Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion contains statements reflecting the Company's views about its future performance that constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Please read the information under the caption entitled “Cautionary Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995."

Throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), references to Notes refer to the "Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless otherwise indicated.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Strategy

The Company is a global provider of hand tools, power tools, outdoor products and related accessories, as well as a leading provider of engineered fastening solutions. The Company continues to execute its long-term business strategy focused on organic growth in excess of the market and industry, geographic and customer diversification to foster sustainable revenue, earnings and cash flow growth. In recent years, the Company has re-shaped its portfolio to focus on its leading positions in the tools & outdoor and engineered fastening markets. Leveraging the benefits of a more focused portfolio, the Company initiated a business transformation in mid-2022 that includes reinvestment for faster growth as well as a $2.0 billion Global Cost Reduction Program through 2025. The Company’s primary areas of multi-year strategic focus remain unchanged as follows:

• Advancing innovation, electrification and global market penetration to achieve organic revenue growth of 2 to 3 times the market;

• Streamlining and simplifying the organization, and investing in initiatives that more directly impact the Company's customers and end users;

• Returning adjusted gross margins to historical 35%+ levels by accelerating the operations and supply chain transformation to improve fill rates and better match inventory with customer demand; and

• Prioritizing cash flow generation and inventory optimization.

In terms of capital allocation, the Company remains committed, over time, to returning excess capital to shareholders through a strong and growing dividend as well as opportunistically repurchasing shares. In the near term, the Company intends to direct any capital in excess of the quarterly dividend on its common stock toward debt reduction and internal growth investments.

Common Stock And Other Securities

In April 2021, the Board of Directors approved repurchases by the Company of its outstanding securities other than common stock up to an aggregate amount of $3.0 billion. No repurchases have been executed pursuant to this authorization to date.

Divestitures

On April 1, 2024, the Company sold its Infrastructure business to Epiroc AB for net proceeds of $728.5 million. The Company used the net proceeds to reduce debt in the second quarter of 2024.

Refer to Note Q, Divestitures, for further discussion.

Global Cost Reduction Program

In mid-2022, the Company launched a program comprised of a series of initiatives designed to generate cost savings by resizing the organization and reducing inventory with the ultimate objective of driving long-term growth, improving profitability and generating strong cash flow. These initiatives are expected to optimize the cost base as well as provide a platform to fund investments to accelerate growth in the core businesses. The program consists of a selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") planned pre-tax run-rate cost savings of $500 million and a supply chain transformation expected to deliver $1.5 billion of pre-tax run-rate cost savings by the end of 2025 to achieve projected 35%+ adjusted gross margins.

The SG&A cost savings are generated by simplifying the corporate structure, optimizing organizational spans and layers and reducing indirect spend. These savings will help fund $300 million to $500 million of innovation and commercial investments through 2025 designed to accelerate organic growth.

The $1.5 billion of pre-tax run-rate cost savings from the supply chain transformation will be driven by the following value streams:

• Strategic Sourcing: Implementing capabilities to source in a more efficient and integrated manner across all of the Company’s businesses and leveraging contract manufacturing;

• Operational Excellence: Leveraging the SBD Operating Model and re-designing in-plant operations following footprint rationalization to deliver incremental efficiencies, simplified organizational design and inventory optimization;

• Footprint Rationalization: Transforming the Company’s manufacturing and distribution network from a decentralized and inefficient system of sites built through years of acquisitions to a strategically focused supply chain, inclusive of site closures, transformations of existing sites into manufacturing centers of excellence and re-configuration of the distribution network; and

• Complexity Reduction: Reducing complexity through platforming products and implementing initiatives to drive a SKU reduction.

The charges associated with the supply chain transformation are reflected in the Non-GAAP adjustments detailed below in "Results From Operations" and the full year estimate of Non-GAAP adjustments detailed below in "2024 Outlook". The cash investment required to achieve the estimated $1.5 billion of pre-tax run-rate supply chain cost savings is expected to be approximately $0.9 billion to $1.1 billion, of which approximately 40% is expected to be capital expenditures. Through 2023, the Company has made approximately $0.2 billion of these cash investments. The Company will continue prioritizing capital expenditures consistent with its existing approach and expects total capital expenditures, inclusive of the supply chain transformation, to be $325 million to $375 million for 2024 and to approximate 3.0% of net sales annually in 2025 and beyond.

