MASCO CORP /DE/ (MAS)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > SIC Major Group 34 > SIC 3430 Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=62996. Latest filing source: 0000062996-26-000005.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 7,562,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |
| Net income | 810,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |
| Assets | 5,201,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-10 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-10. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000062996.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 7,361,000,000 | 6,014,000,000 | 6,654,000,000 | 6,707,000,000 | 7,188,000,000 | 8,375,000,000 | 8,680,000,000 | 7,967,000,000 | 7,828,000,000 | 7,562,000,000 |
| Net income | 493,000,000 | 533,000,000 | 734,000,000 | 935,000,000 | 1,224,000,000 | 410,000,000 | 844,000,000 | 908,000,000 | 822,000,000 | 810,000,000 |
| Operating income | 1,087,000,000 | 1,029,000,000 | 1,077,000,000 | 1,088,000,000 | 1,295,000,000 | 1,405,000,000 | 1,297,000,000 | 1,348,000,000 | 1,363,000,000 | 1,248,000,000 |
| Gross profit | 2,462,000,000 | 2,220,000,000 | 2,327,000,000 | 2,371,000,000 | 2,587,000,000 | 2,863,000,000 | 2,713,000,000 | 2,836,000,000 | 2,831,000,000 | 2,679,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 1.48 | 1.66 | 2.37 | 3.22 | 4.59 | 1.62 | 3.63 | 4.02 | 3.76 | 3.86 |
| Operating cash flow | 789,000,000 | 751,000,000 | 1,032,000,000 | 833,000,000 | 953,000,000 | 930,000,000 | 840,000,000 | 1,413,000,000 | 1,075,000,000 | 1,022,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 180,000,000 | 173,000,000 | 219,000,000 | 162,000,000 | 114,000,000 | 128,000,000 | 224,000,000 | 243,000,000 | 168,000,000 | 156,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 128,000,000 | 129,000,000 | 134,000,000 | 144,000,000 | 145,000,000 | 211,000,000 | 258,000,000 | 257,000,000 | 254,000,000 | 261,000,000 |
| Share buybacks | 459,000,000 | 331,000,000 | 654,000,000 | 896,000,000 | 727,000,000 | 1,026,000,000 | 914,000,000 | 353,000,000 | 751,000,000 | 571,000,000 |
| Assets | 5,164,000,000 | 5,534,000,000 | 5,393,000,000 | 5,027,000,000 | 5,777,000,000 | 5,575,000,000 | 5,187,000,000 | 5,363,000,000 | 5,016,000,000 | 5,201,000,000 |
| Liabilities | 5,240,000,000 | 5,351,000,000 | 5,324,000,000 | 5,083,000,000 | 5,356,000,000 | 5,497,000,000 | 5,429,000,000 | 5,247,000,000 | 5,069,000,000 | 5,125,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | -298,000,000 | -53,000,000 | -111,000,000 | -235,000,000 | 195,000,000 | -179,000,000 | -480,000,000 | -126,000,000 | -279,000,000 | -185,000,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 990,000,000 | 1,194,000,000 | 552,000,000 | 697,000,000 | 1,326,000,000 | 926,000,000 | 452,000,000 | 634,000,000 | 634,000,000 | 647,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | 609,000,000 | 578,000,000 | 813,000,000 | 671,000,000 | 839,000,000 | 802,000,000 | 616,000,000 | 1,170,000,000 | 907,000,000 | 866,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 6.70% | 8.86% | 11.03% | 13.94% | 17.03% | 4.90% | 9.72% | 11.40% | 10.50% | 10.71% |
| Operating margin | 14.77% | 17.11% | 16.19% | 16.22% | 18.02% | 16.78% | 14.94% | 16.92% | 17.41% | 16.50% |
| Return on assets | 9.55% | 9.63% | 13.61% | 18.60% | 21.19% | 7.35% | 16.27% | 16.93% | 16.39% | 15.57% |
| Current ratio | 2.01 | 1.96 | 1.64 | 1.75 | 1.80 | 1.76 | 1.56 | 1.68 | 1.75 | 1.81 |
Financial Charts
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-22. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000062996.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 1.18 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.97 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.90 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 2,127,000,000 | 263,000,000 | 1.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 1,979,000,000 | 249,000,000 | 1.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 1,882,000,000 | 191,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 1,926,000,000 | 215,000,000 | 0.97 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 2,091,000,000 | 258,000,000 | 1.17 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 1,983,000,000 | 167,000,000 | 0.77 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 1,828,000,000 | 182,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 1,801,000,000 | 186,000,000 | 0.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 2,051,000,000 | 270,000,000 | 1.28 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 1,917,000,000 | 189,000,000 | 0.90 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 1,793,000,000 | 165,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 1,918,000,000 | 213,000,000 | 1.05 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0000062996-26-000014.
Overview
Due to a dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. Additionally, we have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, significantly higher costs to us, principally in our Plumbing Products segment, due to tariffs, particularly those related to China. We seek to mitigate the impact of higher tariffs and other costs over time with pricing, cost savings initiatives, sourcing changes, and other activities. Consumer demand for our products, however, could further diminish if consumer confidence erodes and the price of our products and other consumer goods increases. We are monitoring developments following the recent Supreme Court ruling related to tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which may create the potential for previously paid tariffs to be refunded by the U.S. government; however, the ability to recover, and the timing and amount of any potential refunds are uncertain, and at this time we cannot reasonably estimate the financial impact to us, if any. As of March 31, 2026, we have not recognized any amounts associated with potential refunds related to these tariffs.
We continue to execute our strategies of leveraging our strong brand portfolio, our industry-leading positions and the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, to create long-term shareholder value. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and customer service and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
From time to time, we take actions to drive efficiency in our business through the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives. In the fourth quarter of 2025, we began implementing various restructuring actions to further streamline our business, reduce headcount, and optimize operations. In connection with these actions, we incurred approximately $8 million in charges in the first quarter of 2026 and we expect to incur approximately $50 million in charges during the full year of 2026. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2026, we began the implementation of an internal reorganization resulting in the integration of our Liberty Hardware (“Liberty”) business, a distributor of cabinet and other hardware and shower doors, into our Delta Faucet business. As a result of the integration, all segment information herein, including comparable prior periods, include Liberty in our Plumbing Products segment rather than our Decorative Architectural Products segment.
FIRST QUARTER 2026 VERSUS FIRST QUARTER 2025
Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios used in managing the business may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP. Within the tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes.
The following discussion of consolidated results of operations refers to the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the same period of 2025.
13
NET SALES
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 1,918 | $ | 1,801 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Currency translation | (42) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Net sales, excluding the effect of currency translation | $ | 1,876 | $ | 1,801 | 4 | % |
Our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $1,918 million, which increased six percent compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. Excluding the effect of currency translation, net sales increased four percent, primarily due to higher net selling prices across the entire company, which increased sales by five percent, partially offset by lower sales volume of paints and other coating products, which decreased sales by one percent.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Below is a summary of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,918 | $ | 1,801 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Cost of sales | (1,232) | (1,157) | (6) | % | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 686 | $ | 644 | 7 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 35.8 | % | 35.8 | % | — | bps | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | (369) | $ | (358) | (3) | % | ||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales | (19.2) | % | (19.9) | % | 70 bps | |||||||||||
| Operating profit | $ | 316 | $ | 286 | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating profit margin | 16.5 | % | 15.9 | % | 60 bps |
Our gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $686 million, an increase of seven percent, and was positively impacted by 14 percent due to higher net selling prices across the entire company, as well as cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher commodity and tariff costs and an increase in other expenses.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $369 million, an increase of three percent, and were negatively impacted by three percent due to unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by one percent due to lower employee-related costs.
Our operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $316 million, an increase of 10 percent, and was positively impacted by increased gross profit, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
14
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Below is a summary of our other income (expense), net, in millions, for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (26) | $ | (26) | — | % | ||||||||||
| Other, net | 1 | (7) | N/A | |||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (25) | $ | (32) | 22 | % |
INCOME TAXES
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | (63) | $ | (56) | (13)% | ||||||||
| Effective tax rate | (21.6) | % | (22.0) | % | 40 bps |
NET INCOME AND INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASCO CORPORATION
Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 213 | $ | 186 | 15 | % | ||||||||||
| Diluted income per common share | $ | 1.05 | $ | 0.87 | 21 | % |
15
Business Segment Results
The following tables set forth our net sales and operating profit information by business segment, dollars in millions.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 vs. 2025 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales: | ||||||||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 1,364 | $ | 1,246 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 554 | 556 | — | % | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,918 | $ | 1,801 | 6 | % |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 vs. 2025 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating Profit: | ||||||||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 243 | $ | 225 | 8 | % | ||||||||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 104 | 88 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 348 | $ | 313 | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| General corporate expense, net | (31) | (27) | 15 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 316 | $ | 286 | 10 | % |
The following discussion of business segment results refers to the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the same period of 2025. Changes in operating profit in the following business segment results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net.
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS DISCUSSION
Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased nine percent for the three months ended March 31, 2026. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased seven percent, primarily due to higher net selling prices which increased sales by six percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher commodity and tariff costs and an increase in other expenses.
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2026, were consistent with the comparative prior period primarily due to lower sales volume, mostly offset by higher net selling prices.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher commodity costs.
16
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $388 million and $647 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, $313 million and $306 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withh
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our consolidated financial statements (and notes related thereto) and other more detailed financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Further, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. See also “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Report. Amounts may not add due to rounding.
Overview
We design, manufacture and distribute branded home improvement and building products. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodeling activity and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. We sell our products through home center retailers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, direct to the consumer, professional contractors and homebuilders.
We continue to pursue our strategy of driving the full potential of our core businesses, leveraging opportunities across our enterprise, and actively managing our portfolio. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We execute our strategy by investing in our brands, developing innovative products, making capital investments, and focusing on continuous productivity improvement and operational excellence, among other initiatives. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and customer service and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
We continue to leverage the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across our enterprise to identify additional opportunities to improve our business operations. From time to time, we take actions to drive efficiency in the business focused on the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives. In the fourth quarter of 2025, we began implementing various restructuring actions to further streamline our business, reduce headcount, and optimize operations. In connection with these actions, we incurred charges of approximately $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, and we expect to incur approximately $50 million in additional charges in 2026. Additionally, subsequent to December 31, 2025, we announced that we will implement an internal reorganization resulting in the integration of our Liberty Hardware (“Liberty”) business, a distributor of cabinet and other hardware and shower doors, into our Delta Faucet business. As a result of the integration, beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2026, Liberty will be included in our Plumbing Products segment rather than our Decorative Architectural Products segment.
Recent Trends
Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. Additionally, we have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, significantly higher costs to us, principally in our Plumbing Products segment, due to the recently enacted tariffs, particularly those related to China. We seek to mitigate the impact of higher tariffs and other unfavorable impact to our costs over time with pricing, cost savings initiatives, sourcing changes, and other activities. Consumer demand for our products, however, could further diminish if consumer confidence erodes and the price of our products and other consumer goods increases.
19
Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. These include the disclosure of net sales, operating profit and operating profit margins adjusted for certain items. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP.
We discuss our consolidated results as well as our Business Segment results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025 versus December 31, 2024. A detailed discussion of our consolidated and Business Segment results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 can be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 11, 2025.
NET SALES
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 7,562 | $ | 7,828 | (3) | % | ||||
| Divestitures | — | (178) | ||||||||
| Net sales, excluding divestitures | 7,562 | 7,650 | (1) | % | ||||||
| Currency translation | (45) | — | ||||||||
| Net sales, excluding divestitures and the effect of currency translation | $ | 7,517 | $ | 7,650 | (2) | % |
Our net sales for 2025 were $7,562 million, which decreased three percent compared to 2024. Excluding divestitures and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased two percent. Our net sales for 2025 decreased primarily due to lower sales volume across the entire company which decreased sales by four percent, partially offset by higher net selling prices of plumbing products which increased sales by two percent.
20
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Below is a summary of our results of operations, dollars in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 7,562 | $ | 7,828 | (3) | % | ||||
| Cost of sales | (4,883) | (4,997) | (2) | % | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,679 | $ | 2,831 | (5) | % | ||||
| Gross margin | 35.4 | % | 36.2 | % | (80) bps | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | (1,426) | $ | (1,468) | (3) | % | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses of a percent of net sales | (18.9) | % | (18.8) | % | (10) bps | |||||
| Impairment charge for other intangible assets | $ | (5) | $ | — | 100 | % | ||||
| Operating profit, as reported | $ | 1,248 | $ | 1,363 | (8) | % | ||||
| Rationalization charges | 19 | 9 | 111 | % | ||||||
| Impairment charge for other intangible assets | 5 | — | 100 | % | ||||||
| Operating profit, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charge | $ | 1,272 | $ | 1,372 | (7) | % | ||||
| Operating profit margin, as reported | 16.5 | % | 17.4 | % | (90) bps | |||||
| Operating profit margin, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charge | 16.8 | % | 17.5 | % | (70) bps |
Our gross profit for 2025 was $2,679 million, which decreased five percent, and was negatively impacted by higher commodity and tariff costs, four percent due to lower sales volume, two percent due to the divestiture of our Kichler Lighting ("Kichler") business, as well as an increase in other expenses (including inventory-related reserves). These amounts were partially offset by five percent due to higher net selling prices of plumbing products, as well as cost savings initiatives.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses for 2025 were $1,426 million, which decreased three percent, and were positively impacted by three percent due to the divestiture of Kichler and one percent due to lower employee-related costs, partially offset by one percent due to unfavorable foreign currency translation.
