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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP

For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 5, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Nov 5, 2024

SXT$119.19-0.5%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-07.

0001140361-24-036129

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Current report: 10-Q

Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-05.

0001140361-24-045212

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 66 previous paragraphs and 66 current paragraphs.

38 unchanged; 23 reworded; 4 added; 5 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 4 previous and 5 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (4)

Current report

Flavors & Extracts segment revenue was $605.6 million and $558.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 9%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Natural Ingredients and Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients. The increase in Natural Ingredients was a result of higher volumes and selling prices. The increase in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients was primarily a result of higher selling prices. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Current report

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $93.0 million and $84.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 11%. The increase in segment operating income was primarily a result of higher operating income in Personal Care and savings generated from the Portfolio Optimization Plan. The higher operating income in Personal Care was primarily due to higher volumes and selling prices and lower manufacturing and other costs. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 19.0% in the current nine month period and 18.0% in the prior year’s comparable period.

Current report

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $41.8 million and $36.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 14%. The increase was primarily a result of higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Current report

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $9.3 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 15%. The increase was primarily a result of the higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 22.3% in the current quarter and 22.0% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.
Removed paragraphs (5)

Previous report

(1) Tax impact adjustments were determined based on the nature of the underlying non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional tax rates.

Previous report

Flavors & Extracts segment revenue was $402.3 million and $367.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 10%. The increase was primarily a result of higher revenue in Natural Ingredients, primarily due to higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates increased segment revenue by approximately 1% for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous report

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $31.5 million and $29.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 8%. The increase in segment operating income was a result of higher operating income in Personal Care. The higher operating income in Personal Care was primarily due to higher selling prices and higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 1%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 18.8% in the current quarter and 18.2% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Previous report

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $78.9 million and $76.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 4%. The increase was a result of higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates that decreased segment revenue by approximately 4%.

Previous report

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $7.9 million and $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 4%. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 5%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 20.4% in the current quarter and 21.0% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.
Reworded paragraphs (23)

Previous wording

Revenue was $403.5 million and $374.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenue was $788.2 million and $743.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher volumes and selling prices. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the impact of foreign exchange rates decreased consolidated revenue by approximately 1%. Foreign exchange rates did not have a material impact on revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Revenue was $392.6 million and $363.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenue was $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher volumes and selling prices. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the impact of foreign exchange rates decreased consolidated revenue by approximately 1%. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

The Company’s gross margin was 32.4% and 32.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s gross margin was 32.6% and 33.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in gross margin for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher volumes and selling prices.

Current wording

The Company’s gross margin was 33.2% and 31.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s gross margin was 32.8% and 32.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in gross margin for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to the higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by higher raw material costs.

Previous wording

Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue was 20.1% and 18.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue was 20.1% and 19.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, selling and administrative expenses were increased by Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $1.5 million, which increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by approximately 40 basis points. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, selling and administrative expenses were increased by Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $4.3 million, which increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by approximately 60 basis points. See Portfolio Optimization Plan below for further information. The remaining increase in selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to higher performance-based executive compensation in 2024.

Current wording

Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue was 20.3% and 19.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue was 20.2% and 19.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, selling and administrative expenses were increased by Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $1.0 million, which increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by approximately 20 basis points. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, selling and administrative expenses were increased by Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $5.3 million, which increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by approximately 50 basis points. See Portfolio Optimization Plan below for further information. The remaining increase in selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, was primarily due to higher performance-based executive compensation costs in 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income was $49.7 million and $51.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating margins were 12.3% and 13.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Portfolio Optimization Plan costs decreased operating margins by approximately 40 basis points for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The remaining decrease in operating margin was primarily due to the higher raw material costs and higher performance-based executive compensation in 2024, partially offset by higher volumes and selling prices.

Current wording

Operating income was $50.5 million and $44.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating margins were 12.9% and 12.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in operating margin was primarily due to the higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by higher raw material costs and higher performance-based executive compensation costs in 2024. Portfolio Optimization Plan costs also offset the increase, decreasing operating margins by approximately 30 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Operating income was $99.1 million and $102.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating margins were 12.6% and 13.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Portfolio Optimization Plan costs decreased operating margins by approximately 50 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The remaining decrease in operating margin was primarily due to the higher raw material costs and higher performance-based executive compensation in 2024, partially offset by higher volumes and selling prices.

Current wording

Operating income was $149.6 million and $147.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating margins were 12.7% and 13.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Portfolio Optimization Plan costs decreased operating margins by approximately 50 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Interest expense was $7.7 million and $6.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $14.7 million and $12.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in the average interest rate.

