• Revenue: Decreased 6% year-over-year; comparable sales excluding foreign exchange down 5%.
• Gross Profit: $137 million, a decrease of 6% due to lower sales.
• SG&A Expense: $92 million, down 7% from the prior year.
• Adjusted Operating Income: $45 million, slightly below last year with a 30 basis point improvement in operating margin.
• Americas Segment Sales: Declined 9%; comparable sales declined 7%.
• International Segment Sales: Comparable sales declined 2%.
• Free Cash Flow: Improved by $26 million year-over-year, totaling $87 million through September 30th.
• Total Net Debt: $812 million, $83 million lower than the same time last year.
• Leverage Ratio: 3.5 times, down from 3.8 times in Q3 of last year.
• Shareholder Returns: $13 million in share repurchases and $8 million in dividends during the third quarter.
• Full Year Outlook: Sales expected to decline 8-9%; adjusted EPS expected to be $1.04 to $1.09 per share.
• Free Cash Flow Expectation: Approximately $130 million for the full year.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with ACCO.

Release Date: November 01, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• ACCO Brands Corp (NYSE:ACCO) reported third quarter results with revenue and adjusted EPS in line with their outlook.
• The company is on track to realize over $20 million in savings from their multiyear cost reduction program.
• ACCO Brands Corp successfully refinanced their credit facilities, extending the maturity date from 2026 to 2029, providing financial flexibility.
• The company reduced its leverage ratio to 3.5 times, down from the same period last year, indicating an improving balance sheet.
• ACCO Brands Corp experienced growth in technology accessories, particularly in computer and gaming accessories, for the second consecutive quarter.

Negative Points

• The back-to-school season in North America was down year over year, with lower than expected replenishment orders from retailers.
• Sales in Brazil, a key back-to-school market, have been softer than anticipated, with later customer orders compared to the prior year.
• The demand environment for both consumers and businesses remains muted, impacting overall sales.
• The company experienced a 6% decrease in reported sales for the third quarter compared to the prior year.
• Foreign currency headwinds negatively impacted sales, with comparable sales excluding foreign exchange down 5% versus the prior year.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What are the reasons behind the slowdown in Brazil and Mexico, and is it related to macroeconomic factors or secular headwinds? A: Thomas Tedford, President and CEO, explained that the slowdown is primarily due to local issues rather than secular trends. In Brazil, the back-to-school season is experiencing later customer orders, and retailers are ordering lighter due to economic uncertainties. In Mexico, there are also local factors at play, but the business is showing signs of positive momentum as the fourth quarter progresses.

Q: How are the inventory levels in North America affecting the back-to-school season, and is this the new normal for the channel? A: Thomas Tedford noted that retailers are focusing on minimizing inventory post-season, which has become a new normal. ACCO Brands is adjusting by being more aggressive with initial sell-in strategies and optimizing build and buy plans for back-to-school inventories.

Q: What are the key factors contributing to the muted demand environment, and how is ACCO Brands adapting? A: Thomas Tedford highlighted that the shift to hybrid work models and increased digitalization are suppressing demand in traditional office products. ACCO Brands is focusing on hybrid solutions and new product categories to meet changing consumer needs, while maintaining strong market shares across key categories.

Q: Can you provide more details on the expansion into non-traditional channels and its potential impact? A: Thomas Tedford mentioned that ACCO Brands is expanding into value channels, particularly in North America, with promising results. This initiative is expected to broaden distribution and have a material impact on top-line growth over time.

Q: What is the outlook for M&A activity, and how does it align with ACCO Brands' strategy? A: Thomas Tedford stated that ACCO Brands is aligned with its board on pursuing M&A opportunities that are synergistic and offer strong financial returns. The company is better positioned for M&A now due to improved cash flow and a more favorable environment.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.