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Dec 31, 2023

IFF Q4 2023 Earnings Report

IFF's financial performance in Q4 2023 showed a decrease in reported net sales, but an increase in comparable currency neutral sales, driven by growth in Scent and Health & Biosciences. Adjusted operating EBITDA increased, led by favorable net pricing and productivity gains.

Key Takeaways

IFF reported a decrease in net sales for Q4 2023, but experienced growth in Scent and Health & Biosciences segments. The company faced a significant loss before taxes due to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge. However, adjusted operating EBITDA increased, driven by pricing and productivity gains.

Reported net sales decreased by 5%, but comparable currency neutral sales increased by 1% due to growth in Scent and Health & Biosciences.

Loss before taxes was $2.64 billion, primarily due to a $2.6 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge.

Adjusted operating EBITDA increased by 17% on a comparable currency neutral basis, driven by favorable net pricing and productivity gains.

Adjusted EPS excluding amortization was $0.72 per diluted share.

Total Revenue
$2.7B
Previous year: $2.84B
-5.0%
EPS
$0.72
Previous year: $0.97
-25.8%
Operating Margin
0.17%
Free Cash Flow
$936M
Gross Profit
$860M
Previous year: $869M
-1.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$709M
Previous year: $493M
+43.8%
Free Cash Flow
$936M
Previous year: -$159M
-688.7%
Total Assets
$31B
Previous year: $35.4B
-12.5%

IFF

IFF

IFF Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Full year 2024 sales are expected to be in the range of $10.8 billion to $11.1 billion and full year 2024 adjusted operating EBITDA to be in the range of $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion.

Positive Outlook

  • Volume to be 0% to 3%, with improved trends across the majority of the portfolio
  • Comparable currency neutral adjusted operating EBITDA is expected to grow at a faster rate than sales, growing 3% to 11%
  • Growth driven by improving volumes
  • Growth driven by productivity gains

Challenges Ahead

  • Operating environment remains uncertain
  • Pricing is expected to decline approximately 2.5%, principally driven by reductions in Functional Ingredients and Fragrance Ingredients
  • Reductions given lower input costs
  • Reductions given competitive dynamics
  • Foreign exchange will have a 0% to 1% adverse impact to sales growth and an approximately 2% to 3% adverse impact to adjusted operating EBITDA growth in 2024.