Sealed Air Corp (SEE) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with Strategic ...

In This Article:

  • Net Sales: $1.4 billion in Q4, up 1% on a constant currency basis; $5.4 billion for the full year, down 1% at constant currency.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: $271 million in Q4, down 1% year-over-year; $1.11 billion for the full year, relatively flat with prior year.

  • Adjusted EPS: $0.75 in Q4, down 15% year-over-year; $3.14 for the full year, down 1%.

  • Adjusted Tax Rate: 28% in Q4, compared to 18% in the same period last year.

  • Food Segment Sales: $923 million in Q4, up 5% on an organic basis.

  • Food Segment Adjusted EBITDA: $208 million in Q4, up 7% with a margin of 22.5%.

  • Protective Segment Sales: $450 million in Q4, down 7% year-over-year.

  • Protective Segment Adjusted EBITDA: $67 million in Q4, down 26% year-over-year.

  • Free Cash Flow: $454 million for the full year, compared to $467 million a year ago.

  • Net Leverage Ratio: 3.6 times at the end of 2024, down from a peak of 4.1 times in Q2 2023.

  • Total Liquidity: $1.4 billion, including $372 million in cash.

  • 2025 Outlook - Net Sales: Expected range of $5.1 billion to $5.5 billion, assuming 1% growth at the midpoint.

  • 2025 Outlook - Adjusted EBITDA: Expected range of $1.075 billion to $1.175 billion, approximately 1% year-over-year growth at the midpoint.

  • 2025 Outlook - Adjusted EPS: Expected range of $2.90 to $3.30 per share.

  • 2025 Outlook - Free Cash Flow: Approximately $400 million.

  • 2025 Outlook - Capital Expenditures: Approximately $220 million.

Release Date: February 25, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • Sealed Air Corp (NYSE:SEE) exceeded expectations in Q4 2024, surpassing the guided midpoint for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow.

  • The company has consistently delivered against expectations for six straight quarters, indicating improved discipline and commercial execution.

  • The food business showed strength, with mid-single-digit adjusted EBITDA growth despite a 2% sales decrease.

  • Sealed Air Corp (NYSE:SEE) has fully integrated its commercial innovation and supply chain teams into its food and Protective segments, streamlining operations.

  • The company is targeting mid-single-digit earnings growth and high cash flow conversion over the long term, with plans to deleverage the balance sheet to 3 times within two years.

Negative Points

  • The Protective segment faced challenges, with a 7% decline in net sales in Q4 2024 and a 26% decrease in adjusted EBITDA.

  • Sealed Air Corp (NYSE:SEE) anticipates continued volume pressures in the Protective segment in the first half of 2025.

  • The company is experiencing unfavorable net price realization and FX headwinds, impacting financial performance.

  • There is uncertainty around global trade, tariffs, and foreign exchange movements, which could affect customer demand and supply chains.

  • Sealed Air Corp (NYSE:SEE) is closing two plants by the end of the year as part of ongoing cost takeout efforts, indicating restructuring challenges.