During the first nine months of 2024 and since inception of the program, the Company has generated approximately $400 million and $1.4 billion, respectively, of pre-tax run-rate savings, driven by lower headcount, indirect spend reductions and the supply chain transformation. These savings are comprised of supply chain efficiency benefits, which support gross margin improvements as the benefits turn through inventory, and SG&A savings. The Company believes that it is on track to grow to approximately $2 billion of pre-tax run-rate savings by year-end 2025. In addition, the Company has reduced inventory by approximately $2.0 billion since the end of the second quarter of 2022 and expects further inventory and working capital reductions to support free cash flow generation in 2024.

Segments

The Company’s operations are classified into two reportable business segments: Tools & Outdoor and Industrial. Both reportable segments have significant international operations and are exposed to translational and transactional impacts from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Tools & Outdoor

The Tools & Outdoor segment is comprised of the Power Tools Group ("PTG"), Hand Tools, Accessories & Storage ("HTAS"), and Outdoor Power Equipment ("Outdoor") product lines. Annual revenues in the Tools & Outdoor segment were $13.4 billion in 2023, representing 85% of the Company’s total revenues.

The PTG product line includes both professional and consumer products. Professional products, primarily under the DEWALT® brand, include professional grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment including drills, impact wrenches and drivers, grinders, saws, routers and sanders, as well as pneumatic tools and fasteners including nail guns, nails, staplers and staples, and concrete and masonry anchors. DIY and tradesperson focused products include corded and cordless electric power tools sold primarily under the CRAFTSMAN® brand, and consumer home products such as hand-held vacuums, paint tools and cleaning appliances primarily under the BLACK+DECKER® brand.

The HTAS product line sells hand tools, power tool accessories and storage products. Hand tools include measuring, leveling and layout tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, clamps, vises, knives, saws, chisels and industrial and automotive tools. Power tool accessories include drill bits, screwdriver bits, router bits, abrasives, saw blades and threading products. Storage products include tool boxes, sawhorses, medical cabinets and engineered storage solution products.

The Outdoor product line primarily sells corded and cordless electric lawn and garden products, including hedge trimmers, string trimmers, lawn mowers, pressure washers and related accessories, and gas powered lawn and garden products, including lawn tractors, zero turn ride on mowers, walk behind mowers, snow blowers, residential robotic mowers, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), hand-held outdoor power equipment, garden tools, and parts and accessories to professionals and consumers under the DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, CUB CADET®, BLACK+DECKER®, and HUSTLER® brand names.

Industrial

The Industrial segment is comprised of the Engineered Fastening business and the Infrastructure business prior to its sale in April 2024. Annual revenues in the Industrial segment, inclusive of the Infrastructure business, were $2.4 billion in 2023, representing 15% of the Company’s total revenues.

The Engineered Fastening business primarily sells highly engineered components such as fasteners, fittings and various engineered products, which are designed for specific application across multiple verticals. The product lines include externally threaded fasteners, blind rivets and tools, blind inserts and tools, drawn arc weld studs and systems, engineered plastic and mechanical fasteners, self-piercing riveting systems, precision nut running systems, micro fasteners, high-strength structural fasteners, axel swage, latches, heat shields, pins, and couplings.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As previously discussed, the Company sold its Infrastructure business on April 1, 2024. This divestiture did not qualify for discontinued operations and therefore, its results were included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in continuing operations through the date of sale.

Certain Items Impacting Earnings and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company has provided a discussion of its results both inclusive and exclusive of certain gains and charges. The results and measures, including gross profit, SG&A, Other, net, Income taxes, and segment profit (including Corporate Overhead), on a basis excluding certain gains and charges, free cash flow, organic revenue and organic growth are Non-GAAP financial measures. The Company considers the use of Non-GAAP financial measures relevant to aid analysis and understanding of the Company’s results and business trends aside from the material impact of these items and ensures appropriate comparability to operating results of prior periods. Supplemental Non-GAAP information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may differ from similar measures used by other companies.

With the exception of forecasted free cash flow included in “2024 Outlook” as discussed below, the Non-GAAP financial measures of gross profit, SG&A, Other, net, Income taxes, and segment profit (including Corporate Overhead), presented on a basis excluding certain gains and charges, as well as free cash flow, organic revenue and organic growth are defined and reconciled to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures below. Due to high variability and difficulty in predicting items that impact cash flow from operations, a reconciliation of forecasted free cash flow to its most directly comparable GAAP estimate has been omitted. The Company believes such a reconciliation would also imply a degree of precision that is inappropriate for this forward-looking measure.

