Pentair Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

Excluding currency translation, acquisitions and divestitures, core sales grew 3 percent in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter 2020 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (“EPS”) were $0.60 compared to $0.61 in the fourth quarter of 2019. On an adjusted basis, the company reported EPS of $0.70 compared to $0.68 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Fourth quarter 2020 operating income was $122 million, down 1 percent compared to operating income for the fourth quarter of 2019, and return on sales (“ROS”) was 15.3 percent, a decrease of 90 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. On an adjusted basis, the company reported segment income of $141 million for the fourth quarter, flat compared to segment income for the fourth quarter of 2019, and ROS was 17.7 percent, a decrease of 90 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.

Full year net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $574 million and free cash flow from continuing operations was $512 million.

Pentair paid a regular cash dividend of $0.19 per share in the fourth quarter of 2020. Pentair previously announced on December 8, 2020 that it will pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on February 5, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 22, 2021. This dividend reflects a 5 percent increase in the company’s regular cash dividend rate; 2021 marks the 45th consecutive year that Pentair has increased its dividend.

John L. Stauch, Pentair’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented: “I am proud of the entire Pentair organization delivering on its commitments in a uniquely challenging year. Our teams successfully navigated this unprecedented environment and I believe that our company will emerge even stronger as a result. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our global suppliers and channel partners for their patience and efforts in working with us and our consumers to meet our commitments despite the effects of the ongoing pandemic.”

“Our fourth quarter results benefited from continued strength in our Residential focused businesses and we built momentum carrying over into the new year. For 2020, we were very pleased to deliver sales and earnings growth while generating over $500 million in free cash flow and returning over half of that to our shareholders through dividends and buybacks. We ended the year with an exceptionally strong balance sheet and we remain committed to building on our strong foundation both organically and inorganically.”

Outlook
The company introduces its 2021 GAAP EPS guidance of $2.43 to $2.58 from continuing operations and on an adjusted basis of $2.60 to $2.75. The company anticipates full year 2021 sales up approximately 3 to 5 percent on a reported basis. The company expects to deliver full year free cash flow greater than or equal to 100 percent of net income.

In addition, the company introduces first quarter 2021 GAAP EPS from continuing operations guidance of $0.51 to $0.59 and on an adjusted EPS basis of $0.55 to $0.63. The company expects first quarter sales to be up approximately 7 to 12 percent on a reported basis compared to first quarter 2020.