• Sonoco Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 14 Feb 2024 17:30:01   America/New_York

    HARTSVILLE, S.C., Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), one of the largest sustainable global packaging companies, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

    Summary

    • Achieved second best full year results for Adjusted EPS in the Company’s 125-year history
    • Generated a record $883 million of operating cash flow and $600 million of Free Cash Flow in the full year of 2023
    • Invested a record level of capital in the business for future growth and productivity
    • Achieved record results in Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA in flexible packaging and record net sales in rigid paper containers in the Consumer Packaging (“Consumer”) segment
    • Produced record Operating Profit margins and Adjusted EBITDA margins in Industrial Paper Packaging (“Industrial”) segment despite a low volume environment
    • Expanded the Company’s flexible packaging capabilities with the acquisition of Inapel Embalagens Ltda. in Brazil
    • Made further progress on strategic priorities including portfolio simplification, organic growth investments, and Environmental, Social, and Governance commitments
    • Solid fourth quarter operating results driven by strong productivity offset by higher employee expenses, healthcare, and accounts receivable reserve
    • Effective January 1, 2024, we integrated the flexible packaging and thermoforming packaging businesses within the Consumer segment to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and better position the business to accelerate growth

    Fourth Quarter and Year End 2023 Consolidated Results    
    (Dollars in millions except per share data)    
            
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
     GAAP ResultsDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2022 Change December 31, 2023December 31, 2022Change
              
     Net sales$1,636$1,676 (2)% $6,781$7,251(6)%
     Operating profit$135$127 7% $716$6756%
     Net income attributable to Sonoco$81$97 (16)% $475$4662%
     EPS (diluted)$0.82$0.98 (16)% $4.80$4.722%
              
              
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
     Non-GAAP Results(1)December 31, 2023December 31, 2022 Change December 31, 2023December 31, 2022Change
              
     Adjusted operating profit$167$184 (9)% $804$920(13)%
     Adjusted EBITDA$236$246 (4)% $1,067$1,162(8)%
     Adjusted net income attributable to Sonoco (“Adjusted Earnings”)$101$125 (19)% $520$639(19)%
     Adjusted EPS (diluted)$1.02$1.27 (20)% $5.26$6.48(19)%

    (1) See the Company’s definitions of non-GAAP financial measures, explanations as to why they are used, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures later in this release.

    Q4-23 (versus Q4-22):

    • Net sales decreased 2% to $1.6 billion driven by lower volumes and pricing
    • GAAP operating profit increased to $135 million due to lower acquisition and restructuring costs, favorable productivity, and revenue from acquisitions
    • Effective tax rates on GAAP and Adjusted Earnings were 21.7% and 25.7%, respectively, in Q4 2023 compared to 1.9% and 21.3%, respectively, in Q4 2022
    • GAAP net income decreased to $81 million for GAAP EPS (diluted) of $0.82
    • Adjusted Earnings decreased to $101 million for Adjusted EPS (diluted) of $1.02
    • Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $167 million and $236 million, respectively, due to lower volumes across the portfolio, unfavorable price/cost in Industrial, higher employee expenses, and higher accounts receivable reserve, which were partially offset by higher productivity and favorable price/cost in Consumer

    2023 (versus 2022):

    • Net sales decreased 6% year-over-year to $6.8 billion driven by lower volumes across the portfolio, partially offset by revenue from acquisitions
    • GAAP operating profit increased to $716 million due to gains on divestitures and asset sales, lower acquisition and restructuring costs, favorable productivity, and revenue from acquisitions
    • Effective tax rates on GAAP and Adjusted Earnings for the full year 2023 were 24.3% and 24.6%, respectively, compared with 20.7% and 23.9%, respectively, in the prior year
    • Net income margin was 7.0% and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.7% in 2023, compared with 6.4% and 16.0% in 2022, respectively
    • GAAP net income increased to $475 million for GAAP EPS (diluted) of $4.80
    • Adjusted Earnings decreased to $520 million for Adjusted EPS (diluted) of $5.26
    • Adjusted operating profit decreased to $804 million as lower overall volumes and unfavorable metal price overlap were partially offset by favorable productivity and revenue from acquisitions

    “In 2023, Sonoco made further progress on our strategic initiatives and delivered solid financial results in a challenging macroeconomic environment,” said Howard Coker, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We achieved the second best year of financial results in our 125-year history. Our multi-year focus on improving and leveraging the operating model combined with our capital allocation strategy resulted in record productivity. We advanced our strategy by strengthening our portfolio with the addition of accretive acquisitions in our core businesses, and successfully divesting non-core assets.”

