8-K
false000009404900000940492023-07-262023-07-26

 

\

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): 07/26/2023

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, IL 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 July 26, 2023, Stepan Company (“Stepan”) issued a press release providing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

On July 26, 2023, Stepan issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.365 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 15, 2023, to common stockholders of record as of August 31, 2023. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 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 July 26, 2023

 

Exhibit Number: 99.2

Description: Press Release of Stepan Company dated July 26, 2023

 

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: July 26, 2023

By:

/s/ David G. Kabbes

David G. Kabbes

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 


EX-99.1

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Stepan Reports Second Quarter Results

 

Northbrook, Illinois, July 26, 2023 -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

 

Second Quarter Highlights

Reported net income was $12.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, versus a record $52.1 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income* was $12.1 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, versus $53.0 million, or $2.30 per diluted share, in the prior year. The decline in both reported and adjusted net income was predominately due to a 19% reduction in sales volume versus the prior year.
Surfactant operating income was $15.1 million versus $48.2 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to a 15% decline in global sales volume. The decline in sales volume was primarily due to overall lower demand, customer and channel inventory destocking, and the previously disclosed backward integration by one customer, associated with the low 1,4 dioxane transition, in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, unit margins were slightly lower due to less favorable product mix, high-cost inventory carryover and increased competitive pricing pressures in Latin America.
Polymer operating income was $16.3 million versus $33.9 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to a 29% decline in global sales volume, including a 28% decline in Rigid Polyols. The lower demand reflects continued customer and channel inventory destocking and reduced construction-related activities. Global Rigid Polyols volume improved sequentially each month during the second quarter of 2023 and was up 9% versus the first quarter of 2023.
Specialty Product operating income was $3.8 million versus $9.9 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower unit margins and sales volume within the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line. The lower unit margins were primarily due to high-cost inventory carryover.
The effect of foreign currency translation had a negligible impact on net income and earnings per diluted share, versus the prior year.
EBITDA** was $46.7 million during the second quarter of 2023 versus $95.5 million in the prior year and $48.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA** was $45.8 million versus $96.7 million in the prior year and $48.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decline in both reported and adjusted EBITDA** was primarily due to a 19% reduction in sales volume versus the prior year.

 

* Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP measures which exclude deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) income/expense, certain environmental remediation-related costs as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share.

** EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See Table VI for calculations and GAAP reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.

1


 

First Half Highlights

Reported net income was $28.8 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, versus $96.9 million, or $4.19 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income* was $28.5 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, versus $93.7 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, in the prior year. Total Company sales volume was down 17% compared to the first six months of 2022.

“The Company's second quarter and first half of the year financial results were significantly lower than the record quarterly results in both the first and second quarters of 2022. Lower sales volume due to demand softness across most of our markets, continued inventory destocking and the backward integration of one customer associated with the low 1,4 dioxane transition drove the 17% sales volume reduction in the first half of the year,” said Scott Behrens, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Specific to the second quarter, Surfactant and Polymer unit margins were only slightly lower versus the prior year due to less favorable product mix. Specialty Product unit margins were significantly lower due to high-cost inventory and pricing pressure related to increased imports of MCTs into certain market segments. Rigid Polyol volumes gradually improved throughout the quarter. Surfactant volumes were negatively impacted by unexpected destocking activity within our Agricultural business. Cash expenses were slightly lower versus prior year due to proactive headcount and discretionary expense controls implemented earlier in the year and lower accruals for incentive-based compensation.”

 

Financial Summary

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

Net Sales

$

579,975

 

 

$

751,633

 

 

 

(23

)%

 

$

1,231,411

 

 

$

1,426,909

 

 

 

(14

)%

Operating Income

$

17,809

 

 

$

77,640

 

 

 

(77

)%

 

$

38,866

 

 

$

140,986

 

 

 

(72

)%

Net Income

$

12,684

 

 

$

52,126

 

 

 

(76

)%

 

$

28,826

 

 

$

96,935

 

 

 

(70

)%

Earnings per Diluted Share

$

0.55

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

 

(76

)%

 

$

1.25

 

 

$

4.19

 

 

 

(70

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income *

$

12,057

 

 

$

53,009

 

 

 

(77

)%

 

$

28,476

 

 

$

93,736

 

 

 

(70

)%

Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share *

$

0.53

 

 

$

2.30

 

 

 

(77

)%

 

$

1.24

 

 

$

4.05

 

 

 

(69

)%

 

* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share.

