NY-IFF

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Management Commentary

"I am thrilled to join IFF at such an important and dynamic time for the company and our industry," said IFF CEO Erik Fyrwald. "In the fourth quarter, IFF delivered solid results, including a sequential improvement in volume and double-digit adjusted operating EBITDA growth on a comparable currency neutral basis. In line with our commitment to strengthen our capital structure, we have updated our dividend policy to enable faster deleveraging and provide improved financial flexibility. As we look ahead, we recognize that the operating environment remains uncertain, yet we are cautiously optimistic that we can deliver improved financial results for our shareholders in 2024."

Fourth Quarter 2023 Consolidated Financial Results

• Reported net sales for the fourth quarter were $2.70 billion, a decrease of 5% compared to the prior year period. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ increased 1% versus the prior year period, led by growth in Scent and Health & Biosciences. Volume performance continued to improve sequentially across nearly all businesses and pricing remained solid.
• Loss before taxes on a reported basis for the fourth quarter was $2.64 billion, largely driven by a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $2.6 billion. Adjusted operating EBITDA¹ for the fourth quarter was $461 million. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ increased 17% led by favorable net pricing and productivity gains.
• Reported earnings (loss) per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter was $(10.21). Adjusted EPS excluding amortization¹ was $0.72 per diluted share.

Nourish Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $1.39 billion. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ decreased 3%, as strong growth in Flavors was primarily offset by softness in Functional Ingredients. Functional Ingredients improved sequentially, yet declined low double-digits against the year ago period.
• Nourish adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $165 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 11.8% in the fourth quarter. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ grew 3% led by price increases and productivity gains.

Health & Biosciences Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $528 million. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ increased 5% with growth in nearly all businesses led by a double-digit performance in Health.
• Health & Biosciences adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $162 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 30.7% in the fourth quarter. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ grew 35% led by volume growth, price increases and productivity gains.

Scent Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $578 million. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ improved 11% led by double-digit growth in Consumer Fragrance and a mid-single digit increase in Fine Fragrance.
• Scent adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $108 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 18.7% in the fourth quarter. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ grew 34% led by volume growth, price increases and productivity gains.

Pharma Solutions Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $203 million. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ decreased 10% primarily due to a strong mid-teen year ago comparison and temporary customer destocking.
• Pharma Solutions adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $26 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 12.8% in the fourth quarter. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ declined 13% as pricing and productivity gains were more than offset by lower volumes.

Full Year 2023 Consolidated Financial Results

• Reported net sales for the full year were $11.48 billion, a decrease of 8% compared to the prior year period. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ decreased 1%, as strong growth in Scent and resiliency in Health & Biosciences was offset by softness in Nourish and Pharma Solutions.
• Loss before taxes on a reported basis for the full year was $2.52 billion, largely driven by a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $2.6 billion. Adjusted operating EBITDA¹ for the full year was $1.98 billion. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ decreased 10%, as strong pricing and productivity gains were more than offset primarily by lower volumes, including unfavorable manufacturing absorption related to the Company's inventory reduction program.
• Reported earnings (loss) per share (EPS) for the full year was $(10.05). Adjusted EPS excluding amortization¹ was $3.34 per diluted share.
• Cash flow from operations for the full year was $1.44 billion, and free cash flow¹ defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures totaled $936 million. Total debt to trailing twelve months net loss at the end of the fourth quarter was (3.9)x. Net debt to credit-adjusted EBITDA¹ at the end of the fourth quarter was 4.5x.

Nourish Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $6.06 billion. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ decreased 5% as growth in Flavors and Food Design was offset by volume pressures in Functional Ingredients.
• Nourish adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $732 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 12.1% for the full year. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ declined 27% as price increases and productivity gains were more than offset by lower volumes, unfavorable manufacturing absorption related to the Company's inventory reduction program and a write-down of inventory related to Locust Bean Kernel (LBK).

Health & Biosciences Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $2.08 billion. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ was flat led by growth in Cultures & Food Enzymes, Home & Personal Care and Grain Processing offset by softness in Health and Animal Nutrition.
• Health & Biosciences adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $588 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 28.3% for the full year. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ grew 2% led by price increases and productivity gains.