Our operating profit for 2025 was $1,248 million, which decreased eight percent, and was negatively impacted by decreased gross profit and an impairment charge for other intangible assets, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses.
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OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Below is a summary of our other income (expense), net, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (101) | $ | (99) | (2) | % | ||||
| Other, net | (12) | (103) | 88 | % | ||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (114) | $ | (202) | 44 | % |
Other, net included a loss on the sale of Kichler of $88 million, inclusive of costs to sell, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
INCOME TAXES
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | (277) | $ | (287) | 3 | % | ||||
| Effective tax rate | (24.4) | % | (24.7) | % | 30 bps |
Refer to Note P to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
NET INCOME AND INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASCO CORPORATION
Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 810 | $ | 822 | (1) | % | ||||
| Diluted income per common share | $ | 3.86 | $ | 3.76 | 3 | % |
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Business Segment Results
The following tables set forth our net sales and operating profit information by Business Segment, dollars in millions.
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||
| Net Sales: | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 4,992 | $ | 4,853 | 3 | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 2,570 | 2,975 | (14) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 7,562 | $ | 7,828 | (3) | % |
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||
| Operating Profit: | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 895 | $ | 911 | (2) | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 443 | 549 | (19) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 1,338 | $ | 1,460 | (8) | % | ||||
| General corporate expense, net | (89) | (97) | (8) | % | ||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 1,248 | $ | 1,363 | (8) | % |
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS DISCUSSION
Changes in operating profit in the following Business Segment Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, and compares each respective period to the same period of the immediately preceding year.
Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased three percent in 2025. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased two percent in 2025. Net sales increased three percent due to higher net selling prices, partially offset by one percent due to lower sales volume.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment in 2025 was negatively impacted by higher commodity and tariff costs, an increase in other expenses (including inventory-related reserves), lower sales volume, unfavorable sales mix, an increase in strategic growth investments, and higher marketing costs, partially offset by higher net selling prices, cost savings initiatives, and the gain on the sale of a building.
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment decreased 14 percent in 2025, primarily due to lower sales volume which decreased net sales by eight percent and the divestiture of Kichler which decreased net sales by six percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2025 was negatively impacted by lower sales volume and higher commodity and tariff costs, partially offset by cost savings initiatives and lower marketing costs.
23
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
Historically, we have largely funded our growth through cash provided by our operations, the issuance of notes in the financial markets, bank borrowings and, to a lesser extent, the issuance of our common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions. Maintaining high levels of liquidity and focusing on cash generation are among our financial strategies. Our capital allocation strategy includes reinvesting in our business, maintaining an investment grade credit rating, maintaining a relevant dividend and deploying excess free cash flow to share repurchases or acquisitions.
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $647 million and $634 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at December 31, 2025 and 2024, $306 million and $321 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.
Our total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 97 percent and 102 percent at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Refer to Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
We believe that our present cash balance and cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under our revolving credit agreement, are sufficient to fund our near-term working capital and other investment needs. We believe that our longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. However, due to the changing market conditions and its impact on our customers and suppliers, we are unable to fully estimate the extent of the impact that the changing market conditions may have on our future financial condition.
Capital Expenditures
We continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations to increase our productivity, improve customer service and support product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2025 were $156 million, compared with $168 million for 2024. The decrease in capital expenditures in 2025 was primarily due to a capacity expansion investment in our Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2024. For 2026, capital expenditures, excluding any potential future acquisitions, are expected to be approximately $190 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2025 totaled $148 million, compared with $150 million for 2024. For 2026, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential future acquisitions, is expected to be approximately $160 million. Amortization expense totaled $23 million in 2025, compared with $32 million in 2024.
Credit Agreement
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion and a maturity date of April 26, 2027.
Under the 2022 Credit Agreement, at our request and subject to certain conditions, we can increase the aggregate commitment up to an additional $500 million with the current lenders or new lenders. See Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding under our 2022 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025.
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Corporate Development Strategy
We expect to maintain a balanced growth strategy pursuing organic growth by maximizing the full potential of our existing businesses and, as appropriate, complementing our existing business with strategic acquisitions.
In addition, we actively manage our portfolio of companies by divesting those businesses that do not align with our long-term growth strategy. We will continue to review all of our businesses to determine which businesses, if any, may not align with our long-term growth strategy.
Divestitures
In the third quarter of 2024, we sold our Kichler business, a provider of decorative residential and light commercial lighting products, ceiling fans, and LED lighting systems, for consideration of $125 million, net of cash disposed, and subject to final closing adjustments. Post-closing adjustments were finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Share Repurchases
Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise. We repurchased and retired 8.5 million shares of our common stock in 2025 for approximately $576 million, inclusive of excise tax of $5 million. This included 0.3 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2025. At December 31, 2025, we had $325 million remaining under the 2022 authorization. Effective February 10, 2026, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise, replacing the previous Board of Directors authorization established in 2022. Consistent with past practice and as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy, outside of any potential acquisitions, we anticipate using approximately $600 million of cash for share repurchases (including shares which will be purchased to offset any dilution from restricted stock units granted as part of our compensation programs) in 2026. Refer to Note N to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During 2024, we repurchased and retired 10.0 million shares of our common stock (including 0.5 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted during the year), for approximately $757 million, inclusive of excise tax of $6 million.
Dividend to Holders of our Common Shares
In 2025, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per common share for an annual dividend of $1.24 per share. Total cash dividends paid was $261 million in 2025.
As part of our capital allocation strategy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share in the first quarter of 2026 with the intention to increase the annual dividend three percent to $1.28 per share.
Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. The amounts confirmed as valid under the program and included in accounts payable were $26 million and $36 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Of the amounts confirmed as valid under the program, the amounts owed to participating financial institutions were $17 million and $23 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. All payments made under the program are recorded as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, in our consolidated statements of cash flows. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.
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We utilize derivative and hedging instruments to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro, British pound sterling, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar. We review our hedging program, derivative positions and overall risk management on a regular basis. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.
Cash Flows
Significant sources and (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized as follows, in millions:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from operating activities | $ | 1,022 | $ | 1,075 | ||
| Purchase of Company common stock | (571) | (751) | ||||
| Excise tax paid on the purchase of Company common stock | (6) | (3) | ||||
| Cash dividends paid | (261) | (254) | ||||
| Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | (15) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | (45) | (37) | ||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 6 | 79 | ||||
| Employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation | (10) | (35) | ||||
| Payment of debt | (2) | (3) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (156) | (168) | ||||
| Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | — | (4) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposition of: | ||||||
| Business, net of cash disposed | — | 126 | ||||
| Property and equipment | 14 | 1 | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | 25 | (9) | ||||
| Other, net | (3) | (5) | ||||
| Cash increase (decrease) | $ | 14 | $ | (1) |
Our working capital days were as follows:
| At December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Receivable days | 51 | 51 | |||
| Inventory days | 83 | 72 | |||
| Accounts payable days | 70 | 70 | |||
| Working capital (receivables plus inventories, less accounts payable) as a percentage of net sales | 16.7 | % | 15.1 | % |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations was $1,022 million, primarily driven by operating profit and the change in deferred taxes as a result of the cash tax benefit associated with immediate expensing of qualified fixed assets and research and development expenditures from the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, partially offset by changes in working capital.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $888 million, primarily due to $571 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock, $261 million for the payment of cash dividends, and $45 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest.
26
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $144 million, primarily driven by $156 million of capital expenditures.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note R to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Commitments
We enter into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which we operate. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to our products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, we occasionally provide reasonable and customary indemnifications. We have not paid a material amount related to these indemnifications, and we evaluate the probability that amounts may be incurred and record an estimated liability when probable and reasonably estimable.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2025, in millions:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027-2028 | 2029-2030 | Beyond 2030 | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt (A) | $ | 2 | $ | 904 | $ | 539 | $ | 1,503 | $ | — | $ | 2,949 | ||||||||||
| Interest (A) | 98 | 178 | 135 | 521 | — | 932 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 60 | 90 | 62 | 124 | — | 336 | ||||||||||||||||
| Currently payable income taxes | 17 | — | — | — | — | 17 | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments (B) | 369 | 125 | 79 | 85 | — | 658 | ||||||||||||||||
| Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties (C) | — | — | — | — | 84 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 545 | $ | 1,298 | $ | 815 | $ | 2,233 | $ | 84 | $ | 4,975 |
______________________________
(A)We assume that all debt would be held to maturity. Amounts include finance lease obligations.
(B)Includes purchase commitments for vendor contracts and contracts for the purchase of renewable energy certificates and transferable tax credits. Excludes contracts that do not require volume commitments and open or pending purchase orders.
(C)Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with uncertain tax positions, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate for the year in which cash settlements may occur with applicable tax authorities.
Refer to Note M to the consolidated financial statements for defined-benefit pension plan obligations.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect or could have affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We regularly review our estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and future revenues and expenses, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Note A to the consolidated financial statements includes our accounting policies, estimates and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we complete the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. We selected the discounted cash flow methodology because we believe that it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.
Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. We generally develop these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, estimated housing starts. Our assumptions included U.S. and Eurozone Gross Domestic Product growing at approximately 1.5 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, in 2026, and 1.8 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, per annum over the remainder of the five-year forecast.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2025, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 9.75 percent to 11.75 percent for our reporting units.
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If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, we estimated that future discounted cash flows projected for all of our reporting units were greater than the carrying values. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our reporting units would not have resulted in any goodwill impairment.
We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2025, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.75 percent to 12.00 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
If the carrying amount of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that an other indefinite-lived intangible asset's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, we recognized a $5 million non-cash impairment charge related to a registered trademark within our Decorative Architectural Products segment due to the loss of a customer in our paint applicator business. As of December 31, 2025, the impaired other indefinite-lived intangible asset had a remaining net carrying value of $2 million. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets would not have resulted in an additional impairment, except for the previously mentioned registered trademark.
Refer to Note H for additional information.
Income Taxes
We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains and projected future taxable income.
If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to evidence that is objectively verifiable such as cumulative losses in recent years, however, some evidence may be based on estimates and assumptions regarding potential sources of future taxable income. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may result in a change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Refer to Note P for additional information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note A to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
29
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000062996-25-000004.
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our consolidated financial statements (and notes related thereto) and other more detailed financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Further, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. See also “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Report. Amounts may not add due to rounding.
Overview
We design, manufacture and distribute branded home improvement and building products. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodeling activity and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. We sell our products through home center retailers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, direct to the consumer, professional contractors and homebuilders.
We continue to pursue our strategy of driving the full potential of our core businesses, leveraging opportunities across our enterprise, and actively managing our portfolio. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We execute our strategy by investing in our brands, developing innovative products, making capital investments, and focusing on continuous productivity improvement and operational excellence, among other initiatives. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
We continue to leverage the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across our enterprise to identify additional opportunities to improve our business operations. From time to time, we may take actions to drive efficiency in the business focused on the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives.
Recent Trends
Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We also have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. We aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of our elevated costs and lower demand for our products with productivity improvements, pricing, and other initiatives.
Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. These include the disclosure of net sales, operating profit and operating profit margins adjusted for certain items. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP.
We discuss our consolidated results as well as our Business Segment results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 versus December 31, 2023. A detailed discussion of our consolidated and Business Segment results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 can be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 8, 2024.
