Summary
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) reported solid top-line growth in the second quarter and first half of 2015, with net sales increasing by 4.8% and 4.3% respectively, driven by volume increases and favorable price/mix across its segments. The acquisitions of Lil' Drug Store Brands and Varied Industries Corporation contributed to this growth, particularly in the Consumer Domestic and Specialty Products Divisions (SPD). Despite increased sales, profitability faced some headwinds. Gross margin saw a slight decrease in Q2 due to higher manufacturing costs, including start-up costs for a new vitamin facility, and unfavorable foreign exchange rates, though partially offset by lower commodity costs and acquisition benefits. Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses increased due to a pension plan settlement charge and acquisition-related costs. A significant event was the $17.0 million impairment charge related to the investment in Natronx, which impacted equity in earnings of affiliates and contributed to a higher effective tax rate. Financially, the company demonstrated strong operating cash flow generation, which increased by 20.5% year-over-year for the first six months. Management is focused on optimizing working capital and expects sufficient cash to cover capital expenditures, dividends, and debt obligations, including the repayment of maturing senior notes. Shareholder returns were supported by an increased quarterly dividend and ongoing share repurchase programs.
Financial Highlights
53 data points| Revenue | $847.10M |
| Cost of Revenue | $474.00M |
| Gross Profit | $373.10M |
| R&D Expenses | $18.30M |
| SG&A Expenses | $115.00M |
| Operating Income | $142.30M |
| Interest Expense | $7.90M |
| Net Income | $73.70M |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.28 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.28 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 261.80M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 266.80M |
Key Highlights
- 1Net sales increased by 4.8% to $847.1 million in Q2 2015 and by 4.3% to $1,659.4 million in the first six months of 2015, driven by volume and favorable price/mix across segments, with contributions from recent acquisitions.
- 2Gross profit increased in both periods, though gross margin experienced a slight decline in Q2 due to higher manufacturing costs (including vitamin facility start-up costs) and unfavorable foreign exchange, partially offset by lower commodity costs and acquisition benefits.
- 3SG&A expenses rose due to an $8.9 million pension settlement charge and costs associated with the LDS and VI-COR acquisitions.
- 4The company recorded a $17.0 million impairment charge on its investment in Natronx, significantly impacting equity in earnings from affiliates.
- 5Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 20.5% to $248.4 million for the first six months of 2015 compared to the prior year.
- 6The company repurchased shares under its share repurchase programs and increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.335 per share.
- 7Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $203.2 million from $423.0 million at year-end 2014, partly due to cash used in investing activities for acquisitions and capital expenditures, and financing activities including share repurchases and dividend payments.