MEDINA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM), a world leader in specialty coatings, sealants and building materials, today reported record financial results for its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2024.

“We achieved record adjusted EBIT for the 10^th consecutive quarter due to our strategic balance and our ability to leverage MAP 2025 operating improvement initiatives to increase profitability,” said Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and CEO. “Construction Products Group captured growth opportunities with its differentiated turnkey roofing offerings and wall systems, while Consumer generated record adjusted EBIT, despite continued DIY softness, due to its MAP 2025 initiatives and ability to win market share. Although Performance Coatings Group and Specialty Products Group faced headwinds, we still generated positive organic sales growth on a consolidated basis.”

Sullivan continued, “For the full fiscal year, we achieved record sales, profitability and operating cash flow as a result of good execution on factors we could control, including structural margin and working capital improvements. Our adjusted EBIT finished in the guidance range we provided 12 months ago as our teams nimbly captured growth opportunities in markets that were more challenging than expected and focused on initiatives that resulted in improved profitability.”

Fourth-Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results

Positive organic growth, including slightly positive pricing, was more than offset by foreign currency translation headwinds and divestitures, resulting in an overall sales decline. Volume growth was strongest in businesses that were positioned to serve high-performance new building projects and renovations. Market share gains also contributed to volumes. This was offset by weakness in the disaster restoration business, unfavorable timing of project completions, and lower DIY consumer takeaway at retail stores.

Geographically, sales increased slightly in North America, while emerging markets generally declined due to foreign currency translation headwinds and challenging comparisons. European sales also declined due to foreign currency translation headwinds, divestitures and initiatives to focus on higher-margin business.

Sales included a 0.4% organic increase, a 0.1% decline from divestitures net of acquisitions, and a 0.7% decline from foreign currency translation.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to incentives to sell higher-margin products and services, investments to accelerate long-term growth, and inflation in compensation and benefits. Several MAP 2025-enabled initiatives to streamline the selling, general and administrative expense structure were implemented during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

Fiscal 2024 fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was a record, driven by MAP 2025 initiatives, including the commodity cycle recovery, positive mix from shifting toward higher margin products and services, and improved fixed-cost leverage at businesses with volume growth. In Europe, although sales declined, a focused strategy to leverage MAP 2025 initiatives improved profitability in the region.

Fourth-Quarter 2024 Segment Sales and Earnings

CPG fourth-quarter sales were a record with broad-based strength led by turnkey roofing systems, wall systems and products serving infrastructure-related projects, including those that lower the carbon footprint of projects. There was strength in both new construction projects and renovations.

Sales included 6.6% organic growth, 0.5% growth from acquisitions, and a 0.5% decline from foreign currency translation.

Record fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was driven by improved fixed-cost leverage from volume growth, MAP 2025 benefits and favorable mix. Variable compensation increased as a result of improved financial performance.

PCG sales declined as a result of challenging comparisons in the prior-year period and the unfavorable timing of project completions, as well as pockets of weakness in Europe. Foreign currency translation and the prior divestiture of a non-core European service business also contributed to the sales decline. The flooring business generated positive growth in the U.S., despite a challenging comparison.

Sales included a 4.0% organic decline, a 1.3% decline from divestitures, and a 1.4% decline from foreign currency translation.

The fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT decline was driven by the lower sales and reduced fixed-cost leverage from lower volumes, partially offset by MAP 2025 benefits.

SPG’s fourth-quarter sales decline was driven by challenging comparisons in the prior-year period for the disaster restoration business. Additionally, specialty residential OEM end markets remained soft during the quarter.

Sales included an 8.1% organic decline and 0.1% growth from foreign currency translation.

Adjusted EBIT was negatively impacted by the sales decline and under absorption from lower volumes.

The Consumer Group’s fourth-quarter sales decline was driven by weaker DIY takeaway at retail stores and the rationalization of lower-margin products. Market share gains, aided by new products, and growth initiatives in international markets helped offset the overall sales decline.

Sales included a 1.2% organic decline and a 0.7% decline from foreign currency translation.

Record fourth-quarter adjusted EBIT was driven by MAP 2025 benefits and the rationalization of lower margin products, partially offset by unfavorable fixed-cost absorption from lower volumes, and compensation and benefits inflation.

Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Results

Fiscal year 2024 sales were a record, driven by strength in CPG and PCG, which have positioned themselves to provide engineered solutions for infrastructure and high-performance building projects, including reshoring projects. Partially offsetting this growth was the Consumer Group, which experienced soft DIY demand and SPG, which faced weak demand, particularly in disaster restoration and specialty residential OEM markets.

