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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
CURRENT REPORT
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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 February 20, 2024, Stepan Company (“Stepan”) issued a press release providing its financial results for the quarter and the year ended February 20, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01. Other Events
On February 20, 2024, Stepan issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.375 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 15, 2024, to common stockholders of record as of March 1, 2024. 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 February 20, 2024
Exhibit Number: 99.2
Description: Press Release of Stepan Company dated February 20, 2024
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.
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STEPAN COMPANY |
Date: February 20, 2024 |
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By: |
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/s/ David G. Kabbes |
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David G. Kabbes |
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Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Exhibit 99.1
Stepan Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
Northbrook, Illinois, February 20, 2024 -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:
Fourth Quarter Highlights
1
* 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.
Full Year Highlights
“The Company had a challenging 2023 due to a slow down in demand across most end use markets and significant customer and channel inventory destocking. While we believe the negative impacts of destocking are mostly behind us, we continue to experience significant destocking within our agricultural business and expect this to continue through the first half of 2024," said Scott Behrens, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Specific to the fourth quarter, overall volume increased 3% versus the prior year driven by double digit growth in Rigid Polyols volumes at improved margins. Surfactants experienced strong volume growth in Personal Care, Industrial Cleaning and to our Distribution partners. Surfactant unit margins were lower versus the prior year due to a less favorable product mix and actions taken to recover share loss in Latin America due to lower priced imported products. MCT unit margins within our Specialty Product segment were lower year over year as we worked through the remainder of our high-cost inventory in a competitive market environment. We are pleased that actions to control expenses and lower inventories, coupled with lower sequential capital spending, led to $22.3 million of positive free cash flow in the quarter.”
2
Financial Summary
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Three Months Ended |
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Twelve Months Ended |
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($ in thousands, except per share data) |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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Net Sales |
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$ |
532,131 |
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$ |
627,176 |
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(15 |
)% |
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$ |
2,325,768 |
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$ |
2,773,270 |
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(16 |
)% |
Operating Income |
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$ |
230 |
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$ |
11,691 |
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(98 |
)% |
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$ |
58,613 |
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$ |
207,336 |
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(72 |
)% |
Net Income |
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$ |
(1,193 |
) |
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$ |
10,834 |
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(111 |
)% |
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$ |
40,204 |
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$ |
147,153 |
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(73 |
)% |
Earnings per Diluted Share |
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$ |
(0.05 |
) |
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$ |
0.47 |
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(111 |
)% |
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$ |
1.75 |
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$ |
6.38 |
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(73 |
)% |
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Adjusted Net Income * |
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$ |
7,485 |
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$ |
13,456 |
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(44 |
)% |
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$ |
50,692 |
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$ |
153,473 |
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(67 |
)% |
Adjusted Earnings per |
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$ |
0.33 |
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$ |
0.59 |
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(44 |
)% |
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$ |
2.21 |
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$ |
6.65 |
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(67 |
)% |
* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share. |
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Summary of Fourth 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.
3
Percentage Change in Net Sales
Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased 15% year-over-year primarily due to lower selling prices that were mainly attributable to the pass-through of lower raw material costs, less favorable product/customer mix and competitive pressures. These lower selling prices were partially offset by a 3% increase in global sales volume and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.
