filings.toolsItem 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
44K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements,” of this report and in conjunction with the 2024 Form 10-K.
Highlights
Net sales were approximately $3.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 4.3% compared to the prior year, due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, the divestiture of the global silicas business and the traffic solutions business in Argentina in 2024, and the divestiture of the remaining Russia business in the first quarter 2025, partially offset by higher sales volumes.
Income before income taxes was $502 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of $40 million compared to the prior year, primarily due the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and material, wage and other cost inflation, partially offset by higher selling prices.
Results of Operations
| Three Months Ended March 31 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $3,684 | $3,849 | (4.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | $2,142 | $2,205 | (2.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $838 | $850 | (1.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | $89 | $95 | (6.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | $32 | $35 | (8.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development, net | $102 | $107 | (4.7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $56 | $55 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ($43) | ($42) | 2.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income)/charges, net | ($34) | $2 | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales by Region
| Three Months Ended March 31 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States and Canada | $1,284 | $1,280 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EMEA | 1,272 | 1,359 | (6.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asia Pacific | 647 | 656 | (1.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latin America | 481 | 554 | (13.2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $3,684 | $3,849 | (4.3) | % |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Net sales decreased $165 million due to the following:
● Unfavorable foreign currency translation (-3%)
●Divestiture-related sales (-2%)
Partially offset by:
● Higher sales volumes (+1%)
For specific business results, see the Performance of Reportable Business Segments section within Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, decreased $63 million primarily due to the impact of divestitures and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by increases in sales volume and raw material cost inflation.
Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $12 million primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation and cost control measures, partially offset by overhead cost inflation.
Depreciation expense decreased $6 million primarily due to the divestiture of the global silicas business in the fourth quarter 2024 and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.
Other (income)/charges, net increased by $36 million primarily due to an insurance reimbursement received in the first quarter 2025 related to damages incurred at a southern U.S. factory from a winter storm in 2021, a gain recognized on the sale of the Company's remaining Russia business in the first quarter 2025, income recognized in connection with transition services agreements with the buyer of PPG's recently divested U.S. and Canada architectural coatings business and higher net foreign currency translation income.
Effective Tax Rate and Earnings Per Diluted Share
| Three Months Ended March 31 | Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages and amounts per share) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $122 | $128 | (4.7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 24.3 | % | 23.6 | % | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted effective tax rate, continuing operations* | 24.5 | % | 23.9 | % | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per diluted share, continuing operations | $1.64 | $1.71 | (4.1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted earnings per diluted share* | $1.72 | $1.87 | (8.0) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *See Regulation G Reconciliation below |
Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased year-over-year primarily due the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and material, wage and other cost inflation, partially offset by higher selling prices.
Regulation G Reconciliations - Results from Operations
PPG believes investors’ understanding of the Company’s performance is enhanced by the disclosure of net income from continuing operations, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, PPG’s effective tax rate and segment income adjusted for certain items. PPG’s management considers this information useful in providing insight into the Company’s ongoing performance because it excludes the impact of items that cannot reasonably be expected to recur on a quarterly basis or that are not attributable to our primary operations. Net income from continuing operations, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, the effective tax rate and segment income adjusted for these items are not recognized financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and should not be considered a substitute for net income from continuing operations, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, the effective tax rate, segment income or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and the adjusted effective tax rate may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as reported by other companies.
Income before income taxes from continuing operations is reconciled to adjusted income before income taxes from continuing operations, the effective tax rate from continuing operations is reconciled to the adjusted effective tax rate from continuing operations and net income from continuing operations (attributable to PPG) and earnings per share – assuming dilution (attributable to PPG) are reconciled to adjusted net income from continuing operations (attributable to PPG) and adjusted earnings per share – assuming dilution below.
