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8-K - PRAXAIR, INC. 8-K - PRAXAIR INCa51748467.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Praxair Reports Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2017 Results

Full-Year 2017 Highlights

  • Sales of $11.4 billion, 9% above prior year
  • Record $3.0 billion of operating cash flow, 10% above prior year
  • Record free cash flow of $1.7 billion, 32% above prior year
  • EPS of $4.32; adjusted EPS of $5.85

Fourth-Quarter 2017 Highlights

  • Sales of $3.0 billion, 12% above prior-year quarter
  • Record $0.5 billion of free cash flow, 57% above prior-year quarter
  • Backlog $1.5 billion; includes project wins in the U.S. and Asia
  • EPS of $0.11; adjusted EPS of $1.52

Continued Progress on Merger with Linde AG

  • Regulatory filings progressing

Tax Reform Impact

  • Fourth-quarter tax charge of $394 million
  • Estimated future tax rate 23% - 25%

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 25, 2018--Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) today reported fourth-quarter net income of $33 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.11. These results include transaction costs of $14 million after-tax related to the proposed merger with Linde AG and a net income tax charge of $394 million related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”). The net tax charge reflects the company’s best estimate of Tax Reform and may be adjusted in future periods as required. The impact of these charges was $1.41 of diluted earnings per share. Excluding these two items, adjusted net income was $441 million and diluted earnings per share was $1.52, up 9% and 8%, respectively versus prior year.

Praxair’s sales in the fourth quarter were $2,953 million, 12% above the prior-year quarter. After adjusting for positive currency translation and cost pass-through, sales grew 8%, driven by price attainment and higher volumes across all geographic segments and end-markets.


Reported operating profit in the fourth quarter was $636 million, 6% above the prior-year quarter. Excluding transaction costs, adjusted operating profit was $653 million, 9% above prior-year quarter. Reported and adjusted operating profit margins were 21.5% and 22.1%, respectively. EBITDA margin was 32.3% and adjusted EBITDA margin was 32.9%.

The company generated strong fourth-quarter operating cash flow of $836 million, 28% of sales. After capital expenditures of $339 million, free cash flow was $497 million, up 57% over the prior-year quarter. The company paid $226 million in dividends and decreased net debt by $247 million, sequentially.

For full-year 2017, sales of $11,437 million were up 9% above prior year. Diluted earnings per share were $4.32 and on an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share were $5.85, up 7% versus prior year.

Full-year operating cash flow was $3,041 million, or 27% of sales. Free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures, was $1,730 million. The company paid dividends of $901 million and reduced net debt by $608 million.

Commenting on the financial results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steve Angel said, “We had a strong finish to 2017 with 8% EPS growth and record free cash flow in the fourth quarter. The Praxair team delivered on our strategy by successfully executing the project backlog, winning several new onsite projects, and operating safely and efficiently. We have enhanced our business portfolio by increasing exposure to more resilient end-markets while remaining well positioned for the industrial recovery. All of this was accomplished while making significant progress toward our merger with Linde.

“Looking ahead to 2018, we will maintain our focus and leverage the cyclical recovery occurring across several core geographies and end-markets,” continued Angel. “I remain confident in our ability to grow our project backlog with new contract wins, especially in Asia and the U.S. Gulf Coast. And recent tax reform should help stimulate new capital investment in the United States and thus provide additional growth opportunities in our largest market.


“In the second half of 2018, I look forward to the completion of the merger between Praxair and Linde, which will bring together our complementary strengths and highly talented people.”

For first-quarter 2018, Praxair expects diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.53 to $1.58, excluding transaction costs related to the proposed merger. The company’s effective tax rate is estimated to be in the range of 23% to 25%.

Following is additional detail on fourth-quarter 2017 results by segment.

In North America, fourth-quarter sales were $1,542 million, 9% above the prior-year quarter, excluding currency translation. Sales growth was driven primarily by stronger volumes to the downstream energy, manufacturing and electronics end-markets and higher price. Operating profit was $396 million, 10% above the prior-year quarter.

In Europe, fourth-quarter sales were $412 million, 17% above the prior-year quarter. Excluding currency and cost pass-through, sales grew 5% from the prior year due to higher volumes, mainly led by the metals, manufacturing and chemicals end-markets. Operating profit was $80 million, 13% above the prior-year quarter.

In South America, fourth-quarter sales were $370 million, 4% above the prior-year quarter, excluding currency translation. Sales growth was driven mainly by higher volumes to metals and chemicals end-markets and price attainment. Operating profit was $60 million.

