grepcent public filings, reorganized for comparison

O-I Glass, Inc. /DE/ (OI) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from O-I Glass, Inc. /DE/'s 10-K for fiscal year 2024. Filing date: 2025-02-12. Report date: 2024-12-31. Accession: 0001558370-25-000868.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high.

Company profile: OI · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2023 · Next year: FY 2025

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s measure of profit for its reportable segments is segment operating profit, which consists of consolidated earnings (loss) before interest expense, net, and provision for income taxes and excludes amounts related to certain items that management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments as well as certain retained corporate costs. The segment data presented below is prepared in accordance with general accounting principles for segment reporting. The lines titled “reportable segment totals” in both net sales and segment operating profit, however, are non-GAAP measures when presented outside of the financial statement footnotes. Management has included reportable segment totals below to facilitate the discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and believes this information allows the Board of Directors, management, investors and analysts to better understand the Company’s financial performance. The Company’s management, including the chief operating decision maker (defined as the Chief Executive Officer), uses segment operating profit, supplemented by net sales and selected cash flow information, to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Segment operating profit is not, however, intended as an alternative measure of operating results as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

For discussion related to changes in financial condition and the results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024.

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Financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is as follows (dollars in millions):

20242023
Net sales:
Americas$3,584$3,865
Europe2,8203,117
Reportable segment totals6,4046,982
Other127123
Net sales$6,531$7,105

20242023
Net loss attributable to the Company$(106)$(103)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests1818
Net loss(88)(85)
Provision for income taxes126152
Earnings before income taxes3867
Items excluded from segment operating profit:
Retained corporate costs and other134224
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges206100
Equity investment impairment25
Legacy environmental charge11
Gain on sale of divested business and miscellaneous assets(6)(4)
Charge for goodwill impairment445
Pension settlement and curtailment charges519
Interest expense, net335342
Segment operating profit$748$1,193
Americas392511
Europe356682
$748$1,193

Note: all amounts excluded from reportable segment totals are discussed in the following applicable sections.

Executive Overview—Comparison of 2024 with 2023

Net sales in 2024 decreased $574 million, or 8%, compared to the prior year, due to lower sales volumes, lower average selling prices and the impact from unfavorable foreign currency translation.

Earnings before income taxes were $29 million lower in 2024 compared to 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower segment operating profit, higher restructuring, asset impairment and other charges and higher legacy environmental charges, partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $445 million goodwill impairment charge that occurred in 2023, lower interest expense and lower retained corporate and other costs.

Segment operating profit for reportable segments in 2024 was $445 million lower compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower shipments, lower net prices (net of cost inflation) and higher operating costs. The higher operating costs were primarily due to lower production volumes driven by temporary curtailments of production

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to balance with lower demand and reduce inventory levels, lower earnings from joint ventures, startup costs for a newly constructed plant and the non-recurrence of an energy subsidy received in the prior year, partially offset by effective operating and cost management.

Net interest expense in 2024 decreased $7 million compared to 2023, primarily due to lower note repurchase premiums, write-offs of deferred finance fees and related charges, partially offset by higher interest rates.

In 2024, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $106 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to the Company of $103 million, or $0.67 per share, in 2023. As discussed below, net loss attributable to the Company in 2024 and 2023 included items that management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments. These items increased net loss attributable to the Company by $233 million, or $1.50 per share, in 2024 and increased net loss attributable to the Company by $594 million, or $3.76 per share, in 2023.

Results of Operations—Comparison of 2024 with 2023

Net Sales

The Company’s net sales in 2024 were $6,531 million compared with $7,105 million in 2023, a decrease of $574 million, or 8%. Average selling prices declined approximately 2%, which decreased net sales by $160 million in 2024. Glass container shipments, in tons, declined approximately 4% in 2024, which decreased net sales by approximately $348 million compared to the prior year. This decline resulted from soft consumer consumption and destocking across the value chain, especially in the spirits category, as the Company’s customers, distributors and retailers adjusted their inventory management practices to lower levels. Also, elevated competitive pressures due to spare capacity, particularly in Europe, impacted net sales in 2024. Unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates decreased net sales by $70 million in 2024 compared to the prior year.

The change in net sales of reportable segments can be summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

Net sales— 2023$6,982
Price$(160)
Sales volume (excluding acquisitions)(348)
Effects of changing foreign currency exchange rates(70)
Total effect on net sales(578)
Net sales— 2024$6,404

Americas: Net sales in the Americas in 2024 were $3,584 million compared to $3,865 million in 2023, a decrease of $281 million, or 7%. Slightly higher selling prices in the region increased net sales by $19 million in 2024, driven by the pass through of higher cost inflation. Glass container shipments in the region were down approximately 3.5% in 2024 compared to the prior year, which decreased net sales by approximately $229 million. The decline in sales primarily resulted from destocking activity, especially related to spirits and beer customers, and soft consumer consumption. The unfavorable effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes decreased net sales by $71 million in 2024 compared to the prior year, as the Brazilian Real and Mexican Peso weakened compared to the U.S. dollar.

Europe: Net sales in Europe in 2024 were $2,820 million compared to $3,117 million in 2023, a decrease of $297 million, or 10%. Lower average selling prices in Europe decreased net sales by $179 million in 2024. Glass container shipments declined by approximately 4% in 2024, primarily due to destocking activity, especially related to wine and beer customers, elevated competitive pressures due to spare capacity and soft consumer consumption. Lower shipments in 2024 decreased net sales by approximately $119 million compared to the prior

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year. The slightly favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes increased net sales by $1 million in 2024 compared to the prior year.

