ITT REPORTS STRONG FOURTH-QUARTER RESULTS, INITIATES 2021 GUIDANCE
- Delivered 200 basis points improvement in segment operating margin, 150 basis points improvement in adjusted segment operating margin
- Generated full year operating cash flow of $436 million, up 22%; free cash flow of $372 million, up 40%
- Executed cost actions of over $100 million in 2020, producing incremental benefits in 2021
- Announces a 30% increase in quarterly dividend to $0.22 per share
- Initiates 2021 EPS guidance of $3.12 to $3.48, adjusted EPS guidance of $3.45 to $3.75, up 8% to 17% adjusted
White Plains, N.Y., February 19, 2021 – ITT Inc. (NYSE: ITT) today reported fourth quarter 2020 and full-year financial results that reflect the company’s resilience and benefits derived from actions taken to address the challenges of the global pandemic. The company reported a fourth quarter year-over-year sales decline of 2%, down 4% on an organic basis, and full year sales decline of 13% to $2,478 million. Segment operating margin for the fourth quarter of 16.9% expanded 200 basis points and adjusted segment operating margin expanded 150 basis points.
In the fourth quarter, the company successfully terminated its U.S. pension plan and transferred the plan's liabilities to an insurance company to reduce administrative costs and eliminate any future funding requirements. The transaction was funded with plan assets and cash of $8 million. As a result, the company recognized a non-cash settlement charge of $137 million within non-operating expenses. Also in the fourth quarter, we negotiated an asbestos coverage-in-place agreement with a group of insurers resulting in a $52 million increase in insurance assets. The company separately incurred tax and other charges totaling $17 million. As a result of these actions, earnings per share was a loss of $0.16 in the fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted earnings per share increased 2% to $1.01 versus prior year despite the sales decline.
“ITT’s performance in the fourth quarter is a testament to the actions we took early in the pandemic to deliver on our commitments to our stakeholders,” said Luca Savi, Chief Executive Officer and President of ITT Inc. “Our operational excellence drove 200 basis points of segment operating margin expansion despite a sales decline and coupled with our other two strategic priorities of customer centricity and effective capital deployment, enabled ITT to deliver a strong financial performance to end 2020. Adjusted earnings per share increased 23% sequentially compared to the third quarter, and increased 2% compared to the prior year despite lower sales.
“Our strong fourth quarter capped a year in which we generated $372 million of free cash flow, a 40% increase compared to prior year, representing a 15% free cash flow margin. I am proud of how ITTers around the globe continue to respond to this pandemic.
“I am encouraged by the improvements we saw in the fourth quarter. Motion Technologies grew 10% on an organic basis, with over 400 basis points of adjusted margin expansion fueled by growth in our Friction business, which continues to outpace the global auto market. We were also awarded content on seven new electric vehicle platforms. Adjusted segment margins in Industrial Process expanded 90 basis points driven by productivity and cost controls. We are well on track towards our 15% plus long-term margin target for Industrial Process,” Savi continued. “The strength of our portfolio and benefits from actions taken in 2020 will ensure ITT is well positioned for growth and margin expansion in 2021.”
Savi concluded, “Our execution and commitment to our customers delivered great results to end a challenging year. We have a robust balance sheet with the ability to deploy ample capital in 2021 toward growth investments, dividends, share repurchases and intensified M&A, whilst we continue to win in the marketplace as demonstrated by our significant new platform awards. I remain confident that the future of ITT is as bright as ever, and I look forward to sharing our progress with the investment community in 2021.”
