scl-8k_20211020.htm
false 0000094049 0000094049 2021-10-20 2021-10-20

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): 10/20/2021

 

STEPAN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Commission File Number: 1-4462

 

Delaware

 

36-1823834

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1101 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 500, Northbrook, Illinois 60062

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(847) 446-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Title of each class

 

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each exchange on which registered

 

Common Stock, $1 par value

 

SCL

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Item 2.02.Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On October 20, 2021, Stepan Company (“Stepan”) issued a press release providing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01.Other Events

 

In addition, on October 20, 2021, Stepan issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.335 per share.  The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2021, to common stockholders of record on November 30, 2021.  The press release also announced that the Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase by Stepan of up to $150,000,000 of Stepan’s outstanding common stock.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

On October 20, 2021, Stepan also issued a press release announcing its plans to build an alkoxylation plant at its existing Pasadena, Texas facility.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number: 99.1

Description: Press Release of Stepan Company dated October 20, 2021

 

Exhibit Number: 99.2

Description: Press Release of Stepan Company dated October 20, 2021

 

Exhibit Number: 99.3

Description: Press Release of Stepan Company dated October 20, 2021

 

Exhibit Number:  104

Description:  Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEPAN COMPANY

Date: October 20, 2021   

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

/s/ David G. Kabbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

David G. Kabbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

scl-ex991_15.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Stepan Reports Third Quarter Results and Record Nine Month Earnings

 

Northbrook, Illinois, October 20, 2021 -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

 

Third Quarter Highlights

 

 

Reported net income was $36.9 million, or $1.59 per diluted share versus $33.2 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Adjusted net income* was $36.4 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, versus $36.4 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Total Company sales volume increased 1% versus the prior year.

 

 

 

Surfactant operating income was $34.5 million versus $41.2 million in the prior year.  This decrease was primarily due to supply chain disruptions, lower sales volume and the non-recurrence of a $2.2 million insurance recovery, related to the 2020 Millsdale, IL plant power outage, recognized in the third quarter of 2020.  Global Surfactant sales volume decreased 6% and primarily reflects lower demand for cleaning products in the consumer products business versus the pandemic peak in 2020.  Higher demand for products sold into our institutional cleaning and functional product end markets partially offset the above.

 

 

 

Polymer operating income was $19.8 million versus $22.4 million in the prior year.  Global Polymer sales volume increased 27%.  Global rigid polyol volume was up 32% versus the prior year largely due to the INVISTA polyester polyol acquisition.  The operating income decrease primarily reflects supply chain disruptions and the non-recurrence of two third quarter 2020 events: (i) a $2.8 million insurance recovery related to the 2020 Millsdale, IL plant power outage and; (ii) a $1.2 million partial settlement received from the China government as compensation for the government-mandated China JV shutdown in 2012.  

 

 

 

The Company estimates that the supply chain disruptions negatively impacted Surfactants and Polymers by $4.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively.  Both segments have implemented additional price increases in October to offset inflationary pressures.

 

 

 

Specialty Product operating income was $2.4 million versus $1.6 million in the prior year.  This increase was primarily attributable to order timing differences within our food and flavor business and improved volume and margins within our medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line.

 

 

 

The effect of foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 1% and net income by $0.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, versus the prior year.

 

 

 

The Company increased its quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2021 by $0.03 per share, or 10.9%, marking the 54th consecutive year that the Company has increased its cash dividend to stockholders.  

 

 

1


 

YTD Highlights

 

Reported net income for the first nine months of 2021 was a record $120.8 million, or $5.19 per diluted share, versus $96.4 million, or $4.15 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Adjusted net income* was a record $121.0 million, or $5.20 per diluted

 

 

 

share, versus $98.9 million, or $4.25 per diluted share, in the prior year.  The prior year nine-month results were negatively impacted by the first quarter 2020 Millsdale, IL plant power outage.  Total Company sales volume was up 4% compared to the first nine months of 2020.  A 34% increase in global Polymer sales volume was partially offset by a 4% decrease in global Surfactant sales volume.  

 

*

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) income/expense, as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share.

