MIDLAND, Mich., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow (NYSE:DOW): FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS GAAP earnings per share was $0.73; operating earnings per share (EPS)1 was $0.56, compared to $0.58 in the year-ago period and $0.43 in the prior quarter. Operating EPS excludes significant items in the quarter, including income tax-related items and restructuring and efficiency costs, totaling $0.17 per share. Net sales were $10.8 billion, down 9% versus the year-ago period. Sales were up 1% sequentially, driven by gains in Performance Materials & Coatings and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure. Volume increased 1% versus the year-ago period, with gains in all regions except Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI). Excluding Hydrocarbons & Energy, volume increased 5% year-over-year. Sequentially, volume increased 1%, led by Performance Materials & Coatings. Excluding Hydrocarbons & Energy, volume increased 3% sequentially. Local price decreased 10% year-over-year. Sequentially, local price was flat, as modest gains in EMEAI were offset by slight declines in Asia Pacific and the U.S. & Canada. Currency was flat both year-over-year and sequentially. Equity earnings were $17 million, a $65 million improvement compared to the year-ago period and up $24 million sequentially, reflecting improvements in all of the Company's principal joint ventures. GAAP net income was $538 million. Operating EBIT1 was $674 million, down $34 million year-over-year, driven by lower prices. Sequentially, Op. EBIT was up $115 million, reflecting gains in Performance Materials & Coatings and Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure. Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations was $460 million, down $71 million year-over-year and down $1.2 billion compared to the prior quarter due to a normal seasonal increase in working capital, as sales progressively increased during the quarter. Returns to shareholders totaled $693 million in the quarter, including $493 million in dividends and $200 million in share repurchases. SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS Three Months Ended Mar 31 Three Months Ended Dec 31 In millions, except per share amounts 1Q24 1Q23 vs. SQLY [B / (W)] 4Q23 vs. PQ [B / (W)] Net Sales $10,765 $11,851 $(1,086) $10,621 $144 GAAP Income (Loss), Net of Tax $538 $(73) $611 $(95) $633 Operating EBIT¹ $674 $708 $(34) $559 $115 Operating EBIT Margin¹ 6.3 % 6.0 % 30 bps   5.3 % 100 bps   Operating EBITDA¹ $1,394 $1,356 $38 $1,216 $178 GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share $0.73 $(0.13) $0.86 $(0.15) $0.88 Operating Earnings Per Share¹ $0.56 $0.58 $(0.02) $0.43 $0.13 Cash Provided by Operating Activities – Cont. Ops $460 $531 $(71) $1,628 $(1,168)   1. Op. Earnings Per Share, Op. EBIT, Op. EBIT Margin and Op. EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See page 6 for further discussion.   CEO QUOTE Jim Fitterling, chair and chief executive officer, commented on the quarter: "In the first quarter, we captured improving demand, maintained pricing and benefited from lower feedstock and energy costs. The strength of our cost-advantaged positions around the world led to higher operating rates. As a result, Team Dow delivered volume growth and margin expansion sequentially across our diverse portfolio. We also delivered on our capital allocation priorities, including returning $693 million in cash to shareholders during the quarter." "Dow once again delivered top-quartile performance in our annual benchmarking on three-year average cash flow, margins, return on invested capital and shareholder remuneration. Each of these can be attributed to our consistent operating and financial discipline."  SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS Packaging & Specialty Plastics Three Months Ended Mar 31 Three Months Ended Dec 31 In millions, except margin percentages 1Q24 1Q23 vs. SQLY [B / (W)] 4Q23 vs. PQ [B / (W)] Net Sales $5,430 $6,114 $(684) $5,641 $(211) Operating EBIT $605 $642 $(37) $664 $(59) Operating EBIT Margin 11.1 % 10.5 % 60 bps   11.8 % (70) bps   Equity Earnings $25 $21 $4 $40 $(15) Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment net sales in the quarter were $5.4 billion, down 11% versus the year-ago period. Local price decreased 8% year-over-year, primarily driven by lower energy and feedstock costs globally. Currency was flat. Volume decreased 3% year-over-year, driven by declines in the Hydrocarbons & Energy business primarily due to higher downstream derivative polymer demand, as well as lighter feedslate cracking in Europe. On a sequential basis, net sales decreased by 4% as increased demand for functional polymers in all regions was more than offset by lower merchant hydrocarbon and energy sales, as well as non-recurring licensing revenue. Equity earnings were $25 