Whirlpool Corporation Delivering on Long-Term Value Creation Targets with Very Strong Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), the leading kitchen and laundry appliance company in the world, today reported financial results for the fourth-quarter of 2020.


             "Despite a challenging
              environment in 2020, we
              continued to deliver against
              our long-term strategy and
              reported our third consecutive
              year of record ongoing earnings
              per share," said Marc Bitzer,
              chairman and chief executive
              officer of Whirlpool
              Corporation. "As we enter into
              2021, we continue to see signs
              of economic recovery - such as
              positive demand and encouraging
              structural housing trends -
              and remain well-positioned to
              drive sustained shareholder
              value over the long term."





            
              MARC BITZER

    ---

KEY RESULTS


                     Fourth-Quarter Results   2020   2019             Change

    ---


       Net sales ($M)                      $5,798 $5,382  $416  7.7%


        Organic net sales(5) ($M)           $5,937 $5,382  $555 10.3%


        GAAP net earnings
         available to Whirlpool
         ($M)                                 $497   $288  $209 71.9%


        Ongoing EBIT(2) ($M)                  $657   $389  $268 68.9%


        GAAP earnings per diluted
         share                               $7.77  $4.52 $3.25 72.0%


        Ongoing earnings per
         diluted share(1)                    $6.64  $4.91 $1.73 35.2%

    ---


                     Full-Year Results    2020    2019                 Change

    ---


       Net sales ($M)                 $19,456 $20,419  $(963) (4.7)%


        Organic net sales(5) ($M)      $20,007 $19,784    $223    1.1%


        GAAP net earnings
         available to Whirlpool
         ($M)                           $1,081  $1,184  $(103) (8.8)%


        Ongoing EBIT(2) ($M)            $1,768  $1,414    $354   25.0%


        GAAP earnings per diluted
         share                          $17.07  $18.45 $(1.38) (7.5)%


        Ongoing earnings per
         diluted share(1)               $18.55  $16.00   $2.55   15.9%

    ---

CASH FLOW


                     Full-Year Cash Flow   2020   2019 Change

    ---

        Cash provided by (used
         in) operating activities
         ($M)                            $1,500 $1,230   $270


        Free cash flow(4) ($M)           $1,246   $912   $334

    ---

QUARTERLY & FULL-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

    1. Delivered Q4 GAAP and ongoing (non-GAAP) earnings per diluted share((1))
       of $7.77 and $6.64, respectively, driven by exceptional execution of
       go-to-market and cost takeout actions
    2. Solid full-year GAAP net earnings margin of 5.6% (down 20 basis points)
       driven by increased restructuring costs
    3. Record full-year ongoing (non-GAAP) EBIT margin((2)) of 9.1% (up 220
       basis points), driven by very strong execution of go-to-market
       initiatives and $500 million cost takeout program
    4. Full-year EBIT((3)) positive in EMEA as strategic actions continue to
       drive progress towards long-term goals
    5. Strong liquidity position with a cash balance of $2.9 billion as of
       December 31, 2020; repayment of approximately $1.7 billion of outstanding
       short-term debt resulting in gross debt leverage((6)) of 2.3x



               "We ended 2020 in a position of
                strength due to the early, decisive
                actions we took at the onset of the
                year to sustain operating margins
                and protect liquidity," said Jim
                Peters, chief financial officer of
                Whirlpool Corporation. "We
                significantly strengthened our
                balance sheet and continued to
                return cash to our shareholders,
                while delivering record ongoing
                earnings per share, ongoing EBIT
                margins and free cash flow. Looking
                ahead, we are confident that we
                will continue to deliver on our
                long-term financial goals and
                create further value for our
                shareholders."





              
                JIM PETERS

    ---

REGIONAL REVIEW


                     North America Q4 2020 Q4 2019  Change             Change
                                                             excluding
                                                             currency
                                                              impact

    ---


       Net sales ($M)              $3,208   $3,074     4.4%               4.3%



       EBIT(3) ($M)                  $581     $410    41.7%

    ---
    1. Solid revenue performance driven by positive consumer trends
    2. Record fourth-quarter EBIT, with EBIT margin((3)) of 18.1 percent,
       compared to 13.3 percent in the same prior-year period, driven by
       go-to-market actions and strong cost discipline


                       Europe, Middle East and Africa Q4 2020 Q4 2019  Change             Change
                                                                                excluding
                                                                                currency
                                                                                 impact

    ---


       Net sales ($M)                                 $1,416   $1,170    21.0%              17.8%



       EBIT(3) ($M)                                      $40      $11   263.6%

    ---
    1. Demand strength drove solid volume growth year-over-year, with
       double-digit growth in key countries