Scent Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $2.39 billion. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ improved 8% led by double-digit growth in both Fine Fragrance and Consumer Fragrance.
• Scent adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $461 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 19.3% for the full year. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ grew 22% led by volume growth, price increases and productivity gains.

Pharma Solutions Segment

• On a reported basis, sales were $945 million. On a comparable basis², currency neutral sales¹ decreased 3% as resiliency in Core Pharma was offset by softness in Industrial.
• Pharma Solutions adjusted operating EBITDA¹ was $199 million and adjusted operating EBITDA margin¹ was 21.1% for the full year. On a comparable basis², currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA¹ declined 10% as price increases and productivity gains were more than offset primarily by lower volumes.

2024 Financial Guidance

Full year 2024 sales are expected to be in the range of $10.8 billion to $11.1 billion and full year 2024 adjusted operating EBITDA to be in the range of $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion. In light of the continued macroeconomic uncertainty, the Company expects volume to be 0% to 3%, with improved trends across the majority of the portfolio. Pricing is expected to decline approximately 2.5%, principally driven by reductions in Functional Ingredients and Fragrance Ingredients, given lower input costs and competitive dynamics. Comparable currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA is expected to grow at a faster rate than sales, growing 3% to 11% driven by improving volumes and productivity gains.

Based on current market foreign exchange rates, the Company expects that foreign exchange will have a 0% to 1% adverse impact to sales growth and an approximately 2% to 3% adverse impact to adjusted operating EBITDA growth in 2024.

The Company cannot reconcile its expected adjusted operating EBITDA without unreasonable effort because certain items that impact net income and other reconciling metrics are out of the Company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted at this time. These items include but are not limited to acquisition, divestiture and integration related costs, gains (losses) on business disposals, and regulatory costs.

Dividend Policy Update

The Company announced today that its Board of Directors, together with the management team, updated the company’s dividend policy, reducing the expected quarterly dividend approximately 50% to $0.40 per share (implying $1.60 per share annually). With this announcement, the Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share of its common stock, payable on April 10, 2024 to shareholders of record as of March 22, 2024.

The Company is right-sizing the dividend to enable faster deleveraging of the balance sheet and provide improved financial flexibility. IFF’s dividend is an important part of its capital allocation framework, and the Company is committed to providing a competitive yield.

Impairment of Goodwill

The Company has determined that for the fourth quarter of 2023 the carrying value of the Nourish reporting unit exceeded its fair value and recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $2.6 billion in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive Loss for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The primary drivers of the goodwill impairment are related to increases in interest rates and lower business projections due to volume declines mainly in Functional Ingredients, continued cost inflation, and unfavorable foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K will be available on its website at www.iff.com or at www.sec.gov by February 29, 2024.

Audio Webcast

A live webcast to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results will be held on February 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET. The webcast and accompanying slide presentation may be accessed on the Company’s IR website at ir.iff.com. For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a recorded version will be made available on the Company’s website approximately one hour after the event and will remain available on IFF’s website for one year.

Cautionary Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts or information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements are based on management’s current assumptions, estimates and expectations including those concerning the expected impact of global supply chain challenges; expectations regarding sales and profit for the fiscal year 2024, including the impact of foreign exchange, pricing actions, raw materials, energy and sourcing, logistics and manufacturing costs; expectations of the impact of inflationary pressures and the pricing actions to offset exposure to such impacts; the impact of high input costs, including commodities, raw materials, transportation and energy; our ability to drive cost discipline measures and the ability to recover margin to pre-inflation levels; expectations regarding the implementation of our refreshed growth-focused strategy; expectations around our business divestitures and the progress of our portfolio optimization strategy (including the sale process for our Cosmetic Ingredients business), through non-core business divestitures and acquisitions; our combination with N&B, including the expected benefits and synergies of the N&B Transaction and future opportunities for the combined company, the success of our integration efforts and ability to deliver on our synergy commitments as well as future opportunities for the combined company; the success of our optimization of our portfolio; the impact of global economic uncertainty or recessionary pressures on demand for consumer products; the growth potential of the markets in which we operate, including the emerging markets; expected capital expenditures in 2024; the expected costs and benefits of our ongoing optimization of our manufacturing operations, including the expected number of closings; expected cash flow and availability of capital resources to fund our operations and meet our debt service requirements; our ability to drive reductions in expenses; our strategic investments in capacity and increasing inventory to drive improved profitability; our ability to innovate and execute on specific consumer trends and demands; our ability to enhance our innovation efforts and drive cost efficiencies; and our ability to continue to generate value for, and return cash to, our shareholders.

These forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties inherent in our business that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Certain of such forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “outlook”, “may”, “estimate”, “should”, “predict” and similar terms or variations thereof. Such forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company, are not guarantees of future results or performance, and involve significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, including assumptions and projections, for all forward periods. Our actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: (1) inflationary trends, including in the price of our input costs, such as raw materials, transportation and energy; (2) supply chain disruptions, geopolitical developments, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, or climate change related events (including severe weather events) that may affect our suppliers or procurement of raw materials; (3) our ability to successfully execute the next phase of our strategic transformation; (4) risks related to the integration of the N&B business, including whether we will realize the benefits anticipated from the merger in the expected time frame; (5) our substantial amount of indebtedness and its impact on our liquidity, credit ratings and ability to return capital to our shareholders; (6) our ability to enter into or close strategic transactions or divestments or successfully establish and manage acquisitions, collaborations, joint ventures or partnerships; (7) our ability to successfully market to our expanded and diverse customer base; (8) our ability to effectively compete in our market and develop and introduce new products that meet customers’ needs; (9) our ability to retain key employees; (10) changes in demand from large multi-national customers due to increased competition and our ability to maintain “core list” status with customers; (11) our ability to successfully develop innovative and cost-effective products that allow customers to achieve their own profitability expectations; (12) the impact of global health crises on our supply chains, global operations, our customers and our suppliers; (13) disruption in the development, manufacture, distribution or sale of our products from natural disasters, public health crises, international conflicts (such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war), terrorist acts, labor strikes, political or economic crises (such as the uncertainty related to protracted U.S. federal debt ceiling negotiations), accidents and similar events; (14) volatility and increases in the price of raw materials, energy and transportation; (15) the impact of a significant data breach or other disruption in our information technology systems, and our ability to comply with data protection laws in the U.S. and abroad; (16) our ability to comply with, and the costs associated with compliance with, regulatory requirements and industry standards, including regarding product safety, quality, efficacy and environmental impact; (17) our ability to meet increasing customer, consumer, shareholder and regulatory focus on sustainability; (18) defects, quality issues (including product recalls), inadequate disclosure or misuse with respect to the products and capabilities; (19) our ability to react in a timely and cost-effective manner to changes in consumer preferences and demands, including increased awareness of health and wellness; (20) our ability to benefit from our investments and expansion in emerging markets; (21) the impact of currency fluctuations or devaluations in the principal foreign markets in which we operate; (22) economic, regulatory and political risks associated with our international operations; (23) the impact of global economic uncertainty (including increased inflation) on demand for consumer products; (24) our ability to comply with, and the costs associated with compliance with, U.S. and foreign environmental protection laws; (25) our ability to successfully manage our working capital and inventory balances; (26) the impact of our or our counterparties’ failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, similar U.S. or foreign anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations, applicable sanctions laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate or ethical business practices and related laws and regulations; (27) any impairment on our tangible or intangible long lived assets, including goodwill associated with the N&B merger and the acquisition of Frutarom; (28) our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; (29) the impact of the outcomes of legal claims, disputes, regulatory investigations and litigation, related to intellectual property, product liability, competition and antitrust, environmental matters, indirect taxes or other matters; (30) changes in market conditions or governmental regulations relating to our pension and postretirement obligations; (31) the impact of changes in federal, state, local and international tax legislation or policies, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, with respect to transfer pricing and state aid, and adverse results of tax audits, assessments, or disputes; (32) the impact of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union; (33) the impact of the phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) on interest expense; and (34) the impact of any tax liability resulting from the N&B Transaction; and (35) our ability to comply with data protection laws in the U.S. and abroad.

