Pentair Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

• Fourth quarter sales of $985 million; full year 2023 sales of $4.1 billion.
• Operating income in the fourth quarter increased 50 percent to $167 million reflecting ROS of 17.0 percent, an increase of 590 basis points when compared to fourth quarter 2022; on an adjusted basis, ROS expanded 190 basis points to 20.1 percent. Full year operating income increased 24 percent to $739 million reflecting ROS of 18.0 percent, an increase of 360 basis points from the prior year; on an adjusted basis, ROS expanded 220 basis points to 20.8 percent.
• Fourth quarter GAAP EPS of $1.25 and adjusted EPS of $0.87; full year 2023 GAAP EPS of $3.75 and adjusted EPS of $3.75.
• Full year net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $621 million, an increase of $257 million compared to the prior year and free cash flow provided by continuing operations for the full year was $550 million, an increase of $267 million compared to full year 2022.
• The Company introduces 2024 GAAP EPS guidance of $3.82 to $3.92 and adjusted EPS guidance of $4.15 to $4.25.

Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures are in the attached financial tables.

Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR) today announced fourth quarter 2023 sales of $985 million. Sales were down 2 percent compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 2 percent in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter 2023 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (“EPS”) were $1.25 compared to $0.58 in the fourth quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported EPS of $0.87 compared to $0.82 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Segment income, adjusted net income, free cash flow, and adjusted EPS are described in the attached schedules.

Fourth quarter 2023 operating income was $167 million, up 50 percent compared to operating income for the fourth quarter of 2022, and return on sales (“ROS”) was 17.0 percent, an increase of 590 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported segment income of $198 million, up 8 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to segment income for the fourth quarter of 2022, and ROS was 20.1 percent, an increase of 190 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Our strong results in 2023 reflected the power of our balanced and resilient water portfolio, our focused growth strategy, and solid execution from our relentless team,” said John L. Stauch, Pentair’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of our three segments drove record margins in 2023. Our Transformation initiatives remain on track and have yielded strong margin expansion to continue to deliver shareholder value. In 2023, we generated significant free cash flow and continued to pay down debt, ending the year with an even stronger balance sheet. And, we raised our dividend for the 48th consecutive year which further solidified our status as a dividend aristocrat.”

Full year 2023 sales were $4.1 billion. Sales were flat compared to sales last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 5 percent in 2023. Full year 2023 EPS from continuing operations was $3.75 compared to $2.92 in 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported EPS of $3.75 compared to $3.68 in 2022.

Full year 2023 operating income was $739 million, up 24 percent compared to operating income in 2022, and ROS was 18.0 percent, an increase of 360 basis points when compared to 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Company reported segment income of $855 million, up 11 percent in 2023, compared to segment income in 2022, and ROS was 20.8 percent, an increase of 220 basis points when compared to 2022.

Flow (previously named “Industrial and Flow Technologies”) sales were up 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 1 percent in the fourth quarter. Segment income of $65 million was flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, and ROS was 17.2 percent, a decrease of 20 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Flow sales were up 5 percent for the full year of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales grew 5 percent in 2023. Segment income of $282 million was up 17 percent compared to 2022, and ROS was 17.8 percent, an increase of 170 basis points when compared to 2022.

Water Solutions sales were down 5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 4 percent in the fourth quarter. Segment income of $52 million was up 15 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, and ROS was 19.1 percent, an increase of 320 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Water Solutions sales were up 19 percent for the full year of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales grew 1 percent in 2023. Segment income of $248 million was up 66 percent compared to 2022, and ROS was 21.0 percent, an increase of 590 basis points when compared to 2022.

Pool sales were down 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 2 percent in the fourth quarter. Segment income of $105 million was up 5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, and ROS was 31.3 percent, an increase of 220 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Pool sales were down 18 percent for the full year of 2023 compared to sales for the same period last year. Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales declined 18 percent in 2023. Segment income of $417 million was down 10 percent compared to 2022, and ROS was 31.0 percent, an increase of 270 basis points when compared to 2022.

Full year net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $621 million and free cash flow from continuing operations was $550 million.

Pentair paid a regular cash dividend of $0.22 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023. Pentair previously announced on December 11, 2023 that it will pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on February 2, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 19, 2024. This dividend reflects a 5 percent increase in the Company’s regular cash dividend rate and marks the 48th consecutive year that Pentair has increased its dividend.

OUTLOOK

Mr. Stauch concluded, “As we look to 2024, we are committed to driving growth, profitability and returns by focusing on our mission to help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. We are investing in key areas to drive long-term growth and optimizing our sourcing and operational footprint which we expect to continue to drive further margin expansion in 2024 as these Transformation initiatives scale.”

The Company is introducing 2024 GAAP EPS guidance of approximately $3.82 to $3.92 and on an adjusted basis of approximately $4.15 to $4.25, which includes a $0.07 negative impact, primarily driven by changes in global tax standards. This is an increase of 11 percent to 13 percent compared to 2023. The Company anticipates full year 2024 sales to increase 2 percent to 3 percent on a reported basis.

In addition, the Company introduces first quarter 2024 GAAP EPS of approximately $0.81 to $0.84 and on an adjusted EPS basis of approximately $0.88 to $0.91. The Company expects first quarter sales to be down approximately 2 percent to 3 percent on a reported basis compared to first quarter 2023.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer John L. Stauch and Chief Financial Officer Robert P. Fishman will discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2023 results on a conference call with investors at 9:00 a.m. Eastern today. A live audio webcast of the call, along with the related presentation, can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.pentair.com, shortly before the call begins.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the attachments to this release and in the presentations, each of which can be found on Pentair’s website. The webcast and presentations will be archived at the Company’s website following the conclusion of the event.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release 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 ESG goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.

ABOUT PENTAIR PLC

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2023 of approximately $4.1 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 10,500 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

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