Avery Dennison Announces Second Quarter 2021 Results

Highlights:

• 2Q21 Reported EPS of $2.19, up 131%
  • Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) of $2.25, up 77%

• 2Q21 Net sales increased 37.5% to $2.10 billion
  • Sales growth ex. currency (non-GAAP) of 29.2%
  • Organic sales growth (non-GAAP) of 28.1%

• Raised FY 2021 EPS guidance ranges
  • Reported EPS range now $8.50 to $8.80 (previously $8.25 to $8.65)
  • Adjusted EPS range now $8.65 to $8.95 (previously $8.40 to $8.80)

• Announced agreement to acquire Vestcom for $1.45 billion

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) today announced preliminary, unaudited results for its second quarter ended July 3, 2021. Non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this document are reconciled to GAAP in the attached tables. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same period in the prior year.

“We delivered another strong quarter, ahead of expectations, raised our outlook for the second half, and announced an agreement to acquire Vestcom that will build upon and expand RBIS’ strengths,” said Mitch Butier, Avery Dennison president and CEO. “Revenue was up 28 percent organically compared to prior year and up 11 percent compared to 2019, as RBIS and IHM rebounded significantly from prior year lows and strength in LGM continued.

“Our strong performance comes at a time when supply chains remain tight, inflation persists and the global health crisis continues. The current environment reinforces our determination to remain vigilant in ensuring the health and well-being of our employees, delivering for our customers, supporting our communities, and creating value for our shareholders.

“Vestcom, a high growth, high margin business, provides retail shelf-edge pricing and branding labeling solutions. The acquisition will further expand our position in high value categories while adding channel access and data management capabilities to RBIS that have the potential to further advance our Intelligent Labels strategy,” added Butier.

“Once again, I want to thank our entire team for their ongoing efforts to keep one another safe while continuing to deliver for all our stakeholders during this challenging period.”

Operational/Market Update

Uncertainty surrounding the global health crisis remains elevated as many parts of the world are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the greatest impact to the company being in South Asia, particularly RBIS. The safety and well-being of employees has been and will continue to be the company’s top priority. The company has taken steps to ensure employee safety, quickly implementing world-class safety protocols and continuing to adapt them as the pandemic evolves.

The company continues to actively manage through a dynamic supply and demand environment. Demand across the majority of businesses and regions remains very strong, while raw materials, freight and labor availability continue to be constrained. The company is leveraging its global scale and working closely with customers and suppliers to minimize disruptions. Inflation remains persistent and pricing and material re-engineering actions are being implemented to offset higher costs.

Second Quarter 2021 Results by Segment

Label and Graphic Materials

• Reported sales increased 25% to $1.4 billion. Compared to prior year, sales were up 17% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 16% on an organic basis (up 11% vs. 2019).
  • Label and Packaging Materials sales were up approximately 12% from prior year on an organic basis, with strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business.
  • Sales increased by approximately 49% organically in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses.
  • On an organic basis, sales were up high-single digits in North America, up mid-teens in Western Europe, and up approximately 20% in emerging markets.

• Reported operating margin increased 410 basis points to 16.6%. Adjusted operating margin decreased 30 basis points to 14.5% driven by the net impact of pricing and raw material costs and higher employee-related costs, partially offset by higher volume/mix.

Retail Branding and Information Solutions

• Reported sales increased 80% to $529 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 73% ex. currency (up 25% vs. 2019) and up 72% on an organic basis (up 14% vs. 2019), reflecting strong growth in both the high value categories and the base business.
  • Intelligent Labels was up approximately 65% organically.

• Reported operating margin increased 1160 basis points to 8.0%. Adjusted operating margin increased 1240 basis points to 13.1% as the benefits from higher volume and productivity more than offset the headwind from prior year temporary cost reduction actions, higher employee-related costs and growth investments.

Industrial and Healthcare Materials

• Reported sales increased 49% to $197 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 39% ex. currency (up 11% vs. 2019) and up 33% on an organic basis (up 6% vs. 2019), reflecting an approximately 60% increase in industrial categories and a high-single digit decline in healthcare categories.

• Reported operating margin increased 580 basis points to 11.5%. Adjusted operating margin increased 490 basis points to 11.7% as the benefit from higher volume/mix more than offset the headwind from prior year temporary cost reduction actions and higher employee-related costs.

Other

Balance Sheet, Liquidity, and Capital Deployment

The company’s balance sheet remains strong, with ample capacity. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was 1.3 at the end of the second quarter, below its long-term target.

