Parker-Hannifin Corp (PH) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements contained in this and other written and oral reports are made based on known events and circumstances at the time of release, and as such, are subject in the future to unforeseen uncertainties and risks. Often but not always, these statements may be identified from the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "may," "should," "could," "expects," "targets," "is likely," "will," or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, and may also include statements regarding future performance, orders, earnings projections, events or developments. Parker cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. It is possible that the future performance may differ materially from expectations, including those based on past performance.
Among other factors that may affect future performance are:
•changes in business relationships with and orders by or from major customers, suppliers or distributors, including delays or cancellations in shipments;
•disputes regarding contract terms, changes in contract costs and revenue estimates for new development programs;
•changes in product mix;
•ability to identify acceptable strategic acquisition targets;
•uncertainties surrounding timing, successful completion or integration of acquisitions and similar transactions;
•ability to successfully divest businesses planned for divestiture and realize the anticipated benefits of such divestitures;
•the determination and ability to successfully undertake business realignment activities and the expected costs, including cost savings, thereof;
•ability to implement successfully business and operating initiatives, including the timing, price and execution of share repurchases and other capital initiatives;
•availability, cost increases of or other limitations on our access to raw materials, component products and/or commodities if associated costs cannot be recovered in product pricing;
•ability to manage costs related to insurance and employee retirement and health care benefits;
•legal and regulatory developments and other government actions, including related to environmental protection, and associated compliance costs; supply chain and labor disruptions, including as a result of labor shortages;
•threats associated with international conflicts and cybersecurity risks and risks associated with protecting our intellectual property;
•uncertainties surrounding the ultimate resolution of outstanding legal proceedings, including the outcome of any appeals;
•effects on market conditions, including sales and pricing, resulting from global reactions to U.S. trade policies;
•manufacturing activity, air travel trends, currency exchange rates, difficulties entering new markets and economic conditions such as inflation, deflation, interest rates and credit availability; inability to obtain, or meet conditions imposed for, required governmental and regulatory approvals;
•changes in the tax laws in the United States and foreign jurisdictions and judicial or regulatory interpretations thereof; and
•large scale disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, industrial accidents and pandemics.
The Company makes these statements as of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and undertakes no obligation to update them unless otherwise required by law.
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Overview
The Company is a global leader in motion and control technologies. Leveraging a unique combination of interconnected technologies, we design, manufacture, and provide aftermarket support for highly engineered solutions that create value for customers primarily in aerospace and defense, in-plant and industrial equipment, transportation, off-highway, energy, and HVAC and refrigeration markets around the world.
By aligning around our purpose, Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow, Parker is better positioned for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
The Win Strategy 3.0 is Parker's business system which defines the goals and initiatives that create responsible, sustainable growth and enable Parker's long-term success. It works with our purpose, which is a foundational element of The Win Strategy, to engage team members and create responsible and sustainable growth. Our shared values shape our culture and our interactions with stakeholders and the communities in which we operate and live.
We believe many opportunities for profitable growth are available. The Company intends to focus primarily on business opportunities in the areas of aerospace & defense, in-plant & industrial equipment, transportation, off-highway, energy, and HVAC and refrigeration. We believe we can meet our strategic objectives by:
•serving the customer and continuously enhancing its experience with the Company;
•successfully executing The Win Strategy initiatives relating to engaged people, premier customer experience, profitable growth and financial performance;
•maintaining a decentralized division and sales company structure;
•fostering a safety-first and entrepreneurial culture;
•engineering innovative systems and products to provide superior customer value through improved service, efficiency and productivity;
•delivering products, systems and services that have demonstrable savings to customers and are priced by the value they deliver;
•enabling a sustainable future by providing innovative clean technology solutions that offer a positive, global environmental impact and operating responsibly by reducing our energy use and emissions;
•acquiring strategic businesses;
•organizing around targeted regions, technologies and markets;
•driving efficiency by implementing lean enterprise principles; and
•creating a culture of empowerment through our values, inclusion and diversity, accountability and teamwork.
Our order rates provide a near-term perspective of the Company's outlook particularly when viewed in the context of prior and future order rates. The Company publishes its order rates on a quarterly basis. The lead time between the time an order is received and revenue is realized generally ranges from one day to 12 weeks for mobile and industrial orders and from one day to 18 months for aerospace orders.