    Coker continued, “We generated record annual operating cash flow of $883 million and free cash flow of over $600 million. We remained focused on disciplined capital allocation and a strong balance sheet, and were pleased to increase our annual dividend for the 40th straight year. I am extremely proud of the hard-working Sonoco team members who remain focused on delivering value for our customers and executing initiatives to support the Company’s continued success in the future.”

    Fourth Quarter and Year End 2023 Segment Results
    (Dollars in millions except per share data)

    Sonoco reports its financial results in two reportable segments: Consumer and Industrial, with all remaining businesses reported as All Other.

      Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
     Consumer PackagingDecember 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change
               
     Net sales$856  $879 (3)% $3,627  $3,768 (4)%
     Segment operating profit$83  $85 (3)% $382  $526 (27)%
     Segment operating profit margin 10%  10%   11%  14% 
     Segment Adjusted EBITDA1$116  $114 2% $507  $638 (21)%
     Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin1 14%  13%   14%  17% 


    Q4-23 (versus Q4-22):

    • Consumer net sales were $856 million as volumes continued to be impacted by lower consumer purchases for food and household products from inflationary pricing impacts
    • Consumer operating profit decreased to $83 million due to lower volumes and higher accounts receivable reserve, which were partially offset by strong productivity and strategic pricing initiatives

    2023 (versus 2022):

    • Consumer net sales were $3.6 billion, down 4% year over year, primarily due to the previously mentioned inflationary pricing impacts on volumes and volume declines from customer retail destocking throughout the year
    • Full year segment operating profit decreased to $382 million due to unfavorable volume/mix and metal price overlap of $35 million (which was a full year $105 million year-over-year difference), which was partially offset by improved productivity

      Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
     Industrial Paper PackagingDecember 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change
               
     Net sales$593  $597 (1)% $2,374  $2,685 (12)%
     Segment operating profit$62  $79 (22)% $318  $328 (3)%
     Segment operating profit margin 10%  13%   13%  12% 
     Segment Adjusted EBITDA1$91  $106 (14)% $432  $434 —%
     Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin1 15%  18%   18%  16% 


    Q4-23 (versus Q4-22):

    • Industrial net sales decreased 1% to $593 million due to unfavorable volume/mix, weakness in global demand for converted paper products and lower pricing, which was partially offset by higher demand in paper and revenue from acquisitions
    • Continued low volumes and price/cost pressures were partially offset by improved productivity which resulted in an operating profit margin of 10% and Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15%

    2023 (versus 2022):  

    • Industrial sales decreased 12% to $2.4 billion due to unfavorable volume and index-related pricing declines
    • Segment operating profit margin and Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 13% and 18%, respectively, primarily due to the first half 2023 benefits of higher pricing and lower costs

      Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
     All OtherDecember 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022Change
               
     Net sales$187  $200 (7)% $780  $798 (2)%
     Operating profit$22  $20 14% $104  $66 57%
     Operating profit margin 12%  10%   13%  8% 
     Adjusted EBITDA1$28  $26 10% $128  $91 41%
     Adjusted EBITDA margin1 15%  13%   16%  11% 


    Q4-23 (versus Q4-22):

    • Net sales declined 7% due to lower volumes, primarily in temperature assured packaging as COVID-related demand declined
    • Operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA improved by 14% and 10%, respectively, primarily due to positive strategic pricing and strong productivity, partially offset by lower volume

    2023 (versus 2022):  

    • Net sales declined 2% primarily due to lower volumes
    • Operating profit and Adjusted EBITDA improved by 57% and 41%, respectively, primarily due to ongoing structural improvement programs to improve profitability across this diversified collection of businesses, favorable strategic pricing initiatives, and strong productivity

    1Segment and All Other Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See the Company’s reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures later in this release.

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

    • Cash and cash equivalents were $152 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $227 million as of December 31, 2022.
    • Total debt was $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2023, a decrease of $139 million from December 31, 2022.
    • On December 31, 2023, the Company had available liquidity of $1.1 billion, including the undrawn availability under its revolving credit facility.
    • Cash flow from operating activities for the year ended 2023 was $883 million, compared to $509 million in the same period of 2022.
    • Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from sales of fixed assets, for 2023 were $283 million, compared to $319 million for the same period last year. Capital expenditures were $363 million and net proceeds from the sale of our timberland properties were $80 million in 2023.
    • Free Cash Flow in 2023 was $600 million compared to $190 million in 2022. See the Company’s definition of Free Cash Flow, the explanation as to why it is used, and the reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities later in this release.
    • Dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 increased to $197 million compared to $187 million for the prior fiscal year.

