Church & Dwight Co Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2025

The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We develop, manufacture and market a broad range of consumer household and personal care products and specialty products focused on animal and food production, chemicals and cleaners. Our well-recognized brands include ARM & HAMMER® baking soda, cat litter, laundry detergent, carpet deodorizer and other baking soda-based products; OXICLEAN® stain removers, cleaning solutions, laundry detergents and bleach alternatives; VITAFUSION® and L’IL CRITTERS® gummy dietary supplements for adults and children, respectively; BATISTE® dry shampoo; WATERPIK® water flossers; THERABREATH® oral care products; HERO® acne treatment products; TROJAN condoms, lubricants and vibrators; FIRST RESPONSE home pregnancy and ovulation test kits; NAIR depilatories; ORAJEL oral analgesic; XTRA laundry detergent; and ZICAM cold shortening and relief products. Seven of those brands are designated as "power brands" because they compete in large categories, and we believe they have the potential for significant global expansion. Those seven brands are ARM & HAMMER®; OXICLEAN®; VITAFUSION® and L’IL CRITTERS®; BATISTE®; WATERPIK®; THERABREATH®; and HERO® and represent approximately 70% of our net sales and profits.

We sell our consumer products under a variety of brands through a broad distribution platform that includes supermarkets, mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstores, convenience stores, home stores, dollar and other discount stores, pet and other specialty stores and websites and other e-commerce channels, all of which sell our products to consumers. We sell our specialty products to industrial customers, livestock producers and through distributors.

We operate in three principal segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International, and our Specialty Products Division (“SPD”).

Recent Developments

Global Economic Conditions and Trade Policies

We are experiencing increased supply chain challenges, commodity cost volatility, and consumer and economic uncertainty primarily due to rapid changes in U.S. trade policies including recent sweeping tariff increases, as well as retaliatory tariffs by foreign countries. This global uncertainty has also resulted in product purchase cancellations and boycotts by customers and consumers globally. Additionally, U.S. consumers are increasingly worried about persistent inflation and looming tariffs, leading them to cut back on discretionary spending. We believe that retailers are lowering their consumer-packaged goods inventories and making targeted decisions to build inventory of certain products in advance of additional tariffs. We will continue to evaluate these evolving developments and have begun to take action to mitigate their impact on our business, including taking strategic actions for certain business lines (see Strategic Business Decisions), shifting production and relocating manufacturing operations, finding alternative sources of supply, most notably ceasing the import of Waterpik flossers from China into the U.S., potential price increases, adjusting inventories, lobbying and seeking exemptions with respect to tariffs. While the tariff situation remains fluid, we are focused on managing through these challenges. From a gross risk perspective, we are currently projecting a twelve-month run-rate gross tariff exposure of approximately $190.0. We expect that the impact of our strategic business decisions and a series of rapid supply chain actions, such as ceasing the import of Waterpik flossers from China into the U.S., will reduce our tariff exposure by approximately 80%. Over the next 12 months, we believe our remaining tariff exposure can be mitigated through additional supply chain efforts and surgical pricing.

Strategic Business Decisions

On May 1, 2025, we announced that we will be taking strategic actions for the Flawless, Spinbrush and Waterpik showerhead businesses, which includes shutting down or selling these businesses. These businesses generate approximately $150.0 of annual Net Sales. We expect to record a charge of $60.0 to $80.0 in the second quarter of 2025 as a direct result of these actions, primarily comprised of non-cash charges related to impairments of intangible and fixed assets, as well as inventory reserves.

Other

For additional discussion, please refer to Item 1A, "Risk Factors", and Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

Consolidated results

Net Sales

Net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 were $1,467.1, a decrease of $36.2 or 2.4% as compared to the same period in 2024. The components of the net sales decrease are as follows:

(1) The volume change reflects decreased product unit sales in the Consumer Domestic segment, partially offset by increased product unit sales in the Consumer International and SPD segments.

(2) Price/mix was favorable in the Consumer Domestic and SPD segments, partially offset by the Consumer International segment.

