WHIRLPOOL CORP DE

Previous wording

Whirlpool saw GAAP net earnings available to Whirlpool of $481 million (net earnings margin of 2.5%), or $8.72 per share, compared to GAAP net loss available to Whirlpool of $(1,519) (net loss margin of (7.7)%), or $(27.18) per share in the same prior-year period, primarily due to noncash loss related to the planned contribution of our European major domestic appliance business recorded in 2022. Whirlpool delivered ongoing (non-GAAP) earnings per share of $16.16 and full-year ongoing EBIT margin of 6.1%, compared to $19.64 and 6.9% in the same prior-year period.

Current wording

Whirlpool saw GAAP net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool of $(323) million (net earnings (loss) margin of (1.9)%), or $(5.87) per share, compared to GAAP net earnings available to Whirlpool of $481 (net earnings margin of 2.5%), or $8.72 per share in the same prior-year period, primarily due to non-cash charges related to the European transaction and Maytag trade name impairment. Whirlpool delivered ongoing (non-GAAP) earnings per share of $12.21 and full-year ongoing EBIT margin of 5.3%, compared to $16.16 and 6.1% in the same prior-year period.

Previous wording

On a GAAP basis, net earnings margins were impacted by strong cost take out actions and improved supply chain performance, more than offset by negative price/mix, currency and continued marketing and technology investments, and the conclusion of the strategic review of EMEA in 2022. On an ongoing basis, Whirlpool's results were impacted primarily by the same drivers of strong cost take out actions and improved supply chain performance, more than offset by negative price/mix, currency and continued marketing and technology investments.

Current wording

On a GAAP basis, net earnings margins benefited from strong cost take out actions of approximately $300 million, including organization simplification actions following the European transaction and manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies, more than offset by negative product mix, Maytag trade name impairment, non-cash charges related to the European transaction, currency, and continued marketing and technology investments. On an ongoing basis, Whirlpool's results were impacted primarily by the same drivers of strong cost take out actions, more than offset by negative price/mix, currency and increased marketing and technology investments.

Previous wording

Cash provided by operating activities of $915 million, compared to $1.4 billion in 2022, alongside free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $366 million in 2023, compared to $820 million in 2022, was primarily driven by lower earnings and reduced working capital conversion.

Current wording

Cash provided by operating activities of $835 million, compared to $915 million in 2023, alongside free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $385 million in 2024, compared to $366 million in 2023, primarily driven by lower capital expenditures and improved working capital efficiency, partially offset by lower earnings.

Previous wording

Consolidated net sales for 2023 decreased by 1.4% compared to 2022, primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of product price/mix, partially offset by increased volume and the acquisition of the InSinkErator business. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales for 2023 decreased 1.7% compared to 2022. Consolidated net sales for 2022 decreased 10.3% compared to 2021, primarily driven by lower volumes, divestiture of our Russia business and the impact of foreign currency, partially offset by the favorable impact of product/price mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales for 2022 decreased 8.1% compared to 2021.

Current wording

Consolidated net sales for 2024 decreased by 14.6% compared to 2023, primarily driven by the deconsolidation of our European major domestic appliance business, which occurred on April 1, 2024. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales for 2024 decreased 13.7% compared to 2023. Consolidated net sales for 2023 decreased 1.4% compared to 2022, primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of product/price mix, partially offset by increased volume and the acquisition of the InSinkErator business. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales for 2023 decreased 1.7% compared to 2022.

Previous wording

The consolidated gross margin percentage for 2023 increased to 16.3% compared to 15.6% in 2022, primarily driven by decreased raw material costs and cost productivity, partially offset by unfavorable product/price mix. The consolidated gross margin percentage for 2022 decreased to 15.6% compared to 20.1% in 2021, primarily driven by lower volume, cost inflation and inventory reduction actions, partially offset by favorable product/price mix.

Current wording

The consolidated gross margin percentage for 2024 decreased to 15.5% compared to 16.3% in 2023, primarily driven by unfavorable product/price mix, partially offset by decreased material costs and increased volume. The consolidated gross margin percentage for 2023 increased to 16.3% compared to 15.6% in 2022, primarily driven by decreased raw material costs and cost productivity, partially offset by unfavorable product/price mix.

