Strong YTD cash from operations of $163 million compared to $126 million in the prior year Earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.24 and adjusted EPS of $0.30 Returned approximately $31 million to shareholders; $15 million in share repurchases and $16 million in dividends PITTSBURGH, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennametal Inc. (NYSE:KMT) (the "Company") today reported results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter ended March 31, 2024, with sales of $516 million, compared to $536 million in the prior year quarter, and earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $0.24, compared with $0.39 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.30 in the current quarter, whereas EPS was not adjusted in the prior year quarter. "Results this quarter were in line with our expectations, and we once again generated strong cash from operations despite market softness, particularly in the energy end market and a continued slow recovery in China," said Christopher Rossi, President and CEO. Rossi continued, "We have tightened our full year outlook to align with current market conditions. As always, we remain focused on the things we can control, including driving share gain and productivity. We are expecting to deliver approximately $35 million in annualized savings in fiscal 2024, which is excellent progress toward our $100 million productivity target by the end of fiscal 2027. Finally, as I prepare to leave Kennametal at the end of this month, I am confident that my successor, Sanjay Chowbey, and his leadership team will continue to pursue above-market growth and margin expansion while deploying a balanced capital allocation strategy." Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Key Developments Sales of $516 million decreased 4 percent from $536 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting an organic sales decline of 2 percent, an unfavorable business days effect of 1 percent and an unfavorable currency exchange effect of 1 percent. During the quarter, the Company achieved restructuring savings of approximately $6 million from the previously announced action to streamline our cost structure while continuing to invest in our high-return Commercial and Operational Excellence initiatives. This action is expected to deliver annualized run rate pre-tax savings of approximately $35 million by the end of fiscal 2024. Restructuring and related charges of $6 million were recognized during the quarter in connection with the execution of this initiative. Operating income was $35 million, or 6.8 percent of sales, compared to $52 million, or 9.8 percent of sales, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower sales and production volumes, restructuring charges of approximately $6 million, higher wages and general inflation, unfavorable foreign currency exchange of approximately $2 million and the unfavorable timing of pricing compared to raw material costs in the Infrastructure segment. These factors were partially offset by higher pricing in the Metal Cutting segment and restructuring savings of approximately $6 million. Adjusted operating income was $42 million, or 8.1 percent margin, in the current quarter, whereas operating income was not adjusted in the prior year quarter. The reported effective tax rate (ETR) for the quarter was 27.4 percent compared to 24.4 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in the ETR year-over-year was driven by geographical mix, partially offset by discrete tax benefits recorded in the current year quarter related to provision to return adjustments. Adjusted ETR was 26.5 percent in the current quarter, whereas ETR was not adjusted in the prior year quarter. Year-to-date net cash flow from operating activities was $163 million compared to $126 million in the prior year period. The change in net cash flow from operating activities was driven primarily by working capital changes including improved inventory levels, partially offset by lower net income compared to the prior year period. Year-to-date free operating cash flow (FOCF) was $84 million compared to $60 million in the prior year period. The increase in FOCF was driven primarily by working capital changes, including improved inventory levels, partially offset by higher capital expenditures and lower net income compared to the prior year period. The Company paid $16 million in cash dividends to Kennametal shareholders during the quarter. The Company has a long history of consistently paying dividends to shareholders since its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 1967. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 609 thousand shares of Kennametal common stock for $15 million under its share repurchase program. Inception-to-date the Company has repurchased 6.5 million shares of common stock for $178 million under the existing $200 million program. In February 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an additional $200 million, three-year share repurchase program. Outlook The Company's expectations for the full fiscal year 2024 are as follows: Annual Outlook: Sales now expected to be $2.030 - $2.050 billion Interest expense is expected to be approximately $28 million Adjusted EPS is now expected to be $1.40 - $1.55 Pricing actions expected to cover raw material costs, wages and general inflation Free operating cash flow now expected to be greater than 125 percent of adjusted net income Primary working capital as a percent of sales maintained at approximately 32 percent throughout the year Capital spending expected to be approximately $100 - $110 million Adjusted ETR is expected to be approximately 21 percent Share repurchase program to continue The Company will provide more details regarding its Outlook during its quarterly earnings conference call. Segment Results Metal Cutting sales of $327 million decreased 2 percent from $334 million in the prior year quarter, driven by flat organic sales, an unfavorable currency exchange effect of 1 percent and an unfavorable business days effect of 1 percent. Operating income was $31 million, or 9.4 percent of sales, compared to $44 million, or 13.1 percent of sales, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower sales and production volumes, restructuring charges of approximately $4 million, unfavorable foreign currency exchange of approximately $2 million, higher wages and general inflation and a gain of approximately $1 million on a property sale in the prior year quarter that did not repeat. These factors were partially offset by higher pricing and restructuring savings of approximately $5 million. Adjusted operating income was $35 million, or 10.8 percent margin, in the current quarter, whereas operating income was not adjusted in the prior year quarter. Infrastructure sales of $189 million decreased 7 percent from $203 million in the prior year quarter, driven by an organic sales decline of 5 percent, an unfavorable currency exchange effect of 1 percent and an unfavorable business days effect of 1 percent. Operating income was $5 million, or 2.7 percent of sales, compared to $10 million, or 4.8 percent of sales, in the prior year quarter. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower sales volumes, restructuring charges of approximately $2 million, higher wages and general inflation and the unfavorable timing of pricing compared to raw material costs. These factors were partially offset by restructuring savings of approximately $1 million. Adjusted operating income was $7 million, or 3.8 percent margin, in the current quarter, whereas operating income was not adjusted in the prior year quarter. Dividend Declared Kennametal announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable on May 28, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2024. The Company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2024 results on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be broadcast via real-time audio on Kennametal's investor relations website at https://investors.kennametal.com/ - click "Event" (located in the blue Quarterly Earnings block). This earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations and descriptions of all non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the tables that follow. Certain statements in this release may be forward-looking in nature, or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. For example, statements about Kennametal's outlook for sales, interest expense, adjusted EPS, FOCF, primary working capital, capital expenditures and adjusted effective tax rate for the full year of fiscal 2024 and our expectations regarding future growth and financial performance are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are based on current knowledge, expectations and estimates that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, our actual results could vary materially from our current expectations. There are a number of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. They include: uncertainties related to changes in macroeconomic and/or global conditions, including as a result of increased inflation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions on Russia; the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on our business operations, financial results and financial position and on the industries in which we operate and the global economy generally; other economic recession; our ability to achieve all anticipated benefits of restructuring, simplification and modernization initiatives; Commercial Excellence growth initiatives, Operational Excellence initiatives, our foreign operations and international markets, such as currency exchange rates, different regulatory environments, trade barriers, exchange controls, and social and political instability, including the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including environmental, health and safety regulations; potential for future goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges; our ability to protect and defend our intellectual property; continuity of information technology infrastructure; competition; our ability to retain our management and employees; demands on management resources; availability and cost of the raw materials we use to manufacture our products; product liability claims; integrating acquisitions and achieving the expected savings and synergies; global or regional catastrophic events; demand for and market acceptance of our products; business divestitures; energy costs; commodity prices; labor relations; and implementation of environmental remediation matters. Many of these risks and other risks are more fully described in Kennametal's latest annual report on Form 10-K and its other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We can give no assurance that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments. About Kennametal With over 80 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2.1 billion in revenues in fiscal 2023. Learn more at www.kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three Months EndedMarch 31,