    Guidance(1)         
    First Quarter 2024

    • Adjusted EPS(2): $1.05 to $1.15

    Full Year 2024

    • Adjusted EPS(2): $5.10 to $5.40
    • Cash flow from operating activities: $650 million to $750 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA: $1.05 billion to $1.10 billion

    Sonoco’s President and CEO, Howard Coker stated, “In the first quarter of 2024, we expect volumes to be down over the prior year period. We also expect negative price/cost from metal price overlap and from the year-over-year Industrial comparable. For the full year, we are expecting overall sales to be up modestly and price/cost impacts to be negative, in each case compared to the prior year period. We intend to continue to aggressively manage costs and generate positive productivity while we navigate global volume uncertainties. We remain focused on executing strategic initiatives to simplify our portfolio and capture synergies from our recent acquisitions to advance Sonoco through 2024 and beyond. We look forward to providing further updates in our Investor Day, which is planned for February 22, 2024.”

    (1) Although the Company believes the assumptions reflected in the range of guidance are reasonable, given the uncertainty regarding the future performance of the overall economy, the effects of inflation, the continued challenges in global supply chains, potential changes in raw material prices, other costs, and the Company’s effective tax rate, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those described below, actual results could vary substantially. Further information can be found in the section entitled “Forward-looking Statements” in this release.

    (2) First quarter and full year 2024 GAAP guidance are not provided in this release due to the likely occurrence of one or more of the following, the timing and magnitude of which we are unable to reliably forecast without unreasonable efforts: restructuring costs and restructuring-related impairment charges, acquisition/divestiture-related costs, gains or losses on the sale of businesses or other, and the income tax effects of these items and/or other income tax-related events. These items could have a significant impact on the Company’s future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted EPS guidance has been omitted in reliance on the exception provided by Item 10 of Regulation S-K.        

    Effective January 1, 2024, the Company will integrate its flexible packaging and thermoforming packaging businesses within the Consumer segment in order to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and better position the business for accelerated growth. As a result, the Company will change its operating and reporting structure to reflect the way it plans to manage its operations, evaluate performance, and allocate resources going forward. Therefore, in future reporting periods, the Company’s consumer thermoforming businesses will move from the All Other group of businesses to the Consumer segment. The Company’s Industrial segment will not be affected by these changes. As of, and for the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no changes to the manner in which the Company reviewed financial information at the segment level; therefore, these changes had no impact on our reporting structure.

    Conference Call Webcast
    Management will host a conference call and webcast to further discuss these results beginning at 8:30 am EDT, Thursday, February 15, 2024. The live conference call and a corresponding presentation can be accessed via the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.sonoco.com. To listen via telephone, please register in advance at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/owncumwd/. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that can be used to access the call. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be archived on the Company’s Investor Relations website for at least 30 days.

    Contact Information:
    Lisa Weeks
    Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications
    lisa.weeks@sonoco.com        
    843-383-7524

    About Sonoco
    Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE:SON) is a global provider of packaging products. With net sales of approximately $6.8 billion in 2023, the Company has approximately 22,000 employees working in more than 310 operations around the world, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. With our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products, and a better world, for our customers, employees and communities. The Company ranked first in the Packaging sector on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2022 and was also included in Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies for the fourth consecutive year. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

    Forward-looking Statements
    Statements included herein that are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Company and its representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also “forward-looking statements.” Words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “committed,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focused,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “strategy,” “will,” or the negative thereof, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements regarding, but not limited to: the Company’s future operating and financial performance, including first quarter and full year 2024 outlook and the anticipated drivers thereof; the Company’s ability to support its customers and manage costs; opportunities for productivity and other operational improvements; pricing, customer demand and volume outlook; expected benefits from and integration efforts related to acquisitions and divestitures; the effectiveness of the Company’s strategy and strategic initiatives, including with respect to portfolio simplification and capital allocation priorities; the effects of the macroeconomic environment and inflation on the Company and its customers; and the Company’s ability to generate continued value for customers and shareholders.

    Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, perceived opportunities, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, goals and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

    Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

    Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, without limitation, those related to: the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy, including with respect to acquisitions (and integrations thereof), divestitures, cost management, productivity improvements, restructuring and capital expenditures, and achieve the benefits it expects therefrom; the operation of new manufacturing capabilities; the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated cost and energy savings; the availability, transportation and pricing of raw materials, energy and transportation, including the impact of potential changes in tariffs or sanctions and escalating trade wars, and the impact of war, general regional instability and other geopolitical tensions (such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as the economic sanctions related thereto, and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza), and the Company’s ability to pass raw material, energy and transportation price increases and surcharges through to customers or otherwise manage these commodity pricing risks; the costs of labor; the effects of inflation, fluctuations in consumer demand, volume softness, and other macroeconomic factors on the Company and the industries in which it operates and that it serves; the Company’s ability to meet its environmental and sustainability goals, including with respect to greenhouse gas emissions; and to meet other social and governance goals, including challenges in implementation; and the other risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur.

    References to our Website Address

    References to our website address and domain names throughout this release are for informational purposes only, or to fulfill specific disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules or the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. These references are not intended to, and do not, incorporate the contents of our website by reference into this release.

     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
    (Dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)
            
       Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
       December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
              
    Net sales$1,635,800  $1,676,022 $6,781,292  $7,250,552 
    Cost of sales 1,296,148   1,362,085  5,345,638   5,810,903 
    Gross profit 339,652   313,937  1,435,654   1,439,649 
    Selling, general, and administrative expenses 200,439   173,466  741,860   707,343 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 3,952   13,553  56,933   56,910 
    Gain on divestiture of business and other assets 85   —  78,929   — 
    Operating profit 135,346   126,918  715,790   675,396 
    Other income, net 2,714   —  39,657   — 
    Non-operating pension costs 3,888   2,822  14,312   7,073 
    Net interest expense 31,619   29,250  126,303   97,041 
    Income before income taxes 102,553   94,846  614,832   571,282 
    Provision for income taxes 22,275   1,797  149,278   118,509 
    Income before equity in earnings of affiliates 80,278   93,049  465,554   452,773 
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax 1,552   4,056  10,347   14,207 
    Net income 81,830   97,105  475,901   466,980 
    Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests (588)  99  (942)  (543)
    Net income attributable to Sonoco$81,242  $97,204 $474,959  $466,437 
              
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 99,164   98,922  98,890   98,732 
              
    Diluted earnings per common share$0.82  $0.98 $4.80  $4.72 
    Dividends per common share$0.51  $0.49 $2.02  $1.92 


     
    FINANCIAL SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
        
       Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
       December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
    Net sales:       
     Consumer Packaging$855,687  $879,326  $3,626,977  $3,767,956 
     Industrial Paper Packaging 593,080   596,582   2,374,113   2,684,563 
     All Other 187,033   200,114   780,202   798,033 
     Net sales$1,635,800  $1,676,022  $6,781,292  $7,250,552 
              
            
    Operating profit:       
     Consumer Packaging$82,979  $85,139  $382,063  $526,028 
     Industrial Paper Packaging 61,504   79,139   317,917   327,859 
     All Other 22,336   19,551   103,745   65,978 
     Corporate       
     Restructuring/Asset impairment charges (3,952)  (13,553)  (56,933)  (56,910)
     Amortization of acquisition intangibles (24,182)  (20,065)  (87,264)  (80,427)
     Other operating income/(charges), net (3,339)  (23,293)  56,262   (107,132)
     Operating profit$135,346  $126,918  $715,790  $675,396 
              


    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
        
       Twelve Months Ended
       December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
          
    Net income$475,901  $466,980 
    Net (gains)/losses on asset impairments, disposition of assets and divestiture of business and other assets (96,606)  15,465 
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization 340,988   308,824 
    Pension and postretirement plan (contributions), net of non-cash expense 2,798   (26,712)
    Changes in working capital 218,807   (328,719)
    Changes in tax accounts (40,495)  (4,372)
    Other operating activity (18,475)  77,583 
    Net cash provided by operating activities 882,918   509,049 
          
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net (282,738)  (319,148)
    Proceeds from the sale of business, net 33,237   — 
    Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired (372,616)  (1,427,020)
    Net debt (repayments)/ borrowings (150,360)  1,518,844 
    Cash dividends (197,416)  (187,093)
    Payments for share repurchases (10,617)  (4,547)
    Other, including effects of exchange rates on cash 22,091   (19,151)
    Purchase of noncontrolling interest —   (14,474)
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (75,501)  56,460 
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 227,438   170,978 
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$151,937  $227,438 
        