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages and per share amounts) | Income Before Income Taxes | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income (attributable to PPG) | Earnings Per Diluted Share(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As reported, continuing operations | $502 | $122 | 24.3 | % | $375 | $1.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted for: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related amortization expense | 32 | 8 | 24.4 | % | 24 | 0.10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business restructuring-related costs, net(b) | 9 | 2 | 19.7 | % | 7 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio optimization(c) | (6) | — | N/A | (6) | (0.03) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance recovery(d) | (6) | (2) | 24.3 | % | (4) | (0.02) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted, continuing operations, excluding certain items | $531 | $130 | 24.5 | % | $396 | $1.72 |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages and per share amounts) | Income Before Income Taxes | Income Tax Expense | Effective Tax Rate | Net Income (attributable to PPG) | Earnings Per Diluted Share(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As reported, continuing operations | $542 | $128 | 23.6 | % | $405 | $1.71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted for: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition-related amortization expense | 35 | 9 | 24.6 | % | 26 | 0.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Business restructuring-related costs, net(b) | 11 | 3 | 27.4 | % | 8 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio optimization(c) | 6 | 2 | 24.2 | % | 4 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted, continuing operations, excluding certain items | $594 | $142 | 23.9 | % | $443 | $1.87 |
(a)Earnings per diluted share is calculated based on unrounded numbers. Figures in the table may not recalculate due to rounding.
(b)Business restructuring-related costs, net include business restructuring charges, offset by releases related to previously approved programs, which are included in Other (income)/charges, net on the condensed consolidated statement of income, accelerated depreciation of certain assets, which is included in Depreciation on the condensed consolidated statement of income and other restructuring-related costs, which are included in Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and Selling, general and administrative on the condensed consolidated statement of income.
(c)Portfolio optimization includes a $7 million gain recognized on the sale of a business in the first quarter 2025. There was no tax expense associated with that gain. Portfolio optimization also includes advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, other professional or consulting fees, and certain internal costs directly incurred to effect acquisitions, as well as similar fees and other costs to effect divestitures and other portfolio optimization exit actions. These costs are included in Selling, general and administrative expense on the condensed consolidated statement of income.
(d)In the first quarter 2025, the Company received reimbursement under its insurance policies for damages incurred at a southern U.S. factory from a winter storm in 2021.
Performance of Reportable Business Segments
Global Architectural Coatings
| Three Months Ended March 31 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $857 | $966 | ($109) | (11.3) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income | $118 | $166 | ($48) | (28.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | $26 | $26 | $— | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | $144 | $192 | ($48) | (25.0) | % |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Global Architectural Coatings net sales decreased due to the following:
● Unfavorable foreign currency translation (-7%)
● Lower sales volumes (-3%)
● Divestiture-related sales (-2%)
Partially offset by:
● Higher selling prices (+1%)
Architectural coatings – EMEA net sales, excluding the impact of currency, acquisitions and divestitures ("organic sales") were flat compared to the prior year with higher selling prices offset by lower sales volumes. Organic sales in Central Europe and the Nordic region improved during the quarter but were offset by Western Europe.
Architectural coatings - Latin America and Asia Pacific organic sales decreased by a mid-single-digit percentage compared to the prior-year quarter. In Mexico, retail sales volumes were strong in the quarter while project-related spending was lower stemming from economic uncertainty.
Segment income was $118 million, a decrease of 29% versus the prior year, driven by unfavorable foreign currency translation, primarily due to the impact of a weaker Mexican peso, lower sales volumes, and raw material inflation, partially offset by cost control actions and higher selling prices.
Looking Ahead
In the second quarter, consumer sentiment in Europe is expected to continue to stabilize. Project spending in Mexico is expected to resume in the coming quarters. Aggregate organic sales for the segment are expected to be in the range of flat to an increase of a low single-digit percentage compared to the second quarter 2024.
Performance Coatings
| Three Months Ended March 31 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $1,265 | $1,184 | $81 | 6.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income | $274 | $251 | $23 | 9.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | $33 | $34 | ($1) | (2.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | $307 | $285 | $22 | 7.7 | % |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Performance Coatings net sales increased due to the following:
● Higher sales volumes (+6%)
● Higher selling prices (+3%)
Partially offset by:
● Unfavorable foreign currency translation (-1%)
● Divestiture-related sales and other (-1%)
Automotive refinish coatings organic sales increased a low single-digit percentage versus the prior year. In the U.S., sales volumes improved with benefits from share gains more than offset by lower industry collision claims. PPG expects to benefit in the second quarter 2025 from price increases for our technology-advantaged refinish products and services. This gain is anticipated to be offset by lower sales volumes due to continued declines in U.S. insurance claims and a reduction of shop backlogs.