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Three Months Ended |
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Twelve Months Ended |
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Volume |
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3 |
% |
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(11 |
)% |
Selling Price & Mix |
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(21 |
)% |
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(6 |
)% |
Foreign Translation |
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3 |
% |
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1 |
% |
Total |
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(15 |
)% |
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(16 |
)% |
Segment Results
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Three Months Ended |
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Twelve Months Ended |
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($ in thousands) |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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Net Sales |
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Surfactants |
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$ |
369,468 |
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$ |
454,534 |
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(19 |
)% |
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$ |
1,602,819 |
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$ |
1,882,745 |
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(15 |
)% |
Polymers |
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$ |
147,271 |
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$ |
148,309 |
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(1 |
)% |
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$ |
642,471 |
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$ |
789,080 |
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(19 |
)% |
Specialty Products |
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$ |
15,392 |
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$ |
24,333 |
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(37 |
)% |
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$ |
80,478 |
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$ |
101,445 |
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(21 |
)% |
Total Net Sales |
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$ |
532,131 |
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$ |
627,176 |
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(15 |
)% |
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$ |
2,325,768 |
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$ |
2,773,270 |
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(16 |
)% |
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Three Months Ended |
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Twelve Months Ended |
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($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax) |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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Operating Income |
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Surfactants |
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$ |
14,830 |
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$ |
21,752 |
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(32 |
)% |
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$ |
72,399 |
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$ |
162,746 |
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(56 |
)% |
Polymers |
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$ |
12,632 |
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$ |
2,992 |
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322 |
% |
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$ |
60,770 |
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$ |
82,897 |
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(27 |
)% |
Specialty Products |
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$ |
2,773 |
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$ |
6,649 |
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(58 |
)% |
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$ |
11,476 |
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$ |
29,895 |
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(62 |
)% |
Total Segment |
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$ |
30,235 |
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$ |
31,393 |
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(4 |
)% |
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$ |
144,645 |
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$ |
275,538 |
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(48 |
)% |
Corporate Expenses |
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$ |
(30,005 |
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$ |
(19,702 |
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52 |
% |
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$ |
(86,032 |
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$ |
(68,202 |
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26 |
% |
Consolidated |
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$ |
230 |
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$ |
11,691 |
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(98 |
)% |
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$ |
58,613 |
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$ |
207,336 |
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(72 |
)% |
Total segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $1.2 million, or 4%, versus the prior year quarter. Total segment operating income for full year 2023 was down $130.9 million, or 48%, versus the prior year.
4
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Three Months Ended |
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% |
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Year Ended |
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% |
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($ in millions) |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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EBITDA |
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Surfactants |
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$ |
31.5 |
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$ |
36.6 |
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(14 |
)% |
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$ |
136.8 |
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$ |
218.0 |
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(37 |
)% |
Polymers |
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$ |
20.5 |
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$ |
10.9 |
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88 |
% |
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$ |
93.2 |
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$ |
114.3 |
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(18 |
)% |
Specialty Products |
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$ |
4.3 |
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$ |
8.0 |
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(46 |
)% |
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$ |
17.3 |
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$ |
35.7 |
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(52 |
)% |
Unallocated Corporate |
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$ |
(30.5 |
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$ |
(18.9 |
) |
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61 |
% |
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$ |
(81.5 |
) |
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$ |
(74.8 |
) |
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9 |
% |
Consolidated EBITDA |
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$ |
25.8 |
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$ |
36.6 |
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(30 |
)% |
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$ |
165.8 |
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$ |
293.2 |
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(43 |
)% |
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Adjusted EBITDA |
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Surfactants |
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$ |
31.6 |
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$ |
36.8 |
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(14 |
)% |
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$ |
136.7 |
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$ |
217.8 |
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(37 |
)% |
Polymers |
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$ |
20.5 |
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$ |
10.9 |
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88 |
% |
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$ |
93.2 |
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$ |
114.2 |
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(18 |
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Specialty Products |
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$ |
4.3 |
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$ |
8.0 |
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(46 |
)% |
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$ |
17.3 |
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$ |
35.7 |
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(52 |
)% |
Unallocated Corporate |
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$ |
(18.9 |
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$ |
(15.7 |
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20 |
% |
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$ |
(67.2 |
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$ |
(66.2 |
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2 |
% |
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA |
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$ |
37.5 |
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$ |
40.0 |
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(6 |
)% |
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$ |
180.0 |
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$ |
301.5 |
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(40 |
)% |
5
Corporate Expenses
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Three Months Ended |
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Twelve Months Ended |
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($ in thousands) |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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% |
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Total Corporate Expenses |
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$ |
30,005 |
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$ |
19,702 |
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52 |
% |
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$ |
86,032 |
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$ |
68,202 |
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26 |
% |
Less: |
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Deferred Compensation Expense |
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$ |
5,227 |
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$ |
3,645 |
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43 |
% |
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$ |
4,371 |
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$ |
(9,393 |
) |
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NM |
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Business Restructuring and Asset |
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$ |
6,141 |
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$ |
83 |
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NM |
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$ |
11,968 |
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$ |
308 |
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NM |
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Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
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$ |
2,038 |
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$ |
- |
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NM |
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$ |
2,038 |
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$ |
- |
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NM |
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Environmental Remediation |
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$ |
504 |
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$ |
481 |
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5 |
% |
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$ |
1,017 |
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$ |
11,483 |
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(91 |
)% |
Adjusted Corporate Expenses |
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$ |
16,095 |
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$ |
15,493 |
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4 |
% |
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$ |
66,638 |
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$ |
65,804 |
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1 |
% |
* See Table III for a discussion of deferred compensation plan accounting. |
Income Taxes
The Company’s full year effective tax rate was 16.9% in 2023 versus 22.0% in 2022. This year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to more favorable tax benefits derived from stock-based compensation awards exercised or distributed in 2023 versus 2022 and R&D tax credits.