We manage our supply chain through our "local for local" manufacturing strategy, ongoing supplier management process, and broadened supply base. We are monitoring inflation and manage its impact through a variety of cost and pricing measures, including continuous improvement and lean initiatives. Additionally, we strategically manage our workforce and discretionary spending. At the same time, we are appropriately addressing the ongoing needs of our business so that we continue to serve our customers.
Over the long term, the extent to which our business and results of operations will be impacted by economic and political uncertainty, geopolitical risks and public health crises depends on future developments that remain uncertain. We will continue to monitor the global environment and manage our business with the goal to minimize unfavorable impacts on operations and financial results.
The discussion below is structured to separately discuss the Consolidated Statement of Income, Business Segments, and Liquidity and Capital Resources. The term "year" and references to specific years refer to the applicable fiscal year. Dollars are presented in millions, except per share amounts or as otherwise noted, and totals may not sum due to rounding. Discussion of the 2022 financial statements is included in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
The Consolidated Statement of Income summarizes the Company's operating performance. The discussion below compares the operating performance in 2024 and 2023.
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| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales | $ | 19,930 | $ | 19,065 | |||
| Gross profit margin | 35.8 | % | 33.7 | % | |||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 3,315 | $ | 3,354 | |||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of sales | 16.6 | % | 17.6 | % | |||
| Interest expense | $ | 506 | $ | 574 | |||
| Other (income) expense, net | (277) | 184 | |||||
| Gain on sale of businesses and assets, net | $ | (12) | $ | (363) | |||
| Effective tax rate | 20.9 | % | 22.2 | % | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 2,844 | $ | 2,083 |
Net sales in 2024 increased from the 2023 amount due to higher sales in the Aerospace Systems Segment resulting from strength across commercial and defense markets, partially offset by lower sales in the Diversified Industrial Segment. The acquisition (the "Acquisition") of Meggitt plc ("Meggitt") increased sales by approximately $501 million during the current year. The effect of currency exchange rates decreased net sales in 2024 by approximately $10 million, which is attributable to the Diversified Industrial Segment, partially offset by an increase in net sales due to the effect of currency exchange rates in the Aerospace Systems Segment. The impact of divestiture activity decreased sales by approximately $62 million in 2024.
Gross profit margin (calculated as net sales less cost of sales, divided by net sales) increased in 2024 primarily due to higher margins in both segments resulting from price increases, favorable product mix, moderating material and freight costs and operational efficiencies. In addition, cost of sales in 2023 included $110 million of amortization expense related to the step-up in inventory to fair value resulting from the Acquisition.
Cost of sales also included business realignment and acquisition integration charges of $34 million in 2024 compared to $29 million in 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the absence of acquisition-related transaction costs in 2023 totaling $115 million and benefits from prior-year acquisition integration and business realignment activities. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in intangible asset amortization and share-based compensation expense, as well as an increase in general and administrative expenses resulting from the Acquisition.
SG&A also included business realignment and acquisition integration charges of $55 million and $94 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Interest expense in 2024 decreased compared to 2023 primarily due to the repayment of debt.
Other (income) expense, net included the following:
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expense (income) | |||||||
| Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss | $ | (38) | $ | 46 | |||
| Income related to equity method investments | (152) | (124) | |||||
| Non-service components of retirement benefit cost | (73) | (67) | |||||
| Interest income | (15) | (46) | |||||
| Loss on deal-contingent forward contracts | — | 390 | |||||
| Other items, net | 1 | (15) | |||||
| $ | (277) | $ | 184 |
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss primarily relates to the impact of exchange rates on cash, forward contracts, certain cross-currency swap contracts and intercompany transactions. During 2023, it also includes foreign currency transaction loss associated with completing the Acquisition.
Loss on deal-contingent forward contracts includes a loss on the deal-contingent forward contracts related to the Acquisition. Refer to Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
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Gain on sale of businesses and assets, net in 2023 includes a gain on the sale of the aircraft wheel and brake business within the Aerospace Systems Segment of $374 million. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Effective tax rate in 2024 was lower than 2023, due to an overall increase in discrete tax benefits along with a change in U.S. state and local income taxes and non-recurring acquisition expenses. Refer to Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate.
BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Business Segment information presents sales and operating income on a basis that is consistent with the manner in which the Company's various businesses are managed for internal review and decision-making.