The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor necessarily present them in order of importance. In addition, you should consult other disclosures made by the Company (such as in our other filings with the SEC or in company press releases) for other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company. Please refer to Part I. Item 1A., Risk Factors, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023 for additional information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We intend our forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of such statements and do not undertake or plan to update or revise them as more information becomes available or to reflect changes in expectations, assumptions or results. We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. An occurrence of, or any material adverse change in, one or more of the risk factors or risks and uncertainties referred to in this press release or included in our other periodic reports filed with the SEC could materially and adversely impact our operations and our future financial results. Any public statements or disclosures made by us following this press release that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this press release will be deemed to modify or supersede such outlook or other forward-looking statements in or accompanying this press release.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We provide in this press release non-GAAP financial measures, including: (i) comparable currency neutral sales; (ii) adjusted operating EBITDA and comparable currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA; (iii) adjusted operating EBITDA margin; (iv) adjusted EPS ex amortization; (v) free cash flow; and (vi) net debt to credit adjusted EBITDA.

Our non-GAAP financial measures are defined below.

Currency Neutral metrics eliminate the effects that result from translating non-U.S. currencies to U.S. dollars. We calculate currency neutral numbers by translating current year invoiced sale amounts at the exchange rates used for the corresponding prior year period. We use currency neutral results in our analysis of subsidiary or segment performance. We also use currency neutral numbers when analyzing our performance against our competitors.

Adjusted operating EBITDA and adjusted operating EBITDA margin exclude depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, other (expense) income, net, and certain non-recurring or unusual items that are not part of recurring operations such as, restructuring and other charges, impairment of goodwill, impairment of long-lived assets, acquisition, divestiture, and integration related costs, strategic initiatives costs, regulatory costs, impact of business divestitures, impact of business acquisitions and other items.

Adjusted EPS ex Amortization excludes the impact of non-operational items including, restructuring and other charges, impairment of goodwill, impairment of long-lived assets, acquisition, divestiture, and integration related costs, losses (gains) on business disposals, gain on China facility relocation, strategic initiatives costs, regulatory costs, and other items that are not a part of recurring operations.

Free Cash Flow is operating cash flow (i.e. cash flow from operations) less capital expenditures.

Net debt to credit adjusted EBITDA is the leverage ratio used in our credit agreements and defined as net debt (which is debt for borrowed money less cash and cash equivalents) divided by the trailing 12-month credit adjusted EBITDA. Credit adjusted EBITDA is defined as income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, specified items and non-cash items.

Comparable results for the fourth quarter and full year exclude the impact of divestitures and acquisitions.

These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information regarding our underlying operating results and comparable year-over-year performance. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with GAAP and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. In discussing our historical and expected future results and financial condition, we believe it is meaningful for investors to be made aware of and to be assisted in a better understanding of, on a period-to-period comparable basis, financial amounts both including and excluding these identified items, as well as the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of the Company’s results under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ calculation of such metrics.

The Company cannot reconcile its expected adjusted operating EBITDA under "Financial Guidance" without unreasonable effort because certain items that impact net income and other reconciling metrics are out of the Company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted at this time. These items include but are not limited to acquisition, divestiture and integration related costs, gains (losses) on business disposals, and regulatory costs.

Welcome to IFF

At IFF (NYSE: IFF), an industry leader in food, beverage, scent, health and biosciences, science and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. With the beauty of art and the precision of science, we are an international collective of thinkers who partners with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products the world craves. Together, we will do more good for people and planet. Learn more at iff.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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¹ Schedules at the end of this release contain reconciliations of reported GAAP to Non-GAAP metrics. See Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for explanations of our Non-GAAP metrics.
² Comparable results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023 exclude the impact of divestitures and acquisitions.

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