Earnings before Income Taxes and Segment Operating Profit

Earnings before income taxes were $38 million in 2024 compared to $67 million in 2023, a decrease of $29 million.  This decrease was due to lower segment operating profit, higher restructuring, asset impairment and other charges and higher legacy environmental charges, partially offset by the non-recurrence of a $445 million goodwill impairment charge that occurred in 2023, lower interest expense and lower retained corporate and other costs.

Segment operating profit of the reportable segments includes an allocation of some corporate expenses based on a percentage of sales and direct billings based on the costs of specific services provided. Unallocated corporate expenses and certain other expenses not directly related to the reportable segments’ operations are included in Retained corporate costs and other. For further information, see Segment Information included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Segment operating profit of reportable segments in 2024 was $748 million, compared to $1,193 million in 2023, a decrease of $445 million, or 37%. This decrease was primarily due to lower shipments, lower net prices (net of cost inflation) and higher operating costs. The higher operating costs were primarily due to lower production volumes driven by temporary curtailments of production to balance with lower demand and reduce inventory levels, lower earnings from joint ventures, startup costs for a newly constructed plant and the non-recurrence of an energy subsidy received in the prior year, partially offset by effective operating and cost management.

The change in segment operating profit of reportable segments can be summarized as follows (dollars in millions):

Segment operating profit - 2023$1,193
Net price (net of cost inflation)$(181)
Sales volume(66)
Operating costs(199)
Effects of changing foreign currency rates1
Total net effect on segment operating profit(445)
Segment operating profit - 2024$748

Americas: Segment operating profit in the Americas in 2024 was $392 million, compared to $511 million in 2023, a decrease of $119 million, or 23%. Higher cost inflation exceeded higher selling prices and resulted in a $41 million decrease to segment operating profit in 2024. The impact of lower shipments discussed above resulted in a $37 million decrease to segment operating profit in 2024 compared to 2023. Operating costs in 2024 were $44 million higher than in the prior year. The increase in operating costs was primarily due to lower production volumes, driven by temporary curtailments of production to balance with lower demand and reduce inventory levels, and higher costs related to the startup of a new plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Until the operations at the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant stabilize, the segment will continue to incur higher operating costs. Partially offsetting these higher costs in 2024 were effective operating and cost management activities, including approximately $65 million of lower operating costs as a result of the region’s restructuring actions taken in 2023 (in line with management’s expectations). The effects of foreign currency exchange rates increased segment operating profit by $3 million in 2024.

In order to better match production to customer demand, management has implemented temporary production curtailments in the region. This initiative has resulted in higher operating costs in 2024 due to unabsorbed fixed costs.  Temporary production curtailments may continue during 2025 depending on customer

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demand levels. If implemented, temporary production curtailments would result in continued elevated operating costs in the segment. In addition, in 2024, the Americas announced the permanent closure of five furnaces and a reduction in the number of selling, general and administrative positions in connection with its Fit to Win initiative. The Company will continue to monitor business trends and consider whether any additional indefinite or permanent capacity closures in the Americas will be necessary in the future to align its business with demand trends.  Any indefinite or permanent capacity closures could result in material restructuring and impairment charges, as well as cash expenditures, in future periods.

Europe: Segment operating profit in Europe in 2024 was $356 million compared to $682 million in 2023, a decrease of $326 million, or 48%. Lower net selling prices (net of cost inflation) decreased segment operating profit by $140 million in 2024 compared to the prior year. The impact of lower shipments discussed above decreased segment operating profit by approximately $29 million. Operating costs in 2024 were $155 million higher than in the prior year, driven by temporary production curtailments to balance supply with demand and reduce inventory levels, lower earnings from joint ventures and the non-recurrence of approximately $16 million in subsidies received from the Italian government to help mitigate the impact of elevated energy costs in 2023, partially offset by benefits from effective operating and cost management. The effects of foreign currency exchange rates decreased segment operating profit by $2 million in 2024.

In order to better match production to customer demand, management has implemented temporary production curtailments in the region. This initiative has resulted in higher operating costs in 2024 due to unabsorbed fixed costs.  Temporary production curtailments may continue during 2025 depending on customer demand levels. If implemented, temporary production curtailments would result in continued elevated operating costs in the segment. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company announced the permanent closure of three furnaces, a machine line and a reduction in the number of selling, general and administrative positions in Europe in connection with its Fit to Win initiative. Additional indefinite or permanent capacity closures in Europe will likely be necessary in 2025 to align its business with demand trends.  These closures are dependent on the relevant discussions with certain European Workers’ Councils during 2025. Any indefinite or permanent capacity closures could result in material restructuring and impairment charges, as well as cash expenditures, in future periods.

In addition, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused a significant change in the global gas market, resulting in a shift toward liquified natural gas. This transition has increased volatility in the market, as countries seek to diversify their energy sources and reduce dependance on traditional natural gas supplies. The Company’s European operations typically purchase natural gas under mid- to long-term supply arrangements with terms that range from one to three years and, through these agreements, typically agree on price with the relevant supplier in advance of the period in which the natural gas will be delivered, which shields the Company from the full impact of increased natural gas prices, while such agreements remain in effect. The Company’s energy risk management approach is to have coverage of at least 40% of its expected total energy use for the year ahead, where possible. However, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting sanctions, potential sanctions, government mandated curtailments or government imposed allocations, or other adverse repercussions on energy supplies could cause the Company’s energy suppliers to be unable or unwilling to deliver natural gas at agreed prices and quantities. If this occurs, it may be necessary for the Company to procure natural gas at then-current market prices and subject to market availability and could cause the Company to experience a significant increase in operating costs or result in the temporary or permanent cessation of delivery of natural gas to several of the Company’s manufacturing plants in Europe. In addition, depending on the duration and ultimate outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, future long-term supply arrangements for natural gas may not be available at reasonable prices or at all.