 

 

Summary of Second Quarter Adjusted Net Income Items

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

Deferred Compensation: The 2023 second quarter reported net income includes $0.7 million of after-tax income versus $0.5 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

2


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 second quarter includes less than $0.1 million of after-tax income versus $0.1 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

Business Restructuring: The 2023 second quarter reported net income includes less than $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.

Environmental Remediation – The second quarter of 2023 reported net income includes less than $0.1 million of after-tax expense versus $0.2 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

Percentage Change in Net Sales

Net sales in the second quarter of 2023 decreased 23% year-over-year primarily due to a 19% decrease in global sales volume. Lower selling prices negatively impacted net sales by 4% and largely reflect less favorable product mix and competitive pressures.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2023

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023

 

Volume

 

 

(19

)%

 

 

(17

)%

Selling Price & Mix

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

4

%

Foreign Translation

 

 

0

%

 

 

(1

)%

Total

 

 

(23

)%

 

 

(14

)%

Segment Results

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfactants

 

$

391,686

 

 

$

485,084

 

 

 

(19

)%

 

$

859,514

 

 

$

953,350

 

 

 

(10

)%

Polymers

 

$

164,515

 

 

$

238,885

 

 

 

(31

)%

 

$

325,642

 

 

$

425,964

 

 

 

(24

)%

Specialty Products

 

$

23,774

 

 

$

27,664

 

 

 

(14

)%

 

$

46,255

 

 

$

47,595

 

 

 

(3

)%

Total Net Sales

 

$

579,975

 

 

$

751,633

 

 

 

(23

)%

 

$

1,231,411

 

 

$

1,426,909

 

 

 

(14

)%

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfactants

 

$

15,140

 

 

$

48,249

 

 

 

(69

)%

 

$

42,196

 

 

$

102,018

 

 

 

(59

)%

Polymers

 

$

16,321

 

 

$

33,912

 

 

 

(52

)%

 

$

26,325

 

 

$

48,041

 

 

 

(45

)%

Specialty Products

 

$

3,773

 

 

$

9,866

 

 

 

(62

)%

 

$

6,302

 

 

$

13,561

 

 

 

(54

)%

 Total Segment Operating Income

 

$

35,234

 

 

$

92,027

 

 

 

(62

)%

 

$

74,823

 

 

$

163,620

 

 

 

(54

)%

Corporate Expenses

 

$

(17,425

)

 

$

(14,387

)

 

 

21

%

 

$

(35,957

)

 

$

(22,634

)

 

 

59

%

 Consolidated Operating Income

 

$

17,809

 

 

$

77,640

 

 

 

(77

)%

 

$

38,866

 

 

$

140,986

 

 

 

(72

)%

 

3


 

Total segment operating income for the second quarter of 2023 decreased $56.8 million, or 62%, versus the prior year quarter. Total segment operating income in the first half of 2023 was down $88.8 million, or 54%, versus the prior year.

Surfactant net sales were $391.7 million for the quarter, a 19% decrease versus the prior year. Sales volume decreased 15% year-over-year primarily due to overall lower demand, customer and channel inventory destocking, and the previously disclosed backward integration by one customer, associated with the low 1,4 dioxane transition, in the third quarter of 2022. Selling prices were down 5% and foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 1%. Surfactant operating income for the quarter decreased $33.1 million, or 69%, versus the prior year. This decrease is predominately due to the 15% decline in sales volume. Additionally, unit margins were slightly lower due to less favorable product mix, high-cost inventory carryover and increased competitive pricing pressures in Latin America. Higher expenses associated with the Company's transition to low 1,4 dioxane capabilities and pre-operating expenses associated with the Company's new alkoxylation production facility that is being built in Pasadena, Texas were also headwinds during the quarter.

Polymer net sales were $164.5 million for the quarter, a 31% decrease versus the prior year. Sales volume decreased 29% in the quarter primarily due to a 28% decline in Rigid Polyols and lower demand in the Specialty Polyols and Phthalic Anhydride businesses. This was partially offset by volume growth in China. The lower demand reflects customer and channel inventory destocking and lower construction-related activities. Selling prices decreased 3% and foreign currency translation positively impacted net sales by 1%. Polymer operating income decreased $17.6 million, or 52%, primarily due to the 29% decrease in global sales volume.

Specialty Product net sales were $23.8 million for the quarter, a 14% decrease versus the prior year. Sales volume was down 16% versus prior year while operating income decreased $6.1 million, or 62%. The decline in operating income was primarily attributable to lower unit margins and sales volume within the MCT product line. The lower unit margins were primarily due to high-cost inventory carryover.

