Clorox Reports Q4 and FY22 Results, Provides FY23 Outlook and Announces Streamlined Operating Model

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2022, which ended June 30, 2022.

Fourth-Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Summary

The following is a summary of key fourth-quarter results. All comparisons are with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 unless otherwise stated.

• Net sales of $1.8 billion were flat versus the year-ago quarter, as lower shipments were offset by the benefit of pricing. Organic sales¹ were up 1%. The three-year average growth rate for net sales was 3%.
• Gross margin of 37.1% was flat versus the year-ago quarter, due mainly to ongoing elevated commodity costs and manufacturing and logistics costs, offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.
• Diluted net earnings per share (diluted EPS) increased 4% to 81 cents from 78 cents in the year-ago quarter, reflecting the previous year's 17-cent noncash charge in connection with investments and related arrangements made with a Professional Products business unit supplier. This was partially offset by a 12-cent charge in the current period related to investments in the company's long-term strategic digital capabilities and productivity enhancements.
• Adjusted EPS¹ decreased 2% to 93 cents versus 95 cents in the year-ago quarter, driven mainly by a higher effective tax rate, partially offset by lower advertising.

"Over this quarter and the fiscal year, we navigated through challenging operating conditions by taking pro-active steps to rebuild margin and invest in the areas of the business that would best position Clorox for long-term success. This has allowed us to report results in line with our expectations and deliver another quarter of sequential margin improvement," said CEO Linda Rendle. "The streamlined operating model we announced today to create a faster, simpler company is designed to increase efficiency, move decision-making closer to consumers and customers, and enable us to better meet their needs. This is another important step in implementing our IGNITE strategy of reimagining how we work, complementing the digital transformation initiative that's already underway.

"Looking to fiscal year 2023, the environment remains difficult, with consumer behaviors adapting to ongoing inflation as well as continued normalization in our cleaning and disinfecting portfolio. We're addressing these challenges head-on while taking steps to keep our categories healthy and offer superior consumer value. Guided by our IGNITE strategy, we're confident that, despite these headwinds, our actions will position us well to deliver profitable growth over time and build a stronger, more resilient company." 

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" at the end of this press release for more details.  

Strategic and Operational Highlights

The following are highlights of business and ESG achievements in the fourth quarter:

• Delivered net sales growth in three of four reportable segments.
• Continued to execute cost-justified pricing actions across the vast majority of the portfolio.
• Launched first direct-to-consumer online platform for the Clorox brand in July.
• Expanded Brita partnership program ? which provides products to municipalities as a short-term solution to lead in drinking water ? to include 25 municipalities, reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottled water.
• Launched Healthy Parks Project, a multiyear investment in environmental justice through a partnership with city parks in communities where Clorox operates.
• Named to 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by 3BL Media, 2022 50 Out Front list of the Best Places to Work for Women & Diverse Managers by Diversity MBA (ranking No. 10) and Best Employers for Diversity 2022 list by Forbes and Statista (ranking No. 8 out of 500 companies).

Key Segment Results

The following is a summary of key fourth-quarter results by reportable segment. All comparisons are with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, unless otherwise stated.

Health and Wellness (Cleaning; Professional Products; Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements)             

• Net sales decreased 5%, with lower sales in all three businesses. The decrease was driven by 18 points of lower volume, which was partially offset by 13 points of favorable price mix.
• Cleaning sales decreased, driven by the continued normalization of consumer demand and reduction in retailer inventories of disinfecting wipes, which were partially offset by favorable price mix.
• Professional Products sales decreased, primarily as the result of reduced demand in the commercial cleaning sector due to low office occupancy rates and a tight labor market for cleaning professionals.
• VMS sales decreased, primarily due to the ongoing shift away from noncore brands and a reduction in retailer inventories.
• Segment pretax earnings increased 650%, driven by the previous year's noncash charge to the Professional Products business. On an adjusted basis², segment pretax earnings increased 206%, primarily reflecting lower advertising investments.

Household (Bags and Wraps; Grilling; Cat Litter)

• Net sales increased 4%, reflecting increases in two of three businesses. Growth was driven primarily by 8 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 4 points of lower volume.
• Bags and Wraps sales increased, driven by the benefit of pricing and volume growth due to distribution gains behind innovation such as Glad ForceFlex Plus with Clorox trash bags and the brand's experiential platform in the new Cherry Blossom scent.
• Grilling sales decreased as a result of normalization of consumer demand and poor weather conditions at the start of the grilling season.
• Cat Litter sales increased, primarily due to the benefit of pricing, the strength of the Fresh Step Outstretch innovation and continued growth in the e-commerce channel.
• Segment pretax earnings decreased 12%, primarily due to higher manufacturing and logistics costs and higher commodity costs, partially offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.