In the first half, the company returned $203 million in cash to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, up from $142 million for the same period last year.

The company repurchased 0.2 million shares in the second quarter at an aggregate cost of $39 million. Net of dilution from long-term incentive awards, the company’s share count at the end of the quarter was down by 0.1 million compared to the same time last year.

In May 2021, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court ruled on the recovery of certain indirect taxes that the company had paid in previous years. As a result of the ruling, the company recorded a gain of $29.1 million that it now expects to use to offset its future taxes in Brazil.

The company recorded a contingent liability during the quarter in the amount of $26.6 million based on a jury verdict issued in May 2021 in the matter of ADASA Inc. vs. Avery Dennison Corporation. The company will appeal the decision and believes it has meritorious defenses to present during the appeal process with an anticipated favorable final outcome.

The company announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire Vestcom for $1.45 billion, subject to certain closing and post-closing adjustments. Vestcom is a privately held company that provides shelf-edge pricing, productivity and consumer engagement solutions for retailers and consumer packaged goods companies. The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The company plans to fund the acquisition with cash and debt. For more information on Vestcom and the transaction, see full press release here and the slides accompanying today’s release.

Income Taxes

The company’s second quarter effective tax rate was 27.6%. The adjusted (non-GAAP) tax rate for the quarter was 25.6%, while the company’s current expectation for its full year adjusted tax rate is 25.3%.

Cost Reduction Actions

In the second quarter, the company realized approximately $17 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring, net of transition costs, and incurred pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $2 million, the vast majority of which represents cash charges.

Outlook

In its supplemental presentation materials, “Second Quarter 2021 Financial Review and Analysis,” the company provides a list of factors that it believes will contribute to its 2021 financial results. Based on the factors listed and other assumptions, the company has raised its guidance range for 2021 reported earnings per share from $8.25 to $8.65 to $8.50 to $8.80. Excluding an estimated $0.15 per share related to restructuring charges and other items, the company’s guidance range for adjusted earnings per share has been raised from $8.40 to $8.80 to $8.65 to $8.95.

Note: 2021 estimates do not include the impact of Vestcom; transaction is expected to close in Q3 subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions

For more details on the company’s results, see the summary tables accompanying this news release, as well as the supplemental presentation materials, “Second Quarter 2021 Financial Review and Analysis,” posted on the company’s website at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished to the SEC on Form 8-K.

Throughout this release and the supplemental presentation materials, amounts on a per share basis reflect fully diluted shares outstanding.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs more than 32,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2020 were $7.0 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements contained in this document are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, and financial or other business targets, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements also include those related to the acquisition of Vestcom, including its anticipated closing, benefits, financing and effect on our long-term targets and future financial results.

We believe that the most significant risk factors that could affect our financial performance in the near-term include: (i) the impacts to underlying demand for our products and/or foreign currency fluctuations from global economic conditions, political uncertainty, changes in environmental standards and governmental regulations, including as a result of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) competitors’ actions, including pricing, expansion in key markets, and product offerings; (iii) the degree to which higher costs can be offset with productivity measures and/or passed on to customers through price increases, without a significant loss of volume; and (iv) the execution and integration of acquisitions, including the pending acquisition of Vestcom.

Actual results and trends may differ materially from historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors, including but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the following:

• COVID-19
• The Vestcom acquisition – our ability to complete the acquisition on the proposed terms or anticipated timeline, including risks and uncertainties related to securing the necessary regulatory approvals, financing and satisfaction of other closing conditions to complete the acquisition; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement related to the acquisition; significant transaction costs or unknown or inestimable liabilities; the risk of stockholder litigation in connection with the pending acquisition; risks related to future opportunities and plans for the combined company, including the uncertainty of expected future financial performance and results of the combined company after the acquisition closes; effects related to the announcement or completion of the acquisition on the market price of our common stock; and the possibility that, if we do not achieve the perceived benefits of the acquisition as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial analysts or investors, the market price of our common stock could decline
• International Operations – worldwide and local economic and market conditions; changes in political conditions; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and other risks associated with foreign operations, including in emerging markets
• Our Business – changes in our markets due to competitive conditions, technological developments, environmental standards, laws and regulations, and customer preferences; fluctuations in demand affecting sales to customers; execution and integration of acquisitions, including the pending acquisition of Vestcom; selling prices; fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials and energy; the impact of competitive products and pricing; customer and supplier concentrations or consolidations; financial condition of distributors; outsourced manufacturers; product and service quality; timely development and market acceptance of new products, including sustainable or sustainably-sourced products; investment in development activities and new production facilities; successful implementation of new manufacturing technologies and installation of manufacturing equipment; our ability to generate sustained productivity improvement; our ability to achieve and sustain targeted cost reductions; and collection of receivables from customers
• Income Taxes – fluctuations in tax rates; changes in tax laws and regulations, and uncertainties associated with interpretations of such laws and regulations; retention of tax incentives; outcome of tax audits; and the realization of deferred tax assets
• Information Technology – disruptions in information technology systems, including cyber-attacks or other intrusions to network security; successful installation of new or upgraded information technology systems; and data security breaches
• Human Capital – recruitment and retention of employees; fluctuations in employee benefit costs; and collective labor arrangements
• Our Indebtedness – credit risks; our ability to obtain adequate financing arrangements and maintain access to capital; volatility of financial markets; fluctuations in interest rates; and compliance with our debt covenants
• Ownership of Our Stock – potential significant variability of our stock price and amounts of future dividends and share repurchases
• Legal and Regulatory Matters – protection and infringement of intellectual property and impact of legal and regulatory proceedings, including with respect to environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption and trade compliance
• Other Financial Matters – fluctuations in pension costs and goodwill impairment