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense in 2024 was $335 million compared to $342 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to $37 million in lower note repurchase premiums, write-offs of deferred finance fees and related charges, partially offset by higher interest rates.

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Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate from operations for 2024 was 332% compared to 227% for 2023.  The effective tax rate for 2024 differed from 2023 due to a net unfavorable tax rate on restructuring charges and a change in the mix of geographic earnings. The annual effective tax rate for 2024 differs from the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the geographic mix of pretax earnings and losses and their impacts on the overall rate.

Net Loss Attributable to the Company

For 2024, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $106 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to the Company of $103 million, or $0.67 per share, in 2023. Net loss attributable to the Company in 2024 and 2023 included items that management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments as set forth in the following table (dollars in millions).

Net Earnings
Increase
(Decrease)
Description20242023
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges$(206)$(100)
Equity investment impairment(25)
Legacy environmental charge(11)
Gain on sale of divested businesses and miscellaneous assets64
Goodwill impairment(445)
Pension settlement and curtailment charges(5)(19)
Note repurchase premiums, the write-off of unamortized finance fees and third-party fees and settlement of a related interest rate swap(2)(39)
Valuation Allowance-Interest carryovers(20)
Net provision for income tax on items above1125
Net impact of noncontrolling interests on items above(1)
Total$(233)$(594)

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Given the global nature of its operations, the Company is subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. As described above, the Company’s reported revenues and segment operating profit in 2024 were lower or flat due to foreign currency effects compared to 2023.

This trend may not continue into 2025. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, the reported revenues and segment operating profit of the Company’s international operations will be reduced because the local currencies will translate into fewer U.S. dollars. The Company uses certain derivative instruments to mitigate a portion of the risk associated with changing foreign currency exchange rates.

Forward-Looking Operational and Financial Information

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Until macroeconomic conditions improve further, the Company remains cautious on its commercial outlook for 2025. For the full year 2025, the Company expects that its sales volume (in tons) will be flat to down slightly compared to 2024. And the Company may elect to exit certain unprofitable businesses as it optimizes its network and drive higher economic profit.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Net price (net of cost inflation) is expected to be a headwind again in 2025 due to competitive pressures in Europe.

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
Management anticipates lower operating costs in 2025 due to $175 million to $200 million of expected Fit To Win benefits, as well as higher production levels, as temporary curtailments to rebalance inventory levels should moderate over the course of the year. However, foreign currency translation will likely be an earnings headwind based on current exchange rates.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Over a multi-year time horizon, the Company plans to implement a number of initiatives to increase profitability. Initially, the Company will focus on its Fit to Win initiative with the goal of increasing adjusted EBITDA to at least $1.45 billion by 2027.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The Company has announced several near-term actions as part of its Fit to Win program, including indefinite or permanent capacity closures. The Company anticipates these actions will reduce its capacity by at least 7% by mid-2025. And the Company has implemented headcount reduction and other cost savings actions designed to reduce selling, general and administrative costs to no more than 5% of net sales by early-2026.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
In addition to the above, the Company is well underway for the planning related to reshaping its supply chain, including driving productivity, closing high cost operations and transferring profitable volume into its remaining network.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash provided by operating activities is expected to approximate $600 million for 2025. Capital expenditures in 2025 are expected to range between approximately $400 million and $450 million.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The above forward-looking operational and financial information does not reflect potential impact of tariffs on U.S. imports or retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports.

Operational and Financial Impacts due to Environmental Issues

Regulatory Impacts on the Business

As discussed in Item 1, Business and Item 1A, Risk Factors above, governments globally are increasingly implementing legislation, regulations and international accords regarding climate change and other ESG-related matters.  These include mandatory regulatory and legal requirements and voluntary initiatives in relation to climate change or other environmental matters with the intent to provide regulatory approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.  The Company’s results of operations have been impacted by various regulatory approaches as described below.

For the year ending December 31, 2024, the European segment recognized approximately $31 million of expense related to emissions allowances to comply with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. In the Americas, the state of California in the U.S., Mexico, the Canadian federal government and the province of Quebec, among others, have adopted cap-and-trade or carbon pricing legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions. As a result, the Americas segment recognized approximately $4 million of expense related to emissions credits and fees to comply with various country, state/province, or municipality laws or regulations. New laws or regulations, significant changes in the amount of emissions allowances granted to the Company or the Company’s manufacturing plants or significant fluctuations in the price or availability of these emissions credits could have a significant long-term impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company has also been impacted by various fines or penalties as a result of noncompliance with various federal or local environmental statutes, including impacts to the Company’s reputation as it focuses on its sustainability initiatives and targets.

