# PENTAIR plc (PNR) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from PENTAIR plc's 10-K for fiscal year 2024.

SEC filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/77360/000007736025000006/pnr-20241231.htm
Accession: 0000077360-25-000006
Filing date: 2025-02-25
Report date: 2024-12-31
Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary.
Confidence: high

Company profile: /company/PNR/
All MD&A years: /company/PNR/mda/
Previous year: /company/PNR/mda/fy2023/ (FY 2023)
Next year: /company/PNR/mda/fy2025/ (FY 2025)

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-looking statements

This report contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this report.

Overview

Pentair plc and its consolidated subsidiaries (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Pentair” or the “Company”) is a pure play water industrial manufacturing company comprised of three reportable segments: Flow, Water Solutions and Pool. We classify our operations into business segments based primarily on types of products offered and markets served. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Flow, Water Solutions and Pool reportable segments represented approximately 37%, 28% and 35% of total consolidated net sales, respectively.

Although our jurisdiction of organization is Ireland, we manage our affairs so that we are centrally managed and controlled in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”) and therefore have our tax residency in the U.K.

On December 2, 2024, as part of our Pool reportable segment, we completed the acquisition of G & F Manufacturing, LLC (“G & F Manufacturing”) for $116.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired and subject to customary adjustments. The net purchase price is comprised of an upfront cash payment of $108.0 million, subject to customary adjustments, and the estimated fair value at the acquisition date of a contingent earn-out liability based upon the achievement of certain defined operating results in the two years following the acquisition. G & F Manufacturing manufactures and services pool heat pumps.

Key trends and uncertainties regarding our existing business

The following trends and uncertainties affected our financial performance in 2024, and are reasonably likely to impact our results in the future:

•We have a Transformation Program designed to accelerate growth and drive margin expansion by driving operational excellence, reducing complexity and streamlining our processes. During 2024, we made strategic progress on our Transformation Program initiatives with a focus on our four key themes of pricing excellence, strategic sourcing, operations excellence and organizational effectiveness. We expect to continue to execute on our key Transformation Program initiatives to drive margin expansion and to continue to incur transformation costs in 2025 and beyond.

•In 2024, we began using 80/20 guiding principles to enable our Transformation Program. This 80/20 analysis is expected to create value by focusing on key customers and products through quadrant-based strategies. We expect the analysis to result in actions to improve operating performance by driving growth with our highest value customers, reducing lower margin sales and removing complexity in the future.

•In 2024, we executed certain business restructuring initiatives aimed at reducing our fixed cost structure and realigning our business. We expect these actions to continue into 2025 and to drive margin growth.

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•During 2024, we experienced inflationary cost increases for certain raw materials as well as logistics and transportation costs. The ongoing volatile market for commodities has the potential to continue to drive price increases in our supply chain. In addition, the current U.S. administration has recently implemented tariffs and has announced the possibility of implementing additional, or increasing current, tariffs; these actions and any reactionary tariff adjustments by other countries may also contribute to inflationary cost increases. As a result, we have taken pricing actions, which may continue going forward, and implemented transformation initiatives that we expect to improve productivity and offset cost increases. We anticipate supply chain pressures and inflationary cost increases due to potential tariffs and pressure on global manufacturing to continue into 2025.

•The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Pillar Two Model Rules (“Pillar Two”), for a global 15.0% minimum tax, have been adopted by a number of jurisdictions in which we operate. Pillar Two has negatively impacted our effective tax rate in 2024 and is likely to continue to impact our effective tax rate in the future. We continue to evaluate the enacted legislative changes and new guidance as it becomes available.

•We have identified specific product and geographic market opportunities that we find attractive and continue to pursue, both within and outside the U.S. We expect to continue investing in our businesses to drive these opportunities through research and development and additional sales and marketing resources. Unless we successfully penetrate these markets, our core sales growth will likely be limited or may decline.

In 2025, our operating objectives focus on delivering our core and building our future. We expect to execute these objectives by:

•Delivering profitable revenue growth and productivity for customers and shareholders;

•Continuing to focus on capital allocation through:

◦Committing to maintain our investment grade rating;

◦Focusing on reducing our long-term debt;

◦Returning cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases; and

◦Accelerating our performance with strategically-aligned mergers and acquisitions;

•Focusing growth initiatives that accelerate our investments in digital, innovation, technology and sustainability;

•Continuing to implement our Transformation Program initiatives that will drive operational excellence, reduce complexity and improve our organizational structure, which includes the focus on 80/20 actions to drive profitable growth; and

•Building a high performance growth culture and delivering on our commitments while living our Win Right values.

