CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (“Hayward” or the “Company”), a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad portfolio of pool and outdoor living technology, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

CEO COMMENTS

“I am pleased to report strong fourth quarter results ahead of expectations,” said Kevin Holleran, Hayward’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We finished the year on a high note with increased shipments for in-quarter demand and robust early buy orders for the upcoming 2025 pool season, resulting in solid sales and earnings growth, margin expansion and increased cash flow generation. As I reflect on 2024, it was a successful year for Hayward despite the macroeconomic challenges faced by the pool industry, and I am proud of the performance of our team. In addition to returning to sales growth, we further strengthened the senior leadership team and executed our strategic plans to position the Company for continued growth. This included expanding our customer relationships, advancing our technology leadership position with the introduction of several innovative new products, and further demonstrating our operational excellence capabilities. Solid profitability and cash flow enabled us to reduce net leverage into our targeted range while completing accretive capital deployments for early debt repayment and a strategic acquisition. Looking forward, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hayward’s founding in 1925, I am encouraged by the Company’s solid foundation and excited about the many opportunities to build on our momentum and deliver exceptional value to our customers and shareholders.”

FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2024 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Net sales increased by 17% to $327.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in net sales during the quarter was the result of higher volumes, an increase in net price and the favorable impact from acquisitions. The growth in volume was driven by increased in-quarter demand and a strong Early Buy program. The increase in net price was due to price increases enacted to offset inflationary pressure.

Gross profit increased by 23% to $168.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Gross profit margin increased 220 basis points to 51.4%. The increase in gross margin was principally due to the management of our manufacturing costs, partially offset by an increase to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value inventory step-up adjustment recognized as part of the purchase accounting for the acquisition of ChlorKing HoldCo, LLC and related entities (“ChlorKing”) and discrete inventory adjustments in Europe.

Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 19% to $73.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $61.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase was largely driven by normalized annual incentive compensation, higher salary costs driven by wage inflation, targeted investments for growth and professional expenses. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A remained relatively flat at 22%. Research, development, and engineering expenses were $6.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, or 2% of net sales, as compared to $5.5 million for the prior-year period, or 2% of net sales.

Operating income increased by 38% to $76.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase in operating income was driven by higher sales. Operating income as a percentage of net sales (“operating margin”) was 23.4% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, a 350 basis point increase from the 19.9% operating margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

Interest expense, net, decreased by 23% to $13.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily due to the repayment of the Incremental Term Loan B principal balance in April 2024.

Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $8.7 million for an effective tax rate of 13.7%, compared to $8.1 million at an effective tax rate of 20.6% for the prior-year period. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to the increase in income from operations. The decrease in the effective tax rate was driven by return-to-provision adjustments.

Net income increased by 76% to $54.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Net income margin expanded 560 basis points to 16.7%.

Adjusted EBITDA* increased by 30% to $98.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted EBITDA margin* expanded 300 basis points to 30.2%.

Diluted EPS increased by 79% to $0.25 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted diluted EPS* increased by 35% to $0.27 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2024 SEGMENT RESULTS

North America

Net sales increased by 20% to $286.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in volume and the favorable impact of net price and acquisitions. The growth in volume was driven by increased in-quarter demand and a strong Early Buy program. The increase in net price was due to price increases enacted to offset inflationary pressure.

Segment income increased by 34% to $95.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted segment income* increased by 39% to $104.9 million.

Europe & Rest of World

Net sales increased by 2% to $41.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily due to modest volume growth driven by a strong Early Buy program and the favorable impact of net price, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation.

Segment income decreased by 39% to $4.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted segment income* decreased by 35% to $5.3 million.

FULL FISCAL YEAR 2024 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Net sales increased by 6% to $1,051.6 million for the full fiscal year 2024. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by an increase in net price, as well as by an increase in volume and the favorable impact from acquisitions. The increase in net price was due to price increases enacted to offset inflationary pressures. The increase in volume was primarily the result of normalized channel inventory movements, partially offset by market declines in the Middle East and Asia and lower new construction and remodel activity in the United States.

Gross profit increased by 11% to $530.8 million for the full fiscal year 2024. Gross profit margin increased to 50.5% for the fiscal year 2024, an increase of 240 basis points compared to the prior full year, primarily due to operational efficiencies, net price increases and management of our manufacturing costs, partially offset by an increase to cost of goods sold resulting from the fair value inventory step-up adjustment recognized as part of the purchase accounting for the acquisition of ChlorKing and discrete inventory adjustments in Europe.

Operating income increased by 19% to $208.8 million for the full fiscal year 2024. The increase in operating income was driven by the net sales growth. Operating margin was 19.9% in the full fiscal year 2024, a 220 basis point increase from the 17.7% operating margin in the prior full year.

Net income increased by 47% to $118.7 million for the full fiscal year 2024. Adjusted net income* increased by 20% to $147.9 million compared to the prior fiscal year. Net income margin expanded 320 basis points to 11.3%.

Adjusted EBITDA* increased by 12% to $277.4 million for the full fiscal year 2024 driven primarily by an increase in net sales, partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses due to normalized annual incentive compensation. Adjusted EBITDA margin* increased by 150 basis points to 26.4% for the full fiscal year 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year.

Diluted EPS increased by 47% to $0.54 for the full fiscal year 2024. Adjusted diluted EPS* increased by 20% to $0.67 for the fiscal year 2024.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

As of December 31, 2024, Hayward had cash and cash equivalents of $196.6 million and $163.9 million available for borrowing under its credit facilities. Cash flow from operations for fiscal 2024 of $212.1 million was an increase of $27.6 million from the prior year primarily as a result of an increase in net income.

