Ingredion Incorporated Reports Strong 2023 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

• Fourth quarter 2023 reported and adjusted operating income* grew 29% and 21%, respectively
• Full-year 2023 reported and adjusted EPS* were $9.60 and $9.42, an increase of 31% and 26%, respectively, which includes S. Korea business results that contributed $0.47 and $0.45, respectively
• Full-year 2023 cash from operations was $1,057 million, up from $152 million in 2022
• The Company expects its full-year 2024 outlook for reported EPS to be in the range of $10.20 to $11.15 and adjusted EPS to be in the range of $9.15 to $9.85, reflecting the impact of the S. Korea business divestiture

WESTCHESTER, Ill., Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry, today reported results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and full-year 2023. The results, reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022 and full-year 2023 and 2022, include items that are excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures that the Company presents.

“Our business performed exceptionally well and remained resilient throughout 2023, delivering more than 20% operating income growth for both the fourth quarter and full year. Our targeted pricing actions and proactive cost savings initiatives helped overcome inflation and raw material volatility, leading to a sixth consecutive, quarter-over-quarter expansion of gross margin. Additionally, cash from operations exceeded $1 billion dollars, and we returned $295 million dollars to shareholders in the year,” said Jim Zallie, Ingredion’s president and CEO.

“We continue to make significant progress strengthening our diversified and balanced portfolio of ingredients and solutions. Specialty ingredients grew mid-single digits, despite volume headwinds as customers destocked and managed inventories lower. In the second half of 2023, we saw a steady recovery of volumes as customer demand strengthened. Throughout the year, our teams demonstrated agility and operational excellence as they continued to balance production schedules and optimize inventory levels at year end.

“As we look ahead to 2024, we are confident that the reorganization of our business operations will better align our resources and capabilities with customers’ needs to better target growth opportunities. We are well positioned to deliver profitable growth and margin expansion, as well as generate strong cash flow. We believe our Driving Growth Roadmap continues to guide long-term value creation for our shareholders as we deepen our customer relationships, and drive innovation and operational excellence to win in the marketplace,” Zallie concluded.

Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Estimated factors affecting changes in Reported and Adjusted EPS

**Totals may not foot due to rounding;

Financial Highlights

• At December 31, 2023, total debt and cash, including short-term investments, were $2.2 billion and $409 million, respectively, versus $2.5 billion and $239 million, respectively, at December 31, 2022.
• Cash from operations was $1,057 million, up from $152 million in 2022, reflecting changes in working capital and current period net income.
• Reported net financing costs for the fourth quarter were $26 million versus $34 million for the year-ago period.
• Reported and adjusted effective tax rates for the fourth quarter were 24.4% and 24.9%, respectively, compared to 7.3% and 20.1%, respectively, for the year-ago period. The increase in the reported tax rate resulted primarily from non-taxable incentives related to our South America operations recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Capital expenditures were $314 million, net of disposals, up $21 million from the year-ago period.

Business Review

Total Ingredion
Net Sales

Reported Operating Income

Adjusted Operating Income

Net Sales

• Fourth quarter and full-year net sales were down -3% and up 3% from the 2022 fourth quarter and prior year, respectively. The decrease in the quarter was led by volume declines, partially offset by price mix and foreign exchange impacts. For the full year, the increase was driven by price mix, partially offset by volume declines and foreign exchange impacts. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, fourth quarter and full-year net sales were down -4% and up 4%, respectively, from the 2022 fourth quarter and prior year, respectively.

Operating Income

• Fourth quarter reported and adjusted operating income were $202 million and $203 million, respectively, an increase of 29% and 21%, respectively, versus the 2022 fourth quarter. The increases were driven by lower raw material and input costs and favorable price mix, partially offset by lower volumes. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, reported and adjusted operating income were up 27% and 19%, respectively, from the same period last year.
• Full-year reported and adjusted operating income were $957 million and $969 million, respectively, an increase of 26% and 23%, respectively, versus the prior year. The increases in reported and adjusted operating income were attributable to favorable price mix, partially offset by higher raw material and input costs and lower volumes. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, full-year reported and adjusted operating income were up 28% and 25%, respectively, from the prior year.