The Company’s operating results at the consolidated level as discussed below include and exclude certain gains and charges impacting gross profit, SG&A, Other, net, and Income taxes. The Company’s business segment results as discussed below include and exclude certain gains and charges impacting gross profit and SG&A. These amounts for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

Third Quarter 2024

(Millions of Dollars)						GAAP						Non-GAAP Adjustments****2						Non-GAAP
Gross profit						$	1,120.6					$	24.8					$	1,145.4
Selling, general and administrative1						797.1						(15.1)						782.0
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes						89.5						105.9						195.4
Income taxes on continuing operations						(1.6)						12.0						10.4
Net earnings from continuing operations						91.1						93.9						185.0
Diluted earnings per share of common stock - Continuing operations						$	0.60					$	0.62					$	1.22

Year-To-Date 2024

(Millions of Dollars)						GAAP						Non-GAAP Adjustments****2						Non-GAAP
Gross profit						$	3,370.3					$	72.7					$	3,443.0
Selling, general and administrative1						2,477.5						(62.8)						2,414.7
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes						115.7						416.7						532.4
Income taxes on continuing operations						24.3						74.4						98.7
Net earnings from continuing operations						91.4						342.3						433.7
Diluted earnings per share of common stock - Continuing operations						$	0.60					$	2.27					$	2.87

Third Quarter 2023

(Millions of Dollars)						GAAP						Non-GAAP Adjustments****2						Non-GAAP
Gross profit						$	1,060.6					$	32.2					$	1,092.8
Selling, general and administrative1						794.3						(29.4)						764.9
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations before income taxes						(57.0)						191.0						134.0
Income taxes on continuing operations						(61.7)						37.5						(24.2)
Net earnings from continuing operations						4.7						153.5						158.2
Diluted earnings per share of common stock - Continuing operations						$	0.03					$	1.02					$	1.05

Year-To-Date 2023

(Millions of Dollars)						GAAP						Non-GAAP Adjustments****2						Non-GAAP
Gross profit						$	2,828.2					$	157.0					$	2,985.2
Selling, general and administrative1						2,456.7						(75.5)						2,381.2
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations before income taxes						(296.9)						368.9						72.0
Income taxes on continuing operations						(291.3)						282.6						(8.7)
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations						(5.6)						86.3						80.7
Diluted (loss) earnings per share of common stock - Continuing operations						$	(0.04)					$	0.58					$	0.54
1 Includes provision for credit losses
2 Refer to table below for additional detail of the Non-GAAP adjustments

Below is a summary of the pre-tax Non-GAAP adjustments for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2024 and 2023.

						Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
(Millions of Dollars)						2024						2023						2024						2023
Supply Chain Transformation Costs:
Footprint Rationalization1						$	25.4					$	7.7					$	57.8					$	88.3
Strategic Sourcing & Operational Excellence2						(1.0)						23.9						12.4						68.7
Facility-related costs						0.3						0.2						2.6						1.1
Other charges (gains)						0.1						0.4						(0.1)						(1.1)
Gross Profit						$	24.8					$	32.2					$	72.7					$	157.0
Supply Chain Transformation Costs:
Footprint Rationalization1						$	13.4					$	4.6					$	34.0					$	8.4
Complexity Reduction & Operational Excellence						2.0						1.2						6.2						8.0
Acquisition & integration-related costs3						2.4						11.5						9.1						24.0
Transition services costs related to previously divested businesses						4.6						11.3						14.8						37.0
Other charges (gains)						(7.3)						0.8						(1.3)						(1.9)
Selling, general and administrative						$	15.1					$	29.4					$	62.8					$	75.5
Other, net4						$	(1.3)					$	(5.5)					$	(10.2)					$	(22.8)
Loss on sales of businesses						—						—						—						7.6
Asset impairment charges5						46.9						124.0						72.4						124.0
Environmental charges6						(1.7)						—						152.1						—
Restructuring charges7						22.1						10.9						66.9						27.6
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes						$	105.9					$	191.0					$	416.7					$	368.9