Diversified Industrial Segment
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Sales | |||||||
| North America businesses | $ | 8,800 | $ | 8,916 | |||
| International businesses | 5,657 | 5,789 | |||||
| Diversified Industrial Segment | 14,457 | 14,706 | |||||
| Operating income | |||||||
| North America businesses | 1,964 | 1,853 | |||||
| International businesses | 1,213 | 1,218 | |||||
| Diversified Industrial Segment | $ | 3,176 | $ | 3,071 | |||
| Operating income as a percent of sales | |||||||
| North America businesses | 22.3 | % | 20.8 | % | |||
| International businesses | 21.4 | % | 21.0 | % | |||
| Diversified Industrial Segment | 22.0 | % | 20.9 | % | |||
| Backlog | $ | 4,182 | $ | 4,786 |
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The Diversified Industrial Segment operations experienced the following percentage changes in net sales:
| 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| North America businesses – as reported | (1.3) | % | |
| Acquisitions | 0.9 | % | |
| Divestitures | (0.3) | % | |
| Currency | 0.3 | % | |
| North America businesses – without acquisitions, divestitures and currency1 | (2.2) | % | |
| International businesses – as reported | (2.3) | % | |
| Acquisitions | 0.7 | % | |
| Currency | (1.0) | % | |
| International businesses – without acquisitions and currency1 | (2.0) | % | |
| Diversified Industrial Segment – as reported | (1.7) | % | |
| Acquisitions | 0.8 | % | |
| Divestitures | (0.2) | % | |
| Currency | (0.2) | % | |
| Diversified Industrial Segment – without acquisitions, divestitures and currency1 | (2.1) | % |
1This table reconciles the percentage changes in net sales of the Diversified Industrial Segment reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") to percentage changes in net sales adjusted to remove the effects of acquisitions and divestitures for 12 months after their completion as well as changes in currency exchange rates (a non-GAAP measure). The effects of acquisitions, divestitures and changes in currency exchange rates are removed to allow investors and the Company to meaningfully evaluate the percentage changes in net sales on a comparable basis from period to period.
Net Sales
Diversified Industrial Segment sales in 2024 decreased $249 million from 2023. The Acquisition increased sales by approximately $115 million. The effect of currency exchange rates decreased sales by approximately $30 million. The impact of divestiture activity decreased sales by approximately $23 million. Excluding the effects of the Acquisition, changes in currency exchange rates and divestiture activity, sales in 2024 decreased $312 million from prior-year levels.
North America businesses - Sales within the North America businesses of the Diversified Industrial Segment decreased $116 million in 2024. The effect of the Acquisition increased sales by approximately $77 million. The effect of currency exchange rates increased sales by approximately $25 million during the year. The impact of divestiture activity decreased sales by approximately $23 million. Excluding the effects of the Acquisition, changes in the currency exchange rates and divestiture activity, sales in 2024 decreased $196 million from prior-year levels reflecting lower demand within the HVAC and refrigeration, transportation, off-highway and in-plant and industrial equipment markets. The decrease in sales was partially offset by an increase in demand within the aerospace and defense and energy markets.
International businesses - Sales within the International businesses of the Diversified Industrial Segment decreased $132 million in 2024. The effect of the Acquisition increased sales by approximately $38 million. The effect of currency exchange rates decreased sales by approximately $54 million, reflecting the strengthening of the U.S. dollar primarily against currencies in Turkey, China and Japan, partially offset by the weakening of the U.S. dollar primarily against currencies in the Eurozone countries and United Kingdom. Excluding the effects of the Acquisition and changes in the currency exchange rates, sales in 2024 decreased $116 million from prior-year levels primarily due to lower sales in the Asia Pacific region and Europe, partially offset by an increase in sales in Latin America.
Within Europe, the decrease in sales was primarily due to lower demand within the HVAC and refrigeration, off-highway, energy and in-plant and industrial equipment markets, partially offset by higher demand within the aerospace and defense and transportation markets.
Within the Asia Pacific region, the decrease in sales was primarily due to lower demand within the in-plant and industrial equipment, energy, off-highway and HVAC and refrigeration markets, partially offset by higher demand within the aerospace and defense and transportation markets.
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Within Latin America, the increase in sales was primarily due to higher demand within the aerospace and defense, in-plant and industrial equipment, energy, HVAC and refrigeration, off-highway and transportation markets.
