News Releases

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR) today announced results for the first fiscal quarter, which ended December 31, 2015.  For the first fiscal quarter, net earnings were $65.5 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $61.7 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, in the prior year first quarter. Adjusted net earnings in the first quarter were $72.3 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net earnings of $71.2 million, or $1.14 per diluted share.

"Fiscal 2016 is off to a strong start," said Alan Hoskins, Chief Executive Officer.  "We continue to see positive signs that the strategies and objectives put in place since our spin are paying off.   We increased distribution and implemented price increases in several markets while continuing to closely manage costs.   In addition, the battery category continues to show signs of stabilization and a favorable mix shift to premium, performance and specialty products.  Looking forward, we remain focused on executing our strategies and delivering top-tier cash flow performance."

Mr. Hoskins continued, "Given the strong start to Fiscal 2016, we now expect to be at the upper end of the previously provided ranges for both Adjusted EPS of $1.90 to $2.10 and Adjusted EBITDA of $275 million to $295 million and have raised our guidance on free cash flow now to exceed $150 million."

First Fiscal Quarter Highlights (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of key first fiscal quarter results.  All comparisons are with the first quarter of fiscal 2015 unless otherwise stated. 

Net sales were $506.8 million, an increase of 1.1%: (a)

• Organic net sales increased 9.5% reflecting positive volume contributions, improved pricing and favorable product mix. In the quarter, Energizer experienced organic net sales growth in all geographic segments.
• The following items were offsetting amounts to the organic net sales increase:
  • Unfavorable currency impacts were $33.2 million, or 6.7%;
  • International go-to-market changes, including the exit from certain markets and shift to distributors,  resulted in a decline of $5.6 million, or 1.1%; and
  • Change in Venezuela results, due to the deconsolidation, resulted in a decline of $3.1 million, or 0.6%.
• Gross Margin percentage was 45.3%, down 130 basis points driven primarily by unfavorable currency.  Excluding the impact of currencies, change in Venezuela results and international go-to-market changes, gross margin percentage improved 190 basis points driven by lower commodity costs and favorable product mix. (a)
• A&P spending was 5.9% of sales, a decrease of 100 basis points, or $4.3 million, due to higher prior year spending related to the EcoAdvanced launch and the timing of current year promotional activity.
• SG&A, excluding spin and restructuring costs, was 15.3% of net sales compared to 17.6% in the prior year.  The improved percentage comparison versus the prior year quarter reflects the improved top-line performance, benefits of cost control efforts and timing of current year spending. (a)
• Restructuring related charges were $3.3 million in the first fiscal quarter. (a)
• Spin-off and spin restructuring related charges were $6.9 million in the first fiscal quarter. (a)
• Pretax income of $94.5 million was positively impacted by top-line growth, gross margin rate improvement and lower overhead costs which was partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency of approximately $29 million, net of hedge impact.
• Net earnings per diluted share were $1.05.
• Adjusted net earnings per diluted share were $1.16, which included a $0.33 negative impact from unfavorable currencies. (a)
• Adjusted EBITDA was $130 million. (a)
• Free Cash Flow was $88.3, or 17.4% of net sales. (a)
• Dividend payments in the quarter were approximately $15.4 million, or $0.25 per share.
• Repurchased 600,000 shares of common stock.

(a) See Press Release attachments and investor website (www.energizerholdings.com) for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Results for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 are based on carve out financial data.  Net sales, Gross profit, Advertising & promotion (A&P) and Research & development (R&D) spending are directly attributable to our business.  However, certain Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), Interest expense, Other financing items and Spin-off and Restructuring related charges are allocated from our former parent company, Edgewell, and not necessarily representative of Energizer's stand-alone results or expected future results as an independent company.

Total net sales increased 1.1% as positive volume contributions, improved pricing and favorable product mix were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, the deconsolidation of Venezuela, and the impact of go-to-market changes, including the exit and shift to distributors in certain markets.