1			Footprint Rationalization costs in 2024 primarily relate to accelerated depreciation of manufacturing and distribution center equipment of $45.2 million and other facility exit and re-configuration costs of $31.3 million. In 2023, transfers and closures of targeted manufacturing sites, including Fort Worth, Texas and Cheraw, South Carolina as previously announced in March 2023, resulted in accelerated depreciation of production equipment of $45.3 million and non-cash asset write-downs of $41.2 million (predominantly tooling, raw materials and WIP).
2			Strategic Sourcing & Operational Excellence costs in 2023 primarily relate to third-party consultant fees to provide expertise in identifying and quantifying opportunities to source in a more integrated manner and re-design in-plant operations following footprint rationalization, developing a detailed program and related governance, and assisting the Company with the implementation of actions necessary to achieve the related objectives.
3			Acquisition & integration-related costs primarily relate to the MTD and Excel acquisitions, including costs to integrate the organizations and shared processes, as well as harmonize key IT applications and infrastructure.
4			Includes deal-related costs, net of income related to providing transition services to previously divested businesses.
5			Asset impairment charges in 2024 include a $41.0 million pre-tax impairment charge related to the Lenox trade name, a $25.5 million pre-tax impairment charge related to the Infrastructure business, and a $5.9 million pre-tax impairment charge related to a small Industrial business. The $124.0 million pre-tax asset impairment charge in 2023 related to the Irwin and Troy-Bilt trade names.
6			The $152.1 million pre-tax environmental charges in 2024 related primarily to a reserve adjustment for the non-active Centredale site as a result of regulatory changes and revisions to remediation alternatives. Refer to Note O, Contingencies, for further discussion.
7			Refer to “Restructuring Activities” below for further discussion.

Below is a summary of the Company’s operating results at the consolidated level, followed by an overview of business segment performance. Organic growth is utilized to describe the Company's results excluding the impacts of foreign currency fluctuations, acquisitions during their initial 12 months of ownership, and divestitures.

Consolidated Results

Net Sales: Net sales were $3.751 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $3.954 billion in the third quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 5% as a 1% increase in price was more than offset by a 3% decrease in volume, a 2% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture and a 1% decrease from foreign currency. Tools & Outdoor net sales decreased 3% compared to the third quarter of 2023 as a 1% increase in price was more than offset by a 3% decrease in volume and 1% decrease from

foreign currency. Industrial net sales decreased 18% compared to the third quarter of 2023 as a 17% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture and a 2% decrease in volume was partially offset by a 1% increase in price.

Net sales were $11.645 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $12.045 billion in the first nine months of 2023, representing a decrease of 3% driven by a 2% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture and a 1% decrease in volume. Tools & Outdoor net sales decreased 1% compared to the first nine months of 2023 driven by a 1% decrease in volume. Industrial net sales decreased 14% compared to the first nine months of 2023 as a 12% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture, a 2% decrease in volume and a 1% decrease from foreign currency was partially offset by a 1% increase in price.

Gross Profit: Gross profit was $1.121 billion, or 29.9% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $1.061 billion, or 26.8% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP adjustments, which reduced gross profit, were $24.8 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and $32.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Excluding these adjustments, gross profit was 30.5% of net sales for the three months ended September 28, 2024, compared to 27.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to supply chain transformation benefits.

Gross profit was $3.370 billion, or 28.9% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $2.828 billion, or 23.5% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2023. Non-GAAP adjustments, which reduced gross profit, were $72.7 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and $157.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Excluding these adjustments, gross profit was 29.6% of net sales for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to 24.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to lower inventory destocking costs, supply chain transformation benefits and lower shipping costs.

SG&A Expenses: SG&A, inclusive of the provision for credit losses, was $797.1 million, or 21.2% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $794.3 million, or 20.1% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2023. Within SG&A, Non-GAAP adjustments totaled $15.1 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and $29.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Excluding these adjustments, SG&A was 20.8% of net sales for the three months ended September 28, 2024, compared to 19.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as the Company increased growth investments designed to deliver future market share gains.

SG&A, inclusive of the provision for credit losses, was $2.478 billion, or 21.3% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2024, compared to $2.457 billion, or 20.4% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2023. Within SG&A, Non-GAAP adjustments totaled $62.8 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and $75.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Excluding these adjustments, SG&A was 20.7% of net sales for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to 19.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, driven by the same factors discussed above that impacted the third quarter of 2024.

Distribution center costs (i.e. warehousing and fulfillment facility and associated labor costs) are classified within SG&A. This classification may differ from other companies who may report such expenses within cost of sales. Due to diversity in practice, to the extent the classification of these distribution costs differs from other companies, the Company’s gross margins may not be comparable. Such distribution costs classified in SG&A amounted to $134.4 million and $396.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, respectively, and $132.7 million and $392.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Other, net: Other, net totaled $86.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $94.0 million in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments, Other, net, totaled $89.4 million and $99.5 million in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The year-over-year decrease is primarily driven by lower write-downs on investments.

Other, net totaled $392.9 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $224.3 million in the first nine months of 2023. The year-over-year increase was driven by environmental remediation reserve adjustments. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments, Other, net totaled $251.0 million and $247.1 million for the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Refer to Note O, Contingencies, for additional information on the environmental remediation reserve adjustment relating to the Centredale site.

