest costs related to Valvoline’s tax and capital structures, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA measures exclude the impact of key items, which consist of income or expenses associated with certain unusual, infrequent or non-operational activity not directly attributable to the underlying business that management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods. Adjusted EBITDA measures enable comparison of financial trends and results between periods where key items may vary independent of business performance. Key items are often related to legacy matters or market-driven events considered by management to be outside the comparable operational performance of the business.

Key items may consist of adjustments related to: legacy businesses, including Valvoline’s separation from its former parent company and the impacts of related indemnities; the separation of Valvoline’s current businesses; significant acquisitions or divestitures; restructuring-related matters; and other matters that are non-operational or unusual in nature. Key items also include:

Net pension and other postretirement plan expense/income - includes several elements impacted by changes in plan assets and obligations that are primarily driven by changes in the debt and equity markets, as well as those that are predominantly legacy in nature and related to prior service to the Company from employees (e.g., retirees, former employees, and current employees with frozen benefits). These elements include (i) interest cost, (ii) expected return on plan assets, (iii) actuarial gains/losses, and (iv) amortization of prior service cost/credit. Significant factors that can contribute to changes in these elements include changes in discount rates used to remeasure pension and other postretirement obligations on an annual basis or upon a qualifying remeasurement, differences between actual and expected returns on plan assets, and other changes in actuarial assumptions, such as the life expectancy of plan participants. Accordingly, management considers that these elements are more reflective of changes in current conditions in global markets (in particular, interest rates), outside the operational performance of the business, and are also primarily legacy amounts that are not directly related to the underlying business and do not have an immediate, corresponding impact on the compensation and benefits provided to eligible employees for current service. Adjusted EBITDA includes the costs of benefits provided to employees for current service, including pension and other postretirement service costs.

Details with respect to the composition of key items recognized during the respective periods presented herein are set forth below in the “EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” section of “Results of Operations” that follows.

Management uses free cash flow and discretionary free cash flow as additional non-GAAP metrics of cash flow generation. By including capital expenditures and certain other adjustments, as applicable, management is able to provide an indication of the ongoing cash being generated that is ultimately available for both debt and equity holders as well as other investment opportunities. Free cash flow includes the impact of capital expenditures, providing a supplemental view of cash generation. Discretionary free cash flow includes the impact of maintenance capital expenditures, which are routine uses of cash that are necessary to maintain the Company's operations and provides a supplemental view of cash flow generation to maintain operations before discretionary investments in growth. Free cash flow and discretionary free cash flow have certain limitations, including that they do not reflect adjustments for certain non-discretionary cash flows, such as mandatory debt repayments.

Key Business Measures

Valvoline tracks its operating performance and manages its business using certain key measures, including system-wide, company-operated and franchised store counts and SSS and system-wide store sales. Management believes these measures are useful to evaluating and understanding Valvoline’s operating performance and should be considered as supplements to, not substitutes for, Valvoline's sales and operating income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Sales are influenced by the number of service center stores and the business performance of those stores. Stores are considered open upon acquisition or opening for business. Temporary store closings remain in the respective store counts with only permanent store closures reflected in the activity and end of period store counts. SSS is defined as sales by U.S. stores (company-operated, franchised and the combination of these for system-wide SSS), with new stores, including franchised conversions, excluded from the metric until the completion of their first full fiscal year in operation as this period is generally required for new store sales levels to begin to normalize.

Sales are limited to sales at company-operated stores, in addition to royalties and other fees from independent franchised and Express Care stores. Although Valvoline does not recognize store-level sales from franchised stores as sales in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, management believes system-wide and franchised SSS comparisons, store counts, and total system-wide store sales are useful to assess market position relative to competitors and overall operating performance.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following summarizes the results of the Company’s continuing operations for the years ended September 30:

Net revenues

2022 compared to 2021

Net revenues increased 19.2% over the prior year period due to system-wide SSS growth and unit acquisitions. Valvoline marked its 16th consecutive year of system-wide SSS growth, delivering 13.7% growth compared to the prior year driven by contributions from both transactions and average ticket. Net revenues also benefited from unit additions of 121 net new stores. The following reconciles the year-over-year changes in net revenues:

2021 compared to 2020

Net revenues in 2021 increased 42.7% due to volume growth compared to the prior year COVID-19 lows due to strong SSS, unit growth, and benefits from acquisitions completed. System-wide SSS grew 21.2% compared to the prior year period driven by increased transactions and high single-digit growth in average ticket. Transactions benefited from customer base expansion in addition to recovery from the most significant restrictions and limited

travel during the onset of the pandemic in the prior year. Average ticket increases were driven by pricing and mix improvements, including the shift to synthetics and higher non-oil change services. Year-over-year system-wide unit growth of 9% also contributed to volumes and sale through the addition of 132 net new stores. The following reconciles the year-over-year changes in net revenues:

Gross profit

2022 compared to 2021

Gross profit improved 10.2% driven by increased transactions and higher average ticket from premiumization and non-oil change services, as well as unit growth. These benefits were partially offset by product and labor inflationary cost pressures. The following reconciles the year-over-year changes in gross profit:

The decline in gross profit margin compared to the prior year was primarily the result of result of higher costs and the dilutive impact from passing through cost increases.

2021 compared to 2020

Gross profit improved driven by higher volumes from the prior year unfavorable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits included higher average ticket from the ongoing shift to synthetics as well as unit growth primarily driven by acquisitions made during the year. The following reconciles the year-over-year changes in gross profit:

Gross profit margin slightly increased compared to the prior year primarily due to premiumization benefits realized partially offset by labor investments made during the period.