Previous wording

In 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, our operating segments were based on geographical region and were defined as North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia. These regions also represented our reportable segments. Beginning January 1, 2024, we are conducting our business through five operating segments, which consist of Major Domestic Appliances (“MDA”) North America; MDA Europe, MDA Latin America; MDA Asia; and Small Domestic Appliances (“SDA”) Global. The chief operating decision maker, who is the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance based on each segment's earnings (loss) before interest and taxes (EBIT), which we define as operating profit less interest and sundry (income) expense and excluding restructuring costs, asset impairment charges and certain other items that management believes are not indicative of the region's ongoing performance, if any. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Current wording

In 2023 and 2022, our operating segments were based on geographical region and were defined as North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia. These regions also represented our reportable segments. Beginning January 1, 2024, we began conducting our business through five operating segments, which consist of Major Domestic Appliances (“MDA”) North America; MDA Europe (deconsolidated as of April 1, 2024), MDA Latin America; MDA Asia; and Small Domestic Appliances (“SDA”) Global. The chief operating decision maker (CODM), who is the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, evaluates operational performance based on each segment's earnings (loss) before interest and taxes (EBIT). We define EBIT as operating profit less interest and sundry (income) expense and excluding restructuring costs, asset impairment charges and certain other items, if any, that management believes are not indicative of the region's ongoing performance. Cost of products sold is the significant expense regularly reviewed by the CODM. It consists of variable costs associated with products sold, including but not limited to raw materials, direct labor, and variable freight and warehousing. Other segment expenses/ (income) primarily include selling, general and administrative items. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Previous wording

The following is a discussion of results for each of our operating segments. Each of our operating segments has been impacted by disruptions in supply chains and distribution channels, which largely stabilized in the first quarter of 2023, among other macroeconomic impacts which continued throughout 2023.

Current wording

The following is a discussion of results for each of our operating segments.

Previous wording

Net sales for 2023 decreased 0.4% compared to 2022 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of product price/mix, partially offset by increased volume and the acquisition of the InSinkErator business. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 0.1% in 2023. Net sales for 2022 decreased 8.1% compared to 2021 primarily driven bylower volume, partially offset by the favorable impact of product/price mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 7.9% in 2022.

Current wording

Net sales for 2024 decreased 4.9% compared to 2023 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact of product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 4.8% in 2024. Net sales for 2023 remained flat compared to 2022 primarily driven by the unfavorable impact product price/mix, offset by increased volume and the acquisition of the InSinkErator business.

Previous wording

Net sales for 2023 increased 9.0% compared to 2022 primarily driven by higher volume and the impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales increased 6.8% in 2023. Net sales for 2022 decreased 1.3% compared to 2021 primarily driven by lower volume, partially offset by the favorable impact of product price/mix and the impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 3.5% in 2022.

Current wording

Net sales for 2024 increased 4.3% compared to 2023 primarily driven by increased volume, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales increased 9.7% in 2024. Net sales for 2023 increased 9.0% compared to 2022 primarily driven by increased volume and the impact of foreign currency.

Previous wording

Net sales for 2023 decreased 7.5% compared to 2022 primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of product price/mix and foreign currency, partially offset by higher volume. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 3.3% in 2023. Net sales for 2022 decreased 11.2% compared to 2021 primarily due to the divestiture of Whirlpool China and unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 6.8% in 2022.

Current wording

Net sales for 2024 increased 9.0% compared to 2023 primarily due to increased volume. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales increased 10.2% in 2024. Net sales for 2023 decreased 6.0% compared to 2022 primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of product price/mix and foreign currency, partially offset by increased volume.

Previous wording

The following table summarizes selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales by operating segment:

Current wording

The following table summarizes selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales:

Previous wording

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of consolidated net sales in 2023 increased compared to 2022. The increase is primarily driven by impacts of portfolio transformation, increased employee compensation and marketing investments, in addition to a gain from a sale-leaseback transaction in the first quarter of 2022. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of consolidated net sales in 2022 decreased compared to 2021. The decrease was primarily driven by a reduction in employee compensation related costs, reductions in marketing spend, a gain from the 2022 sale-leaseback transaction, divestiture of businesses and benefits of prior restructuring actions.

Current wording

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of consolidated net sales in 2024 decreased compared to 2023. The decrease is primarily due to the disposal of our European major domestic appliance business on April 1, 2024. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of consolidated net sales in 2023 increased compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by transaction costs, increased employee compensation and marketing investments, in addition to a gain from a sale-leaseback transaction in the first quarter of 2022.