Sales in Asia were $470 million in the quarter, up 19% from the prior year. Excluding currency and cost pass-through, sales grew 14% from the prior year, driven by higher volumes in China, Korea and India, project start-ups and 3% price attainment. Operating profit was $90 million, 15% above prior-year quarter.


Praxair Surface Technologies had fourth-quarter sales of $159 million, up 7% above prior-year quarter. Sales growth was driven primarily by aerospace coatings. Operating profit was $27 million.

Praxair, Inc. is a leading industrial gas company in North and South America and one of the largest worldwide. With market capitalization of approximately $40 billion and 2017 sales of $11 billion, the company employs over 26,000 people globally and has been named to the Dow Jones® World Sustainability Index for 15 consecutive years. Praxair produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Our products, services and technologies are making our planet more productive by bringing efficiency and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, primary metals and many others. For more information about the company, please visit our website at www.praxair.com.

Adjusted amounts, EBITDA, free cash flow and after-tax return on capital are non-GAAP measures. See the attachments for a summary of non-GAAP reconciliations and calculations of non-GAAP measures.

Attachments: Summary Non-GAAP Reconciliations, Statements of Income, Balance Sheets, Statements of Cash Flows, Segment Information, Quarterly Financial Summary and Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures.

A teleconference about Praxair’s fourth-quarter results is being held this morning, January 25, 2018 at 11:00 am Eastern Time. The number is (631) 485-4849 – Conference ID: 4575769. The call is also available as a webcast live and on-demand at www.praxair.com/investors. Materials to be used in the teleconference are also available on the website.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date the statements are made but involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the expected timing and likelihood of the completion of the contemplated business combination with Linde AG, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; the ability to successfully complete the proposed business combination and the exchange offer, regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of the proposed business combination; the success of the business following the proposed business combination; the ability to successfully integrate the Praxair and Linde businesses; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve expected synergies or that it may take longer or be more costly than expected to achieve those synergies; the performance of stock markets generally; developments in worldwide and national economies and other international events and circumstances; changes in foreign currencies and in interest rates; the cost and availability of electric power, natural gas and other raw materials; the ability to achieve price increases to offset cost increases; catastrophic events including natural disasters, epidemics and acts of war and terrorism; the ability to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel; the impact of changes in financial accounting standards; the impact of changes in pension plan liabilities; the impact of tax, environmental, healthcare and other legislation and government regulation in jurisdictions in which the company operates, including the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; the cost and outcomes of investigations, litigation and regulatory proceedings; the impact of potential unusual or non-recurring items; continued timely development and market acceptance of new products and applications; the impact of competitive products and pricing; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served; the impact of information technology system failures, network disruptions and breaches in data security; and the effectiveness and speed of integrating new acquisitions into the business. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results or circumstances to differ materially from the GAAP or adjusted projections or estimates contained in the forward-looking statements.

The company assumes no obligation to update or provide revisions to any forward-looking statement in response to changing circumstances. The above listed risks and uncertainties are further described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and in the proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (which Registration Statement was declared effective on August 14, 2017) filed by Linde plc with the SEC which should be reviewed carefully. Please consider the company’s forward-looking statements in light of those risks.


PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

The following adjusted amounts are Non-GAAP measures and are intended to supplement investors' understanding of the company's financial statements by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company's operating performance. Items which the company does not believe to be indicative of on-going business trends are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures. See the Non-GAAP reconciliations starting on page 10 for additional details relating to the Non-GAAP adjustments.

(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)
 
  Sales   Operating Profit   Net Income - Praxair, Inc.   Diluted EPS

2017

 

2016

2017

 

2016

2017

 

2016

2017

 

2016

Quarter Ended December 31

Reported GAAP Amounts $ 2,953 $ 2,644 $ 636 $ 599 $ 33 $ 406 $ 0.11 $ 1.41
Transaction costs (a) 17 14 0.05
Tax reform (b) 394 1.36
Pension settlement charges (c)
Cost reduction program and other charges, net (d)
Bond redemption (e)                              
Total adjustments           17         408         1.41    
Adjusted amounts $ 2,953   $ 2,644   $ 653   $ 599   $ 441   $ 406   $ 1.52   $ 1.41
 