 

4


 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

%
Change

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

%
Change

 

($ in millions)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Surfactants

 

$

31.1

 

 

$

61.6

 

 

 

(50

)%

 

$

73.5

 

 

$

128.6

 

 

 

(43

)%

   Polymers

 

$

24.6

 

 

$

41.8

 

 

 

(41

)%

 

$

42.9

 

 

$

63.6

 

 

 

(33

)%

   Specialty Products

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

11.4

 

 

 

(54

)%

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

 

(45

)%

   Unallocated Corporate

 

$

(14.2

)

 

$

(19.3

)

 

 

(26

)%

 

$

(30.6

)

 

$

(28.5

)

 

 

7

%

Consolidated EBITDA

 

$

46.7

 

 

$

95.5

 

 

 

(51

)%

 

$

94.9

 

 

$

180.2

 

 

 

(47

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Surfactants

 

$

31.0

 

 

$

61.7

 

 

 

(50

)%

 

$

73.4

 

 

$

128.4

 

 

 

(43

)%

   Polymers

 

$

24.6

 

 

$

41.8

 

 

 

(41

)%

 

$

42.9

 

 

$

63.5

 

 

 

(32

)%

   Specialty Products

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

11.4

 

 

 

(54

)%

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

 

(45

)%

   Unallocated Corporate

 

$

(15.0

)

 

$

(18.2

)

 

 

(18

)%

 

$

(30.9

)

 

$

(32.4

)

 

 

(5

)%

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

45.8

 

 

$

96.7

 

 

 

(53

)%

 

$

94.5

 

 

$

176.0

 

 

 

(46

)%

 

Consolidated EBITDA was $46.7 million for the quarter, a 51% decrease versus the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $45.8 million, a 53% decrease versus the prior year. The year-over-year decrease in both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the decline in sales volume in the three business segments. The second quarter of 2023 Adjusted EBITDA of $45.8 million was slightly lower than the $48.7 million of Adjusted EBITDA reported in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Corporate Expenses

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

%
Change

 

Total Corporate Expenses

 

$

17,424

 

 

$

14,387

 

 

 

21

%

 

$

35,957

 

 

$

22,634

 

 

 

59

%

Excluded Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Deferred Compensation

 

$

(743

)

 

$

3,406

 

 

NM

 

 

$

(2,245

)

 

$

10,907

 

 

NM

 

     Business Restructuring Expense

 

$

(42

)

 

$

(81

)

 

 

(48

)%

 

$

(199

)

 

$

(133

)

 

 

50

%

     Environmental Remediation Expense

 

$

(52

)

 

$

(327

)

 

 

(84

)%

 

$

(461

)

 

$

(630

)

 

 

(27

)%

Adjusted Corporate Expenses

 

$

16,587

 

 

$

17,385

 

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

33,052

 

 

$

32,778

 

 

 

1

%

 

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

Corporate expenses, excluding deferred compensation, business restructuring and certain environmental remediation costs, decreased $0.8 million, or 5%, versus the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expenses that were partially offset by higher salaries, mostly due to the reallocation of some employee costs from the business units to corporate during the first quarter of 2023, insurance and inflation.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 20.4% in the first half of 2023 versus 24.8% in the first half of 2022. This decrease was primarily attributable to more favorable tax benefits derived from stock-based compensation awards exercised or distributed in the first half of 2023 versus the first half of 2022.

5


Shareholder Return

The Company paid $8.2 million of dividends to shareholders in the second quarter of 2023 and $16.3 million of dividends to shareholders during the first six months of 2023. The Company has not repurchased any Company stock during the first half of 2023 and has $125.1 million remaining under the share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors. The Company has increased its dividend on the Company’s common stock for 55 consecutive years.

Selected Balance Sheet Information

The Company’s total debt decreased by $28.4 million and cash increased by $6.9 million versus March 31, 2023. The decrease in debt primarily reflects scheduled debt repayments in June 2023 and lower borrowings against the Company's revolving credit facility. The Company’s net debt level decreased $35.3 million versus March 31, 2023 and the net debt ratio decreased from 33% to 31% in the quarter (Net Debt and Net Debt Ratio are non-GAAP measures).