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CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The consolidated results of operations were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31","","% / point change"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022","","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Net sales","$","4,082.8","","$","4,104.5","","$","4,121.8","","","(0.5)","%","(0.4)","%"],["Cost of goods sold","2,484.0","","2,585.3","","2,757.2","","","(3.9)","%","(6.2)","%"],["Gross profit","1,598.8","","1,519.2","","1,364.6","","","5.2","%","11.3","%"],["% of net sales","39.2","%","37.0","%","33.1","%","","2.2","pts","3.9","pts"],["Selling, general and administrative","701.4","","680.2","","677.1","","","3.1","%","0.5","%"],["% of net sales","17.2","%","16.6","%","16.4","%","","0.6","pts","0.2","pts"],["Research and development","93.6","","99.8","","92.2","","","(6.2)","%","8.2","%"],["% of net sales","2.3","%","2.4","%","2.2","%","","(0.1)","pts","0.2","pts"],["Operating income","803.8","","739.2","","595.3","","","8.7","%","24.2","%"],["% of net sales","19.7","%","18.0","%","14.4","%","","1.7","pts","3.6","pts"],["Net interest expense","88.6","","118.3","","61.8","","","(25.1)","%","91.4","%"],["Other (income) expense","(3.7)","","2.0","","(17.1)","","","N.M.","N.M."],["Income from continuing operations before income taxes","718.9","","618.9","","550.6","","","16.2","%","12.4","%"],["Provision (benefit) for income taxes","93.3","","(4.0)","","67.4","","","N.M.","N.M."],["Effective tax rate","13.0","%","(0.6)","%","12.2","%","","13.6","pts","(12.8)","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

N.M. Not Meaningful

Net sales

The components of the consolidated net sales change were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Volume","(2.3)","%","(11.3)","%"],["Price","1.9","","6.4"],["Core growth","(0.4)","","(4.9)"],["Acquisition/Divestiture","(0.1)","","4.4"],["Currency","\u2014","","0.1"],["Total","(0.5)","%","(0.4)","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 0.5 percent decrease in consolidated net sales in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•decreased sales volume in our residential flow and industrial solutions businesses within our Flow segment compared to the prior year;

•decreased sales volume in our Water Solutions segment compared to the prior year, in addition to a business exit in our residential business in 2024 and the completion of a large project in 2023 within our commercial business that did not recur in 2024; and

•a product line exit in our Pool segment that occurred in 2024.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•increased selling prices across all of our segments to mitigate inflationary cost increases;

•increased sales volume in our commercial flow business within our Flow segment compared to the prior year;

26

•increased sales volume within our Pool segment due to higher demand compared to the prior year; and

•increased sales due to the acquisition of G & F Manufacturing completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Gross profit 

The 2.2 percentage point increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•increases in selling prices to mitigate impacts of inflationary costs; and

•increased productivity mainly driven by transformation initiatives.

This increase was partially offset by:

•inflationary cost increases related to labor costs and certain raw materials; and

•asset impairment and write-offs of $11.3 million recorded in 2024, compared to $7.0 million recorded in 2023.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) 

The 0.6 percentage point increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales in 2024 from 2023 was driven by:

•transformation costs of $52.0 million in 2024, compared to $44.3 million in 2023;

•restructuring costs of $34.4 million in 2024, compared to $9.1 million in 2023; and

•asset impairment charges of $6.3 million in 2024, compared to $0.9 million in 2023.

This increase was partially offset by:

•a reduction in our legal accrual of $7.5 million in 2024, compared to an increase in our legal accrual of $2.2 million in 2023.

Net interest expense

The 25.1 percent decrease in net interest expense in 2024 from 2023 was the result of:

•lower variable-rate debt compared to the prior year.

Provision for income taxes

The 13.6 percentage point increase in the effective tax rate in 2024 from 2023 was primarily due to:

•favorable impacts in the prior year that did not recur in the current year, including worthless stock deductions related to exiting certain businesses in our Water Solutions segment and increases in tax basis of assets located in foreign jurisdictions;

•withholding taxes primarily related to the repatriation of earnings in 2024 which did not occur in 2023; and

•the unfavorable mix of global earnings.

This increase was partially offset by:

•the favorable impact of discrete items that occurred during 2024 primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions.

27

2023 Comparison with 2022

A discussion of changes in our consolidated results of operations, segment results of operations and liquidity and capital resources from the year ended December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2022 can be found in Part II, ITEM 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024. However, such discussion is not incorporated by reference into, and does not constitute a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The summary that follows provides a discussion of the results of operations of our three reportable segments (Flow, Water Solutions and Pool). Each of these segments comprises various product offerings that serve multiple end users.

