QUAD Quad Graphics Inc

Updates full-year 2024 financial guidance, including reducing anticipated year-end Net Debt Leverage from approximately 1.8x to 1.5x due to strong cash generation

Company to share strategy and growth opportunities at its upcoming Investor Day on November 20, 2024

SUSSEX, Wis., Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quad/Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) ("Quad" or the "Company"), a global marketing experience company, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Recent Highlights

• Recognized Net Sales of $675 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $700 million in 2023, and realized Net Loss of $25 million or $0.52 Diluted Loss Per Share for the third quarter of 2024.
• Achieved Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $59 million in the third quarter of 2024, increased from $57 million in the third quarter of 2023, and delivered $0.26 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the third quarter of 2024.
• Increased Adjusted EBITDA Margin by 54 basis points to 8.7% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
• Amended and extended $690 million bank debt agreement to October 2029.
• Built sales momentum for its in-store retail media network, In-Store Connect by Quad.
• Announced collaboration with Google Cloud to power next-generation, AI-driven marketing solutions.
• Received $41 million of net cash proceeds from the sale of its former Saratoga Springs, New York, manufacturing facility.
• Entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its European operations for an enterprise value of €41 million (approximately $45 million) to Capmont; expects to close the transaction by year end.
• Declared quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share.
• Updates full-year 2024 financial guidance, including Net Sales trending to the higher end of decline in its original guidance range, while maintaining guidance midpoints for Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow and improving anticipated year-end 2024 Net Debt Leverage from approximately 1.8x to 1.5x.

Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President and CEO of Quad, said: "During the third quarter, we continued our focus on differentiating ourselves as a marketing experience, or MX, company, including investments in innovative solutions that align with our growth priorities. I am pleased to report that our in-store retail media network is expanding and producing measurable results for both retailers and consumer brands. Already, we have launched a test phase of In-Store Connect by Quad in 15 stores with The Save Mart Companies and are rolling out testing phases with two additional grocery chains by year end.

"In the third quarter, we also announced an exciting collaboration with Google Cloud to launch AI-powered solutions that will enable brands to create highly personalized content at scale across multiple marketing channels. By combining our data expertise with Google Cloud's advanced AI capabilities, we not only will improve audience targeting, but will also reimagine how brands connect with consumers through streamlined, automated solutions that drive impactful results without compromising their unique brand voice.

"As always, we remain focused on delivering superior service to our clients while driving profitability, further enhancing Quad's financial strength and creating shareholder value. Last week, we announced our agreement to sell the majority of our European operations, which represents just 5% of our total Net Sales, to Capmont for an enterprise value of €41 million or approximately $45 million. This proposed sale aligns with Quad's ongoing strategic focus to optimize our business portfolio for growth as an MX company. We expect to use proceeds from the sale to reduce debt and make further investments in our solutions suite. We will continue to maintain state-of-the-art print operations in locations that support our MX offering, including The Americas, with North America comprising our largest base of operations.

"We look forward to sharing a more comprehensive update on our strategy and growth opportunities at our upcoming Investor Day on November 20, 2024, in New York City."

Added Tony Staniak, Chief Financial Officer of Quad: "Our flexible operating model, higher labor productivity and disciplined approach to managing all aspects of our business enabled us to deliver higher Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the third quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to the prior year, despite Net Sales pressure. We also continued to be a strong cash generator, including realizing $41 million of net proceeds from the sale of our former Saratoga Springs, New York, manufacturing facility, and we expect to receive approximately $32 million in cash and $13 million in debt reduction for a total enterprise value of approximately $45 million by year end from the sale of the majority of our European operations. Our full-year Net Sales is trending toward the higher end of decline in our original guidance range; however, we are maintaining the midpoints of our guidance ranges for Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow due to increased manufacturing productivity and cost reductions. With our strong cash generation, we expect to reduce Net Debt by over $700 million, or 68%, compared to January 1, 2020, to reach Net Debt Leverage of approximately 1.5x. Additionally, we are pleased to have recently extended our $690 million bank debt agreement to October 2029 due to the continued long-term partnership and support of our premier bank group. Given the strength of our balance sheet, we will continue to make strategic investments in our business, accelerate our offerings as a marketing experience company, and return capital to shareholders through our quarterly dividend. We also expect to be opportunistic in terms of our future share repurchases."