 

($ in millions)

6/30/23

 

 

3/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

Net Debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt

$

682.6

 

 

$

711.0

 

 

$

587.1

 

Cash

 

133.9

 

 

 

127.0

 

 

 

173.8

 

Net Debt

$

548.7

 

 

$

584.0

 

 

$

413.3

 

Equity

 

1,215.1

 

 

 

1,189.9

 

 

 

1,166.1

 

Net Debt + Equity

$

1,763.8

 

 

$

1,773.9

 

 

$

1,579.4

 

Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)

 

31

%

 

 

33

%

 

 

26

%

 

The major working capital components were:

 

($ in millions)

6/30/23

 

 

3/31/23

 

 

12/31/22

 

Net Receivables

$

423.4

 

 

$

470.3

 

 

$

436.9

 

Inventories

 

340.0

 

 

 

368.4

 

 

 

402.5

 

Accounts Payable

 

(287.6

)

 

 

(289.1

)

 

 

(375.7

)

Total

$

475.8

 

 

$

549.6

 

 

$

463.7

 

 

Capital spending was $67.7 million during the quarter and $159.9 million during the first half of 2023. This compares to $69.2 million and $129.5 million, respectively, in the prior year. The first half year-over-year increase is primarily due to increased expenditures in the U.S. for the advancement of the Company’s new alkoxylation facility in Pasadena, Texas and new capability and capacity to produce ether sulfates that meet new regulatory limits on 1,4 dioxane. Capital spending in the second half of 2023 is expected to be in the range of $80 million to $90 million, down substantially versus the first six months of 2023, as spending on low 1,4 dioxane investments nears completion and lower capital outlays are anticipated for the new alkoxylation facility versus those incurred during the first half of the year. For the full year, capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $240 million to $250 million.

Outlook

“Looking forward, we continue to believe second half of the year volume and margins will incrementally improve versus the first half of 2023, driven by the continued gradual recovery in Rigid Polyol demand, growth in Surfactant volumes associated with new

6


contracted business and sequentially lower raw material costs,” said Scott Behrens, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Further cost control and cash management initiatives are underway given the current business performance and include a voluntary early retirement program for eligible employees at our corporate headquarters and a plan to reduce inventory levels by an additional $40 million during the remainder of the year. Additionally, capital spending in the second half of the year is projected to be in the range of $80 to $90 million, down from the record $160 million spent in the first half of the year, due to the expected completion of our low 1,4 dioxane investments in the coming weeks and lower second half capital spending required to complete our Pasadena alkoxylation investment which is expected to be operational mid-year 2024. While we acknowledge the current environment has been challenging, we remain confident in our long-term strategic growth and innovation initiatives.”

Conference Call

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter results at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) on July 26, 2023. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. To access the call by phone, please click on this Registration Link, complete the form and you will be provided with dial in details and a PIN. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. 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.

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

7


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 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.

* * * * *

Tables follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8


Table I

STEPAN COMPANY

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

(Unaudited – in 000's, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net Sales

 

$

579,975

 

 

$

751,633

 

 

$

1,231,411

 

 

$

1,426,909

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

513,578

 

 

 

620,019

 

 

 

1,091,454

 

 

 

1,186,076

 

Gross Profit

 

 

66,397

 

 

 

131,614

 

 

 

139,957

 

 

 

240,833

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

11,109

 

 

 

15,552

 

 

 

24,176

 

 

 

30,829

 

Administrative

 

 

22,589

 

 

 

24,079

 

 

 

45,228

 

 

 

45,651

 

Research, Development and Technical Services

 

 

14,105

 

 

 

16,690

 

 

 

29,243

 

 

 

33,163

 

Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

 

 

743

 

 

 

(3,406

)

 

 

2,245

 

 

 

(10,907

)

 

 

 

48,546

 

 

 

52,915

 

 

 

100,892

 

 

 

98,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Goodwill Impairment

 

 

-

 

 

 

978

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

978

 

Business Restructuring

 

 

42

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

17,809

 

 

 

77,640

 

 

 

38,866

 

 

 

140,986

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, Net

 

 

(3,865

)

 

 

(2,727

)

 

 

(6,687

)

 

 

(5,033

)

Other, Net

 

 

2,370

 

 

 

(5,369

)

 

 

4,038

 

 

 

(7,019

)

 

 

 

(1,495

)

 

 

(8,096

)

 

 

(2,649

)

 

 

(12,052

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

 

16,314

 

 

 

69,544

 

 

 

36,217

 

 

 

128,934

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

3,630

 

 

 

17,418

 

 

 

7,391

 

 

 

31,999

 