Previous wording

We incurred restructuring charges of $16 million, $21 million and $38 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

We incurred restructuring charges of $79 million, $16 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

In the second quarter of 2022, we recorded an impairment loss of $384 million related to goodwill ($278 million) and other intangibles ($106 million) related to the EMEA reporting unit, and Indesitand Hotpoint* trademarks, respectively. The primary indicators of impairment were the adverse impacts from the continuation of the Russia and Ukraine conflict resulting in economic uncertainty in the EMEA region, the divestiture of our Russia operations and other macroeconomic factors.

Current wording

As a result of our interim impairment assessment in the second quarter of 2022, we recorded an impairment charge of $384 million related to goodwill ($278 million) and other intangibles ($106 million) related to the EMEA reporting unit, and Indesitand Hotpoint* trademarks, respectively. The primary indicators of impairment were the adverse impacts from the continuation of the Russia and Ukraine conflict resulting in economic uncertainty in the EMEA region, the divestiture of our Russia operations and other macroeconomic factors.

Previous wording

We recorded a loss of $106 million related to the planned divestiture of our European major domestic appliance business for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, inclusive of a gain of $180 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. These adjustments are primarily due to fair value fluctuations driven by seasonality of net working capital, partially offset by transaction costs. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we incurred a loss of $1.5 billion resulting in an aggregate loss on disposal of $1.6 billion for the transaction. This adjustment is recorded in the loss on sale and disposal of businesses and reflects transaction costs and ongoing reassessment of the fair value less costs to sell of the disposal group which will continue to be evaluated each reporting period until completion of the transaction.

Current wording

We recorded a loss of $298 million and $106 million related to the divestiture of our European major domestic appliance business for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These adjustments were primarily due to fair value fluctuations driven by seasonality of net working capital, partially offset by transaction costs. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we incurred a loss of $1.5 billion, resulting in an aggregate loss on disposal of $1.9 billion for the transaction.

Previous wording

Interest and sundry (income) expenses were $71 million, $(19) million and $(159) million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

Interest and sundry (income) expenses were $(27) million, $71 million and $(19) million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

Net interest and sundry income decreased $90 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to reserves related to legacy EMEA legal matters.

Current wording

Net interest and sundry (income) expense decreased $90 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to reserves related to legacy EMEA legal matters.

Previous wording

Interest expense was $351 million, $190 million and $175 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest expense increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to increase in long-term debt driven by the InSinkErator acquisition and higher average interest rates. Interest expense increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to increase in long-term debt driven by the InSinkErator acquisition.

Current wording

Interest expense was $358 million, $351 million and $190 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest expense was flat in 2024 compared to 2023. Interest expense increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to an increase in long-term debt driven by the InSinkErator acquisition and higher average interest rates.

Previous wording

Income tax expense was $77 million, $265 million and $518 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The change in tax expense in 2023 compared to 2022 includes legal entity restructuring tax benefits, related to simplifying its legal entity structure to reduce administrative costs associated with the prior structure. The completion of the restructuring created a tax-deductible loss which was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023, and resulted in a $172 million net tax benefit, partially offset by increases in valuation allowances.

Current wording

Income tax expense was $10 million, $77 million and $265 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in tax expense in 2024 compared to 2023 includes lower earnings and legal entity restructuring tax benefits related to simplifying our legal entity structure in 2024 to reduce administrative costs associated with the prior structure. The completion of the restructuring in 2024 created a tax deductible loss which was recognized in 2024 and resulted in a $721 million net tax benefit partially offset by increases in valuation allowances and the divestiture tax impact.

Previous wording

For the full-year 2024, we have incorporated our latest expectations of the following key trends in our guidance: subdued demand with gradual improvement throughout the year, strong net cost takeout actions delivering $300 million to $400 million of benefit, and margin expansion from our refocused portfolio following our contribution of the European major domestic appliance business. Our anticipated GAAP tax rate is approximately 24%. Additionally, we expect to generate cash from operating activities of approximately $1,150 - $1,250 and free cash flow of between $550 million and $650 million, including restructuring cash outlays of approximately $50 million and, with respect to free cash flow, capital expenditures of approximately $600 million.

Current wording

For the full-year 2025, we have incorporated our latest expectations of the following key trends in our guidance: continued subdued discretionary demand alongside strong replacement demand, and margin expansion from strong net cost takeout actions delivering over $200 million of benefit, previously announced promotion and pricing action carryover, and new product launches. Our anticipated GAAP tax rate is approximately 20 to 25%. Additionally, we expect to generate cash from operating activities of approximately $1 billion and free cash flow of approximately $500 to $600 million, including restructuring cash outlays of approximately $(75) million and, capital expenditures of approximately $(450) million.