Year To Date December 31

Reported GAAP Amounts $ 11,437 $ 10,534 $ 2,448 $ 2,238 $ 1,247 $ 1,500 $ 4.32 $ 5.21
Transaction costs (a) 52 48 0.17
Tax reform (b) 394 1.36
Pension settlement charges (c) 2 4 1 3 0.01
Cost reduction program and other charges, net (d) 96 63 0.22
Bond redemption (e)                       10         0.04
Total adjustments           54     100     443     76     1.53     0.27
Adjusted amounts $ 11,437   $ 10,534   $ 2,502   $ 2,338   $ 1,690   $ 1,576   $ 5.85   $ 5.48
(a) Charges in 2017 for transaction costs primarily related to the potential Linde merger.
(b) On December 22, 2017 the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform). This comprehensive tax legislation significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. As a result, Praxair’s fourth-quarter net income includes a net income tax charge of $394 million comprised of the following: $467 million charge for deemed repatriation of accumulated foreign earnings, $260 million charge for foreign withholding taxes related to anticipated repatriation of foreign earnings and $333 million benefit for the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities from 35 percent to the 21 percent tax rate. This represents the Company's current best estimate of the tax reform. As new information becomes available, the Company may update this estimate.
(c) Pension settlement charges were recorded in the third quarter of 2017 related to lump sum benefit payments made from an international pension plan and in the third quarter of 2016 related to lump sum benefit payments made from the U.S. supplemental pension plan.
(d) Charges in the 2016 third quarter related to the cost reduction program and other charges.
(e) Charge to interest expense in the 2016 first quarter related to a bond redemption.
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
  Quarter Ended   Year to Date
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
 
SALES $ 2,953 $ 2,644 $ 11,437 $ 10,534
Cost of sales 1,660 1,478 6,455 5,860
Selling, general and administrative 316 272 1,207 1,145
Depreciation and amortization 307 285 1,184 1,122
Research and development 24 23 93 92
Transaction costs and other charges 17 54 100
Other income (expense) - net   7     13     4     23  
OPERATING PROFIT 636 599 2,448 2,238
Interest expense - net   41     38     161     190  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS 595 561 2,287 2,048
Income taxes   558     152     1,026     551  
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY INVESTMENTS 37 409 1,261 1,497
Income from equity investments   12     10     47     41  
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS) 49 419 1,308 1,538
Less: noncontrolling interests   (16 )   (13 )   (61 )   (38 )
NET INCOME - PRAXAIR, INC. $ 33   $ 406   $ 1,247   $ 1,500  
 
PER SHARE DATA - PRAXAIR, INC. SHAREHOLDERS
 
Basic earnings per share $ 0.11 $ 1.42 $ 4.36 $ 5.25
 
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.11 $ 1.41 $ 4.32 $ 5.21
 
Cash dividends $ 0.7875 $ 0.75 $ 3.15 $ 3.00
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic shares outstanding (000's) 286,976 285,720 286,261 285,677
Diluted shares outstanding (000's) 290,456 287,956 289,114 287,757
 
Note: See page 4 for a reconciliation to 2017 adjusted amounts which are Non-GAAP.
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
December 31,   December 31,
2017 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 617 $ 524
Accounts receivable - net 1,804 1,641
Inventories 614 550
Prepaid and other current assets   250     165  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,285 2,880
Property, plant and equipment - net 12,057 11,477
Goodwill 3,233 3,117
Other intangibles - net 553 583
Other long-term assets   1,308     1,275  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 20,436   $ 19,332  
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable $ 972 $ 906
Short-term debt 238 434
Current portion of long-term debt 979 164
Other current liabilities   1,118     974  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,307 2,478
Long-term debt 7,783 8,917
Other long-term liabilities   2,824     2,485  
TOTAL LIABILITIES 13,914 13,880
 
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 11 11
 
PRAXAIR, INC. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 4,084 4,074
Retained earnings 13,224 12,879
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (4,098 ) (4,600 )
Less: Treasury stock, at cost   (7,196 )   (7,336 )
Total Praxair, Inc. Shareholders' Equity 6,018 5,021
Noncontrolling interests   493     420  
TOTAL EQUITY   6,511     5,441  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 20,436   $ 19,332  
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
  Quarter Ended   Year to Date
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016 2017   2016
OPERATIONS
Net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 33 $ 406 $ 1,247 $ 1,500
Noncontrolling interests   16     13     61     38  
Net income (including noncontrolling interests) 49 419 1,308 1,538
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Transaction costs and other charges, net of payments (1 ) (10 ) 26 83
Tax reform income tax charge, net 394 394
Depreciation and amortization 307 285 1,184 1,122
Accounts Receivable (9 ) 11 (92 ) (33 )
Inventory (11 ) (24 ) (22 ) (13 )
Payables and accruals 11 86 22 92
Pension contributions (5 ) (3 ) (19 ) (11 )
Deferred income taxes and other, excluding tax reform   101     (38 )   240     (5 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   836     726     3,041     2,773  
 