million, an increase of $4 million compared to the year-ago period. Sequentially, equity earnings were down $15 million, driven by losses at our non-principal joint ventures and partly offset by lower equity losses at Sadara. Operating EBIT was $605 million, a decrease of $37 million compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower integrated margins. Sequentially, Op. EBIT decreased by $59 million, as improved polyethylene integrated margins were more than offset by lower non-recurring licensing revenue and higher planned maintenance activity. Packaging and Specialty Plastics business reported a net sales decline versus the year-ago period as improved demand for polyethylene, primarily in flexible food and specialty packaging, and for functional polymers in mobility and consumer end-markets, was more than offset by lower prices in all regions. Sequentially, net sales decreased due to lower non-recurring licensing sales, while derivative polymer sales remained resilient. Hydrocarbons & Energy business reported a net sales decline compared to the year-ago period and sequentially, primarily due to higher internal derivative demand and lighter feedslate cracking, resulting in lower third-party hydrocarbon sales in EMEAI and the U.S. & Canada.   Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure Three Months Ended Mar 31 Three Months Ended Dec 31 In millions, except margin percentages 1Q24 1Q23 vs. SQLY [B / (W)] 4Q23 vs. PQ [B / (W)] Net Sales $3,008 $3,378 $(370) $2,948 $60 Operating EBIT $87 $123 $(36) $15 $72 Operating EBIT Margin 2.9 % 3.6 % (70) bps   0.5 % 240 bps   Equity Losses $(15) $(73) $58 $(57) $42 Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment net sales were $3 billion, down 11% versus the year-ago period. Local price declined 14% year-over-year. Currency decreased net sales by 1%. Volume was up 4% year-over-year, driven by gains in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals, primarily in EMEAI. On a sequential basis, net sales increased 2% as price and volume gains in the U.S. & Canada and EMEAI were partly offset by lower volumes in Asia Pacific due to typical Lunar New Year seasonality. Equity losses for the segment were $15 million, an improvement of $58 million versus the year-ago period, driven by improvements at the Kuwait and Sadara joint ventures. Sequentially, equity losses improved by $42 million, driven primarily by lower equity losses at Sadara. Operating EBIT was $87 million, compared to $123 million in the year-ago period, driven by lower prices in both businesses, which were partly offset by lower energy and feedstock costs, primarily in EMEAI, improved equity earnings, and volume gains in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals. On a sequential basis, operating EBIT was up $72 million, driven by improved equity earnings and higher operating rates, as well as lower energy and feedstock costs, primarily in EMEAI. Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals business reported a net sales decrease compared to the year-ago period, driven by local price declines which were partly offset by volume gains in all geographic regions. Sequentially, net sales were flat, as price and volume gains in the U.S. & Canada and EMEAI were offset by lower volumes in Asia Pacific, due to typical Lunar New Year seasonality, and in Latin America. Industrial Solutions business reported a decrease in net sales compared to the year-ago period, driven by local price declines and the impact of an ongoing outage at Louisiana Operations. Sequentially, net sales increased, driven by volume gains in the U.S. & Canada and local price gains, which were partly offset by lower volumes in Asia Pacific, primarily due to lower ethylene oxide project-related catalyst sales. Performance Materials & Coatings Three Months Ended Mar 31 Three Months Ended Dec 31 In millions, except margin percentages 1Q24 1Q23 vs. SQLY [B / (W)] 4Q23 vs. PQ [B / (W)] Net Sales $2,152 $2,276 $(124) $1,894 $258 Operating EBIT $41 $35 $6 $(61) $102 Operating EBIT Margin 1.9 % 1.5 % 40 bps   (3.2) % 510 bps   Equity Earnings $6 $3 $3 $6 $0 Performance Materials & Coatings segment net sales in the quarter were $2.2 billion, down 5% versus the year-ago period. Local price decreased 9% year-over-year with declines in both businesses. Volume was up 4% year-over-year, driven by gains primarily in the U.S. & Canada and Latin America. On a sequential basis, net sales were up 14% driven by higher volumes in both businesses and all geographic regions, primarily from typical seasonality. Operating EBIT was $41 million, compared to $35 million in the year-ago period, driven by volume growth and higher operating rates. Sequentially, Op. EBIT increased $102 million, driven by seasonally higher volumes and overall improved demand. Consumer Solutions business reported a decrease in net sales versus the year-ago period, driven by lower prices in all geographic regions. Sequentially, net sales increased, driven by volume gains in all geographic regions and across most end-markets, led by higher volumes in siloxanes, seasonally higher volumes in building & construction and stronger demand for personal care applications.  