Shareholder Return
The Company paid $8.4 million of dividends to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $32.9 million of dividends to shareholders for the full year 2023. The Company has not repurchased any Company stock during 2023 and has $125.1 million remaining under the share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors. With the cash dividend increase in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company has increased its dividend on the Company’s common stock for 56 consecutive years.
6
Selected Balance Sheet Information
The Company’s total debt increased by $4.7 million and cash increased by $24.3 million versus September 30, 2023. The increase in debt primarily reflects borrowings against the Company's revolving credit facility that were partially offset by scheduled debt repayments. The Company’s net debt level decreased $19.6 million versus September 30, 2023 and the net debt ratio decreased from 31% to 30% (Net Debt and Net Debt Ratios are non-GAAP measures, reconciliations of which are shown in the table below).
($ in millions) |
12/31/23 |
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9/30/23 |
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6/30/23 |
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3/31/23 |
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12/31/22 |
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Net Debt |
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Total Debt |
$ |
654.1 |
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$ |
649.4 |
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$ |
682.6 |
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$ |
711.0 |
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$ |
587.1 |
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Cash |
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129.8 |
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105.5 |
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133.9 |
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127.0 |
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|
173.8 |
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Net Debt |
$ |
524.3 |
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$ |
543.9 |
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$ |
548.7 |
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$ |
584.0 |
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$ |
413.3 |
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Equity |
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1,216.5 |
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1,202.8 |
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1,215.1 |
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1,189.9 |
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1,166.1 |
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Net Debt + Equity |
$ |
1,740.8 |
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$ |
1,746.7 |
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$ |
1,763.8 |
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$ |
1,773.9 |
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$ |
1,579.4 |
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Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity) |
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30 |
% |
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31 |
% |
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31 |
% |
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33 |
% |
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|
26 |
% |
The major working capital components were:
($ in millions) |
12/31/23 |
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9/30/23 |
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6/30/23 |
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3/31/23 |
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12/31/22 |
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Net Receivables |
$ |
422.1 |
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$ |
418.2 |
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$ |
423.4 |
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$ |
470.3 |
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$ |
436.9 |
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Inventories |
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265.6 |
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284.5 |
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|
340.0 |
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|
368.4 |
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|
402.5 |
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Accounts Payable |
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(233.0 |
) |
|
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(242.6 |
) |
|
|
(287.6 |
) |
|
|
(289.1 |
) |
|
|
(375.7 |
) |
|
$ |
454.7 |
|
|
$ |
460.1 |
|
|
$ |
475.8 |
|
|
$ |
549.6 |
|
|
$ |
463.7 |
|
The Company had full year capital expenditures of $260.3 million in 2023 versus $301.6 million in the prior year. The year-over-year decrease is primarily due to lower expenditures in the U.S. for the advancement of the Company’s new alkoxylation facility in Pasadena, Texas. The Company is executing the last phase of its Pasadena, Texas alkoxylation investment and the facility is expected to start-up in the third quarter of 2024.
