HUBBELL INC (HUBB)

ITEM 7    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 are not included in this Form 10-K and can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form-10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2024.

Executive Overview of the Business

Hubbell is a global manufacturer of quality electrical products and utility solutions for a broad range of customer and end market applications. We provide utility and electrical solutions that enable our customers to operate critical infrastructure reliably and efficiently, and we empower and energize communities through innovative solutions supporting energy infrastructure In Front of the Meter, on The Edge, and Behind the Meter. In Front of the Meter is where utilities transmit and distribute energy to their customers. The Edge connects utilities with owner/operators and allows energy and data to be distributed back and forth. Behind the Meter is where owners and operators of buildings, and other critical infrastructure consume energy. Products are either sourced complete, manufactured or assembled by subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Ireland, and the Republic of the Philippines. The Company also participates in joint ventures in Hong Kong and the Republic of the Philippines, and maintains offices in Singapore, Italy, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Chile, and countries in the Middle East. The Company employed approximately 17,700 individuals worldwide as of December 31, 2024.

The Company’s reporting segments consist of the Utility Solutions segment and Electrical Solutions segment. The Company’s long-term strategy is to: serve its customers with reliable and innovative electrical and related infrastructure solutions with desired brands and high-quality service, delivered through a competitive cost structure; to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions that enhance its product offerings; and to allocate capital effectively to create shareholder value.

Our strategy to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions is focused on acquiring assets that extend our capabilities, expand our product offerings, and present opportunities to compete in core, adjacent or complementary markets. Our acquisition strategy also provides the opportunity to advance our revenue growth objectives during periods of weakness or inconsistency in our end-markets.

Our strategy to deliver products through a competitive cost structure has resulted in past and ongoing restructuring and related activities. Our restructuring and related efforts include the consolidation of manufacturing and distribution facilities, and workforce actions, as well as streamlining and consolidating our back-office functions. The primary objectives of our restructuring and related activities are to optimize our manufacturing footprint, cost structure and effectiveness and the efficiency of our workforce.

Productivity improvement also continues to be a key area of focus for the Company and efforts to drive productivity complement our restructuring and related activities to minimize the impact of rising material costs and other administrative cost inflation. Because material costs are approximately half of our cost of goods sold, volatility in this area can significantly impact profitability. Our goal is to have pricing and productivity programs that offset material and other inflationary cost increases as well as pay for investments in key growth areas.

Productivity programs affect virtually all functional areas within the Company by reducing or eliminating waste and improving processes. We continue to expand our efforts related to global product and component sourcing and supplier cost reduction programs. Value engineering efforts, product transfers and the use of lean process improvement techniques are expected to continue to increase manufacturing efficiency. In addition, we continue to build upon the benefits of our enterprise resource planning system across all functions.

Our sales are also subject to market conditions that may cause customer demand for our products to be volatile. Product demand can be affected by fluctuations in domestic and international economic conditions, as well as currency fluctuations, commodity costs, and a variety of other factors. Since early 2021, we have experienced significant inflationary pressure across much of our business. As a result, we have taken various pricing actions to cover the higher costs and to protect our profitability. Although inflation has moderated considerably since its high point in 2022, we expect inflation to remain a factor for the foreseeable future and we expect to continue to take these pricing actions subject to demand and market conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our margins in response to further changes in inflationary pressures. In addition, macroeconomic effects such as increases in interest rates and other measures taken by central banks and other policy makers could have a negative effect on overall economic activity which could reduce our customers’ demand for our products, and cause the continuation of relatively high market interest rates that increase our borrowing costs. Additionally, international tensions, such as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as trade and other tensions, including those with China, may affect demand for our products, as well as our production costs.

Discontinued Operations

On February 1, 2022, the Company completed the sale of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business (the “C&I Lighting business”) to GE Current, a Daintree Company. The disposal of the C&I Lighting business met the criteria set forth in ASC 205-20 to be presented as a discontinued operation. The C&I Lighting businesses’ results of operations and the related cash flows have been reclassified to income from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income and cash flows from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, respectively, for all periods presented. For additional information regarding this transaction and its effect on our financial reporting, see Note 2 – Discontinued Operations, in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which note is incorporated herein by reference.

Results of Operations

Our operations are classified into two reportable segments: Utility Solutions and Electrical Solutions. For a complete description of the Company’s segments, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Within these segments, Hubbell serves customers in several primary end markets: utility distribution, utility transmission and utility substation as well as industrial and non-residential. Unless specified otherwise, all comparisons of 2024 results are with 2023 results.

In 2024, Net sales increased by 4.7% or $256 million and organic Net sales(1) increased by $2 million on favorable price realization partially offset by lower volumes, as further discussed in segment results below. Operating margin increased in 2024, by 10 basis points and adjusted operating margin(1) increased by 90 basis points, driven by favorable price realization, productivity and cost management. Those increases were partially offset by material and other cost inflation and lower unit volume. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell increased by 2.4% in 2024 compared to the prior year and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 2.3%. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell(1) increased by 8.1% in 2024 compared to the prior year and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(1) increased by 8.1% in 2024.

Operating cash flow was higher in 2024 at $991.2 million as compared to $880.8 million in the prior year. Free cash flow(2) was higher in 2024 at $810.8 million as compared to $715.1 million in the prior year. In 2024 we paid $267.3 million in shareholder dividends, an increase of 8.9% as compared to the prior year. We also invested $180.4 million of capital expenditures in footprint optimization, automation and productivity initiatives, and repurchased $40.0 million of shares in 2024.

(1) Organic Net sales, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Adjusted Operating Measures” below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Adjusted Operating Measures” and “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow” below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Adjusted Operating Measures

In the following discussion of results of operations, we refer to “adjusted” operating measures. We believe those adjusted measures, which exclude the impact of certain costs, gains and losses, may provide investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period and allow investors to understand our results of operations without regard to items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the comparability of operating results, or we do not consider a component of our core operating performance.

Significant items impacting comparability:

Transaction, integration and separation costs

The effect that acquisitions and divestitures may have on our results can fluctuate significantly based on the timing, size and number of transactions, and therefore result in significant volatility in the costs to complete transactions and to integrate or separate the businesses.

The size of acquisition and divestiture actions taken by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2023 has resulted in a significant increase in these costs. As a result, we believe excluding costs relating to these fourth quarter transactions provides useful and more comparable information to investors to better assess our operating performance.

Transaction costs are primarily professional services and other fees incurred to complete the transactions. Integration and separation costs are the internal and external incremental costs directly relating to these activities for the acquired or divested business.

Gains or losses on disposition of a business

Our adjusted operating measures exclude these gains or losses because we believe excluding them enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance and facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods. In the first quarter of 2024 the Company recognized a $5.3 million pre-tax loss on the disposition of the residential lighting business and also recognized $6.8 million of income tax expense on the sale of the residential lighting business, primarily driven by differences between book and tax basis in goodwill. That loss and the related income tax expense are excluded from our adjusted operating measures.

Amortization of intangible assets

Adjusted operating measures also exclude non-cash amortization of all intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions, including inventory step-up amortization associated with those acquisitions. The intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions arise from the allocation of the purchase price using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, “Business Combinations.” These assets consist primarily of customer relationships, developed technology, trademarks and tradenames, and patents, as reported in Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, under the heading “Total Definite-Lived Intangibles” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash expenses (i) enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance, (ii) facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods, and (iii) provides more relevant comparisons of our results with the results of other companies as the amortization expense associated with these assets may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing, size, nature, and number of acquisitions. Although we exclude amortization of these acquired intangible assets and inventory step-up from our non-GAAP results, we believe that it is important for investors to understand that revenue generated, in part, from such intangibles is included within revenue in determining adjusted net income attributable to Hubbell Incorporated.

Adjusted results also exclude the income tax effects of the above adjustments which are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

The Company excludes these non-core items because we believe it enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance and facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods. Refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented below, Note 4 – Business Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional information.

Organic Net sales (or organic net sales growth), a non-GAAP measure, represents Net sales according to U.S. GAAP, less Net sales from acquisitions and divestitures during the first twelve months of ownership or divestiture, respectively, less the effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange. The period-over-period effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange is calculated as the difference between local currency Net sales of the prior period translated at the current period exchange rate as compared to the same local currency Net sales translated at the prior period exchange rate. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends of established, ongoing operations by excluding the effect of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign currency as these activities can obscure underlying trends. When comparing Net sales growth between periods excluding the effects of acquisitions, business dispositions and currency exchange rates, those effects are different when comparing results for different periods. For example, because Net sales from acquisitions are considered inorganic from the date we complete an acquisition through the end of the first year following the acquisition, Net sales from such acquisitions are reflected as organic Net sales thereafter.

There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures do not present complete financial results. We compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation between our non-GAAP financial measures and the respective most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. 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 financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or alternative measures of, reported GAAP financial results, and should be viewed in conjunction with the most comparable GAAP financial measures and the provided reconciliations thereto. We believe, however, that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed together with our GAAP results and related reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles Adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP measure, to Operating income, the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions):

The following table reconciles Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell Incorporated, Adjusted net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, and the diluted per share amounts thereof, each a non-GAAP measure, to the directly comparable GAAP financial measures (in millions, except per share data).

(1) The income tax effects are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

2024 Compared to 2023

Net Sales

Net sales of $5,628.5 million in 2024 increased by $255.6 million, or 4.7%, compared to 2023. Organic net sales were flat driven by a low single digit percentage increase in price realization, partially offset by a low single digit percentage decrease in unit volume. Acquisitions net of divestitures contributed 4.8% to net sales growth. These changes are discussed in more detail in the Segment Results section below.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold increased by 130 basis points to 66.2% and gross profit margin declined to 33.8% in 2024. The decline in gross profit margin includes approximately four percentage points of margin contraction due to higher intangible amortization expense, material and other cost inflation and lower volume, which was partially offset by approximately three percentage points of margin expansion driven by favorable price realization, productivity and cost management.

Selling & Administrative Expenses

S&A expense in 2024 was $812.5 million and decreased by $37.1 million compared to the prior year. This decrease was driven by lower employee incentive costs and lower professional services in the current year, transaction costs in 2023 that did not repeat in 2024, partially offset by the addition of S&A expense including intangible amortization expense related to our 2023 acquisitions. S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales decreased by 140 basis points to 14.4% in 2024.

Total Other Expense

Total other expense increased by $31.1 million in 2024 to $86.3 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $37.1 million increase in net interest expense and a $5.3 million loss recognized on the disposition of the residential lighting business in 2024, partially offset by $7.2 million in 2024 of TSA income related to the disposal of the residential lighting business and lower non service pension cost. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of Systems Control.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 22.1% in both 2024 and 2023 as the income tax expense related to the sale of the residential lighting business in the first quarter of 2024, was largely offset by the tax benefit of an international restructuring completed in the third quarter of the year.

Net Income Attributable to Hubbell Incorporated and Earnings Per Diluted Share

Net income attributable to Hubbell Incorporated was $777.8 million in 2024 and increased 2.4% as compared to 2023. As a result, earnings per diluted share in 2024 increased 2.3% compared to 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to Hubbell Incorporated, which excluded amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and transaction, integration & separation costs in both periods, and a loss on disposition of a business in 2024 was $896.8 million in 2024 and increased 8.1% as compared to 2023.

Segment Results

Utility Solutions

The following table reconciles our Utility Solutions segment adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

The following table reconciles our Utility Solutions segment Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales in the Utility Solutions segment in 2024 were approximately $3.6 billion, an increase of 10.4% as compared to 2023. This increase was driven by a 12.9% increase in net sales from acquisitions, partially offset by a 2.4% decrease in organic net sales driven by a mid single digit percentage decrease in unit volumes partially offset by a low single digit increase in price realization. The decrease in unit volume resulted largely from volume declines in enclosures products primarily driven by weakness in the telcom market, as well as customer inventory management in distribution markets. These factors were partially offset by strong growth in transmission and substation markets and in grid automation projects.

Operating income in the Utility Solutions segment in 2024 was $729.8 million an increase of 3.3% compared to 2023. Operating margin declined by 140 basis points to 20.3% in 2024. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and transaction, integration & separation costs, the adjusted operating margin declined by 40 basis points to 23.5% as compared to the prior year. The decrease in operating margin and adjusted operating margin includes approximately three percentage points of margin expansion from favorable price realization, improved productivity and cost management, but that expansion was more than offset by approximately three percentage points of margin contraction due to material and other cost inflation and lower unit volume. The impact of lower unit volume includes approximately 130 basis points from enclosures products, driven primarily by weakness in the telcom market.

Electrical Solutions

The following table reconciles our Electrical Solutions segment adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin to the directly comparable GAAP measure (in million and percentage change):

The following table reconciles our Electrical Solutions segment Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2024 were approximately $2.0 billion, a decrease of $83.4 million, or 3.9% as compared to 2023. The decrease includes 3.8% growth in organic net sales, that was more than offset by a 7.7% decline in net sales resulting from the disposition of the residential lighting business during the first quarter of 2024. The increase in organic net sales was driven by a low single digit percentage increase in unit volumes and a low single digit percentage increase in price realization. Volume growth was driven primarily by strength in renewables markets and datacenter balance-of-system products, while industrial markets were solid and non residential markets were soft.

Operating income of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2024 was $361.8 million and increased approximately 9.0% compared to 2023, while operating margin in 2024 increased by 210 basis points to 17.8%. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and transaction, integration & separation costs, the adjusted operating margin increased by 240 basis points to 19.0% in 2024. The increase in the operating margin and adjusted operating margin in 2024 was primarily due to approximately five percentage points of margin expansion from favorable price realization, improved productivity and higher volume. The disposition of the residential lighting business also contributed to the expansion. Those factors were partially offset by approximately three percentage points of margin contraction driven by higher material and other cost inflation.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow

The following table reconciles our cash flows from operating activities to free cash flows for 2024 and 2023:

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure that we define as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information regarding Hubbell’s ability to generate cash without reliance on external financing. In addition, management uses free cash flow to evaluate the resources available for investments in the business, strategic acquisitions and further strengthening the balance sheet.

2024 Compared to 2023

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $991.2 million in 2024 compared to $880.8 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher net income, after adjusting for the effect of non-cash items, primarily depreciation and amortization expense, along with lower cash used for working capital in 2024.

Cash used in investing activities was $59.1 million in 2024 compared to cash used of $1,380.2 million in 2023. That change was driven by $122.9 million of cash proceeds in 2024 from the disposition of our residential lighting business as compared to cash used for acquisitions of $1,211.7 million in 2023.

Cash used in financing activities was $923.4 million in 2024 as compared to $388.5 million of cash provided by financing activities in 2023. The change in cash flows reflects $600 million of cash provided in December 2023 from the Term Loan issued to partially fund the acquisition of Systems Control, as compared to cash used in 2024 to extinguish that loan, along with an increase in dividends paid and higher share repurchases in 2024 compared to 2023.

The unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates on cash was $16.4 million in 2024 as compared to a favorable effect of $6.9 million in 2023. The unfavorable impact in 2024 was primarily related to weakness in the Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar and Mexican Peso compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Investments in the Business

Investments in our business include cash outlays for the acquisitions of businesses as well as expenditures to maintain the operation of our equipment and facilities and invest in restructuring activities.

For more information related to acquisitions completed in 2023, refer to Note 4 - Business Acquisition in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

During 2024, we invested $180.4 million in capital expenditures, an increase of $14.7 million as compared to 2023, as we continue to invest in footprint optimization, automation and productivity initiatives.

We continue to invest in restructuring and related programs to maintain a competitive cost structure, to drive operational efficiencies and to mitigate the impact of rising material costs and administrative cost inflation. We expect our investment in restructuring and related activities to continue in 2024 as we continue to invest in previously initiated actions and initiate further footprint consolidation and other cost reduction initiatives.

In connection with our restructuring and related actions, we have incurred restructuring costs as defined by U.S. GAAP, which are primarily severance and employee benefits, asset impairments, and accelerated depreciation, as well as facility closure, contract termination and certain pension costs that are directly related to restructuring actions. We also incurred restructuring-related costs, which are costs associated with our business transformation initiatives, including the consolidation of back-office functions and streamlining of our processes, and certain other costs and gains associated with restructuring actions. We refer to these costs on a combined basis as “restructuring and related costs”, which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe this non-GAAP measure provides investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period. Restructuring costs are predominantly settled in cash from our operating activities and are generally settled within one year, with the exception of asset impairments, which are non-cash.

The table below presents the restructuring and related costs incurred in 2024, additional expected costs, and the expected completion date of restructuring actions that had been initiated as of December 31, 2024 and in prior years (in millions):

Stock Repurchase Program

On October 21, 2022 the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of common stock, which expires in October 2025. At December 31, 2024 our remaining share repurchase authorization under this program was $260.0 million. On February 12, 2025 the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 million of common stock and expires in February 2028. This new program is in addition to the remaining share repurchase authorization of $260.0 million under the October 21, 2022 program. Subject to numerous factors, including market conditions and alternative uses of cash, we may conduct discretionary repurchases through open market or privately negotiated transactions, which may include repurchases under plans complying with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Debt to Capital

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $1,442.7 million and $2,023.2 million, respectively, of long-term debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $15.0 million of maturities due within the next 12 months related to the Term Loan Agreement which were classified within short term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Term Loan Agreement

In connection with the December 2023 acquisition of Systems Control, the Company entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders under which the Company borrowed $600 million on an unsecured basis. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bore interest generally at either the adjusted term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin (determined by a ratings based grid) or the alternative base rate. The outstanding principal amount under the Term Loan Agreement was due and payable in full at maturity in December 2026. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company repaid the remainder of the Term Loan and no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2024.

Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility

The Company, as borrower, and its subsidiaries Hubbell Power Holdings S.à r.l. and Harvey Hubbell Holdings S.à r.l., each as a subsidiary borrower (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”) are parties to a five-year credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, that provides a $750 million committed revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility”), which matures on March 12, 2026. Commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.25 billion. The 2021 Credit Facility includes a $50 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit. The sum of the dollar amount of loans and letters of credit to the Subsidiary Borrowers under the 2021 Credit Facility may not exceed $75 million. There were no borrowings outstanding under the 2021 Credit Facility at December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility is either (i) the alternate base rate (as defined in the 2021 Credit Facility) or (ii) the adjusted SOFR rate plus an applicable margin (determined by a ratings based grid).

The 2021 Credit Facility contains a sole financial covenant requiring that, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization shall not be greater than 65%. The Company was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2024.

Unsecured Senior Notes

At each of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had outstanding unsecured, senior notes in principal amounts of $400 million due in 2026, $300 million due in 2027, $450 million due in 2028 and $300 million due in 2031 (the “Notes”).

The carrying value of the Notes, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs, was $1,442.7 million and $1,440.3 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The Notes are callable at any time at specified prices and are only subject to accelerated payment prior to maturity upon customary events of default, or upon a change in control triggering event as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, as supplemented. The Company was in compliance with all covenants (none of which is financial) as of December 31, 2024.

Short-term Debt and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $125.4 million and $117.4 million, respectively, of short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt outstanding composed of:

◦$123.0 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2024, and $100.0 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023, were used to fund the Systems Control acquisition.

◦At December 31, 2023 the Company had $15.0 million of long-term debt classified within current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting maturities within the next 12 months related to borrowing under the Term Loan Agreement at December 31, 2023.

◦The Company had $2.4 million of short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which consisted of borrowings to support our international operations in China and amounts outstanding under our commercial card program.

Net debt, defined as total debt less cash and investments, is a non-GAAP measure that may not be comparable to definitions used by other companies. We consider net debt to be a useful measure of our financial leverage for evaluating the Company’s ability to meet its funding needs.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of net debt at December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Liquidity

We measure liquidity on the basis of our ability to meet short-term and long-term operational funding needs, to fund additional investments, including acquisitions, and to make dividend payments to shareholders. Significant factors affecting the management of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities, capital expenditures, cash dividend payments, stock repurchases, access to bank lines of credit and our ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms.

In 2024, we returned capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. These activities were funded primarily with cash flows from operations.

◦In 2024, cash used for share repurchases was $40.0 million.

◦Dividends paid on our Common Stock in 2024 were $267.3 million.

We also require cash outlays to fund our operations, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements to accommodate anticipated levels of business activity, as well as our rate of cash dividends and potential future acquisitions. We have contractual obligations for long-term debt, operating leases, purchase obligations, and certain other long-term liabilities, including defined benefit retirement obligations and other benefits. Refer to Note 13 - Debt and Note 24 - Leases in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on anticipated cash outflows. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), we also have an obligation to fund, by annual installments through 2025, the Company’s liability for the transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings. Contractual purchase obligations are approximately $370 million in 2025. Contractual purchase obligations beyond 2025 are not significant.

Our purchase obligations include amounts committed under legally enforceable contracts or purchase orders for goods and services with defined terms as to price, quantity, delivery and termination liability. These obligations primarily consist of inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational requirements and commitments for equipment purchases. As of December 31, 2024, we have $48.2 million of uncertain tax positions reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate regarding the timing of settlement of these uncertain tax positions and, as a result, they have been excluded from the disclosure. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our sources of funds and available resources to meet these funding needs are as follows:

◦Cash flows from operating activities and existing cash resources: In addition to our cash flows from operating activities, we also had $329.1 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024, of which approximately 14% was held inside the United States and the remainder held internationally.

◦Our 2021 Credit Facility provides a $750.0 million committed revolving credit facility and commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased (subject to certain conditions) to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.250 billion. Annual commitment fees to support availability under the 2021 Credit Facility are not material. Although not the principal source of liquidity, we believe our 2021 Credit Facility is capable of providing significant financing flexibility at reasonable rates of interest and is an attractive alternative source of funding in the event that commercial paper markets experience disruption. However, an increase in usage of the 2021 Credit Facility related to growth or a significant deterioration in the results of our operations or cash flows could cause our borrowing costs to increase and/or our ability to borrow could be restricted. We have not entered into any guarantees that could give rise to material unexpected cash requirements. The full $750.0 million of borrowing capacity under the 2021 Credit Facility was available to the Company at December 31, 2024.

◦In addition to our commercial paper program and existing revolving credit facility, we also have the ability to obtain additional financing through the issuance of long-term debt. Considering our current credit rating, historical earnings performance, and financial position, we believe that we would be able to obtain additional long-term debt financing on attractive terms.

◦The Company also maintains other lines of credit that are primarily used to support the issuance of letters of credit. Interest rates and other terms of borrowing under these lines of credit vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, total availability under these lines was $55.3 million and $55.9 million, respectively, of which $41.1 million and $23.4 million was utilized to support letters of credit and the remaining amount was unused. The annual commitment fees associated with these lines of credit are not material.

Pension Funding Status

We have a number of funded and unfunded non-contributory U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension plans. Benefits under these plans are generally provided based on either years of service and final average pay or a specified dollar amount per year of service. The funded status of our qualified, defined benefit pension plans is dependent upon many factors including future returns on invested pension assets, the level of market interest rates, employee earnings and employee demographics.

Changes in the value of the defined benefit plan assets and liabilities will affect the amount of pension expense ultimately recognized. Although differences between actuarial assumptions and actual results are no longer deferred for balance sheet purposes, deferral is still permitted for pension expense purposes. Unrecognized gains and losses in excess of an annual calculated minimum amount (the greater of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or 10% of the market value of assets) have been amortized and recognized in net periodic pension cost. Effective January 1, 2020, the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses of all of the Company’s qualified defined benefit pension plans is recognized over the remaining life expectancy of participants, as all participants are considered inactive as a result of plan amendments. During 2024 and 2023, we recorded $9.9 million and $10.4 million, respectively, of pension expense related to the amortization of these unrecognized losses.

In 2024 and 2023, we contributed $1.3 million and $20.0 million, respectively, to our qualified foreign and domestic defined benefit pension plans. These contributions have improved the funded status of those plans. The Company has elected to make a voluntary contribution of $20.0 million to its qualified domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2025. The anticipated level of pension funding in 2025 is not expected to have a significant impact on our overall liquidity.

Assumptions

The following assumptions were used to determine projected pension and other benefit obligations at the measurement date and the net periodic benefit costs for the year:

At the end of each year, we estimate the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets based on the strategic asset allocation for our plans. In making this determination, we utilize expected rates of return for each asset class based upon current market conditions and expected risk premiums for each asset class. A one percentage point change in the expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets would have an impact of approximately $4.3 million on 2025 pretax pension expense. The expected long-term rate of return is applied to the fair market value of pension fund assets to produce the expected return on fund assets that is included in pension expense.

The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets was recognized at December 31, 2024 for balance sheet purposes, but continues to be deferred for expense purposes. The net deferral of past asset gains (losses) ultimately affects future pension expense through the amortization of gains (losses) with an offsetting adjustment to Hubbell shareholders’ equity through Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

At the end of each year, we determine the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities. For our U.S. and Canadian pension plans, this discount rate is determined by matching the expected cash flows associated with our benefit obligations to the expected cash flows of a hypothetical portfolio of high quality, fixed income debt instruments with maturities that closely match the expected funding period of our pension liabilities. As of December 31, 2024, we used a discount rate of 5.60% for our U.S. pension plans compared to a discount rate of 5.20% used in 2023. For our Canadian pension plan, we used a discount rate of 4.58% in 2024, compared to a 4.61% discount rate used in 2023.

For our UK pension plan the discount rate was derived using a full yield curve and uses plan specific cash flows. The derived discount rate is the single discount rate equivalent to discounting these liability cash flows at the term-dependent spot rates of AA corporate bonds. This methodology resulted in a December 31, 2024 discount rate for the UK pension plan of 5.60% as compared to a discount rate of 4.80% used in 2023.

A decrease of one percentage point in the discount rate would increase our 2025 pretax pension expense by approximately $0.3 million. A discount rate increase of one percentage point would decrease our 2025 pretax pension expense by $0.4 million.

In 2024, and 2023 we used the Pri-2012 mortality table and the MP-2021 projection scale from 2012 to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities. In 2024, the Pri-2012 mortality table was adjusted to reflect plan specific geospatial characteristics as appropriate. The plan specific adjusted Pri-2012 mortality table with generational projection from 2012 using Scale MP-2021 was chosen as the best estimate based on the observed and anticipated experience of the plans after considering alternative tables.

Other Post-Employment Benefits (“OPEB”)

The Company also has a number of health care and life insurance benefit plans covering eligible employees who reached retirement age while working for the Company. These benefits have been discontinued for substantially all future retirees. These plans are not funded and, therefore, no assumed rate of return on assets is required. We use a similar methodology to derive the discount rate for our post employment benefit plan obligations that we use for our pension plans. As of December 31, 2024, the Company used a discount rate of 5.60% to determine the projected benefit obligation compared to a discount rate of 5.20% used in 2023.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for retirement benefits, we recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss, within Hubbell shareholders’ equity, a benefit, net of tax, of $6.1 million in 2024 and $4.7 million in 2023, respectively, related to the annual remeasurement of the OPEB plans and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements are defined as any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity that is not included in our consolidated results is a party, under which we, whether or not a party to the arrangement, have, or in the future may have: (1) an obligation under a direct or indirect guarantee or similar arrangement, (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets, (3) an obligation or liability, including a contingent obligation or liability, under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, except that it is excluded from the scope of FASB ASC Topic 815, or (4) an obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that is held by, and material to, the Company, where such entity provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with, the Company.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined above which have or are likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

We are required to make assumptions and estimates and apply judgments in the preparation of our financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors deemed relevant by management, such as projections of future performance. We continually review these estimates and their underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate for the circumstances. Changes in estimates and assumptions used by us could have a material impact on our financial results, and actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. We believe that the following estimates are among the most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These items utilize assumptions and estimates about the effect of future events that are inherently uncertain and are based on our judgment.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations identified under the terms of contracts with its customers are satisfied, which generally occurs, for products, upon the transfer of control in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the sale. The majority of the Company’s revenue associated with products is recognized at a point in time when the product is shipped to the customer, with a relatively small amount of transactions in the Utility Solutions segment recognized upon delivery of the product at the contractually specified destination.

The Company also has performance obligations, primarily within the Utility Solutions segment, that are recognized over-time due to the customized nature of the product and the Company’s enforceable right to receive payment for work performed to date in the event of a cancellation. The Company uses an input measure to determine the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation, which the Company believes best depicts the transfer of control to the customer. Under this method, revenue recognition is based upon the ratio of costs incurred to date compared with estimated total costs to complete.

Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is approximately one percent of total annual consolidated net revenue and those service contracts and post-shipment obligations are primarily within the Utility Solutions segment. Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is recognized when or as those obligations are satisfied. The Company primarily offers assurance-type standard warranties that do not represent separate performance obligations and on occasion will separately offer and price extended warranties that are separate performance obligations for which the associated revenue is recognized over-time based on the extended warranty period. The Company records amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling costs within revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of goods sold. Sales taxes and other usage-based taxes are excluded from revenue.

Certain businesses require a portion of the transaction price to be paid in advance of transfer of control. Advance payments are not considered a significant financing component as they are received less than one year before the related performance obligations are satisfied. In addition, in the Utility Solutions segment, certain businesses offer annual maintenance service contracts that require payment at the beginning of the contract period. These payments are treated as a contract liability and are classified in Other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Once control transfers to the customer and the Company meets the revenue recognition criteria, the deferred revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The deferred revenue relating to the annual maintenance service contracts is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight line basis over the expected term of the contract.

The Company has certain arrangements that require us to estimate at the time of sale the amounts of variable consideration that should not be recorded as revenue as certain amounts are not expected to be collected from customers, as well as an estimate of the value of the product to be returned. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific customer agreements and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of shipment and to reduce the transaction price. These arrangements include sales discounts and allowances based on sales volumes, specific programs and special pricing allowances, and returned goods, as are customary in the electrical products industry. Customer returns have historically been approximately one percent of gross sales.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Approximately 45% of total net inventory value is determined utilizing the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting. The cost of foreign inventories and certain domestic inventories is determined utilizing average cost or first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods of inventory accounting. We routinely evaluate the carrying value of our inventories to ensure they are carried at the lower of LIFO, FIFO or average cost or market value. Such evaluation is based on our judgment and use of estimates, including sales forecasts, gross margins for particular product groupings, planned dispositions of product lines, technological events and overall industry trends. In addition, the evaluation is based on changes in inventory management practices which may influence the timing of exiting products and method of disposing of excess inventory.

Excess inventory is generally identified by comparing future expected inventory usage to actual on-hand quantities. Inventory values are reduced for on-hand inventory in excess of pre-defined usage forecasts. Forecast usage is primarily determined by projecting historical (actual) sales and inventory usage levels forward to future periods. Changes in these estimates may necessitate future adjustments to inventory values.

Employee Benefits Costs and Funding

We sponsor domestic and foreign defined benefit pension, defined contribution and other postretirement plans. Significant assumptions used in the accounting for these employee benefit plans include the discount rate, expected return on the pension fund assets, rate of increase in employee compensation levels and health care cost increase projections. These assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators, and are evaluated each year as of the plans’ measurement dates. Further discussion of the assumptions used in 2024 and 2023 are included above under “Pension Funding Status” and in Note 12 — Retirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Additionally, deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets are the forecast of future taxable income, available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets, and future reversals of deferred tax liabilities. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income can affect the ultimate realization of net deferred tax assets.

We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in these jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities routinely review our tax returns. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company records uncertain tax positions when it has determined that it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The Company uses the criteria established in the accounting guidance to determine whether an item meets the definition of more-likely-than-not. The Company’s policy is to recognize these uncertain tax positions when the more-likely-than-not threshold is met, when the statute of limitations has expired or upon settlement. In management’s opinion, adequate provision has been made for potential adjustments arising from any examinations. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill, and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our long-lived assets include land, buildings, equipment, molds and dies, software, goodwill and other intangible assets. Long-lived assets, other than land, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill represents purchase price in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets primarily consist of patents, tradenames, developed technology and customer related intangibles.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessment. We perform our annual goodwill impairment testing as of April 1st of each year. The accounting guidance provides entities an option of performing a qualitative assessment (the “Step-zero” test) before performing a quantitative analysis. If the entity determines, on the basis of certain qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the goodwill is not impaired, the entity would not need to proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process as prescribed in the guidance. If the Company does not elect to complete the qualitative assessment, the Company completes the quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of April 1, 2024. For each of the Company’s reporting units, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process, as permitted in the accounting guidance, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying values. As of April 1, 2024, the impairment testing resulted in implied fair values for each reporting unit that significantly exceeded such reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. The Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The organizational changes described in Note 3 - Revenue resulted in a change in the Company’s reporting units within the Electrical Solutions segment. As a result of the change in reporting units, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment assessment during the third quarter of 2024, for the reporting units within the Electrical Solutions segment. Because the changes did not affect the Utility Solutions segment, no interim goodwill impairment assessment was required for that segment. For this interim assessment, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process, as permitted in the accounting guidance, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying values. The interim impairment testing resulted in implied fair values for each reporting unit that significantly exceeded such reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. The Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions. The Company uses internal discounted cash flow models to estimate fair value. These cash flow estimates are derived from historical experience, third-party end market data, and future long-term business plans and include assumptions of future sales growth, gross margin, operating margin, terminal growth rate, and the application of an appropriate discount rate. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. We corroborate the values determined from our discounted cash flow models by reconciling the sum of the estimated fair values of each reporting unit to our market capitalization at the testing date, including consideration of a control premium. We have not recorded any goodwill impairments since the initial adoption of the accounting guidance in 2002.