Lifestyle (Food; Natural Personal Care; Water Filtration)

• Net sales increased 1%, reflecting growth in two of three businesses. The increase was driven primarily by 4 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 3 points of lower volume.
• Food sales increased, driven primarily by the benefit of pricing and expanding consumer usage of bottled Hidden Valley Ranch beyond its core purpose as a salad dressing.
• Natural Personal Care sales decreased, due mainly to lower shipments caused by supply chain disruptions.
• Water Filtration sales increased, supported by innovation. Introduction of the Brita Tahoe pitcher with a newly designed indicator and the relaunch of the lead-reducing Elite filter helped the business reach its highest household penetration in eight years.
• Segment pretax earnings decreased 33%, mainly due to higher commodity costs and manufacturing and logistics costs.

International (Sales Outside the U.S.)

• Net sales increased 4%, driven by 13 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 8 points of unfavorable foreign exchange rates and 1 point of lower volume. Organic sales growth was 12%.
• Segment pretax earnings were flat, driven by the benefit of pricing, which was offset by higher commodity costs and higher manufacturing and logistics costs.

Fiscal Year 2022 Summary

The following is a summary of key fiscal year 2022 results. All comparisons are to fiscal year 2021.

• Net sales decreased 3% (2% organic sales decrease) primarily due to 5 points of lower volume and 1 point of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by 3 points of favorable price mix. The three-year average growth rate for net sales was 5%.
• Gross margin decreased 780 basis points to 35.8% from 43.6% in the year-ago period. The decrease was driven by higher manufacturing and logistics costs, increased commodity costs, and unfavorable mix, which were partially offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.
• Diluted EPS decreased 33% to $3.73 from $5.58 due to lower sales and gross margin, the one-time, noncash remeasurement gain recognized on the previously held equity interest in the Saudi joint venture in the prior period and investments in the company's long-term strategic digital capabilities and productivity enhancements. These factors were partially offset by the noncash impairment charges on assets held by the VMS business in the prior period.
• Adjusted EPS decreased 43% to $4.10 from $7.25, mainly driven by lower sales and gross margin, partially offset by lower advertising investments.
• Net cash provided by operations was $786 million, compared to $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2021, representing a 38% decrease.

Streamlined Operating Model to Improve Margins and Drive Growth

As part of its journey to Reimagine Work ? one of the key pillars of its IGNITE strategy ? Clorox is announcing a streamlined operating model to create a simpler, faster company. The operating model, which the company will begin implementing in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, is designed to increase efficiency as well as move decision-making closer to consumers and customers in order to better anticipate and meet their needs.

The new operating model is expected to generate ongoing annual savings of approximately $75 million to $100 million, with benefits beginning in fiscal year 2023. The company expects selling and administrative expenses to be approximately 13% of sales over time as a result of the changes and its ongoing productivity efforts. It also expects to take a charge in connection with the new operating model of approximately $75 million to $100 million over fiscal years 2023 and 2024, with approximately $35 million, or about 20 cents, to be recognized in fiscal year 2023, mostly in other income and expense.

Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

• Net sales are expected to be down 4% to up 2% compared to the prior year. Organic sales are expected to be down 3% to up 3%.
• Gross margin is expected to increase by about 200 basis points, primarily due to the combined benefit of pricing, cost savings and supply chain optimization, offset by continued cost inflation.
• Selling and administrative expenses are expected to be between 15% and 16% of net sales, which includes about 1.5 points of impact from the company's strategic investments in digital capabilities and productivity enhancements.
• Advertising and sales promotion spending is expected to be about 10% of net sales, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to invest behind its brands.
• The company's effective tax rate is expected to be about 24%, with the year-over-year increase primarily reflecting lower excess tax benefits from equity compensation.
• Diluted EPS is expected to be between $3.10 and $3.47, or a decrease between 17% and 7%, respectively.
• Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $3.85 and $4.22, or a decrease of 6% to an increase of 3%, respectively. It reflects continued normalization of demand in parts of the portfolio that saw the most significant surge over the last two years and progress rebuilding gross margin. It also reflects the company's long-standing commitment to continue investing in its brands as well as a return to more normalized levels of incentive compensation and a higher effective tax rate. To provide greater visibility into the underlying operating performance of the business, adjusted EPS outlook excludes the long-term strategic investment in digital capabilities and productivity enhancements, estimated to be about 55 cents, and an estimated 20-cent charge related to the streamlined operating model announced today.

Clorox Earnings Conference Call Schedule

At approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today, Clorox will post prepared management remarks regarding its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2022 results.

At 5 p.m. ET today, the company will host a live Q&A audio webcast with CEO Linda Rendle and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Jacobsen to discuss the results.

Links to the live (and archived) webcast, press release and prepared remarks can be found at Clorox Quarterly Results.