 

 

“The Company had a solid first nine months of 2021 and delivered record year-to-date results.  Both reported net income and EPS were up 25% and both adjusted net income and adjusted EPS were up 22% versus the first nine months of 2020.  Adjusted third quarter 2021 results were flat with the prior year as the negative impact of global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures were offset by favorable one-time tax benefits,” said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “For the quarter, Surfactant operating income was down 16% largely due to North American supply chain disruptions, higher planned maintenance costs and the non-recurrence of an insurance recovery recognized in the third quarter of 2020.  A 6% decline in global Surfactant sales volume, mostly related to our consumer products business, was offset by improved margins, product and customer mix.  Our Polymer operating income was down 12% mostly due to the non-recurrence of an insurance recovery and compensation received from the Chinese government in the third quarter of 2020.  Global Polymer sales volume was up 27% largely due to the INVISTA acquisition.  Our Specialty Product business results were up due to higher volume and improved margins.”

 

 

Financial Summary

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

Net Sales

$

602,688

 

 

$

464,480

 

 

 

30

%

 

$

1,735,939

 

 

$

1,375,016

 

 

 

26

%

Operating Income

$

40,213

 

 

$

42,395

 

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

150,784

 

 

$

127,022

 

 

 

19

%

Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company **

$

36,920

 

 

$

33,168

 

 

 

11

%

 

$

120,809

 

 

$

96,420

 

 

 

25

%

Earnings per Diluted Share

$

1.59

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

 

11

%

 

$

5.19

 

 

$

4.15

 

 

 

25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income *

$

36,417

 

 

$

36,421

 

 

 

(0

)%

 

$

121,005

 

 

$

98,894

 

 

 

22

%

Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share *

$

1.57

 

 

$

1.56

 

 

 

1

%

 

$

5.20

 

 

$

4.25

 

 

 

22

%

 

Summary of Third Quarter Adjusted Net Income Items

 

Adjusted net income excludes non-operational deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled SARs income/expense and other significant and infrequent or non-recurring items.

 

2


 

 

Deferred Compensation:  The current year third quarter reported net income includes $1.1 million of after-tax income versus $2.6 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

 

 

Cash-Settled SARs:  These management incentive instruments provide cash to participants equal to the appreciation on the price of specified shares of Company stock over a specified period of time.  Because income or expense is recognized merely on the movement in the price of Company stock it has been excluded, similar to deferred compensation, to arrive at adjusted net income.  The current year third quarter includes $0.1 million of after-tax income versus $0.5 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

 

 

Environmental Remediation:  The current year third quarter reported net income includes $0.7 million of after-tax expense versus no expense recognition in the prior year.  The majority of the current year expense reflects EPA environmental remediation oversight costs associated with the Company’s Maywood, New Jersey site.

  

 

Business Restructuring:  The current year third quarter includes $0.1 million of after-tax decommissioning expense related to the Company’s Canadian plant closure versus $0.1 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

 

 

Percentage Change in Net Sales

 

Net sales in the third quarter of 2021 increased 30% year-over-year primarily due to higher selling prices, mainly attributable to improved product and customer mix and the pass-through of higher raw material costs, slightly higher sales volume and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.      

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2021

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2021

 

Volume

 

 

1

%

 

 

4

%

Selling Price & Mix

 

 

28

%

 

 

20

%

Foreign Translation

 

 

1

%

 

 

2

%

Total

 

 

30

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

Reported Segment Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfactants

 

$

387,734

 

 

$

333,839

 

 

 

16

%

 

$

1,142,672

 

 

$

993,245

 

 

 

15

%

Polymers

 

$

198,841

 

 

$

116,682

 

 

 

70

%

 

$

539,764

 

 

$

335,582

 

 

 

61

%

Specialty Products

 

$

16,113

 

 

$

13,959

 

 

 

15

%

 

$

53,503

 

 

$

46,189

 

 

 

16

%

Total Net Sales

 

$

602,688

 

 

$

464,480

 

 

 

30

%

 

$

1,735,939

 

 

$

1,375,016

 

 

 

26

%

 

3


 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax)

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfactants

 

$

34,452

 

 

$

41,151

 

 

 

(16

)%

 

$

133,558

 

 

$

125,810

 

 

 

6

%

Polymers

 

$

19,753

 

 

$

22,387

 

 

 

(12

)%

 

$

60,729

 

 

$

45,430

 

 

 

34

%

Specialty Products

 

$

2,442

 

 

$

1,593

 

 

 

53

%

 

$

12,052

 

 

$

8,803

 

 

 

37

%

Total Segment Operating Income

 

$

56,647

 

 

$

65,131

 

 

 

(13

)%

 

$

206,339

 

 

$

180,043

 

 

 

15

%

Corporate Expenses

 

$

(16,434

)

 

$

(22,736

)

 

 

28

%

 

$

(55,555

)

 

$

(53,021

)

 

 

(5

)%

Consolidated Operating Income

 

$

40,213

 

 

$

42,395

 

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

150,784

 

 

$

127,022

 

 

 

19

%

 

Total segment operating income for the third quarter of 2021 decreased $8.5 million, or 13%, versus the prior year quarter. Total segment operating income for the first nine months of 2021 increased $26.3 million, or 15%, versus the prior year.