The identification and measurement of impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets involves either an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired or a quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value. If it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangibles will be determined using discounted cash flow estimates. If the carrying value of these assets exceeds the estimated fair value, the carrying value will be reduced to the estimated fair value. For the Company’s annual impairment test as of April 1, 2024, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative impairment testing process as permitted in the accounting guidance. The estimated fair value was determined utilizing an income approach (relief from royalty method). Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets including assumptions for future revenues, discount rates, royalty rates, and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the determination of fair value and/or impairment for each indefinite-lived intangible asset. As of April 1, 2024, the impairment testing resulted in estimated fair values for each indefinite-lived intangible asset that significantly exceeded the carrying values and there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets at risk of failing the quantitative impairment test. We did not record any impairments related to indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2024, 2023, or 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, contain “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements generally relate to our expectations and beliefs regarding our financial results, condition and outlook, projections of future performance, anticipated growth and end markets, changes in operating results, market conditions and economic conditions, expected capital resources, liquidity, financial performance, pension funding and results of operations, plans, strategies, opportunities, developments and productivity initiatives, competitive positioning, and trends in particular markets or industries. In addition, all statements regarding the expected financial impact of the integration of acquisitions, adoption of updated accounting standards and any expected effects of such adoption, and intent to continue repurchasing shares of common stock, as well as other statements that are not strictly historic in nature, are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words, such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “depend”, “should”, “plan”, “estimated”, “predict”, “could”, “may”, “subject to”, “continues”, “growing”, “prospective”, “forecast”, “projected”, “purport”, “might”, “if”, “contemplate”, “potential”, “pending,” “target”, “goals”, “scheduled”, “will”, “will likely be”, and similar words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual and future performance or the Company’s achievements to be materially difference from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

•The general impact of inflation on our business, including the impact on raw materials costs, elevated interest rates and increased energy costs and our ability to implement and maintain pricing actions that we have taken to cover higher costs and protect our margin profile.

•Economic and business conditions in particular industries, markets or geographic regions, as well the potential for macro-economic effects of the U.S. government federal deficit, and continued inflation, a significant economic slowdown, stagflation or recession.

•Effects of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and the potential use of hedging instruments to hedge the exposure to fluctuating rates of foreign currency exchange on inventory purchases.

•Supply chain disruptions and availability, costs and quantity of raw materials, purchased components, energy and freight.

•Changes in demand for our products, market conditions, product quality, or product availability adversely affecting sales levels.

•Ability to effectively develop and introduce new products.

•Changes in markets or competition adversely affecting realization of price increases.

•Continued softness in the telecommunication markets and residential market of Electrical Solutions.

•Continued softness in the residential market.

•Failure to achieve projected levels of efficiencies, and maintain cost savings and cost reduction measures, including those expected as a result of our lean initiatives and strategic sourcing plans.

•Impacts of increased trade tariffs, import quotas or other trade restrictions or measures taken by the United States, United Kingdom and other countries, including the recent and potential changes in U.S. trade policies that may be made by the new presidential administration.

•Failure to comply with import and export laws.

•Changes relating to impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets.

•Inability to access capital markets or failure to maintain our credit ratings.

•Changes in expected or future levels of operating cash flow, indebtedness and capital spending.

•Regulatory issues, changes in tax laws and policies, including changes in current U.S. income tax rates multijurisdictional implementation of the OECD’s comprehensive base erosion and profit shifting plan, or changes in geographic profit mix affecting tax rates and availability of tax incentives.

•A major disruption in one or more of our manufacturing or distribution facilities or headquarters, including the impact of plant consolidations and relocations.

•Changes in our relationships with, or the financial condition or performance of, key distributors and other customers, agents or business partners which could adversely affect our results of operations.

•Impact of productivity improvements on lead times, quality and delivery of product.

•Anticipated future contributions and assumptions including increases in interest rates and changes in plan assets with respect to pensions and other retirement benefits, as well as pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Adjustments to product warranty accruals in response to claims incurred, historical experiences and known costs.

•Unexpected costs or charges, certain of which might be outside of our control.

•Changes in strategy due to economic conditions or other conditions outside of our control affecting anticipated future global product sourcing levels.

•Ability to carry out future acquisitions and strategic investments in our core businesses as well as the acquisition related costs.

•Ability to successfully manage and integrate an acquired business, such as the acquisitions of El Electronics LLC, Indústria Electromecânica Balestro Ltda., and the Systems Control business, as well as the failure to realize expected synergies and benefits anticipated when we make an acquisition due to potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships resulting from completion of the transaction, competitive responses to the transaction, the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of an acquired business, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, and litigation relating to the transaction.

•The impact of certain divestitures, including the benefits and costs of the sale of the residential lighting business.

•The ability to effectively implement Enterprise Resource Planning systems without disrupting operational and financial processes.

•The ability of government customers to meet their financial obligations.

•Political unrest and military actions in foreign countries, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and trade tensions with China, as well as the impact on world markets and energy supplies and prices resulting therefrom.

•The impact of potential natural disasters or additional public health emergencies on our financial condition and results of operations.

•Failure of information technology systems, cybersecurity breaches, cyber threats, malware, phishing attacks, break-ins and similar events resulting in unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or disruptions or damage to information technology systems that could cause interruptions to our operations or adversely affect our internal control over financial reporting.

•Incurring significant and/or unexpected costs to avoid manage, defend and litigate intellectual property matters.

•Future repurchases of common stock under our common stock repurchase program.

•Changes in accounting principles, interpretations, or estimates.

•Failure to comply with any laws and regulations, including those related to data privacy and information security, environmental and conflict-free minerals.

•The outcome of environmental, legal and tax contingencies or costs compared to amounts provided for such contingencies, including contingencies or costs with respect to pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners that damages our reputation or subjects us to civil or criminal liability.

•Our ability to hire, retain and develop qualified personnel.

•Adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the potential use of hedging instruments to hedge the exposure to fluctuating rates of foreign currency exchange on inventory purchases.

•Other factors described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the “Business”, “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by law.

ITEM 7    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 are not included in this Form 10-K and can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form-10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2023.

Executive Overview of the Business

Hubbell is a global manufacturer of quality electrical products and utility solutions for a broad range of customer and end market applications. We provide utility and electrical solutions that enable our customers to operate critical infrastructure reliably and efficiently, and we empower and energize communities through innovative solutions supporting energy infrastructure In Front of the Meter, on The Edge, and Behind the Meter. In Front of the Meter is where utilities transmit and distribute energy to their customers. The Edge connects utilities with owner/operators and allows energy and data to be distributed back and forth. Behind the Meter is where owners and operators of buildings, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure consume energy. Products are either sourced complete, manufactured or assembled by subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Spain, Ireland, and the Republic of the Philippines. The Company also participates in joint ventures in Hong Kong and the Republic of the Philippines, and maintains offices in Singapore, Italy, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Chile, and countries in the Middle East. The Company employed approximately 18,300 individuals worldwide as of December 31, 2023.

Our reporting segments consist of the Utility Solutions segment, that has a leading position in Front of the Meter and at The Edge and the Electrical Solutions segment that is positioned Behind the Meter. Our long-term strategy is to: Serve our customers with reliable and innovative electrical and related infrastructure solutions with desired brands and high-quality service, delivered through a competitive cost structure; complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions that enhance our product offerings; and allocate capital effectively to create shareholder value.

Our strategy to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions is focused on acquiring assets that extend our capabilities, expand our product offerings, and present opportunities to compete in core, adjacent or complementary markets. Our acquisition strategy also provides the opportunity to advance our revenue growth objectives during periods of weakness or inconsistency in our end-markets. Pursuant to that strategy, we made three acquisitions in 2023 for an aggregate purchase price, net of cash, of approximately $1.2 billion, including our mid-December acquisition of Northern Star Holdings, Inc. (commercially known as Systems Control) for approximately $1.1 billion, net of cash. For additional information regarding our acquisition, see Note 4 - Business Acquisitions and Dispositions, in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which note is incorporated herein by reference.

Our strategy to deliver products through a competitive cost structure has resulted in past and ongoing restructuring and related activities. Our restructuring and related efforts include the consolidation of manufacturing and distribution facilities, and workforce actions, as well as streamlining and consolidating our back-office functions. The primary objectives of our restructuring and related activities are to optimize our manufacturing footprint, cost structure and effectiveness, as well as the efficiency of our workforce.

Productivity improvement also continues to be a key area of focus for the Company and efforts to drive productivity complement our restructuring and related activities to minimize the impact of rising material costs and other administrative cost inflation. Because material costs are approximately two thirds of our cost of goods sold, volatility in this area can significantly impact profitability. Our goal is to have pricing and productivity programs that offset material and other inflationary cost increases as well as pay for investments in key growth areas.

Productivity programs affect virtually all functional areas within the Company by reducing or eliminating waste and improving processes. We continue to expand our efforts related to global product and component sourcing and supplier cost reduction programs. Value engineering efforts, product transfers and the use of lean process improvement techniques are expected to continue to increase manufacturing efficiency. In addition, we continue to build upon the benefits of our enterprise resource planning system across all functions.

Our sales are also subject to market conditions that may cause customer demand for our products to be volatile and unpredictable, particularly in our Electrical Solutions segment. Product demand can be affected by fluctuations in domestic and international economic conditions, as well as currency fluctuations, commodity costs, and a variety of other factors. Since early 2021, we have experienced significant inflationary pressure across much of our business. As a result, we have taken various pricing actions to cover the higher costs and to protect our profitability. Although there has been some mitigation in the rate of inflation in recent months, we expect inflation to remain a factor for the foreseeable future and we expect to continue to take these pricing actions subject to demand and market conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our margins in response to further changes in inflationary pressures. In addition, macroeconomic effects such as increases in interest rates and other measures taken by central banks and other policy makers could have a negative effect on overall economic activity which could reduce our customers’ demand for our products.

Discontinued Operations

On February 1, 2022, the Company completed the sale of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business (the "C&I Lighting business") to GE Current, a Daintree Company. The disposal of the C&I Lighting business met the criteria set forth in ASC 205-20 to be presented as a discontinued operation. The C&I Lighting businesses' results of operations and the related cash flows have been reclassified to income from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income and cash flows from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, respectively, for all periods presented. For additional information regarding this transaction and its effect on our financial reporting, see Note 2 – Discontinued Operations, in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which note is incorporated herein by reference.

Results of Operations

Our operations are classified into two reportable segments: Utility Solutions and Electrical Solutions. For a complete description of the Company’s segments, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Within these segments, Hubbell serves customers in five primary end markets: utility T&D components, utility communications and controls, non-residential, residential, and industrial. Unless specified otherwise, all comparisons of 2023 results are with 2022 results.

In 2023, Net sales increased by 8.6% or $425 million and organic Net sales(1) increased by 6.6% or $325 million on favorable price realization partially offset by modestly lower volumes, as further discussed in segment results below. Operating margin increased in 2023, by 500 basis points and adjusted operating margin(1) also increased by 510 basis points, driven by favorable price realization, improved operational productivity and lower material costs. Those increases were partially offset by continued non-material cost inflation, increased investments in capacity, innovation and productivity and lower unit volumes. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell increased by 48.6% in 2023 compared to the prior year and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 49.0%. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell(1) increased by 44.1% in 2023 compared to the prior year and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(1) increased by 44.4% in 2023.

Operating cash flow was higher in 2023 at $880.8 million as compared to $636.2 million in prior year. Free cash flow(2) was higher in 2023 at $715.1 million as compared to $506.9 million in the prior year. In 2023 we paid $245.5 million in shareholder dividends, an increase of 6.9% as compared to the prior year. We also invested $165.7 million in capacity for our customers as well as in innovation and productivity initiatives, and repurchased $30.0 million of shares in 2023.

(1) Organic Net sales, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" and "Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Adjusted Operating Measures

In the following discussion of results of operations, we refer to "adjusted" operating measures. We believe those adjusted measures, which exclude the impact of certain costs, gains and losses, may provide investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period and allow investors to understand our results of operations without regard to items that, in management's judgment, significantly affect the comparability of operating results, or we do not consider a component of our core operating performance.

Significant items impacting comparability:

Transaction, integration and separation costs

The effects that acquisitions and divestitures may have on our results fluctuate significantly based on the timing, size and number of transactions, and therefore result in significant volatility in the costs to complete transactions and integrate or separate the businesses.

The size of acquisition and divestiture actions taken by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2023 has resulted in a significant increase in these costs. As a result, we believe excluding costs relating to these fourth quarter transactions provides useful and more comparable information to investors to better assess our operating performance.

Transaction costs are primarily professional services and other fees incurred to complete the transactions. Integration and separation costs are the internal and external incremental costs directly relating to these activities for the acquired or divested business.

Pension charge

In 2022, we incurred pension settlement charges of $7.0 million that did not repeat in 2023.

Amortization of intangible assets

Adjusted operating measures also exclude non-cash amortization of all intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions, including inventory step-up amortization associated with those acquisitions. The intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions arise from the allocation of the purchase price using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, “Business Combinations.” These assets consist primarily of customer relationships, developed technology, trademarks and tradenames, and patents, as reported in Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, under the heading “Total Definite-Lived Intangibles" within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash expenses (i) enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance, (ii) facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods, and (iii) provides more relevant comparisons of our results with the results of other companies as the amortization expense associated with these assets may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing, size, nature, and number of acquisitions. Although we exclude amortization of these acquired intangible assets and inventory step-up from our non-GAAP results, we believe that it is important for investors to understand that revenue generated, in part, from such intangibles is included within revenue in determining adjusted net income from continuing operations.

Adjusted results also excluded the income tax effects of the above adjustments which are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

The Company excludes these non-core items because we believe it enhances management's and investors' ability to analyze underlying business performance and facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods. Refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented below, Note 4 – Business Acquisitions and Dispositions, and Note 12 – Retirement Benefits, for additional information.

Organic Net sales, a non-GAAP measure, represents Net sales according to U.S. GAAP, less Net sales from acquisitions and divestitures during the first twelve months of ownership or divestiture, respectively, less the effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange. The period-over-period effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange is calculated as the difference between local currency Net sales of the prior period translated at the current period exchange rate as compared to the same local currency Net sales translated at the prior period exchange rate. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends of established, ongoing operations by excluding the effect of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign currency as these activities can obscure underlying trends. When comparing Net sales growth between periods excluding the effects of acquisitions, business dispositions and currency exchange rates, those effects are different when comparing results for different periods. For example, because Net sales from acquisitions are considered inorganic from the date we complete an acquisition through the end of the first year following the acquisition, Net sales from such acquisition are reflected as organic Net sales thereafter.

There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures do not present complete financial results. We compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation between our non-GAAP financial measures and the respective most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. 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 financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or alternative measures of, reported GAAP financial results, and should be viewed in conjunction with the most comparable GAAP financial measures and the provided reconciliations thereto. We believe, however, that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed together with our GAAP results and related reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles Adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP measure, to Operating income, the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions):

The following table reconciles Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell Incorporated, Adjusted net income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, and the diluted per share amounts thereof, each a non-GAAP measure, to the directly comparable GAAP financial measures (in millions, except per share data).

(1) The income tax effects are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

2023 Compared to 2022

Net Sales

Net sales of $5,372.9 million in 2023 increased by $425.0 million, or 8.6%, compared to 2022. Organic net sales increased by 6.6%, which was composed of a high single digit percentage increase in price realization, partially offset by a low single digit percentage decrease in volumes. Net sales also increased by 1.9% from acquisitions and by 0.1% from foreign exchange.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

As a percentage of Net sales, cost of goods sold decreased by 540 basis points to 64.9% in 2023 as compared to 70.3% in 2022, resulting in a related 540 basis point increase in Gross profit margin in 2023, which increased to 35.1% as compared to 29.7% in 2022. The increase in the Gross profit margin primarily reflects approximately nine percentage points of margin expansion driven by favorable price realization, improved operational productivity and lower material costs. Operational productivity was driven by improving supply chain conditions and reduced rates of absenteeism as compared to the prior year. Those increases were offset by approximately four percentage points of margin headwind driven by continued non-material cost inflation, increased investment in capacity, innovation and productivity, as well as lower unit volumes.

Selling & Administrative Expenses

S&A expense in 2023 was $849.6 million and increased by $87.1 million compared to the prior year. S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales increased by 40 basis points to 15.8% in 2023. The increase in S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales is primarily due to the impact of higher personnel cost and other cost inflation that was partially offset by a benefit from the increase in Net sales.

Total Other Expense

Total other expense increased by $3.1 million in 2023 to $55.2 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $13.3 million reduction of income related to the C&I Lighting business disposition in 2022 that did not recur in 2023 and higher non-service pension cost recognized in 2023 as compared to 2022. Those items were partially offset by a pension settlement charge of $7.0 million recorded in 2022 that did not recur in 2023 and lower net interest expense recorded in 2023 compared to 2022.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 22.1% in 2023 as compared to 21.3% in 2022. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a favorable tax impact in 2022 from the completion of a tax audit and increased 2023 income in higher tax jurisdictions, partially offset by a higher stock based compensation tax benefit in 2023.

Net Income From Continuing Operations Attributable to Hubbell and Earnings Per Diluted Share From Continuing Operations

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $759.8 million in 2023 and increased 48.6% as compared to 2022. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $829.4 million in 2023 and increased 44.1% as compared to 2022. The increase in net income from continuing operations and adjusted net income from continuing operations is primarily the result of higher operating income, driven by higher Net sales, and operation margin expansion, partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate, all as discussed above. As a result, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2023 increased 49.0% compared to 2022. Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2023 increased 44.4% as compared to 2022.

