Dow reports third quarter 2022 results

Oct. 20, 2022 6:00 AM ETDow Inc. (DOW)

MIDLAND, Mich., Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Dow (NYSE: DOW):

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $1.02; Operating EPS¹ was $1.11, compared to $2.75 in the year-ago period and $2.31 in the prior quarter, reflecting margin compression due to higher energy costs, primarily in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI).
• Net sales were $14.1 billion, down 5% versus the year-ago period, as gains in Performance Materials & Coatings were more than offset by declines in Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure and Packaging & Specialty Plastics. Sequentially, sales were down 10% with declines in all operating segments and regions.
• Local price increased 3% versus the year-ago period, driven by Performance Materials & Coatings and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure. Sequentially, local price decreased 6% with declines in all operating segments and regions.
• Currency decreased net sales by 4% year-over-year and 1% versus the prior quarter due to broad-based strength of the U.S. dollar.
• Volume was down 4% versus the year-ago period, as a 12% decline in EMEAI more than offset 2% volume growth each in the U.S. & Canada and Asia Pacific. Sequentially, volume was down 3%, led by an 8% decline in EMEAI.
• Equity losses were $58 million, compared to equity earnings of $249 million in the year-ago period and $195 million in the prior quarter, led by margin compression in polyurethanes at Sadara and MEG at the Kuwait joint ventures.
• GAAP Net Income was $760 million. Operating EBIT¹ was $1.2 billion, down from $2.9 billion in the year-ago period, as gains in Performance Materials & Coatings were more than offset by higher raw material and energy costs as well as lower equity earnings. Operating EBIT decreased from $2.4 billion in the prior quarter due to margin compression across all operating segments.
• Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations was $1.9 billion, down $779 million year-over-year and up $84 million compared to the prior quarter. Free cash flow¹ was $1.5 billion.
• Returns to shareholders totaled $1.3 billion, comprised of $800 million in share repurchases and $493 million in dividends in the quarter.

CEO QUOTE

Jim Fitterling, chairman and chief executive officer, commented on the quarter:

“In the third quarter, Team Dow managed significant macroeconomic headwinds as we swiftly initiated actions and aligned production with supply chain and logistics constraints, prioritized resources toward higher-value products, and reduced operational costs across the enterprise. As a result, we maintained our focus on cash flow generation and continued to execute on our capital allocation strategy, returning $1.3 billion to shareholders.

“Underlying demand remains resilient in the U.S., while high energy and feedstock costs are driving record inflation and impacting demand in the Eurozone, and ongoing lockdowns in China continue to pressure both consumer spending and infrastructure investments. Moving forward, our global scale, geographic diversity, and advantaged feedstock and derivative flexibility will continue to be the source of our distinct advantages. Our track record of employing a disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation, focus on cash flow generation, and our strengthened balance sheet provide a solid foundation as we continue managing through these dynamic global conditions.”

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure

Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment net sales were $4.1 billion, down 9% versus the year-ago period. Local price improved 5% year-over-year with gains in both businesses. Currency decreased net sales by 5%. Volume was down 9% year-over-year, as declines in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals were partly offset by gains in Industrial Solutions due to demand strength in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and energy applications. On a sequential basis, the segment recorded a net sales decline of 7% on lower local price and currency with stable volume.  

Equity losses for the segment were $114 million, a decrease of $236 million compared to the year-ago period. Competitive pricing pressures in propylene oxide derivatives and MEG due to supply additions in China, as well as lower demand in EMEAI were the main impacts. On a sequential basis, equity earnings decreased by $171 million primarily due to lower price at Sadara and the Kuwait joint ventures.

Operating EBIT was $167 million, compared to $713 million in the year-ago period and $426 million in the prior quarter, as lower EMEAI demand and increased energy and raw material costs were partly offset by higher prices. On a sequential basis, operating EBIT margins declined 560 basis points on lower price and higher energy costs.

Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals business reported a net sales decrease compared to the year-ago period, as local price gains were more than offset by lower volumes due to inflationary pressures on demand in EMEAI and currency impacts. Sequentially, net sales declined as improved demand in mobility end-markets was more than offset by lower price and inflationary impacts on demand for consumer durables, industrial, and building & construction applications.

Industrial Solutions business reported a net sales increase compared to the year-ago period, driven by local price gains and strong demand for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and energy applications. Sequentially, net sales decreased as strong demand in energy, pharmaceutical, and mobility end-markets and increased catalyst sales were more than offset by price declines and currency impacts.

OUTLOOK

“In the near-term, we expect the macro environment to remain dynamic. As a result, we have outlined a playbook of actions that have the potential to deliver more than $1 billion in cost savings in 2023 while we continue to leverage our scale, geographic diversity and feedstock and derivative flexibility,” said Fitterling. “At the same time, we remain focused on advancing our Decarbonize and Grow strategy with higher-return investments that will extend our competitive advantages and industry leadership positions. Our strong financial position and balance sheet as well as our continued focus on cash flow generation give us ample flexibility to execute on our capital allocation priorities, including attractive shareholder remuneration, as we maximize value creation over the longer-term.”

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