Previous wording

Ongoing measures, including ongoing earnings per diluted share and ongoing EBIT, exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing operations and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Ongoing EBIT margin and EBIT margin are calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT and EBIT, respectively, by net sales. Sales excluding foreign currency is calculated by translating the current period net sales, in functional currency, to U.S. dollars using the prior-year period's exchange rate compared to the prior-year period net sales. Management believes that sales excluding foreign currency provides stockholders with a clearer basis to assess our results over time, excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Management believes that Gross Debt Leverage (Gross Debt/Ongoing EBITDA) provides stockholders with a clearer basis to assess the Company's ability to pay off its incurred debt. We also disclose segment EBIT, which we define as operating profit less interest and sundry (income) expense and excluding restructuring costs, asset impairment charges and certain other items, if any, that management believes are not indicative of the region's ongoing performance, as the financial metric used by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker to evaluate performance and allocate resources in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

Current wording

Ongoing measures, including ongoing earnings per diluted share and ongoing EBIT, exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing operations and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Ongoing EBIT margin and EBIT margin are calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT and EBIT, respectively, by net sales. Sales excluding foreign currency is calculated by translating the current period net sales, in functional currency, to U.S. dollars using the prior-year period's exchange rate compared to the prior-year period net sales. Management believes that sales excluding foreign currency provides stockholders with a clearer basis to assess our results over time, excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. We also disclose segment EBIT, which we define as operating profit less interest and sundry (income) expense and excluding restructuring costs, asset impairment charges and certain other items, if any, that management believes are not indicative of the region's ongoing performance, as the financial profitability metric used by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker to evaluate performance and allocate resources in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting. Management believes that the adjusted tax rate provides stockholders with a meaningful, consistent comparison of the Company's effective tax rate, excluding the pre-tax income and tax effect of certain unique items.

Previous wording

Management believes that free cash flow provides stockholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing Whirlpool's ability to fund its activities and obligations. The Company provides free cash flow related metrics, such as free cash flow as a percentage of net sales, as long-term management goals, not an element of its annual financial guidance, and as such does not provide a reconciliation of free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow to cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for these long-term goal metrics. Any such reconciliation would rely on market factors and certain other conditions and assumptions that are outside of the Company's control. Whirlpool does not provide a non-GAAP reconciliation for its other forward looking long-term value creation and other goals, such as organic net sales, EBIT, and gross debt/Ongoing EBITDA, as such reconciliations related to longer-term metrics would rely on market factors and certain other conditions and assumptions that are outside of the company’s control.

Current wording

Management believes that free cash flow provides stockholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing Whirlpool's ability to fund its activities and obligations. The Company provides free cash flow related metrics, such as free cash flow as a percentage of net sales, as long-term management goals, not an element of its annual financial guidance, and as such does not provide a reconciliation of free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow to cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for these long-term goal metrics. Any such reconciliation would rely on market factors and certain other conditions and assumptions that are outside of the Company's control. Whirlpool does not provide a non-GAAP reconciliation for its other forward looking long-term value creation and other goals, such as organic net sales, EBIT, and net debt/Ongoing EBITDA, as such reconciliations related to longer-term metrics would rely on market factors and certain other conditions and assumptions that are outside of the company’s control.

Previous wording

We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist investors and stockholders in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance, and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool, net sales, net earnings (loss) as a percentage of net sales (net earnings margin), net earnings (loss) per diluted share and cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. We strongly encourage investors and stockholders to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Current wording

We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist investors and stockholders in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance, and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool, net sales, net earnings (loss) as a percentage of net sales (net earnings (loss) margin), net earnings (loss) per diluted share and cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. We strongly encourage investors and stockholders to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Previous wording

(1)Net earnings margin is approximately 2.5% and (7.7)% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool by consolidated net sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

(1)Net earnings (loss) margin is approximately (1.9)% and 2.5% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool by consolidated net sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

(2)Ongoing EBIT margin is approximately 6.1% and 6.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing Ongoing EBIT by consolidated net sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

(2)Ongoing EBIT margin is approximately 5.3% and 6.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing Ongoing EBIT by consolidated net sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

(a) IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS - During the second quarter of 2022, the carrying value of the EMEA reporting unit and Indesit and Hotpoint* trademarks exceeded their fair values resulting in an impairment charge of $384 million which is recorded within Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles.