 

Surfactant net sales were $387.7 million for the quarter, a 16% increase versus the prior year.  Selling prices were up 20% primarily due to improved product and customer mix as well as the pass-through of higher raw material costs.  The effect of foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 2%.  Sales volume decreased 6% quarter-over-quarter.  Most of this decrease reflects lower sales volume into the North American consumer product end markets due to lower demand for consumer cleaning, disinfection and personal wash products versus the pandemic peak.  Higher demand for products sold into the institutional cleaning and functional product end markets partially offset the above.  Surfactant operating income for the quarter decreased $6.7 million, or 16%, versus the prior year quarter primarily due to inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions and higher planned maintenance expenses.  Also contributing to decline in operating income was the non-recurrence of a $2.2 million insurance recovery, related to the 2020 Millsdale, IL plant power outage, recognized in the third quarter of 2020.  

 

Polymer net sales were $198.8 million for the quarter, a 70% increase versus the prior year.  Selling prices increased 44% primarily due to the pass through of higher raw material costs.  Sales volume increased 27% in the quarter primarily due to 33% growth in rigid polyol demand that was mostly attributable to the INVISTA acquisition.  Higher demand within the specialty polyols business also contributed to the sales volume growth.  The translation impact of a stronger U.S. dollar negatively impacted net sales by 1%.  Polymer operating income decreased $2.6 million, or 12%, primarily due to supply chain disruptions and the non-recurrence of two third quarter 2020 events: (i) a $2.8 million insurance recovery related to the 2020 Millsdale, IL plant power outage, and (ii) a $1.2 million partial settlement received from the China government as compensation for the government-mandated China JV shutdown in 2012.

 

 

Specialty Product net sales were $16.1 million for the quarter, a 15% increase versus the prior year.  Sales volume was up 9% between quarters and operating income increased $0.8 million, or 53%.  The operating income increase was primarily attributable to order timing differences with our food and flavor business and improved volume and margins within our medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line.  

 

  

4


 

Corporate Expenses

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

%

Change

 

Total Corporate Expenses

 

$

16,434

 

 

$

22,736

 

 

 

(28

)%

 

$

55,555

 

 

$

53,021

 

 

 

5

%

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)

 

$

(1,504

)

 

$

5,613

 

 

NM

 

 

$

2,148

 

 

$

4,754

 

 

 

(55

)%

   Business Restructuring

 

$

72

 

 

$

126

 

 

 

(43

)%

 

$

267

 

 

$

708

 

 

 

(62

)%

Adjusted Corporate Expenses

 

$

17,866

 

 

$

16,997

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

53,140

 

 

$

47,559

 

 

 

12

%

 

* See Table III for a discussion of deferred compensation plan accounting.

    

Corporate expenses, excluding deferred compensation and business restructuring expenses, increased $0.9 million, or 5% for the quarter.  The quarterly increase was primarily due to a $0.9 million pre-tax adjustment to the Company’s environmental remediation reserves and higher insurance premiums, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation expense.    

 

Income Taxes and Net Interest

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 19.6% for the first nine months of 2021 versus 23.7% for the first nine months of 2020.  This year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to: (i) a favorable tax benefit recognized in the third quarter of 2021 related to the merger of the Company’s three Brazilian entities into a single entity and (ii) more favorable research and development tax credits in 2021 versus 2020.  

 

Shareholder Return

 

The Company paid $6.8 million of dividends to shareholders and repurchased $6.1 million of Company stock in the third quarter of 2021.  During the first nine months of 2021 the Company paid $20.6 million of dividends and repurchased $17.0 million of Company stock.  As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 40,771 shares remaining under its Board of Directors’ share repurchase authorization.  On October 19, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150.0 million of its common stock and terminated the prior share repurchase authorization.  With the cash dividend increase in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company has increased its dividend on the Company’s common stock for the 54th consecutive year.

 

Selected Balance Sheet Information

 

The Company’s total debt increased by $40.9 million and cash decreased by $21.8 million versus the second quarter of 2021.  The increase in debt primarily reflects the previously disclosed $50.0 million private placement senior notes. The decrease in cash was driven by scheduled debt payments in July 2021, higher working capital requirements and higher capital expenditures.  The Company’s net debt level increased $62.7 million versus the second quarter of 2021 while the net debt ratio increased from 10% to 14%.        

