Categories
Business

Wedgewood Pharmacy completes acquisition of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiary ZooPharm; appoints new wildlife general manager

SWEDESBORO, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CompoundingPharmacyWedgewood Pharmacy has completed the acquisition of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Windsor, Colorado, and its wholly-owned pharmacy subsidiary, ZooPharm, Laramie, Wyoming. The companies serve veterinarians and patients in the wildlife and zoo markets. ZooPharm is a veterinary compounding pharmacy that provides veterinary-anesthesia and pain-management medications to care for non-domestic species, resident wildlife, captive exotic breeds, and companion animals.

The company has promoted George Carballo, currently Wedgewood Pharmacy’s regional sales manager for the Eastern U.S., to the position of general manager of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals. In his new role, Carballo will lead the Wildlife Pharmaceuticals and ZooPharm business including developing the team, coordinating resources with Wedgewood Pharmacy, increasing revenue, building and expanding customer relationships, and spurring research and new product development. He will report to Marcy Bliss, CEO of Wedgewood.

Carballo joined Wedgewood Pharmacy in October 2018 as the regional sales manager for the Eastern Region. Prior to joining Wedgewood Pharmacy, he spent 16 years at Henry Schein Animal Health as a territory manager and then regional manager. His first experience in the animal-health arena was with Fort Dodge Animal Health where he was a territory manager. He began his career in account management and sales in the health insurance industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Rutgers University.

Carballo said, “Zoos, aquariums, conservation facilities, wildlife management organizations, and private ranches need specialized medications for some of the most beautiful and endangered creatures on our planet. Wildlife animals have medication options because we have the formulation expertise to assist zoological veterinarians when these animals become ill, develop debilitating ailments, or need to be studied or managed. Through collaborative efforts, we will continue Wildlife Pharmaceuticals’ honored tradition of formulating unique compounded medications to treat a variety of species.”

Marcy A. Bliss, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy said: “We are honored to extend the legacy of Dr. Bill Lance and David Smith, whose career quests have been to increase the care and survival of wildlife and zoo species by developing innovative, life-saving medications. We are strongly committed to maintaining and extending the truly remarkable customer service experience and innovation that are the companies’ hallmarks.”

Among ZooPharm’s products are the BAM™ Kit, which includes a patented combination of Butorphanol tartrate, Azaperone tartrate, and Medetomidine hydrochloride that is used to immobilize a broad range of species, along with a reversal agent; a patented, slow release buprenorphine prescribed primarily to companion animals for post-operative recovery; and sustained-release analgesics and anesthetics used to manage pain. The company is licensed in 49 states.

Wedgewood Pharmacy intends to maintain the ZooPharm brand, while making Wedgewood Pharmacy’s extensive animal-health formulary available to ZooPharm’s client base. ZooPharm’s specialized products also will be offered to Wedgewood Pharmacy’s veterinary customers.

About Wedgewood Pharmacy

Wedgewood Pharmacy is the largest 503A animal-health compounding pharmacy in the U.S. and has also served the human-health market since its founding in 1980. Compounded medications are preparations customized to the unique needs of a patient. They are created and prepared by specially trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in state-regulated facilities when mass-manufactured drugs are not, according to the prescriber, available or are not appropriate for a patient. The company’s 503B Outsourcing Facility, Wedgewood Connect, manufactures medications under FDA’s modified cGMP standards.

In its 40 years, Wedgewood Pharmacy has grown from a local community pharmacy to become one of the largest compounding pharmacies in the United States; it is the leading pharmacy in animal health. Wedgewood Pharmacy serves more than 50,000 prescribers and hundreds of thousands of patients throughout the U.S. every year.

George (late) and Lucy Malmberg, both pharmacists, purchased Wedgewood Pharmacy in 1981; the pharmacy was founded in 1980. In June 2016, New Harbor Capital, became the majority shareholder of the company. In July 2018, the company acquired Diamondback Drugs, Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2020, the company began production at Wedgewood Connect, an FDA-registered 503B Outsourcing Facility, in San Jose, California.