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The Company has a near-term emissions reduction target validated by third parties, which provides an emissions-reduction pathway that aligns with certain carbon-reduction scenarios. The assumptions and estimates used to support the target and pathway are based on certain third-party frameworks and assumptions, which likely will evolve and change, and on assumptions about the existing and future state of marketplaces and technology, which likely will evolve and change. Also, the Company monitors its operations in relation to climate change risks and environmental impacts and has made, and may continue to make, significant expenditures for environmental improvements at certain of its facilities in recent years and in the future. The Company also generally seeks to invest in environmentally friendly and emissions reducing projects, none of which have materially impacted the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company is unable to predict what private or governmental climate change or environmental criteria or legal requirements may be adopted in the future, how public perception in relation to climate change and other ESG-related issues may change, or the impacts of those changes on its results of operations, access to and cost of capital or cash flows. Significant changes in regulations, criteria, public perception or legal requirements related to emissions reduction or fossil-fuel use could have a material impact on the Company’s results.

Physical Effects and other Consequences of Climate Change

The Company experiences a variety of impacts due to weather-related events, including severe weather, and events related to climate change, which may include extreme storms, flooding, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and chronic changes in meteorological patterns, across its 69 manufacturing facilities in 19 different countries.  For example, in February 2021, severe weather conditions swept across the southern United States, curtailing access to natural gas and electricity for several of the Company’s facilities.  While the situation was most acute in Texas, access to natural gas in Mexico was also significantly impacted as Texas supplies natural gas to the country.  The Company estimates that segment operating profit in 2021 in the Americas was negatively impacted by approximately $38 million from the severe weather that occurred in February of 2021, which includes surcharges for usage or excess usage of electricity and natural gas during the period of severe weather, as well as the estimated impacts of higher energy costs, lost production downtime, lost sales, and the cost of incremental repairs.  Climate change may increase the frequency or severity of such events.

In addition, there are indirect consequences of climate-related regulation or business trends that affect the Company’s business. For example, if the Company is unable to continue to improve its glass melting processes and lower carbon emissions, the Company may not be able to remain competitive with other packaging manufacturers.

The Company’s customers and suppliers may also be impacted by climate risks, whether physical or transition risks, thus potentially compounding or causing further impacts to the Company’s business and results of operations.

Items Excluded from Reportable Segment Totals

Retained Corporate Costs and Other

Retained corporate costs and other for 2024 were $134 million compared to $224 million in 2023. These costs decreased in 2024, primarily due to lower spending and management incentive expense.

The Company has initiated a strategic review of the remaining businesses in the former Asia Pacific region. This review is aimed at exploring options to maximize share owner value, focused on aligning the Company’s business with demand trends and improving the Company’s operating efficiency, cost structure and working capital management. The review is ongoing and may result in divestitures, corporate transactions or similar actions, and could cause the Company to incur restructuring, impairment, disposal or other related charges in future periods.

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Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded restructuring and other charges of approximately $206 million to Other expense, net ($204 million) and Equity earnings ($2 million) in the Consolidated Results of Operations, primarily related to the Fit to Win program. These charges consisted of employee costs, such as severance and benefit-related costs, write-down of assets and other exit costs in the Americas segment ($79 million), Europe segment ($115 million) and Retained corporate costs and other ($14 million). Additional restructuring charges are expected in future quarters when management completes their assessment to reduce redundant production capacity. The Company expects that the majority of the remaining cash expenditures related to the accrued employee and other exit costs will be paid out over the next several years. These charges also reflect approximately $2 million of other credits.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company implemented several discrete restructuring initiatives and recorded restructuring and other charges of $100 million.  These charges consisted of employee costs, such as severance and benefit-related costs, write-down of assets and other exit costs in the Americas segment ($89 million), Europe segment ($6 million) and Retained Corporate costs and other ($2 million). These restructuring charges were discrete actions and are expected to approximate the total cumulative costs for those actions, as no significant additional costs are expected to be incurred. These charges were recorded to Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Results of Operations. The Company expects that the majority of the remaining cash expenditures related to the accrued employee costs will be paid out over the next several years. These charges also reflect approximately $3 million of other charges.

See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Equity Investment Impairment

In 2024, the Company determined that the current fair value of one of its non-U.S. equity investments (a small glass container manufacturer reported in the non-reportable Retained corporate costs and other category) was less than its carrying value and that it was other-than-temporarily impaired. As such, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $25 million to the equity earnings line in its Consolidated Results of Operations to reduce its carrying value down to its estimated fair value.

See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Legacy Environmental Charges

From December 31, 1956 through June 1967, the Company, via a wholly-owned subsidiary, owned and operated a paper mill located on the shore of the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, which is now part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that is managed by the National Park Service (“NPS”).  The Company and the United States are currently engaged in litigation regarding the site in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Akron), with the United States claiming that the Company should pay $50 million as a remedy for certain soils at the site as well as its past and anticipated future costs. The Company undertook sampling at the site in 2024 and has proposed settling this matter and has recorded charges of $11 million in 2024 as its best estimate of this liability based on current information. These charges were recorded to Other expense, net in the Consolidated Results of Operations.  While the Company believes it has meritorious defenses against this suit, if the proposed settlement is not accepted by the NPS and the lawsuit proceeds, the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in a loss in excess of the amount currently accrued.

See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Gain on Sale of Divested Businesses and Miscellaneous Assets

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $6 million on the sale of the land and buildings of previously closed plants in the Americas.

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For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $4 million on the sale of the land and buildings of a previously closed plant in China.

See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Charge for Goodwill Impairment

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed its annual impairment testing and determined that the goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit was fully impaired.  The primary driver of this impairment was management’s update to its long-range plan, which indicated lower estimated future cash flows for its North American reporting unit (in the Americas segment) as compared to the projections used in the prior goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022.  As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was equal to the remaining goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit.