Income From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

There was no income or loss from discontinued operations in 2023. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $34.6 million in 2022. Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes pre-tax transaction and separation costs of $8.8 million.

Segment Results

Utility Solutions

The following table reconciles our Utility Solutions segment Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales in the Utility Solutions segment in 2023 were approximately $3.3 billion, an increase of 13.6% as compared to 2022. This increase was due to a 11.7% increase in organic net sales driven by a high single digit percentage increase in price realization and a low single digit percentage increase in unit volumes. Acquisitions contributed 1.8% to Net sales growth in 2023 and foreign exchange contributed 0.1%. Volume increases were primarily driven by Communications and Controls due to improved availability of semiconductors, along with strength in utility transmission markets, partially offset by channel inventory management in distribution markets. Favorable price realization was driven by actions to offset inflation, as well as by our service levels.

Operating income in the Utility Solutions segment in 2023 increased by 61.3% to $706.6 million as compared to 2022. Operating margin in 2023 increased to 21.7% as compared to 15.3% in 2022. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and transaction, integration & separation costs, adjusted operating margin in 2023 increased by 670 basis points to 23.9% as compared to the prior year. The year-over-year increase in operating margin and adjusted operating margin were primarily driven by approximately 10 percentage points of margin expansion from favorable price realization, improved operational productivity and lower material costs. That year-over-year margin expansion includes an increase of approximately 60 basis points from a commercial resolution with a customer in the fourth quarter of 2022 that did not repeat in 2023. Those increases were partially offset by three percentage points of margin headwind due to increases in non-material cost inflation and investments in capacity, innovation and productivity.

Electrical Solutions

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2023 were $2.1 billion, an increase of $34.4 million, or 1.7% as compared to 2022. Acquisitions contributed 2.1% to the increase, partially offset by a 0.5% decrease in organic net sales in 2023 compared to the prior year, primarily driven by a mid-single digit percentage decrease in unit volumes mostly offset by a mid-single digit percentage increase in price realization. Markets for the Electrical Solutions segment were mixed, with weakness in residential markets and channel inventory management in commercial markets driving the decline in unit volumes. Industrial end markets were solid and renewables and datacenter verticals were also notably strong in 2023. Favorable price realization was driven primarily by actions to recover inflationary costs.

Operating income of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2023 was $331.9 million and increased approximately 22.5% compared to 2022, while operating margin in 2023 increased by 270 basis points as compared to the prior year to 15.7%. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and transaction, integration & separation costs, adjusted operating margin was 16.6% in 2023, which increased 250 basis points as compared to 2022. The increase in the operating margin and adjusted operating margin in 2023 was primarily due to approximately seven percentage points of margin expansion from favorable price realization, improved operational productivity and lower material and freight costs. Those increases were partially offset by approximately four percentage points of margin headwind driven by increases in non-material cost inflation, lower volumes and investments in capacity, innovation and productivity.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The current and prior period results presented below represent the results of our continuing operations and exclude the results of the C&I Lighting business which are presented within cash provided by discontinued operations. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Cash Flow

The following table reconciles our cash flows from operating activities to free cash flows for 2023 and 2022:

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure that we define as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information regarding Hubbell’s ability to generate cash without reliance on external financing. In addition, management uses free cash flow to evaluate the resources available for investments in the business, strategic acquisitions and further strengthening the balance sheet.

2023 Compared to 2022

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $880.8 million in 2023 compared to $636.2 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher net income in 2023 compared to 2022, partially offset by the timing of advance payments from customers, and an increase in employee and customer incentive payments in 2023.

Cash used in investing activities was $1,380.2 million in 2023 compared to cash provided of $18.1 million in 2022. That change was driven by an increase in cash used for acquisitions of $1,034.6 million, net proceeds of $332.8 million in 2022 from the disposition of C&I Lighting business, and a $36.4 million increase in capital expenditures in 2023 for capital investments to expand capacity, optimize footprint, and implement automation and productivity initiatives.

Cash provided by financing activities was $388.5 million in 2023 as compared to cash used of $437.1 million in 2022. The change in cash flows from financing activities primarily reflects an increase in net borrowing of $702.6 million, primarily due to $600 million of indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) and a $100 million increase in commercial paper borrowing in 2023 to finance the acquisition of Systems Control. The increase in cash provided also reflects lower share repurchases in 2023 compared to 2022.

The favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates on cash was $6.9 million in 2023 as compared to an unfavorable effect of $8.8 million in 2022. The favorable impact in 2023 was primarily related to a stronger Mexican Peso, British Pound and Canadian Dollar compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Investments in the Business

Investments in our business include cash outlays for the acquisitions of businesses as well as expenditures to maintain the operation of our equipment and facilities and invest in restructuring activities.

In December 2023, the Company acquired Northern Star Holdings, Inc., ("Systems Control") for approximately $1.1 billion, net of cash acquired, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Systems Control is a manufacturer of substation control and relay panels, as well as turnkey substation control building solutions. This business is reported in the Utility Solutions segment and enhances Hubbell Utility Solutions' industry-leading franchise across utility components, communications and controls.

In October 2023, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Indústria Eletromecânica Balestro Ltda. ("Balestro") for a cash purchase price of approximately $88 million, net of cash acquired, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Balestro is a company headquartered in Mogi Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil, and is recognized for designing, manufacturing, and delivering top quality products for the electrical utility industry in Brazil and other countries in Latin America, as well as other parts of the world. This business is reported in the Utility Solutions segment.

In May 2023, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of El Electronics LLC ("EIG") for a cash purchase price of approximately $60 million, net of cash acquired, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. EIG offers fully integrated energy management and power quality monitoring solutions for the electric utility and commercial and industrial markets. This business is reported in the Utility Solutions segment.

For more information, refer to Note 4 - Business Acquisition in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

During 2023, we invested $165.7 million in capital expenditures, an increase of $36.4 million as compared to 2022, as we increased capital investments to expand capacity, optimize footprint and implement automation and productivity initiatives.

We continue to invest in restructuring and related programs to maintain a competitive cost structure, to drive operational efficiencies and to mitigate the impact of rising material costs and administrative cost inflation. We expect our investment in restructuring and related activities to continue in 2024 as we continue to invest in previously initiated actions and initiate further footprint consolidation and other cost reduction initiatives.

In connection with our restructuring and related actions, we have incurred restructuring costs as defined by U.S. GAAP, which are primarily severance and employee benefits, asset impairments, and accelerated depreciation, as well as facility closure, contract termination and certain pension costs that are directly related to restructuring actions. We also incurred restructuring-related costs, which are costs associated with our business transformation initiatives, including the consolidation of back-office functions and streamlining of our processes, and certain other costs and gains associated with restructuring actions. We refer to these costs on a combined basis as "restructuring and related costs", which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe this non-GAAP measure provides investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period. Restructuring costs are predominantly settled in cash from our operating activities and are generally settled within one year, with the exception of asset impairments, which are non-cash.

The table below presents the restructuring and related costs incurred in 2023, additional expected costs, and the expected completion date of restructuring actions that had been initiated as of December 31, 2023 and in prior years (in millions):

Stock Repurchase Program

We currently have total authorization to repurchase up to $300 million of shares of our common stock. On October 21, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program (the "October 2022 program") that authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of common stock, which expires in October 2025. On October 23, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (the "October 2020 program") that authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of common stock, which expired in October 2023. There have been no repurchases under the October 2022 program. At December 31, 2023, our remaining share repurchase authorization under the October 2022 program was $300 million. The Company repurchased $30.0 million and $182.0 million of shares of Common Stock in 2023 and 2022, respectively, under the October 2020 program. Subject to numerous factors, including market conditions and alternative uses of cash, we may conduct discretionary repurchases through open market or privately negotiated transactions, which may include repurchases under plans complying with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Debt to Capital

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $2,023.2 million and $1,437.9 million, respectively, of long-term debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs, with the increase resulting primarily from the financing, described below, for the Systems Control acquisition. At December 31, 2023 the Company had $15.0 million of maturities due within the next 12 months related to the Term Loan Agreement, which were classified within short term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2022, the Company had no long-term debt with maturities due within the next 12 months.

Term Loan Agreement

In December 2023, the Company entered into a new Term Loan Agreement (the "Term Loan Agreement") with a syndicate of lenders under which the Company borrowed $600 million on an unsecured basis to partially finance the Systems Control Acquisition, which was completed on December 12, 2023. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest generally at either the adjusted term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin (determined by a ratings based grid) or the alternative base rate. Currently, the loans bear interest based on the adjusted term SOFR rate. The principal amount of borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement amortize in equal quarterly installments of 2.5% in year one, 2.5% in year two, 5% in year three, with the remaining borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement due and payable in full at maturity in December 2026. The Company may make principal payments in excess of the amortization schedule at its discretion. The sole financial covenant in the Term Loan Agreement requires that total debt not exceed 65% of total capitalization as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Company. The Company was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2023.

Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility

The Company, as borrower, and its subsidiaries Hubbell Power Holdings S.à r.l. and Harvey Hubbell Holdings S.à r.l., each as a subsidiary borrower (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”) are parties to a five-year credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, that provides a $750 million committed revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility"), which matures on March 12, 2026. Commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.25 billion. The 2021 Credit Facility includes a $50 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit. The sum of the dollar amount of loans and letters of credit to the Subsidiary Borrowers under the 2021 Credit Facility may not exceed $75 million. There were no borrowings outstanding under the 2021 Credit Facility at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility is (i) either the alternate base rate (as defined in the 2021 Credit Facility) or (ii) the adjusted SOFR rate plus an applicable margin (determined by a ratings based grid).

The 2021 Credit Facility contains a sole financial covenant requiring that, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization shall not be greater than 65%. The Company was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2023.

Unsecured Senior Notes

At each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had outstanding unsecured, senior notes in principal amounts of $400 million due in 2026, $300 million due in 2027, $450 million due in 2028 and $300 million due in 2031 (the "Notes"). In the first quarter of 2021, net proceeds from the senior notes due 2031 were used, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full all $300 million outstanding principal amount of the Company's outstanding senior notes due in 2022 (the "2022 Notes"). The redemption of the 2022 Notes resulted in a $16.8 million loss on extinguishment that was recognized in the second quarter of 2021.

The carrying value of the Notes, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs, was $1,440.3 million and $1,437.9 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The Notes are callable at any time at specified prices and are only subject to accelerated payment prior to maturity upon customary events of default, or upon a change in control triggering event as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, as supplemented. The Company was in compliance with all covenants (none of which is financial) as of December 31, 2023.

Short-term Debt

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $117.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of short-term debt outstanding composed of:

◦There was $100.0 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2023, which were used to partially fund the Systems Control Acquisition. There was no commercial paper outstanding as of December 31, 2022.

◦$15 million of long-term debt was classified as short-term within current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, reflecting maturities within the next 12 months relating to borrowing under the Term Loan Agreement at December 31, 2023.

◦The Company had $2.4 million and $4.7 million short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which consisted of borrowings to support our international operations in China and amounts outstanding under our commercial card program.

Net debt, defined as total debt less cash and investments, is a non-GAAP measure that may not be comparable to definitions used by other companies. We consider net debt to be a useful measure of our financial leverage for evaluating the Company’s ability to meet its funding needs.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of net debt at December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Liquidity

We measure liquidity on the basis of our ability to meet short-term and long-term operational funding needs, to fund additional investments, including acquisitions, and to make dividend payments to shareholders. Significant factors affecting the management of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities, capital expenditures, cash dividend payments, stock repurchases, access to bank lines of credit and our ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms.

In 2023, we returned capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. These activities were funded primarily with cash flows from operations.

◦In 2023, cash used for share repurchases was $30.0 million.

◦Dividends paid on our Common Stock in 2023 were $245.5 million.

We also require cash outlays to fund our operations, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements to accommodate anticipated levels of business activity, as well as our rate of cash dividends and potential future acquisitions. We have contractual obligations for long-term debt, operating leases, purchase obligations, and certain other long-term liabilities, including defined benefit retirement obligations and other benefits. Refer to Note 13 - Debt and Note 24 - Leases in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on anticipated cash outflows. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), we also have an obligation to fund, by annual installments through 2025, the Company's liability for the transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings. Contractual purchase obligations are approximately $490 million in 2024. Contractual purchase obligations beyond 2024 are not significant.

Our purchase obligations include amounts committed under legally enforceable contracts or purchase orders for goods and services with defined terms as to price, quantity, delivery and termination liability. These obligations primarily consist of inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational requirements and commitments for equipment purchases. As of December 31, 2023, we have $47.0 million of uncertain tax positions reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate regarding the timing of settlement of these uncertain tax positions and, as a result, they have been excluded from the disclosure. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our sources of funds and available resources to meet these funding needs are as follows:

◦Cash flows from operating activities and existing cash resources: In addition to our cash flows from operating activities, we also had $336.1 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2023, of which approximately 16% was held inside the United States and the remainder held internationally.

◦Our 2021 Credit Facility provides a $750.0 million committed revolving credit facility and commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased (subject to certain conditions) to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.250 billion. Annual commitment fees to support availability under the 2021 Credit Facility are not material. Although not the principal source of liquidity, we believe our 2021 Credit Facility is capable of providing significant financing flexibility at reasonable rates of interest and is an attractive alternative source of funding in the event that commercial paper markets experience disruption. However, an increase in usage of the 2021 Credit Facility related to growth or a significant deterioration in the results of our operations or cash flows could cause our borrowing costs to increase and/or our ability to borrow could be restricted. We have not entered into any guarantees that could give rise to material unexpected cash requirements. The full $750.0 million of borrowing capacity under the 2021 Credit Facility was available to the Company at December 31, 2023.

◦In addition to our commercial paper program and existing revolving credit facility, we also have the ability to obtain additional financing through the issuance of long-term debt. Considering our current credit rating, historical earnings performance, and financial position, we believe that we would be able to obtain additional long-term debt financing on attractive terms.

◦The Company also maintains other lines of credit that are primarily used to support the issuance of letters of credit. Interest rates and other terms of borrowing under these lines of credit vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, total availability under these lines was $55.9 million and $55.8 million, respectively, of which $23.4 million and $31.7 million was utilized to support letters of credit and the remaining amount was unused. The annual commitment fees associated with these lines of credit are not material.

Pension Funding Status

We have a number of funded and unfunded non-contributory U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension plans. Benefits under these plans are generally provided based on either years of service and final average pay or a specified dollar amount per year of service. The funded status of our qualified, defined benefit pension plans is dependent upon many factors including future returns on invested pension assets, the level of market interest rates, employee earnings and employee demographics.

In 2022, the Company recognized a settlement loss within continuing operations relating to retirees that elected to receive lump-sum distributions from the Company's defined benefit pension plans of $7.0 million. This charge was the result of lump-sum payments which exceeded the threshold for settlement accounting under U.S. GAAP in such year.

Changes in the value of the defined benefit plan assets and liabilities will affect the amount of pension expense ultimately recognized. Although differences between actuarial assumptions and actual results are no longer deferred for balance sheet purposes, deferral is still permitted for pension expense purposes. Unrecognized gains and losses in excess of an annual calculated minimum amount (the greater of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or 10% of the market value of assets) have been amortized and recognized in net periodic pension cost. Effective January 1, 2020, the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses of all of the Company's qualified defined benefit pension plans is recognized over the remaining life expectancy of participants, as all participants are considered inactive as a result of plan amendments. During 2023 and 2022, we recorded $10.4 million and $10.8 million, respectively, of pension expense related to the amortization of these unrecognized losses.

In 2023 and 2022, we contributed $20.0 million and $12.5 million, respectively, to our qualified foreign and domestic defined benefit pension plans. These contributions have improved the funded status of those plans. Although not required by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, the Company may elect to make a voluntary contribution to its qualified domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2024. The anticipated level of pension funding in 2024 is not expected to have a significant impact on our overall liquidity.

Assumptions

The following assumptions were used to determine projected pension and other benefit obligations at the measurement date and the net periodic benefit costs for the year:

At the end of each year, we estimate the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets based on the strategic asset allocation for our plans. In making this determination, we utilize expected rates of return for each asset class based upon current market conditions and expected risk premiums for each asset class. A one percentage point change in the expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets would have an impact of approximately $4.4 million on 2024 pretax pension expense. The expected long-term rate of return is applied to the fair market value of pension fund assets to produce the expected return on fund assets that is included in pension expense.

The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets was recognized at December 31, 2023 for balance sheet purposes, but continues to be deferred for expense purposes. The net deferral of past asset gains (losses) ultimately affects future pension expense through the amortization of gains (losses) with an offsetting adjustment to Hubbell shareholders’ equity through Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

At the end of each year, we determine the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities. For our U.S. and Canadian pension plans, this discount rate is determined by matching the expected cash flows associated with our benefit obligations to the expected cash flows of a hypothetical portfolio of high quality, fixed income debt instruments with maturities that closely match the expected funding period of our pension liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, we used a discount rate of 5.20% for our U.S. pension plans compared to a discount rate of 5.50% used in 2022. For our Canadian pension plan, we used a discount rate of 4.61% in 2023, compared to a 5.01% discount rate used in 2022.