 

 

5


 

($ in millions)

 

9/30/21

 

 

6/30/21

 

 

3/31/21

 

 

12/31/20

 

Net Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt

 

$

279.8

 

 

$

238.9

 

 

$

248.4

 

 

$

198.7

 

Cash

 

 

105.3

 

 

 

127.1

 

 

 

150.7

 

 

 

349.9

 

Net Debt

 

$

174.5

 

 

$

111.8

 

 

$

97.7

 

 

$

(151.2

)

Equity

 

 

1,057.3

 

 

 

1,048.8

 

 

 

1,002.3

 

 

 

986.7

 

Net Debt + Equity

 

$

1,231.8

 

 

$

1,160.6

 

 

$

1,100.0

 

 

$

835.5

 

Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)

 

 

14

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

9

%

 

 

-18

%

 

 

The major working capital components were:

 

($ in millions)

 

9/30/21

 

 

6/30/21

 

 

3/31/21

 

 

12/31/20

 

Net Receivables

 

$

413.6

 

 

$

391.7

 

 

$

380.6

 

 

$

301.3

 

Inventories

 

 

290.9

 

 

 

266.1

 

 

 

235.1

 

 

 

218.8

 

Accounts Payable

 

 

(314.5

)

 

 

(286.9

)

 

 

(264.2

)

 

 

(236.8

)

 

 

$

390.0

 

 

$

370.9

 

 

$

351.5

 

 

$

283.3

 

 

Capital spending was $44.7 million during the quarter and $119.5 million during the first nine months of 2021.  This compares to $30.2 million and $84.9 million, respectively, in the prior year.  For the full year, capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $200 million to $220 million.  The increase in projected full year capital spending is primarily attributable to the new alkoxylation plant the Company intends to build at its existing Pasadena, Texas site.

 

Outlook

 

“The Company delivered record nine-month earnings in 2021,” said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Looking forward, we believe our Surfactant volumes in the North American consumer product end markets will continue to be challenged by raw material and transportation availability.  While we believe industrial and institutional cleaning volume will grow versus prior year, we do not believe it will compensate for lower consumer consumption of cleaning, disinfection and personal wash products.  We believe that demand for surfactants within the agricultural and oilfield markets will exceed prior year demand.  We believe our Polymer business will deliver growth versus prior year due to the ongoing recovery from pandemic-related delays and cancellations of re-roofing and new construction projects and our first quarter 2021 acquisition of INVISTA’s aromatic polyester polyol business.  We continue to believe the long-term prospects for rigid polyols remain attractive as energy conservation efforts and more stringent building codes are expected to continue.  We anticipate our Specialty Product business results will improve slightly year-over-year.  Despite supply chain disruptions continuing to impact the Company, we remain optimistic about delivering full year earnings growth.”      

  

Conference Call

 

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter results at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on October 20, 2021. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. Telephone access will be available by dialing +1 (877) 226-0954, and the webcast can be accessed through the Investors/Conference Calls page at www.stepan.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available at the same location shortly after the call.

6


 

Supporting Slides

 

Slides supporting this press release will be made available at www.stepan.com through the Investors/Presentations page at approximately the same time as this press release is issued.

 

Corporate Profile

 

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

 

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

 

More information about Stepan’s sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com

 

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

 

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company’s plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “illustrative” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international

7


business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

 

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8


 

Table I

STEPAN COMPANY

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited – 000’s Omitted)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Net Sales

 

$

602,688

 

 

$

464,480

 

 

$

1,735,939

 

 

$

1,375,016

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

510,792

 

 

 

367,423

 

 

 

1,423,382

 

 

 

1,100,195

 

Gross Profit

 

 

91,896

 

 

 

97,057

 

 

 

312,557

 

 

 

274,821

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

14,786

 

 

 

13,266

 

 

 

44,280

 

 

 

39,719

 

Administrative

 

 

22,828

 

 

 

21,354

 

 

 

69,440

 

 

 

60,957

 

Research, Development and Technical Services

 

 

15,501

 

 

 

14,303

 

 

 

45,638

 

 

 

41,661

 

Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)

 

 

(1,504

)

 

 

5,613

 

 

 

2,148

 

 

 

4,754

 

 

 

 

51,611

 

 

 

54,536

 

 

 

161,506

 

 

 

147,091

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Restructuring

 

 

72

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

40,213

 

 

 