Coatings & Performance Monomers business reported an increase in net sales compared to the year-ago period, driven by volume gains in all geographic regions, partly offset by lower local price. Sequentially, net sales increased due to seasonally higher volumes for building & construction end-markets, with gains across all geographic regions. OUTLOOK "In the near-term, demand in key end-markets from packaging and mobility to energy applications are trending sequentially higher and in-line with our expectations at the start of the year," said Fitterling. "In addition, our high-value organic growth investments and our advantaged portfolio position Dow well to deliver earnings growth and enhanced shareholder value as the economic recovery gathers strength. This allows us the financial flexibility to advance our long-term Decarbonize & Grow and Transform the Waste strategies and capture more than $3 billion in underlying earnings improvement annually by 2030. We will share more about our strategic and financial priorities that will drive earnings growth and enable higher shareholder returns at our upcoming Investor Day on May 16, 2024." Conference CallDow will host a live webcast of its quarterly earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results, business outlook and other matters today at 8:00 a.m. ET. The webcast and slide presentation that accompany the conference call will be posted on the events and presentations page of investors.dow.com. About DowDow (NYSE:DOW) is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.   Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow's control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow's products; Dow's expenses, future revenues and profitability; any global and regional economic impacts of a pandemic or other public health-related risks and events on Dow's business; any sanctions, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow's contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow's ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe, including the completion and success of its integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives facility in Alberta, Canada; size of the markets for Dow's products and services and ability to compete in such markets; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow's products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow's intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow's significant customers and suppliers; changes in public sentiment and political leadership; increased concerns about plastics in the environment and lack of a circular economy for plastics at scale; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow's information technology networks and systems, including the impact of cyberattacks; and risks related to Dow's separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow's obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow's business. Dow Inc. and The Dow Chemical Company ("TDCC") assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws. ®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow                    Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThis earnings release includes information that does not conform to GAAP and are considered non-GAAP measures. Management uses these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the Company's segments, including allocating resources. Dow's management believes that these non-GAAP measures best reflect the ongoing performance of the Company during the periods presented and provide more relevant and meaningful information to investors as they provide insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and a more useful comparison of year-over-year results. These non-GAAP measures supplement the Company's GAAP disclosures and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP measures of performance. Furthermore, such non-GAAP measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided or used by other companies. Non-GAAP measures included in this release are defined below. Reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures to GAAP are provided in the Selected Financial Information and Non-GAAP Measures section starting on page 11. Dow does not provide forward-looking GAAP financial measures or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, unusual gains and losses, foreign currency exchange gains or losses and potential future asset impairments, as well as discrete taxable events, without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on ...