For our UK pension plan the discount rate was derived using a full yield curve and uses plan specific cash flows. The derived discount rate is the single discount rate equivalent to discounting these liability cash flows at the term-dependent spot rates of AA corporate bonds. This methodology resulted in a December 31, 2023 discount rate for the UK pension plan of 4.80% as compared to a discount rate of 5.00% used in 2022.

A decrease of one percentage point in the discount rate would increase our 2024 pretax pension expense by approximately $0.2 million. A discount rate increase of one percentage point would decrease our 2024 pretax pension expense by $0.4 million.

In 2022 and 2023 we used the Pri-2012 mortality table and adopted the MP-2021 projection scale to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities. The Pri-2012 mortality table with adjustment for collar as appropriate and generational projection from 2012 using Scale MP-2021 was chosen as the best estimate based on the observed and anticipated experience of the plans after considering alternative tables.

Other Post-Employment Benefits (“OPEB”)

The Company also has a number of health care and life insurance benefit plans covering eligible employees who reached retirement age while working for the Company. These benefits have been discontinued for substantially all future retirees. These plans are not funded and, therefore, no assumed rate of return on assets is required. We use a similar methodology to derive the discount rate for our post employment benefit plan obligations that we use for our pension plans. As of December 31, 2023, the Company used a discount rate of 5.20% to determine the projected benefit obligation compared to a discount rate of 5.50% used in 2022.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for retirement benefits, we recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss, within Hubbell shareholders’ equity, a benefit, net of tax, of $4.7 million in 2023 and $5.5 million in 2022, respectively, related to the annual remeasurement of the OPEB plans and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements are defined as any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity that is not included in our consolidated results is a party, under which we, whether or not a party to the arrangement, have, or in the future may have: (1) an obligation under a direct or indirect guarantee or similar arrangement, (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets, (3) an obligation or liability, including a contingent obligation or liability, under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, except that it is excluded from the scope of FASB ASC Topic 815, or (4) an obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that is held by, and material to, the Company, where such entity provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with, the Company.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined above which have or are likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

We are required to make assumptions and estimates and apply judgments in the preparation of our financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors deemed relevant by management, such as projections of future performance. We continually review these estimates and their underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate for the circumstances. Changes in estimates and assumptions used by us could have a material impact on our financial results, and actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. We believe that the following estimates are among the most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These items utilize assumptions and estimates about the effect of future events that are inherently uncertain and are based on our judgment.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations identified under the terms of contracts with its customers are satisfied, which generally occurs, for products, upon the transfer of control in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the sale. The majority of the Company’s revenue associated with products is recognized at a point in time when the product is shipped to the customer, with a relatively small amount of transactions in the Utility Solutions segment recognized upon delivery of the product at the contractually specified destination.

The Company also has performance obligations, primarily within the Utility Solutions segment, that are recognized over time due to the customized nature of the product and the Company's enforceable right to receive payment for work performed to date in the event of a cancellation. The Company uses an input measure to determine the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation, which the Company believes best depicts the transfer of control to the customer. Under this method, revenue recognition is based upon the ratio of costs incurred to date compared with estimated total costs to complete.

Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is approximately two percent of total annual consolidated net revenue and those service contracts and post-shipment obligations are primarily within the Utility Solutions segment. Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is recognized when or as those obligations are satisfied. The Company primarily offers assurance-type standard warranties that do not represent separate performance obligations and on occasion will separately offer and price extended warranties that are separate performance obligations for which the associated revenue is recognized over-time based on the extended warranty period. The Company records amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling costs within revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of goods sold. Sales taxes and other usage-based taxes are excluded from revenue.

Within the Electrical Solutions segment, certain businesses require a portion of the transaction price to be paid in advance of transfer of control. Advance payments are not considered a significant financing component as they are received less than one year before the related performance obligations are satisfied. In addition, in the Utility Solutions segment, certain businesses offer annual maintenance service contracts that require payment at the beginning of the contract period. These payments are treated as a contract liability and are classified in Other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Once control transfers to the customer and the Company meets the revenue recognition criteria, the deferred revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The deferred revenue relating to the annual maintenance service contracts is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight line basis over the expected term of the contract.

The Company has certain arrangements that require us to estimate at the time of sale the amounts of variable consideration that should not be recorded as revenue as certain amounts are not expected to be collected from customers, as well as an estimate of the value of the product to be returned. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific customer agreements and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of shipment and to reduce the transaction price. These arrangements include sales discounts and allowances based on sales volumes, specific programs and special pricing allowances, and returned goods, as are customary in the electrical products industry. Customer returns have historically been approximately one percent of gross sales.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Approximately 45% of total net inventory value is determined utilizing the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting. The cost of foreign inventories and certain domestic inventories is determined utilizing average cost or first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods of inventory accounting. We routinely evaluate the carrying value of our inventories to ensure they are carried at the lower of LIFO or FIFO cost or market value. Such evaluation is based on our judgment and use of estimates, including sales forecasts, gross margins for particular product groupings, planned dispositions of product lines, technological events and overall industry trends. In addition, the evaluation is based on changes in inventory management practices which may influence the timing of exiting products and method of disposing of excess inventory.

Excess inventory is generally identified by comparing future expected inventory usage to actual on-hand quantities. Inventory values are reduced for on-hand inventory in excess of pre-defined usage forecasts. Forecast usage is primarily determined by projecting historical (actual) sales and inventory usage levels forward to future periods. Changes in these estimates may necessitate future adjustments to inventory values.

Employee Benefits Costs and Funding

We sponsor domestic and foreign defined benefit pension, defined contribution and other postretirement plans. Significant assumptions used in the accounting for these employee benefit plans include the discount rate, expected return on the pension fund assets, rate of increase in employee compensation levels and health care cost increase projections. These assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators, and are evaluated each year as of the plans’ measurement dates. Further discussion of the assumptions used in 2023 and 2022 are included above under “Pension Funding Status” and in Note 12 — Retirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Additionally, deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets are the forecast of future taxable income, available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets, and future reversals of deferred tax liabilities. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income can affect the ultimate realization of net deferred tax assets.

We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in these jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities routinely review our tax returns. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company records uncertain tax positions when it has determined that it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The Company uses the criteria established in the accounting guidance to determine whether an item meets the definition of more-likely-than-not. The Company’s policy is to recognize these uncertain tax positions when the more-likely-than-not threshold is met, when the statute of limitations has expired or upon settlement. In management’s opinion, adequate provision has been made for potential adjustments arising from any examinations. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill, and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our long-lived assets include land, buildings, equipment, molds and dies, software, goodwill and other intangible assets. Long-lived assets, other than land, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill represents purchase price in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets primarily consist of patents, tradenames, developed technology and customer related intangibles.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessment. We perform our annual goodwill impairment testing as of April 1st of each year. The accounting guidance provides entities an option of performing a qualitative assessment (the "Step-zero" test) before performing a quantitative analysis. If the entity determines, on the basis of certain qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the goodwill is not impaired, the entity would not need to proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process as prescribed in the guidance. If the Company does not elect to complete the qualitative assessment, the Company completes the quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of April 1, 2023. For each of the Company's four reporting units, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process, as permitted in the accounting guidance, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying values. As of April 1, 2023, the impairment testing resulted in implied fair values for each reporting unit that exceeded such reporting unit’s carrying value, by at least 47%, including goodwill. The Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions. The Company uses internal discounted cash flow models to estimate fair value. These cash flow estimates are derived from historical experience, third-party end market data, and future long-term business plans and include assumptions of future sales growth, gross margin, operating margin, terminal growth rate, and the application of an appropriate discount rate. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. We corroborate the values determined from our discounted cash flow models by reconciling the sum of the estimated fair values of each reporting unit to our market capitalization at the testing date, including consideration of a control premium. We have not recorded any goodwill impairments since the initial adoption of the accounting guidance in 2002.

The identification and measurement of impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets involves either an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired or a quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value. If it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangibles will be determined using discounted cash flow estimates. If the carrying value of these assets exceeds the estimated fair value, the carrying value will be reduced to the estimated fair value. For the Company’s annual impairment test as of April 1, 2023, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative impairment testing process as permitted in the accounting guidance. The estimated fair value was determined utilizing an income approach (relief from royalty method). Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets including assumptions for future revenues, discount rates, royalty rates, and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the determination of fair value and/or impairment for each indefinite-lived intangible asset. As of April 1, 2023, the impairment testing resulted in estimated fair values for each indefinite-lived intangible asset that significantly exceeded the carrying values and there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets at risk of failing the quantitative impairment test. We did not record any impairments related to indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2023, 2022, or 2021.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, contain “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements about our expectations regarding our financial results, condition and outlook, anticipated end markets, expected capital resources, liquidity, financial performance, pension funding, and results of operations and are based on our reasonable current expectations. In addition, all statements regarding the expected financial impact of the integration of acquisitions and completion of certain divestitures, including any pro-forma projections related thereto, as well as other statements that are not strictly historic in nature are forward looking. In addition, all statements regarding anticipated growth, changes in operating results, market conditions and economic conditions, adoption of updated accounting standards and any expected effects of such adoption, restructuring plans and expected associated costs and benefits, intent to continue repurchasing shares of common stock, changes in operating results, and anticipated market conditions and productivity initiatives are also forward looking. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words, such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “depend”, “should”, “plan”, “estimated”, “predict”, “could”, “may”, “subject to”, “continues”, “growing”, “prospective”, “forecast”, “projected”, “purport”, “might”, “if”, “contemplate”, “potential”, “pending,” “target”, “goals”, “scheduled”, "will", “will likely be”, and similar words and phrases. Discussions of strategies, plans or intentions often contain forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause our actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

•The general impact of inflation on our business, including the impact on raw materials costs, elevated interest rates and increased energy costs and our ability to implement and maintain pricing actions that we have taken to cover higher costs and protect our margin profile.

•Economic and business conditions in particular industries, markets or geographic regions, as well the potential for continued inflation, a significant economic slowdown, stagflation or recession.

•Effects of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and the potential use of hedging instruments to hedge the exposure to fluctuating rates of foreign currency exchange on inventory purchases.

•Supply chain disruptions and availability, costs and quantity of raw materials, purchased components, energy and freight.

•Changes in demand for our products, market conditions, product quality, or product availability adversely affecting sales levels.

•Ability to effectively develop and introduce new products.

•Changes in markets or competition adversely affecting realization of price increases.

•Continued softness in the residential market.

•Failure to achieve projected levels of efficiencies, and maintain cost savings and cost reduction measures, including those expected as a result of our lean initiatives and strategic sourcing plans.

•Impacts of trade tariffs, import quotas or other trade restrictions or measures taken by the United States, United Kingdom and other countries, including the recent and potential changes in U.S. trade policies.

•Failure to comply with import and export laws.

•Changes relating to impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets.

•Inability to access capital markets or failure to maintain our credit ratings.

•Changes in expected or future levels of operating cash flow, indebtedness and capital spending.

•Regulatory issues, changes in tax laws including multijurisdictional implementation of the OECD's comprehensive base erosion and profit shifting plan, or changes in geographic profit mix affecting tax rates and availability of tax incentives.

•A major disruption in one or more of our manufacturing or distribution facilities or headquarters, including the impact of plant consolidations and relocations.

•Changes in our relationships with, or the financial condition or performance of, key distributors and other customers, agents or business partners which could adversely affect our results of operations.

•Impact of productivity improvements on lead times, quality and delivery of product.

•Anticipated future contributions and assumptions including increases in interest rates and changes in plan assets with respect to pensions and other retirement benefits, as well as pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Adjustments to product warranty accruals in response to claims incurred, historical experiences and known costs.

•Unexpected costs or charges, certain of which might be outside of our control.

•Changes in strategy due to economic conditions or other conditions outside of our control affecting anticipated future global product sourcing levels.

•Ability to carry out future acquisitions and strategic investments in our core businesses as well as the acquisition related costs.

•Ability to successfully manage and integrate key acquisitions, mergers, and other transactions, such as the recent acquisitions of El Electronics LLC, Indústria Electromecânica Balestro Ltda., and the Systems Control business, as well as the failure to realize expected synergies and benefits anticipated when we make an acquisition due to potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships resulting from completion of the transaction, competitive responses to the transaction, the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the company, diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities, and litigation relating to the transaction.

•The impact of certain divestitures, including the benefits and costs of the proposed sale of our residential lighting business.

•The ability to effectively implement Enterprise Resource Planning systems without disrupting operational and financial processes.

•The ability of government customers to meet their financial obligations.

•Political unrest and military actions in foreign countries, including the wars in Ukraine and Israel and trade tensions with China, as well as the impact on world markets and energy supplies and prices resulting therefrom.

•The impact of potential natural disasters or additional public health emergencies on our financial condition and results of operations.

•Failure of information technology systems, cybersecurity breaches, cyber threats, malware, phishing attacks, break-ins and similar events resulting in unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or disruptions or damage to information technology systems that could cause interruptions to our operations or adversely affect our internal control over financial reporting.

•Incurring significant and/or unexpected costs to avoid manage, defend and litigate intellectual property matters.

•Future repurchases of common stock under our common stock repurchase program.

•Changes in accounting principles, interpretations, or estimates.

•Failure to comply with any laws and regulations, including those related to data privacy and information security, environmental and conflict-free minerals.

•The outcome of environmental, legal and tax contingencies or costs compared to amounts provided for such contingencies, including contingencies or costs with respect to pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners that damages our reputation or subjects us to civil or criminal liability.

•Our ability to hire, retain and develop qualified personnel.

•Adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the potential use of hedging instruments to hedge the exposure to fluctuating rates of foreign currency exchange on inventory purchases.

•Other factors described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the “Business”, “Risk Factors”, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by law.

ITEM 7    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 are not included in this Form 10-K and can be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form-10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2022.

Executive Overview of the Business

Hubbell is a global manufacturer of quality electrical products and utility solutions for a broad range of customer and end market applications. We provide utility and electrical solutions that enable our customers to operate critical infrastructure reliably and efficiently, and we empower and energize communities through innovative solutions supporting energy infrastructure In Front of the Meter, on The Edge, and Behind the Meter. In Front of the Meter is where utilities transmit and distribute energy to their customers. The Edge connects utilities with owner/operators and allows energy and data to be distributed back and forth. Behind the Meter is where owners and operators of buildings, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure consume energy. Products are either sourced complete, manufactured or assembled by subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Ireland. The Company also participates in joint ventures in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and maintains offices in Singapore, Italy, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Chile, and countries in the Middle East. The Company employed approximately 16,300 individuals worldwide as of December 31, 2022.

Our reporting segments consist of the Utility Solutions segment, that has leading position in Front of the Meter and at The Edge and the Electrical Solutions segment that is positioned Behind the Meter.

Our long-term strategy is to serve our customers with reliable and innovative electrical and related infrastructure solutions with desired brands and high-quality service, delivered through a competitive cost structure; to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions that enhance its product offerings; and to allocate capital effectively to create shareholder value.

Our strategy to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions is focused on acquiring assets that extend our capabilities, expand our product offerings, and present opportunities to compete in core, adjacent or complementary markets. Our acquisition strategy also provides the opportunity to advance our revenue growth objectives during periods of weakness or inconsistency in our end-markets.

Our strategy to deliver products through a competitive cost structure has resulted in past and ongoing restructuring and related activities. Our restructuring and related efforts include the consolidation of manufacturing and distribution facilities, and workforce actions, as well as streamlining and consolidating our back-office functions. The primary objectives of our restructuring and related activities are to optimize our manufacturing footprint, cost structure, effectiveness and efficiency of our workforce.

Productivity improvement also continues to be a key area of focus for the Company and efforts to drive productivity complement our restructuring and related activities to minimize the impact of rising material costs and other administrative cost inflation. Because material costs are approximately two thirds of our cost of goods sold, volatility in this area can significantly impact profitability. Our goal is to have pricing and productivity programs that offset material and other inflationary cost increases as well as pay for investments in key growth areas.

Productivity programs affect virtually all functional areas within the Company by reducing or eliminating waste and improving processes. We continue to expand our efforts related to global product and component sourcing and supplier cost reduction programs. Value engineering efforts, product transfers and the use of lean process improvement techniques are expected to continue to increase manufacturing efficiency. In addition, we continue to build upon the benefits of our enterprise resource planning system across all functions.

Our sales are also subject to market conditions that may cause customer demand for our products to be volatile and unpredictable, particularly in our Electrical Solutions segment. Product demand can be affected by fluctuations in domestic and international economic conditions, as well as currency fluctuations, commodity costs, and a variety of other factors. We have recently experienced significant inflationary pressure across much of our business. We have had to take various pricing actions to cover the higher costs and protect our margin profile. Because we expect inflation to remain a factor for the foreseeable future, we expect to continue these pricing actions subject, however, to demand and market conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our margins in response to the continuation or worsening of inflationary pressures. In addition, macroeconomic effects such as increases in interest rates and other measures taken by central banks and other policy makers could have a negative effect on overall economic activity that could reduce our customers’ demand for our products.