42,395

 

 

 

150,784

 

 

 

127,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, Net

 

 

(1,599

)

 

 

(1,626

)

 

 

(4,690

)

 

 

(4,115

)

Other, Net

 

 

702

 

 

 

2,629

 

 

 

4,206

 

 

 

3,804

 

 

 

 

(897

)

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

(484

)

 

 

(311

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

39,316

 

 

 

43,398

 

 

 

150,300

 

 

 

126,711

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

2,393

 

 

 

10,056

 

 

 

29,463

 

 

 

29,987

 

Net Income

 

 

36,923

 

 

 

33,342

 

 

 

120,837

 

 

 

96,724

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(174

)

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(304

)

Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company

 

$

36,920

 

 

$

33,168

 

 

$

120,809

 

 

$

96,420

 

Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.61

 

 

$

1.45

 

 

$

5.27

 

 

$

4.20

 

Diluted

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

5.19

 

 

$

4.15

 

Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common

Share Attributable to Stepan Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

22,898

 

 

 

22,907

 

 

 

22,941

 

 

 

22,951

 

Diluted

 

 

23,219

 

 

 

23,237

 

 

 

23,299

 

 

 

23,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


9


 

Table II

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share *

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2021

 

 

EPS

 

 

2020

 

 

EPS

 

 

2021

 

 

EPS

 

 

2020

 

 

EPS

 

Net Income Reported

 

$

36,920

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

33,168

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

120,809

 

 

$

5.19

 

 

$

96,420

 

 

$

4.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

 

$

(1,135

)

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

2,612

 

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

(685

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

1,692

 

 

$

0.07

 

Business Restructuring Expense

 

$

54

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

200

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

526

 

 

$

0.02

 

Cash-Settled SARs (Income) Expense

 

$

(141

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

546

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

(38

)

 

$

(0.00

)

 

$

256

 

 

$

0.01

 

Environmental Remediation Expense

 

$

719

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

719

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

36,417

 

 

$

1.57

 

 

$

36,421

 

 

$

1.56

 

 

$

121,005

 

 

$

5.20

 

 

$

98,894

 

 

$

4.25

 

 

* All amounts in this table are presented after-tax

 

The Company believes that certain measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company’s operating performance and provide better clarity on the impact of non-operational items.  Internally, the Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.  These measures should be considered in addition to, neither a substitute for, nor superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Reconciliation of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2021

 

 

EPS

 

 

2020

 

 

EPS

 

 

2021

 

 

EPS

 

 

2020

 

 

EPS

 

Pre-Tax Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

 

$

(1,494

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(901

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,227

 

 

 

 

 

Business Restructuring Expense

 

$

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

126

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

267

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

708

 

 

 

 

 

Cash-Settled SARs (Income) Expense

 

$

(186

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

718

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(50

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

337

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Remediation Expense

 

$

946

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

946

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Total Pre-Tax Adjustments

 

$

(662

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

262

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments

 

$

159

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,028

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(66

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(798

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-Tax Adjustments

 

$

(503

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

3,253

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

196

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

2,474

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

 

 

10


 

Table III

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

 

The full effect of the deferred compensation plan on quarterly pre-tax income was $1.5 million of income versus $3.4 million of expense in the prior year. The year-to-date impact was $0.9 million of income versus $2.2 million of expense in the prior year. The accounting for the deferred compensation plan results in operating income when the price of Stepan Company common stock or mutual funds held in the plan fall and expense when they rise.  The Company also recognizes the change in value of mutual funds as investment income or loss.  The quarter end market prices of Company common stock are as follows:

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

12/31

 

9/30

 

 

6/30

 

 

3/31

 

 

12/31

 

 

9/30

 

 

6/30

 

 

3/31

 

Stepan Company

 

N/A

 

$

112.94

 

 

$

120.27

 

 

$

127.11

 

 

$

119.32

 

 

$

109.00

 

 

$

97.10

 

 

$

88.46

 

 

 

The deferred compensation income statement impact is summarized below:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Deferred Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Expense)

 

$

1,504

 

 

$

(5,613

)

 

$

(2,148

)

 

$

(4,754

)

Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

2,176

 

 

 

3,049

 

 

 

2,527

 

Total Pre-Tax

 

$

1,494

 

 

$

(3,437

)

 

$

901

 

 

$

(2,227

)

Total After-Tax

 

$

1,135

 

 

$

(2,612

)

 

$

685

 

 

$

(1,692

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


11


 

Table IV

 

 