Organic net sales increased 9.5% due primarily to a favorable year over year comparison due to a shift in timing of holiday shipments, earlier than expected replenishment orders and incremental storm volume.  Also contributing to the organic sales increase was incremental innovation volume due to EcoAdvanced, increased distribution and pricing gains and a positive mix shift to the premium, performance and specialty categories.  In the quarter, Energizer experienced organic net sales growth in all geographic segments.

Total Segment Profit in the first fiscal quarter grew 6.2% or $8.2 million.  Excluding the unfavorable movement in foreign currency of $24.0 million, the $0.5 million change in Venezuela results (due to the Company's previously announced deconsolidation) and the favorable $1.6 million net impact of go-to-market changes resulting from overhead reductions, organic segment profit increased 23.4% in the current fiscal quarter.  This increase was driven by top-line growth explained above, or improved organic margin rate and lower overhead costs, which benefited from cost control efforts and timing of current year spending.  In the quarter, Energizer experienced organic profit growth in all geographic segments.

Financial Outlook Projection for Fiscal Year 2016

Given the strong performance in the current quarter, the company now expects to be at the upper end of the previously provided Adjusted EPS range of $1.90 to $2.10.  The Company is also providing the following assumptions related to the full year financial outlook for fiscal year 2016:

• Net Sales are now expected to be down low to mid-single digits:
  • Organic net sales are now expected to be flat to up low-single digits;
  • The negative impact of foreign currency movement is creating additional headwinds and are now expected to reduce net sales by $65 to $75 million;
  • International go-to-market changes are expected to reduce net sales in the low single digits, consistent with the prior outlook; and
  • Change in Venezuela results, due to the previously announced deconsolidation, will reduce net sales by $8.5 million, or 0.5%, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Gross Margin rates are now expected to decline up to 250 basis points driven in part by unfavorable currency impacts, international go-to-market changes and the impact from the Venezuela deconsolidation.  The updated outlook is favorable compared to our previous estimates.
• SG&A as a percent of net sales, excluding spin related and restructuring costs, is expected to be in the low 20's, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Pre-tax income is now expected to be negatively impacted due to the movement in foreign currencies by $55 to $65 million.
• Income Tax Rate is expected to be in the range of 30 to 31 percent, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be at the upper end of the previously provided range of $275 to $295 million, reflecting the improved performance in the current quarter offset by additional headwinds from foreign currencies.
• Free Cash Flow is now expected to exceed $150 million.
• Spin and restructuring costs are expected to be approximately $15 million in fiscal year 2016.

All comparisons above are with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 (which was on a carve out basis through the first three quarters), unless otherwise stated.

Webcast Information

In conjunction with this announcement, the Company will hold an investor conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. eastern time today. The call will focus on first fiscal quarter earnings and the updated financial outlook for fiscal 2016. All interested parties may access a live webcast of this conference call at www.energizerholdings.com, under "Investors" and "Events and Presentations" tabs or by using the following link:

http://investors.energizerholdings.com/Energizer-Holdings-Inc-First-Quarter-Fiscal-2016-Earnings-Call

For those unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay will be available on www.energizerholdings.com, under "Investors," "Events and Presentations," and "Past Events" tabs.

Forward-Looking Statements. This document contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events, including, without limitation, the future sales, gross margins, costs, earnings, cash flows, tax rates and performance of the Company. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "expectation," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "estimate," "plan," "target," "predict," "likely," "will," "should," "forecast," "outlook," or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

• market and economic conditions;
• market trends in the categories in which we compete;
• the success of new products and the ability to continually develop and market new products;
• our ability to attract, retain and improve distribution with key customers;
• our ability to continue planned advertising and other promotional spending;
• our ability to timely execute strategic initiatives, including restructurings, and international go-to-market changes in a manner that will positively impact our financial condition and results of operations and does not disrupt our business operations;
• the impact of strategic initiatives, including restructurings, on our relationships with employees, customers and vendors;
• our ability to maintain and improve market share in the categories in which we operate despite heightened competitive pressure;
• our ability to improve operations and realize cost savings;
• the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and currency controls, as well as offsetting hedges;
• the impact of raw materials and other commodity costs;
• costs and reputational damage associated with cyber-attacks or information security breaches or other events;
• our ability to acquire and integrate businesses, and to realize the projected results of acquisitions;
• the impact of advertising and product liability claims and other litigation;
• compliance with debt covenants and maintenance of credit ratings as well as the impact of interest and principal repayment of our existing and any future debt; and
• the impact of legislative or regulatory determinations or changes by federal, state and local, and foreign authorities, including taxing authorities.