Wedgewood Pharmacy is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB®) for compliance with PCAB and other nationally recognized compounding standards. PCAB was formed by eight of the nation’s leading pharmacy associations and is a service of Accreditation Commission for Health Care. As a third-party accreditation organization, PCAB has developed the highest national standards against which providers are measured to demonstrate their ability to effectively and efficiently deliver quality compounded medications to consumers. Wedgewood Pharmacy employs more than 650 people in its state-of-the-art compounding pharmacies in Swedesboro, New Jersey and Scottsdale, Arizona, in its Wedgewood Connect 503B Outsourcing Facility in San Jose, California, and its Wildlife Pharmaceuticals/ZooPharm facilities in Colorado and Wyoming.

Contacts

Company

Marcy A. Bliss

President and CEO

MBliss@wedgewoodpharmacy.com
856-832-1303

PR Firm

David Kirk

DavidKirk@thePRguy.com
480-270-9631

Categories
Business

Merck Animal Health completes acquisition of IdentiGEN

Strategic Transaction Enhances Farm-to-Table Animal Traceability Solutions for Livestock and Aquaculture

MADISON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$MRK #AnimalHealth–Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced the completion of its acquisition of IdentiGEN, a leader in DNA-based animal traceability solutions for Livestock and Aquaculture from MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

IdentiGEN’s technology combines each species’ unique DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and data analytics to provide an evidence-based animal traceability solution, called DNA TraceBack®, to accurately and precisely trace beef, seafood, pork and poultry that is verifiable from farm-to-table.

Food producers, processors and retailers are looking for accurate and complete animal traceability solutions that provide full accountability, as well as greater transparency, quality and sustainability of food sources for consumers. The addition of specialized, digital technology within our portfolio of medicines, vaccines and services, provides holistic solutions to help advance animal health and complements our existing identification and monitoring technology that delivers real-time, actionable data and insights to help, improve or enhance animal management and health outcomes.

Enhanced digital technology will play an increasingly important role in food traceability and food safety, providing customers critical information and actionable data to help ensure a sustainable supply of quality food to protect public health,” said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. “We now will be able to provide end-to-end animal traceability solutions at industry scale to improve the health and safety of animals and ensure even greater transparency in our food supply.”

DeLuca said, “The highly skilled employees at IdentiGEN, led by Ronan Loftus and Ciaran Meghen, exemplify our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, and we look forward to collaborating with the team to leverage our scientific and technical capabilities and expertise to shape the future of animal health.”

In April 2019, Merck Animal Health announced the completion of its acquisition of Antelliq Corporation and its market-leading brands, Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Sure Petcare and Biomark as leaders in emerging digital technology with animal identification, animal monitoring and smart data management for Livestock and Companion Animals. In December 2019, the company acquired Vaki, a leader in fish farming and wild fish conservation monitoring equipment and real-time video monitoring technology to advance fish health and welfare. In June 2020, the company acquired Quantified Ag®, a leading data and analytics company that monitors cattle body temperature and movement in order to detect illness early.

About Merck Animal Health

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.

About IdentiGEN

IdentiGEN leads the world in delivering DNA-based solutions which shape the future of food trust. Founded in 1996, IdentiGEN is a pioneer of DNA-based solutions for producers, processors and retailers of meat and seafood products in the Agri-food Industry, with operations in Ireland, Europe, the UK and the USA. Our signature product, DNA TraceBack®, helps safeguard and strengthen the integrity of the supply chain for meat, poultry and seafood products through the world’s most accurate and precise traceability platform. A unique solution for industry, using DNA TraceBack® enables beef, pork, poultry and seafood products to be reliably traced back through production to the farm, parent or individual animal from which they originated.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the recent global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Contacts

Merck

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Lewis

+ 1 (973) 294-0318

Jeanette.Lewis@merck.com

Pam Eisele

+1 (267) 305-3558

Pamela.Eisele@merck.com

Merck

Investor Contact:

Michael DeCarbo

+ 1 (908) 740-1807

Michael.DeCarbo@merck.com

Categories
Business

Church & Dwight reports Q2 results

2020 Second Quarter Results

  • Sales growth +10.6%: Dom. +13.6%; Int’l +0.5%; SPD +3.0%
  • Organic sales +8.4%: Dom. +10.7%; Int’l +0.6%; SPD +3.0%
  • Gross Margin +220 bps. to 46.8%
  • EPS +36.4%; Adjusted EPS +35.1%
  • YTD Cash from Operations +70%; Ex tax deferral +47%

2020 Full Year Outlook Raised from Original Outlook

  • Reported Sales growth raised to 9-10% (initially 6.5%)
  • Organic Sales growth raised to 7-8% (initially 3.5%)
  • Adjusted EPS growth raised to 13% (initially 7 to 9%)1
  • Cash from Operations raised to $960MM (initially $890MM)