    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)
       December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
    Assets   
    Current Assets:   
     Cash and cash equivalents$151,937  $227,438 
     Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances 904,898   862,712 
     Other receivables 106,644   99,492 
     Inventories 773,501   1,095,558 
     Prepaid expenses 113,385   76,054 
        2,050,365   2,361,254 
    Property, plant and equipment, net 1,906,137   1,710,399 
    Right of use asset-operating leases 314,944   296,781 
    Goodwill 1,810,654   1,675,311 
    Other intangible assets, net 853,670   741,598 
    Other assets 256,187   267,597 
       $7,191,957  $7,052,940 
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
    Current Liabilities:   
     Payable to suppliers and other payables$1,107,504  $1,224,556 
     Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt 47,132   502,440 
     Accrued taxes 10,641   16,905 
        1,165,277   1,743,901 
    Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,035,868   2,719,783 
    Noncurrent operating lease liabilities 265,454   250,994 
    Pension and other postretirement benefits 142,900   120,084 
    Deferred income taxes and other 150,623   145,381 
    Total equity 2,431,835   2,072,797 
       $7,191,957  $7,052,940 
      

    Definition and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    The Company’s results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are referred to as “as reported” or “GAAP” results. The Company uses certain financial performance measures, both internally and externally, that are not in conformity with GAAP (“non-GAAP financial measures”) to assess and communicate the financial performance of the Company. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect the Company’s GAAP operating results adjusted to remove amounts (including the associated tax effects) relating to:

    • restructuring/asset impairment charges1;
    • acquisition, integration, and divestiture-related costs;
    • gains or losses from the divestiture of businesses and other assets;
    • losses from the early extinguishment of debt;
    • non-operating pension costs;
    • amortization expense on acquisition intangibles;
    • changes in last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory reserves;
    • certain income tax events and adjustments;
    • derivative gains/losses;
    • other non-operating income and losses; and
    • certain other items, if any.

    1 Restructuring and restructuring-related asset impairment charges are a recurring item as the Company’s restructuring programs usually require several years to fully implement and the Company is continually seeking to take actions that could enhance its efficiency. Although recurring, these charges are subject to significant fluctuations from period to period due to the varying levels of restructuring activity, the inherent imprecision in the estimates used to recognize the impairment of assets, and the wide variety of costs and taxes associated with severance and termination benefits in the countries in which the restructuring actions occur.

    The Company’s management believes the exclusion of the amounts related to above-listed items improves the period-to-period comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business. Non-GAAP figures previously identified by the term “Base” are now identified using the term “Adjusted,” for example “Adjusted Operating Profit,” “Adjusted Net Income” (referred to as “Adjusted Earnings”), and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (referred to as “Adjusted EPS)”.

    In addition to the “Adjusted” results described above, the Company also uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income excluding the following: interest expense; interest income; provision for income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization expense; non-operating pension costs; net income attributable to noncontrolling interests; restructuring/asset impairment charges; changes in LIFO inventory reserves; gains/losses from the divestiture of businesses and other assets; other income; acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs; derivative gains/losses; and other non-GAAP adjustments, if any, that may arise from time to time. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

    The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with, nor are they an alternative for, measures conforming to GAAP, and they may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles.

    The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures to provide investors with information to evaluate Sonoco’s operating results in a manner similar to how management evaluates business performance. The Company consistently applies its non-GAAP financial measures presented herein and uses them for internal planning and forecasting purposes, to evaluate its ongoing operations, and to evaluate the ultimate performance of management and each business unit against plans/forecasts. In addition, these same non-GAAP financial measures are used in determining incentive compensation for the entire management team and in providing earnings guidance to the investing community.

    Material limitations associated with the use of such measures include that they do not reflect all period costs included in operating expenses and may not be comparable with similarly named financial measures of other companies. Furthermore, the calculations of these non-GAAP financial measures are based on subjective determinations of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that the investor may find material and view differently.

    To compensate for any limitations in such non-GAAP financial measures, management believes that it is useful in evaluating the Company’s results to review both GAAP information, which includes all of the items impacting financial results, and the related non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain elements, as described above. Further, Sonoco management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider any non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Whenever reviewing a non-GAAP financial measure, investors are encouraged to review the related reconciliation to understand how it differs from the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Whenever Sonoco uses a non-GAAP financial measure it provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review and consider these reconciliations.   

