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Mueller Water Products Reports 2024 First Quarter Results
Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 08 Feb 2024 16:08:37 America/New_York
Achieved Net Sales of $256.4 Million
Reported Net Income per Diluted Share of $0.09
Earned Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share of $0.13
ATLANTA, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE: MWA) announced financial results for its fiscal 2024 first quarter ended December 31, 2023.
In the first quarter of 2024, the Company:
- Achieved net sales of $256.4 million, an 18.6 percent decrease as compared with $314.8 million in the prior year quarter
- Reported operating income of $22.8 million as compared with $34.0 million in the prior year quarter and generated adjusted operating income of $29.4 million as compared with $30.3 million in the prior year quarter
- Reported operating margin of 8.9 percent as compared with 10.8 percent in the prior year quarter and increased adjusted operating margin to 11.5 percent as compared with 9.6 percent in the prior year quarter
- Reported net income of $14.3 million as compared with $22.5 million in the prior year quarter and generated adjusted net income of $19.9 million as compared with $19.7 million in the prior year quarter
- Reported net income per diluted share of $0.09 as compared with $0.14 in the prior year quarter and generated adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.13 as compared with $0.13 in the prior year quarter
- Increased adjusted EBITDA 1.4 percent to $44.8 million as compared with $44.2 million in the prior year quarter and improved adjusted EBITDA margin to 17.5 percent as compared with 14.0 percent in the prior year quarter
- Increased net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter by $74.4 million to $67.9 million as compared with net cash used in operating activities of $6.5 million in the prior year quarter and increased free cash flow by $78.6 million to $62.2 million as compared with $(16.4) million in the prior year quarter
“I am proud of the work our team has done to deliver outstanding customer service and drive efficiencies within our operations and supply chain, while working tirelessly to address the October 2023 cybersecurity incident. We had a solid start to the year reflecting expanded margins on the expected lower volumes compared with the first quarter of last year,” said Martie Edmunds Zakas, Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Water Products.
“We believe that channel and customer inventory levels were largely normalized by the end of our first quarter. Our municipal end market remains resilient with new residential construction stabilizing. While we still expect to face volume headwinds this year related to lapping the elevated short cycle backlog, mainly for iron gate valves and hydrants, our initial fiscal 2024 guidance for adjusted EBITDA reflects higher margins versus the prior year on lower volumes driven by improved execution by our commercial, operations and supply chain teams.
“While the external environment remains uncertain, our teams are focused on delivering value to our customers, while also driving further efficiencies in our operations and supply chain. I am confident that we have the products and capabilities to play a vital role in addressing the challenges facing the water infrastructure industry. Our capital investments have positioned us to benefit from increased federal infrastructure funding beyond 2024 which will help increase volumes and margins,” Ms. Zakas concluded.
Consolidated Results
Net sales for the 2024 first quarter decreased $58.4 million, or 18.6 percent, to $256.4 million as compared with $314.8 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily due to lower volumes at both Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions, which were partially offset by higher pricing across most product lines.
Operating income decreased $11.2 million, or 32.9 percent, to $22.8 million as compared with $34.0 million in the prior year quarter, as benefits from higher pricing, favorable manufacturing performance and lower SG&A expenses were more than offset by lower volumes and higher strategic reorganization and other charges. Operating margin was 8.9 percent as compared with 10.8 percent in the prior year quarter.
During the quarter, the Company incurred $6.6 million of strategic reorganization and other charges, which have been excluded from adjusted results, including $1.5 million of expenses related to the previously reported cybersecurity incidents, as well as expenses associated with our leadership transition and transaction-related expenses.
Adjusted operating income decreased $0.9 million, or 3.0 percent, to $29.4 million as compared with $30.3 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin improved to 11.5 percent as compared with 9.6 percent in the prior year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA of $44.8 million increased $0.6 million, or 1.4 percent, as compared with $44.2 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 17.5 percent as compared with 14.0 percent in the prior year quarter.
Segment Results
Water Flow Solutions
Net sales for the 2024 first quarter decreased $24.3 million, or 14.7 percent, to $141.3 million as compared with $165.6 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily driven by lower volumes across most product lines partially offset by higher pricing across most product lines.