North America
Net Sales

Segment Operating Income

• Fourth quarter operating income for North America was $143 million, an increase of $21 million from the year-ago period, and full-year operating income was $718 million, an increase of $153 million from the prior year. The increases for both periods were driven by favorable price mix, partially offset by lower volumes and higher fixed costs.)

South America
Net Sales

Segment Operating Income

• Fourth quarter operating income for South America was $46 million, an increase of $2 million from the year-ago period, and full-year operating income was $142 million, a decrease of $27 million from the prior year. The increase in fourth quarter operating income was driven by favorable foreign exchange impacts and strong performance by our Argentina joint venture, largely offset by lower price mix in Brazil and Andean markets. The effects of the devaluation of the Argentina peso in December 2023 are not reflected in our joint venture results, which are reported on a one-month lag. For the full year, the decrease in operating income was driven by lower volumes and higher energy costs, primarily from our transition to biomass boilers in Brazil. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, segment operating income was down -7% and -18%, for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.

Asia-Pacific
Net Sales

Segment Operating Income

• Fourth quarter operating income for Asia-Pacific was $38 million, up $15 million from the year-ago period, and full-year operating income was $126 million, an increase of $33 million from the prior year. The increases in both periods were driven by lower input costs and a $7 million customer benefit in the quarter, partially offset by lower volumes. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, segment operating income was up 65% and 38% for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.
   

Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
Net Sales

Segment Operating Income

• Fourth quarter operating income for EMEA was $25 million, up $5 million from the year-ago period, and full-year operating income was $156 million, an increase of $46 million from the prior year. The increases were driven by favorable price mix, partially offset by lower volumes and foreign exchange impacts. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, segment operating income was up 30% and 53%, for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.

Dividends and Share Repurchases
For full-year 2023, the Company paid $194 million in dividends to shareholders, and in the fourth quarter declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share that was paid in the first quarter of 2024. During 2023, the Company repurchased 1.0 million outstanding shares of common stock at a net cost of $101 million. To support total shareholder return, the Company is dedicated to returning value to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.

2024 Full-Year Outlook
The Company expects its full-year 2024 outlook for reported EPS to be in the range of $10.20 to $11.15, which includes the impact of the expected gain on the divestiture of its S. Korea business completed on February 1, 2024, and adjusted EPS to be in the range of $9.15 to $9.85, reflecting the impact of the S. Korea business divestiture.

Excluding the effects of the divestiture of its S. Korea business, the Company expects full-year 2024 net sales to be flat to up low single-digits reflecting greater volume demand partially offset by price mix. Reported operating income is expected to be up low to mid-double-digits including the expected gain on the divestiture. Adjusted operating income is expected to be up mid-single-digits.

Corporate costs are expected to be up low single-digits.

For full-year 2024, the Company expects a reported and adjusted effective tax rate of 24.0% to 26.0%, and 25.5% to 26.5%, respectively.

Cash from operations for full-year 2024 is expected to be in the range of $750 million to $900 million, which reflects an anticipated increase in our working capital balances. Capital expenditures for the full year are expected to be approximately $340 million.

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects net sales to be down mid-single-digits and reported and adjusted operating income to be down 25-35%, which includes the impact of the Argentina peso devaluation.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
Ingredion will host a conference call on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 8 a.m. CT/9 a.m. ET, hosted by Jim Zallie, president and chief executive officer, and Jim Gray, executive vice president and chief financial officer. The call will be webcast in real-time and can be accessed at https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/events-and-presentations. A presentation containing additional financial and operating information will be accessible through the Company’s website and available to download a few hours prior to the start of the call. A replay will be available for a limited time at https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/financial-information/quarterly-results.

