Element Solutions Announces 2022 Q4, FY Financial Results

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Element Solutions Inc, a global and diversified specialty chemicals company, announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

Executive Commentary

President and Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Gliklich commented, “Element Solutions delivered record revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share in 2022. We outperformed our core end markets and grew organically through a persistent focus on servicing customers, pro-active price actions and prudent cost management. Our people were resilient and long-term oriented in a year characterized by short-term disruptions from war to continued COVID lockdowns. Our results were impacted by a general economic softening, raw material inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and a steep decline in consumer electronics demand in the second half. Despite these headwinds, for the full year 2022, we delivered balanced organic growth of 5% in both our business segments. We grew adjusted EBITDA by 8% on a constant currency basis. The hallmark stability of our margin and cash flows was evident once again. While we moderated discretionary spend to preserve profits, we continued to invest in our businesses through bolt-on acquisitions and capital projects. We also returned approximately $230 million to shareholders through dividends and the repurchase of 8 million shares at prices below our view of the intrinsic value of our Company.”

Mr. Gliklich continued, “High-end electronics demand decelerated in the second half of 2022, coinciding with lockdowns and policy shifts that drove a significant slowdown in industrial activity in China. At the same time, after two years of weakness it appears automotive end markets are slowly normalizing and our supply chain channel is clearing. We expect these dynamics to continue in the first half of 2023 and have cautious optimism - but limited visibility - into a more robust recovery in electronics demand in the second half. As a result, we expect 2023 to be more weighted to the second half than a typical year. We expect first quarter adjusted EBITDA growth of 1% to 3% sequentially, reflecting a continuation of late 2022 trends. Despite a slower run rate entering the year, we expect adjusted EBITDA to be roughly flat on a constant currency basis for the full year. While we remain excited about the long-term growth trajectory of our business, we will not lose focus on nimbly navigating these uncertain short-term dynamics through disciplined cost management and process improvement. We continue to take actions designed to protect profits, generate free cash flow to reinvest behind our businesses and keep our company well positioned to capitalize on the compelling long term growth trends propelling our markets forward.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights (compared with fourth quarter 2021): 

Net sales on a reported basis for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $574 million, a decrease of 11% over the fourth quarter of 2021. Organic net sales increased 3%.

• Electronics: Net sales decreased 18% to $338 million. Organic net sales remained approximately flat.
• Industrial & Specialty: Net sales remained approximately flat at $236 million. Organic net sales increased 7%.

Fourth quarter of 2022 earnings per share (EPS) performance:

• GAAP diluted EPS was $0.05, as compared to $0.02 for the same period last year.
• Adjusted EPS was $0.29, as compared to $0.32 for the same period last year.

Reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $13 million, as compared to $6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $108 million, a decrease of 13%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased 2%.

• Electronics: Adjusted EBITDA was $68 million, a decrease of 19%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased 11%.
• Industrial & Specialty: Adjusted EBITDA was $40 million, a decrease of 1%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 16%.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 50 basis points to 18.8%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 20 basis points.

Full Year 2022 Highlights (compared with full year 2021):

Net sales on a reported basis for the full year 2022 were $2.55 billion, an increase of 6% over the prior full year period. Organic net sales increased 5%.

• Electronics: Net sales increased 1% to $1.60 billion. Organic net sales increased 5%.
• Industrial & Specialty: Net sales increased 16% to $945 million. Organic net sales increased 5%.

Full year 2022 EPS performance:

• GAAP diluted EPS was $0.75, as compared to $0.82 for the same period last year.
• Adjusted EPS was $1.41, as compared to $1.38 in 2021.

Reported net income for the full year 2022 was $186 million, as compared to $203 million for 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2022 was $527 million, or a $2 million increase as compared to 2021. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 8%.

• Electronics: Adjusted EBITDA was $362 million, a decrease of 3%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 3%.
• Industrial & Specialty: Adjusted EBITDA was $165 million, an increase of 8%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased 21%.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 120 basis points to 20.7%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 110 basis points.

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.1x on a trailing twelve month basis.

2023 Guidance

For the full year 2023, the Company expects adjusted EBITDA to be approximately flat compared to full year 2022 on a constant currency basis. The Company's guidance range of $510 million to $530 million implies between a 2% decline and 2% increase in adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis, based on mid-February exchange rates. For 2023, the Company expects adjusted EPS in the range of $1.40 to $1.43 and free cash flow of approximately $275 million. In addition, the Company expects first quarter 2023 adjusted EBITDA to grow 1% to 3% relative to the fourth quarter of 2022 and adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2023 to be weighted significantly towards the second half of the year.

Recent Developments

Stock Repurchase Program - During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 8.0 million shares of its common stock for approximately $151 million. The remaining authorization under its stock repurchase program was approximately $581 million at December 31, 2022.

Cash Dividends - On February 13, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.08 per outstanding share of its common stock. The dividend is expected to be paid on March 15, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2023. For the full year 2022, the Company paid cash dividends of $78.4 million.