For More Detailed Financial Information

Visit the company's Quarterly Results for the following: 

• Supplemental unaudited volume and sales growth information
• Supplemental unaudited gross margin driver information
• Supplemental unaudited cash flow information and free cash flow reconciliation
• Supplemental unaudited reconciliation of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and adjusted EBIT
• Supplemental unaudited reconciliation of adjusted earnings per share

Note: Percentage and basis-point, or point, changes noted in this press release are calculated based on rounded numbers, except for per-share data and the effective tax rate.

The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 9,000 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2022 sales of $7.1 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol^® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr^® clog removers; Poett^® home care products; Fresh Step^® cat litter; Glad^® bags and wraps; Kingsford^® grilling products; Hidden Valley^® dressings and sauces; Brita^® water-filtration products; Burt's Bees^® natural personal care products; and RenewLife^®, Rainbow Light^®, Natural Vitality CALMtm, and NeoCell^® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxProtm and Clorox Healthcare^® brand names. More than 80% of the company's sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.

Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, included on the Barron's 2022 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign's 2022 Corporate Equality Index and the 2022 Parity.org Best Places for Women to Advance list, among others. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, among others, statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses of governments, consumers, customers, suppliers, employees and the company, on our business, operations, employees, financial condition and results of operations, and any such forward-looking statements, whether concerning the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future volumes, sales, organic sales growth, foreign currencies, costs, cost savings, margins, earnings, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates, cash flows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth or profitability are forward-looking statements based on management's estimates, beliefs, assumptions and projections. Words such as "could," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," "predicts," and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management's expectations are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, as updated from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These factors include, but are not limited to: intense competition in the company's markets; the impact of the changing retail environment, including the growth of alternative retail channels and business models, and changing consumer preferences; the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of, and efficiency of the supply, manufacturing and distribution systems for, the company's products, including any significant disruption to such systems; on the demand for the company's products; and on worldwide, regional and local adverse economic conditions, including increased risk of inflation; volatility and increases in the costs of raw materials, energy, transportation, labor and other necessary supplies or services; risks related to supply chain issues and product shortages as a result of increased supply chain dependencies due to an expanded supplier network and a reliance on certain single-source suppliers; risks relating to the significant increase in demand for disinfecting and other products due to the COVID-19 pandemic continuing; dependence on key customers and risks related to customer consolidation and ordering patterns; risks related to the company's use of and reliance on information technology systems, including potential security breaches, cyber-attacks, privacy breaches or data breaches that result in the unauthorized disclosure of consumer, customer, employee or company information, or service interruptions, especially at a time when a large number of the company's employees are working remotely and accessing its technology infrastructure remotely; the ability of the company to drive sales growth, increase prices and market share, grow its product categories and manage favorable product and geographic mix; risks relating to acquisitions, new ventures and divestitures, and associated costs; and the ability to complete announced transactions and, if completed, integration costs and potential contingent liabilities related to those transactions; risks related to the ability of the company to achieve anticipated results and cost savings from the streamlined operating model; the company's ability to maintain its business reputation and the reputation of its brands and products; lower revenue, increased costs or reputational harm resulting from government actions and compliance with regulations, or any material costs imposed by changes in regulation; the ability of the company to successfully manage global political, legal, tax and regulatory risks, including changes in regulatory or administrative activity; the operations of the company and its suppliers being subject to disruption by events beyond the company's control, including work stoppages, cyber-attacks, weather events or natural disasters, political instability or uncertainty, disease outbreaks or pandemics, such as COVID-19, and terrorism; risks related to international operations and international trade, including foreign currency fluctuations, such as devaluations, and foreign currency exchange rate controls; changes in governmental policies, including trade, travel or immigration restrictions, new or additional tariffs, and price or other controls; labor claims and civil unrest; inflationary pressures, particularly in Argentina; impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union; potential negative impact and liabilities from the use, storage and transportation of chlorine in certain international markets where chlorine is used in the production of bleach; widespread health emergencies, such as COVID-19; and the possibility of nationalization, expropriation of assets or other government action; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events, including the unfolding situation in Ukraine and its regional and global ramifications and effects on inflation; the ability of the company to innovate and to develop and introduce commercially successful products, or expand into adjacent categories and countries; the impact of product liability claims, labor claims and other legal, governmental or tax proceedings, including in foreign jurisdictions and in connection with any product recalls; implement and generate cost savings and efficiencies, and successfully implement its business strategies; the accuracy of the company's estimates and assumptions on which its financial projections, including any sales or earnings guidance or outlook it may provide from time to time, are based; risks related to additional increases in the estimated fair value of The Procter & Gamble Company's interest in the Glad business; the performance of strategic alliances and other business relationships; the company's ability to attract and retain key personnel; the impact of environmental, social, and governance issues, including those related to climate change and sustainability on our sales, operating costs or reputation; environmental matters, including costs associated with the remediation and monitoring of past contamination, and possible increases in costs resulting from actions by relevant regulators, and the handling and/or transportation of hazardous substances; the company's ability to effectively utilize, assert and defend its intellectual property rights, and any infringement or claimed infringement by the company of third-party intellectual property rights; the effect of the company's indebtedness and credit rating on its business operations and financial results and the company's ability to access capital markets and other funding sources; the company's ability to pay and declare dividends or repurchase its stock in the future; the impacts of potential stockholder activism; and risks related to any litigation associated with the exclusive forum provision in the company's bylaws.