In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. The list of factors above is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Additional risks and uncertainties include those detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2015.

ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
Supplemental Schedules
Introduction to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
For the Quarter ended December 31, 2015

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP").  However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful comparisons to the corresponding historical or future period and assist investors in performing analysis consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP measures. Additionally, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP measures due to uncertainty regarding future restructuring related charges, spin-off related charges, the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency movements and the cost of raw materials.

We provide the following non-GAAP measures and calculations, as well as the corresponding reconciliation to the closest GAAP measure in the following supplemental schedules:

Segment Profit.  This amount represents the operations of our four geographic segments including allocations for shared IT and finance functions.  General corporate and other expenses, Global marketing expenses, R&D expenses, interest expense and charges related to the spin-off, restructuring and integration have all been excluded from segment profit.

Adjusted Earnings Before Taxes, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted EPS.  These measures exclude the impact of the costs related to the spin-off, restructurings and integration.

Organic.  This is the non-GAAP financial measurement of the change in revenue, segment profit or other margins that excludes or otherwise adjusts for the impact of our go-to-market initiatives, the change in our Venezuela results from the deconsolidation of those operations, and the impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:

International Go-to-market initiatives. To compete more effectively as an independent company, we increased our use of exclusive and non-exclusive third-party distributors and wholesalers, and decreased or eliminated our business operations in certain countries, consistent with our international go-to-market strategy.  In order to capture the impact of these international go-to-market changes and exits, we have separately identified the impact of these changes, which represents the year over year change in those markets since the date of exit.  We expect to realize the majority of the impact from these changes by July 1, 2016.

Change in Venezuela Results. As previously announced, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiaries on March 31, 2015 and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan operations using the cost method of accounting.  Subsequent to March 31, 2015, our financial results do not include the operating results of our Venezuelan operations.  As a result of the deconsolidation, we have taken the year over year change in Venezuela results and separately identified the impact in our change in sales and segment profit for all periods presented.

Impact of currency. The Company evaluates the operating performance of our Company on a currency neutral basis.  The impact of currency is the difference between the value of current year foreign operations at the current period ending USD exchange rate, compared to the value of the current year foreign operations at the prior period ending USD exchange rate.

Adjusted Comparisons.  Detail for adjusted gross margin, adjusted A&P as a percent of sales, adjusted R&D as a percent of sales and adjusted SG&A as a percent of sales are also supplemental non-GAAP measure disclosures. These measures exclude the impact of costs related to spin-off, restructuring and integration.

EBITDA and ADJUSTED EBITDA.  EBITDA is defined as earnings/loss from continuing operations before income tax expense/benefit, interest and depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the impact of the costs related to the spin-off, restructurings, Venezuela deconsolidation and share-based payments.

Free Cash Flow.  Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities reduced by capital expenditures, net of the proceeds from asset sales.  Given our extensive international operations, a significant portion of our cash is generated outside of the U.S.  The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Schedules - Segment Information
For the Quarter ended December 31, 2015
(In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

Operations for Energizer are managed via four major geographic reportable segments: North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), and Asia Pacific.

Energizer's operating model includes a combination of standalone and shared business functions between the geographic segments, varying by country and region of the world. Shared functions include IT and finance shared service costs. Energizer applies a fully allocated cost basis, in which shared business functions are allocated between segments. Such allocations are estimates, and also do not represent the costs of such services if performed on a standalone basis.

Segment sales and profitability, as well as the reconciliation to earnings before tax, for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are presented below.