OUTLOOK

Hayward is introducing 2025 guidance reflecting sales and earnings growth driven by solid execution across the organization, positive price realization and continued technology adoption. For fiscal year 2025, Hayward expects net sales of approximately $1.060 billion to $1.100 billion and Adjusted EBITDA* of $280 million to $290 million.

Hayward is excited about the long-term dynamics of the pool industry. The installed base of pools increases every year, providing continued growth opportunities, and the Company benefits from favorable secular demand trends in outdoor living, sunbelt migration, and technology adoption. Hayward continues to leverage its competitive advantages and drive increasing adoption of its leading SmartPad™ pool equipment products both in new construction and the aftermarket, which has historically represented approximately 80% of net sales. Hayward is confident in its long-term outlook for profitable growth and robust cash flow generation, driven by its technology leadership, operational excellence, strong brand and installed base, and multi-channel capabilities.

Please see the Forward-Looking Statements section of this release for a discussion of certain risks relevant to Hayward’s outlook.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Hayward will hold a conference call to discuss the results today, February 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET).

Interested investors and other parties can also listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the company's website at https://investor.hayward.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. An earnings presentation will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website prior to the conference call. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing (877) 423-9813 or (201) 689-8573.

For those unable to listen to the live conference call, a replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through the archived webcast on the Hayward website or by dialing (844) 512-2921, or (412) 317-6671. The access code for the replay is 13750901. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 13, 2025.

ABOUT HAYWARD HOLDINGS, INC.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool and outdoor living technology. With a mission to deliver exceptional products, outstanding service and innovative solutions to transform the experience of water, Hayward offers a full line of energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial pool equipment including pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners, sanitizers, LED lighting, and water features all digitally connected through Hayward’s intuitive IoT-enabled SmartPad™.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) and releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such forward-looking statements relating to Hayward are based on the beliefs of Hayward’s management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to it. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Hayward’s strategies, plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, expenditures and assumptions and other statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this earnings release that are not historical facts. When used in this document, words such as “guidance,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “target,” “predict,” “project,” “seek” and similar expressions as they relate to Hayward are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Hayward believes that it is important to communicate its future expectations to its stockholders, and it therefore makes forward-looking statements in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Act. However, there may be events in the future that Hayward is not able to accurately predict or control, and actual results may differ materially from the expectations it describes in its forward-looking statements.

Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements Hayward makes regarding: Hayward’s 2025 guidance; business plans and objectives; general economic and industry trends; business prospects; future product development and acquisition strategies; future channel stocking levels; growth and expansion opportunities; operating results; and working capital and liquidity. The forward-looking statements in this earnings release are only predictions. Hayward may not achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in Hayward’s forward-looking statements, and you should not place significant reliance on its forward-looking statements. Hayward has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, neither Hayward nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements taken from third-party industry and market reports.

Important factors that could affect Hayward’s future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in its forward-looking statements include the following: its relationships with and the performance of distributors, builders, buying groups, retailers and servicers who sell Hayward’s products to pool owners; impacts on Hayward’s business from the sensitivity of its business to seasonality and unfavorable economic business conditions; competition from national and global companies, as well as lower-cost manufacturers; Hayward’s ability to develop, manufacture and effectively and profitably market and sell its new planned and future products; its ability to execute on its growth strategies and expansion opportunities; Hayward's exposure to credit risk on its accounts receivable; impacts on Hayward’s business from political, regulatory, economic, trade, and other risks associated with operating foreign businesses, including risks associated with geopolitical conflict; its ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers and manage disruptions to its global supply chain and the availability of raw materials; Hayward’s ability to identify emerging technological and other trends in its target end markets; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; its reliance on information technology systems and susceptibility to threats to those systems, including cybersecurity threats, and risks arising from its collection and use of personal information data; misuse of its technology-enabled products could lead to reduced sales, liability claims or harm to its reputation; the impact of product manufacturing disruptions, including as a result of catastrophic and other events beyond Hayward’s control; the potential adverse impact of tariffs and other trade restrictions on its business; regulatory changes and developments affecting Hayward’s current and future products; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; Hayward’s ability to service its existing indebtedness and obtain additional capital to finance operations and its growth opportunities; Hayward’s ability to establish, maintain and effectively enforce intellectual property protection for its products, as well as its ability to operate its business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others; the impact of material cost and other inflation; Hayward’s ability to attract and retain senior management and other qualified personnel; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits, impact trade agreements, or address the impacts of climate change; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; uncertainties related to distribution channel inventory practices and its impact on sales volumes; Hayward’s ability to realize cost savings from restructuring activities and other factors set forth in “Risk Factors” in Hayward’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Many of these factors are macroeconomic in nature and are, therefore, beyond Hayward’s control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Hayward’s actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those described in this earnings release as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, planned or projected. The forward-looking statements included in this earnings release are made only as of the date of this earnings release. Unless required by United States federal securities laws, Hayward neither intends nor assumes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this earnings release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in Hayward’s expectations.

*NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This earnings release includes certain financial measures not presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) including adjusted net income, adjusted basic EPS, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted segment income and adjusted segment income margin. These financial measures are not measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP and may exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing the Company’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income or other measures of profitability or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that the Company’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, which may be defined and calculated differently. See the appendix for a reconciliation of historical non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Reconciliation of fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance (which is presented on a basis similar to the presentation of historical adjusted EBITDA) is not being provided, as Hayward does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliation.

Reconciliations

Consolidated Reconciliations

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin Reconciliations (Non-GAAP)

Following is a reconciliation from net income to adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS Reconciliation (Non-GAAP)

Following is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income and earnings per share to adjusted earnings per share:

Segment Reconciliations

Following is a reconciliation from segment income to adjusted segment income for the North America (“NAM”) and Europe & Rest of World (“E&RW”) segments: