RR Donnelley Reports Its Third Quarter 2020 Results, Including a 15.9% Net Sales Decline

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (“RRD” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

Key message

• GAAP net sales decreased 15.9%; non-GAAP organic net sales decreased 12.1%
• GAAP income from operations was down $55.1 million versus the prior year primarily due to a $56.5 million increase in restructuring and other charges; current quarter included a charge for MEPP withdrawal obligations related to the LSC Communications (“LSC”) bankruptcy
• Non-GAAP adjusted income from operations flat to prior year despite sales decline; adjusted operating margin improved by 100 basis points driven by aggressive cost-out actions
• GAAP loss per share from continuing operations of $0.13 included third quarter charges of $0.52 per share for restructuring and other
• Non-GAAP adjusted income per share from continuing operations of $0.32 increased $0.07 from prior year quarter
• Operating cash flow, including discontinued operations, increased $40.1 million from prior year period, year-to-date improvement now at $113.0 million
• Entered into definitive agreement to sell its Logistics DLS Worldwide business for $225 million, expected to close by year end
• Launched plan to redeem $83.3 million of principal outstanding on Senior Notes due March 15, 2021

Daniel Knotts

“We delivered a strong third quarter amidst a volatile business environment. We continue to win new business, execute our cost reduction plans, and improve our capital structure with a disciplined focus on generating cash flow, all while protecting the health and well-being of our employees,” said Dan Knotts, RRD President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through the combination of better than expected net sales performance and a significant reduction in our cost structure, we delivered adjusted income from operations comparable to the prior year, improved our operating margin, and achieved our third consecutive quarter of improved operating cash flow. Despite ongoing uncertainty and volatility, we continue to advance our strategic priorities and are confident in our ability to emerge from the pandemic as a stronger RRD.”

Financial highlights

The following table provides an overview of RRD’s financial performance:

Click to enlarge

On September 14, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell DLS Worldwide Inc. which is a portion of its broader Logistics business and a component of the Business Services reporting segment. The Company received regulatory approval for the sale on September 30, 2020. On October 23, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its International Mail and Parcel Logistics business (“International Logistics”) for an undisclosed amount. Both transactions are expected to close by year end after completing customary closing conditions and are part of RRD’s strategy to optimize its portfolio and reduce debt. As part of its plan, the Company previously sold its Print Logistics business in July 2018 and the Courier Logistics business in March 2020. Accordingly, the Company has reflected the Logistics Courier business (through the date of sale), the DLS Worldwide business, and the International Logistics business as discontinued operations, and the financial results of these businesses have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented unless otherwise noted.

Net sales in the quarter were $1.19 billion, down $225.9 million or 15.9% from the third quarter of 2019. The decrease includes a $62.9 million reduction from the previous dispositions of its Global Document Solutions (“GDS”) and Chile businesses.

Organic net sales declined 12.1% in the quarter. The Business Services segment was down 12.8% on a GAAP basis and 7.5% on a non-GAAP organic basis while the Marketing Solutions segment was down 25.9% on a GAAP and non-GAAP organic basis from the third quarter of 2019. Both segments were negatively impacted by lower volumes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and lower pricing, partially offset by new pandemic-related sales. The Marketing Services segment was further impacted by a reduction in Census related sales as the project was successfully completed during the recent quarter.

Income from operations was $15.9 million in the third quarter compared to income from operations of $71.0 million in the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter of 2020 included net restructuring and other charges of $54.2 million, an increase of $56.5 million from the prior year quarter. As part of restructuring and other charges, the 2020 quarter included a charge of $37.3 million related to MEPP withdrawal obligations, most of which was to record estimated multiemployer pension plan obligations arising from the bankruptcy of LSC, and $15.7 million of restructuring charges.

Non-GAAP adjusted income from operations of $73.9 million decreased $0.3 million from the prior year period. The decline was driven by lower volume associated with the global impact of COVID-19 and the Census project and price pressure, which were nearly fully offset by the aggressive actions taken to reduce the Company’s cost structure. Adjusted SG&A expense was down $30.5 million in the current quarter.

Loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders was $0.13 in the third quarter of 2020 compared to loss per share of $0.10 in the third quarter of 2019. The 2020 results were negatively impacted by the significantly higher restructuring and other charges, mostly offset by a reduction in income taxes and interest expense.

Non-GAAP adjusted income per share from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders of $0.32 in the third quarter of 2020 was favorable to the $0.25 per share reported in the third quarter of 2019 driven by a lower effective tax rate and lower interest expense.

Other highlights and information (including discontinued operations)

Cash provided by operating activities of $69.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 improved $40.1 million versus the prior year amount. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, cash provided by operating activities improved by $113.0 million. The significant improvement is primarily due to working capital improvements in addition to lower income tax and interest payments. The 2020 year-to-date results also reflect a $23.3 million benefit from deferring the employer paid portion of payroll taxes as part of the CARES Act. The Company is required to repay half of the full year deferral at the end of 2021 and the remainder at the end of 2022. Capital expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $54.4 million were down from $107.4 million in the prior year period primarily due to last year’s expenditures associated with the China facility relocation and the Census project, as well as lower spend in 2020 as the Company continues to preserve liquidity during the pandemic.

As of September 30, 2020, cash on hand was $414.8 million and total debt outstanding was $2.0 billion. During the current quarter, the Company repurchased an additional $14.5 million of Senior Notes due in March 2021 and February 2022. Availability under the credit facility was $127.8 million at September 30, 2020. Total liquidity, including cash on hand, was $543 million.

Earlier today, the Company notified holders of its 7.875% Senior Notes due March 15, 2021 (the "2021 Senior Notes") that it will redeem the remaining $83.3 million aggregate principal outstanding on the redemption date, which is December 4, 2020. The redemption price is equal to the sum of 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes, a make-whole amount calculated in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Senior Notes and related indenture, and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company plans to use cash on hand to fund the redemption.

Outlook

As the COVID-19 infection rates remain elevated in many parts of the world, the path forward continues to present many uncertainties. As such, the Company is unable to furnish its typical guidance for the balance of the year. However, the Company is providing the following observations and guidance for the fourth quarter.

• Net sales in the fourth quarter are expected to be unfavorable to the prior year between $200 and $275 million, or 12 to 18 percent organically. This reduction reflects continued impact from the pandemic, Census work in the prior year period that will not repeat and a decline of $25 million from the previous dispositions of GDS and Chile.
• While difficult to predict with certainty, it is possible that fourth quarter adjusted income from operations may be lower than the amounts reported in the third quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter will continue to benefit from the aggressive cost reduction actions previously implemented as well as additional actions that will be taken in the fourth quarter. However, it is difficult to predict how much the pandemic will impact demand for our products and services, including one-time orders specifically related to COVID-19.
• Interest expense is expected to be slightly lower than the amount reported in the third quarter.
• Operating cash flow in the fourth quarter is expected to be lower than the amount reported in the fourth quarter of 2019 as working capital improvements have been achieved earlier in 2020. In addition, operating cash flow in the fourth quarter will be negatively impacted by dispositions of the remaining Logistics businesses. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $80 million for the full year.
• The Company expects to close the sale of its Logistics DLS Worldwide business for $225 million, subject to a working capital adjustment. Ten percent of the purchase price will be held in escrow while the remainder will be collected at closing. Proceeds from this sale, as well as proceeds from the sale of its International Logistics business, are expected to be used to reduce debt outstanding.
• To protect liquidity, the Company continues to hold an elevated amount of cash on hand while borrowings under the Company’s credit facility also remain temporarily higher. Due to the strength of the Company’s cash flow during the pandemic, the Company plans to use its excess cash to repay a portion of the amount outstanding on the credit facility and together with cash from the sale of its Logistics businesses, expects gross debt will be reduced $350 to $400 million during the fourth quarter. In addition, the Company is not currently subject to maintenance financial covenants in its debt agreements.

Source: R.R. Donnelley

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