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (339 ) (409 ) (1,311 ) (1,465 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (15 ) (18 ) (33 ) (363 )
Divestitures and asset sales   8     17     30     58  
Net cash used for investing activities   (346 )   (410 )   (1,314 )   (1,770 )
 
FINANCING
Debt increase (decrease) - net (268 ) (199 ) (771 ) 357
Issuances of common stock 29 30 120 139
Purchases of common stock (1 ) (95 ) (12 ) (228 )
Cash dividends - Praxair, Inc. shareholders (226 ) (214 ) (901 ) (856 )
Noncontrolling interest transactions and other   (7 )   67     (92 )   (55 )
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (473 ) (411 ) (1,656 ) (643 )
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (7 )   (8 )   22     17  
 
Change in cash and cash equivalents 10 (103 ) 93 377
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning-of-period   607     627     524     147  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end-of-period $ 617   $ 524   $ 617   $ 524  
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
  Quarter Ended   Year to Date
December 31, December 31,
2017   2016

 

2017   2016
SALES
North America $ 1,542 $

1,397

 

$ 6,023 $ 5,592
Europe 412 351 1,558 1,392
South America 370 352 1,501 1,399
Asia 470 395 1,738 1,555
Surface Technologies   159     149     617     596  
Consolidated sales $ 2,953   $ 2,644   $ 11,437   $ 10,534  
 
OPERATING PROFIT
North America $ 396 $ 359 $ 1,517 $ 1,430
Europe 80 71 297 273
South America 60 64 250 257
Asia 90 78 333 276
Surface Technologies   27     27     105     102  
Segment operating profit $ 653 $ 599 $ 2,502 $ 2,338
Transaction costs and other charges   (17 )       (54 )   (100 )
Total operating profit $ 636   $ 599   $ 2,448   $ 2,238  
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
  2017 (b)   2016 (c)
Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1
FROM THE INCOME STATEMENT
Sales $ 2,953 $ 2,922 $ 2,834 $ 2,728 $ 2,644 $ 2,716 $ 2,665 $ 2,509
Cost of sales 1,660 1,652 1,598 1,545 1,478 1,533 1,468 1,381
Selling, general and administrative 316 304 308 279 272 291 308 274
Depreciation and amortization 307 298 292 287 285 284 281 272
Research and development 24 23 23 23 23 22 24 23
Transaction costs and other charges 17 16 15 6 100
Other income (expense) - net   7       (3 )     6       (6 )   13       11       4       (5 )
Operating profit 636 626 604 582 599 497 588 554
Interest expense - net 41 41 38 41 38 43 44 65
Income taxes 558 162 157 149 152 120 146 133
Income from equity investments   12       12       11       12     10       10       11       10  
Net income (including noncontrolling interests) 49 435 420 404 419 344 409 366
Less: noncontrolling interests   (16 )     (16 )     (14 )     (15 )   (13 )     (5 )     (10 )     (10 )
Net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 33     $ 419     $ 406     $ 389   $ 406     $ 339     $ 399     $ 356  
 
PER SHARE DATA - PRAXAIR, INC. SHAREHOLDERS
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.11 $ 1.45 $ 1.41 $ 1.35 $ 1.41 $ 1.18 $ 1.39 $ 1.24
Cash dividends per share $ 0.7875 $ 0.7875 $ 0.7875 $ 0.7875 $ 0.75 $ 0.75 $ 0.75 $ 0.75
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000's) 290,456 289,216 288,535 287,384 287,956 288,195 287,727 286,665
 
ADJUSTED AMOUNTS (a)
Operating profit $ 653 $ 642 $ 619 $ 588 $ 599 $ 597 $ 588 $ 554
Operating margin 22.1 % 22.0 % 21.8 % 21.6 % 22.7 % 22.0 % 22.1 % 22.1 %
Net Income $ 441 $ 433 $ 421 $ 395 $ 406 $ 405 $ 399 $ 366
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.52 $ 1.50 $ 1.46 $ 1.37 $ 1.41 $ 1.41 $ 1.39 $ 1.28
 
