Second quarter 2023 sales increased 3.2% year over year to $828.3 million, a quarterly record

GAAP operating margin of 14.0%; Adjusted operating margin of 15.2%

GAAP EPS of $0.70, up 22.0% and adjusted EPS of $0.75, up 32.0% versus 2022

Donaldson tightens fiscal 2023 EPS guidance to high end of previous range

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) (Donaldson or the Company) today reported fiscal second quarter 2023 generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net earnings of $86.0 million, a 19.8% increase from $71.8 million in 2022. Second quarter 2023 earnings include $9.3 million of non-recurring charges⁽¹⁾. GAAP and adjusted earnings per share (EPS)^(2),(3) for the second quarter 2023 increased to $0.70 and $0.75, respectively, from $0.57 in the prior year. The tables attached to this press release include a Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

“Our robust second quarter earnings were driven by significant gross margin strength through pricing and the stabilization of inflationary pressures,” said Tod Carpenter, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We delivered on and furthered our commitments to our customers and shareholders through improved fill rates and targeted growth investments, including our most recent life sciences acquisition, Isolere Bio.

“For fiscal 2023, supported by stable end-market conditions and our team’s strong execution, we continue to expect year-over-year margin improvement and another year of double-digit earnings growth. As we leverage our fully redesigned organizational structure, our long-term focus remains on delivering innovative, best-in-class products and services, including those in higher-growth areas.”

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Operating Results

Second quarter 2023 sales increased 3.2% to $828.3 million from $802.5 million in 2022, driven by pricing benefits partially offset by a negative impact from currency translation of 4.3%.

Second quarter 2023 sales in the Mobile Solutions segment (Mobile) increased 1.7% as pricing and favorable end-market conditions supported results. Off-Road and On-Road sales increased 15.5% and 4.1%, respectively, driven by robust global equipment production. Aftermarket sales decreased 1.7%. Excluding currency translation, Aftermarket sales increased 1.8% as pricing was partially offset by customer inventory reductions resulting from improving global supply chain conditions.

Second quarter Industrial Solutions segment (Industrial) sales rose 12.8%, bolstered by price realization and strong demand across all major business units. Aerospace and Defense sales increased 27.8% as the commercial aerospace industry continues to rebound from COVID-19-related softness. Industrial Filtration Solutions (IFS) sales rose 10.7%, driven by new and replacement dust collection part sales and Power Generation project timing.

Second quarter sales in the Life Sciences segment decreased 15.6% due to continued weakness in market demand for Disk Drive products, partially offset by growth in Food and Beverage and bioprocessing equipment sales.

Second quarter gross margin was 34.3%, up 320 basis points from 31.1% in the prior year, driven by pricing benefits partially offset by higher input costs.

Second quarter 2023 operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 20.3%, including restructuring and other charges, versus 19.2% in the prior year. Adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 19.3%.

Second quarter 2023 operating income as a percentage of sales (operating margin) of 14.0%, increased 210 basis points compared with 11.9% in the prior year due to gross margin performance. Second quarter adjusted operating margin was 15.2%.

Second quarter 2023 interest expense was $4.6 million versus $3.6 million in the prior year resulting from higher interest rates and overall debt levels. Other income, net was unfavorable by $0.8 million versus the prior year mainly due to lower joint venture income. The Company’s effective tax rate of 24.1% was in line compared with prior year.

Year-to-date, Donaldson has paid $56.2 million in dividends and repurchased 1.7% of its outstanding shares for $115.2 million.

Updated Fiscal 2023 Outlook

Fiscal 2023 full-year GAAP EPS is expected to be between $2.89 and $2.97, inclusive of $0.10 of first half restructuring and other charges. Adjusted EPS is forecast between $2.99 and $3.07. Sales are projected to increase between 2% to 6% over prior year, driven by a 6% increase in pricing and a negative impact from currency translation of approximately 4%.

Fiscal 2023 Mobile sales are projected to increase between 1% and 5% compared with 2022, driven by strength in On-Road and Off-Road sales which are expected to be up mid-single digits and high-single digits, respectively, supported by elevated levels of medium and heavy-duty equipment production. Aftermarket sales are projected to increase low-single digits as improved global supply chain conditions and resulting customer inventory reductions limit results.

Fiscal 2023 Industrial sales are expected to increase between 8% and 12% year over year. This reflects a continuation of strong end-market momentum in both IFS and Aerospace and Defense, which are forecast to grow high-single digits and low-double digits, respectively.

Fiscal 2023 Life Sciences sales are expected to decline between 5% and 9% compared with prior year due to continued Disk Drive market weakness offset, in part, by continued Food and Beverage and bioprocessing sales strength.

Fiscal 2023 GAAP operating margin is forecast to be between 14.1% and 14.5% and adjusted operating margin is expected to be between 14.6% and 15.0%. Prior year GAAP and adjusted operating margin were 13.4% and 13.5%, respectively.

Fiscal 2023 interest expense is projected to be approximately $20 million and other income is expected to be between $6 million and $10 million. Donaldson expects a fiscal 2023 effective income tax rate of between 24% and 26%.

Fiscal 2023 capital expenditures are forecast to be between $115 million and $130 million and free cash flow conversion is expected to be between 110% and 120%. For the full year, Donaldson expects to repurchase approximately 2% of its shares outstanding.

Restructuring and Other Charges

During the second quarter of fiscal 2023, Donaldson incurred $9.3 million of non-recurring charges, including $1.5 million of cost of goods sold and $7.8 million of operating expense, largely related to the Company’s previously announced organizational redesign as well as costs associated with the exiting of a lower-margin customer program.

Miscellaneous

On January 25, 2023, Donaldson issued an 8-K recasting select historical financial information under the new segment structure.

The Company will webcast its second quarter 2023 earnings conference call today at 9:00 a.m. CT. To listen to the webcast, visit the “Events & Presentations” section of Donaldson’s Investor Relations website (IR.Donaldson.com), and click on the “listen to webcast” option. The webcast replay will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. CT today. Also available on the website is the Company’s supplemental quarterly earnings presentation.

Statements in this release regarding future events and expectations, such as forecasts, plans, trends and projections relating to the Company’s business and financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are identified by words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “will allow,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “plan” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company’s performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed. These factors include, but are not limited to, challenges in global operations; impacts of global economic, industrial and political conditions on product demand, including the Russia and Ukraine conflict; impacts from unexpected events, including the COVID-19 pandemic; effects of unavailable raw materials or material cost inflation; inability to attract and retain qualified personnel; inability to meet customer demand; inability to maintain competitive advantages; threats from disruptive technologies; effects of highly competitive markets with pricing pressure; exposure to customer concentration in certain cyclical industries; inability to manage productivity improvements; results of execution of any acquisition, divestiture and other strategic transactions; vulnerabilities associated with information technology systems and security; inability to protect and enforce intellectual property rights; costs associated with governmental laws and regulations; impacts of foreign currency fluctuations; and effects of changes in capital and credit markets. These and other factors are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022. 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, unless required by law. The results presented herein are preliminary, unaudited and subject to revision until the Company files its results with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q.

About Donaldson Company

Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions, serving a broad range of industries and advanced markets. Our diverse, skilled employees at over 140 locations on six continents partner with customers—from small business owners to the world’s biggest OEM brands—to solve complex filtration challenges. Discover how Donaldson is Advancing Filtration for a Cleaner World at www.Donaldson.com.