Sonoco reports third quarter 2015 results

Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today reported consolidated financial results for its third quarter, ending September 27, 2015.(2014 consolidated financial results referenced in this news release have been restated to reflect adjustments associated with the previously reported misstatements of the Company’s Irapuato, Mexico, packaging center. Information on the restatement is available in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.)

Third Quarter Highlights

• Third quarter 2015 GAAP earnings per diluted share were $.43, compared with $.65 in 2014.
• Third quarter 2015 GAAP results include $.12 per diluted share, after tax, of foreign exchange related asset impairment charges related to its operations in Venezuela; $.06 per diluted share, after-tax, in asset impairment and restructuring charges; in addition to $.05 per diluted share, after tax, in legal and financial professional expenses associated with the above mentioned financial misstatements at the Irapuato packaging center. Third quarter 2014
• GAAP results included after-tax charges of $.04 per diluted share related to restructuring activities and acquisition costs.
• Base net income attributable to Sonoco (base earnings) for third quarter 2015 was $.65 per diluted share, compared with $.69 in 2014. (See base earnings definition and reconciliation later in this release.) Base earnings in the 2014 quarter benefited from the settlement of a lawsuit which added approximately $.03 per diluted share, after tax. Sonoco previously provided third quarter base earnings guidance of $.65 to $.70 per diluted share.
• Third quarter 2015 net sales declined approximately 2 percent to $1.24 billion.
• Cash flow from operations for the third quarter was $145 million, compared with $162 million in 2014. Free cash flow was $56 million, compared with $83 million in 2014. (See free cash flow definition later in this release.)

Earnings Guidance Update

• Base earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 are estimated to be in the range of $.59 to $.64 per diluted share. Base earnings in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $.61 per diluted share.
• Full-year 2015 base earnings guidance is updated to $2.46 to $2.51 per diluted share versus previous guidance of $2.48 to $2.58. 2015 free cash flow projection is unchanged at approximately $140 million.

“We are encouraged by the continued solid momentum achieved by our Consumer Packaging and Protective Solutions segments during the quarter,” said Sonoco President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Sanders. “However, weak performance in our Industrial-focused businesses kept overall results at the low end of our expectations. Overall, gains from acquisitions, manufacturing productivity improvements and a positive price/cost relationship were more than offset by soft volume, a negative mix in some of our businesses and higher labor, pension, maintenance and other operating costs along with the negative impact of continued strength of the U.S. dollar. “Operating profits in our Consumer Packaging segment were up 11 percent and reached a record for the fourth consecutive quarter. The current quarter improvement was a result of gains from acquisitions, a positive price/cost relationship and manufacturing productivity improvements. Additionally, volume increased in the segment as gains in flexible packaging and international composite cans were only partially offset by declines in North America composite cans. These positive factors more than offset higher labor, pension, maintenance, other operating costs, and negative changes in product mix. Operating profits in our Display and Packaging segment showed significant improvement due to strong manufacturing productivity gains and volume growth in our international display and packaging business. These positive factors were partially offset by higher labor, maintenance and other operating costs. “Our Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment experienced a significant decline in operating profits during the quarter driven by weak volume in North America and emerging markets, a negative mix of business and higher labor, pension, maintenance and other operating costs, which were partially offset by modest improvement in manufacturing productivity. “In our Protective Solutions segment, operating profits grew 26 percent due to continued strong volume growth, a positive price/cost relationship and manufacturing productivity improvements, which more than offset negative mix and higher labor, maintenance and other operating costs.”

GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco in the third quarter was $43.9 million, or $.43 per diluted share, compared with $67.1 million, or $.65 per diluted share, in the prior-year. Base earnings in the third quarter were $66.7 million, or $.65 per diluted share, compared with $70.8 million, or $.69 per diluted share, in 2014. Both GAAP and base prior-year earnings benefited from the settlement of a lawsuit which added approximately $.03 per diluted share, after tax, in the quarter. Base earnings and base earnings per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures adjusted to remove restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition expenses and other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believesì improves comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business. Third quarter base earnings exclude $12.1 million, or $.12 per diluted share, in after-tax asset impairment charges related to exchange rates in Venezuela; $5.9 million in after-tax charges, or $.06 per diluted share, related to previously announced restructurings and asset impairment and acquisition costs; and $4.8 million in after tax charges, or $.05 per diluted share, in legal and financial professional fees incurred to investigate and correct the financial misstatements at the Irapuato packaging center. Base earnings in the third quarter of 2014 excluded after-tax charges of $3.7 million, or $.04 per diluted share, stemming from asset impairments, restructuring costs and acquisition expenses. Additional information about base earnings and base earnings per diluted share, along with reconciliation to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measures, is provided later in this release. Net sales for the third quarter were $1.24 billion, down approximately 2 percent, compared with $1.26 billion in last year’s quarter. Sales were negatively impacted $82 million by foreign exchange along with lower selling prices stemming from the year-over-year decline in recovered paper and resin costs. These negative factors essentially offset net acquisition sales gains of $64 million and modest volume growth. Gross profit was $229 million in the third quarter, up about 3 percent, compared with $222 million in the same period in 2014. Gross profit as a percent of sales improved to 18.5 percent, compared with 17.6 percent in the same period in 2014.

The Company’s third quarter selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses on a GAAP basis were $130 million, or 10.5 percent of sales, compared with $111 million, or 8.8 percent of sales. The increase was largely attributable to legal and professional costs associated with the investigation of the Irapuato packaging center misstatement, higher labor expenses and costs associated with newly acquired businesses, while SG&A was reduced in 2014 by legal settlement proceeds. Cash generated from operations in the third quarter was $145 million, compared with $162 million in the same period in 2014. Operating cash flow was lower this quarter primarily due to lower GAAP net income, higher cash taxes and changes in working capital. Net capital expenditures and cash dividends were $54 million and $35 million, respectively, during the quarter, compared with $47 million and $32 million, respectively, during the same period in 2014. (Net capital expenditures is defined as capital expenditures minus proceeds from the disposal of capital assets). Free cash flow for the third quarter of 2015 was $56 million, compared with $83 million for the same period last year. (Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations minus net capital expenditures and cash dividends).