Eaton Reports Record Quarterly Results With 18% Backlog Growth; Raises Guidance

  • Record quarterly sales with 9% organic sales growth and record quarterly segment margins of 23.6%, 240 basis points above the third quarter of 2022, with 46% incremental margin

DUBLIN, October 31, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Intelligent power management company Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) today announced that earnings per share were $2.22 for the third quarter of 2023. Excluding charges of $0.21 per share related to intangible amortization, $0.03 per share related to acquisitions and divestitures, and $0.01 per share related to a multi-year restructuring program, adjusted earnings per share of $2.47 were a quarterly record and up 22% over the third quarter of 2022.

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Sales in the quarter were $5.9 billion, a quarterly record and up 11% from the third quarter of 2022. Organic sales were up 9%, and positive currency translation added 2%.

Segment margins were 23.6%, a quarterly record and a 240-basis point improvement over the third quarter of 2022.

Operating cash flow was a third quarter record $1.1 billion, and free cash flow was $913 million, up 18% and 10%, respectively, over the same period in 2022.

The company’s backlog was up 18% over the third quarter of 2022, up 4% sequentially.

The company narrowed full year organic growth guidance to a range of 11% to 12%, up 50 basis points at the midpoint, and raised adjusted earnings per share guidance to between $8.95 and $9.05, up $0.25 at the midpoint. The company is also raising full year operating cash flow guidance to $3.3-$3.7 billion, up $100 million at the midpoint. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the company anticipates organic growth of 8-10% and adjusted earnings per share of between $2.39 and $2.49.

Craig Arnold, Eaton chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We’re proud to deliver another quarter of record results with continued growth in our backlog. To meet that demand, we are investing more than $1 billion of capital in manufacturing to support the growth driven by electrification, energy transition and digitalization. Given our strong performance and these capacity additions, we continue to look ahead with confidence in our ability to deliver on our growth and margin expansion outlook into 2024 and beyond.”

Business Segment Results

Sales for the Electrical Americas segment were a record $2.6 billion, up 19% from the third quarter of 2022, driven entirely by organic sales growth. Operating profits were a record $719 million, up 41% over the third quarter of 2022. Operating margins in the quarter were a record 27.7%, up 420 basis points over the third quarter of 2022.

The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the third quarter was down 3% organically from high levels in 2022, with continued growth in the data center, industrial facilities and institutional markets. Backlog at the end of September was up 19% organically over September 2022.

Sales for the Electrical Global segment were a third quarter record $1.5 billion, up 1% from the third quarter of 2022. Organic sales were flat, with positive currency translation adding 2%, partially offset by the impact of a small divestiture. Operating profits were $328 million, a record and up 8% over the third quarter of 2022. Operating margins in the quarter were a record 21.8%, up 120 basis points over the third quarter of 2022.

The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the third quarter was up 1% organically, with strength in the data center and utility markets.

On a rolling twelve-month basis, the book-to-bill ratio for the Electrical businesses remained strong at over 1.1.

Aerospace segment sales were a record $867 million, up 13% from the third quarter of 2022. Organic sales increased 10%, and positive currency translation added 3%. Operating profits were $209 million, a record and up 13% from the third quarter of 2022. Operating margins in the quarter were 24.1%, up 10 basis points over the third quarter of 2022.

The twelve-month rolling average of orders in the third quarter was up 16% organically, with particular strength in the commercial OEM, commercial aftermarket and defense OEM markets. The backlog at the end of September was up 22% over September 2022. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the book-to-bill ratio for the Aerospace segment remained strong at 1.2.

The Vehicle segment posted sales of $753 million, up 1% from the third quarter of 2022. Positive currency translation added 2%, partially offset by organic sales down 1%. Operating profits were $131 million, up 5% over the third quarter of 2022. Operating margins in the quarter were 17.4%, up 60 basis points over the third quarter of 2022.

eMobility segment sales were a record $163 million, up 19% over the third quarter of 2022. Organic sales were up 19% with flat currency translation. The segment broke even in the quarter, with a 150-basis point improvement over the third quarter of 2022, driven by higher volumes from ramping programs and improved net manufacturing productivity.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.

Founded in 1911, Eaton is marking its 100th anniversary of being listed on the New York Stock Exchange. We reported revenues of $20.8 billion in 2022 and serve customers in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Notice of conference call: Eaton’s conference call to discuss its third quarter results is available to all interested parties today as a live audio webcast at 11 a.m. United States Eastern time via a link on Eaton’s home page. This news release can be accessed under its headline on the home page. Also available on the website before the call will be a presentation on third quarter results, which will be covered during the call.

