SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP [SXT] Filings

10-Q 1 ef20026304_10q.htm 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended:

March 31, 2024

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from

Commission file number: 001-07626

Sensient Technologies Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin		39-0561070
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202-5304

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(414) 271-6755

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share	SXT	New York Stock Exchange LLC

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

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

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

Large Accelerated Filer ☒	Accelerated Filer ☐	Non-Accelerated Filer ☐
Smaller Reporting Company ☐	Emerging Growth Company ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☒

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

Class		Outstanding at April 24, 2024
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share		42,364,905

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

INDEX

		Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Item 1.	Financial Statements:

	Consolidated Statements of Earnings ‑ Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.	1

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income ‑ Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.	2

	Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.	3

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ‑ Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.	4

	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity ‑ Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.	5

	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.	6

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	12

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	16

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	16

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	16

Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	16

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	16

Item 5.	Other Information.	16

Item 6	Exhibits.	16

	Exhibit Index.	17

	Signatures.	18

Index

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,

	2024		2023

Revenue	$	384,670	$	369,006
Cost of products sold		258,121		244,343
Selling and administrative expenses		77,143		73,825
Operating income		49,406		50,838
Interest expense		7,045		6,002
Earnings before income taxes		42,361		44,836
Income taxes		11,421		11,185
Net earnings	$	30,940	$	33,651

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		42,104		41,970
Diluted		42,305		42,255

Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.73	$	0.80
Diluted	$	0.73	$	0.80

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.41	$	0.41

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023

Comprehensive income	$	27,329	$	49,952

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

	March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)		December 31, 2023
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,417	$	28,934
Trade accounts receivable		298,488		272,164
Inventories		568,547		598,399
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		50,391		37,119

Total current assets		942,843		936,616

Other assets		93,960		94,873
Deferred tax assets		38,444		41,564
Intangible assets, net		11,706		12,112
Goodwill		420,541		424,065
Property, Plant, and Equipment:
Land		31,496		31,901
Buildings		349,052		343,594
Machinery and equipment		794,891		781,789
Construction in progress		44,403		59,091
		1,219,842		1,216,375
Less accumulated depreciation		(721,654)		(711,098)
		498,188		505,277

Total assets	$	2,005,682	$	2,014,507

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	104,834	$	131,114
Accrued salaries, wages, and withholdings from employees		26,079		26,412
Other accrued expenses		52,503		52,024
Income taxes		16,004		13,296
Short-term borrowings		19,439		13,460

Total current liabilities		218,859		236,306

Deferred tax liabilities		14,072		14,260
Other liabilities		37,028		37,817
Accrued employee and retiree benefits		28,276		27,715
Long-term debt		643,511		645,085
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock		5,396		5,396
Additional paid-in capital		112,389		115,941
Earnings reinvested in the business		1,740,500		1,726,872
Treasury stock, at cost		(618,621)		(622,768)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(175,728)		(172,117)

Total shareholders’ equity		1,063,936		1,053,324

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,005,682	$	2,014,507

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

Index

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	30,940		$	33,651
Adjustments to arrive at net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		14,709			14,150
Share-based compensation expense		1,995			2,267
Net (gain) loss on assets		(193	)		8
Portfolio Optimization Plan costs		1,189			-
Deferred income taxes		(4	)		(2,351	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		(28,331	)		(7,142	)
Inventories		26,624			(4,374	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(13,655	)		(2,062	)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses		(21,993	)		(19,251	)
Accrued salaries, wages, and withholdings from employees		29			(21,187	)
Income taxes		3,150			2,548
Other liabilities		674			698

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		15,134			(3,045	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment		(11,030	)		(22,278	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		93			1
Other investing activities		(1	)		(602	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(10,938	)		(22,879	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings		38,053			50,827
Debt payments		(27,031	)		(1,351	)
Dividends paid		(17,312	)		(17,255	)
Other financing activities		(2,828	)		(7,669	)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(9,118	)		24,552

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1,405			4,468

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(3,517	)		3,096
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		28,934			20,921
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	25,417		$	24,017

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

									Treasury Stock
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Earnings Reinvested in the Business			Shares			Amount			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total Equity
Balances at December 31, 2023	$	5,396	$	115,941		$	1,726,872			11,885,398		$	(622,768	)	$	(172,117	)	$	1,053,324
Net earnings		-		-			30,940			-			-			-			30,940
Other comprehensive loss		-		-			-			-			-			(3,611	)		(3,611	)
Cash dividends paid – $0.41 per share		-		-			(17,312	)		-			-			-			(17,312	)
Share-based compensation		-		1,995			-			-			-			-			1,995
Non-vested stock issued upon vesting		-		(5,365	)		-			(102,396	)		5,365			-			-
Benefit plans		-		299			-			(21,405	)		1,122			-			1,421
Other		-		(481	)		-			44,652			(2,340	)		-			(2,821	)
Balances at March 31, 2024	$	5,396	$	112,389		$	1,740,500			11,806,249		$	(618,621	)	$	(175,728	)	$	1,063,936

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Balances at December 31, 2022	$	5,396	$	124,043		$	1,702,700		12,058,773		$	(631,853	)	$	(200,688	)	$	999,598
Net earnings		-		-			33,651		-			-			-			33,651
Other comprehensive income		-		-			-		-			-			16,301			16,301
Cash dividends paid – $0.41 per share		-		-			(17,255	)	-			-			-			(17,255	)
Share-based compensation		-		2,267			-		-			-			-			2,267
Non-vested stock issued upon vesting		-		(11,956	)		-		(228,181	)		11,956			-			-
Benefit plans		-		375			-		(18,172	)		952			-			1,327
Other		-		(2,140	)		-		105,524			(5,528	)		-			(7,668	)
Balances at March 31, 2023	$	5,396	$	112,589		$	1,719,096		11,917,944		$	(624,473	)	$	(184,387	)	$	1,028,221

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.	Accounting Policies

In the opinion of Sensient Technologies Corporation (the Company), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2024, and the results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Expenses are charged to operations in the period incurred.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to provide disclosures of significant segment expenses and other segment items. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and its related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires public entities to consistently categorize, and provide greater disaggregation of, information in the rate reconciliation table and further disaggregate income tax payments by jurisdiction. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and its related disclosures.

Please refer to the notes in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, for additional details of the Company’s financial condition and a description of the Company’s accounting policies, which have been continued without change.

2.	Portfolio Optimization Plan

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the board of directors of the Company approved a plan to undertake an effort to optimize certain production facilities and improve efficiencies within the Company (Portfolio Optimization Plan). As part of the Portfolio Optimization Plan, in the Flavors & Extracts segment, the Company began evaluating the potential closure of its manufacturing facility in Felinfach, Wales, United Kingdom, the potential closure of its sales office in Granada, Spain, and the potential centralization and elimination of certain selling and administrative positions, with such proposals remaining subject to information and consultation processes in certain countries. In addition, in the Color segment, the Company’s proposals include closing a manufacturing facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, closing a sales office in Argentina, and centralizing and eliminating certain production positions as well as potentially eliminating some selling and administrative positions, with such proposals remaining subject to information and consultation processes in certain countries. The Company reports all costs associated with the Portfolio Optimization Plan in the Corporate & Other segment.

The Company recorded non-cash impairment charges in Selling and Administrative Expenses, primarily related to certain property, plant, and equipment during the three months ended March 31, 2024, when the estimated fair value of these assets was lower than the carrying value. The property, plant, and equipment related to a product line that was shut down and determined to not be usable at other plant locations.

Index

The Company recorded $3.4 million and $3.7 million of accrued liabilities in Other Accrued Expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet related to this plan as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company expects this plan will cost approximately $40 million, primarily related to non-cash impairment charges and proposed employee separation costs, and upon completion would reduce annual operating costs by approximately $8 million to $10 million, with the full benefit expected to be achieved after 2025. The Company proposes to reduce headcount by approximately 120 positions, primarily in the Flavors & Extracts and Color segments, related to certain production and selling and administrative positions.