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2020 Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2021, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, other than as may be required by law.

For more information and to listen to a live broadcast or an audio replay of the quarterly conference call with analysts, visit the Avery Dennison website at www.investors.averydennison.com

A-4

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP

We report our financial results in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and also communicate with investors using certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for or superior to, the comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the presentation of our financial results that are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Based upon feedback from investors and financial analysts, we believe that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures we provide are useful to their assessments of our performance and operating trends, as well as liquidity.

Our non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain events, activities or strategic decisions. The accounting effects of these events, activities or decisions, which are included in the GAAP financial measures, may make it difficult to assess our underlying performance in a single period. By excluding the accounting effects, positive or negative, of certain items (e.g., restructuring charges, outcomes of certain legal proceedings, certain effects of strategic transactions and related costs, losses from debt extinguishments, gains or losses from curtailment or settlement of pension obligations, gains or losses on sales of certain assets, gains or losses on investments, and other items), we believe that we are providing meaningful supplemental information that facilitates an understanding of our core operating results and liquidity measures. While some of the items we exclude from GAAP financial measures recur, they tend to be disparate in amount, frequency, or timing.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate trends in our underlying performance, as well as to facilitate comparison to the results of competitors for a single period and full year, as applicable.

We use the non-GAAP financial measures described below in the accompanying news release and presentation.

Sales change ex. currency refers to the increase or decrease in net sales, excluding the estimated impact of foreign currency translation, and, where applicable, the calendar shift resulting from the extra week in the prior fiscal year and currency adjustment for transitional reporting of highly inflationary economies. The estimated impact of foreign currency translation is calculated on a constant currency basis, with prior period results translated at current period average exchange rates to exclude the effect of currency fluctuations.

Organic sales change refers to sales change ex. currency, excluding the estimated impact of product line exits, acquisitions and divestitures.

We believe that sales change ex. currency and organic sales change assist investors in evaluating the sales change from the ongoing activities of our businesses and enhance their ability to evaluate our results from period to period.

Adjusted operating income refers to income before taxes; interest expense; other non-operating expense (income), net; and other expense (income), net.

Adjusted EBITDA refers to adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted operating margin refers to adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

Adjusted tax rate refers to the projected full-year GAAP tax rate, adjusted to exclude certain unusual or infrequent events that are expected to significantly impact that rate, such as effects of certain discrete tax planning actions, impacts related to the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), where applicable, and other items.

Adjusted net income refers to income before taxes, tax-effected at the adjusted tax rate, and adjusted for tax-effected restructuring charges and other items.

Adjusted net income per common share, assuming dilution (adjusted EPS) refers to adjusted net income divided by weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution.

We believe that adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS assist investors in understanding our core operating trends and comparing our results with those of our competitors.

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio refers to total debt (including finance leases) less cash and cash equivalents, divided by adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months. We believe that the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio assists investors in assessing our leverage position.

Free cash flow refers to cash flow provided by operating activities, less payments for property, plant and equipment, software and other deferred charges, plus proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment, plus (minus) net proceeds from insurance and sales (purchases) of investments. We believe that free cash flow assists investors by showing the amount of cash we have available for debt reductions, dividends, share repurchases, and acquisitions.

Reconciliations are provided in accordance with Regulations G and S-K and reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.