We evaluate performance based on net sales and reportable segment income (“segment income”) and use certain ratios, particularly return on sales, to measure performance of our reportable segments. Segment income represents operating income of each reportable segment inclusive of equity income of unconsolidated subsidiaries and exclusive of intangible amortization, certain acquisition related expenses, costs of restructuring and transformation activities, impairments, legal accrual adjustments and settlements and other unusual non-operating items.

Flow

The net sales and segment income for Flow were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31","","% / point change"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022","","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Net sales","$","1,514.0","","$","1,582.1","","$","1,500.8","","","(4.3)","%","5.4","%"],["Segment income","318.1","","282.3","","242.3","","","12.7","%","16.5","%"],["% of net sales","21.0","%","17.8","%","16.1","%","","3.2","pts","1.7","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net sales

The components of the change in Flow net sales were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Volume","(6.0)","%","(2.0)","%"],["Price","1.7","","7.1"],["Core growth","(4.3)","","5.1"],["Currency","\u2014","","0.3"],["Total","(4.3)","%","5.4","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 4.3 percent decrease in net sales for Flow in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•decreased sales volume in our residential flow and industrial solutions businesses compared to the prior year.

The decrease was partially offset by:

•increased selling prices to mitigate inflationary cost increases; and

•increased sales volume in our commercial flow business compared to the prior year.

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Segment income

The components of the change in Flow segment income as a percentage of net sales from the prior period were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024","2023"],["Volume/Price","2.5","pts","5.6","pts"],["Currency","\u2014","","(0.1)"],["Inflation","(2.3)","","(5.6)"],["Productivity","3.0","","1.8"],["Total","3.2","pts","1.7","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 3.2 percentage point increase in segment income for Flow as a percentage of net sales in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•increased productivity mainly driven by transformation initiatives; and

•increased selling prices to mitigate impacts of inflation.

This increase was partially offset by:

•inflationary cost increases related to labor costs and certain raw materials.

Water Solutions

The net sales and segment income for Water Solutions were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31","","% / point change"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022","","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Net sales","$","1,131.0","","$","1,177.2","","$","986.8","","","(3.9)","%","19.3","%"],["Segment income","255.1","","247.6","","149.0","","","3.0","%","66.2","%"],["% of net sales","22.6","%","21.0","%","15.1","%","","1.6","pts","5.9","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net sales

The components of the change in Water Solutions net sales were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Volume","(4.8)","%","(2.0)","%"],["Price","1.2","","3.1"],["Core growth","(3.6)","","1.1"],["Acquisition/Divestiture","(0.1)","","18.5"],["Currency","(0.2)","","(0.3)"],["Total","(3.9)","%","19.3","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 3.9 percent decrease in net sales for Water Solutions in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•decreased sales volume compared to the prior year, in addition to the completion of a large project in 2023 within our commercial business that did not recur in 2024;

•unfavorable foreign currency effects compared to the prior year; and

•a business exit in our residential business that occurred in 2024.

This decrease was partially offset by:

•increased selling prices to mitigate inflationary cost increases.

29

Segment income

The components of the change in Water Solutions segment income as a percentage of net sales from the prior period were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024","2023"],["Volume/Price/Acquisition/Divestiture","1.3","pts","7.8","pts"],["Currency","0.1","","(0.5)"],["Inflation","(2.5)","","(4.7)"],["Productivity","2.7","","3.3"],["Total","1.6","pts","5.9","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 1.6 percentage point increase in segment income for Water Solutions as a percentage of net sales in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•increased productivity mainly driven by transformation initiatives; and

•increased selling prices to mitigate impacts of inflation.

This increase was partially offset by:

•inflationary cost increases related to labor costs and certain raw materials.

Pool

The net sales and segment income for Pool were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31","","% / point change"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022","","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Net sales","$","1,436.1","","$","1,343.6","","$","1,632.7","","","6.9","%","(17.7)","%"],["Segment income","476.5","","417.0","","462.1","","","14.3","%","(9.8)","%"],["% of net sales","33.2","%","31.0","%","28.3","%","","2.2","pts","2.7","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net sales

The components of the change in Pool net sales were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024 vs 2023","2023 vs 2022"],["Volume","4.1","%","(25.2)","%"],["Price","2.9","","7.6"],["Core growth","7.0","","(17.6)"],["Acquisition/Divestiture","(0.2)","","\u2014"],["Currency","0.1","","(0.1)"],["Total","6.9","%","(17.7)","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 6.9 percent increase in net sales for Pool in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•increased sales volume due to higher demand compared to the prior year;

•increased selling prices to mitigate inflationary cost increases; and

•increased sales due to the acquisition of G & F Manufacturing completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

This increase was partially offset by:

•a product line exit that occurred in 2024.