The following table summarizes the Portfolio Optimization Plan expenses by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

(In thousands)	Flavors & Extracts		Color			Corporate & Other		Consolidated
Non-cash impairment charges – Selling and administrative expenses	$	-	$	975		$	-	$	975
Non-cash charges – Cost of products sold		125		(18	)		-		107
Employee separation – Selling and administrative expenses		611		491			28		1,130
Other costs – Selling and administrative expenses⁽¹⁾		316		284			-		600
Total	$	1,052	$	1,732		$	28	$	2,812

⁽¹⁾

Other costs include professional services, accelerated depreciation, accelerated lease costs, and other related costs.

3.	Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivables are recorded at their face amount, less an allowance for expected losses on doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on customer-specific analysis and an aging methodology using historical loss information. The Company believes historical loss information is a reasonable basis for expected credit losses as the Company’s historical credit loss experience correlates with its customer delinquency status. This information is also adjusted for any known current economic conditions. Forecasted economic conditions have not had a significant impact on the current credit loss estimate due to the short-term nature of the Company’s customer receivables; however, the Company will continue to monitor and evaluate the rapidly changing economic conditions. Additionally, as the Company only has one portfolio segment, there are not different risks between portfolios. Specific accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the receivable is deemed no longer collectible.

The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

(In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2024	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at December 31, 2023	$	4,373
Provision for expected credit losses		307
Accounts written off		(747	)
Translation and other activity		(51	)
Balance at March 31, 2024	$	3,882

(In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2023	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	4,436
Provision for expected credit losses		120
Accounts written off		(614	)
Translation and other activity		103
Balance at March 31, 2023	$	4,045

4.	Inventories

At March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, inventories included finished and in-process products totaling $416.9 million and $437.1 million, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $151.6 million and $161.3 million, respectively.

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5.	Fair Value

Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value for financial assets and liabilities, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The carrying values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses, and short-term borrowings were approximately the same as the fair values as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The net fair value of the forward exchange contracts based on current pricing obtained for comparable derivative products (Level 2 inputs) was an asset of $1.4 million and $1.0 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated using discounted cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements (Level 2 inputs). The carrying value of the long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was $643.6 million and $645.2 million, respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was $648.6 million and $653.7 million, respectively.

6.	Segment Information

The Company evaluates performance based on operating income before share-based compensation; restructuring and other charges, including Portfolio Optimization Plan costs; interest expense; and income taxes (segment operating income). Total revenue and segment operating income by business segment and geographic region include both sales to customers, as reported in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings, and intersegment sales, which are accounted for at prices that approximate market prices and are eliminated in consolidation.

The Company determines its operating segments based on information utilized by its chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s three reportable segments are the Flavors & Extracts and Color segments, which are both managed on a product line basis, and the Asia Pacific segment, which is managed on a geographic basis. The Company’s Flavors & Extracts segment produces flavor, extracts, and essential oils products that impart a desired taste, texture, aroma, or other characteristics to a broad range of consumer and other products. The Color segment produces natural and synthetic color systems for use in foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals; colors and other ingredients for personal care, such as active ingredients, solubilizers, and surface treated pigments; pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, such as colors, flavors, coatings, and nutraceutical ingredients; and technical colors for industrial applications. The Asia Pacific segment is managed on a geographic basis and produces and distributes color, flavor, and essential oils products in the Asia Pacific countries. The Company’s corporate expenses, share-based compensation, and restructuring and other charges, including Portfolio Optimization Plan costs, are included in the “Corporate & Other” category.

