Highlights:

• 3Q21 Reported EPS of $1.96, up 9%
  
  • Adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) of $2.14, up 12%
• 3Q21 Net sales increased 19.8% to $2.07 billion
  
  • Sales growth ex. currency (non-GAAP) of 17.0%
  • Organic sales growth (non-GAAP) of 13.9%
• FY 2021 EPS guidance ranges revised
  
  • Reported EPS range now $8.55 to $8.70 (previously $8.50 to $8.80)
  • Adjusted EPS range raised to $8.80 to $8.95 (previously $8.65 to $8.95)

GLENDALE, Calif. – Avery Dennison Corporation today announced preliminary, unaudited results for its third quarter ended October 2, 2021. Non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this document are reconciled to GAAP in the attached tables. Unless otherwise indicated, comparisons are to the same period in the prior year.

“We delivered another strong quarter,” said Mitch Butier, chairman, president and CEO. “Both LGM and RBIS delivered impressive top and bottom-line growth, with continued momentum in Intelligent Labels. This strong performance comes during a challenging period given the ongoing global health crisis, as supply chains remain tight and significant inflationary pressures continue to build.

“Given our performance in the third quarter, we raised our outlook for the full year as we continue to deliver significant earnings growth,” added Butier. “We are also pleased that the acquisition of Vestcom, a business that further expands our position in high value categories in RBIS and has the potential to further advance our Intelligent Labels strategy, closed in the quarter.

“Once again, I want to thank our entire team for their tireless efforts to keep one another safe while delivering for all our stakeholders.”

Operational/Market Update
In the third quarter, uncertainty surrounding the global health crisis remained elevated as parts of the world experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in South Asia. As the pandemic evolves, the company has continued to adapt its world-class safety protocols. The safety and well-being of employees remains the company’s top priority. The greatest impact of the increase in COVID-19 cases to the company was in Vietnam, particularly in RBIS, which was significantly constrained for the majority of the quarter. While certain manufacturing sites were operating well below full capacity, the company leveraged its global scale to minimize disruptions to customers. All manufacturing locations are now largely operational.

The company continues to actively manage through a dynamic supply and demand environment. Demand across the majority of businesses and regions remains very strong, while raw materials, freight and labor availability continue to be constrained. The company continues to leverage its global scale and work closely with customers and suppliers to minimize disruptions. Inflation remains persistent and additional pricing and material re-engineering actions are being implemented to offset higher costs.

Third Quarter 2021 Results by Segment

Label and Graphic Materials

Reported sales increased 18% to $1.3 billion. Compared to prior year, sales were up 15% ex. currency (12% vs. 2019) and 14% on an organic basis (11% vs. 2019).

Label and Packaging Materials sales were up approximately 15% from prior year on an organic basis, with strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business.

Sales increased by approximately 11% organically in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses.

On an organic basis, sales were up low-double digits in North America and emerging markets and more than 20% in Western Europe.

Reported operating margin decreased 140 basis points to 13.7%. Adjusted operating margin decreased 140 basis points to 13.8%, driven by the benefit of higher volume/mix, net of supply chain disruptions, which was more than offset by the net impact of pricing and raw material costs and higher employee-related costs.

Retail Branding and Information Solutions

Reported sales increased 25% to $531 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 22% ex. currency (29% vs. 2019) and 14% on an organic basis (9% vs. 2019), reflecting strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business.

Intelligent Labels was up approximately 15% organically (40% vs. 2019).

Reported operating margin was flat to prior year at 11.0%. Adjusted operating margin increased 170 basis points to 13.8% as the benefits from higher volume and productivity were partially offset by the headwind from prior year temporary cost reduction actions, higher employee-related costs and growth investments.

The Vestcom acquisition closed on August 31, 2021. Vestcom expands RBIS’ role managing variable data in adjacent markets and accelerates the portfolio shift to high value product categories. The Vestcom business has above average sales growth and margins; we expect modest EPS accretion from the acquisition in fiscal year 2021.

Industrial and Healthcare Materials

Reported sales increased 24% to $195 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 20% ex. currency (11% vs. 2019) and 15% on an organic basis (6% vs. 2019), reflecting a high-teens increase in industrial categories and a high-single digit increase in healthcare categories.

Reported operating margin increased 170 basis points to 9.6%. Adjusted operating margin decreased 220 basis points to 9.9% as the benefit from higher volume/mix net of supply chain disruptions was more than offset by the net impact of pricing, freight and raw material costs and higher employee-related costs.

Other

Financing, Balance Sheet and Capital Deployment

In August, the company issued $300 million of 0.850% Senior Notes due 2024 and $500 million of 2.250% Senior Notes due 2032. The company used the net proceeds from these offerings, together with cash on hand and commercial paper issuances, to finance the previously announced Vestcom acquisition that closed on August 31, 2021.

During the first three quarters of the year, the company deployed $1.5 billion for acquisitions and returned $290 million in cash to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, up from $197 million for the same period last year. The company repurchased 0.7 million shares at an aggregate cost of $126 million. Net of dilution from long-term incentive awards, the company’s share count at the end of the quarter was down by 0.3 million compared to the same time last year.

The company’s balance sheet remains strong, with ample capacity to continue executing our long term capital allocation strategy. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was 2.3 at the end of the third quarter, at the lower end of the company’s long-term target range.

Income Taxes

The company’s third quarter effective tax rate was 26.4%. The adjusted (non-GAAP) tax rate for the quarter was 25.3%, which is also the company’s current expectation for its full year adjusted tax rate.

Cost Reduction Actions

In the third quarter, the company realized approximately $11 million in pre-tax savings from restructuring, net of transition costs, and incurred pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $2 million.

Outlook

In its supplemental presentation materials, “Third Quarter 2021 Financial Review and Analysis,” the company provides a list of factors that it believes will contribute to its 2021 financial results. Based on the factors listed and other assumptions, the company has revised its guidance range for 2021 reported earnings per share from $8.50 to $8.80 to $8.55 to $8.70. Excluding an estimated $0.25 per share related to restructuring charges and other items, the company’s guidance range for adjusted earnings per share has been raised from $8.65 to $8.95 to $8.80 to $8.95.

For more details on the company’s results, see the summary tables accompanying this news release, as well as the supplemental presentation materials, “Third Quarter 2021 Financial Review and Analysis,” posted on the company’s website at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished to the SEC on Form 8-K.

Throughout this release and the supplemental presentation materials, amounts on a per share basis reflect fully diluted shares outstanding.