Operating income was $27.2 million and adjusted operating income, excluding strategic reorganization and other charges, was $27.4 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating income increased $3.2 million, or 13.2 percent, compared with the prior year quarter. Benefits from higher pricing, favorable manufacturing performance and lower SG&A expenses more than offset lower volumes.
Adjusted EBITDA of $36.7 million increased $4.8 million, or 15.0 percent, as compared with $31.9 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 26.0 percent as compared with 19.3 percent in the prior year quarter.
Water Management Solutions
Net sales for the 2024 first quarter decreased $34.1 million, or 22.9 percent, to $115.1 million as compared with $149.2 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily due to lower volumes in hydrants and water applications, which were partially offset by higher pricing across most product lines.
Operating income and adjusted operating income were each $15.1 million for the quarter. Adjusted operating income decreased $4.5 million, or 23.0 percent, as compared with $19.6 million in the prior year quarter. Benefits from higher pricing, favorable manufacturing performance and lower SG&A expenses were more than offset by lower volumes.
Adjusted EBITDA of $22.1 million decreased $4.5 million, or 16.9 percent, as compared with $26.6 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.2 percent as compared with 17.8 percent in the prior year quarter.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, for the 2024 first quarter was $3.3 million as compared with $3.7 million in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of higher interest income.
Income Taxes
For the 2024 first quarter, income tax expense was $2.6 million, or 15.4 percent of income before tax, as compared with $6.9 million in the prior year quarter, or 23.5 percent of income before tax. The lower income tax rate in the quarter was primarily due to a $1.6 million income tax benefit associated with the expiration of an uncertain tax position that expired on December 31, 2023. This was offset by the release of a $1.6 million indemnification receivable in Other expense.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter increased by $74.4 million to $67.9 million as compared with net cash used in operating activities of $6.5 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily driven by improvements in working capital compared with the prior year.
During the quarter, the Company invested $5.7 million in capital expenditures as compared with $9.9 million in the prior year quarter.
Free cash flow (defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) for the quarter increased by $78.6 million to $62.2 million as compared with $(16.4) million in the comparable prior year quarter, primarily due to the increase in net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and lower capital expenditures.
As of December 31, 2023, Mueller Water Products had $447.4 million of total debt outstanding and $216.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, resulting in a debt leverage ratio of 2.2 times and net debt leverage ratio of 1.1 times. We did not have any borrowings under our ABL Agreement at quarter end, nor did we borrow any amounts under our ABL during the quarter. There are no maturities on the Company’s debt financings until June 2029, and its 4.0 percent Senior Notes have no financial maintenance covenants.
Fiscal 2024 Outlook
The Company is slightly improving expectations for fiscal 2024 consolidated net sales to decrease between 2 and 6 percent as compared with fiscal 2023. The Company is introducing guidance for fiscal 2024 adjusted EBITDA to increase between 3 and 7 percent as compared with fiscal 2023. The Company expects free cash flow as a percentage of adjusted net income to be more than 65 percent in fiscal 2024.
The Company’s expectations for certain additional financial metrics for fiscal 2024 are as follows:
- Total SG&A expenses between $240 million and $245 million
- Net interest expense between $13 million and $14 million
- Effective income tax rate between 22 percent and 24 percent
- Depreciation and amortization between $65 million and $66 million
- Pension expense other than service of approximately $4 million
- Capital expenditures between $45 million and $50 million
Conference Call Webcast
Mueller Water Products’ quarterly earnings conference call will take place Friday, February 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET. Members of Mueller Water Products’ leadership team will discuss the Company’s recent financial performance and respond to questions from financial analysts. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. Please go to the website (www.muellerwaterproducts.com) at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary software. A replay of the call will be available for 30 days and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-566-0411. An archive of the webcast will also be available for at least 90 days on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company’s results as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company also provides non-GAAP information that management believes is useful to investors. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and securities analysts, investors and other interested parties should not consider any of these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures that the Company presents as performance measures because management uses these measures to evaluate the Company’s underlying performance on a consistent basis across periods and to make decisions about operational strategies. Management also believes these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of the Company’s recurring performance.
Net debt and net debt leverage are non-GAAP measures that the Company presents as liquidity measures because management uses them to evaluate its capital management and financial position, and the investment community commonly uses them as measures of indebtedness. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure used to assist management and investors in analyzing the Company’s ability to generate liquidity from its operating activities.
