McCormick & Co. 10-Q 2024-02-29

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended February 29, 2024

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-14920

McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (410) 771-7301

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)

(in millions except per share amounts)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in millions)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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McCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions)

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OVERVIEW

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to help the reader understand McCormick & Company, Incorporated, our operations, and our present business environment from the perspective of management. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, included in Item 1 of this report. We use certain non-GAAP information – more fully described below under the caption Non-GAAP Financial Measures – that we believe is important for purposes of comparison to prior periods and development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. This information is also used by management to measure the profitability of our ongoing operations and analyze our business performance and trends. Unless otherwise noted, the dollar and share information in the charts and tables in MD&A are in millions, except per share data.

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Business profile

McCormick is a global leader in flavor. We manufacture, market and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retailers, food manufacturers and the foodservice business. In fiscal year 2023, approximately 39% of our sales were outside of the U.S. We also are partners in a number of joint ventures that are involved in the manufacture and sale of flavorful products, the most significant of which is McCormick de Mexico. We manage our business in two business segments, consumer and flavor solutions.

Executive Summary

In the first quarter of 2024, we achieved net sales growth of 2.4% over the first quarter 2023 level, including impact from the following factors:

• Pricing actions, principally implemented in the prior year, contributed 2.7% to the increase in net sales.

• Volume and product mix unfavorably impacted our net sales growth by 1.0%, exclusive of divestitures. Our decisions to exit certain low margin businesses contributed approximately 0.6% to the unfavorable impact of volume and product mix. The consumer segment experienced unfavorable volume and product mix of 2.2% and the flavor solutions segment experienced favorable product and mix of 0.7%.

• Divestitures negatively impacted our net sales increase by 0.2%.

• Net sales growth was positively impacted by fluctuations in currency rates that increased sales growth by 0.9%. Excluding this impact, we grew sales by 1.5% over the prior year quarter on a constant currency basis.

Operating income was $233.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 and $199.0 million in the comparable 2023 period. We recorded $4.2 million and $27.8 million of special charges in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to organization and streamlining actions. In the first quarter of 2024, the effects of a 140 basis points improvement in our gross profit margin, primarily associated with the effects of favorable product mix, pricing actions that were implemented in the prior year and cost savings from our GOE and CCI programs, that were partially offset by commodity inflation. Also, in the first quarter of 2024, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased 110 basis points, including a 90 basis points impact associated with the higher level of advertising and promotion expenses. Excluding special charges, adjusted operating income was $237.7 million in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 4.8%, compared to $226.8 million in the year-ago period. In constant currency, adjusted operating income increased 4.3%.

Diluted earnings per share was $0.62 and $0.52 in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by the impact of higher operating income, including the effects of lower special charges, the unfavorable effects of an increase in the effective tax rate, and the favorable effects of an increase in income from unconsolidated operations. Special charges lowered earnings per share by $0.01 and $0.07 in the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Excluding the effects of special charges, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.63 in the first quarter of 2024 and $0.59 in the first quarter of 2023, or an increase of 6.8%.

A detailed review of our first quarter 2024 performance compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2023 appears in the section titled “Results of Operations – Company” and “Results of Operations – Segments”. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP to reported amounts, see the subsequent discussion under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Recent Events

Our industry continues to be impacted by commodity cost inflation, labor cost inflation, and other global macro-economic conditions. While we are seeing moderation in input cost inflation from that experienced in 2023, we expect inflationary pressures to persist into fiscal 2024. However, we anticipate GOE program and CCI program-led cost savings as well as previously implemented pricing actions to mitigate those inflationary pressures. We will also be lapping 2023 price increases and anticipate favorable net price realization in 2024. Additionally, in some instances, the pricing actions we take have been impacted by consumer behavior, or price elasticity, which unfavorably impacts our sales volume and mix.

We are fueling our investment in growth with cost savings from our CCI program, an ongoing initiative to improve productivity and reduce costs throughout the organization, as well as savings from the organization and streamlining actions described in note 2 of notes to our consolidated financial statements that includes our GOE program. Our CCI and GOE programs both delivered cost savings in 2023. Our CCI program funds brand marketing support, product innovation and other growth initiatives. We expect our CCI program, GOE program, and other organization and streamlining actions to deliver additional savings in 2024.

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2024 Outlook

In 2024, we expect net sales to range from a decline of 2% to 0% from our net sales in 2023 including a 1% unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates, or to range from a decline of 1% to an increase of 1% on a constant currency basis. We anticipate that the 2024 sales change will include a favorable impact from previously implemented pricing actions. We anticipate that our volume and product mix will be impacted by the divestiture of our Giotti canning business in the third quarter of last year, and the pruning of low margin businesses.

We expect our 2024 gross profit margin to range from 50 basis points to 100 basis points higher than our gross profit margin of 37.6% in 2023. The projected 2024 increase in gross profit margin is principally due to the net effect of (i) the favorable impact of pricing actions, (ii) the favorable impacts of product mix, (iii) the favorable impact of anticipated Global Operating Effectiveness Program and CCI cost savings, and (iv) a low single-digit percentage impact of inflation in 2024 compared to 2023.

In 2024, we expect an increase in operating income of 8% to 10%, which includes a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency rates, over the 2023 level. The projected 2024 change in operating income includes the effects of the anticipated increase in our gross profit margin as well as SG&A cost savings from our CCI and GOE programs, which will be partially offset by our investments to drive volume growth, including brand marketing. We expect our brand marketing investments in 2024 to increase in the high-single digits over the 2023 level. We also expect approximately $15 million of special charges in 2024 that relate to previously announced organization and streamlining actions; in 2023, special charges were $61.2 mil

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For information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see “Market Risk Sensitivity” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023. Except as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above, there have been no significant changes in our financial instrument portfolio or market risk exposures since our November 30, 2023 fiscal year end.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls: No change occurred in our “internal control over financial reporting” as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) during our last fiscal quarter which was identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15a as materially affecting or reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

**ITEM 1.**LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings in which we or our subsidiaries is a party or in which any of our or their property is the subject.