Aerospace coatings organic sales increased by a double-digit percentage compared to the first quarter 2024, led by higher selling prices and sales volumes. Demand remained strong, and customer order backlogs were stable, even with improved production and other productivity gains. Global international and domestic air travel have improved year over year but remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels in the aggregate. The Company remains focused on debottlenecking and further expanding manufacturing capabilities to drive further volume and earnings growth. In the second quarter 2025, demand and organic sales growth are expected to continue at a pace similar to prior quarters.
Protective and marine coatings organic sales increased a double-digit percentage compared to the prior-year first quarter driven by higher sales volumes in the U.S., Europe and the Asia Pacific region. In Europe and the Asia Pacific region, increased sales volumes were driven by share gains in marine, reflecting demand for PPG's sustainably advantaged products. The Company expects second quarter 2025 organic sales to grow driven by industry growth and share gains.
Traffic solutions organic sales increased a high single-digit percentage compared to the prior year quarter driven by share gains. Seasonally, first and fourth quarter sales in the business are typically lower due to the difficulty of applying traffic markings in colder temperatures. Second quarter organic sales are expected to increase year over year.
Segment income was $274 million, an increase of 9% versus the prior year, primarily due to higher selling prices stemming from sales of advantaged products and digital technology subscriptions and higher sales volumes.
Looking Ahead
In the second quarter, continued strength is anticipated in aerospace coatings and protective and marine coatings. Traffic solutions is expected to follow typical seasonal trends and is well positioned to continue to benefit in the coming years from increased U.S. infrastructure spending. Second quarter aggregate organic sales for the segment are anticipated to increase by a low single-digit percentage to a mid-single-digit percentage compared to the second quarter 2024.
Industrial Coatings
| Three Months Ended March 31 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $1,562 | $1,699 | ($137) | (8.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income | $215 | $249 | ($34) | (13.7) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | $48 | $52 | ($4) | (7.7) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment EBITDA | $263 | $301 | ($38) | (12.6) | % |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Industrial Coatings segment net sales decreased due to the following:
● Divestiture-related sales (-4%)
● Unfavorable foreign currency translation (-2%)
● Lower selling prices (-1%)
● Lower sales volumes (-1%)
Automotive OEM coatings organic sales decreased by a mid-single-digit percentage compared to the first quarter 2024 driven by lower sales volumes and lower indexed-based selling prices for certain customer contracts. Sales volumes increased in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions, including share gains in Brazil; however, this growth was more than offset by the impact of declining automotive industry build rates in the U.S. and Europe. In China, PPG automotive OEM sales benefited from increased industry automotive retail sales activity and export growth. Global industry production in the second quarter is expected to be slightly negative compared to the prior-year quarter with year-over-year declines in North America, moderation in Europe and growth in Asia Pacific. The Company expects to benefit from its strong position in China and the realization of additional share gains later in the year.
In the industrial coatings business, organic sales were flat compared to the prior year due to higher sales volumes in all regions offset by lower indexed-based prices. Modest but broad improvement occurred across a variety of subsegments. Sales in several product categories were above prior-year levels, including solid growth in general finishes, transportation, coil and consumer electronics. The most pronounced weakness was in heavy-duty equipment and wood. Industrial coatings demand is expected to improve slightly in the second quarter 2025 compared to the prior year.
Packaging coatings organic sales increased by a low single-digit percentage compared to the prior year with higher sales volumes in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific partially offset by lower index-based prices. PPG sales growth is outpacing the industry reflecting prior year and current year share gains. In the Asia Pacific region, demand growth is strong in all categories, and PPG is well positioned to support this continued growth. The Company expects second quarter organic sales to follow a similar trend to the first quarter with realization of share gains later in the year.
Specialty coatings and materials organic sales increased by a mid-single-digit percentage compared to the first quarter 2024 due to higher sales volumes and higher selling prices.
Segment income was $215 million, a decrease of 14% versus the prior year, primarily due to lower organic sales, including lower index-based selling prices, partially offset by cost control actions.
Looking Ahead
Global industrial production has exhibited signs of improvement, and continued benefit of that improvement is expected in the second quarter. Forecasted automotive OEM industry build rates were recently reduced for the second quarter, and performance of the automotive OEM coatings business is expected to follow a similar trend. Aggregate organic sales for the segment are anticipated to be in the range of a low-to-mid single-digit percentage decrease compared to the second quarter 2024.