(3) In the first quarter of 2024, we exited the MEGALAC supplement portion of the SPD Animal Nutrition business. In the second quarter of 2024 we acquired substantially all of Graphico and sold the Passport food safety business.

Gross Profit / Gross Margin

Our gross profit was $659.6 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a $27.4 decrease as compared to the same period in 2024. Gross margin decreased 70 basis points (“bps”) in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, due to higher manufacturing costs including labor and commodities of 230 bps, unfavorable foreign exchange of 20 bps, partially offset by the impact of productivity programs of 160 bps, benefits from the Graphico Acquisition of 10 bps and favorable price/mix/volume of 10 bps.

Operating Expenses

Marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were $136.6, a decrease of $15.4 or 10.1% as compared to the same period in 2024. Marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 80 bps to 9.3% as compared to 10.1% in the same period in 2024 due to 100 bps on lower expense primarily due to marketing program timing.

SG&A expenses were $227.7 in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of $2.3 or 1.0% as compared to the same period in 2024. SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased 20 bps to 15.5% in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to 15.3% in the same period in 2024. The increase is due to 40 bps from lower sales partially offset by 20 bps on lower expenses. The lower expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 compared to 2024 are primarily due to lower expense on Company issued equity awards.

Nonoperating Expenses

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased $5.9 to $9.3, as compared to the same period in 2024, due to higher interest income primarily associated with higher cash balances.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased $1.7 to $23.3, as compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to lower average outstanding debt.

Other income (expense) was nominal for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 22.0%, compared to 19.9% in the same period in 2024. The increase in the tax rate is primarily from a lower tax benefit on reduced stock option exercises in 2025 compared to 2024.

Segment results

We operate three reportable segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and SPD. These segments are determined based on differences in the nature of products and organizational structure. We also have equity in earnings of affiliates which is not reflected in a reportable segment.

Segment net sales and income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024 are as follows:

Product line revenues from external customers are as follows:

Household Products include laundry, deodorizing, and cleaning products. Personal Care Products include condoms, pregnancy kits, oral care products, skin care and hair care products, cold and remedy products, and gummy dietary supplements.

Consumer Domestic

Consumer Domestic net sales in the first quarter of 2025 were $1,129.8, a decrease of $35.4 or 3.0% as compared to the same period in 2024. The components of the net sales change are the following:

The decrease in net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025, includes declines from VITAFUSION® and L’IL CRITTERS® gummy dietary supplements, OXICLEAN® Stain Fighters and ARM & HAMMER® cat litter, partially offset by growth from THERABREATH® mouth wash and ZICAM® cold shortening and relief products.

Consumer Domestic income from operations for the first quarter of 2025 was $244.8, a decrease of $12.7 as compared to the first quarter of 2024. The decrease is due primarily to higher manufacturing and distribution expenses of $25.4, the impact of lower sales volumes of $22.2, and unfavorable price/mix of $3.4, partially offset by the benefit of productivity programs of $20.6, lower marketing expenses of $14.1, and lower SG&A expenses of $3.6.

Consumer International

Consumer International net sales were $261.9 in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $6.9 or 2.7% as compared to the same period in 2024. The components of the net sales change are the following:

(1) The Graphico acquisition is included in our results since June 3, 2024, the date of acquisition.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, sales growth is driven by ARM & HAMMER® Liquid Detergent, THERABREATH® mouth wash, NAIR® depilatories, and ARM & HAMMER® dental care in Mexico, HERO® acne treatment products, WATERPIK® Flossers and THERABREATH® mouth wash in Canada, HERO® acne treatment products, BATISTE® Dry Shampoo and ANUSOL in Europe, and HERO® acne treatment products in Australia.

Consumer International income from operations was $37.7 in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $1.8 as compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increase is due primarily to favorable product mix of $7.5, the impact of higher sales volumes of $7.2, and lower marketing expenses of $1.7, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rates of $7.8, higher manufacturing and commodity costs of $3.5, and higher SG&A expenses of $3.2.