The calculations of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to GAAP results are included as an attachment to this press release, which has been posted online at www.muellerwaterproducts.com. The Company does not reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures, as permitted by Regulation S-K, as certain items, e.g., expenses related to corporate development activities, transactions, pension expenses/(benefits) and corporate restructuring, may have not yet occurred, are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted without unreasonable efforts. Additionally, such reconciliation would imply a degree of precision and certainty regarding relevant items that may be confusing to investors. Such items could have a substantial impact on GAAP measures of the Company's financial performance.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company intends, expects, plans, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding outlooks, projections, forecasts, expectations, commitments, trend descriptions and the ability to capitalize on trends, value creation, Board of Directors and committee composition plans, long-term strategies and the execution or acceleration thereof, operational improvements, inventory positions, the benefits of capital investments, financial or operating performance including improving sales growth and driving increased margins, capital allocation and growth strategy plans, the Company’s product portfolio positioning and the demand for the Company’s products. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and assessments made by the Company in light of the Company’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments.
Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, legal, reputational, audit and financial risks resulting from previously reported cybersecurity incidents and possible future cybersecurity incidents, the effectiveness of the Company’s business continuity plans related thereto, and the Company’s ability to recover under its cybersecurity insurance policies; logistical challenges and supply chain disruptions, geopolitical conditions, including the Israel-Hamas war, public health crises, or other events; inventory and in-stock positions of our distributors and end customers; an inability to realize the anticipated benefits from our operational initiatives, including our large capital investments in Chattanooga and Kimball, Tennessee and Decatur, Illinois, plant closures, and reorganization and related strategic realignment activities; an inability to attract or retain a skilled and diverse workforce, including executive officers, increased competition related to the workforce and labor markets; an inability to protect the Company’s information systems against further service interruption, misappropriation of data or breaches of security; failure to comply with personal data protection and privacy laws; cyclical and changing demand in core markets such as municipal spending, residential construction, and natural gas distribution; government monetary or fiscal policies; the impact of adverse weather conditions; the impact of manufacturing and product performance; the impact of wage, commodity and materials price inflation; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of warranty charges and claims, and related accommodations; the strength of our brands and reputation; an inability to successfully resolve significant legal proceedings or government investigations; compliance with environmental, trade and anti-corruption laws and regulations; climate change and legal or regulatory responses thereto; changing regulatory, trade and tariff conditions; the failure to integrate and/or realize any of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures; an inability to achieve some or all of our Environmental, Social and Governance goals; and other factors that are described in the section entitled “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and later filings on Form 10-Q, as applicable.
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and are only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. You are advised to review any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Mueller Water Products, Inc.
Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America. Our broad product and service portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, pressure management products, and software technology that provides critical water system data. We help municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure®. Visit us at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.
Mueller refers to one or more of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (MWP), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. MWP and each of its subsidiaries are legally separate and independent entities when providing products and services. MWP does not provide products or services to third parties. MWP and each of its subsidiaries are liable only for their own acts and omissions and not those of each other.