20
NET SALES
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 7,828 | $ | 7,967 | (2) | % | ||||
| Acquisitions | (58) | — | ||||||||
| Divestitures | — | (72) | ||||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions and divestitures | 7,770 | 7,895 | (2) | % | ||||||
| Currency translation | 32 | — | ||||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions, divestitures and the effect of currency translation | $ | 7,802 | $ | 7,895 | (1) | % |
Our net sales for 2024 were $7,828 million, which decreased two percent compared to 2023. Excluding acquisitions, divestitures, and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased one percent. Our net sales for 2024 decreased primarily due to lower sales volume of North America plumbing products, lower net selling prices of decorative architectural products, and unfavorable sales mix of plumbing products which each decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices of plumbing products which increased sales by one percent.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Below is a summary of our results of operations, dollars in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 7,828 | $ | 7,967 | (2) | % | ||||
| Cost of sales | (4,997) | (5,131) | (3) | % | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,831 | $ | 2,836 | — | % | ||||
| Gross margin | 36.2 | % | 35.6 | % | 60 bps | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | (1,468) | $ | (1,473) | — | % | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses of a percent of net sales | (18.8) | % | (18.5) | % | (30) bps | |||||
| Impairment charge for other intangible assets | $ | — | $ | (15) | (100) | % | ||||
| Operating profit, as reported | $ | 1,363 | $ | 1,348 | 1 | % | ||||
| Rationalization charges | 9 | 13 | (31) | % | ||||||
| Impairment charge for other intangible assets | — | 15 | (100) | % | ||||||
| Insurance settlement | — | (40) | (100) | % | ||||||
| Operating profit, excluding rationalization charges, impairment charge, and insurance settlement | $ | 1,372 | $ | 1,336 | 3 | % | ||||
| Operating profit margin, as reported | 17.4 | % | 16.9 | % | 50 bps | |||||
| Operating profit margin, excluding rationalization charges, impairment charge, and insurance settlement | 17.5 | % | 16.8 | % | 70 bps |
21
Our gross profit for 2024 was $2,831 million, which remained flat compared to 2023. Gross profit was negatively impacted by one percent due to the non-recurrence of the receipt of an insurance settlement payment in 2023, as well as unfavorable sales mix, and one percent each due to lower sales volume and unfavorable foreign currency translation. These amounts were mostly offset by cost savings initiatives and one percent due to higher net selling prices.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses for 2024 were $1,468 million, which remained flat compared to 2023. Selling, general and administrative expenses were positively impacted by one percent each due to the divestiture of Kichler in the third quarter of 2024 and lower sales commissions, mostly offset by two percent due to higher employee-related costs.
Our operating profit for 2024 was $1,363 million, which increased one percent, and was positively impacted by the non-recurrence of an impairment charge for other intangible assets in 2023.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Below is a summary of our other income (expense), net, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (99) | $ | (106) | 7 | % | ||||
| Other, net | (103) | (4) | (2,475) | % | ||||||
| Other income (expense), net | $ | (202) | $ | (110) | (84) | % |
Other, net included a loss on the sale of Kichler Lighting ("Kichler") of $88 million, inclusive of costs to sell, for the year ended December 31, 2024.
INCOME TAXES
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | (287) | $ | (278) | (3) | % | ||||
| Effective tax rate | (25) | % | (22) | % | (300) bps |
Our 2023 income tax expense included a $29 million state income tax benefit, net of federal expense, from the recognition of certain state deferred tax assets due to a legal restructuring of certain U.S. businesses that occurred in early 2024. This state income tax benefit did not recur in 2024.
Refer to Note P to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
NET INCOME AND INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASCO CORPORATION
Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 822 | $ | 908 | (9) | % | ||||
| Diluted income per common share | $ | 3.76 | $ | 4.02 | (6) | % |
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Business Segment Results
The following table sets forth our net sales and operating profit information by Business Segment, dollars in millions.
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||
| Net Sales: | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 4,853 | $ | 4,842 | — | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 2,975 | 3,125 | (5) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 7,828 | $ | 7,967 | (2) | % |
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||
| Operating Profit: | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 911 | $ | 861 | 6 | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 549 | 578 | (5) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 1,460 | $ | 1,439 | 1 | % | ||||
| General corporate expense, net | (97) | (91) | 7 | % | ||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 1,363 | $ | 1,348 | 1 | % |
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS DISCUSSION
Changes in operating profit in the following Business Segment Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, and compares each respective period to the same period of the immediately preceding year.
Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment were flat in 2024. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased one percent in 2024. Higher net selling prices increased sales by two percent and the acquisition of Sauna360 Group Oy ("Sauna360") in 2023 increased sales by one percent. These increases were mostly offset by lower sales volume and unfavorable sales mix which each decreased sales by one percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment in 2024 was positively impacted by cost savings initiatives and higher net selling prices, partially offset by higher commodity costs, unfavorable sales mix, lower sales volume and higher employee-related costs.
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment decreased five percent in 2024, primarily due to the divestiture of Kichler in the third quarter of 2024, lower net selling prices across the segment and lower sales volume of builders' hardware products, partially offset by higher sales volume of paints and other coating products.
23
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2024 was negatively impacted by lower net selling prices and the non-recurrence of the receipt of an insurance settlement payment in 2023, partially offset by cost savings initiatives, the non-recurrence of an other intangible asset impairment charge in 2023 and lower sales commissions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
Historically, we have largely funded our growth through cash provided by our operations, the issuance of notes in the financial markets, bank borrowings and, to a lesser extent, the issuance of our common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions. Maintaining high levels of liquidity and focusing on cash generation are among our financial strategies. Our capital allocation strategy includes reinvesting in our business, maintaining an investment grade credit rating, maintaining a relevant dividend and deploying excess free cash flow to share repurchases or acquisitions.
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $634 million at both December 31, 2024 and 2023. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at December 31, 2024 and 2023, $321 million and $323 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.
Our total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 102 percent and 97 percent at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Refer to Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
We believe that our present cash balance and cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under our revolving credit agreement, are sufficient to fund our near-term working capital and other investment needs. We believe that our longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. However, due to the changing market conditions and its impact on our customers and suppliers, we are unable to fully estimate the extent of the impact that the changing market conditions may have on our future financial condition.
Capital Expenditures
We continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations to increase our productivity, improve customer service and support product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2024 were $168 million, compared with $243 million for 2023. The decrease in capital expenditures in 2024 was primarily due to capacity expansion plans in our Plumbing Products and Decorative Architectural Products segments in 2023. For 2025, capital expenditures, excluding any potential future acquisitions, are expected to be approximately $175 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2024 totaled $150 million, compared with $149 million for 2023. For 2025, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential future acquisitions, is expected to be approximately $150 million. Amortization expense totaled $32 million in 2024, compared with $34 million in 2023.
Credit Agreement
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion and a maturity date of April 26, 2027.
Under the 2022 Credit Agreement, at our request and subject to certain conditions, we can increase the aggregate commitment up to an additional $500 million with the current lenders or new lenders. See Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
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The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding under our 2022 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Short-term Borrowings
On May 9, 2023, our Hansgrohe SE subsidiary entered into €70 million ($77 million) of short-term borrowings to support working capital needs. The loans contained no financial covenants and the entire balance was repaid as of December 31, 2023.
364-day Term Loan
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a 364-day $500 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan (the "term loan") due April 26, 2023 with a syndicate of lenders. The term loan and commitments thereunder were subject to prepayment or termination at our option and the loans bore interest at SOFR plus a spread adjustment and 0.70%. The covenants, including the financial covenants, were substantially the same as those in the 2022 Credit Agreement. We repaid $300 million during 2022 and the remaining $200 million upon the maturity of the term loan on April 26, 2023.
Corporate Development Strategy
We expect to maintain a balanced growth strategy pursuing organic growth by maximizing the full potential of our existing businesses and, as appropriate, complementing our existing business with strategic acquisitions.
In addition, we actively manage our portfolio of companies by divesting those businesses that do not align with our long-term growth strategy. We will continue to review all of our businesses to determine which businesses, if any, may not align with our long-term growth strategy.
Acquisitions
In the third quarter of 2023, we acquired all of the share capital of Sauna360 for approximately €124 million ($136 million), net of cash acquired. Sauna360 has a portfolio of products that includes traditional, infrared, and wood-burning saunas as well as steam showers.
Divestitures
In the third quarter of 2024, we sold our Kichler business, a provider of decorative residential and light commercial lighting products, ceiling fans, and LED lighting systems, for consideration of $125 million, net of cash disposed, and subject to final closing adjustments. Post-closing adjustments were finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Share Repurchases
Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise. We repurchased and retired 10.0 million shares of our common stock in 2024 for approximately $757 million, inclusive of excise tax of $6 million. This included 0.5 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2024. At December 31, 2024, we had $896 million remaining under the 2022 authorization. Consistent with past practice and as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy, outside of any potential acquisitions, we anticipate using approximately $600 million of cash for share repurchases (including shares which will be purchased to offset any dilution from restricted stock units granted as part of our compensation programs) in 2025. Refer to Note N to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During 2023, we repurchased and retired 6.2 million shares of our common stock (including 0.2 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted during the year), for approximately $356 million, inclusive of excise tax of $3 million.
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Dividend to holders of our Common Shares
In 2024, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per common share for an annual dividend of $1.16 per share. Total cash dividends paid was $254 million in 2024.
As part of our capital allocation strategy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share in the first quarter of 2025 with the intention to increase the annual dividend 7 percent to $1.24 per share.
Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. The amounts confirmed as valid under the program and included in accounts payable were $36 million and $53 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Of the amounts confirmed as valid under the program, the amounts owed to participating financial institutions were $23 million and $28 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All payments made under the program are recorded as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, in our consolidated statements of cash flows. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.
We utilize derivative and hedging instruments to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro, British pound sterling, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso and the U.S. dollar. We review our hedging program, derivative positions and overall risk management on a regular basis. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.
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Cash Flows
Significant sources and (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are summarized as follows, in millions:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from operating activities | $ | 1,075 | $ | 1,413 | ||
| Purchase of Company common stock | (751) | (353) | ||||
| Excise tax paid on the purchase of Company common stock | (3) | — | ||||
| Cash dividends paid | (254) | (257) | ||||
| Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | (15) | — | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | (37) | (49) | ||||
| Proceeds from short-term borrowings | — | 77 | ||||
| Payment of short-term borrowings | — | (77) | ||||
| Payment of term loan | — | (200) | ||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 79 | 38 | ||||
| Employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation | (35) | (29) | ||||
| Payment of debt | (3) | (5) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (168) | (243) | ||||
| Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (4) | (136) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposition of business, net of cash disposed | 126 | — | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | (9) | 6 | ||||
| Other, net | (4) | (4) | ||||
| Cash (decrease) increase | $ | (1) | $ | 182 |
Our working capital days were as follows:
| At December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Receivable days | 51 | 52 | |||
| Inventory days | 72 | 77 | |||
| Accounts payable days | 70 | 70 | |||
| Working capital (receivables plus inventories, less accounts payable) as a percentage of net sales | 15.1 | % | 16.0 | % |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations was $1,075 million, primarily driven by operating profit, partially offset by changes in working capital.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $1,017 million, primarily due to $751 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock, $254 million for the payment of cash dividends, $37 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest, $35 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation, and $15 million for the purchase of the remaining equity interest in Easy Sanitary Solutions B.V. These uses of cash were partially offset by $79 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $50 million, primarily driven by $168 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $126 million of proceeds from the sale of Kichler.
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Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note R to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Commitments
We enter into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which we operate. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to our products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, we occasionally provide reasonable and customary indemnifications. We have not paid a material amount related to these indemnifications, and we evaluate the probability that amounts may be incurred and record an estimated liability when probable and reasonably estimable.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2024, in millions:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026-2027 | 2028-2029 | Beyond 2029 | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt (A) | $ | 3 | $ | 304 | $ | 839 | $ | 1,806 | $ | — | $ | 2,952 | ||||||||||
| Interest (A) | 98 | 193 | 158 | 580 | — | 1,028 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 55 | 88 | 57 | 142 | — | 341 | ||||||||||||||||
| Currently payable income taxes | 28 | — | — | — | — | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments (B) | 363 | 100 | 41 | — | — | 505 | ||||||||||||||||
| Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties (C) | — | — | — | — | 97 | 97 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 546 | $ | 685 | $ | 1,095 | $ | 2,527 | $ | 97 | $ | 4,950 |
______________________________
(A)We assume that all debt would be held to maturity. Amounts include finance lease obligations.
(B)Includes purchase commitments for vendor contracts and contracts for the purchase of renewable energy credits and transferable tax credits. Excludes contracts that do not require volume commitments and open or pending purchase orders.
(C)Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with uncertain tax positions, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate for the year in which cash settlements may occur with applicable tax authorities.
Refer to Note M to the consolidated financial statements for defined-benefit pension plan obligations.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect or could have affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We regularly review our estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and future revenues and expenses, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Note A to the consolidated financial statements includes our accounting policies, estimates and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we complete the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. We selected the discounted cash flow methodology because we believe that it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.
Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. We generally develop these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, estimated housing starts. Our assumptions included U.S. and Eurozone Gross Domestic Product growing at approximately 1.8 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, in 2025, and 2.0 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, per annum over the remainder of the five-year forecast.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 8.50 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2024, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.50 percent to 12.50 percent for our reporting units.
29
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, we estimated that future discounted cash flows projected for all of our reporting units were greater than the carrying values. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our reporting units would not have resulted in any goodwill impairment.
We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 8.50 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2024, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 11.50 percent to 13.50 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
If the carrying amount of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that an other indefinite-lived intangible asset's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, we estimated that the future discounted cash flows projected for all of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets were greater than the carrying values. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment charges for other indefinite-lived intangible assets. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets would have resulted in a $1 million impairment of one of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Refer to Note H for additional information.
Income Taxes
We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains and projected future taxable income.
If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to evidence that is objectively verifiable such as cumulative losses in recent years, however, some evidence may be based on estimates and assumptions regarding potential sources of future taxable income. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may result in a change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Refer to Note P for additional information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note A to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000062996-24-000006.
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our consolidated financial statements (and notes related thereto) and other more detailed financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Further, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. See also “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Report. Amounts may not add due to rounding.