Tariff Impact and Mitigation
PPG is impacted by the economic and political conditions in the markets we serve, which includes effects related to the imposition and magnitude of tariffs. The current global macroeconomic environment is highly dynamic, and we continue to monitor changes to tariffs and the corresponding impacts on our business. PPG did not experience a
significant decrease in customer demand, significant increase in raw material costs, or other significant adverse impacts related to tariffs during the first quarter 2025. The Company continues to monitor overall economic demand and customer order patterns and is prepared to take actions intended to mitigate adverse impacts, as necessary, through supply chain contingency plans, pricing actions, and/or self-help cost actions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
PPG had cash and short-term investments totaling $1.9 billion and $1.4 billion at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
The Company continues to believe that cash on hand and short-term investments, cash from operations and the Company's access to capital markets will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, capital spending, acquisitions, dividend payments, debt service, share repurchases, contributions to pension plans and contractual obligations.
Cash (used for)/from operating activities - continuing operations
Cash used for operating activities - continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $16 million and cash from operating activities - continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $7 million. The $23 million increase in cash used for operating activities - continuing operations was primarily due to unfavorable changes in working capital in the first quarter 2025 compared to the prior year.
Operating Working Capital
Operating working capital is a subset of total working capital and represents (1) trade receivables – net of the allowance for doubtful accounts (2) FIFO inventories and (3) trade liabilities. We believe operating working capital represents the key components of working capital under the operating control of our businesses. A key metric we use to measure our working capital management is operating working capital as a percentage of sales (current quarter sales annualized).
| ($ in millions, except percentages) | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade receivables, net | $2,917 | $2,477 | $2,823 | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories, FIFO | 2,288 | 2,015 | 2,286 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade creditors’ liabilities | 2,362 | 2,161 | 2,441 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating working capital | $2,843 | $2,331 | $2,668 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating working capital as a % of sales | 19.3 | % | 15.6 | % | 17.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Days sales outstanding | 64 | 51 | 60 |
Environmental
| Three Months Ended March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash outlays for environmental remediation activities | $3 | $8 |
| ($ in millions) | Remainder of 2025 | Annually 2026 - 2029 | |||||||||
| Projected future cash outlays for environmental remediation activities | $30 - $50 | $20 - $60 |
Cash used for investing activities - continuing operations
Cash used for investing activities - continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $168 million and $235 million, respectively. The $67 million decrease in cash used for investing activities was primarily due to lower capital expenditures compared to the prior year.
Total capital spending is expected to be approximately $725 million to $775 million in 2025 in support of future organic growth opportunities.
Cash from/(used for) financing activities
Cash from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $698 million, and cash used for financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $35 million. The $733 million increase in cash from financing activities was primarily due the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, partially offset by purchases of treasury stock.
Credit Agreements
In April 2023, PPG entered into a €500 million term loan credit agreement (the "Term Loan"). The Term Loan contains covenants that are consistent with those in the Credit Agreement discussed below and that are usual and customary restrictive covenants for facilities of its type, which include, with specified exceptions, limitations on the Company’s ability to create liens or other encumbrances, to enter into sale and leaseback transactions and to enter into consolidations, mergers or transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. In April 2023, PPG borrowed €500 million under the Term Loan. In December 2023, PPG obtained lender commitments sufficient to increase the size of the Term Loan by €250 million. In January 2024, PPG borrowed the additional €250 million. In December 2024, PPG obtained lender commitments sufficient to increase the size of the Term Loan by €300 million. In January 2025, PPG borrowed the additional €300 million.
In July 2023, PPG amended and restated its five-year credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") dated as of August 30, 2019, extending the term through July 27, 2028. The amended and restated Credit Agreement provides for a $2.3 billion unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company has the ability to increase the size of the Credit Agreement by up to an additional $750 million, subject to the receipt of lender commitments and other conditions precedent. The Company has the right, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to designate certain subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers under the Credit Agreement. In connection with any such designation, the Company is required to guarantee the obligations of any such subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement. There were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Term Loan and the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain a ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Capitalization, as defined in the Term Loan and the Credit Agreement, of 60% or less; provided, that for any fiscal quarter in which the Company has made an acquisition for consideration in excess of $1 billion and for the next five fiscal quarters thereafter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Capitalization may not exceed 65% at any time. As of March 31, 2025, Total Indebtedness to Total Capitalization as defined under the Credit Agreement was 50%.