Net operating expenses

Details of the components of net operating expenses are summarized below for the years ended September 30:

Variance Variance

2022 compared to 2021

Increased selling, general and administrative expenses in the current year resulted from investments to support future growth, including advertising and travel, in addition to inflationary cost increases, and to lesser extent, information technology investments and transitions, costs related to suspended operations, and depreciation and amortization.

Net legacy and separation-related expenses incurred in the current year were primarily related to evaluating and planning for the separation of the Company’s businesses. These costs included legal, tax and accounting, and other professional advisory and consulting fees, which were generally incurred in the period prior to entering into the Purchase Agreement to sell the Global Products business. The combination of these expenses and legacy-related matters, including settlement benefits recognized, resulted in $20.5 million of expense in fiscal 2022. The prior year included favorable adjustments of tax-related indemnity obligations as a result of the settlement of tax examinations.

The modest increase in other income, net was primarily driven by an economic incentive received during fiscal 2022.

2021 compared to 2020

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher advertising expenses that were restricted in fiscal 2020 due to the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased variable compensation driven by the Company’s strong performance in fiscal 2021, in addition to investments made to support future growth, including acquisitions of service center stores.

Net legacy and separation-related income was lower in fiscal 2021 as adjustments of tax-related indemnity obligations related to the settlement of tax examinations resulted in lower reductions than the prior year adjustments for the change in utilization expectations of certain legacy attributes.

The increase in other income, net was primarily driven by recoveries related to the settlement of a legal matter.

Net pension and other postretirement plan income

2022 compared to 2021

Net pension and other postretirement plan expense increased $135.1 million from the prior year primarily due to the loss on pension and other postretirement plan remeasurement of $43.9 million compared to a gain of $74.3 million in fiscal 2021. The loss in fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by lower-than-expected performance of plan assets in the current year remeasurement, which more than offset reduced plan obligations from remeasurement at higher discount rates. Additionally, lower recurring non-service income during the year of $16.9 million included $9.7 million of reduced amortization of prior service credits into income from certain other postretirement plan amendments that ceased amortization beginning in fiscal 2022 and also attributed to the increase in expense during the year.

2021 compared to 2020

Net pension and other postretirement plan income increased $73.3 million in fiscal 2021 from the prior year primarily due to the gain on pension and other postretirement plan remeasurement of $74.3 million compared to a gain of $18.6 million in fiscal 2020. This increased gain was primarily attributed to higher discount rates in the fiscal 2021 plan remeasurement. In addition, lower interest cost recognized throughout fiscal 2021 drove higher recurring non-service income.

Net interest and other financing expenses

2022 compared to 2021

Net interest and other financing expense decreased $39.0 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year. The decrease was driven by debt extinguishment costs of $36.4 million associated with the prior year redemption of the 4.375% senior unsecured notes due 2025 with an aggregate principal amount of $800.0 million (the “2025 Notes”).

2021 compared to 2020

Net interest and other financing expense increased $16.2 million in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020. The increase was driven by higher debt extinguishment costs of $17.0 million as the expense associated with the redemption of the 2025 Notes in fiscal 2021 exceeded those incurred in connection with the extinguishment of the 5.500% senior unsecured notes due 2024 with an aggregate principal amount of $375.0 million (the “2024 Notes”) in the prior year.

Income tax expense

The following table summarizes income tax expense and the effective tax rate during the years ended September 30:

Effective tax rate percentage 24.1 % 23.0 % 43.4 %

2022 compared to 2021

The higher effective tax rate in fiscal 2022 from the prior year was principally driven by tax benefits recognized during the prior year period as a result of audit settlements.Lower pre-tax income in fiscal 2022 resulted in lower current year tax expense over the prior year.

2021 compared to 2020

The lower year-over-year effective tax rate in fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by increased expense recognized in fiscal 2020 to establish a $28.5 million valuation allowance on certain legacy tax attributes, which did not recur in fiscal 2021. Additionally, increased pre-tax income in fiscal 2021 resulted in higher income tax expense over fiscal 2020.

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax for the years ended September 30 are as follows:

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 314.9 $ 220.2 $ 247.0

2022 compared to 2021

Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax increased $94.7 million during fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase was driven by a $99.1 million deferred income tax benefit related to the realization of the book-tax basis differences in the non-US entities that will be sold with the Global Products business. This benefit was partially offset by increased costs due to the inflationary raw material cost environment which were moderated by strong top-line growth from passing through raw material cost increases in pricing.

2021 compared to 2020

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax decreased $26.8 million during fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year. The decrease was driven by significant raw material costs increases in the second half of fiscal 2021 and higher operating expenses to support market growth partially offset by net revenues growth driven by higher volumes across all regions, product mix benefits, improved equity income, as well as currency exchange.

Fiscal 2023

As discussed herein, on July 31, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Global Products business for a cash purchase price of $2.65 billion, subject to customary adjustments with respect to working capital and net indebtedness. The Transaction is subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to close in early calendar year 2023. Valvoline expects to recognize a substantial gain upon closing this Transaction within Income from discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2022, total assets and liabilities associated with the Global Products business classified as held for sale were $1.46 billion and $539.3 million, respectively.