Operating Margin
Diversified Industrial Segment operating margin increased in 2024, in both the North America and International businesses, primarily due to benefits from price increases, favorable product mix, moderating material and freight costs and operational efficiencies. These benefits were partially offset by higher business realignment charges in the current year.
Business Realignment
The following business realignment and acquisition integration charges are included in the Diversified Industrial Segment operating income:
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America businesses | $ | 20 | $ | 9 | |||
| International businesses | 34 | 23 | |||||
| Diversified Industrial Segment | $ | 54 | $ | 32 |
Business realignment charges include severance costs related to actions taken under the Company's simplification initiative aimed at reducing organizational and process complexity, as well as plant closures. In both 2024 and 2023, acquisition integration charges relate to the acquisition of Meggitt. Business realignment and acquisition integration charges within the International businesses were primarily incurred in Europe.
We anticipate that cost savings realized from the workforce reduction measures taken during 2024 will increase operating income in 2025 by approximately two percent for both the International and North America businesses. We expect to continue to take actions necessary to integrate acquisitions and appropriately structure the operations of the Diversified Industrial Segment. These actions are expected to result in approximately $53 million in business realignment and acquisition integration charges in 2025. However, continually changing business conditions could impact the ultimate costs we incur.
Backlog
Diversified Industrial Segment backlog decreased in 2024 primarily due to shipments exceeding orders in both the North America and International businesses. The decrease in backlog was split evenly between both businesses. Within the International businesses, Europe, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America accounted for approximately 70 percent, 25 percent, and five percent of the decrease, respectively.
Backlog consists of written firm orders from a customer to deliver products and, in the case of blanket purchase orders, only includes the portion of the order for which a schedule or release date has been agreed to with the customer. The dollar value of backlog is equal to the amount that is expected to be billed to the customer and reported as a sale.
Aerospace Systems Segment
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | $ | 5,472 | $ | 4,360 | |||
| Operating income | $ | 1,111 | $ | 562 | |||
| Operating income as a percent of sales | 20.3 | % | 12.9 | % | |||
| Backlog | $ | 6,680 | $ | 6,201 |
Sales
Aerospace Systems Segment sales increased $1.1 billion in 2024. The Acquisition increased sales by $386 million. The effect of currency exchange rates increased sales by approximately $19 million. The impact of divestiture activity decreased sales by approximately $40 million. Excluding the effects of the Acquisition, changes in currency exchange rates and divestiture activity, sales in 2024 increased $748 million from prior-year levels. The increase in sales is primarily driven by higher volume across all market segments, especially the commercial aftermarket.
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Operating Margin
Aerospace Systems Segment operating margin increased in 2024 primarily due to higher sales volume, favorable aftermarket mix and lower acquisition-integration charges, as well as benefits of cost containment initiatives and prior-year business realignment and acquisition integration activities. These benefits were partially offset by a $79 million increase in intangible asset amortization expense in 2024. In addition, operating income in the prior year included $110 million of amortization expense related to the step-up in inventory to fair value resulting from the Acquisition.
Business Realignment
Within the Aerospace Systems Segment, we incurred acquisition integration and business realignment charges of $35 million and $90 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to incur approximately $12 million in acquisition integration charges in 2025. However, continually changing business conditions could impact the ultimate costs we incur.
Backlog
Aerospace Systems Segment backlog increased in 2024 primarily due to orders exceeding shipments in all businesses, especially the commercial and defense aftermarket businesses.
Backlog consists of written firm orders from a customer to deliver products and, in the case of blanket purchase orders, only includes the portion of the order for which a schedule or release date has been agreed to with the customer. The dollar value of backlog is equal to the amount that is expected to be billed to the customer and reported as a sale.
Corporate general and administrative expense
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expense (income) | |||||||
| Corporate general and administrative expense | $ | 218 | $ | 230 | |||
| Corporate general and administrative expense, as a percent of sales | 1.1 | % | 1.2 | % |
Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased in 2024 primarily due to lower expenses related to the Company's incentive compensation programs and professional service fees, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits, charitable contributions and information technology expenses.