Investor Relations Contact: Whit Kincaid
770-206-4116
wkincaid@muellerwp.comMedia Contact: Jenny Barabas
470-806-5771
jbarabas@muellerwp.comMUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)December 31, September 30, 2023 2023 (in millions, except share amounts) Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 216.7 $ 160.3 Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $7.5 million and $7.3 million 167.9 217.1 Inventories, net 311.3 297.9 Other current assets 33.5 31.5 Total current assets 729.4 706.8 Property, plant and equipment, net 308.4 311.7 Intangible assets, net 329.3 334.0 Goodwill, net 98.3 93.7 Other noncurrent assets 63.4 58.8 Total assets $ 1,528.8 $ 1,505.0 Liabilities and stockholders’ equity: Current portion of long-term debt $ 0.6 $ 0.7 Accounts payable 108.9 102.9 Other current liabilities 112.1 115.2 Total current liabilities 221.6 218.8 Long-term debt 446.8 446.7 Deferred income taxes 71.1 73.8 Other noncurrent liabilities 58.1 54.2 Total liabilities 797.6 793.5 Commitments and contingencies Preferred stock: par value $0.01 per share; 60,000,000 shares authorized; none
outstanding at December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023— — Common stock: par value $0.01 per share; 600,000,000 shares authorized;
156,112,060 and 155,871,932 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023,
and September 30, 2023, respectively1.6 1.6 Additional paid-in capital 1,231.9 1,240.4 Accumulated deficit (467.5 ) (481.8 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (34.8 ) (48.7 ) Total stockholders' equity 731.2 711.5 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,528.8 $ 1,505.0 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)Three months ended December 31, 2023 2022 (in millions, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 256.4 $ 314.8 Cost of sales 170.1 221.6 Gross profit 86.3 93.2 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 56.9 62.9 Strategic reorganization and other charges (benefits) (1) 6.6 (3.7 ) Total operating expenses 63.5 59.2 Operating income 22.8 34.0 Pension expense other than service 1.0 0.9 Interest expense, net 3.3 3.7 Other expense (2) 1.6 — Income before income taxes 16.9 29.4 Income tax expense (2) 2.6 6.9 Net income $ 14.3 $ 22.5 Net income per basic share $ 0.09 $ 0.14 Net income per diluted share $ 0.09 $ 0.14 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 156.0 156.4 Diluted 156.7 157.0 Dividends declared per share $ 0.064 $ 0.061 (1) For the three-month period ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded approximately $6.6 million in Strategic reorganization and other charges, including $1.5 million of expenses related to the cybersecurity incidents as well as expenses associated with our leadership transition and transaction-related expenses. For the three-month period ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a gain from the sale of our facility in Aurora, Illinois, partially offset by transaction-related expenses. (2) For the three-month period ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $1.6 million in Other expense for the release of an indemnification receivable related to an uncertain tax position that expired on December 31, 2023. This was offset as a $1.6 million benefit within income tax expense. MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)Three months ended December 31, 2023 2022 (in millions) Operating activities: Net income $ 14.3 $ 22.5 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation 9.5 7.8 Amortization 6.9 7.0 Gain on sale of assets (0.1 ) (4.0 ) Stock-based compensation 2.6 1.8 Pension cost 1.2 1.1 Deferred income taxes (3.4 ) (0.9 ) Inventory reserve provision 2.1 1.2 Other, net 0.3 0.5 Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables, net 49.7 26.4 Inventories (14.6 ) (36.1 ) Other assets (6.1 ) (3.6 ) Accounts payable 5.7 (19.6 ) Other current liabilities (3.6 ) (8.4 ) Other noncurrent liabilities 3.4 (2.2 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 67.9 (6.5 ) Investing activities: Capital expenditures (5.7 ) (9.9 ) Proceeds from sale of assets 0.1 5.1 Net cash used in investing activities (5.6 ) (4.8 ) Financing activities: Dividends paid (10.0 ) (9.5 ) Employee taxes related to stock-based compensation (1.5 ) (1.5 ) Common stock issued 0.4 0.6 Payments for finance lease obligations (0.2 ) (0.1 ) Net cash used in financing activities (11.3 ) (10.5 ) Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash 5.4 0.9 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 56.4 (20.9 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 160.3 146.5 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 216.7 $ 125.6 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT RESULTS AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)Three months ended December 31, 2023 Water Flow
SolutionsWater
Management