Operating results by segment for the periods presented are as follows:

(In thousands)	Flavors & Extracts		Color		Asia Pacific		Corporate & Other			Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2024:
Revenue from external customers	$	188,022	$	156,364	$	40,284	$	-		$	384,670
Intersegment revenue		5,070		3,661		22		-			8,753
Total revenue	$	193,092	$	160,025	$	40,306	$	-		$	393,423

Operating income (loss)	$	23,678	$	31,679	$	8,776	$	(14,727	)	$	49,406
Interest expense		-		-		-		7,045			7,045
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	$	23,678	$	31,679	$	8,776	$	(21,772	)	$	42,361

Three months ended March 31, 2023:
Revenue from external customers	$	171,972	$	156,949	$	40,085	$	-		$	369,006
Intersegment revenue		6,880		4,212		-		-			11,092
Total revenue	$	178,852	$	161,161	$	40,085	$	-		$	380,098

Operating income (loss)	$	22,180	$	31,885	$	9,241	$	(12,468	)	$	50,838
Interest expense		-		-		-		6,002			6,002
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	$	22,180	$	31,885	$	9,241	$	(18,470	)	$	44,836

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Product Lines

(In thousands)	Flavors & Extracts			Color			Asia Pacific			Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2024
Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients	$	124,805		$	-		$	-		$	124,805
Natural Ingredients		68,287			-			-			68,287
Food & Pharmaceutical Colors		-			117,058			-			117,058
Personal Care		-			42,967			-			42,967
Asia Pacific		-			-			40,306			40,306
Intersegment Revenue		(5,070	)		(3,661	)		(22	)		(8,753	)
Total revenue from external customers	$	188,022		$	156,364		$	40,284		$	384,670

Three months ended March 31, 2023:
Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients	$	124,825		$	-		$	-		$	124,825
Natural Ingredients		54,027			-			-			54,027
Food & Pharmaceutical Colors		-			118,747			-			118,747
Personal Care		-			42,414			-			42,414
Asia Pacific		-			-			40,085			40,085
Intersegment Revenue		(6,880	)		(4,212	)		-			(11,092	)
Total revenue from external customers	$	171,972		$	156,949		$	40,085		$	369,006

Geographic Markets

(In thousands)	Flavors & Extracts		Color		Asia Pacific		Consolidated
Three months ended March 31, 2024:
North America	$	146,952	$	75,120	$	-	$	222,072
Europe		32,157		46,162		46		78,365
Asia Pacific		3,706		17,419		38,685		59,810
Other		5,207		17,663		1,553		24,423
Total revenue from external customers	$	188,022	$	156,364	$	40,284	$	384,670

Three months ended March 31, 2023:
North America	$	131,968	$	78,377	$	62	$	210,407
Europe		28,927		43,252		103		72,282
Asia Pacific		5,201		18,149		39,195		62,545
Other		5,876		17,171		725		23,772
Total revenue from external customers	$	171,972	$	156,949	$	40,085	$	369,006

7.	Retirement Plans

The Company’s components of annual benefit cost for the defined benefit plans for the periods presented are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2024			2023
Service cost	$	372		$	368
Interest cost		401			409
Expected return on plan assets		(242	)		(239	)
Recognized actuarial gain		(91	)		(139	)
Total defined benefit expense	$	440		$	399

The Company’s non-service cost portion of defined benefit expense is recorded in Interest Expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The Company’s service cost portion of defined benefit expense is recorded in Selling and Administrative Expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

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8.	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity

The Company may use forward exchange contracts and foreign currency denominated debt to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risk in order to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, non-functional currency raw material purchases, non-functional currency sales, and other known foreign currency exposures. These forward exchange contracts generally have maturities of less than 18 months. The Company’s primary hedging activities and their accounting treatment are summarized below.

Forward exchange contracts – Certain forward exchange contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. The Company had $44.5 million and $58.4 million of forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the amounts reclassified into net earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings that offset the underlying transactions’ impact on earnings in the same period were not material. In addition, the Company utilizes forward exchange contracts that are not designated as cash flow hedges. The results of these transactions were not material to the financial statements.