EWING, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) today announced reported second quarter 2020 EPS of $0.75, a 36.4% increase versus year ago. Adjusted EPS, which excludes an acquisition related earn-out adjustment, grew 35.1% to $0.77.2

Second quarter net sales grew 10.6% to $1,194.3 million. The Company continued to experience a significant increase in consumer demand for many of its products, primarily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organic sales grew 8.4% driven by a volume increase of 4.9% and positive product mix and pricing of 3.5%. Organic sales growth was driven by higher consumption, lower couponing, and restocking of retailer inventories.

Matthew Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Q2 was an extraordinarily strong quarter for Church & Dwight. Both our household and personal care businesses delivered higher growth as consumers and retailers focused on core essentials. We experienced strong consumption in Q2 and continue to see similar strength in July. The pandemic drove double digit consumption growth in several domestic categories, especially gummy vitamins, women’s hair removal, cleaners, and baking soda while restrictions on consumer mobility drove double-digit declines in other domestic categories, notably condoms, dry shampoo, and water flossers. Year-to-date shipments and consumption are in balance for our brands. However, retailer in-stocks lag normal levels for some brands, including gummy vitamins, baking soda, and cleaners. Online sales as a percentage of total sales continued to grow rapidly and reached 13% of sales in Q2. The International business grew slightly despite the global COVID-19 pandemic. SPD recorded its third consecutive quarter of organic growth as demand for our non-dairy products grew in both domestic and international markets.

“In this unusual time, our focus is on the safety of our employees, meeting the needs of our customers and consumers, and ensuring our brands are even stronger moving forward. I want to again thank Church & Dwight employees around the world for their dedication to keeping our Company going during the pandemic, especially our manufacturing and distribution employees and lab technicians.”

Second Quarter Review

Consumer Domestic net sales were $931.1 million, a $111.8 million or 13.6% increase driven by household and personal care sales growth and the FLAWLESS® acquisition. Organic sales increased 10.7% due to higher volume (+6.3%) and positive price and product mix (+4.4%). Contributing to the sales increase was strong consumption, restocking retailer inventories, and lower couponing. Organic sales growth was led by ARM & HAMMER® liquid laundry detergent, VITAFUSION® and L’IL CRITTERS® gummy vitamins, ARM & HAMMER clumping cat litter and baking soda, OXICLEAN® stain fighters, ARM & HAMMER laundry detergent scent boosters, and FLAWLESS® women’s hair removal.

Consumer International net sales were $187.5 million, a $0.9 million or 0.5% increase versus the prior year. Organic sales increased 0.6% due to positive price and product mix (+1.3%) offset by lower volume (-0.7%). Organic sales growth was driven primarily by the Global Markets Group, offset by declines in Europe and Mexico.

Specialty Products net sales were $75.7 million, a $2.2 million or 3.0% increase. Organic sales increased 3.0% due to higher volume (+3.3%) offset by lower pricing (-0.3%). Milk prices have returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and demand from dairy customers is expected to strengthen in the second half. Demand for prebiotic and probiotic products continues to grow in the poultry industry.

Gross margin increased 220 basis points to 46.8% due to higher pricing including a significant reduction in trade promotions and couponing, and productivity improvements, partially offset by significant COVID-19 pandemic related expenses including higher manufacturing costs due to outsourcing, and foreign exchange.

Marketing expense was $122.3 million, a decrease of $6.8 million or 5.3%. Marketing expense as a percentage of net sales decreased 180 basis points to 10.2%. Due to retailer out of stocks, marketing spend was significantly reduced.

Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A) was $186.6 million or 15.6% of net sales, a 30 basis point increase, primarily due to higher compensation, intangible amortization related to acquisitions, and investments in R&D and IT.

Income from Operations was $250.7 million or 21.0% of net sales.

Other Expense of $14.7 million declined slightly due to lower interest expense resulting from lower interest rates.

The effective tax rate was 19.6% compared to 18.7% in 2019, an increase of 90 basis points, primarily driven by lower tax benefits related to stock option exercises.