The Credit Agreement also supports the Company’s commercial paper borrowings which are classified as long-term based on PPG’s intent and ability to refinance these borrowings on a long-term basis. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Other Debt Issued and Repaid
In March 2025, PPG completed a public offering of €900 million 3.250% Notes due 2032. Refer to Note 7, “Borrowings” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
Other Liquidity Information
Restructuring
Aggregate restructuring savings were approximately $15 million in the first quarter 2025. Total restructuring savings are expected to be $75 million in 2025. In addition, the Company continues to review its cost structure to identify additional cost savings opportunities. Refer to Note 6, “Business Restructuring” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further details on the Company's business restructuring programs. We expect cash outlays related to these actions of approximately $100 million in 2025.
Currency
Comparing spot exchange rates at March 31, 2025 and at December 31, 2024, the U.S. dollar weakened against the currencies of many countries within Europe and Asia where PPG operates, as well as against the Mexican peso. As a result, consolidated net assets at March 31, 2025 increased by $280 million compared to December 31, 2024.
Comparing average exchange rates during the first three months of 2025 to those of the first three months of 2024, the U.S. dollar strengthened against the currencies of many countries where PPG operates, including the Mexican Peso, partially offset by weakening against the euro. This had an unfavorable impact on Income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of $27 million from the translation of these foreign earnings into U.S. dollars.
New Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 2, “New Accounting Standards” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further details on recently issued accounting guidance.
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, including Environmental Matters
PPG is involved in a number of lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential, including some that it has asserted against others, in which substantial monetary damages are sought. See Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings” of this Form 10-Q and Note 14, “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a description of certain of these lawsuits.
As discussed in Part II, Item 1 and Note 14, although the result of any future litigation of such lawsuits and claims is inherently unpredictable, management believes that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all lawsuits and claims involving PPG, including asbestos-related claims, will not have a material effect on PPG’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular period in which costs, if any, are recognized.
As also discussed in Note 14, PPG has significant reserves for environmental contingencies. Refer to the Environmental Matters section of Note 14 for details of these reserves. It is PPG’s policy to accrue expenses for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Reserves for environmental contingencies are exclusive of claims against third parties and are generally not discounted. In management’s opinion, the Company operates in an environmentally sound manner and the outcome of the Company’s environmental contingencies will not have a material effect on PPG’s financial position or liquidity; however, any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular period in which costs, if any, are recognized. Management anticipates that the resolution of the Company’s environmental contingencies will occur over an extended period of time.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements and related notes presented in this Form 10-Q and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. We believe that the most critical accounting estimates made in the preparation of our financial statements are those related to accounting for contingencies, under which we accrue a loss when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated, and to accounting for pensions, other postretirement benefits, business combinations, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives because of the importance of management judgment in making the estimates necessary to apply these policies.
For a comprehensive discussion of the Company’s critical accounting estimates, see Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2024 Form 10-K. There were no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting estimates from the 2024 Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections of this Quarterly Report contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to current or historic facts. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of the words “aim,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” “forecast” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports to the SEC. Also, note the following cautionary statements.
Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s forward-looking statements. Such factors include statements related to global economic conditions, geopolitical issues, increasing price and product competition by our competitors, fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials, energy, labor and logistics, the ability to achieve selling price increases, the ability to recover margins, customer inventory levels, PPG inventory levels, our ability to maintain favorable supplier relationships and arrangements, the timing of and the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives, the ability to identify additional cost savings opportunities, the timing and expected benefits of our acquisitions, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and achieving expected synergies therefrom, the amount of future share repurchases, economic and political conditions in the markets we serve, the imposition and magnitude of tariffs, the ability to penetrate existing, developing and emerging foreign and domestic markets, foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in such rates, fluctuations in tax rates, the impact of future legislation, the impact of environmental regulations, unexpected business disruptions, cybersecurity events, global human health issues, the unpredictability of existing and possible future litigation, including asbestos litigation, and government investigations. However, it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors.
Consequently, while the list of factors presented here and in the 2024 Form 10-K under Item 1A is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.
Consequences of material differences in the results compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, lower sales or income, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties, other factors set forth in Item 1A of the 2024 Form 10-K and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
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