Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL):

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reported sales $3.7 billion, +9% versus last year. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales +12%, led by double-digit growth in the Industrial, Institutional & Specialty and Other segment, and improved growth in the Healthcare & Life Sciences segment.
• Reported operating income +3%. Adjusted fixed currency operating income growth accelerated to +14%.
• Reported diluted EPS $0.93. As expected, adjusted diluted EPS, excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items were $1.27, -1%. Currency translation had a $0.10 per share unfavorable impact on EPS.
• Fourth quarter cash flow from operating activities +$859 million, resulting in 97% free cash flow conversion for the full-year 2022.
• Announced an expansion of Ecolab’s previously disclosed $80 million Europe cost savings program focused on Institutional and Healthcare in other regions, resulting in a $175 million combined cost savings program.

CEO Comment

Christophe Beck, Ecolab’s chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We delivered the fourth quarter with strong operating performance in line with our expectations, finishing 2022 with good momentum as fixed currency adjusted operating income growth accelerated to 14%. Our sales growth remained strong with double-digit pricing that continued to exceed substantial delivered product cost inflation. As anticipated, volumes were impacted by softening demand, particularly in Europe, though volumes outside of Europe remained stable versus last year. I am proud of our team’s execution in the fourth quarter and throughout 2022 to navigate the challenging global environment, maintaining double-digit fixed currency sales growth by delivering for our customers.

“We enter 2023 from a position of strength and expect our performance to improve over the course of the year. This is despite a challenging macro environment characterized by high delivered product costs and easing demand, as well as unfavorable impacts from higher interest expense and currency translation. Our focus is on driving strong sales growth and capturing the significant operating margin expansion opportunity we see ahead of us as we leverage our leading customer value proposition and expanded cost savings program.

“With additional pricing actions, easing inflationary pressures, new business wins, new innovation, and further productivity benefits, we anticipate double-digit growth in adjusted operating income in 2023. This strong performance is expected to more than overcome the challenging environment to deliver quarterly adjusted earnings per share growth that accelerates towards our low double-digit historical performance.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Consolidated Results

Ecolab’s fourth quarter reported sales increased 9%, fixed currency sales increased 15%, and acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 12% when compared to the prior year.

Fourth quarter 2022 reported operating income increased 3% and includes the impact of special gains and charges, which were a net charge primarily related to restructuring costs. Adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 14%. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 10%, as accelerating pricing overcame substantially higher delivered product costs, investments in the business, and unfavorable mix.

Reported other expense increased $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, driven by a $26 million settlement expense related to U.S. pension plan lump-sum payments to retirees.

Reported interest expense increased 56% reflecting debt issued to fund the Purolite acquisition and the impact from higher average interest rates on floating rate debt.

The reported income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 16.2% compared with the reported rate of 12.6% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding special gains and charges, discrete tax items and the 2021 impact of the Purolite transaction, the adjusted tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 18.2% compared with the adjusted tax rate of 17.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The higher adjusted tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2022 reflected the timing of tax planning benefits in the prior year.

Reported net income decreased 12% versus the prior year. Excluding the impact of special gains and charges, discrete tax items and the 2021 impact of the Purolite transaction, adjusted net income decreased 2% versus the prior year.

Reported diluted earnings per share decreased 11% versus the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 1% when compared against the fourth quarter of 2021. Currency translation had a $0.10 unfavorable impact on fourth quarter 2022 earnings per share.

Ecolab repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2022 to complete the previously announced $500 million share repurchase program.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Segment Review

Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 14%. Growth was led by double-digit gains in Food & Beverage, Water and Paper. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 7% as accelerating pricing overcame significantly higher delivered product costs, investments in the business, and unfavorable mix.

Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 11%. Continued double-digit growth in the Institutional division reflected strong pricing and new business wins. Specialty sales showed strong growth, driven by robust quickservice sales growth and modest gains in food retail. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 11% as accelerating pricing overcame higher delivered product costs and investments in the business.

Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 7% driven by double-digit growth in Life Sciences and improved Healthcare sales growth. As expected, Purolite delivered very strong performance, benefiting from its recent capacity additions. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income decreased 18%, as accelerating pricing was more than offset by higher delivered product costs, unfavorable Healthcare volumes and mix, and targeted investments in the business.

Acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales increased 12%, reflecting double-digit growth across all divisions. Acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income increased 37% as accelerating pricing overcame higher delivered product costs and investments in the business.

Fourth quarter of 2022 corporate segment includes:

• sales of $27 million to ChampionX under the Master Cross Supply and Product Transfer agreements Ecolab entered into as part of the ChampionX separation
• amortization expense of $29 million related to the Nalco merger intangible assets and $19 million related to Purolite acquisition intangible assets
• special gains and charges were a net charge of $103 million, primarily related to restructuring costs

Special gains and charges for the fourth quarter of 2021 were a net charge of $84 million and primarily reflected COVID-related charges and Purolite acquisition costs.

Expanded cost savings program

Ecolab has expanded its previously announced $80 million Europe cost savings program to also focus on improving the performance of Institutional and Healthcare in other regions, resulting in an estimated $175 million of total annualized pre-tax savings ($135 million after-tax). The expanded program is designed to optimize the cost structure of the Company’s Institutional and Healthcare businesses, repositioning Institutional for the new environment and returning Healthcare to profitable growth, as we continue to invest in other growth businesses. The savings are expected to be realized by the end of 2024.

In connection with the expanded program, Ecolab now expects to incur pre-tax charges of $195 million ($150 million after tax). The program charges are expected to be primarily cash expenditures related to severance and asset disposals, with additional savings expected from not filing open positions.

Business Outlook

2023

Ecolab expects to deliver performance that improves throughout 2023 despite a challenging macro environment characterized by high delivered product costs and easing demand. In addition, higher interest expense and currency translation are estimated to have a combined $0.30 per share unfavorable impact in 2023, or a 7% headwind to year-over-year earnings growth.

The Company expects double-digit growth in adjusted operating income, driven by continued robust sales growth, easing delivered product cost inflation, and improved productivity. This strong performance is expected to more than overcome the challenging environment to deliver quarterly adjusted earnings per share growth that accelerates towards our low double-digit historical performance.

2023 – First Quarter

Ecolab expects first quarter 2023 adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $0.82 to $0.90 range, compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.82 a year ago. This forecast includes an estimated unfavorable $0.13 per share impact from higher interest expense and currency translation, or a 15% headwind to year-over-year earnings growth.

The Company currently expects quantifiable special charges in the first quarter of 2023 to be approximately $0.15 per share, principally related to restructuring charges. Other than the special gains and charges noted above, other such amounts are not currently quantifiable.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $14 billion, employs more than 47,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets. www.ecolab.com

Ecolab will host a live webcast to review the fourth quarter earnings announcement today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webcast, along with related materials, will be available to the public on Ecolab's website at www.ecolab.com/investor. A replay of the webcast and related materials will be available at that site.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations and predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding global economic conditions, delivered product costs, demand, inflation, currency translation, our financial and business performance and prospects, including sales, earnings, pricing, margins, interest and pension expense, new business, productivity, and expectations concerning timing, amount and type of restructuring costs and savings from restructuring activities. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this news release. In particular, the ultimate results of any restructuring initiative depend on a number of factors, including the development of final plans, the impact of local regulatory requirements regarding employee terminations, the time necessary to develop and implement the restructuring initiatives and the level of success achieved through such actions in improving competitiveness, efficiency and effectiveness.