Other (income) expense, net
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expense (income) | |||||||
| Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss | $ | (38) | $ | 46 | |||
| Stock-based compensation | 95 | 78 | |||||
| Non-service components of retirement benefit cost | (73) | (67) | |||||
| Acquisition-related expenses | 1 | 114 | |||||
| Loss on deal-contingent forward contracts | — | 390 | |||||
| Gain on sale of businesses and assets, net | (12) | (363) | |||||
| Interest income | (15) | (46) | |||||
| Other items, net | 10 | (1) | |||||
| $ | (32) | $ | 151 |
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss primarily relates to the impact of exchange rates on cash, forward contracts, certain cross currency swap contracts and intercompany transactions. During 2023, it also includes foreign currency transaction loss associated with completing the Acquisition.
Acquisition-related expenses include transaction costs related to the acquisition of Meggitt. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
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Loss on deal-contingent forward contracts includes losses on the deal-contingent forward contracts related to the Acquisition. Refer to Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Gain on sale of businesses and assets, net includes a gain on the sale of the aircraft wheel and brake business within the Aerospace Systems Segment of approximately $374 million in 2023. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We believe that we are great generators and deployers of cash. We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operations and meet our strategic capital deployment objectives, which include the following:
•Continuing our record annual dividend increases
•Investing in organic growth and productivity
•Strategic acquisitions that strengthen our portfolio
•Offset share dilution through 10b5-1 share repurchase program
Cash Flows
A summary of cash flows follows:
| (dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash provided by (used in): | |||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 3,384 | $ | 2,980 | |||
| Investing activities | (299) | (8,177) | |||||
| Financing activities | (3,115) | (971) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rates | (24) | (5) | |||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (53) | $ | (6,173) |
Cash flows from operating activities were $3,384 million in 2024 compared to $2,980 million in 2023. The increase of $404 million in 2024 was primarily related to an increase in earnings combined with strong management of working capital items. We continue to focus on managing inventory and other working capital requirements. Cash flows from operating activities for 2023 were negatively impacted by acquisition-related transaction expenses.
•Days sales outstanding relating to trade receivables for the Company was 51 days in both 2024 and 2023.
•Days supply of inventory on hand was 80 days in 2024 and 85 days in 2023.
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Cash flows from investing activities in 2024 and 2023 were impacted by the following factors:
•Payment for the Acquisition, net of cash acquired, of $7.1 billion in 2023.
•Payments to settle the deal-contingent forward contracts of $1.4 billion in 2023.
•Net proceeds from the sale of the aircraft wheel and brake business of approximately $443 million in 2023.
•Cash collateral received of $250 million in 2023 per the credit support annex attached to the deal-contingent forward contracts.
•Net maturities of marketable securities of $7 million in 2024 compared to $19 million in 2023.
•Capital expenditures of $400 million in 2024 compared to $381 million in 2023.
Cash flows from financing activities in 2024 and 2023 were impacted by the following factors:
•Repurchases of 0.4 million common shares for $200 million during 2024 compared to repurchases of 0.7 million common shares for $200 million during 2023.
•Proceeds of $2.0 billion from borrowings under the term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility") in 2023.
•Payments related to the maturity of $300 million aggregate principal amounts of medium term notes in 2023.
•Payments to retire $900 million aggregate principal amount of private placement notes assumed in the Acquisition in 2023. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
•Net commercial paper borrowings of $359 million in 2024 compared to net commercial paper borrowings of $358 million in 2023.
•Principal payments totaling $385 million related to the Term Loan Facility in 2024 compared to principal payments totaling $1.1 billion related to the Term Loan Facility in 2023. Refer to Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
•Payments related to maturity of $2.0 billion aggregate principal amounts of senior notes in 2024.
Cash Requirements
We are actively monitoring our liquidity position and remain focused on managing our inventory and other working capital requirements. We are continuing to target two percent of sales for capital expenditures and are prioritizing those related to safety, strategic investments, and sustainability initiatives. We believe that cash generated from operations and our commercial paper program will satisfy our operating needs for the foreseeable future.
We have committed cash outflow related to long-term debt, operating and financing lease agreements, and postretirement benefit obligations. Refer to Notes 11, 12, and 13 respectively, of Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Dividends
Cash dividends have been paid for 296 consecutive quarters, including a yearly increase in dividends for the last 68 years. The current annual dividend rate is $6.52 per common share.