Loss on Sales of Businesses: During the first nine months of 2023, the Company reported a pre-tax loss of $7.6 million primarily related to the divestiture of a small business in the Industrial segment.

Asset Impairment Charges: During the third quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge of $41.0 million related to the Lenox trade name. Refer to Note M, Restructuring Charges and Other Costs, for additional information. In addition, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $5.9 million related to a small business in the Industrial segment. In the third quarter of 2023, the Company recognized a $124.0 million pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge related to the Irwin and Troy-Bilt trade names. Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 for further information.

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $25.5 million related to the Infrastructure business. Refer to Note Q, Divestitures, for additional information on the divestiture of the Infrastructure business completed in the second quarter of 2024.

Interest, net: Net interest expense was $78.6 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $94.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. On a year-to-date basis, net interest expense was $244.9 million in 2024 and $284.9 million in 2023. The year-over-year decreases were primarily driven by lower commercial paper balances in 2024.

Income Taxes: For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recognized an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $1.6 million and income tax expense of $24.3 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of (1.8)% and 21.0%, respectively. Excluding the tax effect on Non-GAAP adjustments, for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recognized income tax expense on continuing operations of $10.4 million and $98.7 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 5.3% and 18.5%, respectively. These effective tax rates for the three months ended September 28, 2024 differ from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the recognition of previously unrecognized foreign deferred tax assets, remeasurement of uncertain tax position reserves, tax credits, and state income taxes, partially offset by non-deductible expenses and U.S. tax on foreign earnings. For the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the primary drivers are consistent with those discussed above, which in aggregate result in effective tax rates that approximate the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21%.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $61.7 million and $291.3 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 108.2% and 98.1%, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2023 included an incremental interim tax benefit to reflect the impact of a change in the estimated annual effective tax rate to the prior interim year-to-date tax benefit, which reversed in the fourth quarter of 2023. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 differ from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to a tax benefit associated with the intra-entity asset transfer of certain intangible assets, tax on foreign earnings at tax rates different than the U.S. tax rate, state income taxes and tax credits, partially offset by U.S. tax on foreign earnings, non-deductible expenses and losses for which a tax benefit is not recognized.

Excluding the tax effect on Non-GAAP adjustments, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized an income tax benefit on continuing operations of $24.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of (18.1)% and (12.1)%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 differ from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% due to the items discussed above.

Refer to Note M, Income Taxes, for additional information on the impacts in interim periods of changes in the estimated annual effective income tax rate.

On December 20, 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) published a proposal for the establishment of a global minimum tax rate of 15% (“Pillar Two"). The Pillar Two rules provide a template that jurisdictions can translate into domestic law to assist with the implementation within an agreed upon timeframe and in a coordinated manner, which became effective for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2024. To date, jurisdictions in which the Company operates are in various stages of implementation.

The OECD and other countries continue to publish guidance and legislation which include transition and safe harbor rules. The Company expects to avail itself of the transitional safe harbor rules in most jurisdictions in which the Company operates. There are, however, a limited number of jurisdictions where the transitional safe harbor relief does not apply. The Company expects the Pillar Two tax impact from these jurisdictions to be immaterial to its estimated annual effective rate for 2024 and continues to monitor developments in legislation, regulation, and interpretive guidance in this area.

Business Segment Results

The Company’s reportable segments represent businesses that have similar products, services and end markets, among other factors. The Company utilizes segment profit which is defined as net sales minus cost of sales and SG&A inclusive of the provision for credit losses (aside from corporate overhead expense), and segment profit as a percentage of net sales to assess the profitability of each segment.

The Company’s operations are classified into two reportable business segments: Tools & Outdoor and Industrial.

Tools & Outdoor:

			Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
(Millions of Dollars)			2024						2023						2024						2023
Net sales			$	3,263.3					$	3,355.3					$	10,076.6					$	10,212.9
Segment profit			$	327.5					$	273.4					$	899.3					$	394.1
% of Net sales			10.0		%				8.1		%				8.9		%				3.9		%

Tools & Outdoor net sales decreased $92.0 million, or 3%, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 as a 1% price increase was more than offset by a 3% decline in volume and a 1% decrease from foreign currency. Organic revenue declined 2% as growth in DEWALT® was offset by the weak consumer and DIY backdrop. Organic revenue decreased 4% in North America, and increased 1% and 6% in Europe and the rest of the world, respectively.