Discontinued Operations

On February 1, 2022, the Company completed the sale of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business (the "C&I Lighting business") to GE Current, a Daintree Company. The disposal of the C&I Lighting business met the criteria set forth in ASC 205-20 to be presented as a discontinued operation. The C&I Lighting businesses' results of operations and the related cash flows have been reclassified to income from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income and cash flows from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, respectively, for all periods presented. For additional information regarding this transaction and its effect on our financial reporting, see Note 2 – Discontinued Operations, in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which note is incorporated herein by reference.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Notwithstanding a general improvement in conditions and reduction of adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic that began in the first quarter of 2020, as of December 31, 2022 there continues to be significant uncertainty around the scope, severity, and duration of the pandemic, as well as the breadth and duration of business disruptions related to it and the overall impact on the U.S., global economies, and our operating results in future periods.

Additionally, as economies have re-opened, global supply chains have struggled to keep up with increasing demand, and the resulting supply chain disruptions have, in certain cases, affected our ability to ship finished products in a timely manner. These supply chain disruptions and the increase in demand have also led to increased freight, labor and commodity costs, which are expected to persist into 2023.

Results of Operations

Our operations are classified into two reportable segments: Utility Solutions and Electrical Solutions. For a complete description of the Company’s segments, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Within these segments, Hubbell serves customers in five primary end markets: utility T&D components, utility communications and controls, non-residential, residential, and industrial.

In 2022, Net sales increased by 18.0% or $754 million and organic Net sales(1) increased by 17.5% or $732 million on favorable price realization along with higher volumes, as further discussed in segment results below. Operating margin increased in 2022, by 160 basis points and adjusted operating margin(1) increased by 140 basis points, driven by price realization that exceeded material cost inflation, higher unit volume and savings from our restructuring and related actions, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary cost increases in excess of productivity and increased investment in our business. Net income from Continuing Operations attributable to Hubbell increased by 40.1% in 2022 compared to the prior year and diluted earnings per share from Continuing Operations increased by 41.6%. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell(1) increased by 30.3% in 2022 compared to the prior year and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(1) increased by 31.9% in 2022.

Free cash flow(2) was higher in 2022 at $506.9 million as compared to $423.5 million in the prior year. In 2022 we paid $229.6 million in shareholder dividends, an increase of 5.9% as compared to the prior year, while also repurchasing $182 million of shares in 2022.

(1) Organic Net sales, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" and "Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Adjusted Operating Measures

In the following discussion of results of operations, we refer to "adjusted" operating measures. We believe those adjusted measures, which exclude the impact of certain costs, gains and losses, may provide investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period and allow investors to understand our results of operations without regard to items we do not consider a component of our core operating performance.

Adjusted operating measures exclude amortization of all intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions, including inventory step-up amortization associated with those acquisitions. The intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions arise from the allocation of the purchase price using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, “Business Combinations.” These assets consist primarily of customer relationships, developed technology, trademarks and tradenames, and patents, as reported in Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, under the heading “Total Definite-Lived Intangibles" within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash expenses (i) enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance, (ii) facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods, and (iii) provides more relevant comparisons of our results with the results of other companies as the amortization expense associated with these assets may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing, size, nature, and number of acquisitions. Although we exclude amortization of these acquired intangible assets and inventory step-up from our non-GAAP results, we believe that it is important for investors to understand that revenue generated, in part, from such intangibles is included within revenue in determining adjusted net income from continuing operations.

Adjusted operating measures also exclude the following:

•2022 - Pension settlement charges of $7.0 million.

•2021 - A $16.8 million pre-tax loss on the early extinguishment of long-term debt from the redemption of all of the Company's outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $300 million and a $6.9 million loss on the disposal of a business.

•Income tax effects of the above adjustments which are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

These items are reported in Total other expense (below Operating income) in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company excludes these non-core items because we believe it enhances management's and investors' ability to analyze underlying business performance and facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods. Refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented below, Note 4 – Business Acquisitions and Dispositions, Note 12 – Retirement Benefits, and Note 13 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information.

Organic Net sales, a non-GAAP measure, represents Net sales according to U.S. GAAP, less Net sales from acquisitions and divestitures during the first twelve months of ownership or divestiture, respectively, less the effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange. The period-over-period effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange is calculated as the difference between local currency Net sales of the prior period translated at the current period exchange rate as compared to the same local currency Net sales translated at the prior period exchange rate. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends of established, ongoing operations by excluding the effect of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign currency as these activities can obscure underlying trends. When comparing Net sales growth between periods excluding the effects of acquisitions, business dispositions and currency exchange rates, those effects are different when comparing results for different periods. For example, because Net sales from acquisitions are considered inorganic from the date we complete an acquisition through the end of the first year following the acquisition, Net sales from such acquisition are reflected as organic Net sales thereafter.

There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures do not present complete financial results. We compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation between our non-GAAP financial measures and the respective most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. 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 financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or alternative measures of, reported GAAP financial results, and should be viewed in conjunction with the most comparable GAAP financial measures and the provided reconciliations thereto. We believe, however, that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed together with our GAAP results and related reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles our adjusted financial measures to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions, except per share amounts):

(1) The income tax effects are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted.

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

2022 Compared to 2021

Net Sales

Net sales of $4,947.9 million in 2022 increased by $753.8 million, or 18.0%, compared to 2021 driven by Organic net sales growth of 17.5% due to favorable price realization along with higher unit volume. Net sales also increased by 1.0% from acquisitions, partially offset by 0.4% from foreign exchange.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold was 70.3% of Net sales in 2022 as compared to 72.5% in 2021. The decrease was primarily driven by favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary cost increases in excess of productivity and higher investments in our business.

Gross Profit

The gross profit margin in 2022 was 29.7% of Net sales as compared to 27.5% in 2021. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, the adjusted gross profit margin was 30.4% in 2022 as compared to 28.1% in 2021. The increase in gross profit and adjusted gross profit margin was primarily driven by favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary cost increases in excess of productivity and higher investments in our business.

Selling & Administrative Expenses

S&A expense in 2022 was $762.5 million and increased by $143.3 million compared to the prior year period. S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales increased by 60 basis points to 15.4% in 2022. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, adjusted S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales increased by 80 basis points to 14.4% in 2022. The increase in S&A expense and adjusted S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales is primarily due to the impact of higher personnel cost and other cost inflation that was partially offset by a benefit from an increase in Net sales volume.

Operating Income

Operating income in 2022 was $709.1 million, an increase of 33.2% compared to 2021, and operating margin increased by 160 basis points to 14.3%. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, adjusted operating income increased by 29.1% in 2022 to $787.7 million and adjusted operating margin increased by 140 basis points to 15.9% in 2022. The increase in operating margin and adjusted operating margin is primarily due to favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary cost increases in excess of productivity and higher investments in our business.

Total Other Expense

Total other expense decreased by $20.9 million in 2022 to $52.1 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $16.8 million pre-tax loss on the early extinguishment of long-term debt recognized in the second quarter of 2021 from the redemption of the Company's $300 million long-term notes, which were scheduled to mature in 2022, and by a $5.1 million reduction in interest expense.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 21.3% in 2022 as compared to 19.2% in 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to favorable tax effects from stock-based compensation in 2021 that were higher as compared to 2022, as well as increased earnings in higher taxed jurisdictions in 2022.

Net Income From Continuing Operations Attributable to Hubbell and Earnings Per Diluted Share From Continuing Operations

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $511.3 million in 2022 and increased 40.1% as compared to 2021. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $575.5 million in 2022 and increased 30.3% as compared to 2021. The increase in net income from continuing operations and adjusted net income from continuing operations is primarily the result of higher operating income, driven by higher Net sales, and operation margin expansion, partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate. As a result, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2022 increased 41.6% compared to 2021. Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2022 increased 31.9% as compared to 2021.

Income From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

The operating results of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business have been reflected as discontinued operations. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax was $34.6 million in 2022 as compared to income of $34.5 million in 2021. Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 includes pre-tax transaction and separation costs of $8.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The provision for income taxes from discontinued operations in 2021 includes a one-time tax benefit of $25.1 million related to book-to-tax basis differences that was recognized in the period the business was classified as held-for-sale. The provision for income taxes from discontinued operations in 2022 reflects the tax effect of the book gain on sale.

Segment Results

Utility Solutions

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales in the Utility Solutions segment in 2022 were $2.9 billion, an increase of 23.0% as compared to 2021, due to a 22.9% increase in Organic Net sales driven by favorable price realization and higher unit volume, partially offset by the impact of a commercial resolution in the fourth quarter of 2022. Acquisitions, net of divestitures contributed 0.2% to Net sales growth in 2022 and foreign exchange was slightly unfavorable by 0.1%.

Operating income in the Utility Solutions segment in 2022 increased by 54.2% to $438.2 million as compared to 2021. Operating margin in 2022 increased to 15.3% as compared to 12.2% in 2021. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles the adjusted operating margin in 2022 increased by 230 basis points to 17.2% as compared to the prior year. The year-over-year increase in operating margin and adjusted operating margin was primarily driven by favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary costs increases in excess of productivity, higher investments in our business and the impact of a commercial resolution in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Electrical Solutions

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales growth to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

Net sales of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2022 were $2.1 billion, an increase of $217.1 million, or 11.7% as compared to 2021. Organic Net sales in 2022 increased by 10.6% as compared to the prior year primarily due to favorable price realization and higher unit volume. Net sales also increased by 1.7% from acquisitions and decreased by 0.6% from foreign exchange.

Operating income of the Electrical Solutions segment in 2022 was $270.9 million and increased approximately 9.1% compared to 2021, while operating margin in 2022 decreased by 30 basis points as compared to the prior year to 13.0%. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, adjusted operating margin was 14.1% in 2022, which was flat compared to prior year. Operating margin in 2022 was impacted primarily due to favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary costs increases in excess of productivity, and higher intangible amortization expense. Adjusted operating margin in 2022 was impacted primarily due to favorable price realization that was in excess of material cost inflation and higher unit volume, partially offset by higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, as well as other inflationary costs increases in excess of productivity.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The current and prior period results presented below represent the results of our continuing operations, and exclude the results of the C&I Lighting business which are presented within cash provided by discontinued operations. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Cash Flow

The following table reconciles our cash flows from operating activities to free cash flows for 2022 and 2021:

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure that we define as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful information regarding Hubbell’s ability to generate cash without reliance on external financing. In addition, management uses free cash flow to evaluate the resources available for investments in the business, strategic acquisitions and further strengthening the balance sheet.

2022 Compared to 2021

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $636.2 million in 2022 compared to $513.7 million in 2021. The increase compared to the prior year is primarily due to higher net income, partially offset by changes in the components of working capital, as we invested in working capital to serve customer demand and growth in our order backlog.

Cash provided by investing activities was $18.1 million in 2022 compared to cash used of $72.1 million in 2021. That change was driven by $332.8 million in net proceeds from the disposal of the C&I Lighting business, partially offset by cash used of $177.1 million to acquire PCX Holdings LLC ("PCX"), Ripley Tools, LLC and Nooks Hill Road, LLC (collectively, "Ripley Tools") and REF Automation Limited and REF Alabama Inc. (collectively "REF") during 2022 and additional capital expenditures as we continue to invest in capacity expansion, automation and productivity initiatives.

Cash used in financing activities was $437.1 million in 2022 as compared to cash used of $433.0 million in 2021. The change in cash flows from financing activities primarily reflects an increase of $170.8 million of the Company's share repurchases in 2022 compared to 2021, partially offset by change in net borrowings.

The unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates on cash was $8.8 million in 2022 as compared to a unfavorable effect of $3.0 million in 2021. The unfavorable impact in 2022 was primarily related to a weaker Canadian Dollar and British Pound compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Investments in the Business

Investments in our business include cash outlays for the acquisition of businesses as well as expenditures to maintain the operation of our equipment and facilities and invest in restructuring activities.

In July 2022, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of PCX for a cash purchase price of approximately $112.8 million, net of cash acquired. PCX is a leading designer and manufacturer of factory built modular power solutions for applications in the data center market. This business is reported in the Electrical Solutions segment. In July 2022, the Company also acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Ripley Tools for a cash purchase price of approximately $50.1 million, net of cash acquired. Ripley Tools is a leading manufacturer of cable and fiber prep tools and test equipment that serves both the utility and communications markets. This business is reported in the Utility Solutions segment.

In November 2022, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of REF for a cash purchase price of $14.1 million. REF designs and manufactures electrical power components utilizing high-volume precision machining, as well as custom fabricated structural products and assemblies for the OEM, industrial and renewables markets. This business is reported in the Electrical Solutions segment.

We continue to invest in restructuring and related programs to maintain a competitive cost structure, to drive operational efficiencies and to mitigate the impact of rising material costs and administrative cost inflation. We expect our investment in restructuring and related activities to continue in 2023 as we continue to invest in previously initiated actions and initiate further footprint consolidation and other cost reduction initiatives.

In connection with our restructuring and related actions, we have incurred restructuring costs as defined by U.S. GAAP, which are primarily severance and employee benefits, asset impairments, accelerated depreciation, as well as facility closure, contract termination and certain pension costs that are directly related to restructuring actions. We also incurred restructuring-related costs, which are costs associated with our business transformation initiatives, including the consolidation of back-office functions and streamlining of our processes, and certain other costs and gains associated with restructuring actions. We refer to these costs on a combined basis as "restructuring and related costs", which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe this non-GAAP measure provides investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period. Restructuring costs are predominantly settled in cash from our operating activities and are generally settled within one year, with the exception of asset impairments, which are non-cash.

The table below presents the restructuring and related costs incurred in 2022, additional expected costs, and the expected completion date of restructuring actions that have been initiated as of December 31, 2022 and in prior years (in millions):

During 2022, we invested $129.3 million in capital expenditures, an increase of $39.1 million as compared to 2021 as we increased capital investments to expand capacity, optimize footprint and implement automation and productivity initiatives.

Stock Repurchase Program

On October 23, 2020 the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “October 2020 program”) that authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of common stock and expires in October 2023. At December 31, 2022 our remaining share repurchase authorization under the October 2020 program is $106.7 million. On October 21, 2022 the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of common stock and expires in October 2025. The Company repurchased $182.0 million and $11.2 million of shares of common stock, in 2022 and 2021, respectively. When combined with the $106.7 million of remaining share repurchase authorization under the October 2020 program, we have a total share repurchase authorization remaining of approximately $406.7 million as of December 31, 2022. Subject to numerous factors, including market conditions and alternative uses of cash, we may conduct discretionary repurchases through open market or privately negotiated transactions, which may include repurchases under plans complying with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Debt to Capital

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $1,437.9 million and $1,435.5 million, respectively, of long-term debt outstanding, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs. At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 the Company had no long-term debt with maturities due within the next twelve months.

Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility

On March 12, 2021, the Company, as borrower, and its subsidiaries Hubbell Power Holdings S.à r.l. and Harvey Hubbell Holdings S.à r.l., each as a subsidiary borrower (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”) entered into a new five-year credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, that provides a $750 million committed revolving credit facility (the “2021 Credit Facility"). Commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.25 billion. The 2021 Credit Facility includes a $50 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit. The sum of the dollar amount of loans and letters of credits to the Subsidiary Borrowers under the 2021 Credit Facility may not exceed $75 million. There were no borrowings outstanding under the 2021 Credit Facility at December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021.

The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility is (i) either the alternate base rate (as defined in the 2021 Credit Facility) or (ii) the adjusted LIBOR rate (as defined in the 2021 Credit Facility) plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s credit ratings. All revolving loans outstanding under the 2021 Credit Facility will be due and payable on March 12, 2026.

The 2021 Credit Facility contains a financial covenant requiring that, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization shall not be greater than 65%. The Company was in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2022.

Unsecured Senior Notes

On March 12, 2021, the Company completed a public offering of $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.300% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes” and collectively with those described below, the "Notes"). The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $295.5 million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The 2031 Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.300% per annum from March 12, 2021. Interest on the 2031 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2021. The 2031 Notes will mature on March 15, 2031.

The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the 2031 Notes, together with cash on hand, on April 2, 2021 to redeem in full all of the Company’s outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due in 2022 for an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, which had a stated maturity date of November 15, 2022, and to pay the premium and accrued interest in respect thereof. The redemption of the 2022 Notes resulted in a $16.8 million loss on extinguishment that was recognized in the second quarter of 2021.

At December 31, 2021 and 2022 respectively, the Company had outstanding unsecured, senior notes in principal amounts of $400 million due in 2026, $300 million due in 2027, $450 million due in 2028 and $300 million due in 2031.

The carrying value of the Notes, net of unamortized discount and the unamortized balance of capitalized debt issuance costs, was $1,437.9 million and $1,435.5 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

The Notes are callable at any time at specified prices and are only subject to accelerated payment prior to maturity upon customary events of default, or upon a change in control triggering event as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, as supplemented. The Company was in compliance with all covenants (none of which are financial) as of December 31, 2022.

Short-term Debt

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no commercial paper borrowings outstanding and had $4.7 million and $9.7 million, respectively, of short-term debt outstanding composed of:

◦$2.8 million at December 31, 2022 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2021, respectively, of borrowings to support our international operations in China as well as $1.9 million and $8.1 million of other short term debt at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, to support other operations.