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning fourth quarter and full year 2023 adjusted earnings per share, fourth quarter 2023 organic sales growth, anticipated margin expansion and sales growth and anticipated restructuring program charges and savings. These statements should be used with caution and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the company’s control. The following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: a global pandemic such as COVID-19; geopolitical tensions or war, unanticipated changes in the markets for the company’s business segments; unanticipated downturns in business relationships with customers or their purchases from us; competitive pressures on sales and pricing; supply chain disruptions, unanticipated changes in the cost of material, labor, and other production costs, or unexpected costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing; the introduction of competing technologies; unexpected technical or marketing difficulties; unexpected claims, charges, litigation or dispute resolutions; strikes or other labor unrest at Eaton or at our customers or suppliers; natural disasters; the performance of recent acquisitions; unanticipated difficulties completing or integrating acquisitions; new laws and governmental regulations; interest rate changes; changes in tax laws or tax regulations; stock market and currency fluctuations; and unanticipated deterioration of economic and financial conditions in the United States and around the world. We do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Financial Results

The company’s comparative financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2023, are available on the company’s website, www.eaton.com.

EATON CORPORATION plc

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Three months ended

September 30

Nine months ended

September 30

(In millions except for per share data)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net sales

$

5,880

$

5,313

$

17,229

$

15,368

Cost of products sold

3,684

3,545

11,030

10,319

Selling and administrative expense

949

813

2,839

2,431

Research and development expense

187

165

553

498

Interest expense – net

33

37

124

100

Gain on sale of business

24

Other expense (income) – net

(52

)

34

(56

)

(16

)

Income before income taxes

1,079

720

2,739

2,060

Income tax expense

187

112

463

316

Net income

892

608

2,277

1,743

Less net income for noncontrolling interests

(1

)

(1

)

(4

)

(2

)

Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders

$

891

$

607

$

2,273

$

1,741

Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders

Diluted

$

2.22

$

1.52

$

5.67

$

4.34

Basic

2.23

1.52

5.70

4.36

Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding

Diluted

401.6

400.3

400.9

400.9

Basic

399.4

398.4

399.0

398.9

Cash dividends declared per ordinary share

$

0.86

$

0.81

$

2.58

$

2.43

Reconciliation of net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders to adjusted earnings

Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders

$

891

$

607

$

2,273

$

1,741

Excluding acquisition and divestiture charges, after-tax

14

86

54

133

Excluding restructuring program charges, after-tax

5

18

37

39

Excluding intangible asset amortization expense, after-tax

84

97

269

295

Adjusted earnings

$

994

$

807

$

2,633

$

2,207

Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders – diluted

$

2.22

$

1.52

$

5.67

$

4.34

Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after-tax

0.03

0.21

0.14

0.33

Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after-tax

0.01

0.04

0.09

0.10

Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after-tax

0.21

0.25

0.67

0.74

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

$

2.47

$

2.02

$

6.57

$

5.51

See accompanying notes.

EATON CORPORATION plc

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Three months ended

September 30

Nine months ended

September 30

(In millions)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net sales

Electrical Americas

$

2,594

$

2,179

$

7,426

$

6,201

Electrical Global

1,503

1,486

4,572

4,418

Aerospace

867

768

2,517

2,227

Vehicle

753

744

2,242

2,123

eMobility

163

137

471

399

Total net sales

$

5,880

$

5,313

$

17,229

$

15,368

Segment operating profit (loss)

Electrical Americas

$

719

$

511

$

1,913

$

1,368

Electrical Global

328

305

892

866

Aerospace

209

185

580

506

Vehicle

131

125

353

346

eMobility

(2

)

(5

)

(7

)

Total segment operating profit

1,386

1,124

3,732

3,079

Corporate

Intangible asset amortization expense

(107

)

(124

)

(344

)

(375

)

Interest expense – net

(33

)

(37

)

(124

)

(100

)

Pension and other postretirement benefits income

11

7

33

35

Restructuring program charges

(7

)

(22

)

(46

)

(49

)

Other expense – net

(171

)

(227

)

(512

)

(529

)

Income before income taxes

1,079

720

2,739

2,060

Income tax expense

187

112

463

316

Net income

892

608

2,277

1,743

Less net income for noncontrolling interests

(1

)

(1

)

(4

)

(2

)

Net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders

$

891

$

607

$

2,273

$

1,741

See accompanying notes.