    The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for each of the periods presented:

    Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Adjusted Earnings Attributable to Sonoco, and Adjusted EPS

     For the three-month period ended December 31, 2023
    Dollars in thousands, except per share dataOperating ProfitIncome Before Income TaxesProvision for Income TaxesNet Income Attributable to SonocoDiluted EPS
    As Reported (GAAP)$135,346 $102,553 $22,275 $81,242 $0.82 
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 4,063  4,063  2,158  1,905  0.02 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves (1,631) (1,631) (414) (1,217) (0.01)
    Amortization of acquisition intangibles 24,182  24,182  6,207  17,975  0.18 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 3,952  3,952  576  3,378  0.03 
    Gain on divestiture of business and other assets (85) (85) (253) 168  — 
    Other income, net —  (2,714) (694) (2,020) (0.02)
    Non-operating pension costs —  3,888  958  2,930  0.03 
    Net gain from derivatives (397) (397) (100) (297) — 
    Other adjustments 1,389  1,360  4,013  (2,653) (0.03)
    Total adjustments$31,473 $32,618 $12,451 $20,169 $0.20 
    Adjusted$166,819 $135,171 $34,726 $101,411 $1.02 
    Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

    		    


     For the three-month period ended December 31, 2022
    Dollars in thousands, except per share dataOperating ProfitIncome Before Income TaxesProvision for Income TaxesNet Income Attributable to SonocoDiluted EPS
    As Reported (GAAP)$126,918$94,845$1,797$97,204 $0.98 
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 7,555 7,555 2,110 5,445  0.06 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves 3,357 3,357 687 2,670  0.03 
    Amortization of acquisition intangibles 20,065 20,065 4,888 15,177  0.15 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 13,553 13,553 3,930 9,238  0.09 
    Non-operating pension costs — 2,822 823 1,999  0.02 
    Net loss from derivatives 11,083 11,083 2,761 8,322  0.08 
    Other adjustments 1,299 1,299 15,911 (14,614) (0.14)
    Total adjustments$56,912$59,734$31,110$28,237 $0.29 
    Adjusted$183,830$154,579$32,907$125,441 $1.27 
    Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

    		    


     For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023
    Dollars in thousands, except per share dataOperating ProfitIncome Before Income TaxesProvision for Income TaxesNet Income Attributable to SonocoDiluted EPS
    As Reported (GAAP)$715,790 $614,832 $149,278 $474,959 $4.80 
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 26,254  26,254  6,407  19,847  0.20 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves (11,817) (11,817) (2,977) (8,840) (0.09)
    Amortization of acquisition intangibles 87,264  87,264  21,523  65,741  0.66 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 56,933  56,933  12,920  44,036  0.44 
    Gain on divestiture of business and other assets (78,929) (78,929) (19,076) (59,853) (0.60)
    Other income, net —  (39,657) (9,624) (30,033) (0.30)
    Non-operating pension costs —  14,312  3,547  10,765  0.11 
    Net gain from derivatives (1,912) (1,912) (482) (1,430) (0.01)
    Other adjustments 10,142  10,113  5,433  4,680  0.05 
    Total adjustments$87,935 $62,561 $17,671 $44,913 $0.46 
    Adjusted$803,725 $677,393 $166,949 $519,872 $5.26 
    Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

    		   


     For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022
    Dollars in thousands, except per share dataOperating ProfitIncome Before Income TaxesProvision for Income TaxesNet Income Attributable to SonocoDiluted EPS
    As Reported (GAAP)$675,396 $571,282 $118,509$466,437 $4.72 
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 70,210  70,210  17,640 52,570  0.53 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves 28,445  28,445  7,083 21,362  0.22 
    Amortization of acquisition intangibles 80,427  80,427  19,554 60,873  0.62 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 56,910  56,910  11,269 45,542  0.46 
    Non-operating pension costs —  7,073  2,007 5,066  0.05 
    Net loss from derivatives 8,767  8,767  2,183 6,584  0.07 
    Other adjustments (290) (426) 18,515 (18,941) (0.19)
    Total adjustments$244,469 $251,406 $78,251$173,056 $1.76 
    Adjusted$919,865 $822,688 $196,760$639,493 $6.48 
    Due to rounding, individual items may not sum appropriately.

    		   


    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   
     Three Months Ended 
    Dollars in thousandsDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2022 
        
    Net income attributable to Sonoco$81,242 $97,204  
    Adjustments:   
    Interest expense 35,323  30,420  
    Interest income (3,704) (1,170) 
    Provision for income taxes 22,275  1,797  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 91,601  77,729  
    Non-operating pension costs 3,888  2,822  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 588  (99) 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 3,952  13,553  
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves (1,631) 3,357  
    Gain from divestiture of business and other assets (85) —  
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 4,063  7,555  
    Other income, net (2,714) —  
    Net (gain)/loss from derivatives (397) 11,083  
    Other non-GAAP adjustments 1,389  1,298  
    Adjusted EBITDA$235,790 $245,549  
        