Specialty Products (“SPD”)

SPD net sales were $75.4 in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of $7.7 or 9.3% as compared to the same period in 2024. The components of the net sales change are the following:

(1) We exited the MEGALAC supplement portion of the Animal Nutrition business in the first quarter of 2024 and sold the Passport food safety business in the second quarter of 2024.

Net sales excluding product line divestitures increased in the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to growth in our Performance Products and Commercial & Professional businesses.

SPD income from operations was $12.8 in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $1.2 as compared to the same period in 2024, due to favorable price/product mix of $2.1 and favorable SG&A expenses of $2.1 mainly from divestitures, partially offset by the impact of lower sales volumes of $1.9 and unfavorable manufacturing costs of $1.1.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Equity in earnings of affiliates represents the results of Armand in the first three months of 2025 and 2024 and ArmaKleen in the first three months of 2024. In October 2024, the Company sold its 50% interest in ArmaKleen to our joint venture partner.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On June 16, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides for our $1,500.0 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) that matures on June 16, 2027, unless extended. We have the ability to increase our borrowing up to an additional $750.0, subject to lender commitments and certain conditions as described in the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are available for general corporate purposes and are used to support our $1,500.0 commercial paper program.

As of March 31, 2025, we had $1,074.5 in cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $1,494.0 available through the Revolving Credit Facility and our commercial paper program. To preserve our liquidity, we invest cash primarily in government money market funds, prime money market funds, short-term commercial paper and short-term bank deposits.

The current economic environment presents risks that could have adverse consequences for our liquidity. See “Our operating results have been, and could be in the future, adversely affected by natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, or other catastrophic events, or unfavorable worldwide, regional and local economic and financial market conditions” under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Form 10-K. We continue to manage all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring the financial health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing gross margin enhancement strategies and developing new opportunities for growth. We do not anticipate that current economic conditions will adversely affect our ability to comply with the financial covenant in the Credit Agreement because we currently are, and anticipate that we will continue to be, in compliance with the maximum leverage ratio requirement under the Credit Agreement.

On October 28, 2021, the Board authorized a share repurchase program, under which we may repurchase up to $1,000.0 in shares of Common Stock (the “2021 Share Repurchase Program”). The 2021 Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration. We continue to maintain our evergreen share repurchase program, authorized by the Board on January 29, 2014, under which we may repurchase, from time to time, Common Stock to reduce or eliminate dilution associated with issuances of Common Stock under its incentive plans.

We have $658.9 of share repurchase availability under the 2021 Share Repurchase Program as of March 31, 2025.

On January 29, 2025, the Board declared a 4% increase in the regular quarterly dividend from $0.28375 to $0.295 per share, equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.18 per share payable to stockholders of record as of February 14, 2025. The increase raises the annual dividend payout from $277.0 to approximately $287.0 on an annualized basis.

We anticipate that our cash from operations, together with our current borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to fund our share repurchase programs to the extent implemented by management, pay debt and interest as it comes due, pay dividends at the latest approved rate, and meet our capital expenditure program costs, which are expected to be approximately $130.0 in 2025 including manufacturing capacity investments for Therabreath and Sterimar and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project. Cash, together with our current borrowing capacity, may be used for acquisitions that would complement our existing product lines or geographic markets.

Cash Flow Analysis

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities – Our primary source of liquidity is the cash flow provided by operating activities, which is dependent on net income and changes in working capital. Our net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased by $77.3 to $185.7 as compared to $263.0 in the same period in 2024 due to an increase in working capital and a decrease in cash earnings (net income adjusted for non-cash items). The increase in working capital is primarily related to lower accounts payable and accrued expense balances because of the timing and management strategy related to marketing spend plus higher inventory partially offset by higher cash collections. The higher inventory balance is mainly due to lower sales in our consumer domestic business. We measure working capital effectiveness based on our cash conversion cycle. The following table presents our cash conversion cycle information for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