Continuing operations EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following reconciles net income from continuing operations to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended September 30:

Net interest and other financing expenses 69.3 108.3 92.1

Net pension and other postretirement plan expenses (income) 6.9 (128.2) (55.0)

Net legacy and separation-related expenses (income) 20.5 (23.6) (30.0)

Suspended operations 0.9 (1.5) (1.3)

Information technology transition costs 2.6 — —

Restructuring-related adjustments — (0.1) 0.3

Compensated absences benefits change — — (4.9)

Acquisition costs — — 1.3

(a)Net pension and other postretirement plan expenses (income) includes remeasurement gains and losses and recurring non-service pension and other postretirement net periodic income, which consists of interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of prior service credit. Refer to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

The following reconciles net income from continuing operations to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022:

FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter

Net interest and other financing expenses 17.0 16.9 17.3 18.1

Net legacy and separation-related expense 2.8 6.2 9.9 1.6

Suspended operations (0.3) 4.0 (2.2) (0.6)

Information technology transition costs 1.0 1.6 — —

The following reconciles net income from continuing operations to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021:

FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter

Net interest and other financing expenses 20.5 53.8 16.7 17.3

Net pension and other postretirement plan income (13.3) (13.4) (13.7) (87.8)

Net legacy and separation-related expense (income) 0.6 0.3 0.8 (25.3)

Suspended operations (0.4) (0.1) (0.3) (0.7)

Restructuring-related adjustments (0.1) — — —

2022 compared to 2021

Adjusted EBITDA increased $38.7 million, or 14.0%, for the year ended September 30, 2022 compared to the prior year driven by top-line expansion and partially offset by increased costs due to inflationary pressures and increased operating expenses to support top-line growth.

2021 compared to 2020

Adjusted EBITDA increased $111.0 million, or 66.9% in fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year. Exceptional system-wide SSS growth due to increased transactions over the effects of the COVID-19 slowdown in fiscal 2020 and improved average ticket, in addition to benefits from acquisitions were partially offset by increased operating expenses principally to support growth.

FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

The Company closely manages its liquidity and capital resources. Valvoline’s liquidity requirements depend on key variables, including the level of investment needed to support business strategies, the performance of the business, capital expenditures, borrowing arrangements, and working capital management. Capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividend payments are components of the Company’s cash flow and capital management strategy, which to a large extent, can be adjusted in response to economic and other changes in the business environment. The Company has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, which focuses on investing in key priorities that support Valvoline’s business and growth strategies and returning capital to shareholders, while funding ongoing operations.

Continuing operations cash flows

Valvoline’s continuing operations cash flows as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are summarized as follows for the years ended September 30:

Cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

2022 compared to 2021

The decrease in cash flows from continuing operations provided by operating activities during fiscal 2022 compared to 2021 was largely driven by spend related to evaluating and planning for the separation of the businesses, in addition to unfavorable changes in other assets and liabilities primarily due to cloud computing investments and the timing of certain prepayments.

2021 compared to 2020

The increase in cash flows from continuing operations provided by operating activities during fiscal 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily driven by higher cash earnings, partially offset by unfavorable changes in other assets and liabilities.

Investing activities

2022 compared to 2021

The decrease in cash flows from continuing operations used in investing activities for fiscal 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to lower current year acquisition activity of $231.0 million, partially offset by higher current year additions to property, plant, and equipment of $28.9 million.

2021 compared to 2020

The increase in cash flows from continuing operations used in investing activities for fiscal 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to higher acquisition activity of $241.6 million in fiscal 2021, partially offset by franchisee COVID-19 relief loan activity where repayments in fiscal 2021 compared to lending in fiscal 2020 to generate a $44.6 million year-over-year source of cash.

Financing activities

2022 compared to 2021

The decrease in cash flows from continuing operations used in financing activities for fiscal 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to:

•Returning $14.0 million more in cash to shareholders through an increase in share repurchases.

•Net repayments on borrowings were $283.2 million less during the current fiscal year due to the prior year redemption of the $800.0 million 2025 Notes using proceeds from the issuance of the $535.0 million 2031 Notes in combination with cash and cash equivalents.

2021 compared to 2020

The increase in cash flows from continuing operations used in financing activities for fiscal 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to:

•Returning $73.7 million more in cash to shareholders through increased share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2021. These increases were due to the resumption of share repurchase activity following the suspension in the prior year at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve liquidity along with an 11% increase in the dividend rate during fiscal 2021.

•Increased net repayments on borrowings during fiscal 2021 due to net proceeds from the $535.0 million 2031 Notes and cash and cash equivalents used to redeem the $800.0 million 2025 Notes. During fiscal 2020, net proceeds primarily related to the issuance of the 4.250% senior unsecured notes due 2030 with an aggregate principal amount of $600.0 million (the “2030 Notes”).

Continuing operations free cash flow

The following table sets forth free cash flow and discretionary cash flow from continuing operations and reconciles cash flows from operating activities to both measures. As previously noted, free cash flow has certain limitations, including that it does not reflect adjustments for certain non-discretionary cash flows, such as mandatory debt repayments. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” within this Item 7 for additional information regarding this non-GAAP measure.

For the years ended September 30

Cash flows provided by operating activities $ 134.4 $ 182.2 $ 127.2

Less: Maintenance capital expenditures (19.3) (17.6) (15.2)

Less: Growth capital expenditures (112.7) (85.5) (78.8)

2022 compared to 2021

The decrease in free cash flow from continuing operations over the prior year was driven by lower cash flow provided by operating activities along with increased investments in capital expenditures. Cash flow from operating activities includes increased spend in the current year related to evaluating and planning the separation of Valvoline’s businesses, while higher capital expenditures primarily related growth-related investments in new store construction within the United States.

2021 compared to 2020

The increase in free cash flow from continuing operations for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by higher cash flow provided by operating activities, partially offset by increased capital expenditures during fiscal 2021, primarily related to new store construction and capital improvements for acquired stores.