ITEM 1.A****RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023.

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**ITEM 2.**UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table summarizes our purchases of our Common Stock (CS) and Common Stock Non-Voting (CSNV) during the first quarter of 2024.

As of February 29, 2024, $501 million remained of the $600 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in November 2019. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased is determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.

In certain circumstances, we issue shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV, or issue shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS, in either case pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Typically, these exchanges are made in connection with the administration of our employee benefit plans, executive compensation programs and dividend reinvestment/direct purchase plans or at the request of holders of common stock. The number of shares issued in an exchange is generally equal to the number of shares received in the exchange, although the number may differ slightly to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. During the first quarter of 2024, we issued 353,728 shares of CSNV in exchange for shares of CS and issued 6,976 shares of CS in exchange for shares of CSNV.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

None of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) during the quarterly period covered by this report.

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The following exhibits are attached or incorporated herein by reference:

(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures

(i)See Exhibit 3 (Restatement of Charter and By-Laws)

(ii)Summary of Certain Exchange Rights, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 of McCormick’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2001, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2001.

(iii)Indenture dated July 8, 2011 between McCormick and U.S. Bank National Association, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated July 5, 2011, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2011.

(iv)Form of 3.15% Notes due 2024, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated August 7, 2017, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2017.

(v)Form of 3.25% Notes due 2025, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 of McCormick's Form 8-K dated November 3, 2015, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2015.

(vi)Form of 3.40% Notes due 2027, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.4 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated August 7, 2017, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2017.

(vii)Form of 4.20% Notes due 2047, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated August 7, 2017, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2017.

(viii)Form of 2.50% Notes due 2030, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated April 13, 2020, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2020.

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(ix)Form of 0.90% Notes due 2026, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated February 11, 2021, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2021.

(x)Form of 1.85% Notes due 2031, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 of McCormick’s Form 8-K dated February 11, 2021, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2021.

(xi)Form of 4.95% Notes due 2033, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 of McCormick's Form 8-K dated April 6, 2023, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2023.

(xii)Description of Securities of McCormick & Company, Incorporated, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(xiii) of McCormick's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2022.

(10)Material Contracts

(i)Deferred Compensation Plan, as restated on January 1, 2000, and amended on August 29, 2000, September 5, 2000 and May 16, 2003, in which directors, officers and certain other management employees participate, a copy of which Plan document and amendments was attached as Exhibit 10(viii) of McCormick’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2003, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2003, and incorporated by reference herein.*

(ii)2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, in which officers and certain other management employees participate, is set forth in Exhibit A of McCormick’s definitive Proxy Statement dated February 17, 2004, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein.*

(iii)Non-Qualified Retirement Savings Plan, with an effective date of February 1, 2017, in which directors, officers and certain other management employees participate, a copy of which Plan document was attached as Exhibit 10(v) of McCormick's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2017, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2017, and incorporated by reference herein.*

(iv)The 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, in which directors, officers and certain other management employees participate, is set forth in Exhibit A of McCormick’s definitive Proxy Statement dated February 20, 2008, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 2008, and incorporated by reference herein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, which Amendment is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(xi) of McCormick’s 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2008, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2009.*

(v)The Amended and Restated 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, in which directors, officers and certain other management employees participate, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit A of McCormick's definitive Proxy Statement dated February 14, 2019, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2019.*

(vi)The 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan, in which directors, officers and certain other management employees participate, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit A of McCormick’s definitive Proxy Statement dated February 17, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2022.*

(vii)Amendment No. 1 to the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(vii) of McCormick's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2022.*

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(viii)Form of Long-Term Performance Plan Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(i) of McCormick's Form 8-K/A, as amended, dated March 30, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2022.*

(ix)Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(ii) of McCormick's Form 8-K/A, as amended, dated March 30, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2022.*

(x)Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Directors, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii) of McCormick's Form 8-K/A, as amended, dated March 30, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2022.*

(xi)Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iv) of McCormick's Form 8-K/A, as amended, dated March 30, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2022.*

(xii)Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Directors, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(v) of McCormick's Form 8-K/A, as amended, March 30, 2022, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2022.*

(xiii)Form of Stock Option Agreement for the Value Creation Acceleration Program, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of McCormick's Form 8-K, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 3, 2020.*

(xiv)Form of Indemnification Agreement, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(xv) of McCormick's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2014, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2014.*

(xv)Employment Agreement between McCormick (UK) Limited and Malcolm Swift, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of McCormick's Form 8-K, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2015.*

(xvi)Severance Plan for Executives, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(xix) of McCormick's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2015, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015.*

(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications Filed herewith

(i)Certification of Brendan M. Foley, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(ii)Certification of Michael R. Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32) Section 1350 Certifications Filed herewith

(i)Certification of Brendan M. Foley, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(ii)Certification of Michael R. Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(97) McCormick Clawback Policy, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 97 of McCormick's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, File No. 1-14920, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2024.

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(101) The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended February 29, 2024, filed electronically herewith, and formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Income Statement; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity; and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(104) Inline XBRL for the cover page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of McCormick for the quarter ended February 29, 2024, files electronically herewith, included in the Exhibit 101 inline XBRL Document Set.

McCormick hereby undertakes to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, copies of additional instruments of McCormick with respect to long-term debt that involve an amount of securities that do not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of McCormick and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A).

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.