Tools & Outdoor net sales decreased $136.3 million, or 1%, in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 driven by volume declines. Organic revenue declined 2% in both North America and Europe and increased 6% in the rest of the world.

Segment profit for the third quarter of 2024 was $327.5 million, or 10.0% of net sales, compared to $273.4 million, or 8.1% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments of $35.5 million and $39.4 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, segment profit was 11.1% of net sales in the third quarter of 2024 and 9.3% in the third quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to supply chain transformation benefits, which were partially offset by growth investments.

Segment profit for the first nine months of 2024 was $899.3 million, or 8.9% of net sales, compared to $394.1 million, or 3.9% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2023. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments of $111.0 million and $174.4 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, segment profit was 10.0% of net sales in the first nine months of 2024 and 5.6% in the first nine months of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to lower inventory destocking costs, supply chain transformation benefits and lower shipping costs, which were partially offset by growth investments.

Industrial:

			Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
(Millions of Dollars)			2024						2023						2024						2023
Net sales			$	488.0					$	598.6					$	1,568.6					$	1,831.7
Segment profit			$	70.2					$	62.5					$	202.2					$	201.5
% of Net sales			14.4		%				10.4		%				12.9		%				11.0		%

Industrial net sales decreased $110.6 million, or 18%, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, as a 17% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture and a 2% decrease in volume was partially offset by a 1% increase in price. Engineered Fastening organic revenues decreased 1% as aerospace expansion and a return to growth in general industrial was more than offset by market softness in automotive.

Industrial net sales decreased $263.1 million, or 14%, in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, as a 12% decrease from the Infrastructure divestiture, a 2% decrease in volume and a 1% decrease from foreign currency was partially offset by a 1% increase in price. Engineered Fastening organic revenues increased 2%, primarily due to aerospace growth.

Industrial segment profit for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $70.2 million, or 14.4% of net sales, compared to $62.5 million, or 10.4% of net sales, in the corresponding 2023 period. Excluding a Non-GAAP gain of $2.6 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and a Non-GAAP charge of $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, segment profit amounted to 13.9% of net sales in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 12.2% in the third quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was due to price realization and cost control.

Industrial segment profit for the first nine months of 2024 totaled $202.2 million, or 12.9% of net sales, compared to $201.5 million, or 11.0% of net sales, in the corresponding 2023 period. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments of $3.4 million and $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, segment profit amounted to 13.1% of net sales in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 12.1% in the first nine months of 2023. The year-over-year increase was driven by the same factors discussed above for the third quarter of 2024.

Corporate Overhead

Corporate Overhead includes the corporate overhead element of SG&A, which is not allocated to the business segments. Corporate Overhead amounted to $74.2 million and $69.6 million in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments of $7.0 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and $11.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, the corporate overhead element of SG&A was $67.2 million and $57.9 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

On a year-to-date basis, the corporate overhead element of SG&A amounted to $208.7 million in 2024 compared to $224.1 million in 2023. Excluding Non-GAAP adjustments of $21.1 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and $38.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the corporate overhead element of SG&A was $187.6 million and $185.3 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

A summary of the restructuring reserve activity from December 30, 2023 to September 28, 2024 is as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)			December 30, 2023						Net Additions						Usage						Currency						September 28, 2024
Severance and related costs			$	25.8					$	40.5					$	(35.7)					$	(0.2)					$	30.4
Facility closures and other			3.1						26.4						(26.0)						—						3.5
Total			$	28.9					$	66.9					$	(61.7)					$	(0.2)					$	33.9

For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recognized net restructuring charges of $22.1 million and $66.9 million, respectively, primarily related to severance costs and facility closure charges. The Company expects to achieve annual net cost savings of approximately $122 million by the end of 2025 related to the restructuring costs incurred during the nine months ended September 28, 2024. The majority of the $33.9 million of reserves remaining as of September 28, 2024 is expected to be utilized within the next 12 months.

Segments:

The $67 million of net restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 includes: $56 million in the Tools & Outdoor segment; $6 million in Industrial; and $5 million in Corporate.

The $22 million of net restructuring charges for the three months ended September 28, 2024 includes: $21 million in the Tools & Outdoor segment and $1 million in the Industrial segment.

The anticipated annual net cost savings of approximately $122 million related to the 2024 restructuring actions include: $107 million in the Tools & Outdoor segment; $6 million in the Industrial segment; and $9 million in Corporate.