Outlook
“As we look toward 2024, we believe volumes and margins will improve due to continued recovery in Rigid Polyols demand, growth in Surfactant volumes driven by contracted business along with the expected recovery of the agricultural business in the second half of the year, and lower raw material costs across the business versus 2023," said Scott Behrens, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our previously shared cost reduction activities to deliver $50 million in pre-tax savings in 2024 will help offset inflationary pressures, increased expenses associated with the commissioning of our new Pasadena alkoxylation assets and higher incentive-based compensation expenses. These cost reduction activities are centered around the workforce productivity actions already taken and on focused programs to improve operational performance across our manufacturing network. We believe continued market recovery, executing our strategic initiatives, and the aforementioned cost reductions, should position us to deliver adjusted EBITDA growth and positive free cash flow in 2024. We remain confident in our long-term growth and innovation initiatives."
7
Conference Call
Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year results at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) on February 20, 2024. 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
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.
8
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
9
Table I
STEPAN COMPANY
For the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited – in 000's, except per share data)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
||||
Net Sales |
|
$ |
532,131 |
|
|
$ |
627,176 |
|
|
$ |
2,325,768 |
|
|
$ |
2,773,270 |
|
Cost of Sales |
|
|
465,726 |
|
|
|
559,416 |
|
|
|
2,048,170 |
|
|
|
2,346,201 |
|
Gross Profit |
|
|
66,405 |
|
|
|
67,760 |
|
|
|
277,598 |
|
|
|
427,069 |
|
Operating Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Selling |
|
|
12,380 |
|
|
|
13,122 |
|
|
|
48,367 |
|
|
|
59,030 |
|
Administrative |
|
|
25,070 |
|
|
|
22,678 |
|
|
|
93,202 |
|
|
|
102,177 |
|
Research, Development and Technical |
|
|
15,319 |
|
|
|
16,541 |
|
|
|
59,039 |
|
|
|
66,633 |
|
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income) |
|
|
5,227 |
|
|
|
3,645 |
|
|
|
4,371 |
|
|
|
(9,393 |
) |
|
|
|
57,996 |
|
|
|
55,986 |
|
|
|
204,979 |
|
|
|
218,447 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Goodwill and Other Intangibles Impairment |
|
|
2,038 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,038 |
|
|
|
978 |
|
Business Restructuring and Assets |
|
|
6,141 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
11,968 |
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating Income |
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
11,691 |
|
|
|
58,613 |
|
|
|
207,336 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Interest, Net |
|
|
(2,429 |
) |
|
|
(2,555 |
) |
|
|
(12,103 |
) |
|
|
(9,809 |
) |
Other, Net |
|
|
(1,467 |
) |
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
1,881 |
|
|
|
(8,824 |
) |
|
|
|
(3,896 |
) |
|
|
(2,380 |
) |
|
|
(10,222 |
) |
|
|
(18,633 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes |
|
|
(3,666 |
) |
|
|
9,311 |
|
|
|
48,391 |
|
|
|
188,703 |
|
Provision for Income Taxes |
|
|
(2,473 |
) |
|
|
(1,523 |
) |
|
|
8,187 |
|
|
|
41,550 |
|
Net Income (Loss) |
|
|
(1,193 |
) |
|
|
10,834 |
|
|
|
40,204 |
|
|
|
147,153 |
|
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic |
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
$ |
6.46 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
|
$ |
1.75 |
|
|
$ |
6.38 |
|
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic |
|
|
22,794 |
|
|
|
22,685 |
|
|
|
22,777 |
|
|
|
22,781 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
22,912 |
|
|
|
22,994 |
|
|
|
22,946 |
|
|
|
23,064 |
|
10
Table II
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share*
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
2023 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
EPS |
|
||||||||
Net Income Reported |
|
$ |
(1,193 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
10,834 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
|
$ |
40,204 |
|
|
$ |
1.75 |
|
|
$ |
147,153 |
|
|
$ |
6.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
2,243 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
(551 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,369 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.10 |
) |
Business Restructuring and |
|
$ |
4,564 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
8,929 |
|
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
|
$ |
231 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
|
$ |
1,422 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
1,422 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Cash-Settled SARs (Income) |
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
$ |
194 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
(74 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(270 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
378 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