FROM THE BALANCE SHEET
Net debt (a) $ 8,383 $ 8,630 $ 8,832 $ 8,849 $ 8,991 $ 9,215 $ 9,389 $ 9,183
Capital (a) $ 14,905 $ 15,372 $ 15,102 $ 14,824 $ 14,443 $ 14,864 $ 14,948 $ 14,607
 
FROM THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flow from operations $ 836 $ 794 $ 701 $ 710 $ 726 $ 788 $ 706 $ 553
Cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities (346 ) (331 ) (313 ) (324 ) (410 ) (363 ) (613 ) (384 )
Cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities (473 ) (403 ) (384 ) (396 ) (411 ) (362 ) 249 (119 )
Capital expenditures 339 320 325 327 409 376 357 323
Acquisitions 15 16 1 1 18 20 262 63
Cash dividends 226 225 225 225 214 214 214 214
 
OTHER INFORMATION
After-tax return on capital (ROC) (a) 9.5 % 12.0 % 11.5 % 11.5 % 11.5 % 11.6 % 12.1 % 11.5 %
Adjusted after-tax ROC (a) 12.5 % 12.3 % 12.1 % 12.0 % 12.0 % 12.1 % 12.2 % 12.4 %
EBITDA (a) $ 955 $ 936 $ 907 $ 881 $ 894 $ 791 $ 880 $ 836
EBITDA margin (a) 32.3 % 32.0 % 32.0 % 32.3 % 33.8 % 29.1 % 33.0 % 33.3 %
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 972 $ 952 $ 922 $ 887 $ 894 $ 891 $ 880 $ 836
Adjusted EBITDA margin (a) 32.9 % 32.6 % 32.5 % 32.5 % 33.8 % 32.8 % 33.0 % 33.3 %
Number of employees 26,461 26,531 26,487 26,420 26,498 26,680 26,896 26,558
 
SEGMENT DATA
SALES
North America $ 1,542 $ 1,518 $ 1,505 $ 1,458 $ 1,397 $ 1,431 $ 1,411 $ 1,353
Europe 412 407 383 356 351 366 355 320
South America 370 389 373 369 352 378 358 311
Asia 470 451 422 395 395 391 393 376
Surface Technologies   159       157       151       150     149       150       148       149  
Total sales $ 2,953     $ 2,922     $ 2,834     $ 2,728   $ 2,644     $ 2,716     $ 2,665     $ 2,509  
OPERATING PROFIT
North America $ 396 $ 386 $ 378 $ 357 $ 359 $ 363 $ 359 $ 349
Europe 80 78 73 66 71 72 68 62
South America 60 63 63 64 64 68 70 55
Asia 90 88 80 75 78 68 67 63
Surface Technologies   27       27       25       26     27       26       24       25  
Segment operating profit 653 642 619 588 599 597 588 554
Transaction costs and other charges   (17 )     (16 )     (15 )     (6 )         (100 )            
Total operating profit $ 636     $ 626     $ 604     $ 582   $ 599     $ 497     $ 588     $ 554  
(a) Non-GAAP measure, see Appendix.
(b) 2017 includes (i) after-tax charges of $6 million ($0.02 per diluted share), $15 million ($0.05 per diluted share), $13 million ($0.05 per diluted share), and $14 million ($0.05 per diluted share) in the first, second, third, and fourth quarters, respectively for transaction costs related to the potential Linde merger, (ii) a pension settlement charge of $2 million ($1 million after-tax) in the third quarter related to lump sum benefit payments made from an international pension plan, and (iii) income tax charges, net of $394 million ($1.36 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter due to U.S. tax reform.
(c) 2016 includes (i) a $16 million charge to interest expense ($10 million after-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) in the first quarter related to the redemption of the $325 million 5.20% notes due 2017, (ii) a pre-tax pension settlement charge of $4 million ($3 million after-tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) in the third quarter related to lump sum benefit payments made from the U.S. supplemental pension plan, and (iii) pre-tax charges of $96 million ($63 million after-tax and non-controlling interests, or $0.22 per diluted share) in the third quarter, primarily related to cost reduction actions.
 