See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Pension Settlement and Curtailment Charges

In 2024, the Company settled a portion of its pension obligations and recorded approximately $5 million of pension settlement charges in Mexico.

In 2023, the Company settled a portion of its pension obligations and recorded approximately $19 million of pension settlement and curtailment charges, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

On March 25, 2022, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a Credit Agreement and Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), which refinanced in full the previous credit agreement. The Original Agreement provided for up to $2.8 billion of borrowings pursuant to term loans, revolving credit facilities and a delayed draw term loan facility. The delayed draw term loan facility allowed for a one-time borrowing of up to $600 million, the proceeds of which were used, in addition to other consideration paid by the Company and/or its subsidiaries, to fund an asbestos settlement trust (the “Paddock Trust”) to resolve and pay current and future asbestos-related personal injury liabilities of Paddock Enterprises, LLC. On July 18, 2022, the Company drew down the $600 million delayed draw term loan to fund, together with other consideration, the Paddock Trust (see Note 15 for more information).

On August 30, 2022, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into an Amendment No. 1 to its Credit Agreement and Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”), which amends the Original Agreement (as amended by the Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement Amendment provides for up to $500 million of additional borrowings in the form of term loans. The proceeds of such term loans were used, together with cash, to retire the $600 million delayed draw term loan. The term loans mature, and the revolving credit facilities terminate, in March 2027. The term loans borrowed under the Credit Agreement Amendment are secured by certain collateral of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement Amendment makes modifications to certain loan documents, in order to give the Company increased flexibility to incur secured debt in the future.

At December 31, 2024, the Credit Agreement includes a $300 million revolving credit facility, a $950 million multicurrency revolving credit facility and $1.45 billion in term loan A facilities ($1.34 billion outstanding balance at December 31, 2024, net of debt issuance costs). At December 31, 2024, the Company had unused credit of $1.24 billion available under the revolving credit facilities as part of the Credit Agreement. The

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weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2024 was 6.32%.

The Credit Agreement contains various covenants that restrict, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company to incur certain indebtedness and liens, make certain investments, become liable under contingent obligations in certain defined instances only, make restricted payments, make certain asset sales within guidelines and limits, engage in certain affiliate transactions, participate in sale and leaseback financing arrangements, alter its fundamental business, and amend certain subordinated debt obligations.

The Credit Agreement also contains one financial maintenance covenant, a Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), that requires the Company not to exceed a ratio of 2.50x calculated by dividing consolidated Net Indebtedness that is then secured by Liens on property or assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by Consolidated EBITDA, as each term is defined and as described in the Credit Agreement. The Secured Leverage Ratio could restrict the ability of the Company to undertake additional financing or acquisitions to the extent that such financing or acquisitions would cause the Secured Leverage Ratio to exceed the specified maximum.

Failure to comply with these covenants and restrictions could result in an event of default under the Credit Agreement. In such an event, the Company could not request additional borrowings under the revolving facilities, and all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with accrued interest, could then be declared immediately due and payable. Upon the occurrence and for the duration of a payment event of default, an additional default interest rate equal to 2.0% per annum will apply to all overdue obligations under the Credit Agreement. If an event of default occurs under the Credit Agreement and the lenders cause all of the outstanding debt obligations under the Credit Agreement to become due and payable, this would result in a default under the indentures governing the Company’s outstanding debt securities and could lead to an acceleration of obligations related to these debt securities. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions in the Credit Agreement.  In addition, the Company believes that it will remain in compliance for the term of the Credit Agreement and that its ability to borrow additional funds under the Credit Agreement will not be adversely affected by the covenants and restrictions.

The Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) determines pricing under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement is, at the Company’s option, the Base Rate, Term SOFR or, for non-U.S. dollar borrowings only, the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is linked to the Total Leverage Ratio. The margins range from 1.00% to 2.25% for Term SOFR loans and Eurocurrency Rate loans and from 0.00% to 1.25% for Base Rate loans. In addition, a commitment fee is payable on the unused revolving credit facility commitments ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum linked to the Total Leverage Ratio.

Obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets, excluding real estate and certain other excluded assets, of certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and certain foreign subsidiaries. Such obligations are also secured by a pledge of intercompany debt and equity investments in certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and, in the case of foreign obligations, of stock of certain foreign subsidiaries. All obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company, and certain foreign obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company.

In May 2024, the Company issued €500 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at 5.250% and mature on June 1, 2029. Also, in May 2024, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at 7.375% and mature on June 1, 2032. The senior notes were issued via private placements and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The net proceeds, after deducting debt issuance costs, were used to repurchase and redeem the senior notes described in the May 2024 tender offer and redemption below.

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In May 2024, the Company repurchased €323.4 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025 pursuant to a tender offer and redeemed $300 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025. The repurchase and redemption were funded with the proceeds from the May 2024 senior notes issuances described above. The Company recorded approximately $2 million of additional interest charges related to the senior note repurchases conducted in the second quarter of 2024 for note repurchase premiums and the write-off of unamortized finance fees. At December 31, 2024, approximately €176 million aggregate principal amounts of the 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025 remained outstanding.

In May 2023, the Company issued €600 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at a rate of 6.250% per annum and mature on May 15, 2028. Also, in May 2023, the Company issued $690 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at a rate of 7.250% per annum and mature on May 15, 2031.  The senior notes were issued via a private placement and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The net proceeds, after deducting debt issuance costs were used to redeem senior notes described in the May 2023 tender offers below.