2024 OUTLOOK

This outlook discussion is intended to provide broad insight into the Company's near-term earnings and cash flow generation prospects. The Company is updating 2024 guidance and expects diluted earnings per share to approximate $1.15 to $1.75 on a GAAP basis, narrowed from $0.90 to $2.00 ($3.90 to $4.30 excluding Non-GAAP adjustments, narrowed from $3.70 to $4.50). Management is reiterating its target for 2024 free cash flow generation to approximate $650 million to $850 million.

The difference between 2024 diluted earnings per share outlook and the diluted earnings per share range, excluding Non-GAAP adjustments, is approximately $2.55 to $2.75, consisting primarily of charges related to the supply chain transformation under the Global Cost Reduction Program, environmental reserve adjustments and a brand impairment charge.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity, Sources and Uses of Capital: The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and available lines of credit under various credit facilities.

Operating Activities: Cash flows provided by operations were $285.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $443.9 million in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily driven by changes in working capital, partially offset by higher earnings. Year-to-date cash flows provided by operations were $427.8 million in 2024 compared to $422.0 million in 2023, relatively in-line with prior year as higher earnings were partially offset by changes in working capital.

Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow, as defined in the table below, was an inflow of $199.3 million and $364.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and the corresponding period of 2023, respectively. On a year-to-date basis, free cash flow was $188.4 million and $205.6 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The year-over-year change in free cash flow was primarily due to the same factors discussed above in operating activities, as well as higher planned capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2024. Management considers free cash flow an important indicator of its liquidity and capital efficiency, as well as its ability to fund future growth and provide dividends to shareowners, and is useful information for investors. Free cash flow does not include deductions for mandatory debt service, other borrowing activity, discretionary dividends on the Company’s common stock and business acquisitions, among other items.

			Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
(Millions of Dollars)			2024						2023						2024						2023
Net cash provided by operating activities			$	285.8					$	443.9					$	427.8					$	422.0
Less: capital and software expenditures			(86.5)						(79.9)						(239.4)						(216.4)
Free cash flow			$	199.3					$	364.0					$	188.4					$	205.6

Investing Activities: Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $85.4 million and $76.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily due to capital and software expenditures of $86.5 million and $79.9 million, respectively.

Cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $500.8 million in the first nine months of 2024, primarily due to net proceeds from sales of businesses of $735.6 million, partially offset by capital and software expenditures of $239.4 million. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $206.8 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily due to capital and software expenditures of $216.4 million.

Financing Activities: Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $234.3 million in the third quarter of 2024, primarily driven by cash dividend payments on common stock of $123.6 million and net short-term commercial paper repayments of $121.5 million. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $387.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily driven by net short-term commercial paper repayments of $266.4 million and cash dividend payments on common stock of $121.3 million.

Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $1.054 billion in the first nine months of 2024, primarily driven by net short-term commercial paper repayments of $692.3 million and cash dividend payments on common stock of $367.2 million. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $239.3 million in the first nine months of 2023, primarily driven by net repayments of short-term commercial paper borrowings of $594.3 million and cash dividend payments on common stock of $360.8 million, partially offset by net proceeds from debt issuances of $745.3 million.

Credit Ratings & Liquidity:

The Company maintains investment grade credit ratings from the major U.S. rating agencies on its senior unsecured debt (S&P A-, Fitch BBB+, Moody's Baa3), as well as its commercial paper program (S&P A-2, Fitch F2, Moody's P-3). There were no changes to any of the Company's credit ratings during the first nine months of 2024. Failure to maintain investment grade rating levels could adversely affect the Company’s cost of funds, liquidity and access to capital markets, but would not have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to access its existing committed credit facilities.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $298.7 million as of September 28, 2024, which was primarily held in foreign jurisdictions. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $449.4 million as of December 30, 2023, of which approximately 50% was held in foreign jurisdictions.

As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act"), the Company's tax liability related to the one-time transition tax associated with unremitted foreign earnings and profits totaled $83 million at September 28, 2024. The Act permits a U.S. company to elect to pay the net tax liability interest-free over a period of up to eight years. The Company has considered the implications of paying the required one-time transition tax and believes it will not have a material impact on its liquidity.

The Company has a $3.5 billion commercial paper program which includes Euro denominated borrowings in addition to U.S. Dollars. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had commercial paper borrowings outstanding of $387.3 million, of which $387.1 million in Euro denominated commercial paper was designated as a net investment hedge. As of December 30, 2023, the Company had $1.1 billion of borrowings outstanding, of which $399.7 million in Euro denominated commercial paper was designated as a net investment hedge. Refer to Note H, Financial Instruments, for further discussion.