Net Income

 

 

12,684

 

 

 

52,126

 

 

 

28,826

 

 

 

96,935

 

Net Income Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.56

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

1.27

 

 

$

4.24

 

Diluted

 

$

0.55

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

$

1.25

 

 

$

4.19

 

Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common
Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

22,768

 

 

 

22,792

 

 

 

22,763

 

 

 

22,842

 

Diluted

 

 

22,945

 

 

 

23,055

 

 

 

22,970

 

 

 

23,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table II

9


 

 

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

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2023

 

 

EPS

 

 

2022

 

 

EPS

 

 

2023

 

 

EPS

 

 

2022

 

 

EPS

 

Net Income Reported

 

$

12,684

 

 

$

0.55

 

 

$

52,126

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

$

28,826

 

 

$

1.25

 

 

$

96,935

 

 

$

4.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

 

$

(653

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

518

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

(757

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(3,431

)

 

$

(0.15

)

Business Restructuring Expense

 

$

31

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

146

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

0.01

 

Cash-Settled SARs (Income) Expense

 

$

(44

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(84

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(347

)

 

$

(0.02

)

Environmental Remediation Expense

 

$

39

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

249

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

345

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

479

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

12,057

 

 

$

0.53

 

 

$

53,009

 

 

$

2.30

 

 

$

28,476

 

 

$

1.24

 

 

$

93,736

 

 

$

4.05

 

 

* 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, and are 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
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2023

 

 

EPS

 

 

2022

 

 

EPS

 

 

2023

 

 

EPS

 

 

2022

 

 

EPS

 

Pre-Tax Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

 

$

(871

)

 

 

 

 

$

681

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,009

)

 

 

 

 

$

(4,514

)

 

 

 

Business Restructuring Expense

 

$

42

 

 

 

 

 

$

81

 

 

 

 

 

$

199

 

 

 

 

 

$

133

 

 

 

 

Cash-Settled SARs (Income) Expense

 

$

(58

)

 

 

 

 

$

73

 

 

 

 

 

$

(111

)

 

 

 

 

$

(455

)

 

 

 

Environmental Remediation Expense

 

$

52

 

 

 

 

 

$

327

 

 

 

 

 

$

461

 

 

 

 

 

$

630

 

 

 

 

   Total Pre-Tax Adjustments

 

$

(835

)

 

 

 

 

$

1,162

 

 

 

 

 

$

(460

)

 

 

 

 

$

(4,206

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments

 

$

208

 

 

 

 

 

$

(279

)

 

 

 

 

$

110

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After-Tax Adjustments

 

$

(627

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

883

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

(350

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(3,199

)

 

$

(0.14

)

 

 

10


 

Table III

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation Plans

 

The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was $0.9 million of income versus $0.7 million of expense in the prior year. The year-to-date impact was $1.0 million of income versus $4.5 million of income in the prior year. The accounting for the deferred compensation plans results in operating income when the price of Stepan Company common stock or mutual funds held in the plans 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 were as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

12/31

 

9/30

 

6/30

 

 

3/31

 

 

12/31

 

 

9/30

 

 

6/30

 

 

3/31

 

Stepan Company

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

$

95.56

 

 

$

103.03

 

 

$

106.46

 

 

$

93.67

 

 

$

101.35

 

 

$

98.81

 

 

The deferred compensation income statement impact is summarized below:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

($ in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Deferred Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Expense)

 

$

(743

)

 

$

3,406

 

 

$

(2,245

)

 

$

10,907

 

Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)

 

 

1,614

 

 

 

(4,087

)

 

 

3,254

 

 

 

(6,393

)

Total Pretax

 

$

871

 

 

$

(681

)

 

$

1,009

 

 

$

4,514

 

Total After Tax

 

$

653

 

 

$

(518

)

 

$

757

 

 

$

3,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 statement line items for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2023 as compared to 2022:

 

($ in millions)

 

Three Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Change Due to Foreign Currency
Translation

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Change Due to Foreign Currency
Translation

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

579.98

 

 

$

751.63

 

 

$

(171.60

)

 

$

4.40

 

 

$

1,231.41

 

 

$

1,426.91

 

 

$

(195.50

)

 

$

(8.05

)

Gross Profit

 

 

66.4

 

 

 

131.6

 

 

 

(65.2

)

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

140.0

 

 

 

240.8

 

 

 

(100.8

)

 

 

(1.1

)

Operating Income

 

 

17.8

 

 

 

77.6

 

 

