Avient Corp (AVNT) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Organic Growth and Strategic Innovations

In This Article:

  • Organic Revenue Growth: Increased by 4% for the full year 2024.

  • CAI Segment Organic Sales Growth: 3% for color, additives, and inks.

  • SEM Segment Organic Sales Growth: 6% for specialty engineered materials.

  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin Expansion: 90 basis points for CAI and 110 basis points for SEM.

  • Total Company Adjusted EBITDA Margin: Expanded 20 basis points to 16.2%.

  • Adjusted EPS Growth: 13% for the year, including FX impact.

  • Dividend Increase: 5% increase, marking the 14th consecutive year of growth.

  • Fourth Quarter Organic Sales Growth: 5% year-over-year.

  • Fourth Quarter Adjusted EBITDA Impact: $10 million negative impact due to variable compensation accruals.

  • Fourth Quarter Adjusted EPS Impact: $0.08 negative impact due to variable compensation accruals.

  • Full Year Adjusted EBITDA Growth: 6% excluding FX, totaling $526 million.

  • Full Year Adjusted EPS: $2.66, representing 15% growth excluding FX.

  • 2025 First Quarter Adjusted EPS Guidance: Projected at $0.76, including a $0.04 FX headwind.

  • 2025 Full Year Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $540 million to $570 million.

  • 2025 Full Year Adjusted EPS Guidance: $2.70 to $2.94, with midpoint representing 11% growth excluding FX.

Release Date: February 13, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) achieved organic revenue growth in every region, including challenging markets like EMEA.

  • The company reported a 4% increase in organic sales for 2024, with both business segments expanding adjusted EBITDA margins.

  • Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) introduced a breakthrough innovation in its Dyneema portfolio, offering significant advancements in ballistic protection.

  • The company achieved a record year for safety, with the best injury incident rate in its history.

  • Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) increased its dividend by 5%, marking the 14th consecutive year of annual dividend growth.

Negative Points

  • The decision to cease the implementation of the S/4 Hana ERP system resulted in a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $71 million.

  • The rapid strengthening of the U.S. dollar negatively impacted EBITDA by $2 million and EPS by $0.01 in the fourth quarter.

  • Variable compensation accruals negatively affected fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA and EPS by $10 million and $0.08, respectively.

  • The company faces a $0.12 EPS headwind for 2025 due to foreign exchange impacts.

  • Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) anticipates a challenging comparison for defense sales in 2025 due to a strong first quarter in 2024.