EATON CORPORATION plc

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30,

December 31,

(In millions)

2023

2022

Assets

Current assets

Cash

$

348

$

294

Short-term investments

1,558

261

Accounts receivable – net

4,460

4,076

Inventory

3,713

3,430

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

904

685

Total current assets

10,983

8,746

Property, plant and equipment – net

3,341

3,146

Other noncurrent assets

Goodwill

14,781

14,796

Other intangible assets

5,158

5,485

Operating lease assets

600

570

Deferred income taxes

349

330

Other assets

2,076

1,940

Total assets

$

37,289

$

35,014

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

Current liabilities

Short-term debt

$

24

$

324

Current portion of long-term debt

975

10

Accounts payable

3,255

3,072

Accrued compensation

592

467

Other current liabilities

2,716

2,488

Total current liabilities

7,563

6,360

Noncurrent liabilities

Long-term debt

8,150

8,321

Pension liabilities

611

649

Other postretirement benefits liabilities

170

177

Operating lease liabilities

486

459

Deferred income taxes

460

530

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,429

1,444

Total noncurrent liabilities

11,306

11,580

Shareholders’ equity

Eaton shareholders’ equity

18,383

17,038

Noncontrolling interests

36

38

Total equity

18,420

17,075

Total liabilities and equity

$

37,289

$

35,014

See accompanying notes.

EATON CORPORATION plc
NOTES TO THE THIRD QUARTER 2023 EARNINGS RELEASE

Amounts are in millions of dollars unless indicated otherwise (per share data assume dilution). Columns and rows may not add and the sum of components may not equal total amounts reported due to rounding.

Note 1. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures include adjusted earnings, adjusted earnings per ordinary share, and free cash flow, each of which differs from the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A reconciliation of each of these financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in this earnings release. Management believes that these financial measures are useful to investors because they provide additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our business performance and trends, and they allow investors to more easily compare Eaton Corporation plc’s (Eaton or the Company) financial performance period to period. Management uses this information in monitoring and evaluating the on-going performance of Eaton and each business segment.

The Company’s fourth quarter and full year adjusted earnings guidance for 2023 is as follows:

Three months ended

December 31, 2023

Year ended

December 31, 2023

Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders – diluted

$2.11 – $2.21

$7.79 – $7.89

Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after tax

0.05

0.18

Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after tax

0.02

0.11

Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after tax

0.21

0.87

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

$2.39 – $2.49

$8.95 – $9.05

A reconciliation of net income attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders per share to adjusted earnings per ordinary share is as follows:

Year ended

December 31, 2022

Net income per share attributable to Eaton ordinary shareholders – diluted

$

6.14

Excluding per share impact of acquisition and divestiture charges, after tax

0.37

Excluding per share impact of restructuring program charges, after tax

0.07

Excluding per share impact of intangible asset amortization expense, after tax

0.99

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

$

7.57

A reconciliation of operating cash flow to free cash flow is as follows:

Three months ended

September 30

(In millions)

2023

2022

Operating cash flow

$

1,140

$

965

Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment

(227

)

(135

)

Free cash flow

$

913

$

830

Note 2. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURE OF BUSINESSES

Acquisition of a 49% stake in Jiangsu Ryan Electrical Co. Ltd.

On April 23, 2023, Eaton acquired a 49 percent stake in Jiangsu Ryan Electrical Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of power distribution and sub-transmission transformers in China. Eaton accounts for this investment on the equity method of accounting and is reported within the Electrical Global business segment.

Acquisition of a 50% stake in Jiangsu Huineng Electric Co., Ltd’s circuit breaker business

On July 1, 2022, Eaton acquired a 50 percent stake in Jiangsu Huineng Electric Co., Ltd’s circuit breaker business, which manufactures and markets low-voltage circuit breakers in China. Eaton accounts for this investment on the equity method of accounting and is reported within the Electrical Global business segment.

Russia

During the second quarter of 2022, in light of the ongoing war with Ukraine, the Company decided to exit its business operations in Russia and recorded charges of $29 million presented in Other expense (income) – net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The charges consisted primarily of write-downs of accounts receivable, inventory and other assets, and accruals for severance.