Operating Cash Flow

Cash flow was exceptionally strong. The borrowing on the revolving credit line that was accessed in Q1 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was completely repaid in Q2. For the first six months of 2020, cash from operating activities increased 70.4% to $598.6 million, a $247.4 million increase from the prior year due to significantly higher cash earnings and a decrease in working capital. In accordance with IRS guidelines, the Company elected to defer $81 million of U.S. Federal income tax payments to July which contributed to the significant increase in cash flow. Capital expenditures for the first six months were $30.9 million, a $7.3 million increase from the prior year. We now expect full year capex spending to be approximately $100 million (initially $85 million), reflecting plans for expansion in manufacturing capacity for laundry, litter, and vitamins.

At June 30, 2020, cash on hand was $451.7 million, while total debt was $1,877.2 million.

2020 New Products

Mr. Farrell commented, “Innovation will continue to be a big driver of our success. Church and Dwight will continue to invest in new products and R&D to drive long-term revenue and earnings growth. We continue to be excited about this year’s new product launches.

“In the household products portfolio, we launched a new ARM & HAMMER laundry detergent called CLEAN & SIMPLE™ which has only 6 ingredients plus water (compared to 15 to 30 ingredients for the typical liquid detergent), provides no compromise on efficacy, and cleaning power comparable to our bestselling consumer favorite – ARM & HAMMER with OXICLEAN. CLEAN & SIMPLE is on trend with consumers’ desire for ‘better for me’ products, which are simple and have fewer ingredients. The advertising and trade support for the CLEAN & SIMPLE launch has been shifted entirely to the second half.

“In July, ARM & HAMMER clumping cat litter launched CLUMP & SEAL ABSORBx™, a first of its kind revolutionary new litter made from DESERT DRY MINERALS™. It rapidly absorbs wetness in seconds to form rock hard clumps. The 100% dust free litter is guaranteed to trap and seal odors. ABSORBx is 55% lighter than our regular litter.

“In the personal care portfolio, BATISTE® has launched a line of waterless cleansing foam for normal, dry, and curly hair. The weightless foam dries in 60 seconds and delivers an instant refresh for hair that looks revived, feels soft and smells amazing. We have launched TROJAN G SPOT™, a condom featuring a unique shape for targeted stimulation. FLAWLESS has launched NU RAZOR™, a waterless whole-body hair removal product for women to use anywhere, anytime. WATERPIK® is in the second year of the SONIC FUSION® launch, the world’s first flossing toothbrush combining the convenience of a sonic toothbrush with a water flosser in a single device. In the second quarter, we launched WATERPIK WATER FOR WELLNESS® showerheads across the power pulse product line, incorporating our FDA registered therapeutic massage technology that provides clinically proven results to help soothe muscle tension, increase flexibility, and promote restful sleep. VITAFUSION gummy vitamins launched a number of new products including Triple Immune Power, Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Prenatal Multi, and IRRESISTIBLE SKIN™. In Q3, VITAFUSION will continue to capitalize on increased consumer interest in immunity products with the launch of POWER ZINC™ and Elderberry gummies in both adult and kids variants.”

Outlook for 2020

Mr. Farrell stated, “The Company is well positioned for the current economic environment, due to a combination of being in the right categories and having a balance of value and premium brands.

“With seven months behind us, we are re-instating our 2020 sales and EPS outlook. However, due to volatility in consumer demand, supply constraints, and uncertainty regarding a COVID-19 resurgence, we will not provide a quarterly financial outlook.

“Given our strong first half performance, we have raised our full year outlook for sales and EPS. We now expect approximately 9-10% full year 2020 sales growth (initial outlook 6.5%) and approximately 7-8% organic sales growth (initially 3.5%). Adjusted EPS growth is expected to be 13% (initially 7 to 9%).1 This implies a front-end loaded year and flat EPS in the second half as the Company has higher amounts of trade promotions and advertising dollars in the second half in support of new products. Gross margin is expected to decline in the second half due to new product promotional support, the year over year impact of FLAWLESS accounting, incremental manufacturing and distribution capacity investments, and higher tariffs on WATERPIK.

“In the second half, we intend to make incremental investments for surge capacity in manufacturing, R&D, new product development, consumer research, digital advertising, and predictive analytics. These investments are intended to position the Company for future growth.

“Our outlook will continue to adapt to the changing environment and as such, we may continue to defer trade, couponing and advertising until late in the second half or into next year depending on: (1) consumption trends, (2) a resurgence of COVID-19, and (3) supply constraints.”