Net investment hedges – The Company has designated certain foreign currency denominated long-term borrowings as partial hedges of the Company’s foreign currency net asset positions. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total value of the Company’s net investment hedges was $306.7 million and $313.3 million, respectively. These net investment hedges included Euro and British Pound denominated long-term debt. Changes in the fair value of this debt attributable to changes in the spot foreign exchange rate are recorded in foreign currency translation in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the impact of foreign exchange rates on these debt instruments decreased debt by $6.6 million and increased debt by $4.4 million, respectively, which has been recorded as foreign currency translation in OCI.

9.	Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were 27.0% and 24.9%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were both impacted by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items and the mix of foreign earnings. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was also impacted by the limited tax deductibility of costs related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan.

10.	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the changes in OCI during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

(In thousands)	Cash Flow Hedges⁽¹⁾			Pension Items ⁽¹⁾			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balances at December 31, 2023	$	997		$	(2,079	)	$	(171,035	)	$	(172,117	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		702			-			(4,023	)		(3,321	)
Amounts reclassified from OCI		(222	)		(68	)		-			(290	)
Balances at March 31, 2024	$	1,477		$	(2,147	)	$	(175,058	)	$	(175,728	)

(In thousands)	Cash Flow Hedges ⁽¹⁾			Pension Items ⁽¹⁾			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balances at December 31, 2022	$	(599	)	$	(1,792	)	$	(198,297	)	$	(200,688	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		1,700			-			14,841			16,541
Amounts reclassified from OCI		(118	)		(122	)		-			(240	)
Balances at March 31, 2023	$	983		$	(1,914	)	$	(183,456	)	$	(184,387	)

(1)

Cash Flow Hedges and Pension Items are net of tax.

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11.	Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company establishes reserves for claims and proceedings when it is probable that liabilities exist and reasonable estimates of loss can be made. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these matters, based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we do not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position. However, actual outcomes may be different from those expected and could have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.

12.	Subsequent Event

On April 25, 2024, the Company announced its quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share would be payable on June 3, 2024.

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and financial results. Forward-looking statements include statements in the future tense, statements referring to any period after March 31, 2024, and statements including the terms “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” and other similar terms that express expectations as to future events or conditions. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. A variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results. These factors and assumptions include, among others, the Company’s ability to manage general business, economic, and capital market conditions, including actions taken by customers in response to such market conditions, and the impact of recessions and economic downturns; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility, including inflation and shortages impacting the availability and cost of raw materials, energy, and other supplies, disruptions and delays in the Company’s supply chain, and the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas and other parties in the Middle East; the availability and cost of labor, logistics, and transportation; the pace and nature of new product introductions by the Company and the Company’s customers; the Company’s ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences and changing technologies; the Company’s ability to successfully implement its growth strategies; the outcome of the Company’s various productivity-improvement and cost-reduction efforts, acquisition and divestiture activities, and Portfolio Optimization Plan; industry, regulatory, legal, and economic factors related to the Company’s domestic and international business; the effects of tariffs, trade barriers, and disputes; growth in markets for products in which the Company competes; industry and customer acceptance of price increases; actions by competitors; the Company’s ability to enhance its innovation efforts and drive cost efficiencies; currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the matters discussed under Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

OVERVIEW

Revenue

Revenue was $384.7 million and $369.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher volumes and favorable pricing. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, foreign exchange rates had an immaterial impact on revenue.

Gross Margin

The Company’s gross margin was 32.9% and 33.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher raw material costs, partially offset by an increase in pricing.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue was 20.1% and 20.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, selling and administrative expenses were increased by Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $2.7 million, which increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by approximately 70 basis points. See Portfolio Optimization Plan below for further information. This increase was largely offset as a percent of revenue due to increased operating leverage due to revenue growth without corresponding increases in selling and administrative expenses.

Operating Income

Operating income was $49.4 million and $50.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Operating margins were 12.8% and 13.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Portfolio Optimization Plan costs decreased operating margins by approximately 80 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $7.0 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in expense was primarily due to an increase in the average interest rate.