366 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
762 |
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
$ |
8,728 |
|
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Adjusted Net Income |
|
$ |
7,485 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
13,456 |
|
|
$ |
0.59 |
|
|
$ |
50,692 |
|
|
$ |
2.21 |
|
|
$ |
153,473 |
|
|
$ |
6.65 |
|
* 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 |
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
2023 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
EPS |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
EPS |
|
||||||||
Pre-Tax Adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
2,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(735 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3,117 |
) |
|
|
|
||||
Business Restructuring and |
|
$ |
6,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
308 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash-Settled SARs (Income) |
|
$ |
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
255 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(98 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(354 |
) |
|
|
|
||||
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
504 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
481 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,017 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,483 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Total Pre-Tax Adjustments |
|
$ |
11,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,190 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,320 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Cumulative Tax Effect |
|
$ |
(3,091 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(828 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3,702 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2,000 |
) |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
After-Tax Adjustments |
|
$ |
8,678 |
|
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
$ |
2,622 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
10,488 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
6,320 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
11
Table III
Deferred Compensation Plans
The full effect of the deferred compensation plans on quarterly pre-tax income was $3.0 million of expense versus $2.6 million of expense in the prior year. The year-to-date impact was $0.7 million of income versus $3.1 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 |
|
$ |
94.55 |
|
|
$ |
74.97 |
|
|
$ |
95.56 |
|
|
$ |
103.03 |
|
|
$ |
106.46 |
|
|
$ |
93.67 |
|
|
$ |
101.35 |
|
|
$ |
98.81 |
|
The deferred compensation income statement impact is summarized below:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
||||||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
||||
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating Income (Expense) |
|
$ |
(5,227 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,645 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,371 |
) |
|
$ |
9,393 |
|
Other, net – Mutual Fund Gain (Loss) |
|
|
2,236 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
5,106 |
|
|
|
(6,276 |
) |
Total Pre-Tax |
|
$ |
(2,991 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,631 |
) |
|
$ |
735 |
|
|
$ |
3,117 |
|
Total After-Tax |
|
$ |
(2,243 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,000 |
) |
|
$ |
551 |
|
|
$ |
2,369 |
|
12
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 twelve month periods ending December 31, 2023 as compared to 2022:
($ in millions) |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Decrease |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
|
Decrease |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net Sales |
|
$ |
532.1 |
|
|
$ |
627.2 |
|
|
$ |
(95.1 |
) |
|
$ |
16.0 |
|
|
$ |
2,325.8 |
|
|
$ |
2,773.3 |
|
|
$ |
(447.5 |
) |
|
$ |
27.1 |
|
Gross Profit |
|
|
66.4 |
|
|
|
67.8 |
|
|
$ |
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
277.6 |
|
|
|
427.1 |
|
|
$ |
(149.5 |
) |
|
|
2.1 |
|
Operating Income |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
$ |
(11.5 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
58.6 |
|
|
|
207.3 |
|
|
$ |
(148.7 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
Pretax Income |
|
|
(3.7 |
) |
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
$ |
(13.0 |
) |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
48.4 |
|
|
|
188.7 |
|
|
$ |
(140.3 |
) |
|
|
0.2 |
|
13
Table V
Stepan Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
|
December 31, 2022 |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current Assets |
|
$ |
851,883 |
|
|
$ |
1,044,802 |
|
Property, Plant & Equipment, Net |
|
|
1,206,665 |
|
|
|
1,073,297 |
|
Other Assets |
|
|
304,806 |
|
|
|
315,073 |
|
Total Assets |
|
$ |
2,363,354 |
|
|
$ |
2,433,172 |
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
$ |
607,870 |
|
|
$ |
670,649 |
|
Deferred Income Taxes |
|
|
10,373 |
|
|
|
10,179 |
|
Long-term Debt |
|
|
401,248 |
|
|
|
455,029 |
|
Other Non-current Liabilities |
|
|
127,373 |
|
|
|
131,250 |
|
Total Stepan Company Stockholders’ Equity |
|
|
1,216,490 |