1 This press release does not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of adjusted EPS to reported EPS, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, expected for 2020, because we are unable to provide such a reconciliation without unreasonable effort. We have excluded the Company’s potential earn-out liability from our acquisition of the FLAWLESS business from our expected adjusted EPS for these periods. We are required to review the fair value of the earn-out liability quarterly based on changes in sales forecasts, discount rates, volatility assumptions, and other inputs. Our inability to provide a reconciliation to GAAP EPS for future periods is due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting what these changes will be on a quarter-by-quarter basis. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to our future results.

2 See non-GAAP reporting reconciliations.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2020 earnings results on July 31, 2020 at 10:00 am (EDT). To participate, dial 877-322-9846 within the U.S. and Canada, or 631-291-4539 internationally, using access code 8495695. A replay will be available at 855-859-2056 using the same access code through the close of business on August 7, 2020. You also can participate via webcast by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.churchdwight.com.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) founded in 1846, is the leading U.S. producer of sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda. The Company manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under recognized brand names such as ARM & HAMMER®, TROJAN®, OXICLEAN®, SPINBRUSH®, FIRST RESPONSE®, NAIR®, ORAJEL®, XTRA®, L’IL CRITTERS® and VITAFUSION®, BATISTE®, WATERPIK®, and FLAWLESS®. These twelve key brands represent approximately 85% of the Company’s products sales. For more information, visit the Company’s website.

Church & Dwight has a strong heritage of commitment to people and the planet. In the early 1900’s, we began using recycled paperboard for all packaging of household products. Today, virtually all our paperboard packaging is from certified, sustainable sources. In 1970, the ARM & HAMMER® brand introduced the first nationally-distributed, phosphate-free detergent. That same year, Church & Dwight was honored to be the sole corporate sponsor of the first annual Earth Day. Church & Dwight is notably ranked in the 2019 Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies and on the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Top 100 List of Green Power Users.

For more information, see the Church & Dwight 2019 Sustainability Report at:

https://churchdwight.com/pdf/Sustainability/2019-Sustainability-Report.pdf

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements relating to net sales and earnings growth; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company’s response; gross margin changes; trade, marketing, and SG&A spending; sufficiency of cash flows from operations; earnings per share; cost savings programs; consumer demand and spending; the effects of competition; the effect of product mix; volume growth, including the effects of new product launches into new and existing categories; the impact of acquisitions (including earn-outs); and capital expenditures. Other forward-looking statements in this release may be identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “anticipate,” “to be,” “to make” or other comparable terms. These statements represent the intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs of the Company, and are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable but may prove to be incorrect. In addition, these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include a decline in market growth, retailer distribution and consumer demand (as a result of, among other things, political, economic and marketplace conditions and events); including those relating to the outbreak of contagious diseases; other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s operations, customers, suppliers, employees, and other constituents, and market volatility and impact on the economy (including causing recessionary conditions), resulting from nationwide or local or regional outbreaks or increases in infections and the risk that the Company will not be able to successfully execute its response plans with respect to the pandemic or localized outbreaks and the corresponding uncertainty; the impact of regulatory changes or policies associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including continuing or renewed shutdowns of retail and other businesses in various jurisdictions; the impact of the CARES Act and other governmental actions; unanticipated increases in raw material and energy prices; delays or other problems in manufacturing or distribution; increases in transportation costs; adverse developments affecting the financial condition of major customers and suppliers; changes in marketing and promotional spending; growth or declines in various product categories and the impact of customer actions in response to changes in consumer demand and the economy, including increasing shelf space of private label products; consumer and competitor reaction to, and customer acceptance of, new product introductions and features; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and characteristics at a level acceptable to our customers and consumers; disruptions in the banking system and financial markets; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; implications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union; transition to, and shifting economic policies in the United States; potential changes in export/import and trade laws, regulations and policies of the United States and other countries, including any increased trade restrictions or tariffs, including the actual and potential effect of tariffs on Chinese goods imposed by the United States; issues relating to the Company’s information technology and controls; the impact of natural disasters on the Company and its customers and suppliers, including third party information technology service providers; the integration of acquisitions or divestiture of assets; the outcome of contingencies, including litigation, pending regulatory proceedings and environmental matters; and changes in the regulatory environment.