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
APPENDIX
NON-GAAP MEASURES
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)

The following Non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of the company’s financial information by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company’s financial leverage, return on capital and operating performance. Items which the company does not believe to be indicative of on-going business trends are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures. Adjusted amounts exclude the impacts of the 2017 transaction costs, 2017 third quarter pension settlement, 2017 fourth quarter U.S. tax reform, 2016 third quarter cost reduction program and pension settlement, 2016 first quarter bond redemption, 2015 third quarter cost reduction program and pension settlement, and 2015 second quarter cost reduction program and other charges.

Adjusted Amounts                      

Fourth

Third

Second

First

Third

First

Third

Second

Year

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Year

Quarter

Quarter

Year

Quarter

Quarter

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015
Adjusted Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin
Reported operating profit $ 2,448 $ 636 $ 626 $ 604 $ 582 $ 2,238 $ 497 $ 554 $ 2,321 $ 594 $ 480
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 96 96 165 19 146
Add: Pension settlement charge 2 2 4 4 7 7
Add: Transaction costs   52     17     14     15     6                          
Total adjustments   54     17     16     15     6     100     100         172     26     146  
Adjusted operating profit $ 2,502   $ 653   $ 642   $ 619   $ 588   $ 2,338   $ 597   $ 554   $ 2,493   $ 620   $ 626  
 
Reported percentage change 9 % 6 %
Adjusted percentage change 7 % 9 %
 
Reported sales $ 11,437 $ 2,953 $ 2,922 $ 2,834 $ 2,728 $ 10,534 $ 2,716 $ 2,509 $ 10,776 $ 2,686 $ 2,738
Adjusted operating profit margin 21.9 % 22.1 % 22.0 % 21.8 % 21.6 % 22.2 % 22.0 % 22.1 % 23.1 % 23.1 % 22.9 %
 
Adjusted Interest Expense - net
Reported interest expense - net $ 161 $ 41 $ 41 $ 38 $ 41 $ 190 $ 43 $ 65 $ 161 $ 35 $ 40
Less: Bond redemption                       (16 )       (16 )            
Adjusted interest expense - net $ 161   $ 41   $ 41   $ 38   $ 41   $ 174   $ 43   $ 49   $ 161   $ 35   $ 40  
 
Adjusted Income Taxes
Reported income taxes $ 1,026 $ 558 $ 162 $ 157 $ 149 $ 551 $ 120 $ 133 $ 612 $ 156 $ 131
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 28 28 39 6 33
Add: Bond redemption 6 6
Add: Pension settlement charge 1 1 1 1 2 2
Add: Tax reform (394 ) (394 )
Add: Transaction costs   4     3     1                                  
Total adjustments   (389 )   (391 )   2             35     29     6     41     8     33  
Adjusted income taxes $ 637   $ 167   $ 164   $ 157   $ 149   $ 586   $ 149   $ 139   $ 653   $ 164   $ 164  
 
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
Reported income before income taxes and equity investments $ 2,287 $ 595 $ 585 $ 566 $ 541 $ 2,048 $ 454 $ 489 $ 2,160 $ 559 $ 440
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 96 96 165 19 146
Add: Bond redemption 16 16
Add: Pension settlement charge 2 2 4 4 7 7
Add: Transaction costs   52     17     14     15     6                          
Total adjustments   54     17     16     15     6     116     100     16     172     26     146  
Adjusted income before income taxes and equity investments $ 2,341   $ 612   $ 601   $ 581   $ 547   $ 2,164   $ 554   $ 505   $ 2,332   $ 585   $ 586  
 
Reported effective tax rate 44.9 % 93.8 % 27.7 % 27.7 % 27.5 % 26.9 % 26.4 % 27.2 % 28.3 % 27.9 % 29.8 %
Adjusted effective tax rate 27.2 % 27.3 % 27.3 % 27.0 % 27.2 % 27.1 % 26.9 % 27.5 % 28.0 % 28.0 % 28.0 %
 
Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests
Reported noncontrolling interests $ 61 $ 16 $ 16 $ 14 $ 15 $ 38 $ 5 $ 10 $ 44 $ 12 $ 11
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net                       5     5         1         1  
Total adjustments                       5     5         1         1  
Adjusted noncontrolling interests $ 61   $ 16   $ 16   $ 14   $ 15   $ 43   $ 10   $ 10   $ 45   $ 12   $ 12  
 