 

(59.8

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

38.9

 

 

 

141.0

 

 

 

(102.1

)

 

 

(0.8

)

Pretax Income

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

69.5

 

 

 

(53.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

36.2

 

 

 

128.9

 

 

 

(92.7

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

 

12


 

Table V

 

 

Stepan Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

$

938,722

 

 

$

1,044,802

 

Property, Plant & Equipment, Net

 

 

1,165,784

 

 

 

1,073,297

 

Other Assets

 

 

326,312

 

 

 

315,073

 

Total Assets

 

$

2,430,818

 

 

$

2,433,172

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

$

642,037

 

 

$

670,649

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

9,071

 

 

 

10,179

 

Long-term Debt

 

 

438,269

 

 

 

455,029

 

Other Non-current Liabilities

 

 

126,344

 

 

 

131,250

 

Total Stepan Company Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

1,215,097

 

 

 

1,166,065

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

2,430,818

 

 

$

2,433,172

 

 

 

 

13


Table VI

 

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Surfactants

 

 

Polymers

 

 

Specialty Products

 

 

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating Income

 

$

15.1

 

 

$

16.3

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

(17.4

)

 

$

17.8

 

   Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

16.0

 

 

$

8.3

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

26.5

 

   Other, Net Income (Expense)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

2.4

 

EBITDA

 

$

31.1

 

 

$

24.6

 

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

(14.2

)

 

$

46.7

 

   Deferred Compensation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(0.9

)

 

$

(0.9

)

   Cash Settled SARs

 

$

(0.1

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(0.1

)

   Business Restructuring

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

   Environmental Remediation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

31.0

 

 

$

24.6

 

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

(15.0

)

 

$

45.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Surfactants

 

 

Polymers

 

 

Specialty Products

 

 

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating Income

 

$

48.2

 

 

$

33.9

 

 

$

9.9

 

 

$

(14.4

)

 

$

77.6

 

   Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

13.4

 

 

$

7.9

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

23.3

 

   Other, Net Income (Expense)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(5.4

)

 

$

(5.4

)

EBITDA

 

$

61.6

 

 

$

41.8

 

 

$

11.4

 

 

$

(19.3

)

 

$

95.5

 

   Deferred Compensation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

0.7

 

   Cash Settled SARs

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.1

 

   Business Restructuring

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

   Environmental Remediation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

0.3

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

61.7

 

 

$

41.8

 

 

$

11.4

 

 

$

(18.2

)

 

$

96.7

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Surfactants

 

 

Polymers

 

 

Specialty Products

 

 

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating Income

 

$

42.2

 

 

$

26.3

 

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

(35.9

)

 

$

38.9

 

   Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

31.3

 

 

$

16.6

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

52.0

 

   Other, Net Income (Expense)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

4.0

 

EBITDA

 

$

73.5

 

 

$

42.9

 

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

(30.6

)

 

$

94.9

 

   Deferred Compensation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(1.0

)

 

$

(1.0

)

   Cash Settled SARs

 

$

(0.1

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(0.1

)

   Business Restructuring

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

   Environmental Remediation

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

0.5

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

73.4

 

 

$

42.9

 

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

(30.9

)

 

$

94.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Surfactants

 

 

Polymers

 

 

Specialty Products

 

 

Unallocated Corporate

 

 

Consolidated

 

Operating Income

 

$

102.0

 

 

$

48.0

 

 

$

13.6

 

 

$

(22.6

)

 

$

141.0

 

   Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

26.6

 

 

$

15.6

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

46.2

 

   Other, Net Income (Expense)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(7.0

)

 

$

(7.0

)

EBITDA

 

$

128.6

 

 

$

63.6

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

(28.5

)

 

$

180.2

 

   Deferred Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4.5

)

 

$

(4.5

)

   Cash Settled SARs

 

$

(0.2

)

 

$

(0.1

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(0.1

)

 

$

(0.4

)

   Business Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.1

 

   Environmental Remediation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

0.6

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

128.4

 

 

$

63.5

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

(32.4

)

 

$

176.0

 

 

 

 

14


EX-99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Stepan Declares Quarterly Dividend

 

Northbrook, Illinois, July 26, 2023 -- Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) today reported:

 

On July 25, 2023, the Board of Directors of Stepan Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.365 per share. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2023, to common stockholders of record on August 31, 2023. The Company increased its quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2022 by $0.030 per share, marking the 55th consecutive year that the Company has increased its cash dividend to stockholders.

 

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 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.