MASCO CORP DE

Previous wording

Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. While still elevated, we have recently seen some moderation of certain costs, and we aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of our costs and lower demand for our products with productivity improvements, pricing, and other initiatives.

Current wording

Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. We aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of our costs and lower demand for our products with productivity improvements, pricing, and other initiatives.

Previous wording

We continue to execute our strategies of leveraging our strong brand portfolio, industry-leading positions and the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, to create long-term shareholder value. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and customer service and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.

Current wording

We continue to execute our strategies of leveraging our strong brand portfolio, our industry-leading positions and the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, to create long-term shareholder value. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and customer service and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.

Previous wording

The following discussion of consolidated results of operations refers to the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period of 2023.

Current wording

The following discussion of consolidated results of operations refers to the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same periods of 2023.

Previous wording

Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $1,926 million, which decreased three percent compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Excluding acquisitions and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased four percent.

Current wording

Our net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $4,017 million, which decreased two percent compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. Excluding acquisitions and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased three percent. Our net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 decreased primarily due to lower sales volume across the entire company which decreased sales by three percent and unfavorable sales mix of plumbing products which decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices which increased sales by one percent, driven by plumbing products.

Previous wording

Below is a summary of our other, net, in millions, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

Below is a summary of our other income (expense), net, in millions, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was favorably impacted by $16 million and $11 million of income tax benefits, respectively. For both periods, the income tax benefits primarily resulted from stock-based compensation and a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions resulting from the expiration of statutes of limitation.

Current wording

Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was favorably impacted by $16 million and $12 million of income tax benefits, respectively. For both periods, the income tax benefits primarily resulted from stock-based compensation and a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions resulting from the expiration of statutes of limitation.

Previous wording

Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

The following discussion of business segment and geographic area results refers to the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. Changes in operating profit in the following business segment and geographic area results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net.

Current wording

The following discussion of business segment and geographic area results refers to the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same periods of 2023. Changes in operating profit in the following business segment and geographic area results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net.

Previous wording

Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment decreased two percent for the three months ended March 31, 2024. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales decreased two percent. Lower sales volume decreased sales by six percent and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices which increased sales by three percent and the acquisition of Sauna360 Group Oy ("Sauna360") which increased sales by two percent.

Current wording

Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased two percent for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and remained flat for the six months ended June 30, 2024. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased three percent and one percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Higher net selling prices increased sales by two percent and the acquisition of Sauna360 Group Oy ("Sauna360") increased sales by two percent for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, these amounts were partially offset by unfavorable sales mix which decreased sales by one percent. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, these amounts were mostly offset by lower sales volume which decreased sales by three percent and unfavorable sales mix which decreased sales by one percent.

Previous wording

Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices and cost savings initiatives. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume.

Current wording

Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices and cost savings initiatives. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and unfavorable sales mix and increased employee-related costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment decreased three percent for the three months ended March 31, 2024 due primarily to lower net selling prices across all product categories and lower sales volume in builders' hardware and lighting products. These amounts were partially offset by higher volume in paints and other coating products.

Current wording

Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment decreased seven percent and five percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. These decreases were due primarily to lower sales volume for paints and other coating products and builders' hardware products and lower net selling prices for paints and other coating products for both periods.

Previous wording

Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by lower net selling prices, partially offset by cost savings initiatives.

Current wording

Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was negatively impacted by lower net selling prices and lower sales volume, partially offset by lower commodity costs and cost savings initiatives. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, operating profit was also positively impacted by lower marketing costs.

Previous wording

North America net sales decreased two percent for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Lower sales volume decreased sales by three percent. This was partially offset by the acquisition of Sauna360 which increased sales by one percent and higher net selling prices which increased sales by one percent, primarily driven by plumbing products.

Current wording

North America net sales decreased one percent and two percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Lower sales volume decreased sales by two percent and three percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent for both periods. This was partially offset by the acquisition of Sauna360 which increased sales by one percent for both periods.

Previous wording

North America operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was positively impacted by cost savings initiatives, partially offset by lower sales volume.

Current wording

North America operating profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was positively impacted by cost saving initiatives and lower commodity costs. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, these amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume, increased employee-related costs and unfavorable sales mix.

Previous wording

International net sales decreased six percent for the three months ended March 31, 2024. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales decreased five percent. Lower sales volume decreased sales by five percent and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices which increased sales by one percent.

Current wording

International net sales decreased three percent and four percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales decreased one percent and three percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. Lower sales volume decreased sales by two percent for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by two percent and one percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices which increased sales by one percent for both periods.

Previous wording

International operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by lower sales volume.

Current wording

International operating profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was negatively impacted by unfavorable sales mix and unfavorable foreign currency translation. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, operating profit was also negatively impacted by lower sales volume. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, these amounts were partially offset by cost saving initiatives and increased net selling prices.

Previous wording

We had cash and cash investments of approximately $368 million and $634 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $278 million and $323 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.

Current wording

We had cash and cash investments of approximately $398 million and $634 million at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $284 million and $323 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.

Previous wording

Our current ratio was 1.7 to 1 at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Current wording

Our current ratio was 1.8 to 1 and 1.7 to 1 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and $49 million was borrowed and outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 6.560% at March 31, 2024.

Current wording

The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding at June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. The amounts confirmed as valid under the program and included in accounts payable were $59 million and $53 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Of the amounts confirmed as valid under the program, the amounts owed to participating financial institutions were $35 million and $28 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. All payments made under the program are recorded as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.

Current wording

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. The amounts confirmed as valid under the program and included in accounts payable were $53 million at both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Of the amounts confirmed as valid under the program, the amounts owed to participating financial institutions were $21 million and $28 million at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. All payments made under the program are recorded as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.

Previous wording

Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise. We repurchased and retired approximately 2.1 million shares of our common stock in the three months ended March 31, 2024 for approximately $148 million. These share repurchases included 0.4 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in the three months ended March 31, 2024. Cash paid for share repurchases was approximately $145 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, we had approximately $1.5 billion remaining under the 2022 authorization.

Current wording

Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we repurchased and retired approximately 4.1 million shares of our common stock (including 0.4 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in the six months ended June 30, 2024) for approximately $292 million, inclusive of excise tax of $2 million. At June 30, 2024, we had approximately $1.4 billion remaining under the 2022 authorization.

Previous wording

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used for operations was $94 million, primarily driven by changes in working capital, partially offset by operating profit.

Current wording

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash provided by operations was $252 million, primarily driven by operating profit, partially offset by changes in working capital.

Previous wording

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used for financing activities was $134 million, primarily due to $145 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock, $64 million for the payment of cash dividends, $33 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation and $15 million for the purchase of the remaining equity interest in Easy Sanitary Solutions B.V. These uses of cash were partially offset by $75 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and $49 million of net proceeds from revolving credit loan borrowings.

Current wording

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash used for financing activities was $404 million, primarily due to $290 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock, $128 million for the payment of cash dividends, $33 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation, $15 million for the purchase of the remaining equity interest in Easy Sanitary Solutions B.V., and $12 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest. These uses of cash were partially offset by $75 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Previous wording

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used for investing activities was $33 million, primarily driven by $31 million of capital expenditures.

Current wording

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash used for investing activities was $80 million, primarily driven by $74 million of capital expenditures.