    Net Sales$1,635,800 $1,676,022  
    Net Income Margin 5.0% 5.8% 
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin 14.4% 14.7% 


    Segment results, which are reviewed by the Company’s management to evaluate segment performance, do not include the following: restructuring/asset impairment charges; amortization of acquisition intangibles; acquisition, integration, and divestiture-related costs; changes in LIFO inventory reserves; gains/losses from the sale of businesses and other assets; or certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves the comparability and analysis of the ongoing operating performance of the business. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “operating profit” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments and All Other. Total operating profit is comprised of the sum of segment and All Other operating profit plus certain items that have been allocated to Corporate, including amortization of acquisition intangibles; restructuring/asset impairment charges; changes in LIFO inventory reserves; acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs; gains/losses from the sale of businesses or other assets; gains/losses on derivatives; and certain other items that were excluded from segment and All Other operating profit.

    The Company does not calculate net income by segment; therefore, Segment Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of segment profitability, Segment Operating Profit, which is the measure of segment profit or loss in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280 - Segment Reporting, as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
    For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023     
    Dollars in thousandsConsumer Packaging segmentIndustrial Paper Packaging segmentAll OtherCorporateTotal
    Segment and Total Operating Profit $82,979 $61,504 $22,336 $(31,473)$135,346 
    Adjustments:     
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization1 33,088  28,278  6,053  24,182  91,601 
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax 71  1,481  —  —  1,552 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges2 —  —  —  3,952  3,952 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves3 —  —  —  (1,631) (1,631)
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs4 —  —  —  4,063  4,063 
    Gain from divestiture of business and other assets —  —  —  (85) (85)
    Net gains from derivatives5 —  —  —  (397) (397)
    Other non-GAAP adjustments —  —  —  1,389  1,389 
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA $116,138 $91,263 $28,389 $— $235,790 
          
    Net Sales$855,687 $593,080 $187,033   
    Segment Operating Profit Margin 9.7% 10.4% 11.9%  
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin 13.6% 15.4% 15.2%  

    1 Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $14,215, the Industrial segment of $7,208, and All Other of $2,759.
    2 Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $(3,733), the Industrial segment of $5,793, and All Other of $1,748.
    3 Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $(1,487) and the Industrial segment of $(144).
    4 Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $436 and the Industrial segment of $415.
    5 Included in Corporate are net gains on derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(63), the Industrial segment of $(244), and All Other of $(90).

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
    For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022     
    Dollars in thousandsConsumer Packaging segmentIndustrial Paper Packaging segmentAll OtherCorporateTotal
    Segment and Total Operating Profit $85,139 $79,139 $19,551 $(56,911)$126,918
    Adjustments:     
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization1 28,438  23,003  6,223  20,065  77,729
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax 117  3,939  —  —  4,056
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges2 —  —  —  13,553  13,553
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves3 —  —  —  3,357  3,357
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs4 —  —  —  7,555  7,555
    Net losses from derivatives5 —  —  —  11,083  11,083
    Other non-GAAP adjustments —  —  —  1,298  1,298
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA$113,694 $106,081 $25,774 $— $245,549
          
    Net Sales$879,326 $596,582 $200,114   
    Segment Operating Profit Margin 9.7% 13.3% 9.8%  
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin 12.9% 17.8% 12.9%  

    1 Included in Corporate is amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $14,151, the Industrial segment of $1,956, and All Other of $3,958.
    2 Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $3,969, the Industrial segment of $7,674, and All Other of $18.
    3 Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $4,164 and the Industrial segment of $(807).
    4 Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $652 and the Industrial segment of $19.
    5 Included in Corporate are net losses on derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $1,577, the Industrial segment of $7,266, and All Other of $2,241.

    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   
     Twelve Months Ended 
    Dollars in thousandsDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2022 
        
    Net income attributable to Sonoco$474,959 $466,437  
    Adjustments:   
    Interest expense 136,686  101,662  
    Interest income (10,383) (4,621) 
    Provision for income taxes 149,278  118,509  
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 340,988  308,824  
    Non-operating pension costs 14,312  7,073  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 942  543  
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 56,933  56,910  
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves (11,817) 28,445  
    Gain from divestiture of business and other assets (78,929) —  
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs 26,254  70,210  
    Other income, net (39,657) —  
    Net (gain)/loss from derivatives (1,912) 8,767  
    Other non-GAAP adjustments 10,142  (290) 
    Adjusted EBITDA$1,067,796 $1,162,469  
        
    Net Sales$6,781,292 $7,250,552  
    Net Income Margin 7.0% 6.4% 
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin 15.7% 16.0% 


    The following tables reconcile Segment and Total Operating Profit, the most directly comparable GAAP measure of profitability, to Segment Adjusted EBITDA.

