10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2021

CHURCH & DWIGHT CO INC /DE/ Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2021

Filed October 29, 2021For Securities:CHD

Summary

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) reported solid performance for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, demonstrating revenue growth and operational improvements despite ongoing inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges. The company saw net sales increase by 5.7% in Q3 and 6.1% year-to-date, driven by a favorable price/mix and volume growth across most segments, particularly in Consumer International and Specialty Products. Despite headwinds from rising manufacturing and transportation costs, the company managed to increase operating income by 10.1% in Q3 and 7.6% year-to-date. This was aided by strategic reductions in marketing expenses and favorable adjustments related to business acquisition liabilities, though gross margins saw some compression due to inflation. Diluted EPS also showed improvement, up 8.2% in Q3 and 6.3% year-to-date. The company also announced a new, larger share repurchase program, signaling confidence in its financial health and commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Financial Statements
Beta

Key Highlights

  • 1Net sales increased by 5.7% to $1,311.4 million in Q3 2021 and by 6.1% to $3,821.4 million for the first nine months of 2021 compared to the prior year periods.
  • 2Income from operations increased by 10.1% to $301.4 million in Q3 and by 7.6% to $902.7 million year-to-date, driven by sales growth and expense management.
  • 3Gross margin decreased by 130 basis points in Q3 and 200 basis points year-to-date due to higher manufacturing and transportation costs, partially offset by favorable price/mix and productivity programs.
  • 4SG&A expenses decreased by 3.0% in Q3 and 5.9% year-to-date, aided by favorable adjustments to business acquisition liabilities and lower incentive compensation.
  • 5Diluted EPS rose by 8.2% to $0.92 in Q3 and by 6.3% to $2.68 for the first nine months of 2021.
  • 6The company's Board authorized a new $1,000 million share repurchase program, replacing the previous $500 million program.
  • 7Supply chain challenges and input cost inflation (manufacturing, commodities, transportation) are noted as significant ongoing concerns for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased by 5.7% to $1,311.4 million compared to $1,241.0 million in the prior year. For the first nine months of 2021, net sales increased by 6.1% to $3,821.4 million compared to $3,600.5 million in the same period of 2020. This growth was driven by product volumes, pricing/product mix, and foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Church & Dwight is experiencing significant inflation in manufacturing and distribution costs due to supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and raw material availability, exacerbated by events like Hurricane Ida. The company expects these inflationary pressures to continue through 2021 and into 2022. They are responding with price increases, efforts to increase manufacturing capacity, and working with suppliers to ensure supply, though customer acceptance of price increases and the mitigation of these impacts are uncertain.

The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.2525 per share in January 2021. Furthermore, on October 28, 2021, the Board authorized a new $1,000 million share repurchase program, which replaces the previous 2017 program. This demonstrates the company's commitment to shareholder returns.

Gross margin saw a decrease of 130 basis points in the third quarter and 200 basis points year-to-date. This was primarily due to higher manufacturing costs (including commodities), transportation costs, and incremental tariffs. These were partially offset by favorable price/volume/mix, productivity programs, and business acquisition benefits.