For a description of additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, please see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the U.S. federal securities laws. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release also contains non-GAAP financial information. Management uses this information in its internal analysis of results and believes that this information may be informative to investors in gauging the quality of the Company’s financial performance, identifying trends in its results and providing meaningful period-to-period comparisons. The Company has included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the end of this press release for these reconciliations. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items being excluded. They should be read in connection with the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

(In millions, except per share data)

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

Net Sales

$

1,194.3

$

1,079.4

$

2,359.5

$

2,124.1

Cost of sales

634.7

597.9

1,267.9

1,171.8

Gross Profit

559.6

481.5

1,091.6

952.3

Marketing expenses

122.3

129.1

218.7

227.2

Selling, general and administrative expenses

186.6

165.0

307.6

296.9

Income from Operations

250.7

187.4

565.3

428.2

Equity in earnings of affiliates

2.0

1.7

3.6

3.4

Other income (expense), net

(16.7

)

(18.8

)

(33.5

)

(36.2

)

Income before Income Taxes

236.0

170.3

535.4

395.4

Income taxes

46.3

31.8

115.9

81.2

Net Income

$

189.7

$

138.5

$

419.5

$

314.2

Net Income per share – Basic

$

0.77

$

0.56

$

1.71

$

1.28

Net Income per share – Diluted

$

0.75

$

0.55

$

1.67

$

1.25

Dividends per share

$

0.24

$

0.23

$

0.48

$

0.45

Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic

246.2

246.4

245.9

246.2

Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted

251.3

252.7

251.2

252.3

CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions)

June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

451.7

$

155.7

Accounts Receivable

344.5

356.4

Inventories

455.5

417.4

Other Current Assets

25.0

26.9

Total Current Assets

1,276.7

956.4

Property, Plant and Equipment (Net)

568.7

573.0

Equity Investment in Affiliates

10.6

9.7

Trade Names and Other Intangibles

2,697.9

2,750.0

Goodwill

2,078.2

2,079.5

Other Long-Term Assets

286.9

288.8

Total Assets

$

6,919.0

$

6,657.4

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Short-Term Debt

$

65.8

$

252.9

Other Current Liabilities

930.8

839.4

Total Current Liabilities

996.6

1,092.3

Long-Term Debt

1,811.4

1,810.2

Other Long-Term Liabilities

1,112.2

1,087.1

Stockholders’ Equity

2,998.8

2,667.8

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$

6,919.0

$

6,657.4

CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

(Dollars in millions)

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

Net Income

$

419.5

$

314.2

Depreciation and amortization

92.4

82.9

Deferred income taxes

11.4

6.0

Non-cash compensation

15.8

15.0

Gain on sale of assets

(3.0

)

Other

0.7

1.7

Subtotal

536.8

419.8

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

5.9

(37.3

)

Inventories

(42.7

)

(17.9

)

Other current assets

(2.1

)

0.9

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

35.8

6.7

Income taxes payable

87.1

(11.6

)

Change in fair value of business acquisition liabilities

(20.7

)

Other

(1.5

)

(9.4

)

Net cash from operating activities

598.6

351.2

Capital expenditures

(30.9

)

(23.6

)

Acquisitions

(475.0

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

7.0

Other

(2.5

)

(3.8

)

Net cash (used in) investing activities

(26.4

)

(502.4

)

Net change in short-term debt

(186.2

)

109.8

Payment of cash dividends

(118.1

)

(112.0

)

Proceeds from stock option exercises

44.9

37.0

Purchase of treasury stock

(100.0

)

Payment of contingent consideration

(14.5

)

Deferred financing and other

(0.1

)

(2.5

)

Net cash (used in) financing activities

(274.0

)

(67.7

)

F/X impact on cash

(2.2

)

0.1

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

$

296.0

$

(218.8

)

2020 and 2019 Product Line Net Sales

Three Months Ended

Percent

6/30/2020

6/30/2019

Change

Household Products

$

544.7

$

464.3

17.3

%

Personal Care Products

386.4

355.0

8.8

%

Consumer Domestic

$

931.1

$

819.3

13.6

%

Consumer International

187.5

186.6

0.5

%

Total Consumer Net Sales

$

1,118.6

$

1,005.9

11.2

%

Specialty Products Division

75.7

73.5

3.0

%

Total Net Sales

$

1,194.3

$

1,079.4

10.6

%

Six Months Ended

Percent

6/30/2020

6/30/2019

Change

Household Products

$

1,039.0

$

907.6

14.5

%

Personal Care Products

783.1

696.6

12.4

%

Consumer Domestic

$

1,822.1

$

1,604.2

13.6

%

Consumer International

386.1

373.3

3.4

%

Total Consumer Net Sales

$

2,208.2

$

1,977.5

11.7

%

Specialty Products Division

151.3

146.6

3.2

%

Total Net Sales

$

2,359.5

$

2,124.1

11.1

%

Contacts

Rick Dierker

Chief Financial Officer

609-806-1200

Read full story here

Categories
Local News

NRG Energy Inc. to acquire Direct Energy

Acquisition Expected to Add More Than Three Million Residential and Commercial & Industrial Customers Across 50 States and Canada, Supporting NRG’s Integrated Strategy