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
    For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023     
    Dollars in thousandsConsumer Packaging segmentIndustrial Paper Packaging segmentAll OtherCorporateTotal
    Segment and Total Operating Profit $382,063 $317,917 $103,745 $(87,935)$715,790 
    Adjustments:     
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization1 124,483  104,722  24,519  87,264  340,988 
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax 564  9,783  —  —  10,347 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges2 —  —  —  56,933  56,933 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves3 —  —  —  (11,817) (11,817)
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs4 —  —  —  26,254  26,254 
    Gains from divestiture of business and other assets5 —  —  —  (78,929) (78,929)
    Net gains from derivatives6 —  —  —  (1,912) (1,912)
    Other non-GAAP adjustments7 —  —  —  10,142  10,142 
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA $507,110 $432,422 $128,264 $— $1,067,796 
          
    Net Sales$3,626,977 $2,374,113 $780,202   
    Segment Operating Profit Margin 10.5% 13.4% 13.3%  
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin 14.0% 18.2% 16.4%  

    1 Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $57,044, the Industrial segment of $16,121, and All Other of $14,099.
    2 Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $8,059, the Industrial segment of $38,754, and All Other of $7,623.
    3 Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $(10,915) and the Industrial segment of $(902).
    4 Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $1,738 and the Industrial segment of $5,810.
    5 Included in Corporate are gains from the sale of the Company’s timberland properties in the amount of $(60,945), the sale of its S3 business of in the amount of $(11,065), and the sale of its BulkSak businesses of $(6,919), all of which are associated with the Industrial segment.
    6 Included in Corporate are gains on derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $(257), the Industrial segment of $(1,290), and All Other of $(365).
    7 Included in Corporate are other non-GAAP adjustments associated with the Industrial Paper Packaging segment of $3,762 and the All Other group of businesses of $3,249.

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA and All Other Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
    For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022     
    Dollars in thousandsConsumer Packaging segmentIndustrial Paper Packaging segmentAll OtherCorporateTotal
    Segment and Total Operating Profit $526,028 $327,859 $65,978 $(244,469)$675,396 
    Adjustments:     
    Depreciation, depletion, and amortization1 111,599  91,944  24,854  80,427  308,824 
    Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax 485  13,722  —  —  14,207 
    Restructuring/Asset impairment charges2 —  —  —  56,910  56,910 
    Changes in LIFO inventory reserves3 —  —  —  28,445  28,445 
    Acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs4 —  —  —  70,210  70,210 
    Net losses from derivatives5 —  —  —  8,767  8,767 
    Other non-GAAP adjustments —  —  —  (290) (290)
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA$638,112 $433,525 $90,832 $— $1,162,469 
          
    Net Sales$3,767,956 $2,684,563 $798,033   
    Segment Operating Profit Margin 14.0% 12.2% 8.3%  
    Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margin 16.9% 16.1% 11.4%  

    1 Included in Corporate is the amortization of acquisition intangibles associated with the Consumer segment of $55,089, the Industrial segment of $8,053, and All Other of $17,285.
    2 Included in Corporate are restructuring/asset impairment charges associated with the Consumer segment of $13,865, the Industrial segment of $24,745, and All Other of $(229).
    3 Included in Corporate are changes in LIFO inventory reserves associated with the Consumer segment of $26,753 and the Industrial segment of $1,692.
    4 Included in Corporate are acquisition, integration and divestiture-related costs associated with the Consumer segment of $38,690 and the Industrial segment of $1,885.
    5 Included in Corporate are net losses on derivatives associated with the Consumer segment of $1,230, the Industrial segment of $5,789, and All Other of $1,748.

    Free Cash Flow

    The Company uses the non-GAAP financial measure of “Free Cash Flow,” which it defines as cash flow from operations minus net capital expenditures. Net capital expenditures are defined as capital expenditures minus proceeds from the disposition of capital assets. Free Cash Flow may not represent the amount of cash flow available for general discretionary use because it excludes non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt repayments and required settlements of recorded and/or contingent liabilities not reflected in cash flow from operations.

     Twelve Months Ended
    FREE CASH FLOWDecember 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
        
    Net cash provided by operating activities$882,918  $509,049 
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net (282,738)  (319,148)
    Free Cash Flow$600,180  $189,901 
        


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