30

Segment income

The components of the change in Pool segment income as a percentage of net sales from the prior period were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","2024","2023"],["Volume/Price/Acquisition/Divestiture","2.2","pts","5.3","pts"],["Inflation","(1.7)","","(2.9)"],["Productivity","1.7","","0.3"],["Total","2.2","pts","2.7","pts"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The 2.2 percentage point increase in segment income for Pool as a percentage of net sales in 2024 from 2023 was primarily the result of:

•increased selling prices to mitigate impacts of inflation; and

•increased productivity driven by transformation initiatives.

This increase was partially offset by:

•inflationary cost increases related to labor costs and certain raw materials.

BACKLOG OF ORDERS BY SEGMENT

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","December 31"],["In millions","2024","2023","$ change","% change"],["Flow","$","352.3","","$","390.1","","$","(37.8)","","(9.7)","%"],["Water Solutions","68.9","","108.5","","(39.6)","","(36.5)","%"],["Pool","190.0","","239.7","","(49.7)","","(20.7)","%"],["Total","$","611.2","","$","738.3","","$","(127.1)","","(17.2)","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The majority of our backlog is short cycle in nature with shipments within one year from when a customer places an order, and a substantial portion of our revenues has historically resulted from orders received and products delivered in the same month. A portion of our backlog, particularly from orders for major capital projects, can take more than one year from order to delivery depending on the size and type of order. We record, as part of our backlog, all orders from external customers, which represent firm commitments, and are supported by a purchase order or other legitimate contract. Our backlog of orders is dependent upon when customers place orders and is not necessarily an indicator of our expected results for our 2025 net sales. The decrease in our overall backlog from the prior year was primarily driven by our backlog trending down to more historical levels as a result of increased manufacturing capacity and improved lead times within each of our reportable segments as well as timing of delivery of orders associated with certain advance sale (“early buy”) programs within our Pool segment.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We generally fund cash requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, equity investments, acquisitions, debt repayments, dividend payments and share repurchases from cash generated from operations, availability under existing committed revolving credit facilities and in certain instances, public and private debt and equity offerings. Our primary revolving credit facility has generally been adequate for these purposes, although we have negotiated additional credit facilities or completed debt and equity offerings as needed to allow us to complete acquisitions.

We experience seasonal cash flows primarily due to seasonal demand in a number of markets. Consistent with historical trends, we experienced seasonal cash usage in the first quarter of 2024 and drew on our revolving credit facility to fund our operations. This cash usage reversed in the second quarter of 2024 as the seasonality of our businesses peaked and generated significant cash to fund our operations. In the second half of 2024, we funded our operations using our strong cash flow and revolving credit facility.

End-user demand for pool equipment in the Pool segment, water solution products in the Water Solutions segment, and residential water supply and agricultural products within the Flow segment follows warm weather trends, with seasonal highs ranging from April to September. The magnitude of the sales spike has historically been partially mitigated by employing some advance sale “early buy” programs (generally including extended payment terms and/or additional discounts). Demand for residential and agricultural water systems is also impacted by weather patterns, particularly by temperature, heavy flooding and droughts.

31

On December 2, 2024, as part of our Pool reportable segment, we completed the acquisition of G & F Manufacturing for approximately $116.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired, including an upfront cash payment of $108.0 million. We funded the purchase price for this acquisition with cash on hand.

Summary of Cash Flows

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022"],["Cash provided by (used for):"],["Operating activities of continuing operations","$","766.9","","$","620.8","","$","364.3"],["Investing activities","(187.6)","(85.4)","(1,582.8)"],["Financing activities","(636.7)","(468.1)","1,232.7"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Operating activities

In 2024, net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations primarily reflects net income from continuing operations, net of non-cash depreciation, definite-lived intangible amortization and asset impairment, of $757.8 million.

In 2023, net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations primarily reflects net income from continuing operations, net of non-cash depreciation, definite-lived intangible amortization, asset impairment and deferred income taxes, of $653.1 million. Additionally, we had a cash outflow of $61.3 million as a result of changes in net working capital, primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable and decreases in accounts payable and other current liability balances, partially offset by lower inventory compared to December 31, 2022. Decreases in inventory and accounts payable were primarily related to supply chain efficiencies and improved lead times.