Discontinued operations cash flows

Valvoline has historically satisfied its short-term working capital and operational needs, in addition to indebtedness and other obligations, through the earnings, assets and cash flows generated by its consolidated operations. Following the Transaction, Valvoline will not be able to rely on the earnings, assets or cash flows that are attributable to the Global Products business. The cash flows of the discontinued operation are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and are summarized below for the years ended September 30:

Cash provided by (used in):

Investing activities $ (36.7) $ (41.2) $ (63.2)

2022 compared to 2021

The decrease in operating cash flows provided by discontinued operations was primarily driven by unfavorable changes in net working capital due to increases in receivables and inventory. Investing activities of the discontinued operation were lower in fiscal 2022 primarily related to decreased capital expenditures due to higher spend in fiscal 2021 as the China blending and packaging facility commenced operation. Financing activities provided cash in fiscal 2022 due to net proceeds from borrowings under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, while the prior year had net repayment activity primarily attributed to the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility that more than offset borrowings under the China Construction Facility.

2021 compared to 2020

The decrease in cash flows provided from operating activities by discontinued operations was driven by lower income from discontinued operations during fiscal 2021 primarily attributed to raw material cost inflation. Investing activities of the discontinued operation were lower in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 driven by lower capital expenditures related to the China blending and packaging facility, which was being constructed during fiscal 2020. Financing activities were a use of cash in fiscal 2021 due to net repayments driven by the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility partially offset by borrowings under the China Construction Facility, while both facilities provided net proceeds during fiscal 2020 in support of maintaining liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic and construction of the China blending and packaging plant.

Debt

The following table summarizes Valvoline’s continuing operations debt as of September 30:

Trade Receivables Facility 105.0 58.5

Debt issuance costs and discounts (12.4) (13.8)

Current portion of long-term debt 162.5 —

Inclusive of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, approximately 87% of Valvoline's outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2022 had fixed rates, with the remainder bearing variable interest rates. As of September 30, 2022, Valvoline was in compliance with all covenants of its debt obligations and had borrowing capacity remaining of $470.0 million for its facilities expected to remain in place after closing the Transaction. Refer to Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details regarding the Company’s debt instruments.

Material cash requirements

The Company's material cash requirements for the continuing operations include the following contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2022:

(In millions) Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years 5 years and more

(a)In connection the sale of the Global Products business, outstanding borrowings and interest under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility are required to be repaid and are presented within the less than 1 year categories above. The cash flows associated with these repayments will be reported as cash flows attributed to the discontinued operation.

(b)A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of Global Products may be utilized to reduce debt that is classified in the table above based on its current contractual maturity.

(c)Includes interest expense on both variable and fixed rate debt, assuming no prepayments other than for the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility noted above. Variable interest rates have been assumed to remain constant through payment at the rates that existed as of September 30, 2022.

(d)Includes projected benefit payments through fiscal 2032 for Valvoline’s unfunded benefit plans. Excludes benefit payments from pension plan trust funds.

Fiscal 2023 capital expenditures

Valvoline is currently forecasting approximately $170.0 million to $200.0 million of capital expenditures for fiscal 2023, funded primarily from operating cash flows.

Pension and other postretirement plan obligations

The Company makes cash and non-cash contributions and payments for its pension and other postretirement plans. During fiscal 2022, these were $16.2 million, consisting of $7.9 million in cash payments, for U.S. plans within the continuing operations and $2.5 million of cash contributions and payments for non-U.S. plans attributed to the discontinued operation. Based on current data and assumptions, the Company does not anticipate the need to satisfy any minimum funding requirements to its U.S. qualified pension plans for at least the next 5 years. Refer to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Company's U.S. pension and other postretirement plans.

Dividend payments and share repurchases

During the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid $89.2 million of cash dividends for $0.500 per common share and repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares of its common stock for $142.6 million. Share repurchases were made pursuant to the May 17, 2021 Board to repurchase up to $300 million of common stock through September 30, 2024 (the "2021 Share Repurchase Authorization").

On November 21, 2022, the Board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable December 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on December 2, 2022. Additionally, the Company repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares for an aggregate amount of $51.2 million from October 1, 2022 through November 18, 2022 pursuant to the 2021 Share Repurchase Authorization.

The Company announced on November 15, 2022 that its Board approved a share repurchase authorization of $1.6 billion (the “2022 Share Repurchase Authorization”). The Board approved the 2022 Share Repurchase Authorization to effectuate a significant return of capital to shareholders of a substantial portion of the expected net proceeds from the sale of the Global Products business. The Company generally expects to repurchase shares of its common stock up to the full amount of authorization within 18 months of closing the sale of Global Products. However, the timing and amount of any repurchases of common stock will be solely at the discretion of the Company and is subject to general business and market conditions, including closing the sale of Global Products,

as well as other factors, including legal and regulatory restrictions. The 2022 Share Repurchase Authorization is in addition to the 2021 Share Repurchase Authorization of which $79.2 million remained as of November 18, 2022.

The dividend and share repurchase authorization is part of a broader capital allocation framework to deliver value to shareholders by first driving growth in the business, organically and through acquisitions and franchise development, and then returning excess cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Future declarations of quarterly dividends are subject to approval by the Board and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change. As focus further shifts to the growth of Valvoline in connection with the sale of Global Products, the Company expects to discontinue the dividend following the December 2022 payment and return value to shareholders through share repurchases. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be at the discretion of the Company and based on Valvoline's liquidity, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.

Summary

As of September 30, 2022, the continuing operation had cash and cash equivalents of $23.4 million, total debt of $1.7 billion, and remaining borrowing capacity of $470.0 million for facilities expected to remain in place after closing the Transaction. Valvoline’s ability to generate positive cash flows from operations is dependent on general economic conditions, the competitive environment in the industry, and is subject to the business and other risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Valvoline’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to repay its indebtedness and other obligations and to maintain sufficient working capital will depend on Valvoline’s ability to generate cash following the Transaction. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or otherwise comply with the terms of its credit facilities, Valvoline may be required to seek additional financing alternatives.

Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity based on its current cash and cash equivalents position, cash generated from business operations, and existing financing in place, to meet its pension and other postretirement plan requirements, debt servicing obligations, tax-related and other material cash and operating requirements for the next twelve months.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For a discussion and analysis of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements and the impact on Valvoline, refer to Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of Valvoline’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent matters. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, employee benefit obligations, business combinations, income taxes, and customer incentives.

Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Valvoline’s significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company believes the accounting estimates listed below are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the reported financial results, and require the most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Employee benefit obligations

Actuarial assumptions

Significant assumptions the Company must review and set annually and at each measurement date related to its pension and other postretirement benefit obligations in both continuing and discontinued operations are:

•Expected long-term return on plan assets — The expected long-term return on plan assets assumption reflects the long-term average rate of return plan assets are expected to earn. This assumption is determined considering each plan's asset allocation targets and overall expected performance, including evaluation of the most recent long-term historical returns, as applicable. The weighted-average long-term expected rate of return on assets assumption was 4.06% for fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2022, the global pension plan assets generated an actual weighted-average negative return of 22.5%, primarily driven by a challenging market environment and unfavorable performance of the plan assets of the U.S. qualified pension plans. The Company’s investment strategy is to hedge the movement in liabilities related to changes in discount rates with investments of a matched duration that provide offsetting returns aligned with changes in interest rates. The expected return on plan assets is designed to be a long-term assumption, and therefore, actual returns will be subject to year-to-year variances. The U.S. qualified pension plans comprise the most significant portion of plan assets, and for fiscal 2023, the expected rate of return on assets assumption for the U.S. qualified pension plans in fiscal 2023 will be 4.90%. The expected long-term return on plan assets assumption has no impact on the reported net liability or net actuarial gains or losses upon remeasurement but does impact the recurring non-service net periodic income recognized ratably throughout the year.

Valvoline’s pension plans hold a variety of investments designed to diversify risk. Plan assets are invested in equity securities, government and agency securities, corporate debt, and other non-traditional assets such as hedge funds. The investment goal of the pension plans is to achieve an adequate net investment return to provide for future benefit payments to its participants. Target asset allocation percentages as of September 30, 2022 for the U.S. qualified pension plans were 90% fixed income and 10% equity

investments. The U.S. qualified pension plans are managed by professional investment managers that operate under investment management contracts that include specific investment guidelines, requiring among other actions, adequate diversification and prudent use of risk management practices such as portfolio constraints relating to established benchmarks. Valvoline’s investment strategy and management practices relative to plan assets of non-U.S. plans generally are consistent except in those countries where investment of plan assets is dictated by applicable regulations. Holding all other assumptions constant, a hypothetical 1.00% change in the expected long-term return on plan assets assumption for the U.S. qualified pension plans would impact fiscal 2022 recurring non-service pension income by $19.2 million.

•Discount rate — Reflects the rates at which benefits could effectively be settled and is based on current investment yields of high-quality corporate bonds. Consistent with historical practice, the Company uses an actuarially-developed full yield curve approach, the above mean yield curve, to match the timing of cash flows of expected future benefit payments from the plans by applying specific spot rates along the yield curve to determine the assumed discount rate. Valvoline’s fiscal 2022 expense, excluding actuarial gains and losses, for both U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans was determined using the spot discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The service and interest cost discount rates for fiscal 2022 pension expense were 1.67% and 2.11%, respectively, and 3.77% and 2.11%, respectively, for other postretirement expense. The weighted-average discount rate at the end of fiscal 2022 was 5.41% for the pension plans and 5.49% for the postretirement health and life plans.

The following table illustrates the estimated impact on hypothetical pension and other postretirement expense that would have resulted from a one percentage point change in discount rates in isolation of impacts on other significant assumptions in the years ended September 30:

Pension benefits

Increase in benefit obligation $ 150.9 $ 247.2

Increased return on plan assets (a) (138.7) $ (211.1)

Estimated hypothetical increase in expense 12.2 36.1

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Valvoline is exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in:

•Inflation and changing prices;

•Interest rates;

•Credit risk; and

•Currency exchange rates.

These market risks are described further below. In addition, refer to Item 1A of Part I in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of these and other risks, including the potential risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inflation and changing prices

The cost of materials and labor used in Valvoline’s maintenance services are affected by cost inflation and global commodity prices that could expose Valvoline to risks in its results. Valvoline can mitigate this risk through passing along price increases to its customers; however, the ability to pass on these price increases is largely dependent upon market conditions. In fiscal 2022, results were impacted by rising inflationary costs, a significant portion of which were passed through to customers through a series of price increases. Contracts with Valvoline’s independent operators are generally indexed to accommodate changes in material prices. Valvoline may not always be able to raise prices in response to increased costs or may experience delays in passing through such costs, as its ability to do so is largely dependent upon market conditions.

Interest rate risk

The Company is subject to modest interest rate risk in relation to its variable-rate debt. Inclusive of the Company's interest rate swap agreements, 87% of the Company’s outstanding borrowings had fixed rates as of September 30, 2022. The increase in interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2022 from a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in variable interest rates would be approximately $2.2 million.

In addition, the Company is exposed to market risk relative to the impact of changes in interest rates and investment returns on its pension and other postretirement plans. Declines in the discount rates used in measuring the Company's pension and other postretirement plan obligations result in a higher obligation and decrease the funded status. The pension plans hold a variety of investments designed to diversify risk, protect against declines in interest rates, and achieve an adequate net investment return to provide for future benefit payments to its participants. These investments are subject to variability that can be caused by fluctuations in general economic conditions. Decreases in the fair value of plan assets and discount rates increase net pension and other postretirement plan expense and can also result in requirements to make contributions to the plans. Pension and other postretirement plans were underfunded by $177.8 million at September 30, 2022 as the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets.