Our cash conversion cycle (defined as the sum of DSO and DIO less DPO) which is calculated using a two-period average method, was the same as the prior year. The increase in DSO is primarily due to higher accounts receivable balances as we reduced our accounts receivable factoring program in response to higher interest rates. Higher DIO is generally the result of lower sales in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in DPO is primarily from agreeing to extended payment terms with some vendors. We continue to focus on reducing our working capital requirements.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2025 was $16.7, primarily reflecting $16.5 for property, plant and equipment additions. Net cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2024 was $46.8, primarily reflecting $46.3 for property, plant and equipment additions.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities – Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2025 was $61.0 reflecting $72.4 of cash dividend payments and $5.9 related to the payment of a business acquisition liability, partially offset by $19.3 of proceeds from stock option exercises. Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2024 was $209.1 reflecting $200.0 of net debt payments, $69.0 of cash dividend payments, partially offset by $59.9 of proceeds from stock option exercises.

Market risk

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk affecting the Company, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Item 7A of Part II in the Form 10-K.

a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) at the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the disclosure.

b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurring during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; the impact of tariffs; gross margin changes; trade and marketing spending; marketing expense as a percentage of net sales; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; the impact of new accounting pronouncements; cost savings programs; recessionary conditions; interest rates; inflation; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the decline of condom usage; the Company’s hedge programs; the impact of foreign exchange, and commodity price fluctuations; impairments and other charges; the Company’s investments in joint ventures; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; capital expenditures; the Company’s effective tax rate; the impact of tax audits; tax changes; the effect of the credit environment on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources; the Company’s fixed rate debt; compliance with covenants under the Company’s debt instruments; the Company’s commercial paper program; the Company’s current and anticipated future borrowing capacity to meet capital expenditure program costs; the Company’s share repurchase programs; payment of dividends; environmental and regulatory matters; the availability and adequacy of raw materials, including trona reserves and the conversion of such reserves; and the customers and consumer acceptance of certain ingredients in our products. Other forward-looking statements in this report are generally identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “anticipate,” “to be,” “to make” or other comparable terms. These statements represent the intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs of the Company, and are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable but may prove to be incorrect. In addition, these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include a decline in market growth, retailer distribution and consumer demand (as a result of, among other things, political, economic and marketplace conditions and events), including those relating to the outbreak of contagious diseases; the impact of new regulations and legislation and change in regulatory priorities of the new U.S. presidential administration; transition to, and shifting economic policies in the United States; potential changes in export/import and trade laws, regulations and policies of the United States and other countries, including any increased trade restrictions or tariffs; increased or changing regulation regarding the Company's products and its suppliers in the United States and other countries where it or its suppliers operate; the impact on the global economy of the Russia/Ukraine war or increased conflict in the Middle East, including the impact of export controls and other economic sanctions; potential recessionary conditions or economic uncertainty; the impact of continued shifts in consumer behavior, including accelerating shifts to on-line shopping; unanticipated increases in raw material and energy prices, including as a result of the Russia/Ukraine war or conflict in the Middle East; delays and increased costs in manufacturing and distribution; increases in transportation costs; labor shortages; the impact of price increases for our products; the impact of inflationary conditions; the impact of supply chain and labor disruptions; the impact of severe weather on raw material and transportation costs; adverse developments affecting the financial condition of major customers and suppliers; competition; changes in marketing and promotional spending; growth or declines in various product categories and the impact of customer actions in response to changes in consumer demand and the economy, including increasing shelf space or on-line share of private label and retailer-branded products or other changes in the retail environment; consumer and competitor reaction to, and customer acceptance of, new product introductions and features; the Company’s ability to complete the announced strategic alternatives for certain of our businesses and realize the intended benefits; the risk that the announcement of strategic alternatives could have an adverse effect on the Company; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and characteristics at a level acceptable to our customers and consumers; disruptions in the banking system and financial markets; the Company’s borrowing capacity and ability to finance its operations and potential acquisitions; higher interest rates; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; market volatility; issues relating to the Company’s information technology and controls; the impact of natural disasters, including those related to climate change, on the Company and its customers and suppliers, including third party information technology service providers; integrations of acquisitions or divestiture of assets; the outcome of contingencies, including litigation, pending regulatory proceedings and environmental matters; and changes in the regulatory environment in the countries where we do business.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the United States federal securities laws. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in its filings with the Commission.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K, which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results.