Adjusted Net Income - Praxair, Inc.
Reported net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 1,247 $ 33 $ 419 $ 406 $ 389 $ 1,500 $ 339 $ 356 $ 1,547 $ 401 $ 308
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 63 63 125 13 112
Add: Bond redemption 10 10
Add: Pension settlement charge 1 1 3 3 5 5
Add: Tax reform 394 394
Add: Transaction costs   48     14     13     15     6                          
Total adjustments   443     408     14     15     6     76     66     10     130     18     112  
Adjusted net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 1,690   $ 441   $ 433   $ 421   $ 395   $ 1,576   $ 405   $ 366   $ 1,677   $ 419   $ 420  
 
Reported percentage change (17 )% (92 )%
Adjusted percentage change 7 % 9 %
 
Adjusted Diluted EPS
Reported diluted EPS $ 4.32 $ 0.11 $ 1.45 $ 1.41 $ 1.35 $ 5.21 $ 1.18 $ 1.24 $ 5.35 $ 1.40 $ 1.06
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 0.22 0.22 0.43 0.04 0.39
Add: Bond redemption 0.04 0.04
Add: Pension settlement charge 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02
Add: Tax reform 1.36 1.36
Add: Transaction costs   0.17     0.05     0.05     0.05     0.02                          
Total adjustments   1.53     1.41     0.05     0.05     0.02     0.27     0.23     0.04     0.45     0.06     0.39  
Adjusted diluted EPS $ 5.85   $ 1.52   $ 1.50   $ 1.46   $ 1.37   $ 5.48   $ 1.41   $ 1.28   $ 5.80   $ 1.46   $ 1.45  
 
Reported percentage change (17 )% (92 )%
Adjusted percentage change 7 % 8 %
 

 

2017

  2016   2015
Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1
 

Free Cash Flow (FCF) - Free cash flow is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate the ability of a company to pursue opportunities that enhance shareholder value. FCF equals cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.

 
Operating cash flow $ 836 $ 794 $ 701 $ 710 $ 726 $ 788 $ 706 $ 553 $ 791 $ 676 $ 710 $ 518
Less: capital expenditures   (339 )     (320 )     (325 )     (327 )   (409 )     (376 )     (357 )     (323 )   (387 )     (405 )     (352 )     (397 )
Free Cash Flow $ 497 $ 474 $ 376 $ 383 $ 317 $ 412 $ 349 $ 230 $ 404 $ 271 $ 358 $ 121
 

Net Debt, Capital and Debt-to-Capital Ratio - The debt-to-capital ratio is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to provide a measure of financial leverage and insights into how the company is financing its operations.

 
Debt $ 9,000 $ 9,237 $ 9,367 $ 9,368 $ 9,515 $ 9,842 $ 9,956 $ 9,404 $ 9,231 $ 9,480 $ 9,313 $ 9,360
Less: cash and cash equivalents   (617 )     (607 )     (535 )     (519 )   (524 )     (627 )     (567 )     (221 )   (147 )     (136 )     (136 )     (117 )
Net debt 8,383 8,630 8,832 8,849 8,991 9,215 9,389 9,183 9,084 9,344 9,177 9,243
Equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 11 11 10 10 11 11 12 119 113 169 175 170
Praxair, Inc. shareholders' equity 6,018 6,256 5,807 5,529 5,021 5,245 5,140 4,888 4,389 4,264 4,964 5,018
Noncontrolling interests   493       475       453       436     420       393       407       417     404       380       380       375  
Total equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests   6,522       6,742       6,270       5,975     5,452       5,649       5,559       5,424     4,906       4,813       5,519       5,563  
Capital $ 14,905 $ 15,372 $ 15,102 $ 14,824 $ 14,443 $ 14,864 $ 14,948 $ 14,607 $ 13,990 $ 14,157 $ 14,696 $ 14,806
 
Debt-to-capital   56.2 %     56.1 %     58.5 %     59.7 %   62.3 %     62.0 %     62.8 %     62.9 %   64.9 %     66.0 %     62.4 %     62.4 %
 

After-tax Return on Capital and Adjusted After-tax Return on Capital (ROC) - After-tax return on capital is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate the return on net assets employed in the business. ROC measures the after-tax operating profit that the company was able to generate with the investments made by all parties in the business (debt, noncontrolling interests and Praxair, Inc. shareholders’ equity).