Investing activities

Net cash used for investing activities in 2024 primarily reflects net cash paid of $108.0 million for the acquisition of G & F Manufacturing, capital expenditures of $74.4 million and cash paid upon the settlement of net investment hedges of $5.8 million.

Net cash used for investing activities in 2023 primarily reflects capital expenditures of $76.0 million and cash paid upon the settlement of net investment hedges of $18.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of property and equipment of $5.6 million.

Financing activities

In 2024, net cash used for financing activities primarily relates to the repayment of $200.0 million of term loans under the Senior Credit Facility (as defined below), $162.5 million of principal payments on the Term Loan Facility (as defined below), dividend payments of $152.3 million and share repurchases of $150.0 million.

In 2023, net cash used for financing activities primarily relates to net repayments of revolving long-term debt of $320.0 million and dividend payments of $145.2 million.

Free Cash Flow

In addition to measuring our cash flow generation or usage based upon operating, investing and financing classifications included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we also measure our free cash flow. We have a long-term goal to consistently generate free cash flow that is equal to 100 percent conversion of net income. Free cash flow is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure that we use to assess our cash flow performance. We believe free cash flow is an important measure of liquidity because it provides us and our investors a measurement of cash generated from operations that is available to pay dividends, repurchase shares and repay debt. In addition, free cash flow is used as a criterion to measure and pay compensation-based incentives. Our measure of free cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

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The following table is a reconciliation of free cash flow:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Years ended December 31"],["In millions","2024","2023","2022"],["Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations","$","766.9","","$","620.8","","$","364.3"],["Capital expenditures of continuing operations","(74.4)","","(76.0)","","(85.2)"],["Proceeds from sale of property and equipment of continuing operations","0.6","","5.6","","4.1"],["Free cash flow from continuing operations","$","693.1","","$","550.4","","$","283.2"],["Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations","(0.2)","","(1.6)","","(1.0)"],["Free cash flow","$","692.9","","$","548.8","","$","282.2"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Debt and Capital

Pentair, Pentair Finance S.à r.l (“PFSA“) and Pentair, Inc. are parties to a credit agreement (the “Senior Credit Facility”), with Pentair as guarantor and PFSA and Pentair, Inc. as borrowers, providing for a $900.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. During 2024, PFSA repaid $200.0 million of term loans under the Senior Credit Facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of December 16, 2026. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an alternate base rate, adjusted term secured overnight financing rate, adjusted euro interbank offered rate, adjusted daily simple secured overnight financing rate or central bank rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on, at PFSA’s election, Pentair’s leverage level or PFSA’s public credit rating.

As of December 31, 2024, total availability under the Senior Credit Facility was $890.5 million. In addition, PFSA has the option to request to increase the revolving credit facility and/or to enter into one or more additional tranches of term loans in an aggregate amount of up to $300.0 million, subject to customary conditions, including the commitment of the participating lenders.

In addition, Pentair and PFSA are parties to a senior unsecured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”), with PFSA, as borrower, Pentair, as guarantor, providing for an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. The Term Loan Facility has a maturity date of July 28, 2027, with required quarterly installment payments of $6.3 million which began on the last day of the third quarter of 2023 and increased to $12.5 million on the last day of the third quarter of 2024. During 2024, PFSA repaid the remaining $162.5 million of quarterly installments on the Term Loan Facility, such that PFSA is not required to make any further quarterly installment payments. As of December 31, 2024, the remaining obligation of $825.0 million matures on July 28, 2027. The Term Loan Facility bears interest at a rate equal to an alternate base rate, adjusted term secured overnight financing rate, or adjusted daily simple secured overnight financing rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on, at PFSA’s election, Pentair’s leverage level or PFSA’s public credit rating.

Our debt agreements contain various financial covenants, but the most restrictive covenants are contained in the Senior Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility. The Senior Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility contain covenants requiring us not to permit (i) the ratio of our consolidated debt (net of our consolidated unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $5.0 million but not to exceed $250.0 million) to our consolidated net income (excluding, among other things, non-cash gains and losses) before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash share-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) on the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “testing period”) to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 (or, at PFSA’s election and subject to certain conditions, 4.25 to 1.00 for four testing periods in connection with certain material acquisitions) (the “Leverage Ratio”) and (ii) the ratio of our EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense, for the same period to be less than 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of each fiscal quarter. For purposes of the Leverage Ratio, the Senior Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility provide for the calculation of EBITDA giving pro forma effect to certain acquisitions, divestitures and liquidations during the period to which such calculation relates.