Current wording

Interest expense was $7.7 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $22.4 million and $18.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, was primarily due to an increase in the average interest rate.

Previous wording

The effective income tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were 26.4% and 24.8%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the effective income tax rates were 26.7% and 24.9%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were impacted by the mix of foreign earnings and changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items. The effective tax rates for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were also impacted by the limited tax deductibility of costs related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan.

Current wording

The effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were 23.7% and 17.5%, respectively. The effective income tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were 25.7% and 22.7%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were impacted by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items and the mix of foreign earnings. The effective tax rates for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, were also impacted by the limited tax deductibility of costs related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan. The effective tax rates for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, were also impacted by changes in valuation allowances.

Previous wording

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company incurred $1.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan recorded in Corporate & Other, primarily for costs associated with decommissioning, employee separation, and impairment of fixed assets.

Current wording

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred costs of $5.8 million related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan recorded in Corporate & Other, primarily for costs associated with employee separation, impairment of fixed assets, decommissioning, and professional services.

Previous wording

The following table summarizes the percentage change for the results of the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, in the respective financial measures.

Current wording

The following table summarizes the percentage change for the results of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, in the respective financial measures.

Previous wording

Flavors & Extracts segment revenue was $209.2 million and $188.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 11%. The increase was primarily a result of higher revenue in Natural Ingredients, primarily due to higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Flavors & Extracts segment revenue was $203.3 million and $191.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 6%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Natural Ingredients and Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, primarily due to higher volumes and selling prices. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Flavors & Extracts segment operating income was $26.2 million and $24.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 7%. The higher segment operating income was primarily a result of higher operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, primarily due to higher selling prices and lower raw material costs, partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 12.5% in the current quarter compared to 13.0% in the prior year’s comparable quarter. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Flavors & Extracts segment operating income was $25.9 million and $23.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 12%. The higher segment operating income was primarily a result of higher operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, partially offset by lower operating income in Natural Ingredients. The higher segment operating income in Flavors, Extracts, & Flavor Ingredients was primarily due to lower raw material costs, higher selling prices, lower manufacturing and other costs, higher volumes, and savings generated from the Portfolio Optimization Plan. The lower segment operating income in Natural Ingredients was primarily a result of higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher selling prices and volumes. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 1%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 12.7% in the current quarter compared to 12.1% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Previous wording

Flavors & Extracts segment operating income was $49.9 million and $46.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 7%. The increase was a result of higher segment operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, partially offset by lower segment operating income in Natural Ingredients. The higher segment operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients was primarily a result of lower raw material costs and higher selling prices, partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs and lower volumes. The lower segment operating income in Natural Ingredients was primarily a result of higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 12.4% in the current six month period compared to 12.7% in the prior year’s comparable six month period.

Current wording

Flavors & Extracts segment operating income was $75.7 million and $69.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 9%. The increase was a result of higher segment operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, partially offset by lower segment operating income in Natural Ingredients. The higher segment operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients was primarily a result of lower raw material costs, higher selling prices, and savings generated from the Portfolio Optimization Plan. The lower segment operating income in Natural Ingredients was primarily a result of higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher volumes and selling prices. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 12.5% in both the current nine month period and the prior year’s comparable nine month period.

Previous wording

Segment revenue for the Color segment was $327.7 million and $321.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 2%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors and Personal Care. The higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors was primarily due to higher selling prices. The higher revenue in Personal Care was primarily due to higher selling prices and higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Current wording

Color segment revenue was $162.1 million and $144.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 12%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors and Personal Care. The higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors was due to higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates that decreased segment revenue by approximately 1%. The higher revenue in Personal Care was primarily due to higher volumes.

Previous wording

Segment revenue for the Color segment was $167.7 million and $160.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 5%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors and Personal Care, primarily due to higher volumes and higher selling prices. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment revenue by approximately 1%.

Current wording

Color segment revenue was $489.8 million and $466.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 5%. The increase was a result of higher revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors and Personal Care, primarily due to higher volumes and selling prices. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $63.2 million and $61.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 3%. The increase in segment operating income was primarily a result of higher operating income in Personal Care, partially offset by lower operating income in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors. The higher operating income in Personal Care was primarily due to higher selling prices, lower manufacturing and other costs, and favorable volumes. The lower operating income in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors was primarily due to higher manufacturing and other costs, partially offset by higher selling prices, lower raw material costs, and a favorable product mix. Foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on segment operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 19.3% in the current six month period and 19.0% in the prior year’s comparable period.

