•
Mar 31, 2021

Clorox Q3 2021 Earnings Report

Clorox's sales remained flat, but the company is on track for its best full-year top-line growth in over 20 years.

Key Takeaways

Clorox reported flat sales in Q3 2021 compared to the previous year, with a diluted net loss per share of $0.49. Adjusted EPS was $1.62, a 14% decrease year-over-year. The company is on track to deliver its best full-year top-line growth in more than 20 years.

Sales were flat compared to 15% growth in the year-ago quarter.

Diluted net loss per share was 49 cents, a 126% decrease compared to the year-ago quarter, impacted by a pre-tax noncash impairment charge of $329 million.

Adjusted EPS was $1.62, a 14% decrease versus the year-ago quarter.

Gross margin decreased by 320 basis points to 43.5%.

Total Revenue
$1.78B
Previous year: $1.78B
-0.1%
EPS
$1.62
Previous year: $1.89
-14.3%
Organic Sales Growth
-1%
Previous year: 17%
-105.9%
Gross Profit
$783M
Previous year: $832M
-5.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$492M
Previous year: $496M
-0.8%
Free Cash Flow
$183M
Previous year: $261M
-29.9%
Total Assets
$6.44B
Previous year: $5.85B
+10.1%

Clorox

Clorox

Clorox Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Clorox expects fiscal year sales to grow between 10% and 13% and adjusted EPS to increase between 1% and 4%.

Positive Outlook

  • Fiscal year sales are still expected to grow between 10% and 13%.
  • Fiscal year organic sales continue to assume a 10% to 13% growth range.
  • Fiscal year selling and administrative expenses are now expected to be below 14% of sales.
  • Advertising and sales promotion spending is still anticipated to be about 11% of sales.
  • The company’s effective tax rate is still expected to be in the range of 21% to 22%.

Challenges Ahead

  • Gross margin is now expected to be down, primarily reflecting higher commodity and manufacturing and logistics costs.
  • Fiscal year 2021 diluted EPS is expected to decrease between 19% and 16%.
  • Expectation of moderating demand over the balance of the fiscal year.
  • Fiscal year sales continue to assume about 1 point of contribution from the Saudi joint venture acquisition, offset by 1 point from unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
  • Diluted EPS reflects assumptions for strong fiscal year sales performance, partially offset by an increasingly elevated cost environment.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income