Overview
We design, manufacture and distribute branded home improvement and building products. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodeling activity and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. We sell our products through home center retailers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, direct to the consumer, professional contractors and homebuilders.
We continue to pursue our strategy of driving the full potential of our core businesses, leveraging opportunities across our enterprise, and actively managing our portfolio. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We execute our strategy by investing in our brands, developing innovative products, making capital investments, and focusing on continuous productivity improvement and operational excellence, among other initiatives. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
We continue to leverage the Masco Operating System, our approach to drive growth and productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across our enterprise to identify additional opportunities to improve our business operations. From time to time, we may take actions to drive efficiency in the business focused on the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives.
Recent Trends
Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, as well as employee-related cost inflation. While still elevated, we have recently seen some reduction of certain costs, and we aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of our costs and lower demand for our products with productivity improvement, pricing, and other initiatives.
Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. These include the disclosure of net sales, operating profit and operating profit margins adjusted for certain items. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP.
We discuss our consolidated results as well as our Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 versus December 31, 2022. A detailed discussion of our consolidated, Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 can be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2023.
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SALES AND OPERATIONS
Net Sales
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 7,967 | $ | 8,680 | $ | (713) | ||||
| Acquisitions | (28) | — | (28) | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions | 7,939 | 8,680 | (741) | |||||||
| Currency translation | 8 | — | 8 | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions and the effect of currency translation | $ | 7,947 | $ | 8,680 | $ | (733) |
Our net sales for 2023 were $7,967 million, which decreased eight percent compared to 2022. Excluding acquisitions and the effect of currency translation, net sales decreased eight percent.
| Our net sales for 2023 decreased primarily due to: | ||
|---|---|---|
| • | Lower sales volume across the entire company which decreased sales by 11 percent. | |
| • | Unfavorable sales mix of plumbing products which decreased sales by one percent. | |
| These amounts were partially offset by: | ||
| • | Higher net selling prices across the entire company which increased sales by three percent. |
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Below is a summary of our gross profit, in millions, and gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,836 | $ | 2,713 | $ | 123 | ||||
| Gross margin | 35.6 | % | 31.3 | % | 430 bps |
| Our 2023 gross profit margin was positively impacted by: | ||
|---|---|---|
| • | Higher net selling prices. | |
| • | Cost savings initiatives. | |
| • | Lower transportation costs. | |
| • | Receipt of an insurance settlement payment. | |
| • | Lower excess and obsolete inventory charges. | |
| These amounts were partially offset by: | ||
| • | Lower sales volume. | |
| • | Unfavorable sales mix. |
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Below is a summary of our selling, general and administrative expenses, in millions, and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | (1,473) | $ | (1,390) | $ | (83) | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales | (18.5) | % | (16.0) | % | (250) bps |
| Our 2023 selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was negatively impacted by: | ||
|---|---|---|
| • | Increased employee-related costs. | |
| • | Increased marketing costs. | |
| • | Lower net sales resulting from lower volumes. |
Operating Profit
Below is a summary of our operating profit, in millions, and operating profit margins for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||
| Operating profit, as reported | $ | 1,348 | $ | 1,297 | $ | 51 | ||||
| Rationalization charges | 13 | 32 | (19) | |||||||
| Impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets | 15 | 26 | (11) | |||||||
| Insurance settlement | (40) | — | (40) | |||||||
| Operating profit, excluding rationalization charges, impairment charges and insurance settlement | $ | 1,336 | $ | 1,355 | $ | (19) | ||||
| Operating profit margin, as reported | 16.9 | % | 14.9 | % | 200 bps | |||||
| Operating profit margin, excluding rationalization charges, impairment charges and insurance settlement | 16.8 | % | 15.6 | % | 120 bps |
| Our 2023 operating profit was positively impacted by: | ||
|---|---|---|
| • | Higher net selling prices. | |
| • | Cost savings initiatives. | |
| • | Lower transportation costs. | |
| • | Receipt of an insurance settlement payment. | |
| • | Lower excess and obsolete inventory charges. | |
| • | Lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business. | |
| These amounts were partially offset by: | ||
| • | Lower sales volume. | |
| • | Increased employee-related costs. | |
| • | Unfavorable sales mix. | |
| • | Increased marketing costs. | |
| • | Unfavorable foreign currency translation. |
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OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Interest Expense
Below is a summary of our interest expense, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (106) | $ | (108) | $ | 2 |
Other, net
Below is a summary of our other, net, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Other, net | $ | (4) | $ | 4 | $ | (8) |
Other, net, for 2022 included $24 million of income from the revaluation of contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Kraus USA Inc.
INCOME TAXES
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | (278) | $ | (288) | $ | 10 | ||||
| Effective tax rate | (22) | % | (24) | % | 2 | % |
Our 2023 income tax expense included a $29 million state income tax benefit, net of federal expense, from the recognition of certain state deferred tax assets due to a legal restructuring of certain U.S. businesses that will occur in early 2024.
Refer to Note R to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
NET INCOME AND INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASCO CORPORATION
Below is a summary of our net income, in millions, and diluted income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 908 | $ | 844 | $ | 64 | ||||
| Diluted income per common share | $ | 4.02 | $ | 3.63 | $ | 0.39 |
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Business Segment and Geographic Area Results
The following table sets forth our net sales and operating profit information by Business Segment and Geographic Area, dollars in millions.
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||
| Net Sales: | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 4,842 | $ | 5,252 | (8) | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 3,125 | 3,428 | (9) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 7,967 | $ | 8,680 | (8) | % | ||||
| North America | $ | 6,384 | $ | 6,978 | (9) | % | ||||
| International, particularly Europe | 1,583 | 1,702 | (7) | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 7,967 | $ | 8,680 | (8) | % |
| Year Ended December 31, | Percent Change | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating Profit (A): | ||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 861 | $ | 819 | 5 | % | ||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 578 | 565 | 2 | % | ||||||
| Total | $ | 1,439 | $ | 1,384 | 4 | % | ||||
| North America | $ | 1,210 | $ | 1,116 | 8 | % | ||||
| International, particularly Europe | 229 | 268 | (15) | % | ||||||
| Total | 1,439 | 1,384 | 4 | % | ||||||
| General corporate expense, net | (91) | (87) | 5 | % | ||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 1,348 | $ | 1,297 | 4 | % |
(A)Before general corporate expense, net; refer to Note P to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS DISCUSSION
Changes in operating profit in the following Business Segment and Geographic Area Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, and compares each respective period to the same period of the immediately preceding year.
23
Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment decreased eight percent in 2023. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales decreased seven percent in 2023. Lower sales volume decreased sales by 11 percent and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices, which increased sales by four percent and the acquisition of Sauna360 which increased sales by one percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment in 2023 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices, lower transportation and commodity costs, cost savings initiatives, and lower excess and obsolete inventory charges. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume, increased employee-related costs, unfavorable sales mix, unfavorable foreign currency translation and increased marketing costs.
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment decreased nine percent in 2023, primarily due to lower sales volume, partially offset by higher net selling prices.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2023 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices, cost savings initiatives, receipt of an insurance settlement payment, lower transportation costs, lower excess and obsolete inventory charges, and lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume, increased commodity costs and increased employee-related costs.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESULTS DISCUSSION
North America
Sales
North America net sales decreased nine percent in 2023. Lower sales volume decreased sales by 11 percent and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices, which increased sales by two percent.
Operating Results
North America operating profit in 2023 was positively impacted by higher net selling prices, cost savings initiatives, lower transportation costs, receipt of an insurance settlement payment, lower excess and obsolete inventory charges, and lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume, increased employee-related costs, unfavorable sales mix and increased marketing costs.
International, Particularly Europe
Sales
International net sales decreased seven percent in 2023. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales decreased six percent. Lower sales volume decreased sales by 11 percent and unfavorable sales mix decreased sales by one percent. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices which increased sales by five percent.
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Operating Results
International operating profit in 2023 was negatively impacted by lower sales volume, unfavorable sales mix and unfavorable foreign currency translation. These amounts were partially offset by higher net selling prices and lower transportation and commodity costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
Historically, we have largely funded our growth through cash provided by our operations, the issuance of notes in the financial markets, bank borrowings and, to a lesser extent, the issuance of our common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions. Maintaining high levels of liquidity and focusing on cash generation are among our financial strategies. Our capital allocation strategy includes reinvesting in our business, maintaining an investment grade credit rating, maintaining a relevant dividend and deploying excess free cash flow to share repurchases or acquisitions.
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $634 million and $452 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at December 31, 2023 and 2022, $323 million and $321 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.
Our current ratio was 1.7 to 1 and 1.6 to 1 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in our current ratio is primarily due to the repayment of the 364-day term loan during 2023.
Our total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 97 percent and 109 percent at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Refer to Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
We believe that our present cash balance and cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under our revolving credit agreement, are sufficient to fund our near-term working capital and other investment needs. We believe that our longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. However, due to the changing market conditions and its impact on our customers and suppliers, we are unable to fully estimate the extent of the impact that the changing market conditions may have on our future financial condition.
Capital Expenditures
We continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations to increase our productivity, improve customer service and support product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2023 were $243 million, compared with $224 million for 2022. The increase in capital expenditures in 2023 was primarily due to capacity expansion plans in our Plumbing Products and Decorative Architectural Products segments. For 2024, capital expenditures, excluding any potential future acquisitions, are expected to be approximately $200 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2023 totaled $149 million, compared with $145 million for 2022. For 2024, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential future acquisitions, is expected to be approximately $160 million. Amortization expense totaled $34 million in 2023, compared with $33 million in 2022.
Credit Agreement
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion and a maturity date of April 26, 2027.
25
Under the 2022 Credit Agreement, at our request and subject to certain conditions, we can increase the aggregate commitment up to an additional $500 million with the current lenders or new lenders. See Note K to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding under our 2022 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
Short-term Borrowings
On May 9, 2023, our Hansgrohe SE subsidiary entered into €70 million ($77 million) of short-term borrowings to support working capital needs. The loans contained no financial covenants and the entire balance was repaid as of December 31, 2023.
364-day Term Loan
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a 364-day $500 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan (the "term loan") due April 26, 2023 with a syndicate of lenders. The term loan and commitments thereunder were subject to prepayment or termination at our option and the loans bore interest at SOFR plus a spread adjustment and 0.70%. The covenants, including the financial covenants, were substantially the same as those in the 2022 Credit Agreement. We repaid $300 million during 2022 and the remaining $200 million upon the maturity of the term loan on April 26, 2023.
Corporate Development Strategy
We expect to maintain a balanced growth strategy pursuing organic growth by maximizing the full potential of our existing businesses and, as appropriate, complementing our existing business with strategic acquisitions.
In addition, we actively manage our portfolio of companies by divesting those businesses that do not align with our long-term growth strategy. We will continue to review all of our businesses to determine which businesses, if any, may not align with our long-term growth strategy.
Acquisitions
In the third quarter of 2023, we acquired all of the share capital of Sauna360 for approximately €124 million ($136 million), net of cash acquired. Sauna360 has a portfolio of products that includes traditional, infrared, and wood-burning saunas as well as steam showers.
Share Repurchases
Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock, exclusive of excise tax, in open-market transactions or otherwise. We repurchased and retired 6.2 million shares of our common stock in 2023 for approximately $356 million, inclusive of excise tax of $3 million. This included 0.2 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2023. At December 31, 2023, we had $1.6 billion remaining under the 2022 authorization. Consistent with past practice and as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy, outside of any potential acquisitions, we anticipate using approximately $600 million of cash for share repurchases (including shares which will be purchased to offset any dilution from restricted stock units granted as part of our compensation programs) in 2024. Refer to Note N to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During 2022, we repurchased and retired 16.6 million shares of our common stock (including 0.6 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted during the year), for approximately $914 million.
Dividend to holders of our Common Shares
We paid a quarterly dividend of $0.285 per common share for an annual dividend of $1.14 per share.
As part of our capital allocation strategy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share in the first quarter of 2024 with the intention to increase the annual dividend 2 percent to $1.16 per share.
26
Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. The amounts confirmed as valid under the program and included in accounts payable were $53 million and $50 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Of the amounts confirmed as valid under the program, the amounts owed to participating financial institutions were $28 million and $29 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. All payments made under the program are recorded as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, in our consolidated statements of cash flows. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.
We utilize derivative and hedging instruments to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro, British pound sterling, the Chinese renminbi and the U.S. dollar; occasionally, we have also used derivative and hedging instruments to manage interest rate fluctuations, primarily related to debt issuances. We review our hedging program, derivative positions and overall risk management on a regular basis. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.