To Enhance Free Cash Flow Strength and Stability

PRINCETON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Centrica PLC under which NRG will acquire Direct Energy, a North American subsidiary of Centrica PLC for $3.625 billion in an all-cash transaction.

The transaction builds on NRG’s status as a growing, customer-driven integrated energy provider, adding more than three million retail customers across 50 states and Canada. The transaction on closing is expected to generate approximately $740 million in annual run-rate Adjusted EBITDA1, while enhancing free cash flow strength and stability and providing earnings diversification.

With operations in all 50 U.S. states and 6 Canadian provinces, Direct Energy is one of North America’s leading retail providers of electricity, natural gas, and home and business energy-related products and services. For NRG, the acquisition builds on and complements its integrated model, enabling better matching of power generation with customer demand. It also broadens NRG’s presence into states and locales where it does not currently operate, supporting NRG’s objective to diversify its business.

The combination will deliver greater efficiencies and enable continued investment in NRG’s award-winning customer service, operational best practices and reliability. With NRG’s decades of participation in electricity markets throughout the U.S., NRG has broad insights into energy market dynamics and trends to inform innovative solutions and products for the combined company’s customers.

“This combination improves NRG’s status as one of North America’s premier integrated power companies, bringing the power of energy to people and organizations through our diverse generation platform and leading retail brands,” said Mauricio Gutierrez, President and Chief Executive Officer of NRG. “The acquisition aligns with our broader strategy of perfecting our integrated business model and drives significant value creation for our customers and stakeholders. Direct Energy ’s complementary assets, talented team and excellent customer service make it a natural fit for our portfolio, and we look forward to welcoming Direct Energy to the NRG team.”

Strategic and Financial Benefits

  • Broader Retail PlatformThe transaction broadens NRG’s retail business adding over 3 million customers. The transaction provides substantial regional diversity to NRG given that 76% of Direct Energy’s Home Energy customers are outside of Texas. The transaction will allow the combined company to reduce costs and leverage shared best practices.
  • Balanced Generation and Retail PlatformDirect Energy’s significant East footprint provides better balance within NRG’s existing portfolio while also providing NRG the ability to expand its successful capital-light renewable PPA strategy outside of Texas.
  • Significant Cost and Operational SynergiesThe acquisition is expected to create $300 million in annual run-rate synergies driven by leveraging NRG’s scalable operational platform and best-in-class cost discipline.
  • Disciplined Capital AllocationThe transaction exceeds NRG’s investment criteria and is accretive to free cash flow. In addition, NRG expects to achieve its targeted credit ratios within twelve months of closing, thereby maintaining its commitment to achieve investment grade credit metrics.

Financial Terms

NRG will acquire Direct Energy for $3.625 billion in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment.

Approvals and Time to Close

Closing for the transaction is targeted by year end 2020. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, consents and regulatory approvals, including approval by shareholders of Centrica PLC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The companies will also submit as pre-merger notification to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and the Commissioner of Competition under the Canadian Competition Act.

Advisors

Citi and Credit Suisse are serving as financial advisors and Latham & Watkins and Baker Botts LLP. are serving as legal counsel to NRG.

Investor Call

On July 24, 2020, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss this announcement. Investors, the news media and others may access the live webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials by logging on to NRG’s website at http://www.nrg.com and clicking on “Presentations & Webcasts” in the “Investors” section found at the top of the home page. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.

About NRG Energy

At NRG, we’re bringing the power of energy to people and organizations by putting customers at the center of everything we do. We generate electricity and provide energy solutions and natural gas to more than 3.7 million residential, small business, and commercial and industrial customers through our diverse portfolio of retail brands. A Fortune 500 company, operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions while advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice, and by working towards a sustainable energy future. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy, @nrginsight.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, the information presented in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can typically be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “think,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “target,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s future revenues, income, indebtedness, capital structure, plans, expectations, objectives, projected financial performance and/or business results and other future events, and views of economic and market conditions.

Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated herein include, among others, the potential impact of COVID-19 or any other pandemic on the Company’s operations, financial position, risk exposure and liquidity, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, weather conditions, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulations, the condition of capital markets generally, our ability to access capital markets, cyberterrorism and inadequate cybersecurity, unanticipated outages at our generation facilities, adverse results in current and future litigation, failure to identify, execute or successfully implement acquisitions, repowerings or asset sales, our ability to implement value enhancing improvements to plant operations and companywide processes, our ability to achieve margin enhancement under our publicly announced transformation plan, our ability to achieve our net debt targets, our ability to maintain investment grade credit metrics, our ability to proceed with projects under development or the inability to complete the construction of such projects on schedule or within budget, the inability to maintain or create successful partnering relationships, our ability to operate our business efficiently, our ability to retain retail customers, our ability to realize value through our commercial operations strategy, the ability to successfully integrate businesses of acquired companies, our ability to realize anticipated benefits of transactions (including expected cost savings and other synergies) or the risk that anticipated benefits may take longer to realize than expected, and our ability to execute our Capital Allocation Plan. Achieving investment grade credit metrics is not a indication of or guarantee that the Company will receive investment grade credit ratings. Debt and share repurchases may be made from time to time subject to market conditions and other factors, including as permitted by United States securities laws. Furthermore, any common stock dividend is subject to available capital and market conditions.

NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The adjusted EBITDA are estimates as of July 24, 2020. These estimates are based on assumptions the company believed to be reasonable as of that date. NRG disclaims any current intention to update such guidance, except as required by law. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this press release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

_______________________

1 EBITDA forecasts are based on NRG Energy’s own estimates and should not be construed as a profit forecast for the purpose of Centrica’s Listing Rule obligations under Listing Rule 13.5.

Contacts

Investors:
Kevin L. Cole, CFA

609.524.4526

investor.relations@nrg.com

Media:
Candice Adams

609.524.5428

candice.adams@nrg.com

Categories
Local News

NRG Energy Inc. to hold investor call to discuss acquisition of Direct Energy

PRINCETON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Friday, July 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) will hold an investor call to discuss its acquisition of Direct Energy, as announced today by Centrica PLC, as well as a preview of the Company’s second quarter 2020 financial results.

A live webcast of the conference call, including presentation materials, can be accessed through NRG’s website at http://www.nrg.com and clicking on “Presentations & Webcasts” in the “Investors” section found at the top of the home page. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.

About NRG Energy

At NRG, we’re bringing the power of energy to people and organizations by putting customers at the center of everything we do. We generate electricity and provide energy solutions and natural gas to more than 3.7 million residential, small business, and commercial and industrial customers through our diverse portfolio of retail brands. A Fortune 500 company, operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions while advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice, and by working towards a sustainable energy future. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy, @nrginsight.

Contacts

Investors:
Kevin L. Cole, CFA

609.524.4526

investor.relations@nrg.com

Media:
Candice Adams

609.455.3777

candice.adams@nrg.com

Categories
Business

ALERT: Rowley Law PLLC is investigating proposed acquisition of Majesco

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rowley Law PLLC is investigating potential securities law violations by Majesco (NASDAQ: MJCO) and its board of directors concerning the proposed acquisition of the company by Thoma Bravo, L.P. Stockholders will receive $13.10 in cash for each share of Majesco stock that they hold. The transaction is valued at approximately $594 million and is expected to close before the end of 2020.

If you are a stockholder of Majesco and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, please visit us at: http://www.rowleylawpllc.com/investigation/majesco. You may also contact Shane Rowley, Esq. at Rowley Law PLLC, 50 Main Street Suite 1000, White Plains, NY 10606, by email at info@rowleylawpllc.com, or by telephone at 914-400-1920 or 844-400-4643 (toll-free).

Rowley Law PLLC represents shareholders nationwide in class actions and derivative lawsuits in complex corporate litigation. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.rowleylawpllc.com.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contacts

Shane Rowley, Esq.

Rowley Law PLLC

50 Main Street Suite 1000

White Plains, NY 10606

info@rowleylawpllc.com
914-400-1920 or 844-400-4643 (toll-free)