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

• Net Sales were $675 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower paper and agency solutions sales, including the loss of a large grocery client.
• Net Loss was $25 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a Net Loss of $3 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $28 million increase in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net (including a $47 million increase in non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the European divestiture partially offset by a $21 million gain on the sale of the former Saratoga Springs, New York, facility) and the impact from lower Net Sales, partially offset by benefits from increased manufacturing productivity, savings from cost reduction initiatives, and lower depreciation and amortization.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $59 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $57 million in the same period in 2023, primarily due to increased manufacturing productivity and savings from cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by the impact from lower Net Sales.
• Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share was $0.26 in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $0.11 in the same period in 2023.

Year-to-Date 2024 Financial Results

• Net Sales were $2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of 9% compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower paper sales and lower print volumes, including the impact from client mix and increased gravure volume that has a lower unit price with a higher profit margin, as well as lower agency solutions sales, including the loss of a large grocery client.
• Net Loss was $56 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to Net Loss of $33 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $35 million increase in restructuring, impairment and transactions-related charges, net (including a $50 million increase in non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the European divestiture partially offset by a $21 million gain on the sale of the former Saratoga Springs, New York, facility) and the impact from lower Net Sales, partially offset by benefits from increased manufacturing productivity, savings from cost reduction initiatives, and lower depreciation and amortization.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $161 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of $7 million compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was due to lower Net Sales, partially offset by benefits from increased manufacturing productivity and savings from cost reduction initiatives.
• Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share was $0.49 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.28 in the same period in 2023, primarily due to higher Adjusted Net Earnings and the beneficial impact from the Company repurchasing Class A shares totaling approximately 11% of its outstanding shares since the second quarter of 2022.
• Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was $46 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $41 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Free Cash Flow was negative $92 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to negative $18 million in the same period in 2023, as the Company realized working capital benefits in 2023 from decreasing inventory due to an improved supply chain environment compared to 2022. As a reminder, the Company historically generates most of its Free Cash Flow in the fourth quarter of the year, and we expect fourth quarter 2024 Free Cash Flow to be $142 million to $162 million.
• Net Debt was $490 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $470 million at December 31, 2023 and $584 million at September 30, 2023. Compared to December 31, 2023, Net Debt increased primarily due to the negative $92 million of Free Cash Flow in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, less $69 million of proceeds from asset sales. Quad now expects to reduce Net Debt to approximately $330 million, or 1.5x Net Debt Leverage, at the end of this year pending the sale of the majority of its European operations. With the amended and extended bank debt agreement, the Company will make regular quarterly amortization payments, a $9 million payment in November 2026 and a $193 million payment at maturity in October 2029.

Dividend

Quad's next quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share will be payable on December 6, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 18, 2024.

2024 Guidance

The Company updates its full-year 2024 financial guidance as follows:

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Quad will hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, hosted by Joel Quadracci, Quad Chairman, President and CEO, and Tony Staniak, Quad CFO. The full earnings release and slide presentation will be concurrently available on the Investors section of Quad's website at http://www.quad.com/investor-relations. As part of the conference call, Quad will conduct a question and answer session.

Participants can pre-register for the webcast by navigating to https://dpregister.com/sreg/10193063/fd9659683c. Participants will be given a unique PIN to access the call on October 29. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

Alternatively, participants may dial in on the day of the call as follows:

• U.S. Toll-Free: 1-877-328-5508
• International Toll: 1-412-317-5424

An audio replay of the call will be posted on the Investors section of Quad's website shortly after the conference call ends.  In addition, telephone playback will also be available until November 29, 2024, accessible as follows:

• U.S. Toll-Free: 1-877-344-7529
• International Toll: 1-412-317-0088
• Replay Access Code: 9141656

About Quad

Quad (NYSE: QUAD) is a global marketing experience company that helps brands make direct consumer connections, from household to in-store to online. Supported by state-of-the-art technology and data-driven intelligence, Quad uses its suite of media, creative and production solutions to streamline the complexities of marketing and remove friction from wherever it occurs in the marketing journey. Quad tailors its uniquely flexible, scalable and connected solutions to clients' objectives, driving cost efficiencies, improving speed to market, strengthening marketing effectiveness, and delivering value on client investments.