Net debt, defined as total debt less cash and investments, is a non-GAAP measure that may not be comparable to definitions used by other companies. We consider net debt to be a useful measure of our financial leverage for evaluating the Company’s ability to meet its funding needs.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of net debt at December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Liquidity

We measure liquidity on the basis of our ability to meet short-term and long-term operational funding needs, to fund additional investments, including acquisitions, and to make dividend payments to shareholders. Significant factors affecting the management of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities, capital expenditures, cash dividend payments, stock repurchases, access to bank lines of credit and our ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms.

In 2022, we returned capital to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. These activities were funded primarily with cash flows from operations.

◦In 2022, cash used for share repurchases was $182.0 million.

◦Dividends paid on our Common Stock in 2022 were $229.6 million.

We also require cash outlays to fund our operations, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements to accommodate anticipated levels of business activity, as well as our rate of cash dividends and potential future acquisitions. We have contractual obligations for long-term debt, operating leases, purchase obligations, and certain other long-term liabilities, including defined benefit retirement obligations and other benefits. Refer to Note 13 - Debt and Note 24 - Leases in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on anticipated cash outflows. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), we also have an obligation to fund, by annual installments through 2025, the Company's liability for the transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings. Contractual purchase obligations for years subsequent to December 31, 2022 include approximately, $590 million in 2023. Contractual purchase obligations beyond 2023 are not significant.

Our purchase obligations include amounts committed under legally enforceable contracts or purchase orders for goods and services with defined terms as to price, quantity, delivery and termination liability. These obligations primarily consist of inventory purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational requirements and commitments for equipment purchases. As of December 31, 2022, we have $42.1 million of uncertain tax positions reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate regarding the timing of settlement of these uncertain tax positions and, as a result, they have been excluded from the disclosure. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our sources of funds and available resources to meet these funding needs are as follows:

◦Cash flows from operating activities and existing cash resources: In addition to our cash flows from operating activities, we also had $440.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2022, of which approximately 35% was held inside the United States and the remainder held internationally.

◦Our 2021 Credit Facility provides a $750.0 million committed revolving credit facility and commitments under the 2021 Credit Facility may be increased (subject to certain conditions) to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.250 billion. Annual commitment fees to support availability under the 2021 Credit Facility are not material. Although not the principal source of liquidity, we believe our 2021 Credit Facility is capable of providing significant financing flexibility at reasonable rates of interest and is an attractive alternative source of funding in the event that commercial paper markets experience disruption. However, an increase in usage of the 2021 Credit Facility related to growth or a significant deterioration in the results of our operations or cash flows could cause our borrowing costs to increase and/or our ability to borrow could be restricted. We have not entered into any guarantees that could give rise to material unexpected cash requirements. The full $750.0 million of borrowing capacity under the 2021 Credit Facility was available to the Company at December 31, 2022.

◦In addition to our commercial paper program and existing revolving credit facility, we also have the ability to obtain additional financing through the issuance of long-term debt. Considering our current credit rating, historical earnings performance, and financial position, we believe that we would be able to obtain additional long-term debt financing on attractive terms.

◦The Company also maintains other lines of credit that are primarily used to support the issuance of letters of credit. Interest rates and other terms of borrowing under these lines of credit vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, total availability under these lines was $55.8 million and $30.0 million, respectively, of which $31.7 million and $23.2 million was utilized to support letters of credit and the remaining amount was unused. The annual commitment fees associated with these lines of credit are not material.

Pension Funding Status

We have a number of funded and unfunded non-contributory U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension plans. Benefits under these plans are generally provided based on either years of service and final average pay or a specified dollar amount per year of service. The funded status of our qualified, defined benefit pension plans is dependent upon many factors including future returns on invested pension assets, the level of market interest rates, employee earnings and employee demographics.

In 2022, the Company recognized a settlement loss within continuing operations relating to retirees that elected to receive lump-sum distributions from the Company's defined benefit pension plans of $7.0 million. This charge was the result of lump-sum payments which exceeded the threshold for settlement accounting under U.S. GAAP in such year.

Changes in the value of the defined benefit plan assets and liabilities will affect the amount of pension expense ultimately recognized. Although differences between actuarial assumptions and actual results are no longer deferred for balance sheet purposes, deferral is still permitted for pension expense purposes. Unrecognized gains and losses in excess of an annual calculated minimum amount (the greater of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or 10% of the market value of assets) have been amortized and recognized in net periodic pension cost. Effective January 1, 2020, the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses of all of the Company's qualified defined benefit pension plans is recognized over the remaining life expectancy of participants, as all participants are considered inactive as a result of plan amendments. During 2022 and 2021, we recorded $10.8 million and $10.8 million, respectively, of pension expense related to the amortization of these unrecognized losses.

In 2022 and 2021, we contributed $12.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to our qualified foreign and domestic defined benefit pension plans. These contributions have improved the funded status of those plans. Although not required by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, the Company may elect to make a voluntary contribution to its qualified domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2023. The anticipated level of pension funding in 2023 is not expected to have a significant impact on our overall liquidity.

Assumptions

The following assumptions were used to determine projected pension and other benefit obligations at the measurement date and the net periodic benefit costs for the year:

At the end of each year, we estimate the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets based on the strategic asset allocation for our plans. In making this determination, we utilize expected rates of return for each asset class based upon current market conditions and expected risk premiums for each asset class. A one percentage point change in the expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets would have an impact of approximately $5.2 million on 2023 pretax pension expense. The expected long-term rate of return is applied to the fair market value of pension fund assets to produce the expected return on fund assets that is included in pension expense.

The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets was recognized at December 31, 2022 for balance sheet purposes, but continues to be deferred for expense purposes. The net deferral of past asset gains (losses) ultimately affects future pension expense through the amortization of gains (losses) with an offsetting adjustment to Hubbell shareholders’ equity through Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

At the end of each year, we determine the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities. For our U.S. and Canadian pension plans, this discount rate is determined by matching the expected cash flows associated with our benefit obligations to the expected cash flows of a hypothetical portfolio of high quality, fixed income debt instruments with maturities that closely match the expected funding period of our pension liabilities. As of December 31, 2022, we used a discount rate of 5.50% for our U.S. pension plans compared to a discount rate of 2.90% used in 2021. For our Canadian pension plan, we used a discount rate of 5.01% in 2022, compared to a 2.98% discount rate used in 2021.

For our UK pension plan the discount rate was derived using a full yield curve and uses plan specific cash flows. The derived discount rate is the single discount rate equivalent to discounting these liability cash flows at the term-dependent spot rates of AA corporate bonds. This methodology resulted in a December 31, 2022 discount rate for the UK pension plan of 5.00% as compared to a discount rate of 1.80% used in 2021.

A decrease of one percentage point in the discount rate would increase our 2023 pretax pension expense by approximately $0.3 million. A discount rate increase of one percentage point would decrease our 2023 pretax pension expense by $0.5 million.

In 2021 and 2022 we used the Pri-2012 mortality table to calculate the present value of our pension plan liabilities and adopted the MP-2021 projection scale. The Pri-2012 mortality table with adjustment for collar as appropriate and generational projection from 2012 using Scale MP-2021 was chosen as the best estimate based on the observed and anticipated experience of the plans after considering alternative tables.

Other Post-Employment Benefits (“OPEB”)

The Company also has a number of health care and life insurance benefit plans covering eligible employees who reached retirement age while working for the Company. These benefits have been discontinued for substantially all future retirees. These plans are not funded and, therefore, no assumed rate of return on assets is required. We use a similar methodology to derive the discount rate for our post employment benefit plan obligations that we use for our pension plans. As of December 31, 2022, the Company used a discount rate of 5.50% to determine the projected benefit obligation compared to a discount rate of 2.90% used in 2021.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for retirement benefits, we recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss, within Hubbell shareholders’ equity, a benefit, net of tax, of $5.5 million in 2022 and $3.4 million in 2021, respectively, related to the annual remeasurement of the OPEB plans and the amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gains.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Off-balance sheet arrangements are defined as any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity that is not included in our consolidated results is a party, under which we, whether or not a party to the arrangement, have, or in the future may have: (1) an obligation under a direct or indirect guarantee or similar arrangement, (2) a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets, (3) an obligation or liability, including a contingent obligation or liability, under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, except that it is excluded from the scope of FASB ASC Topic 815, or (4) an obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that is held by, and material to, the Company, where such entity provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with, the Company.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined above which have or are likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

We are required to make assumptions and estimates and apply judgments in the preparation of our financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors deemed relevant by management, such as projections of future performance. We continually review these estimates and their underlying assumptions to ensure they are appropriate for the circumstances. Changes in estimates and assumptions used by us could have a material impact on our financial results, and actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. We believe that the following estimates are among the most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results. These items utilize assumptions and estimates about the effect of future events that are inherently uncertain and are based on our judgment.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations identified under the terms of contracts with its customers are satisfied, which generally occurs, for products, upon the transfer of control in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the sale. The majority of the Company’s revenue associated with products is recognized at a point in time when the product is shipped to the customer, with a relatively small amount of transactions in the Utility Solutions segment recognized upon delivery of the product at the contractually specified destination. Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is approximately two percent of total annual consolidated net revenue and those service contracts and post-shipment obligations are primarily within the Utility Solutions segment. Revenue from service contracts and post-shipment performance obligations is recognized when or as those obligations are satisfied. The Company primarily offers assurance-type standard warranties that do not represent separate performance obligations and on occasion will separately offer and price extended warranties that are separate performance obligations for which the associated revenue is recognized over-time based on the extended warranty period. The Company records amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling costs within revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of goods sold. Sales taxes and other usage-based taxes are excluded from revenue.

The Company has certain arrangements that require us to estimate at the time of sale the amounts of variable consideration that should not be recorded as revenue as certain amounts are not expected to be collected from customers, as well as an estimate of the value of the product to be returned. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific customer agreements and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of shipment and to reduce the transaction price. These arrangements include sales discounts and allowances based on sales volumes, specific programs and special pricing allowances, and returned goods, as are customary in the electrical products industry. Customer returns have historically been approximately one percent of gross sales.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories in the U.S. are primarily valued at the lower of LIFO cost or market, while non-U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of FIFO cost or market. We routinely evaluate the carrying value of our inventories to ensure they are carried at the lower of LIFO or FIFO cost or market value. Such evaluation is based on our judgment and use of estimates, including sales forecasts, gross margins for particular product groupings, planned dispositions of product lines, technological events and overall industry trends. In addition, the evaluation is based on changes in inventory management practices which may influence the timing of exiting products and method of disposing of excess inventory.

Excess inventory is generally identified by comparing future expected inventory usage to actual on-hand quantities. Inventory values are reduced for on-hand inventory in excess of pre-defined usage forecasts. Forecast usage is primarily determined by projecting historical (actual) sales and inventory usage levels forward to future periods. Changes in these estimates may necessitate future adjustments to inventory values.

Employee Benefits Costs and Funding

We sponsor domestic and foreign defined benefit pension, defined contribution and other postretirement plans. Significant assumptions used in the accounting for these employee benefit plans include the discount rate, expected return on the pension fund assets, rate of increase in employee compensation levels and health care cost increase projections. These assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators, and are evaluated each year as of the plans’ measurement dates. Further discussion of the assumptions used in 2022 and 2021 are included above under “Pension Funding Status” and in Note 12 — Retirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Additionally, deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets are the forecast of future taxable income, available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets, and future reversals of deferred tax liabilities. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income can affect the ultimate realization of net deferred tax assets.

We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in these jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities routinely review our tax returns. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company records uncertain tax positions when it has determined that it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The Company uses the criteria established in the accounting guidance to determine whether an item meets the definition of more-likely-than-not. The Company’s policy is to recognize these uncertain tax positions when the more-likely-than-not threshold is met, when the statute of limitations has expired or upon settlement. In management’s opinion, adequate provision has been made for potential adjustments arising from any examinations. See Note 14 — Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill, and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our long-lived assets include land, buildings, equipment, molds and dies, software, goodwill and other intangible assets. Long-lived assets, other than land, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the acquisition method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill represents purchase price in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets primarily consist of patents, tradenames, developed technology and customer related intangibles.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances dictate the need for more frequent assessment. We perform our annual goodwill impairment testing as of April 1st of each year. The accounting guidance provides entities an option of performing a qualitative assessment (the "Step-zero" test) before performing a quantitative analysis. If the entity determines, on the basis of certain qualitative factors, that it is more-likely-than-not that the goodwill is not impaired, the entity would not need to proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process as prescribed in the guidance. If the Company does not elect to complete the qualitative assessment, the Company completes the quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value.

The organizational changes within Electrical Solutions effective January 1, 2022 resulted in a change in the Company’s reporting units. As a result, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment assessment as of January 1, 2022. For the three reporting units within the Electrical Solutions segment, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process, as permitted in the accounting guidance, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying values. The Company did not have any reporting units at risk of failing the quantitative impairment test as the excess of the implied fair value exceeded the carrying value of each of the reporting units. Additionally, the Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The Company also completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of April 1, 2022. The Company applied the Step-zero test to one of its four reporting units. Based on the qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of this reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value and, therefore, further quantitative analysis was not required. For the other three reporting units, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative goodwill impairment testing process, as permitted in the accounting guidance, by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying values. As of April 1, 2022, the impairment testing resulted in implied fair values of our reporting units that exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. The range of fair value in excess of carrying value, including goodwill, of the reporting units was 57% to 308%. The Company did not have any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts.

The goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future discounted cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions, such as increases in interest rates, the potential continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, impacts to the supply chain and higher inflation. We use internal discounted cash flow models to estimate fair value. These cash flow estimates are derived from historical experience, third-party end market data, and future long-term business plans and include assumptions of future sales growth, gross margin, operating margin, terminal growth rate, and the application of an appropriate discount rate. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. We corroborate the values determined from our discounted cash flow models by reconciling the sum of the estimated fair values of each reporting unit to our market capitalization at the testing date, including consideration of a control premium. We have not recorded any goodwill impairments since the initial adoption of the accounting guidance in 2002.

The identification and measurement of impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets involves either an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired or a quantitative assessment whereby the estimated fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset is compared to its carrying value. If it is more-likely-than-not that the asset is impaired, the fair value of the indefinite lived intangibles will be determined using discounted cash flow estimates. If the carrying value of these assets exceeds the estimated fair value, the carrying value will be reduced to the estimated fair value. For the Company’s annual impairment test as of April 1, 2022, the Company elected to utilize the quantitative impairment testing process as permitted in the accounting guidance. The fair value was determined utilizing an income approach (relief from royalty method). Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets including assumptions for future revenues, discount rates, royalty rates, and other assumptions, including assumptions about secular economic and market conditions, such as the potential continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the determination of fair value and/or impairment for each indefinite-lived intangible asset. As of April 1, 2022, the impairment testing resulted in fair values for each indefinite-lived intangible asset that significantly exceeded the carrying values and there were no indefinite-lived intangible assets at risk of failing the quantitative impairment test. We did not record any impairments related to indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2022, 2021, or 2020.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, contain “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements about our expected capital resources, liquidity, financial performance, pension funding, and results of operations and are based on our reasonable current expectations. In addition, all statements regarding the expected financial impact of the integration of acquisitions and completion of certain divestitures, adoption of updated accounting standards and any expected effects of such adoption, restructuring plans and expected associated costs and benefits, intent to repurchase shares of common stock, and change in operating results, anticipated market conditions and productivity initiatives are forward looking. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words, such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “depend”, “should”, “plan”, “estimated”, “predict”, “could”, “may”, “subject to”, “continues”, “growing”, “prospective”, “forecast”, “projected”, “purport”, “might”, “if”, “contemplate”, “potential”, “pending,” “target”, “goals”, “scheduled”, "will", “will likely be”, and similar words and phrases. Discussions of strategies, plans or intentions often contain forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause our actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

•The impact of inflation on our business and effectiveness of pricing actions we have taken to cover higher costs and protect our margin profile.

•General economic and business conditions in particular industries, markets or geographic regions, as well the potential for a significant economic slowdown, stagflation or economic recession.

•Effects of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and the potential use of hedging instruments to hedge the exposure to fluctuating rates of foreign currency exchange on inventory purchases.

•The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions and availability, costs and quantity of raw materials, purchased components, energy and freight.

•The resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on global economic systems, our employees, sites, operations, and customers.

•Changes in demand for our products, market conditions, product quality, or product availability adversely affecting sales levels.

•Ability to effectively develop and introduce new products.

•Changes in markets or competition adversely affecting realization of price increases.

•Failure to achieve projected levels of efficiencies, cost savings and cost reduction measures, including those expected as a result of our lean initiatives and strategic sourcing plans.

•Impacts of trade tariffs, import quotas or other trade restrictions or measures taken by the U.S., U.K. and other countries, including the recent and potential changes in U.S. trade policies.

•Failure to comply with import and export laws.

•Changes relating to impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets.

•Inability to access capital markets or failure to maintain our credit ratings.