In addition to the Senior Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facility, we have various other credit facilities with an aggregate availability of $20.8 million, of which there were no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2024. Borrowings under these credit facilities bear interest at variable rates.

We have $19.3 million of senior notes maturing in the next twelve months. We classified this debt as long-term as of December 31, 2024 as we have the intent and ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis under the revolving credit facility under the Senior Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2024, we had $89.5 million of cash held in certain countries in which the ability to repatriate is limited due to local regulations or significant potential tax consequences.

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Authorized shares

Our authorized share capital consists of 426.0 million ordinary shares with a par value of $0.01 per share.

Share repurchases

In December 2020, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our ordinary shares up to a maximum dollar limit of $750.0 million. This authorization expires on December 31, 2025.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, no ordinary shares were repurchased. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased 1.6 million of our ordinary shares for $150.0 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had $450.0 million available for share repurchases under this authorization.

Dividends

On December 16, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share that was paid on February 7, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 24, 2025. This dividend reflects a 9 percent increase in the Company’s regular cash dividend rate. The balance of dividends payable included in Other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets was $41.2 million at December 31, 2024. Dividends paid per ordinary share were $0.92, $0.88 and $0.84 for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Under Irish law, the payment of future cash dividends and repurchases of shares may be paid only out of Pentair plc’s “distributable reserves” on its statutory balance sheet. Pentair plc is not permitted to pay dividends out of share capital, which includes share premiums. Distributable reserves may be created through the earnings of the Irish parent company and through a reduction in share capital approved by the Irish High Court. Distributable reserves are not linked to a U.S. GAAP reported amount (e.g., retained earnings). Our distributable reserve balance was $6.8 billion and $6.9 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Supplemental guarantor information

Pentair plc (the “Parent Company Guarantor”), fully and unconditionally, guarantees the senior notes of PFSA (the “Subsidiary Issuer”). The Subsidiary Issuer is a Luxembourg private limited liability company and 100 percent-owned subsidiary of the Parent Company Guarantor.

The Parent Company Guarantor is a holding company established to own directly and indirectly substantially all of its operating and other subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Issuer is a holding company formed to own directly and indirectly substantially all of its operating and other subsidiaries and to issue debt securities, including the senior notes. The Parent Company Guarantor’s principal source of cash flow, including cash flow to make payments on the senior notes pursuant to the guarantees, is dividends from its subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Issuer’s principal source of cash flow is interest income from its subsidiaries. None of the subsidiaries of the Parent Company Guarantor or the Subsidiary Issuer is under any direct obligation to pay or otherwise fund amounts due on the senior notes or the guarantees, whether in the form of dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, there may be statutory and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends from certain subsidiaries of the Parent Company Guarantor or the Subsidiary Issuer. If such subsidiaries are unable to transfer funds to the Parent Company Guarantor or the Subsidiary Issuer and sufficient cash or liquidity is not otherwise available, the Parent Company Guarantor or the Subsidiary Issuer may not be able to make principal and interest payments on their outstanding debt, including the senior notes or the guarantees.

The following table presents summarized financial information as of December 31, 2024 for the Parent Company Guarantor and Subsidiary Issuer on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the guarantors and issuer and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary that is a non-Guarantor or issuer.

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["In millions","December 31, 2024"],["Current assets (1)","$","1.3"],["Noncurrent assets (2)","2,551.7"],["Current liabilities (3)","1,893.1"],["Noncurrent liabilities (4)","1,828.6"],["(1) No assets due from non-guarantor subsidiaries were included."],["(2) Includes assets due from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $2,547.3 million."],["(3) Includes liabilities due to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $1,843.0 million."],["(4) Includes liabilities due to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $151.5 million."]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The Parent Company Guarantor and Subsidiary Issuer do not have material results of operations on a combined basis.

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Material Cash Requirements From Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We expect to continue to have sufficient cash and borrowing capacity to support working capital needs and capital expenditures, to pay interest and service debt and to pay dividends to shareholders quarterly. We believe we have the ability to meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements by using available cash and internally generated funds and to borrow under our committed and uncommitted credit facilities. The following summarizes our material cash requirements from significant contractual obligations and purchase commitments that impact our liquidity as of December 31, 2024:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["In millions","Next Twelve Months","","","","","Greater Than Twelve Months","Total"],["Debt obligations (Note 8)","$","28.6","","","","","","$","1,634.5","","$","1,663.1"],["Interest obligations on fixed-rate debt","42.5","","","","","","237.2","","279.7"],["Operating lease obligations, net of sublease rentals (Note 15)","31.2","","","","","","110.6","","141.8"],["Pension and other post-retirement plan benefit payments (Note 11)","9.0","","","","","","72.7","","81.7"],["Other purchase obligations","45.4","","","","","","11.3","","56.7"],["Total contractual obligations, net","$","156.7","","","","","","$","2,066.3","","$","2,223.0"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Other purchase obligations primarily include service and marketing contracts as well as commitments for raw materials to be utilized in the normal course of business. For purposes of the above table, arrangements are considered purchase obligations if a contract specifies all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, a pricing structure and approximate timing of the transaction.

