O-I Glass, Inc. reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.
“As described in our preliminary earnings release update, O-I’s first quarter performance was solid. Results benefited from favorable price and mix as well as good cost performance. At the same time, shipment levels were slightly below prior year reflecting the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the volume pressures have continued in April. Consistent with our focus on cash generation, cash flows compared favourably to the same period in the prior year and liquidity was strong at the end of the first quarter,” said Andres Lopez, CEO.
“We are pleased with the improvement in our operating performance given progress on our turnaround initiatives that benefited both the top and bottom line. I am confident these improvements will be sustained. To mitigate the impact of COVID-19, we are taking preemptive measures to reduce costs and improve cash generation including suspension of the company’s dividend. At the same time, we remain focused on creating long-term value by executing on our turnaround initiatives and advancing MAGMA,” concluded Lopez.
- Reported Earnings: For the first quarter of 2020, the company recorded net earnings attributable to the company of 0.32 USD per share, compared with earnings of 0.51 USD per share (diluted) in the prior year period.
- Adjusted Earnings Were Consistent with Guidance: Excluding certain items management considers not representative of ongoing operations, first quarter 2020 adjusted earnings1 were 0.41USD per share, compared with the prior year of 0.51 USD per share. Current quarter results were consistent with the company’s guidance of 0.40 USD – 0.45 USD per share.
- Solid First Quarter Performance: First quarter 2020 earnings benefited from improved price and mix as well as good operating cost improvement both driven by the company’s turnaround initiatives. Shipments in tons declined approximately 0.8 percent from the prior year which compared to management’s guidance of flat to up two percent. Shipment trends reflect the benefit of the recent Nueva Fanal acquisition which was more than offset by slightly lower organic sales and the initial impact of COVID-19. The company estimates the pandemic negatively impacted first quarter sales volumes by 1.7 percent primarily in March. Compared to expectations heading into the quarter, the combined impact of a stronger U.S. dollar and a higher effective tax rate represented a 0.04 USD earnings headwind compared to guidance.
- Favourable Cash Flows Compared to Prior Year: The first quarter is typically a seasonal use of cash for the business. Cash utilized in continuing operating activities was 315 million USD in the first quarter of 2020 compared to a 595 million USD in the prior year. Free cash flow1 was a 435 million USD use of cash compared to a 716 million USD use of cash in the first quarter of 2019.
- Strong Liquidity: O-I maintained 1.7 billion USD of total committed liquidity, including nearly 900 million USD cash-on-hand as well as undrawn availability on committed lines of credit, at the end of the first quarter and has no debt maturities until March 2021. Liquidity has remained strong through April 2020.
- Business Conditions Remain Fluid: Many governments have implemented new rules and guidelines to combat the virus that restrict business activity. Fortunately, the manufacture of glass containers has been largely viewed as essential to the important food and beverage value chain in the countries in which we operate. However, we are still impacted by the broader supply chain issues and in some cases certain end use categories that we serve are not deemed essential. Reflecting the challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, O-I’s shipment in tons during the last two weeks of March were down 7 percent overall, with the most significant reductions in Latin America where government restrictions have been most stringent and Europe. The company has temporarily curtailed some capacity to adapt to revised customer demand and comply with governmental public health decrees in certain countries. Shipments have been unfavorably impacted in April primarily driven by government restrictions but should improve as markets reopen.
- Navigating COVID-19 With Agility: As previously noted, O-I continues to implement measures to protect the health and safety of all employees in alignment with the recommendations put forth by the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or other local authorities based on location. Fortunately, the benefit of O-I’s turnaround initiatives has exceeded expectations and the company is moving with agility to balance supply with evolving demand trends which remain fluid.
- Actions to Mitigate Impact of Pandemic: In response to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, the company is taking a number of preemptive measures to reduce costs and preserve O-I’s financial flexibility. Cash generation is the top financial priority and the company is taking actions to quickly align supply with evolving demand trends as well as closely managing working capital levels. 2020 capital expenditures should approximate 300 million USD or lower. In addition to an expanded SG&A reduction initiative, the company is implementing a program to temporarily reduce salaries for certain executive officers, including the CEO, and Board fees by up to 25 percent with future repayment subject to achieving certain goals. The company will also temporarily defer up to 15 percent of other salaried employees’ base pay during 2020. Furthermore, the company is suspending its dividend and is pausing the share repurchase program. The status of these efforts will be reviewed regularly, but the company anticipates these measures will continue through 2020.
- Focus on Long-Term Value Creation: Despite headwinds from the pandemic, the company continues to focus on long-term value creation including its turnaround initiatives, footprint optimization efforts, MAGMA deployment and resolution of legacy asbestos liabilities. In light of COVID-19, for the time being the company has halted the strategic review of its Australia and New Zealand (“ANZ”) business and will continue to run the operations which is performing well. As market conditions stabilize, the company will reevaluate alternatives for ANZ. The company’s tactical divestiture program continues to advance, but at a slower than anticipated pace.
- Earnings Guidance: Due to the significant uncertainty related to the pandemic, the company withdrew its full year 2020 guidance and does not plan to provide updated quarterly or yearly guidance until market trends become more clear. The company is operating with a set of financial principles that prioritize liquidity, maximizing free cash flow and debt reduction during the pandemic.
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