Quarterly Dividend Increase
The company also announced today that it is increasing its quarterly dividend 30% to $0.22 per share on the company’s outstanding common stock. The Board of Directors has approved the cash dividend for the first quarter of 2021, which will be payable on April 5, 2021, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2021.Table 1. Fourth Quarter Performance
| 4Q 2020 | 4Q 2019 | Change | ||||||
| Revenue | $708.6 | $719.1 | (1.5)% | |||||
| Organic Growth | (3.9)% | |||||||
| Segment Operating Income | $119.5 | $107.1 | 11.6% | |||||
| Segment Operating Margin | 16.9% | 14.9% | 200 bps | |||||
| Adjusted Segment Operating Income | $120.1 | $110.8 | 8.4% | |||||
| Adjusted Segment Operating Margin | 16.9% | 15.4% | 150 bps | |||||
| (Loss) Earnings Per Share | $(0.16) | $0.75 | (121.3)% | |||||
| Adjusted Earnings Per Share | $1.01 | $0.99 | 2.0% |
Note: all results unaudited
Organic revenue (defined as total revenue excluding impact of foreign currency, acquisitions and divestitures) decreased 4% driven by declines in the Connect & Control Technologies and Industrial Process segments. This was partially offset by growth in Motion Technologies driven by Friction sales volumes.
Adjusted segment operating income increased 8% to $120 million, at a margin of 16.9%. The increase in adjusted segment operating income resulted from restructuring cost savings, shop floor productivity and benefits of cost actions, partially offset by reduced volume from weaker demand and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and strategic investments to drive future growth. On a sequential basis, segment operating income increased 42% and adjusted segment operating income increased 26%.
Operating cash flow for the fourth quarter was down 13%, to $118 million, and free cash flow was down 11%, to $102 million. Full year free cash flow of $372 million increased 40% versus the prior year. This was driven by higher collections, improved inventory management, and a stringent focus on capital expenditures. At the end of 2020, we had approximately $1.6 billion in available liquidity.
Table 2. Fourth Quarter Segment Results
| Revenue | Operating | Income | ||||
| 4Q 2020 | Reported Inc / (Dec) | Organic Inc / (Dec) | 4Q 2020 | Reported Inc / (Dec) | Adjusted Inc / (Dec) | |
| Motion Technologies | $352.1 | 15.7% | 10.3% | $70.1 | 50.8% | 46.4% |
| Industrial Process | $228.3 | (10.5)% | (10.4)% | $33.1 | (4.1)% | (5.0)% |
| Connect & Control Technologies | $129.0 | (19.8)% | (20.9)% | $16.3 | (37.5)% | (38.9)% |
| Total segment results | $708.6 | (1.5)% | (3.9)% | $119.5 | 11.6% | 8.4% |
Note: all results unaudited; excludes intercompany eliminations; comparisons to Q4 2019
Motion Technologies organic revenue increased 10%, reflecting an increase of 13% in Friction with significant outperformance compared to global auto production growth across the end markets we serve. Wolverine increased 12% due to growth in OE shims and seals. KONI and Axtone revenue decreased 2%. Adjusted operating income increased 46% to $69 million primarily due to strong sales volumes coupled with benefits from productivity and cost reduction actions. Adjusted operating margin improved 410 basis points to 19.5%.
Industrial Process organic revenue decreased 10% primarily due to weakness in short-cycle baseline pumps and aftermarket service, principally within the oil and gas market. Adjusted operating income decreased 5% to $35 million primarily due to reduced sales volumes, partially offset by savings from productivity and supply chain improvements, and benefits from restructuring actions. These benefits drove adjusted margin expansion of 90 basis points to 15.1%.
Connect and Control Technologies organic revenue decreased 21% primarily driven by continued weakness in global commercial air traffic and unfavorable timing of defense platforms. Adjusted segment operating income decreased 39% to $17 million primarily driven by reduced sales volume, partially offset by productivity and supply chain actions, as well as restructuring benefits.