Current wording

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $29.8 million and $22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 30%. The increase in segment operating income was a result of higher operating income in Personal Care and Food & Pharmaceutical Colors. The higher operating income in Personal Care was primarily due to higher volumes and lower raw material costs. The higher operating income in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors was primarily due to higher volumes, selling prices, and savings generated from the Portfolio Optimization Plan, partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 1%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 18.4% in the current quarter and 15.8% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Previous wording

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $38.6 million and $36.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 7%. The increase was a result of higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates that decreased segment revenue by approximately 4%.

Current wording

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $120.7 million and $112.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 7%. The increase was a result of higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates that decreased segment revenue by approximately 3%.

Previous wording

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $16.7 million and $16.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of approximately 1%. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 5%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 21.1% in the current six month period and 22.1% in the prior year’s comparable period.

Current wording

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $26.0 million and $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 4%. The increase was primarily a result of the higher volumes and selling prices, partially offset by higher raw material and manufacturing and other costs and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates that decreased segment operating income by approximately 3%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 21.5% in the current nine month period and 22.1% in the prior year’s comparable period.

Previous wording

The Corporate & Other operating expense was $15.9 million and $9.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher operating expense was primarily a result of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $1.8 million negatively impacting the three months ended June 30, 2024, and higher performance-based executive compensation costs. See the Portfolio Optimization Plan section above for further information.

Current wording

The Corporate & Other operating expense was $14.5 million and $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher operating expense was primarily a result of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $1.2 million negatively impacting the three months ended September 30, 2024, and higher performance-based executive compensation costs. See the Portfolio Optimization Plan section above for further information.

Previous wording

The Corporate & Other operating expense was $30.7 million and $22.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher operating expense was primarily a result of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $4.6 million negatively impacting the six months ended June 30, 2024, and higher performance-based executive compensation costs. See the Portfolio Optimization Plan section above for further information.

Current wording

The Corporate & Other operating expense was $45.1 million and $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher operating expense was primarily a result of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $5.8 million negatively impacting the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and higher performance-based executive compensation costs. See the Portfolio Optimization Plan section above for further information.

Previous wording

As a result of our ability to manage the impact of inflation through pricing and other actions, the impact of inflation was not material to the Company’s financial position and its results of operations for the three or six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company has experienced increased costs for certain inputs, such as raw materials, shipping and logistics, and labor-related costs. We continue to expect to manage these impacts in the near term, but persistent, accelerated, or expanded inflationary conditions could exacerbate these challenges and impact our profitability.

Current wording

As a result of our ability to manage the impact of inflation through pricing and other actions, the impact of inflation was not material to the Company’s financial position and its results of operations for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2024. The Company has experienced increased costs for certain inputs, such as raw materials, shipping and logistics, and labor-related costs. We continue to expect to manage these impacts in the near term, but persistent, accelerated, or expanded inflationary conditions could exacerbate these challenges and impact our profitability.

Previous wording

Net cash provided by operating activities was $58.9 million and $51.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in net cash from operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in cash used for performance-based compensation payments (which are determined based on prior year performance) made during 2024 compared to 2023 and an increase in cash provided by inventory during 2024 compared to 2023, partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable.

Current wording

Net cash provided by operating activities was $135.8 million and $106.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in net cash from operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in cash used for performance-based compensation payments (which are determined based on prior year performance) made during 2024 compared to 2023 and an increase in cash provided by inventory during 2024 compared to 2023, partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable.

Previous wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $22.9 million and $43.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Capital expenditures were $22.9 million and $45.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $37.2 million and $65.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Capital expenditures were $36.1 million and $67.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $26.1 million and net cash provided by financing activities was $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net debt increased by $11.6 million and $43.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The cash proceeds from the increase in net debt in the current period were primarily used to support capital expenditure investments during the six months ended June 30, 2024. For purposes of the cash flow statement, net changes in debt exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Dividends of $34.7 million and $34.6 million were paid during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total dividends of $0.82 per share were paid for both the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Current wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $75.1 million and $36.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net debt decreased by $19.8 million and increased by $23.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For purposes of the cash flow statement, net changes in debt exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Dividends of $52.0 million and $51.9 million were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total dividends of $1.23 per share were paid for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred costs of $1.2 million related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan recorded in Corporate & Other, primarily for costs associated with employee separation and professional services.