 
Reported net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 33 $ 419 $ 406 $ 389 $ 406 $ 339 $ 399 $ 356 $ 422 $ 401 $ 308 $ 416
Add: noncontrolling interests 16 16 14 15 13 5 10 10 9 12 11 12
Add: interest expense - net 41 41 38 41 38 43 44 65 42 35 40 44
Less: tax benefit on interest expense - net *   (11 )     (11 )     (11 )     (12 )   (10 )     (12 )     (12 )     (20 )   (12 )     (10 )     (11 )     (12 )
Net operating profit after-tax (NOPAT) $ 79 $ 465 $ 447 $ 433 $ 447 $ 375 $ 441 $ 411 $ 461 $ 438 $ 348 $ 460
 
Pre-tax Adjustments:
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 96 19 146
Add: Pension settlement charge 2 4 7
Add: Transaction costs 17 14 15 6
Less: income taxes on pre-tax adjustments (3 ) (29 ) (8 ) (33 )
Add: Tax reform net income tax charge   394                                                                
Adjusted NOPAT $ 487 $ 481 $ 462 $ 439 $ 447 $ 446 $ 441 $ 411 $ 461 $ 456 $ 461 $ 460
 
4-quarter trailing NOPAT $ 1,424 $ 1,792 $ 1,702 $ 1,696 $ 1,674 $ 1,688 $ 1,751 $ 1,658 $ 1,707 $ 1,616 $ 1,700 $ 1,864
4-quarter trailing adjusted NOPAT $ 1,869 $ 1,829 $ 1,794 $ 1,773 $ 1,745 $ 1,759 $ 1,769 $ 1,789 $ 1,838 $ 1,879 $ 1,945 $ 1,996
 
Ending capital (see above) $ 14,905 $ 15,372 $ 15,102 $ 14,824 $ 14,443 $ 14,864 $ 14,948 $ 14,607 $ 13,990 $ 14,157 $ 14,696 $ 14,806
5-quarter average ending capital $ 14,929 $ 14,921 $ 14,836 $ 14,737 $ 14,570 $ 14,513 $ 14,480 $ 14,451 $ 14,587 $ 14,999 $ 15,460 $ 15,777
 
After-tax ROC (4-quarter trailing NOPAT / 5-quarter average capital) 9.5 % 12.0 % 11.5 % 11.5 % 11.5 % 11.6 % 12.1 % 11.5 % 11.7 % 10.8 % 11.0 % 11.8 %
Adjusted after-tax ROC (4-quarter trailing adjusted NOPAT / 5-quarter average capital)   12.5 %     12.3 %     12.1 %     12.0 %   12.0 %     12.1 %     12.2 %     12.4 %   12.6 %     12.5 %     12.6 %     12.7 %
 
*Tax benefit on interest expense - net is generally presented using the reported effective rate.
 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin - These measures are used by investors, financial analysts and management to assess a company's profitability.

 
Reported net income - Praxair, Inc. $ 33 $ 419 $ 406 $ 389 $ 406 $ 339 $ 399 $ 356 $ 422 $ 401 $ 308 $ 416
Add: noncontrolling interests 16 16 14 15 13 5 10 10 9 12 11 12
Add: interest expense - net 41 41 38 41 38 43 44 65 42 35 40 44
Add: income taxes 558 162 157 149 152 120 146 133 163 156 131 162
Add: depreciation and amortization   307       298       292       287     285       284       281       272     275       276       278       277  
EBITDA $ 955 $ 936 $ 907 $ 881 $ 894 $ 791 $ 880 $ 836 $ 911 $ 880 $ 768 $ 911
 
Adjustments:
Add: Cost reduction program and other charges, net 96 19 146
Add: Pension settlement charge 2 4 7
Add: Transaction costs   17       14       15       6                                              
Adjusted EBITDA $ 972 $ 952 $ 922 $ 887 $ 894 $ 891 $ 880 $ 836 $ 911 $ 906 $ 914 $ 911
 
Reported sales 2,953 2,922 2,834 2,728 2,644 2,716 2,665 2,509 2,595 2,686 2,738 2,757
EBITDA margin 32.3 % 32.0 % 32.0 % 32.3 % 33.8 % 29.1 % 33.0 % 33.3 % 35.1 % 32.8 % 28.0 % 33.0 %
Adjusted EBITDA margin 32.9 % 32.6 % 32.5 % 32.5 % 33.8 % 32.8 % 33.0 % 33.3 % 35.1 % 33.7 % 33.4 % 33.0 %

CONTACT:
Praxair Media
Lisa Esneault, 203-837-2448
lisa_esneault@praxair.com
or
Praxair Investors
Juan Pelaez, 203-837-2213
juan_pelaez@praxair.com