|
|
|
1,166,065 |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
$ |
2,363,354 |
|
|
$ |
2,433,172 |
|
14
Table VI
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
($ in millions) |
|
Surfactants |
|
|
Polymers |
|
|
Specialty |
|
|
Unallocated |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|||||
Operating Income |
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
$ |
12.6 |
|
|
$ |
2.8 |
|
|
$ |
(30.0 |
) |
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
$ |
16.7 |
|
|
$ |
7.9 |
|
|
$ |
1.5 |
|
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
|
$ |
27.1 |
|
Other, Net Income (Expense) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(1.5 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.5 |
) |
EBITDA |
|
$ |
31.5 |
|
|
$ |
20.5 |
|
|
$ |
4.3 |
|
|
$ |
(30.5 |
) |
|
$ |
25.8 |
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
3.0 |
|
|
$ |
3.0 |
|
Cash Settled SARs |
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
Business Restructuring/ |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
6.1 |
|
|
$ |
6.1 |
|
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
|
$ |
20.5 |
|
|
$ |
4.3 |
|
|
$ |
(18.9 |
) |
|
$ |
37.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
($ in millions) |
|
Surfactants |
|
|
Polymers |
|
|
Specialty |
|
|
Unallocated |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|||||
Operating Income |
|
$ |
21.8 |
|
|
$ |
3.0 |
|
|
$ |
6.6 |
|
|
$ |
(19.7 |
) |
|
$ |
11.7 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
$ |
7.9 |
|
|
$ |
1.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.6 |
|
|
$ |
24.7 |
|
Other, Net Income (Expense) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
36.6 |
|
|
$ |
10.9 |
|
|
$ |
8.0 |
|
|
$ |
(18.9 |
) |
|
$ |
36.6 |
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2.6 |
|
|
$ |
2.6 |
|
Cash Settled SARs |
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
Business Restructuring |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
36.8 |
|
|
$ |
10.9 |
|
|
$ |
8.0 |
|
|
$ |
(15.7 |
) |
|
$ |
40.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
($ in millions) |
|
Surfactants |
|
|
Polymers |
|
|
Specialty |
|
|
Unallocated |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|||||
Operating Income |
|
$ |
72.4 |
|
|
$ |
60.8 |
|
|
$ |
11.5 |
|
|
$ |
(86.0 |
) |
|
$ |
58.6 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
$ |
64.4 |
|
|
$ |
32.4 |
|
|
$ |
5.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.7 |
|
|
$ |
105.3 |
|
Other, Net Income (Expense) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
1.9 |
|
|
$ |
1.9 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
136.8 |
|
|
$ |
93.2 |
|
|
$ |
17.3 |
|
|
$ |
(81.5 |
) |
|
$ |
165.8 |
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.7 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.7 |
) |
Cash Settled SARs |
|
$ |
(0.1 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.1 |
) |
Goodwill and Other Intangibles |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.0 |
|
Business Restructuring/ |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
12.0 |
|
|
$ |
12.0 |
|
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
136.7 |
|
|
$ |
93.2 |
|
|
$ |
17.3 |
|
|
$ |
(67.2 |
) |
|
$ |
180.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Twelve Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
($ in millions) |
|
Surfactants |
|
|
Polymers |
|
|
Specialty |
|
|
Unallocated |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|||||
Operating Income |
|
$ |
162.7 |
|
|
$ |
82.9 |
|
|
$ |
29.9 |
|
|
$ |
(68.2 |
) |
|
$ |
207.3 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
$ |
55.3 |
|
|
$ |
31.4 |
|
|
$ |
5.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.2 |
|
|
$ |
94.7 |
|
Other, Net Income (Expense) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(8.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(8.8 |
) |
EBITDA |
|
$ |
218.0 |
|
|
$ |
114.3 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
(74.8 |
) |
|
$ |
293.2 |
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(3.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.1 |
) |
Cash Settled SARs |
|
$ |
(0.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.1 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.4 |
) |
Business Restructuring |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
|
$ |
0.3 |
|
Environmental Remediation |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
11.5 |
|
|
$ |
11.5 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
217.8 |
|
|
$ |
114.2 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
(66.2 |
) |
|
$ |
301.5 |
|
15
Exhibit 99.2
Stepan Declares Quarterly Dividend
Northbrook, Illinois, February 20, 2024 -- Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) today reported:
The Board of Directors of Stepan Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.375 per share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2024, to common stockholders of record on March 1, 2024. The Company increased its quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2023 by $0.010 per share, marking the 56th 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.