SolutionsCorporate Consolidated (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 141.3 $ 115.1 $ — $ 256.4 Gross profit $ 46.6 $ 39.7 $ — $ 86.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses 19.2 24.6 13.1 56.9 Strategic reorganization and other charges (1) 0.2 — 6.4 6.6 Operating income (loss) $ 27.2 $ 15.1 $ (19.5 ) $ 22.8 Operating margin 19.2 % 13.1 % 8.9 % Capital expenditures $ 3.9 $ 1.8 $ — $ 5.7 Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP performance measures: Net income $ 14.3 Strategic reorganization and other charges (1) 6.6 Income tax expense of adjusting items (2) (1.0 ) Adjusted net income $ 19.9 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 156.7 Adjusted net income per diluted share $ 0.13 Net income $ 14.3 Income tax expense (3) 2.6 Other expense 1.6 Interest expense, net (3) 3.3 Pension expense other than service (3) 1.0 Operating income (loss) $ 27.2 $ 15.1 $ (19.5 ) 22.8 Strategic reorganization and other charges (1) 0.2 — 6.4 6.6 Adjusted operating income (loss) 27.4 15.1 (13.1 ) 29.4 Pension expense other than service — — (1.0 ) (1.0 ) Depreciation and amortization 9.3 7.0 0.1 16.4 Adjusted EBITDA $ 36.7 $ 22.1 $ (14.0 ) $ 44.8 Adjusted operating margin 19.4 % 13.1 % 11.5 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 26.0 % 19.2 % 17.5 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 36.7 $ 22.1 $ (14.0 ) $ 44.8 Three prior quarters' adjusted EBITDA 80.5 116.3 (38.9 ) 157.9 Trailing twelve months' adjusted EBITDA $ 117.2 $ 138.4 $ (52.9 ) $ 202.7 Reconciliation of net debt to total debt (end of period): Current portion of long term debt $ 0.6 Long-term debt 446.8 Total debt 447.4 Less cash and cash equivalents 216.7 Net debt $ 230.7 Net debt leverage (net debt divided by trailing twelve months' adjusted EBITDA) 1.1x Reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 67.9 Less capital expenditures 5.7 Free cash flow $ 62.2 (1) The Company recorded approximately $6.6 million in Strategic reorganization and other charges, including $1.5 million of expenses related to the cybersecurity incidents as well as expenses associated with our leadership transition and transaction-related expenses. (2) The income tax expense of adjusting items reflects an effective tax rate of 15.4%. (3) The Company does not allocate interest, income taxes or pension amounts other than service to its segments. MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT RESULTS AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)Three months ended December 31, 2022 Water Flow
SolutionsWater
Management
SolutionsCorporate Consolidated (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 165.6 $ 149.2 $ — $ 314.8 Gross profit $ 46.6 $ 46.6 $ — $ 93.2 Selling, general and administrative expenses 22.4 27.0 13.5 62.9 Strategic reorganization and other benefits (1) — — (3.7 ) (3.7 ) Operating income (loss) $ 24.2 $ 19.6 $ (9.8 ) $ 34.0 Operating margin 14.6 % 13.1 % 10.8 % Capital expenditures $ 7.8 $ 2.1 $ — $ 9.9 Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP performance measures: Net income $ 22.5 Strategic reorganization and other benefits (1) (3.7 ) Income tax benefit of adjusting items (2) 0.9 Adjusted net income $ 19.7 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 157.0 Adjusted net income per diluted share $ 0.13 Net income $ 22.5 Income tax expense (3) 6.9 Interest expense, net (3) 3.7 Pension expense other than service (3) 0.9 Operating income (loss) $ 24.2 $ 19.6 $ (9.8 ) 34.0 Strategic reorganization and other benefits (1) — — (3.7 ) (3.7 ) Adjusted operating income (loss) 24.2 19.6 (13.5 ) 30.3 Pension expense other than service (3) — — (0.9 ) (0.9 ) Depreciation and amortization 7.7 7.0 0.1 14.8 Adjusted EBITDA $ 31.9 $ 26.6 $ (14.3 ) $ 44.2 Adjusted operating margin 14.6 % 13.1 % 9.6 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 19.3 % 17.8 % 14.0 % Adjusted EBITDA $ 31.9 $ 26.6 $ (14.3 ) $ 44.2 Three prior quarters' adjusted EBITDA 116.6 64.7 (34.3 ) 147.0 Trailing twelve months' adjusted EBITDA $ 148.5 $ 91.3 $ (48.6 ) $ 191.2 Reconciliation of net debt to total debt (end of period): Current portion of long term debt $ 0.9 Long-term debt 446.1 Total debt 447.0 Less cash and cash equivalents 125.6 Net debt $ 321.4 Net debt leverage (net debt divided by trailing twelve months' adjusted EBITDA) 1.7x Reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash used in operating activities: Net cash used in operating activities $ (6.5 ) Less capital expenditures 9.9 Free cash flow $ (16.4 ) (1) Strategic reorganization and other benefits primarily relate to a gain from the sale of our facility in Aurora, Illinois, partially offset by transaction-related expenses. (2) The income tax benefit of adjusting items reflects an effective tax rate of 23.5%. (3) The Company does not allocate interest, income taxes or pension amounts other than service to its segments. 