Additional risks and uncertainties that may affect operating results and business performance are set forth under Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and include the impact of economic factors such as the worldwide economy, capital flows, interest rates, foreign currency risk, reduced sales and earnings in our international operations resulting from the weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar, demand uncertainty, supply chain challenges and inflation; the vitality of the markets we serve; exposure to global economic, political and legal risks related to our international operations, including geopolitical instability, the impact of sanctions or other actions taken by the U.S. or other countries, and retaliatory measures taken by Russia in response, in connection with the conflict in Ukraine; difficulty in procuring raw materials or fluctuations in raw material costs; our ability to attract, retain and develop high caliber management talent to lead our business and successfully execute organizational change and changing labor market dynamics; information technology infrastructure failures or breaches in data security; the effects and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics; our ability to acquire complementary businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses, including Purolite; our ability to execute key business initiatives, including restructurings and our Enterprise Resource Planning system upgrades; our ability to successfully compete with respect to value, innovation and customer support; pressure on operations from consolidation of customers or vendors; restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual obligations and our ability to meet our contractual commitments; the costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations, including those relating to the environment, climate change standards, and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products, as well as to the conduct of our business generally, including labor and employment and anti-corruption; potential chemical spill or release; our commitments, goals, targets, objectives and initiatives related to sustainability; potential to incur significant tax liabilities or indemnification liabilities relating to the separation and split-off of our ChampionX business; the occurrence of litigation or claims, including class action lawsuits; the loss or insolvency of a major customer or distributor; repeated or prolonged government and/or business shutdowns or similar events; acts of war or terrorism; natural or man-made disasters; water shortages; severe weather conditions; changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities; potential loss of deferred tax assets; our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with covenants that apply to our indebtedness; potential losses arising from the impairment of goodwill or other assets; and other uncertainties or risks reported from time to time in our reports to the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this news release may not occur. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Ecolab does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in expectations, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This news release and certain of the accompanying tables include financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

These non-GAAP financial measures include:

• adjusted net sales
• fixed currency sales
• adjusted fixed currency sales
• acquisition adjusted fixed currency sales
• adjusted cost of sales
• adjusted gross profit
• adjusted gross margin
• fixed currency operating income
• adjusted operating income
• adjusted fixed currency operating income
• adjusted fixed currency operating income margin
• acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income
• acquisition adjusted fixed currency operating income margin
• adjusted other (income) expense
• adjusted tax rate
• adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab
• adjusted diluted earnings per share
• free cash flow

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

Our non-GAAP adjusted financial measure for net sales excludes 2021 Purolite sales. Our non-GAAP adjusted financial measures for cost of sales, gross margin, operating income, other (income) expense and interest expense exclude the impact of special (gains) and charges and (with the exception of other (income) expense) the 2021 impact of the Purolite transaction, and our non-GAAP measures for tax rate, net income attributable to Ecolab and diluted earnings per share further exclude the impact of discrete tax items. We include items within special (gains) and charges and discrete tax items that we believe can significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and not necessarily reflect costs and/or income associated with historical trends and future results. After tax special (gains) and charges are derived by applying the applicable local jurisdictional tax rate to the corresponding pre-tax special (gains) and charges.

We evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency rates of foreign exchange, which eliminate the translation impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our international results. Fixed currency amounts included in this release are based on translation into U.S. dollars at the fixed foreign currency exchange rates established by management at the beginning of 2022. We also provide our segment results based on public currency rates for informational purposes.

Our reportable segments do not include the impact of intangible asset amortization from the Nalco and Purolite transactions or the impact of special (gains) and charges as these are not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments.

Acquisition adjusted growth rates exclude the results of our acquired businesses from the first twelve months post acquisition and exclude the results of divested businesses from the twelve months prior to divestiture. Further, we have excluded the results of our Purolite business for all of 2022 to remain comparable to 2021 when Purolite’s results were excluded from our adjusted results. In addition, as part of the separation, we also entered into a Master Cross Supply and Product Transfer agreement with ChampionX to provide, receive or transfer certain products for a period up to 36 months. Sales of product to ChampionX under this agreement are recorded in product and equipment sales in the Corporate segment along with the related cost of sales. These transactions are removed from the consolidated results as part of the calculation of the impact of acquisitions and divestitures.

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less cash outlays for capital expenditures. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. It should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe free cash flow is meaningful to investors as it functions as a useful measure of performance and we use this measure as an indication of the strength of the Company and its ability to generate cash.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure when evaluating our business. We recommend that investors view these measures in conjunction with the GAAP measures included in this news release. Reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures are included in the following "Supplemental Non-GAAP Reconciliations" and “Supplemental Diluted Earnings per Share Information” tables included in this news release.

We do not provide reconciliations for non-GAAP estimates on a forward-looking basis (including those contained in this news release) when we are unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and amount of various items that have not yet occurred, are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact reported earnings per share and the reported tax rate, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures to adjusted earnings per share and the adjusted tax rate. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

(ECL-E)