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Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were 27.0% and 24.9%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were both impacted by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items and the mix of foreign earnings. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was also impacted by the limited tax deductibility of costs related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan.

Portfolio Optimization Plan

In the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company incurred $2.8 million related to the Portfolio Optimization Plan recorded in Corporate & Other, primarily for costs associated with employee separation and impairment of fixed assets.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Within the following tables, the Company reports certain non-GAAP financial measures, including: (1) adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which exclude restructuring and other costs, including the Portfolio Optimization Plan costs, and (2) percentage changes in revenue, operating income, and diluted earnings per share on an adjusted local currency basis, which eliminate the effects that result from translating its international operations into U.S. dollars and restructuring and other costs, including the Portfolio Optimization Plan costs.

The Company has included each of these non-GAAP measures in order to provide additional information regarding our underlying operating results and comparable year-over-year performance. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with GAAP and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation. Rather, they should be considered together with GAAP measures and the rest of the information included in this report. Management internally reviews each of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis and to gain additional insight into underlying operating and performance trends, and the Company believes the information can be beneficial to investors for the same purposes. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands except per share amounts)	2024			2023		% Change
Operating Income (GAAP)	$	49,406		$	50,838		(2.8	)%
Portfolio Optimization Plan costs – Cost of products sold		107			-
Portfolio Optimization Plan costs – Selling and administrative expenses		2,705			-
Adjusted operating income	$	52,218		$	50,838		2.7	%

Net Earnings (GAAP)	$	30,940		$	33,651		(8.1	)%
Portfolio Optimization Plan costs, before tax		2,812			-
Tax impact of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs⁽¹⁾		(355	)		-
Adjusted net earnings	$	33,397		$	33,651		(0.8	)%

Diluted Earnings Per Share (GAAP)	$	0.73		$	0.80		(8.8	)%
Portfolio Optimization Plan costs, net of tax		0.06			-
Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	0.79		$	0.80		(1.3	)%

(1) Tax impact adjustments were determined based on the nature of the underlying non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional tax rates.

Portfolio Optimization Plan costs are discussed under “Portfolio Optimization Plan” above and Note 2, Portfolio Optimization Plan, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.

Note: Earnings per share calculations may not foot due to rounding differences.

Index

The following table summarizes the percentage change for the results of the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the results for the three months ended March 31, 2023, in the respective financial measures.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	Total	Foreign Exchange Rates		Adjustments⁽¹⁾		Adjusted Local Currency
Revenue
Flavors & Extracts	8.0%		1.1%		N/A	6.9%
Color	(0.7%)		1.0%		N/A	(1.7%)
Asia Pacific	0.6%		(3.5%)		N/A	4.1%
Total Revenue	4.2%		0.4%		N/A	3.8%

Operating Income
Flavors & Extracts	6.8%		0.5%		0.0%	6.3%
Color	(0.6%)		1.2%		0.0%	(1.8%)
Asia Pacific	(5.0%)		(4.4%)		0.0%	(0.6%)
Corporate & Other	18.1%		0.0%		22.5%	(4.4%)
Total Operating Income	(2.8%)		0.2%		(5.6%)	2.6%
Diluted Earnings per Share	(8.8%)		0.0%		(7.5%)	(1.3%)

(1)	Adjustments consist of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs.

Note: Refer to table above for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company determines its operating segments based on information utilized by its chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. Segment performance is evaluated on operating income before share-based compensation; restructuring and other costs, including the Portfolio Optimization Plan costs and other costs (which are reported in Corporate & Other); interest expense; and income taxes.

The Company’s reportable segments consist of the Flavors & Extracts, Color, and Asia Pacific segments.

Flavors & Extracts

Flavors & Extracts segment revenue was $193.1 million and $178.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 8%. The increase was primarily a result of higher revenue in Natural Ingredients, primarily due to higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates increased segment revenue by approximately 1%.