Table 3. 2020 Full Year Results
| FY 2020 | FY 2019 | Change | |
| Revenue | $2,478 | $2,846 | (12.9)% |
| Organic Growth | (13.8)% | ||
| Segment Operating Income | $318.6 | $432.3 | (26.3)% |
| Segment Operating Margin | 12.9% | 15.2% | -230 bps |
| Adjusted Segment Operating Income | $376.4 | $456.7 | (17.6)% |
| Adjusted Segment Operating Margin | 15.2% | 16.0% | -80 bps |
| Earnings Per Share | $0.78 | $3.65 | (78.6)% |
| Adjusted Earnings Per Share | $3.20 | $3.81 | (16.0)% |
| Cash Flow from Operations | $435.9 | $357.7 | 21.9% |
| Free Cash Flow | $372.2 | $266.3 | 39.8% |
| Free Cash Flow Margin | 15.0% | 9.4% | 560 bps |
Note: all results unaudited
2021 Guidance
The company’s 2021 guidance assumes limited further disruption from the COVID-19 global pandemic, which significantly impacted 2020 performance, and continued improvement in global economic activity, particularly in the second half of 2021. We expect revenue growth of 5% to 7%, or up 2% to 4% on an organic basis; segment operating margin of 15.5% to 16.0%, and adjusted segment operating margin range of 16.5% to 17.0%, up 130 to 180 bps; earnings per share of $3.12 to $3.48, and adjusted earnings per share of $3.45 to $3.75 per share, up 8% to 17%; and free cash flow of $270 million to $300 million, representing free cash flow margin of 10% to 12% for the full year.
Investor Conference Call Details
ITT's senior management will host a conference call for investors today at 9:00 a.m., Eastern time. The briefing can be monitored live via webcast at the following address on the company's website: www.itt.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days following the presentation. A replay will also be available telephonically from two hours after the webcast until Friday, March 5, 2021, at midnight, Eastern time. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial performance metrics to their most comparable U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics are defined and presented here and should not be considered a substitute for, nor superior to, the financial data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.Investor Contact
Mark Macaluso+1 914-641-2064
mark.macaluso@itt.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our business, future financial results and the industry in which we operate, and other legal, regulatory and economic developments. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, future strategic plans and other statements that describe the company’s business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals, and any discussion of future events and future operating or financial performance.We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance” and other similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are uncertain and to some extent unpredictable, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in, or reasonably inferred from, such forward-looking statements.
Where in any forward-looking statement we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is based on current plans and expectations of our management, expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will occur or that anticipated results will be achieved or accomplished.
Among the factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties inherent in our business including, without limitation: impacts on our business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions to our operations and demand for our products, increased costs, disruption of supply chain and other constraints in the availability of key commodities and other necessary services, government-mandated site closures, employee illness or loss of key personnel, the impact of travel restrictions and stay-in-place restrictions on our business and workforce, customer and supplier bankruptcies, impacts to the global economy and financial markets, and liquidity challenges in accessing capital markets; uncertain global economic and capital markets conditions, including due to COVID-19, trade disputes between the U.S. and its trading partners, and fluctuations in oil prices; uncertainties regarding our exposure to pending and future asbestos claims and related liabilities and insurance recoveries; risks due to our operations and sales outside the U.S. and in emerging markets; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; fluctuations in demand or customers’ levels of capital investment and maintenance expenditures, especially in the oil and gas, chemical, and mining markets, or changes in our customers’ anticipated production schedules, especially in the commercial aerospace market; failure to compete successfully and innovate in our markets; the extent to which there are quality problems with respect to manufacturing processes or finished goods; risks related to government contracting, including changes in levels of government spending and regulatory and contractual requirements applicable to sales to the U.S. government; volatility in raw material prices and our suppliers’ ability to meet quality and delivery requirements; failure to manage the distribution of products and services effectively; loss of or decrease in sales from our most significant customers; fluctuations in our effective tax rate; failure to protect our intellectual property rights or violations of the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of material business interruptions, particularly at our manufacturing facilities; the risk of cybersecurity breaches; changes in laws relating to the use and transfer of personal and other information; failure of portfolio management strategies, including cost-saving initiatives, to meet expectations; risk of liabilities from past divestitures and spin-offs; changes in environmental laws or regulations, discovery of previously unknown or more extensive contamination, or the failure of a potentially responsible party to perform; failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other applicable anti-corruption legislation, export controls and trade sanctions, including recently announced tariffs; and risk of product liability claims and litigation. More information on factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated is included in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (particularly under the caption “Risk Factors”), our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.
The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.