Credit risk

The Company is potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk on financial instruments, such as derivative instruments and cash and cash equivalents. Credit risk includes the risk of nonperformance by counterparties, and the maximum potential loss may exceed the amount recognized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Exposure to credit risk is managed by selecting highly-rated financial institutions as counterparties to transactions and monitoring procedures. As of September 30, 2022, there was not a significant concentration of credit risk related to financial instruments.

Currency exchange risk

Substantially all of Valvoline’s operations and sales of its continuing operation occur in the U.S., resulting in limited exposure to currency exchange. Valvoline uses derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consisting primarily of forward contracts to hedge non-functional currency denominated balance sheet exposures. These contracts are recorded within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities at fair market value. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized in income to offset the gain or loss on the hedged item. The Company utilizes derivative instruments that are purchased exclusively from highly-rated financial institutions.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) 52

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 54

Consolidated Balance Sheets 55

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 56

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) 57

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 58

Note 1 - Description of Business and Basis of Presentation 58

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies 58

Note 3 - Discontinued Operations 68

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements 70

Note 5 - Business Combinations 72

Note 6 - Leasing 74

Note 7 - Intangible Assets 75

Note 8 - Debt 76

Note 9 - Income Taxes 79

Note 10 - Employee Benefit Plans 83

Note 11 - Litigation, Claims and Contingencies 88

Note 12 - Stock-Based Compensation Plans 89

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share 91

Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 91

Note 15 - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information 92

Note 16 - Quarterly Financial Information 94

Note 17 - Subsequent Events 94

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated November 23, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter 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 matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.

Valuation of Employee Benefit Obligations

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Louisville, Kentucky

November 23, 2022

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Years ended September 30

Selling, general and administrative expenses 244.7 223.9 177.2

Net legacy and separation-related expenses (income) 20.5 (23.6) (30.0)

Other income, net (9.1) (8.1) (6.4)

Net pension and other postretirement plan expenses (income) 6.9 (128.2) (54.9)

Net interest and other financing expenses 69.3 108.3 92.1

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 314.9 220.2 247.0

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share $ 2.35 $ 2.29 $ 1.69

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

Currency translation adjustments (39.6) 6.6 6.7

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 12.5 1.7 (0.9)

Other comprehensive loss (28.8) (0.7) (3.1)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of September 30

(In millions, except per share amounts) 2022 2021

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 23.4 $ 122.6

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 38.0 27.3

Noncurrent assets

Property, plant and equipment, net 668.6 559.8

Goodwill and intangibles, net 663.1 642.2

Deferred tax assets 61.6 —

Noncurrent assets held for sale — 562.7

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt $ 162.5 $ 15.0

Trade and other payables 45.0 38.6

Accrued expenses and other liabilities 172.6 139.2

Current liabilities held for sale 539.3 375.9

Noncurrent liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities held for sale — 132.5

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (21.3) 7.5

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,416.8 $ 3,191.0

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended September 30

Cash flows from operating activities

Adjustments to reconcile to cash flows from operations

Loss on extinguishment of debt — 36.4 19.4

Stock-based compensation expense 14.4 13.7 12.1

Change in assets and liabilities

Payables and accrued liabilities 24.5 26.7 3.2

Operating cash flows from continuing operations 134.4 182.2 127.2

Operating cash flows from discontinued operations 149.8 221.7 244.5

Total cash provided by operating activities 284.2 403.9 371.7

Cash flows from investing activities

Additions to property, plant and equipment (132.0) (103.1) (94.0)

Notes receivable, net of repayments of $2.7 million in 2020 11.2 16.9 (27.7)

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (50.7) (281.7) (40.1)

Other investing activities, net 0.6 9.2 2.4

Investing cash flows from continuing operations (170.9) (358.7) (159.4)

Investing cash flows from discontinued operations (36.7) (41.2) (63.2)

Total cash used in investing activities (207.6) (399.9) (222.6)

Cash flows from financing activities

Premium paid to extinguish debt — (26.2) (15.5)

Other financing activities (16.0) (10.0) (3.3)

Financing cash flows from continuing operations (262.9) (526.1) 345.2

Financing cash flows from discontinued operations 44.0 (9.4) 105.1

Total cash (used in) provided by financing activities (218.9) (535.5) 450.3

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of year 231.4 760.5 159.4

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of year $ 83.9 $ 231.4 $ 760.5

Supplemental disclosures

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

Common stock

(In millions, except per share amounts) Shares Amount

Dividends paid, $0.452 per common share — — 0.4 (84.7) — (84.3)

Stock-based compensation, net of issuances — — 10.3 — — 10.3

Repurchases of common stock (3.2) — — (59.8) — (59.8)

Cumulative effect of adoption of leasing standard, net of tax — — — 2.1 — 2.1

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (3.1) (3.1)

Dividends paid, $0.500 per common share — — 0.6 (91.5) — (90.9)

Stock-based compensation, net of issuances — — 10.1 — — 10.1

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (0.7) (0.7)

Dividends paid, $0.500 per common share — — 0.5 (89.7) — (89.2)

Stock-based compensation, net of issuances 0.3 — 8.4 — — 8.4

Repurchases of common stock (4.5) — — (142.6) — (142.6)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (28.8) (28.8)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of business

Valvoline Inc. (“Valvoline” or the “Company”) is a leader in vehicle care delivering quick, easy, and trusted preventive maintenance services in its stores throughout the United States (“U.S.”) and Canada. The Company operates and franchises over 1,700 service center locations and is the second and third largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores through its Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Great Canadian Oil Change retail locations. From cabin air filters to battery replacements to tire rotations, the Company’s stay-in-your-car service model offers a vast array of solutions for all types of vehicles.