Share Repurchases
The Company has a program to repurchase its common shares. On October 22, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase in the overall number of shares authorized to repurchase under the program so that, beginning on such date, the aggregate number of shares authorized for repurchase was 35 million. There is no limitation on the number of shares that can be repurchased in a year. Repurchases may be funded primarily from operating cash flows and commercial paper borrowings and the shares are initially held as treasury shares. Refer to Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
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Liquidity
Cash, comprised of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and other investments, includes $311 million and $422 million held by the Company's foreign subsidiaries at June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company does not permanently reinvest certain foreign earnings. The distribution of these earnings could result in non-federal U.S. or foreign taxes. All other undistributed foreign earnings remain permanently reinvested.
We are currently authorized to sell up to $3.0 billion of short-term commercial paper notes. There were $2.1 billion outstanding commercial paper notes as of June 30, 2024, and the largest amount of commercial paper notes outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2024 was $2.3 billion.
The Company has a line of credit totaling $3.0 billion through a multi-currency revolving credit agreement with a group of banks. As of June 30, 2024, $0.9 billion was available for borrowing under the credit agreement. Advances from the credit agreement can be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, and for the refinancing of existing indebtedness. The credit agreement supports our commercial paper program, and issuances of commercial paper reduce the amount of credit available under the agreement. The credit agreement expires in June 2028; however, the Company has the right to request a one-year extension of the expiration date on an annual basis, which request may result in changes to the current terms and conditions of the credit agreement. The credit agreement requires the payment of an annual facility fee, the amount of which is dependent upon the Company’s credit ratings. Although a lowering of the Company’s credit ratings would increase the cost of future debt, it would not limit the Company’s ability to use the credit agreement nor would it accelerate the repayment of any outstanding borrowings. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
We primarily utilize unsecured medium-term notes and senior notes to meet our financing needs and we expect to continue to borrow funds at reasonable rates over the long term. Refer to the Cash flows from financing activities section above and Note 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
The Company’s credit agreements and indentures governing certain debt securities contain various covenants, the violation of which would limit or preclude the use of the credit agreements for future borrowings, or might accelerate the maturity of the related outstanding borrowings covered by the indentures. Based on the Company’s rating level at June 30, 2024, the most restrictive financial covenant provides that the ratio of debt to debt-shareholders' equity cannot exceed 0.65 to 1.0. At June 30, 2024, the Company's debt to debt-shareholders' equity ratio was 0.47 to 1.0. We are in compliance, and expect to remain in compliance, with all covenants set forth in the credit agreement and indentures.
Our goal is to maintain an investment-grade credit profile. The rating agencies periodically update our credit ratings as events occur. At June 30, 2024, the long-term credit ratings assigned to the Company's senior debt securities by the credit rating agencies engaged by the Company were as follows:
| Fitch Ratings | BBB+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Moody's Investor Services, Inc. | Baa1 | |
| Standard & Poor's | BBB+ |
Supply Chain Financing
We continue to identify opportunities to improve our liquidity and working capital efficiency, which includes the extension of payment terms with our suppliers. We currently have supply chain financing ("SCF") programs with financial intermediaries, which provide certain suppliers the option to be paid by the financial intermediaries earlier than the due date on the applicable invoice. We do not believe that changes in the availability of supply chain financing will have a significant impact on our liquidity. Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions will be considered from time to time to the extent there is a strong strategic fit, while at the same time maintaining the Company’s strong financial position. In addition, we will continue to assess our existing businesses and initiate efforts to divest businesses that are not considered to be a good long-term strategic fit for the Company. During 2024, we divested two businesses and in 2023, we completed one acquisition and divested two businesses. On July 28, 2024, the Company signed an agreement to divest its Meggitt composites and fuel containment business within the North America businesses of the Diversified Industrial Segment. Refer to Notes 1 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES & ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The policies discussed below are considered by management to be more critical than other policies because their application places the most significant demands on management's judgment.
Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized when control of performance obligations, which are distinct goods or services within the contract, is transferred to the customer. Control is transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain the benefits from the goods or services. A majority of our revenues are recognized at a point in time when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment. However, a portion of our revenues are recognized over time if the customer simultaneously receives control as we perform work under a contract, if the customer controls the asset as it is being produced or if the product has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment.
For contracts where revenue is recognized over time, we use the cost-to-cost, efforts expended or units of delivery method depending on the nature of the contract, including length of production time. The estimation of costs and efforts expended requires management's judgment due to the duration of the contractual agreements as well as the technical nature of the products involved. Adjustments to these estimates are made on a consistent basis and a contract reserve is established when the estimated costs to complete a contract exceed the expected contract revenues.