Cash Flows
Significant sources and (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows, in millions:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from operating activities | $ | 1,413 | $ | 840 | ||
| Purchase of Company common stock | (353) | (914) | ||||
| Cash dividends paid | (257) | (258) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | (49) | (68) | ||||
| Proceeds from short-term borrowings | 77 | — | ||||
| Payment of short-term borrowings | (77) | — | ||||
| Proceeds from term loan | — | 500 | ||||
| Payment of term loan | (200) | (300) | ||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 38 | 1 | ||||
| Employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation | (29) | (17) | ||||
| Payment of debt | (5) | (10) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (243) | (224) | ||||
| Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | (136) | — | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | 6 | (18) | ||||
| Other, net | (4) | (6) | ||||
| Cash increase (decrease) | $ | 182 | $ | (474) |
Our working capital days were as follows:
| At December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Receivable days | 52 | 53 | |||
| Inventory days | 77 | 80 | |||
| Accounts payable days | 70 | 68 | |||
| Working capital (receivables plus inventories, less accounts payable) as a percentage of net sales | 16.0 | % | 17.4 | % |
27
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations was $1,413 million, primarily driven by operating profit and changes in working capital, mostly attributable to lower inventory.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $854 million, primarily due to $353 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock (including 0.2 million shares repurchased to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2023), $257 million for the payment of cash dividends, $200 million for the repayment of the 364-day term loan, $49 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest and $29 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation. These uses of cash were partially offset by $38 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $383 million, primarily driven by $243 million of capital expenditures and $136 million for the acquisition of Sauna360.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note T to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Commitments
We enter into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which we operate. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to our products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, we occasionally provide reasonable and customary indemnifications. We have not paid a material amount related to these indemnifications, and we evaluate the probability that amounts may be incurred and record an estimated liability when probable and reasonably estimable.
28
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2023, in millions:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027-2028 | Beyond 2028 | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt (A) | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | $ | 904 | $ | 2,042 | $ | — | $ | 2,954 | ||||||||||
| Interest (A) | 98 | 193 | 178 | 656 | — | 1,125 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 57 | 101 | 65 | 167 | — | 390 | ||||||||||||||||
| Currently payable income taxes | 32 | — | — | — | — | 32 | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments (B) | 327 | 81 | 4 | — | — | 412 | ||||||||||||||||
| Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties (C) | — | — | — | — | 93 | 93 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 517 | $ | 379 | $ | 1,152 | $ | 2,866 | $ | 93 | $ | 5,006 |
______________________________
(A)We assume that all debt would be held to maturity. Amounts include finance lease obligations.
(B)Excludes contracts that do not require volume commitments and open or pending purchase orders.
(C)Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with uncertain tax positions, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate for the year in which cash settlements may occur with applicable tax authorities.
Refer to Note M to the consolidated financial statements for defined-benefit pension plan obligations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect or could have affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We regularly review our estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and future revenues and expenses, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Note A to the consolidated financial statements includes our accounting policies, estimates and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.
29
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we complete the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. We selected the discounted cash flow methodology because we believe that it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.
Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent to three percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. We generally develop these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, estimated housing starts. Our assumptions included U.S. and Eurozone Gross Domestic Product both growing at approximately 1.0 percent in 2024, and 2.0 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, per annum over the remainder of the five-year forecast.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 9.50 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2023, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 11.50 percent to 13.50 percent for our reporting units.
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, we estimated that future discounted cash flows projected for all of our reporting units were greater than the carrying values. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our reporting units would not have resulted in any goodwill impairment.
We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 9.50 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2023, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 12.25 percent to 14.50 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
If the carrying amount of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that an other indefinite-lived intangible asset's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset.
30
In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a $15 million non-cash impairment charge related to a registered trademark within our Decorative Architectural Products segment due to competitive market conditions and increased cost of capital in our lighting business. As of December 31, 2023, the impaired other indefinite-lived intangible asset had a remaining net carrying value of $28 million. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other indefinite-lived intangibles assets would have resulted in a $2 million impairment for another one of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Refer to Note H for additional information.
Income Taxes
We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains and projected future taxable income.
If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to evidence that is objectively verifiable such as cumulative losses in recent years, however, some evidence may be based on estimates and assumptions regarding potential sources of future taxable income. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may result in a change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets.
We have loss carryforwards in certain state jurisdictions resulting from perpetual losses for which deferred tax assets were not recognized as the likelihood of utilization was remote. Due to a legal restructuring of certain U.S. businesses that will occur in early 2024, it is more likely than not a significant portion of these loss carryforwards will be utilized. As a result, we recognized a $29 million state income tax benefit, net of federal expense, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Refer to Note R for additional information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note A to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000062996-23-000008.
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our consolidated financial statements (and notes related thereto) and other more detailed financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Further, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. See also “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Report.
Overview
We design, manufacture and distribute branded home improvement and building products. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodeling activity and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. We sell our products through home center retailers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, direct to the consumer, professional contractors and homebuilders.
We continue to pursue our strategy of driving the full potential of our core businesses, leveraging opportunities across our enterprise, and actively managing our portfolio. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We execute our strategy by investing in our brands, developing innovative products, making capital investments, and focusing on continuous productivity improvement and operational excellence, among other initiatives. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
We continue to leverage the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives across our enterprise to identify additional opportunities to improve our business operations. From time to time, we may take actions to drive efficiency in the business focused on the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives.
Recent Trends
Due to changing market conditions, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, lower market demand for our products. We have been experiencing, and may continue to experience, elevated commodity and other input costs, elevated transportation costs and supply chain disruptions, particularly disruptions related to our ability to source products, components and raw materials. We have also been experiencing, and may continue to experience, employee-related cost inflation and constraints in hiring qualified employees. While still elevated, we have recently seen some reduction of certain costs, and we aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of our costs and lower demand for our products with productivity improvement, pricing, and other initiatives.
Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. These include the disclosure of net sales, operating profit and operating profit margins adjusted for certain items. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP.
We discuss our consolidated results as well as our Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021. A detailed discussion of our consolidated, Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 can be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on February 8, 2022.
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SALES AND OPERATIONS
Net Sales
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 8,680 | $ | 8,375 | $ | 305 | ||||
| Acquisitions | (11) | — | (11) | |||||||
| Divestitures | — | (32) | 32 | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions and divestitures | 8,669 | 8,343 | 326 | |||||||
| Currency translation | 211 | — | 211 | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions, divestitures and the effect of currency translation | $ | 8,880 | $ | 8,343 | $ | 537 |
Net sales for 2022 were $8.7 billion, which increased four percent compared to 2021. Excluding acquisitions, divestitures and the effect of currency translation, net sales increased six percent.
Net sales for 2022 increased primarily due to:
•Higher net selling prices across the entire company which increased sales by nine percent.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•Lower sales volume which decreased sales by three percent.
•Unfavorable foreign currency translation which decreased sales by two percent.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Below is a summary of our gross profit, in millions, and gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,713 | $ | 2,863 | $ | (150) | ||
| Gross margin | 31.3 | % | 34.2 | % | (290) bps |
The 2022 gross profit margin was negatively impacted by:
•Increased commodity and transportation costs.
•Higher costs due to production inefficiencies and related under absorption, as well as higher excess and obsolete inventory charges resulting from business rationalization activities.
•Lower sales volume.
•Unfavorable sales mix.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•Higher net selling prices.
19
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Below is a summary of our selling, general and administrative expenses, in millions, and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | (Favorable) / Unfavorable | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 1,390 | $ | 1,413 | $ | (23) | ||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as percentage of net sales | 16.0 | % | 16.9 | % | (90) bps |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in 2022 was positively impacted by:
•Higher net sales resulting from favorable net selling prices.
•Lower variable compensation.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•Increased marketing costs.
Operating Profit
Below is a summary of our operating profit, in millions, and operating profit margins for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||
| Operating profit, as reported | $ | 1,297 | $ | 1,405 | $ | (108) | ||
| Rationalization charges | 32 | 4 | 28 | |||||
| Impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets | 26 | 45 | (19) | |||||
| Operating profit, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charges | $ | 1,355 | $ | 1,454 | $ | (99) | ||
| Operating profit margin, as reported | 14.9 | % | 16.8 | % | (190) bps | |||
| Operating profit margin, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charges | 15.6 | % | 17.4 | % | (180) bps |
Operating profit in 2022 was negatively impacted by:
•Increased commodity and transportation costs.
•Higher costs due to production inefficiencies and related under absorption, as well as higher excess and obsolete inventory charges resulting from business rationalization activities.
•Lower sales volume.
•Unfavorable foreign currency translation.
•Increased marketing costs.
•Unfavorable sales mix.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•Higher net selling prices.
•Lower variable compensation.
•Lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business.
20
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Interest Expense
Below is a summary of our interest expense, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (108) | $ | (278) | $ | 170 |
The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to the absence of the $168 million loss on debt extinguishment, which was recorded as additional interest expense in connection with the early retirement of debt in the first quarter of 2021.
Other, net
Below is a summary of our other, net, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Other, net | $ | 4 | $ | (439) | $ | 443 |
Other, net, for 2022 included:
•$24 million of income from the revaluation of contingent consideration related to a prior acquisition.
This amount was partially offset by:
•$10 million of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit expense.
•$6 million of losses related to equity method investments.
Other, net, for 2021 included:
•$430 million of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit expense, which includes $399 million of net settlement loss related to the termination of our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans.
•$18 million loss related to the divestiture of our Hüppe GmbH ("Hüppe") business.
•$16 million expense from the revaluation of contingent consideration related to a prior acquisition.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•$14 million gain recognized on the redemption of the preferred stock of ACProducts Holding, Inc. and $6 million of related dividend income.
•$11 million of earnings related to equity method investments.
21
INCOME TAXES
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | (Favorable) / Unfavorable | ||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 288 | $ | 210 | $ | 78 | ||
| Effective tax rate | 24 | % | 31 | % | (7) | % |
Our 2021 income tax expense included $16 million due to the elimination of disproportionate tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income related to our debt retirement and pension plan termination and $18 million due to losses providing no tax benefit in certain jurisdictions from our pension plan termination and a business divestiture.
Refer to Note S to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
INCOME AND INCOME PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS- ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASCO CORPORATION
Below is a summary of our income and diluted income per common share from continuing operations, in millions, except per share data, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $ | 844 | $ | 410 | $ | 434 | ||||
| Diluted income per common share from continuing operations | $ | 3.63 | $ | 1.62 | $ | 2.01 |
22
Business Segment and Geographic Area Results
The following table sets forth our net sales and operating profit information for our continuing operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area, dollars in millions.
| Year Ended December 31, | PercentChange | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||
| Net Sales: | |||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 5,252 | $ | 5,135 | 2 | % | |||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 3,428 | 3,240 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 8,680 | $ | 8,375 | 4 | % | |||||
| North America | $ | 6,978 | $ | 6,624 | 5 | % | |||||
| International, principally Europe | 1,702 | 1,751 | (3) | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 8,680 | $ | 8,375 | 4 | % |
| Year Ended December 31, | PercentChange | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||
| Operating Profit (A): | |||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 819 | $ | 929 | (12) | % | |||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 565 | 581 | (3) | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,384 | $ | 1,510 | (8) | % | |||||
| North America | $ | 1,116 | $ | 1,214 | (8) | % | |||||
| International, principally Europe | 268 | 296 | (9) | % | |||||||
| Total | 1,384 | 1,510 | (8) | % | |||||||
| General corporate expense, net | (87) | (105) | (17) | % | |||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 1,297 | $ | 1,405 | (8) | % |
(A)Before general corporate expense, net; refer to Note Q to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS DISCUSSION
Changes in operating profit in the following Business Segment and Geographic Area Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, and compares each respective period to the same period of the immediately preceding year.
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Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased two percent in 2022 due primarily to favorable net selling prices, which increased sales by seven percent, and higher international plumbing sales volume which increased sales by two percent. These amounts were partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation which decreased sales by four percent, lower North America plumbing sales volume which decreased sales by two percent, and the divestiture of Hüppe which decreased sales by one percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment in 2022 was negatively impacted by increased commodity and transportation costs, higher costs due to production inefficiencies and related under absorption, higher excess and obsolete inventory charges resulting from business rationalization activities, unfavorable foreign currency translation, increased marketing costs and unfavorable sales mix. These amounts were partially offset by favorable net selling prices and, to a lesser extent, lower variable compensation.
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment increased six percent in 2022, primarily due to favorable net selling prices across the segment. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume across the segment.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2022 was negatively impacted by increased commodity and transportation costs, lower sales volume, higher costs due to production inefficiencies and related under absorption, higher excess and obsolete inventory charges resulting from business rationalization activities, and increased marketing costs. These amounts were partially offset by favorable net selling prices and lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business.
Geographic Area Results Discussion
North America
Sales
North America net sales increased five percent in 2022. Favorable net selling prices across all of our product categories increased sales by 10 percent. These amounts were partially offset by lower sales volume, which decreased sales by five percent.
Operating Results
North America operating profit in 2022 was negatively impacted by increased commodity and transportation costs, lower sales volume, higher costs due to production inefficiencies and related under absorption, higher excess and obsolete inventory charges resulting from business rationalization activities, and increased marketing costs. These amounts were partially offset by favorable net selling prices, and to a lesser extent, lower variable compensation and lower goodwill and other intangible assets impairment charges in our lighting business.
