ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Neenah, Inc. (NYSE:NP) today reported third quarter 2020 results.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Net sales of $190.7 million increased 18 percent versus the second quarter with strong rebounds in each segment.
• Filtration revenues increased 9 percent versus the prior year and contributed to a $3 million year-on-year increase in Technical Products operating income.
• Consolidated operating income of $13.9 million compared with $19.0 million in the prior year. Excluding adjusting items of $2.0 million in 2020 and $2.5 million in 2019, operating income increased $15.4 million versus the second quarter, but declined from $21.5 million in 2019 to $15.9 million in 2020.
• Adjusted operating margins returned to double-digit levels in both segments.
• Cash generated from operations of $36.8 million increased from $33.4 million in the prior year as a result of actions in 2020 to carefully manage working capital and reduce spending.
• Liquidity of $182 million as of September 30, 2020 increased from $159 million as of June 30, 2020.
• Quarterly cash dividends paid of $0.47 per share increased 4 percent from $0.45 per share in the prior year.

Adjusted earnings is a non-GAAP measure used to enhance understanding and comparability of year-on-year results. Details on adjusting items and a reconciliation to comparable GAAP measures are included later in this release.

“I was pleased with third quarter results, as we significantly increased revenues from the second quarter and both segments returned to double-digit EBIT margins. As expected, Technical Products led the way, with profits up over 30% versus prior year. Our top line performance, exceptional cash generation and improved profit are a testament to the actions we've taken to drive revenue and manage costs and working capital,” said Julie Schertell, Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, we continued to advance key initiatives that will create long-term shareholder value, including expanding in targeted growth platforms with innovative new products, and implementing a global manufacturing model expected to deliver over $20 million in annual savings. I'm encouraged by our progress and momentum, and as we head into 2021 we'll remain focused on initiatives that accelerate growth and increase margins, while maintaining our commitment to a strong balance sheet and providing shareholders with an attractive dividend.”

Quarterly Consolidated Results

Income Statement

Consolidated net sales of $190.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased 18 percent compared with $231.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decline in revenues resulted primarily from lower volumes caused by continued adverse impacts of COVID-19. Net sales declined 6% in Technical Products and 33% in Fine Paper and Packaging from the prior year period, with a more pronounced decline in the Fine Paper and Packaging segment due to reductions in end-use demand for commercial print papers used primarily in advertising and marketing campaigns. Impacts from lower net selling prices were partially offset by favorable currency effects. While down versus prior year, third quarter consolidated net sales increased 18% from the second quarter 2020.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense of $19.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased $4.0 million compared with $23.1 million in the prior year. Costs in 2020 were lower due to the significant actions taken to manage spending and reduce costs this year in areas such as marketing, travel and payroll.

Operating income of $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased compared to operating income of $19.0 million in 2019. Lower income in 2020 resulted from decreased volumes due to COVID-19 that could not be fully offset at a consolidated level by spending reductions. While Technical Products operating income increased, with reduced spending and a more profitable mix offsetting unfavorable volume impacts, a larger volume decline in Fine Paper and Packaging was only partly offset by spending reductions. Both segments benefited modestly from lower input prices net of selling price changes. Excluding adjusting items of $2.0 million and $2.5 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, adjusted operating income of $15.9 million decreased $5.6 million from $21.5 million in the prior year.

Net interest expense of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 was higher than the $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. In addition to higher debt and amortization expense, 2020 interest included an incremental $0.4 million due to an overlap in interest incurred in July on both our Senior Notes and Term Loan B, prior to the redemption of the 2021 Senior Notes on July 16, 2020.

In the third quarter of 2020 and 2019, the effective income tax rate was 23 percent and 11 percent, respectively. The tax rate in both periods benefited from the reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions following expiration of statutes of limitation for audit. In 2020, this benefit was offset by an increase in the tax provision due to a change in the projected mix of income from higher tax rate jurisdictions.

GAAP earnings per diluted common share (E.P.S.) of $0.46 decreased from earnings of $0.84 per share in 2019. On an adjusted basis, E.P.S. of $0.55 in the quarter compared with $0.95 in the prior year period.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Items

Cash provided from operations of $36.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 increased from $33.4 million in the third quarter of 2019 as actions in 2020 to decrease working capital and reduce discretionary spending more than offset a reduction in cash flow due to lower earnings.

Capital spending of $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased $1.1 million compared with $4.9 million in the prior year.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2020 were $41.3 million compared to $26.2 million as of June 30, 2020. Debt as of September 30, 2020 of $195.5 million compared to $381.4 million as of June 30, 2020. Debt as of June 30 included $200 million for the new Term Loan B facility and $176.5 million of principal and accrued interest on the $175 million of 2021 Senior Notes, prior to their July 16, 2020 redemption.