In June 2024, the Company amended and restated its existing five-year $2.5 billion committed credit facility with the concurrent execution of a new five year $2.25 billion committed credit facility (the “5-Year Credit Agreement”). Borrowings under the 5-Year Credit Agreement may be made in U.S. Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling. A sub-limit of an amount equal to the Euro equivalent of $800.0 million is designated for swing line advances. Borrowings bear interest at a floating rate plus an applicable margin dependent upon the denomination of the borrowing and specific terms of the 5-Year Credit Agreement. The Company must repay all advances under the 5-Year Credit Agreement by the earlier of June 28, 2029 or upon termination. The 5-Year Credit Agreement is designated to be a liquidity back-stop for the Company's $3.5 billion U.S. Dollar and Euro commercial paper program. As of September 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, the Company had not drawn on its five-year committed credit facility.

In June 2024, the Company terminated its 364-Day $1.5 billion committed credit facility ("the 2023 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement") dated September 2023. There were no outstanding borrowings under the 2023 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement upon termination and as of December 30, 2023. Contemporaneously, the Company entered into a new $1.25 billion syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement (the "2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement") which is a revolving credit loan. The borrowings under the 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement may be made in U.S. Dollars or Euros and bear interest at a floating rate plus an applicable margin dependent upon the denomination of the borrowing and pursuant to the terms of the 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement. The Company must repay all advances under the 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement by the earlier of June 27, 2025 or upon termination. The Company may, however, convert all advances outstanding upon termination into a term loan that shall be repaid in full no later than the first anniversary of the termination date provided that the Company, among other things, pays a fee to the administrative agent for the account of each lender. The 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement serves as part of the liquidity back-stop for the Company’s $3.5 billion U.S. Dollar and Euro commercial paper program. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had not drawn on its 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement.

The 5-Year Credit Agreement and the 2024 Syndicated 364-Day Credit Agreement, as described above, contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to, maintenance of an interest coverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio tested for covenant compliance compares adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization to adjusted net Interest Expense ("Adjusted EBITDA"/"Adjusted Net Interest Expense"). The Company must maintain, for each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company, an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.50 to 1.00, provided that the Company is only required to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than (i) 1.50 to 1.00 for any four quarter period ending on or before the end of the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2024, and (ii) 2.50 to 1.00 for any four quarter period ending after the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2024 through and including the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2025. For purposes of calculating the Company’s compliance with the interest coverage ratio, as defined in each credit agreement, the Company is permitted to increase EBITDA to allow for additional adjustment addbacks incurred prior to the end of the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2025, provided that (A) the sum of the applicable adjustment addbacks incurred through and including the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2024 may not exceed $500 million in the aggregate, and (B) the sum of the applicable adjustment addbacks incurred from the Company’s third fiscal quarter of 2024 through and including the Company’s second fiscal quarter of 2025 may not exceed $250 million in the aggregate; provided, further, that the sum of the applicable adjustment addbacks for any four quarter period may not exceed $500 million in the aggregate.

In March 2015, the Company entered into a forward share purchase contract with a financial institution counterparty for 3,645,510 shares of common stock. The contract obligates the Company to pay $350 million, plus an additional amount related to the forward component of the contract. In June 2024, the Company amended the settlement date to June 2026, or earlier at the Company's option.

Refer to Note G, Long-Term Debt and Financing Arrangements, for further discussion of the Company's financing arrangements.

OTHER MATTERS

Critical Accounting Estimates:

During 2024, the Company continued its brand prioritization and investment strategy for its major brands, while leveraging certain of its specialty brands in a more focused manner. As a result of these ongoing brand prioritization efforts, and in connection with the preparation of its financial statements for the quarter ended September 28, 2024, the Company tested its indefinite-lived trade names for impairment utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation model. The key assumptions used included discount rates, royalty rates, and perpetual growth rates applied to updated sales projections. The Company determined that the fair values of its indefinite-lived trade names exceeded their respective carrying amounts, with the exception of the Lenox trade name. The Company recognized a $41.0 million pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge related to this trade name in the third quarter of 2024. Subsequent to this impairment charge, the Lenox carrying value totaled $115.0 million. The Company intends to continue utilizing this trade name indefinitely, which represented approximately 2% of 2023 net sales for the Tools & Outdoor segment. Refer to Note L, Restructuring Charges and Other Costs, for further discussion.

There have been no changes in the Company’s critical accounting estimates during the third quarter of 2024. Refer to the “Other Matters” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023 for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting estimates.