International, Principally Europe
Sales
International net sales decreased three percent in 2022. In local currencies (including sales in currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased eight percent. Favorable net selling prices of plumbing products increased sales by six percent. Higher sales volume of plumbing products increased sales by five percent. These amounts were partially offset by the divestiture of our Hüppe business which decreased sales by two percent and unfavorable sales mix which decreased sales by two percent.
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Operating Results
International operating profit in 2022 was negatively impacted by increased commodity and transportation costs, unfavorable foreign currency translation, wage inflation, and unfavorable sales mix. These amounts were partially offset by favorable net selling prices and higher sales volume of plumbing products.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
Historically, we have largely funded our growth through cash provided by our operations, the issuance of notes in the financial markets, bank borrowings and the issuance of our common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions. Maintaining high levels of liquidity and focusing on cash generation are among our financial strategies. Our capital allocation strategy includes reinvesting in our business, balancing share repurchases with potential acquisitions and maintaining a relevant dividend.
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $452 million and $926 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at December 31, 2022 and 2021, $321 million and $490 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.
Our current ratio was 1.6 to 1 and 1.8 to 1 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in our current ratio is primarily due to the 364-day $500 million term loan that we entered into on April 26, 2022.
Our total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 109 percent and 98 percent at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Refer to Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
We believe that our present cash balance and cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under our 2022 Credit Agreement, are sufficient to fund our near-term working capital and other investment needs. We believe that our longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. However, due to the changing market conditions and its impact on our customers and suppliers, we are unable to fully estimate the extent of the impact it may have on our future financial condition.
Capital Expenditures
We continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations to increase our productivity, improve customer service and support product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2022 were $224 million, compared with $128 million for 2021. The increase in capital expenditures in 2022 was primarily due to capacity expansion plans in our Plumbing Products and Decorative Architectural Products segments. For 2023, capital expenditures, excluding any potential future acquisitions, are expected to be approximately $250 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2022 totaled $145 million, compared with $151 million for 2021. For 2023, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential future acquisitions, is expected to be approximately $150 million. Amortization expense totaled $33 million in 2022, compared with $40 million in 2021.
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Senior Indebtedness
On March 4, 2021, we issued $600 million of 1.500% Notes due February 15, 2028, $600 million of 2.000% Notes due February 15, 2031 and $300 million of 3.125% Notes due February 15, 2051. We received proceeds of $1,495 million, net of discount, for the issuance of these Notes. The Notes are senior indebtedness and are redeemable at our option at the applicable redemption price. On March 22, 2021, proceeds from the debt issuances, together with cash on hand, were used to repay and early retire our $326 million 5.950% Notes due March 15, 2022, $500 million 4.450% Notes due April 1, 2025, and $500 million 4.375% Notes due April 1, 2026. In connection with these early retirements, we incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $168 million, which was recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
Credit Agreement
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion and a maturity date of April 26, 2027. Upon entry into the 2022 Credit Agreement, our credit agreement dated March 13, 2019, as amended, with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion, was terminated.
Under the 2022 Credit Agreement, at our request and subject to certain conditions, we can increase the aggregate commitment up to an additional $500 million with the current lenders or new lenders. See Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The 2022 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) an interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding under our 2022 Credit Agreement at December 31, 2022. As of the date of this report, $69 million was borrowed and outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 5.800%.
364-day Term Loan
On April 26, 2022, we entered into a 364-day $500 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan due April 26, 2023 with a syndicate of lenders. The senior unsecured term loan and commitments thereunder are subject to prepayment or termination at our option and the loans will bear interest at SOFR plus a spread adjustment and 0.70%. The covenants, including the financial covenants, are substantially the same as those in the 2022 Credit Agreement. We repaid $300 million during 2022.
Corporate Development Strategy
We expect to maintain a balanced growth strategy pursuing organic growth by maximizing the full potential of our existing businesses and, as appropriate, complementing our existing business with strategic acquisitions.
In addition, we actively manage our portfolio of companies by divesting those businesses that do not align with our long-term growth strategy. We will continue to review all of our businesses to determine which businesses, if any, may not align with our long-term growth strategy.
Acquisitions
During 2021, our Hansgrohe SE subsidiary acquired a 75.1 percent equity interest in Easy Sanitary Solutions B.V., a manufacturer of shower channel drains that offers a wide range of products for barrier-free showering and bathroom wall niches, for approximately €47 million ($58 million), including $52 million of cash and $6 million of debt that will be paid out over two years. During 2021, we also acquired all of the share capital of Steamist, Inc., a manufacturer of residential steam bath products that are complementary to many of our plumbing products, for approximately $56 million in cash.
Divestitures
During 2021, we completed the divestiture of Hüppe, a manufacturer of shower enclosures and shower trays. In connection with the divestiture, we recognized a loss of $18 million. During 2022, we recorded a $2 million pre-tax post-closing gain related to the finalization of working capital items in connection with the divestiture.
26
Share Repurchases
We repurchased and retired 16.6 million shares of our common stock in 2022 for approximately $914 million. This included 0.6 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2022. Effective October 20, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, for retirement, of up to $2.0 billion of shares of our common stock in open-market transactions or otherwise, replacing the previous Board of Directors authorization established in 2021. At December 31, 2022, we had $2.0 billion remaining under the 2022 authorization. Consistent with past practice and as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy, we anticipate using approximately $500 million of cash for share repurchases (including shares which will be purchased to offset any dilution from restricted stock units granted as part of our compensation programs) in 2023. Refer to Note O to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During 2021, we repurchased and retired 17.6 million shares of our common stock (including 0.7 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted during the year), for approximately $1,026 million.
Dividend to holders of our Common Shares
We paid a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per common share for an annual dividend of $1.12 per share.
As part of our capital allocation strategy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.285 per share in the first quarter of 2023 with the intention to increase the annual dividend to $1.14 per share.
Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. A third party administers the program; our responsibility is limited to making payment on the terms originally negotiated with our supplier, regardless of whether the supplier sells its receivable to a financial institution. We do not enter into agreements with any of the participating financial institutions in connection with the program. The range of payment terms we negotiate with our suppliers is consistent, irrespective of whether a supplier participates in the program.
All outstanding payments owed under the program are recorded within accounts payable in our consolidated balance sheets. The amounts owed to participating financial institutions under the program and included in accounts payable for our continuing operations were $29 million and $43 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We account for all payments made under the program as a reduction to our cash flows from operations and reported within our (decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, line within our consolidated statements of cash flows. The amounts settled through the program and paid to participating financial institutions were $188 million and $220 million for our continuing operations during 2022 and 2021, respectively. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.
We utilize derivative and hedging instruments to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro, British pound sterling, the Chinese renminbi and the U.S. dollar; occasionally, we have also used derivative and hedging instruments to manage interest rate fluctuations, primarily related to debt issuances. We review our hedging program, derivative positions and overall risk management on a regular basis. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.
27
Cash Flows
Significant sources and (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are summarized as follows, in millions:
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from operating activities | $ | 840 | $ | 930 | ||
| Retirement of notes | — | (1,326) | ||||
| Purchase of Company common stock | (914) | (1,026) | ||||
| Cash dividends paid | (258) | (211) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | (68) | (43) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (224) | (128) | ||||
| Proceeds from term loan | 500 | — | ||||
| Payment of term loan | (300) | — | ||||
| Debt extinguishment costs | — | (160) | ||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 1 | 5 | ||||
| Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | — | (57) | ||||
| Issuance of notes, net of issuance costs | — | 1,481 | ||||
| Employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation | (17) | (15) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposition of: | ||||||
| Businesses, net of cash disposed | — | 5 | ||||
| Property and equipment | 1 | — | ||||
| Financial investments | 1 | 171 | ||||
| Payment of debt | (10) | (3) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | (18) | (20) | ||||
| Other, net | (8) | (3) | ||||
| Cash decrease | $ | (474) | $ | (400) |
Our working capital days were as follows:
| At December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Receivable days | 53 | 51 | |||
| Inventory days | 80 | 85 | |||
| Accounts payable days | 68 | 66 | |||
| Working capital (receivables plus inventories, less accounts payable) as a percentage of net sales | 17.4 | % | 16.0 | % |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations of $840 million primarily benefited from operating profit, partially offset by changes in working capital, primarily lower accounts payable and accrued liabilities balances.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $1,066 million, primarily due to $914 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock (including 0.6 million shares repurchased to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2022), $300 million for the partial payment of the 364-day term loan, $258 million for the payment of cash dividends, $68 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest and $17 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation. These uses of cash were partially offset by $500 million in proceeds from the 364-day term loan.
28
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $230 million, primarily driven by $224 million of capital expenditures.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note U to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Commitments
We enter into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which we operate. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to our products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, we occasionally provide reasonable and customary indemnifications. We have not paid a material amount related to these indemnifications, and we evaluate the probability that amounts may be incurred and record an estimated liability when probable and reasonably estimable.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2022, in millions:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024-2025 | 2026-2027 | Beyond 2027 | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt (A) | $ | 205 | $ | 6 | $ | 304 | $ | 2,644 | $ | — | $ | 3,159 | ||||||||||
| Interest (A) | 101 | 194 | 192 | 738 | — | 1,225 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 50 | 89 | 68 | 174 | — | 381 | ||||||||||||||||
| Currently payable income taxes | 48 | — | — | — | — | 48 | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments (B) | 438 | 64 | 35 | — | — | 537 | ||||||||||||||||
| Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties (C) | — | — | — | — | 92 | 92 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 842 | $ | 353 | $ | 599 | $ | 3,556 | $ | 92 | $ | 5,442 |
______________________________
(A)We assume that all debt would be held to maturity. Amounts include finance lease obligations.
(B)Excludes contracts that do not require volume commitments and open or pending purchase orders.
(C)Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with uncertain tax positions, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate for the year in which cash settlements may occur with applicable tax authorities.
Refer to Note N to the consolidated financial statements for defined-benefit pension plan obligations.
29
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect or could have affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We regularly review our estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and future revenues and expenses, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Note A to the consolidated financial statements includes our accounting policies, estimates and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we complete the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. We selected the discounted cash flow methodology because we believe that it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.
Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent to three percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. We generally develop these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, estimated housing starts. Our assumptions included U.S. and Eurozone Gross Domestic Product growing at approximately 1.3 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, in 2023, and 2.0 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, per annum over the remainder of the five-year forecast.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 8.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2022, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.25 percent to 12.75 percent for our reporting units.
30
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we recognized a $19 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to a reporting unit within our Decorative Architectural Products segment due to competitive market conditions, higher inflationary costs and increased cost of capital in our lighting business. There is no remaining goodwill associated with the impaired reporting unit. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other reporting units would not have resulted in any additional goodwill impairment.
We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 8.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2022, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 11.25 percent to 13.75 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
If the carrying amount of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that an other indefinite-lived intangible asset's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we recognized a $7 million non-cash impairment charge related to a registered trademark within our Decorative Architectural Products segment due to competitive market conditions and increased cost of capital in our lighting business. As of December 31, 2022, the impaired other indefinite-lived intangible asset had a remaining net carrying value of $43 million. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other indefinite-lived intangibles assets would not have resulted in an impairment for any of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Refer to Note H for additional information.
Income Taxes
We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains and projected future taxable income.
If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Significant weight is given to evidence that is objectively verifiable such as cumulative losses in recent years, however, some evidence may be based on estimates and assumptions regarding potential sources of future taxable income. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may result in a change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Refer to Note S for additional information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note A to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000062996-22-000011.
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our consolidated financial statements (and notes related thereto) and other more detailed financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Further, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. See also “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this report.
Overview
We design, manufacture and distribute branded home improvement and building products. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodeling activity and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. We sell our products through home center retailers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, direct to the consumer, professional contractors and homebuilders.
We continue to execute our strategy of leveraging our strong brand portfolio, industry-leading positions and the Masco Operating System, our methodology to drive growth and productivity, to create long-term shareholder value. We remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and long-term strategy. We believe that our strong financial position and cash flow generation, together with our investments in our industry-leading branded building products, our continued focus on innovation and disciplined capital allocation, will allow us to drive long-term growth and create value for our shareholders.
We continue to leverage the Masco Operating System and continuous improvement initiatives across our enterprise to identify additional opportunities to improve our business operations. From time to time, we may take actions to drive efficiency in the business focused on the strategic rationalization of our businesses, including business consolidations, plant closures, headcount reductions and other cost savings initiatives.
Recent Trends
COVID-19 Impact and General Business Conditions
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global economic activity, including our workforce and operations, as well as the operations of our customers and suppliers. There remains substantial uncertainty regarding the global economic impact of, and the speed and shape of the recovery from, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on our future operations and financial results. We are experiencing, and may continue to experience, higher commodity and transportation costs, and supply chain disruptions, particularly disruptions related to our ability to source products, components and raw materials. We are also experiencing and may continue to experience labor cost inflation and constraints in hiring qualified employees. We aim to offset the potential unfavorable impact of these items with productivity improvement and other initiatives.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we believe that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios, used in managing the business, may provide users of this financial information with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior periods. These include the disclosure of net sales, operating profit and operating profit margins adjusted for certain items. Non-GAAP performance measures and ratios should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported results under GAAP.