Quarterly Segment Results

Technical Products quarterly net sales of $123.5 million in 2020 decreased 6 percent from $131.7 million in the prior year. The revenue decline was primarily due to lower sales in the performance materials business due to COVID-19 that was only partly offset by increased filtration sales, including media for face masks in Europe introduced earlier this year. Modestly lower net selling prices in 2020 were partly offset by favorable currency effects from a stronger euro.

Operating income increased $2.8 million from the prior year to $12.3 million primarily as a result of lower manufacturing and SG&A spending, a more profitable mix of products sold, and modest benefits from lower input costs, net of selling prices. Combined, these items more than offset the negative impact from lower sales volume. Excluding unfavorable adjustments of $0.3 million in 2020, adjusted operating income increased $3.1 million from $9.5 million to $12.6 million.

Fine Paper and Packaging quarterly net sales of $67.2 million in 2020 decreased 33 percent from $100.1 million in the prior year. The decline was primarily due to lower volumes resulting from COVID-19, with the largest impact in commercial print papers used for advertising and marketing. In addition, net selling prices were modestly lower in 2020.

Operating income decreased $7.2 million from the prior year period to $6.0 million. Excluding unfavorable adjusting items in 2020 and 2019 of $0.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, adjusted operating income of $6.7 million in 2020 decreased $8.8 million from $15.5 million in the prior year primarily as a result of lower sales and related manufacturing fixed cost inefficiencies. The impact of lower volumes was partly offset by spending reductions and modest benefits from lower input costs, net of selling price changes.

Unallocated Corporate costs in the third quarter of 2020 of $4.4 million increased $0.7 million from the prior year. Excluding unfavorable adjustments in 2020 and 2019 of $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, adjusted unallocated corporate expenses decreased $0.1 million due to reduced SG&A spending.

Year-to-Date

Consolidated net sales of $585.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 decreased $139.2 million from the prior year period. The decline in revenues resulted primarily from significant adverse volume impacts from COVID-19. Net sales declined 11% in Technical Products and 30% in Fine Paper and Packaging. In addition, net selling prices were modestly lower in 2020 due both to selling price and mix. The decline in net sales was more pronounced in the Fine Paper and Packaging segment due to its shorter supply chain and reductions in end-use demand for commercial print papers used in advertising and marketing.

Consolidated operating income decreased $77.2 million from the prior year period to a loss of $21.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Excluding non-routine items noted below, adjusted operating income of $43.5 million decreased $18.7 million from $62.2 million in the prior year period due to lower sales and related fixed manufacturing cost inefficiencies related to COVID-19 that were only partly offset by decreased spending and lower input costs net of selling price reductions. As presented on the GAAP reconciliation table, we recorded $64.5 million of non-routine costs in 2020, which included a non-cash impairment for long-lived assets, loss on extinguishment of debt, incremental costs of responding to COVID-19, other restructuring and acquisition related costs. Adjusting items of $6.0 million in 2019 included accelerated depreciation due to idling of a fine paper machine, restructuring and other non-routine costs and a SERP settlement loss.

Year-to-date net income (loss) decreased $65.6 million to a loss of $25.8 million compared with income of $39.8 million in 2019. After excluding 2020 after-tax adjustments of $52.9 million and 2019 after-tax adjustments of $4.5 million, the decrease in adjusted net income of $17.2 million in 2020 was due to lower adjusted operating income driven by the adverse impacts of the pandemic.

Year-to-date earnings (loss) per diluted common share from continuing operations of $(1.55) in 2020 decreased from $2.33 in 2019. After excluding $3.14 per share of adjustments in 2020 and $0.27 per share of adjustments in 2019, year-to-date adjusted earnings per share in 2020 and 2019 were $1.59 and $2.60, respectively.

Cash provided by operating activities of $80.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $6.0 million higher than $74.4 million in the prior year period. Actions to improve working capital by managing inventory and to reduce discretionary spending more than offset the impact from lower earnings.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $11.8 million compared to $13.9 million in the prior year period. For the full year 2020, aggregate annual capital expenditures are expected to be less than $20 million.

Debt as of September 30, 2020 of $195.5 million was $5.3 million lower compared with $200.8 million as of December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents of $41.3 million as of September 30, 2020 increased $32.3 million compared with cash and cash equivalents of $9.0 million as of December 31, 2019.

Reconciliation to GAAP Measures

The Company will report adjustments to GAAP figures when they are believed to improve the comparability and understanding of results. In assessing COVID-19 impacts, only costs which were unusual, incremental and directly attributable to mitigating the effects COVID-19 on operations were excluded.

About Neenah

Neenah is a leading global specialty materials company focused on premium niche markets that value performance and image. Key products and markets include advanced filtration media, specialized performance substrates used for digital transfer, tape and abrasive backings, labels and other products, and premium printing and packaging papers. The Company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and its products are sold worldwide from manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. Additional information can be found at the Company’s web site, www.neenah.com.