The company's forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current views, beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

• This press release contains non-GAAP financial information related to organic sales growth/(decrease) and adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 and for fiscal year 2022; Health and Wellness adjusted segment pretax earnings increase for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022; and organic sales growth/(decrease) and adjusted EPS outlook for fiscal year 2023.
• Clorox defines organic sales growth/(decrease) as GAAP net sales growth/(decrease) excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate changes and any acquisitions or divestitures.
• Organic sales growth/(decrease) outlook for fiscal year 2023 excludes the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate changes, which the company currently expects to reduce GAAP net sales growth/(decrease) by about 1.5 percentage points.
• Management believes that the presentation of organic sales growth/(decrease) is useful to investors because it excludes sales from any acquisitions and divestitures, which results in a comparison of sales only from the businesses that the company was operating and expects to continue to operate throughout the relevant periods, and the company's estimate of the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, which are difficult to predict and out of the control of the company and management. However, organic sales growth/(decrease) may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation or differences in which items are incorporated into these adjustments.
• Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings per share that excludes or has otherwise been adjusted for significant items that are nonrecurring or unusual. The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
• Adjusted EPS is supplemental information that management uses to help evaluate the company's historical and prospective financial performance on a consistent basis over time. Management believes that by adjusting for certain items affecting comparability of performance over time, such as asset impairments, charges related to the streamlined operating model, charges related to digital capabilities and productivity enhancements investment, significant losses/(gains) related to acquisitions, and other nonrecurring or unusual items, investors and management are able to gain additional insight into the company's underlying operating performance on a consistent basis over time. However, adjusted EPS may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation or differences in which items are incorporated into these adjustments.
• Adjusted segment pretax earnings increase is defined as an increase in earnings (losses) before income taxes excluding the impact of certain nonrecurring or unusual items. Adjusted segment pretax earnings increase of the Health and Wellness segment for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 was 206%, which reflects a deduction of 444% related to the impact of $28 noncash impairment charges in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 from the 650% GAAP pretax earnings increase of the Health and Wellness segment for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. The percentage changes are versus the year-ago period. Management believes that the presentation of the adjusted segment pretax earnings increase for the Health and Wellness segment is useful to investors to assess operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of charges it believes do not directly reflect the performance of the segment's underlying operations.
• The reconciliation tables below refer to the equivalent GAAP measures adjusted as applicable for the following items:

Digital Capabilities and Productivity Enhancements Investment 

As announced in August 2021, the company plans to invest approximately $500 million over a five-year period in transformative technologies and processes. This investment, which began in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, includes replacement of the company's enterprise resource planning system and transitioning to a cloud-based platform as well as the implementation of a suite of other digital technologies. Together it is expected that these implementations will generate efficiencies and transform the company's operations in the areas of supply chain, digital commerce, innovation, brand building and more over the long term.   

Of the total $500 million investment, approximately 55% is expected to represent incremental operating costs primarily recorded within selling and administrative expenses to be adjusted from reported EPS for purposes of disclosing adjusted EPS over the course of the next five years. Approximately 70% of these incremental operating costs are expected to be related to the implementation of the ERP, with the remaining costs primarily related to the implementation of complementary technologies.  

Due to the nature, scope and magnitude of this investment, these costs are considered by management to represent incremental transformational costs above the historical normal level of spending for information technology to support operations. Since these strategic investments, including incremental operating costs, will cease at the end of the investment period, are not expected to recur in the foreseeable future, and are not considered representative of the company's underlying operating performance, the company's management believes presenting these costs as an adjustment in the non-GAAP results provides additional information to investors about trends in the company's operations and is useful for period-over-period comparisons. It also allows investors to view underlying operating results in the same manner as they are viewed by company management. 

Streamlined Operating Model

As announced today, Clorox will begin to implement a streamlined operating model in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. As a result, the company expects to incur costs of approximately $75 million to $100 million over fiscal years 2023 and 2024, with approximately $35 million, or about 20 cents, to be recognized in fiscal year 2023, primarily within other income and expense.

The following tables provide reconciliations of organic sales growth/(decrease) (non-GAAP) to net sales growth/(decrease), the most comparable GAAP measure:

The following tables provide reconciliations of adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) to diluted earnings per share, the most comparable GAAP measure:

SOURCE The Clorox Company