When there are multiple performance obligations within a contract, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price. The primary method used to estimate a standalone selling price is the price observed in standalone sales to customers for the same product or service. Revenue is recognized when control of the individual performance obligations is transferred to the customer.
We consider the contractual consideration payable by the customer and assess variable consideration that may affect the total transaction price. Variable consideration is included in the estimated transaction price when there is a basis to reasonably estimate the amount, including whether the estimate should be constrained in order to avoid a significant reversal of revenue in a future period. These estimates are based on historical experience, anticipated performance under the terms of the contract and our best judgment at the time.
Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets - We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value. Our five reporting units are equivalent to our operating segments. As quoted market prices are not available for our reporting units, determining whether an impairment occurred requires the valuation of the respective reporting unit, which is estimated using both income-based and market-based valuation methods. The income-based valuation method utilizes a discounted cash flow model which requires several assumptions, including future sales growth and operating margin levels as well as assumptions regarding future industry-specific market conditions. Each reporting unit regularly prepares discrete operating forecasts and uses these forecasts as the basis for the assumptions in the discounted cash flow analysis. Within the discounted cash flow models, the Company uses a discount rate, commensurate with its cost of capital but adjusted for inherent business risks, and an appropriate terminal growth factor. The market-based valuation performed for each reporting unit includes an analysis consisting of market-adjusted multiples based on key data points for guideline public companies. We also reconcile the estimated aggregate fair value of our reporting units resulting from these procedures to our overall market capitalization.
At December 31, 2023, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test for each of its five reporting units. The results of this test indicated the fair value substantially exceeded carrying value for all reporting units. We continually monitor our reporting units for impairment indicators and update assumptions used in the most recent calculation of a reporting unit's fair value as appropriate.
Long-lived assets held for use, which primarily includes finite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the undiscounted net cash flows to be generated by their use over their expected useful lives and eventual disposition are less than their carrying value. The long-term nature of these assets requires the estimation of their cash inflows and outflows several years into the future and only takes into consideration technological advances known at the time of the impairment test. During 2024, the Company did not record any material impairments related to long-lived assets.
Pensions - The annual net periodic expense and benefit obligations related to the Company's defined benefit plans are determined on an actuarial basis. This determination requires critical assumptions regarding the discount rate, long-term rate of
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return on plan assets, increases in compensation levels and amortization periods for actuarial gains and losses. Assumptions are determined based on Company data and appropriate market indicators and are evaluated each year as of the plans' measurement date. Changes in the assumptions to reflect actual experience as well as the amortization of actuarial gains and losses could result in a material change in the annual net periodic expense and benefit obligations reported in the financial statements.
For the Company's domestic qualified defined benefit plan, our largest plan, a 50 basis point change in the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets is estimated to have an $18 million effect on annual pension expense and a 50 basis point decrease in the discount rate is estimated to decrease annual pension expense by $6 million. As of June 30, 2024, $331 million of past years' net actuarial losses related to the Company's domestic qualified defined benefit plan are subject to amortization in the future. These losses will generally be amortized over approximately seven years and will negatively affect earnings in the future. Any actuarial gains experienced in future years will help offset the effect of the net actuarial loss amortization. Further information on pensions is provided in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business Combinations - From time to time, we may enter into business combinations. Business acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. In the fair value evaluation of intangible assets acquired, there are significant estimates and assumptions, including forecasts of future cash flows, revenues; and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; as well as the selection of the royalty rates and discount rates. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The acquisition method of accounting also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Income Taxes - Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's income tax expense and in evaluating tax positions. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities have been recorded for the differences between the financial accounting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Factors considered by the Company in determining the probability of realizing deferred income tax assets include forecasted operating earnings, available tax planning strategies and the time period over which the temporary differences will reverse. The Company reviews its tax positions on a regular basis and adjusts the balances as new information becomes available. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon examination by a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information will be recorded. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Further information on income taxes is provided in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Loss Contingencies - The Company has a number of loss exposures incurred in the ordinary course of business such as environmental claims, product liability and litigation reserves. Establishing loss accruals for these matters requires management's estimate and judgment with regards to risk exposure and ultimate liability or realization. We review these loss accruals periodically and make adjustments to reflect the most recent facts and circumstances.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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