Current wording

(b) IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL, INTANGIBLES AND OTHER ASSETS - During the fourth quarter of 2024, we determined that the carrying value of the Maytag trademark exceeded its fair value, resulting in an impairment charge of $381 million.

Previous wording

(b)IMPACT OF M&A TRANSACTIONS - On January 16, 2023, we signed a contribution agreement to contribute our European major domestic appliance business into a newly formed entity with Arçelik. In connection with the transaction, the Company recorded a non-cash loss on disposal of $1.5 billion in the fourth-quarter of 2022. The loss includes a write-down of the net assets of $1.2 billion of the disposal group to a fair value of $139 million and also includes $393 million of cumulative currency translation adjustments, $98 million release of other comprehensive loss on pension and $18 million of other transaction related costs. Whirlpool’s European major domestic appliance business met the criteria for held-for-sale accounting during the fourth-quarter of 2022 and will be included in the Company’s results until closing of the transaction. We recorded a loss of $106 million related to the planned divestiture of our European major domestic appliance business for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, inclusive of a gain of $180 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, resulting in a total loss of $1.6 billion for the transaction.

Current wording

(c)IMPACT OF M&A TRANSACTIONS - On January 16, 2023, the Company signed a contribution agreement to contribute our European major domestic appliance business into a newly formed entity with Arcelik. In connection with the transaction, which closed on April 1, 2024, the Company recorded a loss on disposal of $298 million and $106 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Additionally, during the fourth-quarter 2022, we incurred unique transaction related costs of $25 million related to portfolio transformation for a total of $67 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. These transaction costs are recorded in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Current wording

Additionally, the Company incurred other unique transaction related costs related to portfolio transformation for a total of $28 million and $75 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These transaction costs are recorded in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Previous wording

(c)LEGACY EMEA LEGAL MATTERS - During the first quarter of 2023, the Company accrued $62 million related to the Competition Investigation and Trade Customer Insolvency matters of our European major domestic appliance business. During the second quarter of 2023, the accrual was increased by $36 million resulting in an aggregate amount of $98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. An immaterial adjustment was made in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to these matters. For additional information, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Current wording

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company accrued $62 million related to the Competition Investigation and unrelated trade customer insolvency matter of our European major domestic appliance business. During the second quarter of 2023, the accrual was increased by $36 million resulting in an aggregate amount of $98 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. An immaterial adjustment was made in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to these matters. For certain additional information, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Previous wording

(e)NORMALIZED TAX RATE ADJUSTMENT- For the full-year 2023, the Company calculated ongoing earnings per share using an adjusted tax rate of (6.7)%, which excludes certain tax related impacts of M&A transactions and certain tax related impacts to legal entity restructuring transactions. For the full-year 2022, the Company calculated ongoing earnings per share using an adjusted tax rate of 4.4%, which excludes the impacts of the non-tax deductible loss on sale of the Russia business of $348 million and impairment of goodwill of $278 million recorded in the second quarter of 2022, along with the impact of M&A transactions of approximately $1.5 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Current wording

For the full-year 2023, the Company calculated a GAAP tax rate of 13%. Ongoing earnings per share was calculated using an adjusted tax rate of (6.7)%, which excludes certain tax related impacts of M&A transactions and certain tax related impacts to legal entity restructuring transactions.

Previous wording

Our short term potential uses of liquidity include funding our ongoing capital and research and development spending, debt repayment, and returns to shareholders. We have $800 million of debt maturing in the next twelve months, which we expect to repay through a combination of refinancing, cash flow generation and cash on hand. Furthermore, in 2024 we expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $600 million.

Current wording

Our short term potential uses of liquidity include funding our ongoing capital and research and development spending, debt repayment, and returns to shareholders. We have $1.9 billion of debt maturing in the next twelve months, which we expect to repay through a combination of refinancing, cash flow generation and cash on hand. Furthermore, in 2025 we expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $450 million.

Previous wording

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023, of which 72% was held by subsidiaries in foreign countries. For each of its foreign subsidiaries, the Company makes an assertion regarding the amount of earnings intended for permanent reinvestment, with the balance available to be repatriated to the United States. The cash held by foreign subsidiaries for permanent reinvestment is generally used to finance the subsidiaries' operational activities and expected future foreign investments. Our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the United States and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate the cash to fund our U.S. operations. However, if these funds were repatriated, we would be required to accrue and pay applicable United States taxes (if any) and withholding taxes payable to various countries. It is not practical to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability associated with the repatriation of cash due to the complexity of its hypothetical calculation.