About the Company

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in nearly 120 countries. With 2023 annual net sales of approximately $8 billion, the Company turns grains, fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. With Ingredion’s Idea Labs® innovation centers around the world and approximately 12,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com for more information and the latest Company news.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for such statements.

Forward-looking statements include, among others, any statements regarding the Company’s expectations for full-year 2024 reported and adjusted EPS, net sales, reported and adjusted operating income, corporate costs, reported and adjusted effective tax rate, cash from operations, working capital, capital expenditures, the Company’s expectations for 2024 first quarter net sales and reported and adjusted operating income, and any other statements regarding the Company’s prospects and its future operations, financial condition, volumes, cash flows, expenses or other financial items, including management’s plans or strategies and objectives for any of the foregoing and any assumptions, expectations or beliefs underlying any of the foregoing.

These statements can sometimes be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “plan,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “continue,” “pro forma,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “propels,” “opportunities,” “potential,” “provisional,” or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. All statements other than statements of historical facts therein are “forward-looking statements.”

These statements are based on current circumstances or expectations, but are subject to certain inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control. Although we believe our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, investors are cautioned that no assurance can be given that our expectations will prove correct.

Actual results and developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by these statements, based on various risks and uncertainties, including effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including the impacts on the availability and prices of raw materials and energy supplies and volatility in foreign exchange and interest rates; changing consumption preferences relating to high fructose corn syrup and other products we make; the effects of global economic conditions and the general political, economic, business, and market conditions that affect customers and consumers in the various geographic regions and countries in which we buy our raw materials or manufacture or sell our products, and the impact these factors may have on our sales volumes, the pricing of our products and our ability to collect our receivables from customers; future purchases of our products by major industries which we serve and from which we derive a significant portion of our sales, including, without limitation, the food, beverage, animal nutrition, and brewing industries; the uncertainty of acceptance of products developed through genetic modification and biotechnology; our ability to develop or acquire new products and services at rates or of qualities sufficient to gain market acceptance; increased competitive and/or customer pressure in the corn-refining industry and related industries, including with respect to the markets and prices for our primary products and our co-products, particularly corn oil; price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and shortages affecting inputs to our production processes and delivery channels, including raw materials, energy costs and availability and freight and logistics; our ability to contain costs, achieve budgets and realize expected synergies, including with respect to our ability to complete planned maintenance and investment projects on time and on budget as well as with respect to freight and shipping costs; operating difficulties at our manufacturing facilities and liabilities relating to product safety and quality; the effects of climate change and legal, regulatory, and market measures to address climate change; our ability to successfully identify and complete acquisitions or strategic alliances on favorable terms as well as our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or implement and maintain strategic alliances and achieve anticipated synergies with respect to all of the foregoing; economic, political and other risks inherent in conducting operations in foreign countries and in foreign currencies; the behavior of financial and capital markets, including with respect to foreign currency fluctuations, fluctuations in interest and exchange rates and market volatility and the associated risks of hedging against such fluctuations; the failure to maintain satisfactory labor relations; our ability to attract, develop, motivate, and maintain good relationships with our workforce; the impact on our business of natural disasters, war, threats or acts of terrorism, the outbreak or continuation of pandemics, or the occurrence of other significant events beyond our control; the impact of impairment charges on our goodwill or long-lived assets; changes in government policy, law, or regulation and costs of legal compliance, including compliance with environmental regulation; changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liability; increases in our borrowing costs that could result from increased interest rates; our ability to raise funds at reasonable rates and other factors affecting our access to sufficient funds for future growth and expansion; security breaches with respect to information technology systems, processes, and sites; volatility in the stock market and other factors that could adversely affect our stock price; risks affecting the continuation of our dividend policy; and our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. If we do update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections. For a further description of these and other risks, see “Risk Factors” and other information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:
Investors:  Noah Weiss, 773-896-5242
Media:  Becca Hary, 708-551-2602