Air Products Chemicals Inc

We believe we have sufficient cash, cash flows from operations, and funding sources to meet our liquidity needs. As further discussed in the "Cash Flows From Financing Activities" section below, we have the ability to raise capital through a variety of financing activities, including accessing capital or commercial paper markets or drawing upon our credit facilities.

As of 31 March 2024, we had $1,333.0 of foreign cash and cash items compared to total cash and cash items of $2,535.0. We do not expect that a significant portion of the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries and affiliates will be subject to U.S. income tax upon repatriation to the U.S. Depending on the country in which the subsidiaries and affiliates reside, the repatriation of these earnings may be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes. However, since we have significant current investment plans outside the U.S., it is our intent to permanently reinvest the majority of our foreign cash and cash items that would be subject to additional taxes outside the U.S.

Cash Flows From Operations

For the first six months of fiscal year 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $1,428.3. We recorded a charge of $57.0 for the accrual of severance and other postemployment benefits. Refer to Note 4, Business and Asset Actions, to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. The working capital accounts were a use of cash of $486.1. A use of cash of $301.0 within "Payables and accrued liabilities" primarily resulted from payments for incentive compensation under the fiscal year 2023 plan, a reduction of customer advances for sale of equipment projects as we recognized revenue, and a reduction of liabilities associated with accrued utilities. The use of cash of $111.7 within "Other working capital" primarily related to the timing of tax payments. The use of cash of $72.7 within "Inventories" primarily related to purchases of helium. The use of cash of $31.6 within "Other receivables" primarily related to the payment of value added taxes incurred in the construction of our larger projects for which we will claim a refund in the near term.

For the first six months of fiscal year 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $1,358.0. Business and asset actions of $185.6 included noncash charges to write-down the full carrying value of assets previously under construction in our Asia and Europe segments. Other adjustments of $70.9 primarily included adjustments for noncash currency impacts of intercompany balances. The working capital accounts were a use of cash of $589.3, primarily driven by $451.3 from payables and accrued liabilities, $124.7 from other working capital, and $112.3 from inventory, partially offset by a source of cash of $162.0 from trade receivables, less allowances. The use of cash within payables and accrued liabilities primarily resulted from the impact of lower prices for the purchase of natural gas, a decrease in value of derivatives that hedge intercompany loans, and payments for incentive compensation under the fiscal year 2022 plan. The use of cash within other working capital primarily relates to the timing of income tax payments. The source of cash within trade receivables includes lower natural gas costs contractually passed through to customers.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

For the first six months of fiscal year 2024, cash used for investing activities was $3,226.0. The use of cash primarily resulted from additions to plant and equipment, including long-term deposits, of $3,114.9 and an investment in financing receivables of $392.4. Refer to the "Capital Expenditures" section below for further detail. Proceeds from investments of $367.4 resulted from maturities of time deposits and treasury securities with terms greater than three months but less than one year and exceeded purchases of investments of $136.4.

For the first six months of fiscal year 2023, cash used for investing activities was $2,476.0. The use of cash primarily resulted from additions to plant and equipment, including long-term deposits, of $1,841.1 as well as investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates of $912.0, which primarily included our investment in the second phase of the Jazan gasification and power project. Proceeds from investments of $611.6 resulted from maturities of time deposits and treasury securities with terms greater than three months but less than one year and exceeded purchases of investments of $290.5.

Capital Expenditures

The components of our capital expenditures are detailed in the table below. Refer to page 57 for a definition of this non-GAAP financial measure as well as a reconciliation to cash used for investing activities.

(A)Reflects the portion of "Additions to plant and equipment, including long-term deposits" that is associated with NGHC, less our approximate cash investment in the joint venture.

Capital expenditures for the first six months of fiscal year 2024 totaled $2,671.1 compared to $2,417.8 for the first six months of fiscal year 2023. The investment in financing receivables of $392.4 primarily reflects payments associated with the purchase of renewable fuel assets from World Energy as well as the purchase of a natural gas-to-syngas processing facility in Uzbekistan. Refer to Note 3, Variable Interest Entities, and Note 16, Supplemental Information, to the consolidated financial statements, respectively, for additional information.