Acquisition of Royal Power Solutions

On January 5, 2022, Eaton acquired Royal Power Solutions for $610 million, net of cash received. Royal Power Solutions is a U.S. based manufacturer of high-precision electrical connectivity components used in electric vehicle, energy management, industrial and mobility markets. Royal Power Solutions is reported within the eMobility business segment.

Sale of Hydraulics business

On August 2, 2021, Eaton completed the sale of the Hydraulics business to Danfoss A/S and recognized a pre-tax gain of $617 million in 2021. The Company finalized negotiations of post-closing adjustments with Danfoss A/S and recognized an additional pre-tax gain of $24 million in the first quarter of 2022 and received cash of $22 million in the second quarter of 2022 from Danfoss A/S to fully settle all post-closing adjustments.

Note 3. ACQUISITION AND DIVESTITURE CHARGES

Eaton incurs integration charges and transaction costs to acquire and integrate businesses, and transaction, separation and other costs to divest and exit businesses. Eaton also recognizes gains and losses on the sale of businesses. A summary of these Corporate items is as follows:

Three months ended
September 30

Nine months ended
September 30

(In millions except for per share data)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Acquisition integration, divestiture charges and transaction costs

$

18

$

103

$

69

$

182

Gain on the sale of the Hydraulics business

(24

)

Total before income taxes

18

103

69

158

Income tax benefit

4

17

14

25

Total after income taxes

$

14

$

86

$

54

$

133

Per ordinary share – diluted

$

0.03

$

0.21

$

0.14

$

0.33

Acquisition integration, divestiture charges and transaction costs in 2023 and 2022 are related to the acquisition of Royal Power Solutions and other acquisitions completed prior to 2022, including other charges and income to acquire and exit businesses. Costs in 2023 and 2022 also included certain indemnity claims associated with the sale of 50% interest in the commercial vehicle automated transmission business in 2017. Costs in 2022 also included charges of $29 million presented in Other expense (income) – net on the Consolidated Statements of Income related to the decision in the second quarter of 2022 to exit the Company’s business operations in Russia. These charges consisted primarily of write-downs of accounts receivable, inventory and other assets, and accruals for severance. These charges were included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, Research and development expense, or Other expense (income) – net. In Business Segment Information, the charges were included in Other expense – net.

Note 4. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

In the second quarter of 2020, Eaton initiated a multi-year restructuring program to reduce its cost structure and gain efficiencies in its business segments and at corporate in order to initially respond to declining market conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the inception of the program, the Company has incurred charges of $371 million. These restructuring activities are expected to be completed in 2023 with total estimated charges of $380 million cumulatively for the entire program and projected mature year savings of $265 million when fully implemented. The remaining charges in 2023 are expected to relate primarily to plant closing and other costs.

A summary of restructuring program charges is as follows:

Three months ended
September 30

Nine months ended
September 30

(In millions except for per share data)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Workforce reductions

$

$

5

$

17

$

11

Plant closing and other

7

17

29

38

Total before income taxes

7

22

46

49

Income tax benefit

1

4

9

10

Total after income taxes

$

5

$

18

$

37

$

39

Per ordinary share – diluted

$

0.01

$

0.04

$

0.09

$

0.10

Restructuring program charges related to the following segments:

Three months ended

September 30

Nine months ended

September 30

(In millions)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Electrical Americas

$

$

4

$

4

$

14

Electrical Global

5

8

22

14

Aerospace

1

2

4

6

Vehicle

1

2

4

8

eMobility

6

Corporate

5

6

7

Total

$

7

$

22

$

46

$

49

These restructuring program charges were included in Cost of products sold, Selling and administrative expense, Research and development expense, or Other expense (income) – net, as appropriate. In Business Segment Information, these restructuring program charges are treated as Corporate items.

Note 5. INTANGIBLE ASSET AMORTIZATION EXPENSE

Intangible asset amortization expense is as follows:

Three months ended

September 30

Nine months ended

September 30

(In millions except for per share data)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Intangible asset amortization expense

$

107

$

124

$

344

$

375

Income tax benefit

23

27

74

80

Total after income taxes

$

84

$

97

$

269

$

295

Per ordinary share – diluted

$

0.21

$

0.25

$

0.67

$

0.74

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231030007804/en/

Contacts

Eaton Corporation plc
Jennifer Tolhurst
Media Relations
+1 (440) 523-4006
jennifertolhurst@eaton.com

Yan Jin
Investor Relations
+1 (440) 523-7558

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