In May 2023, the Company repurchased $142 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, €666.7 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024, and $282.8 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025. The repurchases were funded with the proceeds from the May 2023 senior notes issuances described above. The Company recorded approximately $39 million of additional interest charges related to the senior note repurchases conducted in the second quarter of 2023 for note repurchase premiums, the write-off of unamortized finance fees and the settlement of a related interest rate swap. In August 2023, the Company redeemed approximately $108 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023. At December 31, 2024, approximately $17 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025 remained outstanding.

The Company assesses its capital raising and refinancing needs on an ongoing basis and may enter into additional credit facilities and seek to issue equity and/or debt securities in the domestic and international capital markets if market conditions are favorable. Also, depending on market conditions, the Company may elect to repurchase portions of its debt securities in the open market.

Material Cash Requirements

The Company’s material cash requirements include the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash payments for debt repayments totaling $4,859 million (including finance leases) and ranging from $105 million to $1,838 million on an annual basis over the next five years (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Assuming interest rates and scheduled maturities as of December 31, 2024, interest payments to service outstanding debt total approximately $990 million over the next five years;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Capital expenditures of approximately $400 million to $450 million in 2025, for property, plant and equipment as described below;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash contributions to its pension plans totaling approximately $70 million over the next three years, and cash contributions for other post-retirement benefits totaling $41 million through 2034 (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash payments for operating leases totaling $259 million (including imputed interest) and ranging from $25 million to $54 million on an annual basis over the next five years (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements);

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash payments toward restructuring activities (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Cash payments for purchases obligations that consist primarily of contracted amounts for energy totaling approximately $1,316 million and ranging from $137 million to $415 million on an annual basis over the next five years. In cases where variable prices are involved, current market prices have been used to estimate these future purchases. The above amount does not include ordinary course of business purchase orders, because the majority of such purchase orders may be canceled. The Company does not believe such purchase orders will adversely affect its liquidity position.

Cash Flows

Operating activities: Cash provided by operating activities was $489 million for 2024, compared to $818 million of cash provided by operating activities for 2023. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was primarily due to lower business performance, the non-recurrence of the $445 million goodwill impairment non-cash charge that occurred in 2023 and higher restructuring payments, partially offset by a lower use of working capital than in 2023.

Working capital was a use of cash of $125 million in 2024, compared to a use of cash of $148 million in 2023. The use of cash from working capital in 2024 was driven by lower accounts payable as spending levels declined compared to 2023 and lower income tax payables. The Company’s use of its accounts receivable factoring programs resulted in a decrease in cash provided by operating activities of approximately $7 million and an increase in cash provided by operating activities of approximately $7 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Excluding the impact of accounts receivable factoring, the Company’s days sales outstanding as of December 31, 2024 were comparable to December 31, 2023.

Cash payments for restructuring activities increased to $41 million in 2024 from $26 million in 2023 due to higher payments associated with the initial phase of the Company’s Fit to Win program, which will continue into at least 2025.

Investing activities: Cash utilized in investing activities was $620 million for 2024, compared to $683 million of cash utilized in investing activities for 2023. Capital spending for property, plant and equipment was $617 million in 2024, compared to $688 million in 2023. The Company estimates that its full year 2025 capital expenditures will be approximately $400 million to $450 million.

The Company received approximately $29 million of net cash proceeds for the sale of miscellaneous businesses and other assets in 2024 compared to $11 million received in 2023. The Company contributed $3 million to its joint ventures in 2024 compared to $10 million contributed in 2023. The Company paid $29 million and received $4 million related to hedge activity in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Financing activities: Cash utilized in financing activities was $8 million for 2024 compared to $27 million of cash utilized by financing activities in 2023.  Financing activities in 2024 included additions to long-term debt of $1,102 million, which included the issuance of €500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.250% senior notes due 2029 and $300 million aggregate principal amount of 7.375% senior notes due 2032. Financing activities in 2024 also included the repayment of long-term debt of $1,043 million, which included the repurchase of €323.4 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 2.875% Senior Notes 2025 pursuant to a tender offer and the redemption of $300 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025. Financing activities in 2023 included additions to long-term debt of $1,332 million, which included the issuance of €600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior notes due 2028 and $690 million aggregate principal amount of 7.250% senior notes due 2031.  Financing activities in 2023 also included the repayment of long-term debt of $1,298 million, which included the repurchase and redemption of $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, the repurchase of €666.7 million aggregate principal amount of

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the Company’s 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024, and the repurchase of $282.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025.  As a result of financing activities, the Company paid finance fees and premiums of $13 million and $22 million for 2024 and 2023, respectively.  Borrowings under short-term loans were $17 million and $47 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.  The Company paid approximately $40 million related to hedging activity in 2023.

In May 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100 million anti-dilutive share repurchase program for the Company’s common stock that the Company intends to use to offset stock-based compensation provided to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees.  This repurchase program superseded and replaced a prior $150 million repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in February 2021. In each of 2024 and 2023, the Company repurchased $40 million of shares of the Company’s common stock under these share repurchase programs.  The Company intends to repurchase at least $40 million of shares of the Company’s common stock in 2025.