•Changes in expected or future levels of operating cash flow, indebtedness and capital spending.

•General economic and business conditions in particular industries, markets or geographic regions, as well as inflationary trends.

•Regulatory issues, changes in tax laws including multijurisdictional implementation of the OECD's comprehensive base erosion and profit shifting plan, or changes in geographic profit mix affecting tax rates and availability of tax incentives.

•A major disruption in one or more of our manufacturing or distribution facilities or headquarters, including the impact of plant consolidations and relocations.

•Changes in our relationships with, or the financial condition or performance of, key distributors and other customers, agents or business partners which could adversely affect our results of operations.

•Impact of productivity improvements on lead times, quality and delivery of product.

•Anticipated future contributions and assumptions including increases in interest rates and changes in plan assets with respect to pensions and other retirement benefits, as well as pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Adjustments to product warranty accruals in response to claims incurred, historical experiences and known costs.

•Unexpected costs or charges, certain of which might be outside of our control.

•Changes in strategy due to economic conditions or other conditions outside of our control affecting anticipated future global product sourcing levels.

•Ability to carry out future acquisitions and strategic investments in our core businesses as well as the acquisition related costs.

•Ability to successfully execute, manage and integrate key acquisitions, mergers, and other transactions, such as the recent acquisition of PCX, Ripley Tools and REF, as well as the failure to realize expected synergies and benefits anticipated when we make an acquisition.

•The impact of certain divestitures, including the benefits and costs of the sale of the C&I Lighting business to GE Current, a Daintree Company.

•The ability to effectively implement Enterprise Resource Planning systems without disrupting operational and financial processes.

•The ability of government customers to meet their financial obligations.

•Political unrest and military actions in foreign countries, particularly the armed conflict in Ukraine, as well as the impact on world markets and energy supplies resulting therefrom.

•The impact of world economic and political issues, including the long-term effects of Brexit.

•The impact of potential natural disasters or additional public health emergencies on our financial condition and results of operations.

•Failure of information technology systems, security breaches, cyber threats, malware, phishing attacks, break-ins and similar events resulting in unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or disruptions or damage to information technology systems that could cause interruptions to our operations or adversely affect our internal control over financial reporting.

•Incurring significant and/or unexpected costs to avoid manage, defend and litigate intellectual property matters.

•Future repurchases of common stock under our common stock repurchase program.

•Changes in accounting principles, interpretations, or estimates.

•Failure to comply with any laws and regulations, including those related to data privacy and information security, environmental and conflict-free minerals.

•The outcome of environmental, legal and tax contingencies or costs compared to amounts provided for such contingencies, including contingencies or costs with respect to pension withdrawal liabilities.

•Improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners that damages our reputation or subjects us to civil or criminal liability.

•Our ability to hire, retain and develop qualified personnel.

•Completion of the transition from LIBOR to a replacement alternative reference rate.

•Other factors described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the “Business”, “Risk Factors”, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” sections in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by law.

ITEM 7    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview of the Business

Hubbell is a global manufacturer of quality electrical products and utility solutions for a broad range of customer and end market applications. We provide utility and electrical solutions that enable our customers to operate critical infrastructure reliably and efficiently, and we empower and energize communities through innovation solutions supporting energy infrastructure In Front of the Meter, on The Edge, and Behind the Meter. In Front of the Meter is where utilities transmit and distribute energy to their customers. The Edge connects utilities with owner/operators and allows energy and data to be distributed back and forth. Behind the Meter is where owners and operators of building and other critical infrastructure consume energy. Products are either sourced complete, manufactured or assembled by subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, China, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Ireland. The Company also participates in joint ventures in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and maintains offices in Singapore, Italy, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Chile, and countries in the Middle East. The Company employed approximately 19,300 individuals worldwide as of December 31, 2021.

The Company’s reporting segments consist of the Electrical Solutions segment (previously named Electrical until January 1, 2021) and the Utility Solutions segment (formerly named the Power segment). In the first quarter of 2020 our former Power segment was re-named Utility Solutions to reflect the depth and breadth of our industry-leading offering for electric, water, gas and telecom utilities ranging from a wide variety of critical infrastructure components to full-scale smart grid solutions. Results for 2021, 2020 and 2019 by segment are included under “Segment Results” within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

The Company's long-term strategy is to serve its customers with reliable and innovative electrical and related infrastructure solutions with desired brands and high-quality service, delivered through a competitive cost structure; to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions that enhance its product offerings; and to allocate capital effectively to create shareholder value.

Our strategy to complement organic revenue growth with acquisitions is focused on acquiring assets that extend our capabilities, expand our product offerings, and present opportunities to compete in core, adjacent or complementary markets. Our acquisition strategy also provides the opportunity to advance our revenue growth objectives during periods of weakness or inconsistency in our end-markets.

Our strategy to deliver products through a competitive cost structure has resulted in past and ongoing restructuring and related activities. Our restructuring and related efforts include the consolidation of manufacturing and distribution facilities, and workforce actions, as well as streamlining and consolidating our back-office functions. The primary objectives of our restructuring and related activities are to optimize our manufacturing footprint, cost structure, and effectiveness and efficiency of our workforce.

Productivity improvement also continues to be a key area of focus for the Company and efforts to drive productivity complement our restructuring and related activities to minimize the impact of rising material costs and other administrative cost inflation. Because material costs are approximately two thirds of our cost of goods sold, volatility in this area can significantly impact profitability. Our goal is to have pricing and productivity programs that offset material and other inflationary cost increases as well as pay for investments in key growth areas.

Productivity programs affect virtually all functional areas within the Company by reducing or eliminating waste and improving processes. We continue to expand our efforts surrounding global product and component sourcing and supplier cost reduction programs. Value engineering efforts, product transfers and the use of lean process improvement techniques are expected to continue to increase manufacturing efficiency. In addition, we continue to build upon the benefits of our enterprise resource planning system across all functions.

Disposition of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting Business

On October 26, 2021, Hubbell entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Commercial and Industrial Lighting business to GE Current, a Daintree company, for a cash purchase price of $350 million, subject to customary adjustments with respect to working capital and net indebtedness. The Commercial and Industrial Lighting business had sales of approximately $509 million in 2021 as part of the Electrical Solutions segment and designs, manufactures, and sells LED lighting and control solutions for commercial and industrial customers. As a result of the agreement, the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business met the criteria for presentation as a discontinued operation. The current and prior period results presented within continuing operations exclude the results of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business, transaction and separation costs, and tax effects of the transaction, which are presented within discontinued operations. On February 1, 2022 we completed the previously announced sale. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Organizational Changes

Effective January 1, 2021 the Company consolidated the three business groups within its Electrical segment, and renamed the segment as Hubbell Electrical Solutions ("Electrical Solutions"). The Electrical Solutions segment unites businesses with similar operating models, products, and go to market strategies under one operating banner and common leadership to drive synergies and long-term growth opportunities.

Also effective January 1, 2021 the Company moved its Hubbell Gas Connectors and Accessories business, from the Electrical Solutions segment to the Utility Solutions segment to create synergies with the existing gas products already offered within the Utility Solutions segment and to better serve its utility customers. The Hubbell Gas Connectors and Accessories business represented approximately $157.1 million of Net sales and $19.4 million of operating profit in 2020. The information provided in the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes reflects the impact of this change for all periods presented.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization related to the rapidly growing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19). U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign governments reacted to the public health crisis with mitigation measures, creating significant uncertainties in the U.S. and global economies, including the shutdown of large portions of, or imposition of restrictions on, the U.S. and global economies. Notwithstanding a general improvement in conditions and reduction of adverse effects from the pandemic, as of December 31, 2021 there continues to be significant uncertainty around the scope, severity, and duration of the pandemic, as well as the breadth and duration of business disruptions related to it and the overall impact on the U.S., global economies, and our operating results in future periods.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose the risk that our employees, contractors, suppliers, customers and other business partners may be prevented from conducting business activities, partially or completely, for an indefinite period of time, including due to the continued emergence of new strains of COVID-19, such as the Delta and Omicron variants and resulting shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities or imposed by our management, or that the pandemic may otherwise interrupt or impair business activities. President Biden has announced an executive order mandating COVID-19 vaccination of U.S. based employees of companies that work on, or in support for, federal contracts which was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court in January 2022, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency testing standard (ETS), which required employers with 100 or more employees to enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing. Although the ETS was withdrawn effective January 26, 2022, OSHA is not withdrawing the ETS as a proposed rule. On December 7, 2021, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction, halting the government's enforcement of the federal contractor vaccine mandate nationwide. We cannot currently predict the impact that the OSHA proposed rule, if adopted would have on our workforce, our ability to secure skilled labor in the future, or the cost of implementation and compliance with such rule and the executive order.

Additionally, as economies have re-opened, global supply chains have struggled to keep up with increasing demand, and the resulting supply chain disruptions have, in certain cases, affected our ability to ship products in a timely manner. These supply chain disruptions and the increase in demand have also led to increased freight, labor and commodity cost that affected our operating margin in 2021, and those disruptions and increased cost may persist through 2022.

Further quantification and discussion of these pandemic related effects are included in the discussion of results of operations below.

Results of Operations

Our operations are classified into two reportable segments: Electrical Solutions and Utility Solutions. For a complete description of the Company’s segments, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Within these segments, Hubbell serves customers in five primary end markets: utility T&D components, utility communications and controls, non-residential, residential, and industrial.

In 2021, Net sales increased by 13.9 percent or $511.6 million and organic Net sales(1) increased by 9.7 percent or $356 million on favorable price realization along with higher volumes, as further discussed in segment results below. Operating margin declined in 2021, by 70 basis points and adjusted operating margin(1) declined by 90 basis points, driven by material cost inflation that exceeded favorable price realization, and higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher volumes and savings from our restructuring and related actions and productivity initiatives. Net income attributable to Hubbell increased by 10.6 percent in 2021 compared to the prior year and diluted earnings per share increased by 10.3 percent. Adjusted net income attributable to Hubbell(1) increased by 13.1 percent in 2021 compared to the prior year and adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) increased by 12.7 percent in 2021.

Free cash flow(2) was lower in 2021 at $423.5 million as compared to $520.1 million in the prior year. In 2021 we paid $216.9 million in shareholder dividends, an increase of 7.7 percent as compared to the prior year, while also reducing our debt by $144.8 million.

(1) Organic Net sales, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income attributable to Hubbell and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

(2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Adjusted Operating Measures" and "Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flow" below for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Adjusted Operating Measures

In the following discussion of results of operations, we refer to "adjusted" operating measures. We believe those adjusted measures, which exclude the impact of certain costs, gains and losses, may provide investors with useful information regarding our underlying performance from period to period and allow investors to understand our results of operations without regard to items we do not consider a component of our core operating performance.

Adjusted operating measures exclude amortization of all intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions, including inventory step-up amortization associated with those acquisitions. The intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions arise from the allocation of the purchase price using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, “Business Combinations.” These assets consist primarily of customer relationships, developed technology, trademarks and tradenames, and patents, as reported in Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, under the heading “Total Definite-Lived Intangibles" within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes that the exclusion of these non-cash expenses (i) enhances management’s and investors’ ability to analyze underlying business performance, (ii) facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods, and (iii) provides more relevant comparisons of our results with the results of other companies as the amortization expense associated with these assets may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing, size, nature, and number of acquisitions. Although we exclude amortization of these acquired intangible assets and inventory step-up from our non-GAAP results, we believe that it is important for investors to understand that revenue generated, in part, from such intangibles is included within revenue in determining adjusted net income from continuing operations.

Adjusted operating measures also exclude the following:

•2021 - A $16.8 million pre-tax loss on the early extinguishment of long-term debt from the redemption of all of the Company's outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $300 million and a $6.9 million loss on the disposal of a business.

•2020 - A pension settlement charge of $7.6 million.

•2019 - A $21.7 million gain on the disposition of the Haefely business and a $5.0 million investment loss.

•Income tax effects of the above adjustments which are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted

These items are reported in Total other expense (below Operating income) in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company excludes these non-core items because we believe it enhances management's and investors' ability to analyze underlying business performance and facilitates comparisons of our financial results over multiple periods. Refer to the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures presented below, Note 4 – Business Acquisitions and Dispositions, Note 12 – Retirement Benefits, and Note 13 – Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information.

Organic Net sales, a non-GAAP measure, represents Net sales according to U.S. GAAP, less Net sales from acquisitions and divestitures during the first twelve months of ownership or divestiture, respectively, less the effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange. The period-over-period effect of fluctuations in Net sales from foreign currency exchange is calculated as the difference between local currency Net sales of the prior period translated at the current period exchange rate as compared to the same local currency Net sales translated at the prior period exchange rate. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying operating results and trends of established, ongoing operations by excluding the effect of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign currency as these activities can obscure underlying trends. When comparing Net sales growth between periods excluding the effects of acquisitions, business dispositions and currency exchange rates, those effects are different when comparing results for different periods. For example, because Net sales from acquisitions are considered inorganic from the date we complete an acquisition through the end of the first year following the acquisition, Net sales from such acquisition are reflected as organic Net sales thereafter.

There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures do not present complete financial results. We compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation between our non-GAAP financial measures and the respective most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. 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 financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or alternative measures of, reported GAAP financial results, and should be viewed in conjunction with the most comparable GAAP financial measures and the provided reconciliations thereto. We believe, however, that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed together with our GAAP results and related reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles our adjusted financial measures to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions, except per share amounts):

(1) The income tax effects are calculated using the statutory tax rate, taking into consideration the nature of the item and the relevant taxing jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted. For 2019, the gain on the disposition of business was not taxable in the jurisdiction of sale but resulted in additional U.S. and Canadian tax and adjustments were made accordingly. Furthermore, no tax effects are reflected for the loss on investment because the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the loss based on its evaluation that it is more likely than not that the benefit of the realized loss will not be recognized for tax purposes.

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):

2021 Compared to 2020

Net Sales

Net sales of $4,194.1 million in 2021 increased by $511.6 million, or 13.9% compared to 2020. Organic Net sales increased by 9.7% due to favorable price realization along with higher unit volume. Net sales increased by 3.9% from acquisitions and by a 0.5% from foreign exchange.

Cost of Goods Sold

As a percentage of Net sales, Cost of goods sold was 72.5% of Net sales in 2021 as compared to 70.5% in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by material cost inflation that exceeded favorable price realization, and higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher volumes, savings from our restructuring and related actions and productivity initiatives.

Gross Profit

The gross profit margin in 2021 was 27.5% of Net sales as compared to 29.5% in 2020. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, the adjusted gross profit margin was 28.1% in 2021 as compared to 30.2% in 2020. The decline in adjusted gross profit margin was primarily driven by material cost inflation that exceeded favorable price realization, and higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher volumes, savings from our restructuring and related actions and productivity initiatives.

Selling & Administrative Expenses

S&A expense in 2021 was $619.2 million and increased by $27.9 million compared to the prior year period. S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales declined by 130 basis points to 14.8% in 2021. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, adjusted S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales declined by 120 basis points to 13.6% in 2021. The decrease in adjusted S&A expense as a percentage of Net sales is primarily due to higher organic sales and a reduction of bad debt expense in 2021 compared to 2020, partially offset by the impact of compensation actions and other cost reductions in the second quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that did not repeat in 2021 as operations normalized.

Operating Income

Operating income in 2021 was $532.3 million and increased 7.6% compared to 2020, and operating margin declined by 70 basis points to 12.7%. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, adjusted operating income increased by 7.6% percent in 2021 to $610.0 million and adjusted operating margin declined by 90 basis points to 14.5% in 2021. The decrease in adjusted operating margin is primarily due to increased material cost in excess of price realization, higher freight, logistics and manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher volume and savings from restructuring and related actions, and productivity initiatives.

Total Other Expense

Total other expense increased by $3.0 million in 2021 to $73.0 million compared to the prior year primarily due to a $16.8 million pre-tax loss on the early extinguishment of long-term debt recognized in the second quarter of 2021 from the redemption of the Company's $300 million long-term notes, which were scheduled to mature in 2022, partially offset by $5.4 million reduction in interest expense and lower non-service pension costs.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 19.2% in 2021 as compared to 21.2% in 2020. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to favorable tax effects from stock based compensation and statute of limitation expirations on certain tax reserves as compared to 2020.

Net Income From Continuing Operations Attributable to Hubbell and Earnings Per Diluted Share From Continuing Operations

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $365.0 million in 2021 and increased 10.6% as compared to 2020. Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Hubbell was $441.7 million in 2021 and increased 13.1% as compared to 2020 primarily as a result of higher operating income, driven by higher Net sales, a decrease in the effective tax rate, and lower non-service pension costs and interest expense. As a result, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2021 increased 10.3% compared to 2020. Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2021 increased 12.7% as compared to 2020.

Income From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

The operating results of the Commercial and Industrial Lighting business have been reflected as discontinued operations. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2021 includes pre-tax separation and transactions costs of $7.0 million and a one-time tax benefit of $25.1 million related to the realization of book to tax basis differences.

Segment Results

Electrical Solutions

The following table reconciles our Organic Net sales to the directly comparable GAAP financial measure (in millions and percentage change):