Established in 1866, Valvoline’s heritage spans more than 155 years, during which it has developed recognition across multiple channels. Valvoline's services performed at its retail stores using Valvoline-branded passenger car motor oils and complementary products are designed to serve evolving maintenance needs and improve vehicle and engine performance and lifespan.

Strategic separation

On July 31, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Global Products business to Aramco for a cash purchase price of $2.65 billion, subject to customary adjustments with respect to working capital and net indebtedness. The transaction is subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to close in early calendar year 2023. Global Products sells engine and automotive products in more than 140 countries and territories to retailers, installers, and commercial customers to service light- and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

In all periods presented within these consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities associated with the Global Products disposal group have been classified as held for sale within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and its operations have been classified as discontinued operations within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows. Refer to Note 3 for additional information regarding the Global Products business, including the assets and liabilities held for sale and income from discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, disclosures within the remaining notes to these consolidated financial statements relate solely to the Company's continuing operations.

As a result of classifying the former Global Products reportable segment as a discontinued operation, the Company has determined that it now operates a single reportable segment as the chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance on a consolidated basis for the continuing operations.

Basis of presentation and consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations. The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis for all periods presented and include the operations of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto to conform to the current period presentation.

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Valvoline’s significant accounting policies, which conform to U.S. GAAP and are applied on a consistent basis in all periods presented, except when otherwise disclosed, are described below.

Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent matters. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Valvoline has substantially maintained its operations throughout the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic to-date and has continued precautionary measures to protect the Company's employees and customers and manage through the currently known impacts on its business. Given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, the extent of future impacts cannot be reasonably estimated at this time due to numerous uncertainties, including the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic.

Held for sale and discontinued operations

The Company classifies assets and liabilities to be sold (disposal group) as held for sale in the period when all of the applicable criteria are met, including: (i) management commits to a plan to sell, (ii) the disposal group is available to sell in its present condition, (iii) there is an active program to locate a buyer, (iv) the disposal group is being actively marketed at a reasonable price in relation to its fair value, (v) significant changes to the plan to sell are unlikely, and (vi) the sale of the disposal group is generally probable of being completed within one year. Management performs an assessment at least quarterly or when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that a change in classification may be necessary.

Assets and liabilities held for sale are presented separately within the Consolidated Balance Sheets with any adjustments necessary to measure the disposal group at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible and right-of-use assets are not recorded while these assets are classified as held for sale. For each period the disposal group remains classified as held for sale, its recoverability is reassessed and any necessary adjustments are made to its carrying value.

The Company reports the results of operations of a business as discontinued operations if a disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on its operations and financial results. The results of discontinued operations are reported as Income from discontinued operations, net of tax in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Income from discontinued operations includes direct costs attributable to the divested business and excludes any cost allocations associated with any shared or corporate functions unless otherwise dedicated to the divested business. Income from discontinued operations will include any gain or loss recognized upon disposition or from adjustment of the carrying amount to fair value less costs to sell while classified as held for sale.

Transactions between the businesses held for sale and businesses held for use that are expected to continue after the disposal are not eliminated in order to appropriately reflect the continuing operations as well as the activity to be disposed of. Interest costs are included as a component of Income from discontinued operations for debt specifically attributable to the discontinued operation or debt that is obligated to be repaid in connection with the completion of the divestiture. Activity within comprehensive income directly associated with a divested business is not realized as a component of Income from discontinued operations until completion of the sale or disposition.

Cash and cash equivalents

All short-term, highly liquid investments having original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Receivables and allowance for credit losses

The majority of Valvoline’s sales are tendered at the point of service in its retail stores, and its receivables are generally limited to those with its fleet customers and independent store operators, in addition to credit card receivables. Valvoline recognizes a receivable within its Consolidated Balance Sheets once control is transferred, typically upon the completion of services, at which point its right to consideration becomes unconditional and only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due. As the majority of the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time and customers typically do not make material payments in advance, nor does Valvoline have a right to consideration in advance of control transfer, the Company has no contract assets or contract liabilities.

Valvoline adopted guidance in fiscal 2021 that changed the recognition of credit losses from an incurred or probable loss methodology to a current expected credit loss model, which results in the immediate recognition of losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments, principally trade and other receivables. Allowances are maintained to estimate expected lifetime credit losses that are based on a broad range of reasonable and supportable information and factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, the financial health of its customers, macroeconomic conditions, and historical collection experience. If the financial condition of its customers deteriorates or other circumstances occur that result in an impairment of customers’ ability to make payments, the Company records additional allowances as needed. The Company writes off uncollectible receivables against the allowance when collection efforts have been exhausted and/or any legal action taken by the Company has concluded.

Inventories

Inventories are comprised of purchased finished goods that are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the weighted average cost method. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and the estimated utilization of inventory. Excess and obsolete reserves are established when inventory is estimated to not be usable based on forecasts, demand, life cycle, or utility.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings generally have useful lives of seven to twenty years and machinery and equipment typically have five to seven year useful lives, dependent on the nature and utility of the assets. Building and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the period from which the date the assets are placed in service to the end of the lease term, as appropriate. Depreciation expense is recognized in Cost of sales or Selling, general and administrative expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income based on the function the underlying asset supports. Property, plant and equipment is relieved of the cost and related accumulated depreciation when assets are disposed of or otherwise retired. Gains or losses on the dispositions of property, plant and equipment are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and generally reported in Other income, net.

Property, plant and equipment carrying values are evaluated for recoverability at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows when impairment indicators are present. Such indicators could include, among other factors, operating losses, unused capacity, market value declines and technological obsolescence. Recorded values of asset groups of long-lived assets that are not expected to be recovered through undiscounted future net cash flows are written down to fair value, which generally is determined from estimated discounted future net cash flows (assets held for use) or net realizable value (assets held for sale).