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary income statements are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period. Because foreign currency exchange rates fluctuate against the U.S. dollar over time, foreign currency translation affects period-to-period comparisons of financial statement items (i.e., because foreign exchange rates fluctuate, similar period-to-period local currency results for a foreign subsidiary may translate into different U.S. dollar results).  Below is a table that presents the impact that foreign currency translation had on the changes in consolidated net sales and various income line items for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2021 as compared to 2020:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Increase

(Decrease)

 

 

Increase

Due to Foreign

Currency

Translation

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

Due to Foreign

Currency

Translation

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

602.7

 

 

$

464.5

 

 

$

138.2

 

 

$

5.9

 

 

$

1,735.9

 

 

$

1,375.0

 

 

$

360.9

 

 

$

30.5

 

Gross Profit

 

 

91.9

 

 

 

97.1

 

 

 

(5.2

)

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

312.6

 

 

 

274.8

 

 

 

37.8

 

 

 

3.7

 

Operating Income

 

 

40.2

 

 

 

42.4

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

150.8

 

 

 

127.0

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

2.2

 

Pretax Income

 

 

39.3

 

 

 

43.4

 

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

150.3

 

 

 

126.7

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 


12


 

Table V

 

 

Stepan Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

 

 

Sept. 30, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

$

839,213

 

 

$

905,651

 

Property, Plant & Equipment, Net

 

 

799,396

 

 

 

682,667

 

Other Assets

 

 

317,330

 

 

 

164,018

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,955,939

 

 

$

1,752,336

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

$

491,065

 

 

$

416,554

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

8,637

 

 

 

20,745

 

Long-term Debt

 

 

232,184

 

 

 

160,812

 

Other Non-current Liabilities

 

 

165,036

 

 

 

165,860

 

Total Stepan Company Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

1,057,296

 

 

 

986,693

 

Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

1,721

 

 

 

1,672

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,955,939

 

 

$

1,752,336

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

scl-ex992_27.htm

Exhibit 99.2

Stepan Increases Quarterly Cash Dividend, Marking the 54th Consecutive Year of Increases, and Announces Share Repurchase Program

 

Northbrook, Illinois, October 20, 2021 -- Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) today reported:

 

On October 19, 2021, the Board of Directors of Stepan Company approved an increase of $0.030 per share, or 9.8%, on its quarterly cash dividend on its common stock. The dividend of $0.335 per share is payable on December 15, 2021, to common stockholders of record on November 30, 2021. The increase marks the 54th consecutive year in which the quarterly dividend rate on the Company’s common stock has increased.

 

In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000 of its common stock.

 

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our confidence and commitment to deliver stockholder value through a disciplined capital allocation,” said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our strong balance sheet and solid cash flow generation will allow us to continue to invest in our current business, pursue strategic opportunities and return capital to our stockholders.”

 

Under the share repurchase program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of common stock in the open market, privately negotiated transactions or a combination of the foregoing. The timing and amount of shares repurchased will be subject to the Company’s evaluation of market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date and share repurchases under the program may be commenced, suspended or discontinued from time to time without prior notice. The program authorization supersedes the Company’s prior share repurchase authorization.

 

Corporate Profile

 

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

 

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com.

 

 


 

 

More information about Stepan’s sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com.

 

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

 

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company’s plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “illustrative” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

 


 

 

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

scl-ex993_28.htm

Exhibit 99.3

 

Stepan to Expand Alkoxylation Capacity with U.S. Gulf Coast Investment

 

October 20, 2021

 

NORTHBROOK, Ill., October 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) announces today that it plans to build and operate a new alkoxylation plant at its existing Pasadena, Texas facility. Alkoxylates are a core surfactant technology critical to the agricultural, oilfield, construction and household end use markets.  Stepan’s $220.0 million investment is expected to provide a flexible capacity of 75,000 metric tons per year, capable of both ethoxylation and propoxylation, and better position the Company to serve the growing global demand of our Surfactant and Polymer businesses.  

 

"We are excited to expand the alkoxylation capabilities of our North American network at the Pasadena site.  This world-scale, state of the art investment will enable Stepan to support the growth in our core markets," said F. Quinn Stepan Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stepan.

 

The new alkoxylation capacity in Pasadena, Texas is expected to come online in late 2023. When operational it will bring Stepan’s alkoxylation network to three plants and position the Company with a footprint in the globally strategic U.S. Gulf Coast.

 

Corporate Profile

 

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

 

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

 

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com.

 

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com.

 

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or

 


Exhibit 99.3

 

similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

 

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

 

SOURCE Stepan Company