Flavors & Extracts segment operating income was $23.7 million and $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 7%. The higher segment operating income was a result of higher operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients, partially offset by lower operating income in Natural Ingredients. The higher operating income in Flavors, Extracts & Flavor Ingredients was primarily due to lower raw material costs and higher selling prices. The lower operating income in Natural Ingredients was primarily due to higher raw material costs, partially offset by higher volumes. Foreign exchange rates increased segment operating income by approximately 1%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 12.3% in the current quarter compared to 12.4% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Index

Color

Segment revenue for the Color segment was $160.0 million and $161.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of approximately 1%. The decrease was primarily a result of lower revenue in Food & Pharmaceutical Colors, primarily due to lower volumes, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates that increased segment revenue by approximately 1%.

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $31.7 million and $31.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of approximately 1%. Foreign exchange rates increased segment operating income by approximately 1%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 19.8% for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Asia Pacific

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $40.3 million and $40.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of approximately 1%. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment revenue by approximately 4%.

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $8.8 million and $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of approximately 5%. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment operating income by approximately 4%. Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 21.8% in the current quarter and 23.1% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Corporate & Other

The Corporate & Other operating expense was $14.7 million and $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher operating expense was primarily a result of Portfolio Optimization Plan costs totaling $2.8 million negatively impacting the three months ended March 31, 2024. See the Portfolio Optimization Plan section above for further information.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Financial Condition

The Company’s financial position remains strong. The Company is in compliance with its loan covenants calculated in accordance with applicable agreements as of March 31, 2024. The Company expects its cash flow from operations and its existing debt capacity can be used to meet anticipated future cash requirements for operations, capital expenditures, and dividend payments, as well as potential acquisitions and stock repurchases. The Company’s contractual obligations consist primarily of operational commitments, which we expect to continue to be able to satisfy through cash generated from operations and debt. The Company has various series of notes outstanding that mature from 2024 through 2029. The Company believes that it has the ability to refinance or repay these obligations through a combination of cash flow from operations, issuance of additional notes, and sufficient borrowing capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility, which matures in 2026.

As a result of our ability to manage the impact of inflation through pricing and other actions, the impact of inflation was not material to the Company’s financial position and its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company has experienced increased costs for certain inputs, such as raw materials, shipping and logistics, and labor-related costs. We continue to expect to manage these impacts in the near term, but persistent, accelerated, or expanded inflationary conditions could exacerbate these challenges and impact our profitability.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.1 million and net cash used in operating activities was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in the cash used for performance-based compensation payments made during 2024 compared to 2023 and an increase in cash provided by inventory during 2024 compared to 2023, partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $10.9 million and $22.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Capital expenditures were $11.0 million and $22.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $9.1 million and net cash provided by financing activities was $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net debt increased by $11.0 million and $49.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For purposes of the cash flow statement, net changes in debt exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Dividends of $17.3 million were paid during each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Dividends paid per share were $0.41 for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. For additional information about the Company’s critical accounting policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. For additional information about market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Part I, Item 1, Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, of this report for information regarding legal proceedings in which the Company is involved.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On October 19, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to three million shares (2017 Authorization). As of March 31, 2024, 1,267,019 shares had been repurchased under the 2017 Authorization. There is no expiration date for the 2017 Authorization. The 2017 Authorization may be modified, suspended, or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time. As of March 31, 2024, the maximum number of shares that may be purchased under publicly announced plans is 1,732,981. No shares were purchased by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

Exhibit	Description	Incorporated by Reference From	Filed Herewith

31	Certifications of the Company’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act		X

32	Certifications of the Company’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 United States Code § 1350		X

101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)		X

101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document		X

101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document		X

101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document		X

101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document		X

101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document		X

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)		X

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SIGNATURES

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

		SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Date:	May 7, 2024	By:	/s/ John J. Manning
			John J.Manning, Senior Vice
			President, General Counsel &
			Secretary


Date:	May 7, 2024	By:	/s/ Stephen J. Rolfs
			Stephen J. Rolfs, Senior Vice
			President & Chief Financial Officer