In addition to the significant contractual obligations described above, we will incur annual interest expense on outstanding variable rate debt. As of December 31, 2024, variable interest rate debt was $843.8 million at a weighted average interest rate of 5.84%. Inclusive of our interest rate swaps and collars, our weighted average interest rate on our variable rate debt was 5.59% as of December 31, 2024. Refer to ITEM 8, Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our interest rate swaps and collars.

The total gross liability for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2024 was estimated to be $6.0 million. We record penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in Provision (benefit) for income taxes and Net interest expense, respectively, which is consistent with our past practices. As of December 31, 2024, we had recorded $3.9 million related to the possible payment of interest and recorded no liabilities for the possible payment of penalties.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have been, and in the future may be, made parties to a number of actions filed or have been, and in the future may be, given notice of potential claims relating to the conduct of our business, including those relating to commercial, regulatory or contractual disputes with suppliers, authorities, customers or parties to acquisitions and divestitures, intellectual property matters, environmental, asbestos, safety and health matters, product liability, the use or installation of our products, consumer matters, and employment and labor matters.

While we believe that a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows from any such future claims or potential claims is unlikely, given the inherent uncertainty of litigation, a remote possibility exists that a future adverse ruling or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material impact. We do and will continue to periodically reexamine our estimates of probable liabilities and any associated expenses and receivables and make appropriate adjustments to such estimates based on experience and developments in litigation and applicable accounting rules. As a result, the current estimates of the potential impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the proceedings and claims described in ITEM 8, Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements could change in the future.

Product liability claims

We are subject to various product liability lawsuits and personal injury claims. A substantial number of these lawsuits and claims are insured and accrued for by Penwald, our captive insurance subsidiary. See discussion in ITEM 1 and ITEM 8, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Insurance subsidiary. Penwald records a liability for these claims based on actuarial projections of ultimate losses. For all other claims, accruals covering the claims are recorded, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information. The accruals are adjusted periodically as additional information becomes available. We have not experienced significant unfavorable trends in either the severity or frequency of product liability lawsuits or personal injury claims.

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Stand-by letters of credit, bank guarantees and bonds

In certain situations, Tyco International Ltd., Pentair Ltd.’s former parent company (“Tyco”), guaranteed performance by the flow control business of Pentair Ltd. (“Flow Control”) to third parties or provided financial guarantees for financial commitments of Flow Control. In situations where Flow Control and Tyco were unable to obtain a release from these guarantees in connection with the spin-off of Flow Control from Tyco, we will indemnify Tyco for any losses it suffers as a result of such guarantees.

In the ordinary course of business, we are required to commit to bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees that require payments to our customers for any non-performance. The outstanding face value of these instruments fluctuates with the value of our projects in process and in our backlog. In addition, we issue financial stand-by letters of credit primarily to secure our performance to third parties under self-insurance programs.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding value of bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees totaled $102.1 million and $124.3 million, respectively.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See ITEM 8, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this Form 10-K, for information pertaining to accounting standards recently adopted or to be adopted in the future.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in ITEM 8, Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in the industry and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:

•it requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and

•changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected which would have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Our critical accounting estimates include the following:

Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible net assets and identifiable intangible assets purchased and liabilities assumed.

We test our goodwill for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We perform our annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the relevant reporting unit with its carrying amount. We would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, we may elect to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test even if no indications of a potential impairment exist.

During 2024, a qualitative assessment was performed. As a result, it was determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Factors considered in the analysis included the 2023 discounted cash flow fair value assessment of the reporting units and the calculated excess fair value over carrying amount, financial performance, forecasts and trends, market capitalization, regulatory and environmental issues, macro-economic conditions, industry and market considerations, raw material costs and management stability. We also consider the extent to which each of the adverse events and circumstances identified affect the comparison of the respective reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying amount. We place more weight on the events and circumstances that most affect the respective reporting unit’s

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fair value or the carrying amount of its net assets. We consider positive and mitigating events and circumstances that may affect its determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value exceeds the carrying amount.