The Company anticipates that cash flows from its opera­tions and from utiliza­tion of credit available under the Agreement will be sufficient to fund its operating and seasonal working capital needs, debt service and other obligations on a short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term basis (beyond the next 12 months). However, as the Company cannot predict the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its impact on the Company’s customers and suppliers, the negative financial impact to the Company’s results cannot be reasonably estimated but could be material. In addition, cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may be subject to foreign withholding taxes upon repatriation to the U.S. At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $631 million and $810 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents in certain of its foreign subsidiaries. The Company accrues withholding taxes for planned remittances in accordance with assertions under ASC 740 in regards to unremitted earnings. The Company is actively managing its business to maintain cash flow, and it has significant liquidity. The Company believes that these factors will allow it to meet its anticipated funding requirements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company’s analysis and discussion of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical and other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time the financial statements are issued. The results of these estimates may form the basis of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities and may not be readily apparent from other sources. Actual results, under conditions and circumstances different from those assumed, may differ from estimates.

The impact of, and any associated risks related to, estimates and assumptions are discussed within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, if applicable, where estimates and assumptions affect the Company’s reported and expected financial results.

The Company believes that accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets, pension benefit plans, and income taxes involves the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) - The Company tests for impairment of PP&E whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. PP&E held for

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use in the Company’s business is grouped for impairment testing at the lowest level for which cash flows can reasonably be identified, typically a segment or a component of a segment. If an impairment indicator exists, the Company first evaluates the recoverability of PP&E based on undiscounted projected cash flows, excluding interest and taxes. If an asset group is considered impaired, the impairment loss to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Historically, most of the Company’s PP&E impairments have been due to restructuring activities that result in the closure of plant sites or disposal of furnaces or other PP&E.  All PP&E impairments recorded during 2024, 2023 and 2022 were due to restructuring activities. In these cases, the asset group’s carrying values are reduced to their fair values, which is their expected sale values of the real property less costs to sell.

Impairment testing on asset groups that are held for use requires estimation of projected future cash flows generated by the asset group. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections represent management’s best estimates at the time of the impairment review. Factors that management must estimate include, among other things: industry and market conditions, sales volume and prices, production costs and inflation. Changes in key assumptions or actual conditions which differ from estimates could result in an impairment charge. The Company uses reasonable and supportable assumptions when performing impairment reviews and cannot predict the occurrence of future events and circumstances that could result in impairment charges. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, no impairment indicators were identified, and no impairment testing has been required related to PP&E asset groups that are held for use.

Goodwill – Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of October 1 (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise).  When performing a quantitative test for goodwill impairment, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit, which is determined by computing the business enterprise value ("BEV"), with its carrying value. The BEV is computed based on estimated future cash flows, discounted at the weighted average cost of capital of a hypothetical third-party buyer. If the BEV is less than the carrying value for any reporting unit, then any excess of the carrying value over the BEV is recorded as an impairment loss.  The calculations of the BEV are based on internal and external inputs, such as projected future cash flows of the reporting units, discount rates and terminal business value, among other assumptions. The valuation approach utilized by management represents a Level 3 fair value measurement measured on a non-recurring basis in the fair value hierarchy due to the Company’s use of unobservable inputs. The Company’s projected future cash flows incorporate management’s best estimates of the expected future results including, but not limited to, price trends, customer demand, material costs, asset replacement costs and any other known factors.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment or one level below the operating segment, also known as a component. Two or more components of an operating segment shall be aggregated into a single reporting unit based on an assessment of various factors. The aggregation of the components of the Company’s reporting units was based on their economic similarity as determined by the Company using a number of quantitative and qualitative factors, including gross margins, the manner in which the Company operates the business, the consistent nature of products, services, production processes, customers and methods of distribution, as well as the level of shared resources and assets between the components. The Americas reportable segment is comprised of two reporting units – North America and Latin America. The Company has determined that the Europe segment is also a reporting unit.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed its annual impairment testing and determined that the goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit was fully impaired. The primary driver of this impairment was management’s update to its long-range plan, which indicated lower estimated future cash flows for its North America reporting unit (in the Americas segment) as compared to the projections used in the prior goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022. The Company’s business in North America has experienced declining shipments to its alcoholic beverage customers, especially in the second half of 2023, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company permanently closed a plant and two additional furnaces in the North America reporting unit to better balance its long-term manufacturing supply with lower demand. The update to management’s long-range plan, combined

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with the impact of a higher weighted average cost of capital given higher interest rates and the narrow difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value of the North America reporting unit as of October 1, 2022, resulted in the BEV of the Company’s North American reporting unit declining to less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was equal to the remaining goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit.

Goodwill at December 31, 2024 totaled approximately $1.32 billion, representing approximately 15% of total assets. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has three reporting units and includes $800 million of recorded goodwill to the Company’s Europe reporting unit, $521 million of recorded goodwill to the Company’s Latin America reporting unit and $0 of recorded goodwill to the Company’s North America reporting unit (subsequent to the 2023 impairment). During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company completed its annual impairment testing and determined that no impairment existed. The BEVs of the Company’s Europe and Latin America reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying values as of October 1, 2024. However, there can be no assurance that anticipated financial results will be achieved, and the goodwill balances remain susceptible to future impairment charges. Future changes in the Company’s cost of capital or expected cash flows may cause the Company’s goodwill to become impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against the Company’s results of operations. Any impairment charges that the Company may take in the future could be material to its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

During the time subsequent to the annual evaluation, and at December 31, 2024, the Company considered whether any events and/or changes in circumstances had resulted in the likelihood that the goodwill of any of its reporting units may have been impaired and has determined that no such events have occurred. The Company will monitor conditions throughout 2025 that might significantly affect the projections and variables used in the impairment test to determine if a review prior to October 1 may be appropriate. If the results of impairment testing confirm that a write-down of goodwill is necessary, then the Company will record a charge at that time. In the event the Company would be required to record a significant write-down of goodwill, the charge would have a material adverse effect on reported results of operations and net worth.