We discuss our consolidated results as well as our Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 versus December 31, 2020. A detailed discussion of our consolidated, Business Segment and Geographic Area results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 can be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2021.
Sales and Operations
Net Sales
Below is a summary of our net sales, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Net sales, as reported | $ | 8,375 | $ | 7,188 | $ | 1,187 | ||||
| Acquisitions | (231) | — | (231) | |||||||
| Divestitures | — | (43) | 43 | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions and divestitures | 8,144 | 7,145 | 999 | |||||||
| Currency translation | (98) | — | (98) | |||||||
| Net sales, excluding acquisitions, divestitures and the effect of currency translation | $ | 8,046 | $ | 7,145 | $ | 901 |
Net sales for 2021 were $8.4 billion, which increased 17 percent compared to 2020. Excluding acquisitions, divestitures and the effect of currency translation, net sales increased 13 percent.
Net sales for 2021 increased primarily due to:
•Higher sales volume of plumbing products which increased sales by nine percent.
•Favorable net selling prices of paints and other coating products and plumbing products increased sales by three percent.
•The acquisitions of Kraus USA Inc. ("Kraus"), Easy Sanitary Solutions B.V. ("ESS"), Work Tools International Inc. and Elder & Jenks, LLC (collectively, "Work Tools") and Steamist, Inc. ("Steamist") increased sales by three percent.
•Favorable foreign currency translation increased sales by one percent.
•Favorable sales mix of plumbing products increased sales by one percent.
These amounts were slightly offset by:
•The divestiture of our Hüppe GmbH ("Hüppe") business decreased sales one percent.
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Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Below is a summary of our gross profit, in millions, and gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 2,863 | $ | 2,587 | $ | 276 | ||
| Gross margin | 34.2 | % | 36.0 | % | (180) bps |
The 2021 gross profit margin was negatively impacted by:
•Increased commodity, transportation and labor costs.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•Increased sales volume.
•Favorable net selling prices.
•Cost savings initiatives.
•Favorable sales mix.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Below is a summary of our selling, general and administrative expenses, in millions, and selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | (Favorable) / Unfavorable | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 1,413 | $ | 1,292 | $ | 121 | ||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses as percentage of net sales | 16.9 | % | 18.0 | % | (110) bps |
The improvement in selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales in 2021 was primarily driven by:
•Cost savings initiatives.
•Leverage of fixed expenses due primarily to increased sales volume.
These amounts were partially offset by:
• Increase in other expenses (such as labor and marketing costs).
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Operating Profit
Below is a summary of our operating profit, in millions, and operating profit margins for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||
| Operating profit, as reported | $ | 1,405 | $ | 1,295 | $ | 110 | ||
| Rationalization charges | 4 | 11 | (7) | |||||
| Impairment charge for goodwill | 45 | — | 45 | |||||
| Operating profit, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charge | $ | 1,454 | $ | 1,306 | $ | 148 | ||
| Operating profit margins, as reported | 16.8 | % | 18.0 | % | (120) bps | |||
| Operating profit margins, excluding rationalization charges and impairment charge | 17.4 | % | 18.2 | % | (80) bps |
Operating profit in 2021 was positively affected by:
•Increased sales volume.
•Favorable net selling prices.
•Cost savings initiatives.
•Favorable sales mix.
•Favorable foreign currency translation.
These positive impacts were partially offset by:
•Increased commodity costs.
•Increased other costs including transportation and marketing costs as well as increased labor costs.
•Goodwill impairment charge in our lighting business.
Interest Expense
Below is a summary of our interest expense, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (278) | $ | (144) | $ | (134) |
The increase in interest expense is primarily due to the $168 million loss on debt extinguishment, which was recorded as additional interest expense in connection with the early retirement of debt in the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by interest savings related to debt refinancing in the first quarter of 2021.
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Other, net
Below is a summary of our other, net, in millions, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Other, net | $ | (439) | $ | (20) | $ | (419) |
Other, net, for 2021 included:
•$430 million of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit expense, which includes $399 million of net settlement loss related to the termination of our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans.
•$18 million loss related to the divestiture of Hüppe.
•$16 million expense from the revaluation of contingent consideration related to a prior acquisition.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•$14 million gain recognized on the redemption of the preferred stock of ACProducts Holding, Inc. and $6 million of related dividend income.
•$11 million of earnings related to equity method investments.
Other, net, for 2020 included:
•$35 million of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit expense.
•$10 million of realized foreign currency transaction losses.
These amounts were partially offset by:
•$10 million of dividend income related to preferred stock of ACProducts Holding, Inc.
•$9 million of income due from an escrow settlement.
Income Tax Expense
Below is a summary of our income tax expense, in millions, and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | (Favorable) / Unfavorable | ||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 210 | $ | 269 | $ | (59) | ||
| Effective tax rate | 31 | % | 24 | % | 7 | % |
Our effective tax rate in 2021 was higher than our normalized tax rate of 25 percent due primarily to:
•$18 million additional income tax expense primarily from the loss on the termination of our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans providing no tax benefit in certain state jurisdictions and a shift in pre-tax income from the lower-taxed U.S. jurisdiction to higher-taxed foreign jurisdictions.
•$4 million additional income tax expense from a loss providing no tax benefit in certain foreign jurisdictions related to the divestiture of Hüppe.
•$16 million income tax expense from the elimination of disproportionate tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to our interest rate swap following the retirement of the related debt, and the termination of our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans.
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Our effective tax rate in 2020 was lower than our normalized tax rate of 25 percent due primarily to:
•$5 million income tax benefit from a change in judgment regarding the realizability of certain deferred tax assets in our foreign jurisdictions.
•$4 million tax benefit from stock-based compensation payments.
•$6 million tax benefit due to an anticipated refund claim from the retroactive application of the exclusion of certain high-taxed foreign income from the U.S. tax effects on Global Intangible Low-taxed Income back to 2018.
Refer to Note S to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Income and Income Per Common Share from Continuing Operations (Attributable to Masco Corporation)
Below is a summary of our income and diluted income per common share from continuing operations, in millions, except per share data, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Favorable / (Unfavorable) | ||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $ | 410 | $ | 810 | $ | (400) | ||||
| Diluted income per common share from continuing operations | $ | 1.62 | $ | 3.04 | $ | (1.42) |
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Business Segment and Geographic Area Results
The following table sets forth our net sales and operating profit information for our continuing operations by Business Segment and Geographic Area, dollars in millions.
| Year Ended December 31, | PercentChange | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||
| Net Sales: | |||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 5,135 | $ | 4,136 | 24 | % | |||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 3,240 | 3,052 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 8,375 | $ | 7,188 | 17 | % | |||||
| North America | $ | 6,624 | $ | 5,805 | 14 | % | |||||
| International, principally Europe | 1,751 | 1,383 | 27 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 8,375 | $ | 7,188 | 17 | % |
| Year Ended December 31, | PercentChange | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||
| Operating Profit: (A) | |||||||||||
| Plumbing Products | $ | 929 | $ | 806 | 15 | % | |||||
| Decorative Architectural Products | 581 | 583 | — | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,510 | $ | 1,389 | 9 | % | |||||
| North America | $ | 1,214 | $ | 1,167 | 4 | % | |||||
| International, principally Europe | 296 | 222 | 33 | % | |||||||
| Total | 1,510 | 1,389 | 9 | % | |||||||
| General corporate expense, net | (105) | (94) | 12 | % | |||||||
| Total operating profit | $ | 1,405 | $ | 1,295 | 8 | % |
(A)Before general corporate expense, net; refer to Note Q to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
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Business Segment Results Discussion
Changes in operating profit in the following Business Segment and Geographic Area Results discussion exclude general corporate expense, net, and compares each respective period to the same period of the immediately preceding year.
Plumbing Products
Sales
Net sales in the Plumbing Products segment increased 24 percent in 2021 due primarily to higher sales volume, which increased sales by 15 percent. The acquisitions of Kraus, ESS and Steamist increased sales by five percent. Additionally, favorable foreign currency translation and higher net selling prices both increased sales by two percent and positive sales mix increased sales by one percent. Such increases were slightly offset by the divestiture of Hüppe, which decreased sales by one percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Plumbing Products segment in 2021 was positively impacted by higher sales volume, favorable net selling prices, positive sales mix, cost savings initiatives and favorable currency translation. These positive impacts were partially offset by increased commodity costs and an increase in other expenses (such as transportation and labor costs).
Decorative Architectural Products
Sales
Net sales in the Decorative Architectural Products segment increased six percent in 2021, primarily due to favorable net selling prices of paints and other coating products and to a lesser extent higher volume of builders' hardware products. The Work Tools acquisition increased sales by one percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit in the Decorative Architectural Products segment in 2021 was positively impacted by favorable net selling prices as well as cost savings initiatives and lower fixed expenses in our lighting business. These positive impacts were partially offset by higher commodity costs and an increase in other expenses (such as transportation and marketing costs), as well as a goodwill impairment charge in our lighting business.
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Geographic Area Results Discussion
North America
Sales
North American net sales in 2021 increased 14 percent. Higher sales volume of plumbing products, and to a lesser extent, builders' hardware, in aggregate, increased sales by seven percent. The acquisitions of Kraus, Work Tools and Steamist increased sales by three percent and favorable net selling prices of paints and other coating and plumbing products increased sales by three percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit from North American operations in 2021 was positively affected by favorable net selling prices, higher sales volume, cost savings initiatives, and lower fixed expenses in our lighting business. These positive impacts were partially offset by increased commodity costs and an increase in other expenses (such as transportation and labor costs) as well as a goodwill impairment charge in our lighting business.
International, Principally Europe
Sales
Net sales from International operations in 2021 increased 27 percent. In local currencies (including sales in foreign currencies outside their respective functional currencies), net sales increased 21 percent. Higher sales volume and, to a lesser extent, favorable sales mix and net selling prices of plumbing products increased sales by 21 percent and the acquisition of ESS increased sales by three percent. Such increases were slightly offset by the divestiture of Hüppe that decreased sales by three percent.
Operating Results
Operating profit from International operations in 2021 was positively impacted by higher sales volume, favorable net selling prices, positive sales mix, and favorable foreign currency translation. These positive impacts were partially offset by an increase in other expenses (such as marketing, transportation and labor costs) and increased commodity costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview of Capital Structure
Historically, we have largely funded our growth through cash provided by our operations, the issuance of notes in the financial markets, bank borrowings and the issuance of our common stock, including issuances for certain mergers and acquisitions. Maintaining high levels of liquidity and focusing on cash generation are among our financial strategies. Our capital allocation strategy includes reinvesting in our business, balancing share repurchases with potential acquisitions and maintaining a meaningful dividend.
We had cash and cash investments of approximately $926 million and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our cash and cash investments consist of overnight interest bearing money market demand accounts, time deposit accounts, and money market mutual funds containing government securities and treasury obligations. While we attempt to diversify these investments in a prudent manner to minimize risk, it is possible that future changes in the financial markets could affect the security or availability of these investments. Of the cash and cash investments we held at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, $490 million and $385 million, respectively, was held in our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds were needed for our operations in the U.S., their repatriation into the U.S. would not result in significant additional U.S. income tax or foreign withholding tax, as we have recorded such taxes on substantially all undistributed foreign earnings, except for those that are legally restricted.
Our current ratio was 1.8 to 1 at both December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Our total debt as a percent of total capitalization was 98 percent and 87 percent at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Refer to Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
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Costs of environmental responsibilities and compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations have not had, nor do we expect them to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, financial position or results of operations.
We believe that our present cash balance and cash flows from operations, and borrowing availability under our Amended Credit Agreement, are sufficient to fund our near-term working capital and other investment needs. We believe that our longer-term working capital and other general corporate requirements will be satisfied through cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, from bank borrowings and future financial market activities. However, due to the highly uncertain nature and duration or resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our customer, suppliers and employees, we are unable to fully estimate the extent of the impact it may have on our future financial condition.
Capital Expenditures
We continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations of those businesses that align with our long-term growth strategy to increase our productivity, improve customer service and support product innovation. Capital expenditures for 2021 were $128 million, compared with $114 million for 2020. For 2022, capital expenditures, excluding any potential future acquisitions, are expected to be approximately $250 million. Depreciation and amortization expense for 2021 totaled $151 million, compared with $133 million for 2020. For 2022, depreciation and amortization expense, excluding any potential future acquisitions, is expected to be approximately $150 million. Amortization expense totaled $40 million in 2021, compared with $28 million in 2020.