Quad employs approximately 13,000 people in 14 countries and serves approximately 2,700 clients including industry leading blue-chip companies that serve both businesses and consumers in multiple industry verticals, with a particular focus on commerce, including retail, consumer packaged goods, and direct-to-consumer; financial services; and health. Quad is ranked among the largest agency companies in the U.S. by Ad Age, buoyed by its full-service Rise media agency and Betty creative agency. Quad is also one the largest commercial printers in North America, according to Printing Impressions.

For more information about Quad, including its commitment to ongoing innovation, culture and sustainable impact, visit quad.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, our current expectations about the Company's future results, financial condition, sales, earnings, free cash flow, margins, objectives, goals, strategies, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, prospects, projections and outlook of the Company and can generally be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "foresee," "project," "believe," "continue" or the negatives of these terms, variations on them and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control.

The factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include, among others: the impact of decreasing demand for printing services and significant overcapacity in a highly competitive environment creates downward pricing pressures and potential under-utilization of assets; the impact of increased business complexity as a result of the Company's transformation to a marketing experience company, including adapting marketing offerings and business processes as required by new markets and technologies, such as artificial intelligence; the impact of changes in postal rates, service levels or regulations, including delivery delays; the impact of fluctuations in costs (including labor and labor-related costs, energy costs, freight rates and raw materials, including paper and the materials to manufacture ink) and the impact of fluctuations in the availability of raw materials, including paper, parts for equipment and the materials to manufacture ink; the impact macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, high interest rates and recessionary concerns, as well as cost and labor pressures, distribution challenges and the price and availability of paper, have had, and may continue to have, on the Company's business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations (including future uncertain impacts); the inability of the Company to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market conditions; the impact of a data-breach of sensitive information, ransomware attack or other cyber incident on the Company; the fragility and decline in overall distribution channels; the failure to attract and retain qualified talent across the enterprise; the impact of digital media and similar technological changes, including digital substitution by consumers; the failure of clients to perform under contracts or to renew contracts with clients on favorable terms or at all; the impact of risks associated with the operations outside of the United States ("U.S."), including trade restrictions, currency fluctuations, the global economy, costs incurred or reputational damage suffered due to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or agents, and geopolitical events like war and terrorism; the failure to successfully identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions, investment opportunities or other significant transactions, as well as the successful identification and execution of strategic divestitures; the impact negative publicity could have on our business and brand reputation; significant capital expenditures and investments may be needed to sustain and grow the Company's platforms, processes, systems, client and product technology, marketing and talent, and to remain technologically and economically competitive; the impact of the various restrictive covenants in the Company's debt facilities on the Company's ability to operate its business, as well as the uncertain negative impacts macroeconomic conditions may have on the Company's ability to continue to be in compliance with these restrictive covenants; the impact of an other than temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value that could lead to non-cash impairment charges due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets; the impact of regulatory matters and legislative developments or changes in laws, including changes in cybersecurity, privacy and environmental laws; the impact on the holders of Quad's class A common stock of a limited active market for such shares and the inability to independently elect directors or control decisions due to the voting power of the class B common stock; and the other risk factors identified in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which may be amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

This press release contains financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (referred to as non-GAAP), specifically Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization and restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Debt Leverage Ratio is defined as total debt and finance lease obligations less cash and cash equivalents (Net Debt) divided by the last twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share is defined as earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, net, and adjusted for income tax expense at a normalized tax rate, divided by diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Reconciliation to the GAAP equivalent of these non-GAAP measures are contained in tabular form on the attached unaudited financial statements.

Investor Relations Contact
Don Pontes
Executive Director of Investor Relations
916-532-7074
dwpontes@quad.com

Media Contact
Claire Ho
Director of Marketing Communications
414-566-2955
cho@quad.com

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures, specifically EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, Debt Leverage Ratio and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, provide additional information for evaluating Quad's performance and are important measures by which Quad's management assesses the profitability and liquidity of its business.  These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.  These non-GAAP measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

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SOURCE Quad