Outlook for Investing Activities

It is not possible, without unreasonable efforts, to reconcile our forecasted capital expenditures to future cash used for investing activities because we are unable to identify the timing or occurrence of our future investment activity, which is driven by our assessment of competing opportunities at the time we enter into transactions. These decisions, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a significant effect on our cash used for investing activities.

We continue to expect capital expenditures for fiscal year 2024 to be approximately $5.0 billion to $5.5 billion.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

For the first six months of fiscal year 2024, cash provided by financing activities was $2,712.5. The source of cash was primarily driven by long-term debt proceeds of $3,649.0, which was largely attributable to U.S. Dollar-denominated green bonds totaling $2.5 billion that were issued during the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 under our Green Finance Framework as well as borrowings from project financing associated with the NGHC joint venture, partially offset by dividend payments to shareholders of $777.9.

For the first six months of fiscal year 2023, cash provided by financing activities was $603.4. The source of cash was primarily driven by long-term debt proceeds of $1,891.6, which was largely attributable to multi-currency green bonds totaling $1.4 billion that were issued during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 under our Green Finance Framework. These proceeds were partially offset by dividend payments to shareholders of $719.2 and payments on long-term debt of $596.0.

Financing and Capital Structure

Debt

Total debt increased from $10,305.8 as of 30 September 2023 to $13,621.7 as of 31 March 2024 primarily due to the $2.5 billion issuance of senior notes intended for projects defined under our Green Finance Framework as well as additional borrowings under the project financing associated with the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project as discussed in Note 3, Variable Interest Entities, to the consolidated financial statements. Total debt includes related party debt of $289.8 and $328.3 as of 31 March 2024 and 30 September 2023, respectively.

Various debt agreements to which we are a party include financial covenants and other restrictions, including restrictions pertaining to the ability to create property liens and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. As of 31 March 2024, we were in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants under our debt agreements.

Credit Facilities

In March 2024, we entered into a five-year $3.0 billion revolving credit agreement maturing 31 March 2029 (the “2024 Credit Agreement”) as well as a 364-day $500 revolving credit agreement maturing 27 March 2025 that we have the ability to convert into a term loan maturing 27 March 2026. Both agreements are syndicated facilities that provide a source of liquidity and support our commercial paper program through availability of senior unsecured debt to us and certain of our subsidiaries. As of 31 March 2024, no borrowings were outstanding under either agreement. The 2024 Credit Agreement replaced our previous $2.75 billion revolving credit agreement (the “2021 Credit Agreement”), which was terminated upon execution of the 2024 Credit Agreement. No borrowings were outstanding under the 2021 Credit Agreement at the time of its termination, and no early termination penalties were incurred.

We also have credit facilities available to certain of our foreign subsidiaries totaling $1,241.6, of which $1,080.7 was borrowed and outstanding as of 31 March 2024. The amount borrowed and outstanding as of 30 September 2023 was $1,041.4.

NEOM Green Hydrogen Project Financing

In May 2023, NGHC secured non-recourse project financing of approximately $6.1 billion, which is expected to fund approximately 73% of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project and will be drawn over the construction period. At the same time, NGHC secured additional non-recourse credit facilities totaling approximately $500 primarily for working capital needs. As of 31 March 2024, the joint venture had borrowed short- and long-term principal amounts totaling $2.5 billion compared to $1.4 billion as of 30 September 2023. Refer to Note 3, Variable Interest Entities, to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Dividends

The Board of Directors determines whether to declare cash dividends on our common stock and the timing and amount based on financial condition and other factors it deems relevant. Dividends are paid quarterly, usually during the sixth week after the close of the fiscal quarter. In January 2024, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $1.77 per share, representing our 42 nd consecutive year of dividend increases. The new dividend was declared on 25 January 2024 and is payable on 13 May 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 1 April 2024.