Senior Indebtedness
On March 4, 2021, we issued $600 million of 1.500% Notes due February 15, 2028, $600 million of 2.000% Notes due February 15, 2031 and $300 million of 3.125% Notes due February 15, 2051. We received proceeds of $1,495 million, net of discount, for the issuance of these Notes. The Notes are senior indebtedness and are redeemable at our option at the applicable redemption price. On March 22, 2021, proceeds from the debt issuances, together with cash on hand, were used to repay and early retire our $326 million 5.950% Notes due March 15, 2022, $500 million 4.450% Notes due April 1, 2025, and $500 million 4.375% Notes due April 1, 2026. In connection with these early retirements, we incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $168 million, which was recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
On September 18, 2020, we issued $300 million of 2.000% Notes due October 1, 2030 (the "2030 Notes") and received proceeds of $300 million, net of discount, for the issuance of the 2030 Notes. Also on September 18, 2020, we issued an incremental $100 million on our existing 4.500% Notes due May 15, 2047 (the "2047 Notes") and received proceeds of $119 million, including a premium, for the issuance of the 2047 Notes. The incremental $100 million formed a single series with the existing $300 million of 4.500% Notes due May 15, 2047. The 2030 Notes and 2047 Notes are senior indebtedness and are redeemable at our option at the applicable redemption price. On September 29, 2020, proceeds from the debt issuances were used to repay and early retire our $400 million 3.500% Notes due April 1, 2021. In connection with this early retirement, we incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million, which was recorded as interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
Credit Agreement
On March 13, 2019, we entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with an aggregate commitment of $1.0 billion and a maturity date of March 13, 2024. On December 22, 2021, we amended the Credit Agreement with the bank group (the "Amended Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement was amended to (i) expand the “Agreed Currencies” for which loans thereunder may be denominated outside of the swingline facility to include British Pounds Sterling and Canadian Dollars, together with their applicable interest rate benchmark, (ii) replace the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) with the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) as the interest rate benchmark for purposes of loans denominated in Euros and (iii) provide mechanics for the replacement of a benchmark for an applicable Agreed Currency upon the occurrence of certain specified events.
Under the Amended Credit Agreement, at our request and subject to certain conditions, we can increase the aggregate commitment up to an additional $500 million with the current lenders or new lenders. See Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
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The Amended Credit Agreement contains financial covenants requiring us to maintain (A) a net leverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not exceeding 4.0 to 1.0, and (B) a minimum interest coverage ratio, as adjusted for certain items, not less than 2.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all covenants and no borrowings were outstanding under our Amended Credit Agreement at December 31, 2021.
Corporate Development Strategy
We expect to maintain a balanced growth strategy pursuing organic growth by maximizing the full potential of our existing businesses and, as appropriate, complementing our existing business with strategic acquisitions.
In addition, we actively manage our portfolio of companies by divesting of those businesses that do not align with our long-term growth strategy. We will continue to review all of our businesses to determine which businesses, if any, may not align with our long-term growth strategy.
Acquisitions
During 2021, we acquired a 75.1 percent equity interest in ESS, a manufacturer of shower channel drains and offers a wide range of products for barrier-free showering and bathroom wall niches, for approximately €47 million ($58 million), including $52 million of cash and $6 million of debt that will be paid out over two years. We also acquired all of the share capital of Steamist, a manufacturer of residential steam bath products that are complementary to many of our plumbing products, for approximately $56 million in cash.
During 2020, we acquired substantially all of the net assets of Kraus, a designer and distributor of sinks, faucets and accessories for the kitchen and bathroom, as well as Work Tools, a leading manufacturer of high-quality precision painting tools and accessories including brushes, rollers and mini rollers for DIY and professionals. Additionally, we acquired all of the share capital of SmarTap A.Y Ltd. ("SmarTap"), a developer of a smart bathing system that monitors and controls the temperature and flow of water. We acquired these businesses for a combined $175 million of cash and $5 million of debt.
Divestitures
During 2021, we completed the divestiture of our Hüppe business, a manufacturer of shower enclosures and shower trays. In connection with the divestiture, we recognized a loss of $18 million.
During 2020, we completed the divestiture of our Masco Cabinetry LLC ("Cabinetry") business, a manufacturer of cabinetry products, for proceeds of approximately $989 million, including $853 million, net of cash disposed. In connection with the divestiture, we recognized a gain of $585 million.
Share Repurchases
We repurchased and retired 17.6 million shares of our common stock in 2021 for approximately $1,026 million. This included 0.7 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2021. At December 31, 2021, we had $1,128 million remaining under the 2021 authorization. Consistent with past practice and as part of our long-term capital allocation strategy, we anticipate using approximately $600 million of cash for share repurchases (including shares which will be purchased to offset any dilution from restricted stock units granted as part of our compensation programs) in 2022. Refer to Note O to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
During 2020, we repurchased and retired 18.8 million shares of our common stock (including 0.4 million shares to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted during the year), for approximately $727 million.
Dividend to holders of our Common Shares
In the second quarter of 2021 we increased our quarterly dividend to $0.235 per common share from $0.14 per common share in order to increase the annual dividend to $0.94 per share.
As part of our capital allocation strategy, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share in the first quarter of 2022 with the intention to increase the annual dividend to $1.12 per share.
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Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our cash flow and related liquidity, we work with suppliers to optimize our terms and conditions, including extending payment terms. We also facilitate a voluntary supply chain finance program (the "program") to provide certain of our suppliers with the opportunity to sell receivables due from us to participating financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the suppliers and the financial institutions. A third party administers the program; our responsibility is limited to making payment on the terms originally negotiated with our supplier, regardless of whether the supplier sells its receivable to a financial institution. We do not enter into agreements with any of the participating financial institutions in connection with the program. The range of payment terms we negotiate with our suppliers is consistent, irrespective of whether a supplier participates in the program.
All outstanding payments owed under the program are recorded within accounts payable in our consolidated balance sheets. The amounts owed to participating financial institutions under the program and included in accounts payable for our continuing operations were $43 million and $45 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We account for all payments made under the program as a reduction to our cash flows from operations and reported within our increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, net, line within our consolidated statements of cash flows. The amounts settled through the program and paid to participating financial institutions were $220 million and $146 million for our continuing operations during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. A downgrade in our credit rating or changes in the financial markets could limit the financial institutions’ willingness to commit funds to, and participate in, the program. We do not believe such risk would have a material impact on our working capital or cash flows, as substantially all of our payments are made outside of the program.
We utilize derivative and hedging instruments to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations, primarily related to the European euro, British pound, the Chinese renminbi and the U.S. dollar; occasionally, we have also used derivative and hedging instruments to manage interest rate fluctuations, primarily related to debt issuances. We review our hedging program, derivative positions and overall risk management on a regular basis. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.
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Cash Flows
Significant sources and (uses) of cash for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows, in millions:
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from operating activities | $ | 930 | $ | 953 | ||
| Retirement of notes | (1,326) | (400) | ||||
| Purchase of Company common stock | (1,026) | (727) | ||||
| Cash dividends paid | (211) | (145) | ||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | (43) | (23) | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (128) | (114) | ||||
| Debt extinguishment costs | (160) | (5) | ||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 5 | 26 | ||||
| Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (57) | (227) | ||||
| Issuance of notes, net of issuance costs | 1,481 | 415 | ||||
| Employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation | (15) | (25) | ||||
| Proceeds from disposition of: | ||||||
| Businesses, net of cash disposed | 5 | 870 | ||||
| Property and equipment | — | 1 | ||||
| Financial investments | 171 | 3 | ||||
| Payment of debt | (3) | (2) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash investments | (20) | 31 | ||||
| Other, net | (3) | (2) | ||||
| Cash (decrease) increase | $ | (400) | $ | 629 |
Our working capital days were as follows:
| At December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Receivable days | 51 | 54 | |||
| Inventory days | 85 | 72 | |||
| Accounts payable days | 66 | 71 | |||
| Working capital (receivables plus inventories, less accounts payable) as a percentage of net sales | 16.0 | % | 15.6 | % |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations of $930 million primarily benefited from higher operating profit, partially offset by changes in working capital, pension contributions related to the settlement of our qualified domestic defined-benefit pension plans and deferred income taxes.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities was $1,298 million, which included $1,326 million for the early retirement of our 5.950% Notes due March 15, 2022, 4.450% Notes due April 1, 2025, and 4.375% Notes due April 1, 2026 and $160 million of related debt extinguishment costs. Net cash used for financing activities was also impacted by $1,026 million for the repurchase and retirement of our common stock (including 0.7 million shares repurchased to offset the dilutive impact of restricted stock units granted in 2021), $211 million for the payment of cash dividends, $43 million for dividends paid to noncontrolling interest and $15 million for employee withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation. These uses of cash were partially offset by proceeds, net of issuance costs, of $1,481 million due to the issuances of $600 million of 1.500% Notes due February 15, 2028, $600 million of 2.000% Notes due February 15, 2031 and $300 million of 3.125% Notes due February 15, 2051.
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Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was $12 million, primarily driven by $128 million of capital expenditures and $56 million for the acquisition of Steamist, partially offset by the $166 million received, in cash, for the redemption of the preferred stock of ACProducts Holding Inc.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
Information regarding our legal proceedings is set forth in Note U to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Commitments
We enter into contracts, which include reasonable and customary indemnifications that are standard for the industries in which we operate. Such indemnifications include claims made against builders by homeowners for issues relating to our products and workmanship. In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, we occasionally provide reasonable and customary indemnifications. We have not paid a material amount related to these indemnifications, and we evaluate the probability that amounts may be incurred and record an estimated liability when probable and reasonably estimable.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides payment obligations related to current contracts at December 31, 2021, in millions:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023-2024 | 2025-2026 | Beyond 2026 | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt (A) | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | $ | 5 | $ | 2,947 | $ | — | $ | 2,970 | ||||||||||
| Interest (A) | 97 | 194 | 193 | 833 | — | 1,317 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 44 | 68 | 49 | 95 | — | 256 | ||||||||||||||||
| Currently payable income taxes | 34 | — | — | — | — | 34 | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments (B) | 486 | 49 | 49 | — | — | 584 | ||||||||||||||||
| Uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties (C) | — | — | — | — | 92 | 92 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 671 | $ | 319 | $ | 296 | $ | 3,875 | $ | 92 | $ | 5,253 |
______________________________
(A)We assume that all debt would be held to maturity. Amounts include finance lease obligations.
(B)Excludes contracts that do not require volume commitments and open or pending purchase orders.
(C)Due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with uncertain tax positions, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate for the year in which cash settlements may occur with applicable tax authorities.
Refer to Note N to the consolidated financial statements for defined-benefit pension plan obligations.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect or could have affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We regularly review our estimates and assumptions, which are based upon historical experience, as well as current economic conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and future revenues and expenses, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Note A to the consolidated financial statements includes our accounting policies, estimates and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies are affected by significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition and Receivables
We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale, and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.
We monitor our exposure for credit losses on customer receivable balances and the credit worthiness of customers on an on-going basis and maintain allowances for doubtful accounts receivable for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Allowances are estimated based upon specific customer balances, where a risk of loss has been identified, and also include a provision for losses based upon historical collection experience and write-off activity as well as reasonable and supportable forecast information that considers macro-economic factors and industry-specific trends associated with our businesses, among others. A separate allowance is recorded for customer incentive rebates and is generally based upon sales activity.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net tangible assets of acquired companies as goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets. In the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, we complete the impairment testing of goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow method. We selected the discounted cash flow methodology because we believe that it is comparable to what would be used by market participants. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level.
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Determining market values using a discounted cash flow method requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent to three percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. We generally develop these forecasts based upon, among other things, recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of new product launches, estimated repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, estimated housing starts. Our assumptions included U.S. and Eurozone Gross Domestic Product growing at approximately 3.8 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, in 2022 and per annum over the five-year forecast.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.5 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2021, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 9.0 percent to 11.5 percent for our reporting units.
If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's recorded carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we recognized a $45 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to a reporting unit within our Decorative Architectural Products segment due to competitive market conditions and higher inflationary costs in our lighting business. As of December 31, 2021, the impaired reporting unit had a remaining net goodwill balance of $19 million. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other reporting units would not have resulted in any additional goodwill impairment.
We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment.
We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.5 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2021, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the trade name, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.0 percent to 15.5 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, we estimated that future discounted cash flows projected for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets were greater than the carrying values. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment charges for other indefinite-lived intangible assets. A 10 percent decrease in the estimated fair value of our other indefinite-lived intangibles assets would not have resulted in an impairment for any of our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Refer to Note H for additional information.
Income Taxes
Deferred taxes are recognized based on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The future realization of deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in future periods. Possible sources of taxable income include taxable income in carryback periods, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences recorded as a deferred tax liability, tax-planning strategies that generate future income or gains in excess of anticipated losses in the carryforward period and projected future taxable income.
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If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not (more than 50 percent likely) such deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. The need to maintain a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets may cause greater volatility in our effective tax rate. Significant weight is given to positive and negative evidence that is objectively verifiable. A company's three-year cumulative loss position is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable, and the accounting guidance restricts the amount of reliance we can place on projected taxable income to support the recovery of the deferred tax assets.
Based upon all available evidence, primarily three-year cumulative loss positions in certain state and foreign tax jurisdictions, we determined that it is more likely than not certain deferred tax assets will not be realized. As a result, we maintain a $17 million valuation allowance on certain state and foreign deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note A to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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