During 2023, a quantitative assessment was performed. The fair value of each reporting unit was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and market approach. Projecting discounted future cash flows requires us to make significant estimates regarding future revenues and expenses, projected capital expenditures, changes in working capital and the appropriate discount rate. Use of the market approach consists of comparisons to comparable publicly-traded companies that are similar in size and industry. For the 2023 annual impairment test, the estimated fair value significantly exceeded the carrying value in each of our reporting units, therefore, no impairment charge was required. The non-recurring fair value measurement is a “Level 3” measurement under the fair value hierarchy described in ITEM 8, Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Identifiable intangible assets

Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: customer relationships, trade names, proprietary technology and patents. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. No impairment charges associated with identifiable intangibles with finite lives were recognized in 2024 or 2023.

Identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. We complete our annual impairment test the first day of the fourth quarter each year for those identifiable assets not subject to amortization. The impairment test for trade names consists of a comparison of the fair value of the trade name with its carrying value. Fair value is measured using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the weighted average cost of capital. The non-recurring fair value measurement is a “Level 3” measurement under the fair value hierarchy. No impairment charges were recognized in 2024 or 2023 as a result of our annual impairment assessment.

Pension and other post-retirement plans

We sponsor U.S. and non-U.S. defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements related to our defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions, including: expected return on plan assets, discount rates, rate of increase in future compensation levels and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in ITEM 8, Note 11 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension and other post-retirement obligations and future expense.

We recognize changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses for pension and other post-retirement benefits annually in the fourth quarter each year (“mark-to-market adjustment”) and, if applicable, in any quarter in which an interim re-measurement is triggered. Net actuarial gains and losses occur when the actual experience differs from any of the various assumptions used to value our pension and other post-retirement plans or when assumptions change as they may each year. The primary factors contributing to actuarial gains and losses each year are (1) changes in the discount rate used to value pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations as of the measurement date and (2) differences between the expected and the actual return on plan assets. This accounting method also results in the potential for volatile and difficult to forecast mark-to-market adjustments. Mark-to-market adjustments resulted in pre-tax gains of $5.3 million and $17.5 million in 2024 and 2022, respectively, and a pre-tax loss of $6.1 million in 2023. The remaining components of pension expense, including service and interest costs and the expected return on plan assets, are recorded on a quarterly basis as ongoing pension expense.

Discount rates

The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled. The discount rate was determined by matching our expected benefit payments to payments from a stream of bonds rated AA or higher available in the marketplace. There are no known or anticipated changes in our discount rate assumptions that will impact our pension expense in 2025.

Expected rate of return

The expected rate of return is designed to be a long-term assumption that may be subject to considerable year-to-year variance from actual returns. In developing the expected long-term rate of return, we considered our historical returns, with consideration given to forecasted economic conditions, our asset allocations, input from external consultants and broader long-term market indices.

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Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions

A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the discount rates used to measure our U.S. defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans would result in an approximate decrease of $5 million or increase of $6 million in our total projected benefit obligation. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the assumed rate of return on pension assets or discount rates for our U.S. pension and other post-retirement benefit plans would result in an immaterial change in our ongoing pension expense. These estimates exclude any potential mark-to-market adjustments.

Loss contingencies

Accruals are recorded for various contingencies including legal proceedings, self-insurance and other claims that arise in the normal course of business. The accruals are based on judgment, the probability of losses and, where applicable, the consideration of opinions of internal and/or external legal counsel and actuarial estimates. Additionally, we record receivables from third party insurers when recovery has been determined to be probable.

Income taxes

In determining taxable income for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the calculation of certain tax liabilities and the determination of the recoverability of certain of the deferred tax assets, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets we consider all available positive and negative evidence including our past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years and our forecast of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, we develop assumptions including the amount of future pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.

We currently have recorded valuation allowances that we will maintain until when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Our income tax expense recorded in the future may be reduced to the extent of decreases in our valuation allowances. The realization of our remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction. Any reduction in future taxable income including but not limited to any future restructuring activities may require that we record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance could result in additional income tax expense in such period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management records the effect of a tax rate or law change on the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period of enactment. Future tax rate or law changes could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. We perform reviews of our income tax positions on a quarterly basis and accrue for uncertain tax positions. We recognize potential liabilities and record tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the tax jurisdictions in which we operate based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These tax liabilities are reflected net of related tax loss carryforwards. As events change or resolution occurs, these liabilities are adjusted, such as in the case of audit settlements with taxing authorities. The ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. If our estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when we determine the liabilities are no longer necessary.

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