Leases

Certain of the properties Valvoline utilizes, including its retail service center stores, offices, and storage facilities, in addition to certain equipment, are leased, with a small portion subleased primarily to Valvoline's franchisees. In fiscal 2020, Valvoline adopted new guidance related to leases using the optional transition approach, with

prospective application from adoption on October 1, 2019 and the financial statements prior to adoption reported in accordance with the previous guidance. Valvoline's policies under the new guidance are outlined below.

Valvoline determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception primarily based on whether or not the Company has the right to control the asset during the contract period. For all agreements where it is determined that a lease exists, the related lease assets and liabilities are recognized within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either operating or finance leases at the commencement date.

The lease liability is measured based on the present value of future payments over the lease term, and the right-of-use asset is measured as the lease liability, adjusted for prepaid lease payments, lease incentives, and initial direct costs (e.g., commissions). Valvoline's leases generally have terms ranging from less than one year to more than 20 years, and leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are included in the measurement of its right-of-use asset and lease liability balances. The lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.

Fixed rental payments, including variable payments based on a rate or index, are included in the determination of the lease liability. Many leases also require the payment of taxes, insurance, operating expenses, and maintenance. In instances where these other components are fixed, they are included in the measurement of the lease liability due to Valvoline's election to combine lease and non-lease components and account for them as a single component. Otherwise, these components are recognized along with other variable lease payments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

As most leases do not provide the rate implicit in the lease, the Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate to best approximate the rate of interest that Valvoline would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Valvoline applies the incremental borrowing rate to groups of leases with similar lease terms in determining the present value of future payments. In determining the incremental borrowing rate, the Company considers information available at the commencement date, including lease term, interest rate yields for specific interest rate environments and the Company's credit spread.

Business combinations

The Company allocates the purchase consideration to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations based on their acquisition-date fair values. The excess of the purchase consideration over the amounts assigned to the identifiable assets and liabilities is recognized as goodwill, or if the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeds the purchase consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Factors giving rise to goodwill generally include operational synergies that are anticipated as a result of the business combination and growth expected to result in economic benefits from access to new customers and markets. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are generally determined using an income approach, requiring financial forecasts and estimates as well as market participant assumptions.

The incremental financial results of the businesses that Valvoline has acquired are included in the Company’s consolidated financial results from the respective dates of each acquisition.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Valvoline evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of July 1 or when events and circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. This assessment consists of evaluating each reporting unit’s fair value compared to its carrying value. Goodwill has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing based upon the relative fair value of the asset to each reporting unit. At the time of Company’s annual impairment assessment, Valvoline’s reporting units were consistent with its former reportable segments of Retail Services and Global Products. Subsequent to this annual assessment and as a result of classifying the former Global Products reportable segment as a discontinued operation, the Company has determined it has one reporting unit as of September 30, 2022.

In evaluating goodwill for impairment, Valvoline has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary or to perform a quantitative assessment by comparing the fair value

of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Under the qualitative assessment, the Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors considered include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, and overall financial performance, among others.

Under the quantitative assessment, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the amount of the impairment loss, if any, is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill over its fair value, not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Fair values of the reporting units are estimated using a weighted methodology considering the output from both the income and market approaches. The income approach incorporates the use of a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis, and a number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF model to forecast operating cash flows, including markets and market shares, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, tax rates, capital spending, discount rate, weighted average cost of capital, terminal values, and working capital changes. Several of these assumptions vary among reporting units, and the cash flow forecasts are generally based on approved strategic operating plans. The market approach is performed using the Guideline Public Companies method based on earnings multiple data. The Company also performs a reconciliation between market capitalization and the estimated aggregate fair value of the reporting units, including consideration of a control premium.

Acquired finite-lived intangible assets principally consist of certain trademarks and trade names, reacquired franchise rights, and customer relationships. Intangible assets acquired in an asset acquisition are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. For intangible assets acquired in a business combination, the estimated fair values of the assets acquired are used to establish the carrying values, which are determined using assumptions from the perspective of a market participant and generally an income approach. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Valvoline evaluates finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, and any assets not expected to be recovered through undiscounted future net cash flows are written down to current fair value.

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans

Valvoline sponsors defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in the U.S. The Company's U.S. pension plans are closed to new participants and the accrual of pension benefits has been frozen since September 30, 2016. Valvoline also sponsors retiree healthcare and life insurance plans for certain qualifying participants with amendments effective in fiscal 2017 to limit annual per capita costs.

Valvoline recognizes the funded status of each applicable plan within the Consolidated Balance Sheets whereby each unfunded plan is recognized as a liability and each funded plan is recognized as either an asset or liability based on its funded status. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses are recognized upon remeasurement as of September 30, the annual measurement date, and whenever a remeasurement is triggered. The remaining components of pension and other postretirement benefits income or expense are recorded ratably throughout the year.

The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of assets held by irrevocable trust funds for the sole benefit of participants, and the benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of the benefits expected to be paid upon retirement, death, or other distributable event based on estimates. These valuations reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age and years of service, as well as certain key assumptions that require significant judgment, including, but not limited to, estimates of discount rates, rate of compensation increases, interest rates and mortality rates. Actuarial gains and losses may be related to actual results that differ from assumptions as well as changes in assumptions, which may occur each year. All components of net periodic benefit income or costs are recognized below operating income within Net pension and other postretirement plan (income) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Commitments and contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably

VVV US Equity

VVV · 10-K · period ended 2022-09-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

VVV US Equity☆

VVV · 10-K · period ended 2022-09-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

VVV US Equity