Record adjusted EBIT was driven by MAP 2025 benefits, including the commodity cycle, better mix and improved fixed-cost leverage at businesses that generated volume growth. The record adjusted EBIT was achieved despite an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses from incentives to sell higher-margin products and services; investments to accelerate long-term growth; and inflation in compensation and benefits.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

During fiscal 2024:

• Cash provided by operating activities was $1.12 billion compared to $577.1 million in the prior year, with the increase driven by improved profitability and working capital efficiency, both of which were enabled by MAP 2025 initiatives.
• Capital expenditures were $214.0 million compared to $254.4 million during the prior year.
• The company returned $286.9 million to stockholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.

As of May 31, 2024:

• Total debt was $2.13 billion compared to $2.68 billion a year ago, with the $556.7 million reduction driven by improved cash flow being used to repay higher-cost debt.
• Total liquidity, including cash and committed revolving credit facilities, was $1.36 billion, compared to $1.03 billion a year ago.

Business Outlook

“As we enter fiscal year 2025, we remain focused on things we can control in a mixed economic environment. These include outgrowing our markets, improving operating cash flow, and leveraging the power of RPM through MAP 2025 initiatives. The structural improvements we are making through MAP 2025 are helping us navigate the current economic landscape, and their impact will be even more evident when end markets improve.”

The company expects the following in the fiscal 2025 first quarter:

• Consolidated sales to be approximately flat compared to prior-year record results.
• CPG sales to increase in the low-single-digit percentage range compared to prior-year record results.
• PCG sales to be flat compared to prior-year record results.
• SPG sales to decrease in the low-single-digit percentage range compared to prior-year results.
• Consumer Group sales to decrease in the low-single-digit percentage range compared to prior-year record results.
• Consolidated adjusted EBIT to increase in the mid-single-digit percentage range compared to prior-year record results.

The company expects the following in the full-year fiscal 2025:

• Consolidated sales to increase in the low-single-digit percentage range compared to prior-year record results.
• Consolidated adjusted EBIT to increase in the mid-single to low-double-digit percentage range compared to prior-year record results.

Earnings Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET today. The call can be accessed via webcast at www.RPMinc.com/Investors/Presentations-Webcasts or by dialing 1-844-481-2915 or 1-412-317-0708 for international callers and asking to join the RPM International call. Participants are asked to call the assigned number approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The call, which will last approximately one hour, will be open to the public, but only financial analysts will be permitted to ask questions. The media and all other participants will be in a listen-only mode.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available from July 25, 2024, until August 1, 2024. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers. The access code is 6170685. The call also will be available for replay and as a written transcript via the RPM website at www.RPMinc.com.

About RPM

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company operates across four reportable segments: consumer, construction products, performance coatings and specialty products. RPM has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, DayGlo, Legend Brands, Stonhard, Carboline, Tremco and Dryvit. From homes and workplaces, to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM’s brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world. The company is ranked on the Fortune 500^® and employs approximately 17,300 individuals worldwide. Visit www.RPMinc.com to learn more.

For more information, contact Matt Schlarb, Vice President – Investor Relations & Sustainability, at 330-220-6064 or mschlarb@rpminc.com.

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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement the financial information presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”) in this earnings release, we use EBIT, adjusted EBIT and adjusted earnings per share, which are all non-GAAP financial measures. EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes, with adjusted EBIT and adjusted earnings per share provided for the purpose of adjusting for one-off items impacting revenues and/or expenses that are not considered by management to be indicative of ongoing operations. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest income (expense), net is essentially related to corporate functions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest and investment income or expense in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets’ analysis of our segments’ core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See the financial statement section of this earnings release for a reconciliation of EBIT and adjusted EBIT to income before income taxes, and adjusted earnings per share to earnings per share. We have not provided a reconciliation of our first-quarter fiscal 2025 or full-year fiscal 2025 adjusted EBIT guidance because material terms that impact such measure are not in our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and therefore a reconciliation of such measure is not available without unreasonable effort.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” relating to our business. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below), which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in financial markets, the availability of capital, and the viability of banks and other financial institutions; (b) the prices, supply and availability of raw materials, including assorted pigments, resins, solvents, and other natural gas- and oil-based materials; packaging, including plastic and metal containers; and transportation services, including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products; (d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f) the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign operations; (g) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors; (h) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and divestiture activities; (i) the timing of and the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives and the ability to identify additional cost savings opportunities; (j) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent liability reserves; (k) risks relating to a public health crisis similar to the Covid pandemic; (l) risks related to acts of war similar to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; (m) risks related to the transition or physical impacts of climate change and other natural disasters or meeting sustainability-related voluntary goals or regulatory requirements; (n) risks related to our use of technology, artificial intelligence, data breaches and data privacy violations; and (o) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2023, as the same may be updated from time to time. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the filing date of this release.