Pension Benefit Plans

Estimates - The determination of pension obligations and the related pension expense or credits to operations involves certain estimations. The most critical estimates are the discount rate used to calculate the actuarial present value of benefit obligations and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The Company uses discount rates based on yields of high quality fixed rate debt securities at the end of the year. At December 31, 2024, the weighted average discount rate was 5.66% and 5.74% for U.S. and non-U.S. plans, respectively. The Company uses an expected long-term rate of return on assets that is based on both past performance of the various plans’ assets and estimated future performance of the assets. In developing this assumption, the Company also considers the Plans’ asset mix and evaluates input from its third-party pension plan asset consultants, including their review of asset class return expectations. Due to the nature of the plans’ assets and the volatility of debt and equity markets, actual returns may vary significantly from year to year. For purposes of determining pension charges and credits in 2024, the Company’s estimated weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 5.75% for U.S. plans and 5.14% for non-U.S. plans compared to 5.75% for U.S. plans and 4.67% for non-U.S. plans in 2023. The Company recorded pension expense (exclusive of settlement and curtailment charges) of $32 million, $30 million, and $34 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Depending on currency translation rates, the Company expects to record approximately $29 million of total pension expense for the full year of 2025. The 2025 pension expense will reflect a 5.75% and 5.12% expected long-term rate of return for the U.S. assets and non-U.S. assets, respectively.

Future effects on reported results of operations depend on economic conditions and investment performance. For example, a one-half percentage point change in the actuarial assumption regarding discount rates used to calculate plan liabilities or in the expected rate of return on plan assets would result in a change of approximately $4 million and $7 million, respectively, in the pretax pension expense for the full year of 2025.

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Recognition of Funded Status - The Company recognizes the funded status of each pension benefit plan on the balance sheet. The funded status of each plan is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and actuarially calculated benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses are accumulated in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), and the portion of each plan that exceeds 10% of the greater of that plan’s assets or projected benefit obligation is amortized to income on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees still accruing benefits or the expected life of participants not accruing benefits if all, or almost all, of the plan’s participants are no longer accruing benefits.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes as required by general accounting principles under which management judgment is required in determining income tax expense/(benefit) and the related balance sheet amounts. This judgment includes estimating and analyzing historical and projected future operating results, the reversal of taxable and tax deductible temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and the ultimate outcome of uncertain income tax positions. Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates, depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the effective settlement of uncertain tax positions. The Company has received tax assessments in excess of established reserves for uncertain tax positions. The Company is contesting these tax assessments, and will continue to do so, including pursuing all available remedies, such as appeals and litigation, if necessary.

The Company believes that adequate provisions for all income tax uncertainties have been made. However, if tax assessments are settled against the Company at amounts in excess of established reserves, it could have a material impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used for calculating income tax expense and potential differences in actual results from estimates could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities measured using enacted tax rates and for tax attributes such as operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined separately for each tax jurisdiction on a separate or on a consolidated tax filing basis, as applicable, in which the Company conducts its operations or otherwise incurs taxable income or losses. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within the carryback or carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each applicable tax jurisdiction. The Company considers the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
taxable income in prior carryback years;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that the Company would be willing to undertake to prevent a deferred tax asset from otherwise expiring.

The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or whether a change in judgment regarding the valuation allowance has occurred also considers all available positive and negative evidence, including, but not limited to:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
nature, frequency, and severity of cumulative losses in recent years;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
duration of statutory carryforward and carryback periods;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
statutory limitations against utilization of tax attribute carryforwards against taxable income;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
near- and medium-term financial outlook.

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The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence may be objectively verified. Accordingly, it is generally difficult to conclude a valuation allowance is not required when there is significant objective and verifiable negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. The Company uses the actual results for the last two years and current year results as the primary measure of cumulative losses in recent years.

The evaluation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events recognized in the financial statements or tax returns and future profitability. The recognition of deferred tax assets represents the Company’s best estimate of those future events. Changes in the current estimates, due to unanticipated events or otherwise, could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

In certain tax jurisdictions, the Company’s analysis indicates that it has cumulative losses in recent years. This is considered significant negative evidence, which is objective and verifiable and, therefore, difficult to overcome. However, the cumulative loss position is not solely determinative, and, accordingly, the Company considers all other available positive and negative evidence in its analysis. Based on its analysis, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the portion of deferred tax assets where based on the weight of available evidence it is unlikely to realize those deferred tax assets.

Based on the evidence available, including a lack of sustainable earnings, the Company in its judgment previously recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets in the United States. If a change in judgment regarding this valuation allowance were to occur in the future, the Company would record a potentially material deferred tax benefit, which could result in a favorable impact on the effective tax rate in that period. The utilization of tax attributes to offset taxable income reduces the amount of deferred tax assets subject to a valuation allowance. In addition, based on available evidence and the weighting of factors discussed above, the Company has valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets in certain international tax jurisdictions.

The Company treats Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period cost.

Corporate tax reform, anti-base-erosion rules and tax transparency continue to be high priorities in many jurisdictions. The potential for additional global tax legislation changes, such as restrictions on interest deductibility, deductibility of cross-jurisdictional payments, and limitations on the utilization of tax attributes, could have a material adverse impact on net income and cash flow by impacting significant deductions or income inclusions.

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