Current wording

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.3 billion at December 31, 2024, of which 83% was held by subsidiaries in foreign countries. For each of its foreign subsidiaries, the Company makes an assertion regarding the amount of earnings intended for permanent reinvestment, with the balance available to be repatriated to the United States. The cash held by foreign subsidiaries for permanent reinvestment is generally used to finance the subsidiaries' operational activities and expected future foreign investments. If these funds were repatriated, we would be required to accrue and pay applicable United States taxes (if any) and withholding taxes payable to various countries. It is not practical to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability associated with the repatriation of cash due to the complexity of its hypothetical calculation.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, we had cash or cash equivalents greater than 1% of our consolidated assets in the United States, Brazil and India which represented 2.5%, 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively. In addition, we had third-party accounts receivable outside of the United States greater than 1% of our consolidated assets in Brazil and Mexico, which represented 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively. We continue to monitor general financial instability and uncertainty globally.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, we had cash or cash equivalents greater than 1% of our consolidated assets in Brazil, India, and the United States, which represented 3.3%, 1.8% and 1.3%, respectively. In addition, we had third-party accounts receivable outside of the United States greater than 1% of our consolidated assets in Brazil and Canada, which represented 1.7% and 1.0%, respectively. We continue to monitor general financial instability and uncertainty globally.

Previous wording

Notes payable primarily consists of short-term borrowings payable to banks, which are generally used to fund working capital requirements. At December 31, 2023, we had $17 million of notes payable outstanding. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Current wording

Notes payable primarily consists of short-term borrowings payable to banks, which are generally used to fund working capital requirements. At December 31, 2024, we had $18 million of notes payable outstanding. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Previous wording

We met our cash needs during 2023 through cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and financing arrangements. Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2023 decreased $388 million compared to the same period in 2022.

Current wording

We met our cash needs during 2024 through cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and financing arrangements. Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2024 decreased $391 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Previous wording

Cash provided by operating activities in 2022 decreased compared to 2021. The decrease was primarily driven by reduced cash earnings partially offset by the favorable cash impact of improved working capital and hedge settlements in the prior period.

Current wording

Cash provided by operating activities in 2024 decreased compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by reduced cash earnings, offset by working capital actions. Working capital actions included accelerated accounts receivable collections, reduced inventory levels, and accounts payable payment term extensions.

Previous wording

The increase in cash used in investing activities during 2022 primarily reflects the $3 billion cash outflow for the purchase of the InSinkErator business.

Current wording

The decrease in cash used in investing activities during 2023 primarily reflects the $3 billion cash outflow for the purchase of the InSinkErator business.

Previous wording

Cash used in financing activities increased during 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by current year net debt repayments of approximately $450 million and the $2.5 billion proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt related to the InSinkErator acquisition in the prior year. The increase in cash provided by financing activities during 2022 primarily reflects the proceeds of $2.5 billion from borrowings of long-term debt related to the InSinkErator acquisition.

Current wording

Cash used in financing activities decreased during 2024 compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the sale of 24% interest in Whirlpool of India in 2024, generating proceeds of $462 million that was used for debt repayment. Cash used in financing activities increased during 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily driven by net debt repayments of approximately $450 million in 2023 and the $2.5 billion proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt related to the InSinkErator acquisition in 2022.

Previous wording

Dividends paid in financing activities were $384 million, $390 million, and $338 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Current wording

Dividends paid in financing activities were $384 million, $384 million, and $390 million during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Previous wording

The Company had total committed credit facilities of approximately $5.7 billion and $6.2 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The facilities are geographically diverse and reflect the Company's global operations. The Company believes these facilities are sufficient to support its global operations. We had $2.0 billion and $2.5 billion drawn on the term loan at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These funds were used to fund the InSinkErator acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2022 and were partially repaid in 2023.

Current wording

The Company had total committed credit facilities of approximately $5.2 billion and $5.7 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The facilities are geographically diverse and reflect the Company's global operations. The Company believes these facilities are sufficient to support its global operations. We had $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion drawn on the term loan at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. These funds were used to fund the InSinkErator acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2022 and were partially repaid in 2023 and 2024.