    2. Fourth-quarter EBIT margin((3)) of 2.8 percent, compared to 0.9 percent
       in the same prior-year period, as cost takeout actions and increased
       demand offset unfavorable currency

                     Latin America Q4 2020 Q4 2019  Change             Change
                                                             excluding
                                                             currency
                                                              impact

    ---


       Net sales ($M)                $821     $782     5.0%              27.9%



       EBIT(3) ($M)                  $100      $42   138.1%

    ---
    1. Organic net sales((5)) growth of 28 percent driven by Brazil industry
       growth
    2. Fourth-quarter EBIT margin((3)) of 12.1 percent, compared to 5.3 percent
       in the same prior-year period, as positive price/mix and increased demand
       offset unfavorable currency

                     Asia Q4 2020 Q4 2019  Change             Change
                                                    excluding
                                                    currency
                                                     impact

    ---

        Net sales ($M)       $354     $356   (0.7)%             (0.7)%


        EBIT(3) ($M)          $21       $2   950.0%

    ---
    1. Solid India results led by demand recovery
    2. China delivered strong EBIT improvement driven through cost productivity
       actions and  Whirlpool branded share gains

FULL-YEAR 2021 OUTLOOK

Strong 2021 outlook delivering on long-term financial goals:

    1. Full-year 2021 net sales increase of ~6 percent (the impact of currency
       on net sales for future periods is not included)
    2. GAAP earnings per diluted share of $17.80 to $18.80
    3. Ongoing earnings per diluted share((1)) of $19.00 to $20.00
    4. GAAP and adjusted tax rate (non-GAAP) of 24 to 26 percent
    5. Cash provided by operating activities of approximately $1.55 billion
    6. Free cash flow of $1 billion or more


     
     
     1. A reconciliation of ongoing earnings per diluted
              share, a non-GAAP financial measure, to
              reported net earnings per diluted share
              available to Whirlpool and other important
              information, appears below.



     
     
     2. A reconciliation of earnings before interest and
              taxes (EBIT) and ongoing EBIT, non-GAAP
              financial measures, to reported net earnings
              available to Whirlpool, and a reconciliation of
              EBIT margin and ongoing EBIT margin, non-GAAP
              financial measures, to net earnings margin and
              other important information, appears below.



     
     
     3. Segment EBIT and Ongoing Segment EBIT represents
              our consolidated EBIT broken down by the
              Company's reportable segments and are metrics
              used by the chief operating decision maker in
              accordance with ASC 280. Consolidated EBIT also
              includes corporate "Other/Eliminations" of
              $(43) million and $(95) million for the fourth
              quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
              Ongoing segment EBIT includes certain
              adjustments to segment EBIT, and a
              reconciliation and other important information,
              appears below.



     
     
     4. A reconciliation of free cash flow, a non-GAAP
              financial measure, to cash provided by (used
              in) operating activities and other important
              information, appears below.



     
     
     5. Organic net sales reflects net sales excluding
              the impact of foreign currency and the Embraco
              divestiture and a reconciliation and other
              important information appears below.



     
     
     6. Gross debt leverage represents Gross Debt/
              Ongoing EBITDA. A reconciliation of ongoing
              EBITDA to net earnings available to Whirlpool
              and other important information appears below.

ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the leading kitchen and laundry appliance company in the world, with approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 78,000 employees and 57 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2020. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at whirlpoolcorp.com.

WEBSITE DISCLOSURE
We routinely post important information for investors on our website, whirlpoolcorp.com, in the "Investors" section. We also intend to update the "Hot Topics Q&A" portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors" section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

WHIRLPOOL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Whirlpool") that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected financial results for 2021 and the key drivers for such results, industry expectations, supply-chain improvements, COVID-related supply chain impacts, delivery of long-term financial goals, and progress on ESG commitments. Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool's forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) COVID-19 pandemic-related business disruption and economic uncertainty; (2) intense competition in the home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new and established global competitors, including Asian and European manufacturers, and the impact of the changing retail environment, including direct-to-consumer sales; (3) Whirlpool's ability to maintain or increase sales to significant trade customers and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or increase market share; (4) Whirlpool's ability to maintain its reputation and brand image; (5) the ability of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, productivity improvements, and cost control objectives, and to leverage its global operating platform, and accelerate the rate of innovation; (6) Whirlpool's ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (7) acquisition and investment-related risks, including risks associated with our past acquisitions, and risks associated with our increased presence in emerging markets; (8) risks related to our international operations, including changes in foreign regulations, regulatory compliance and disruptions arising from political, legal and economic instability; (9) information technology system failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks; (10) product liability and product recall costs; (11) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (12) our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (13) the impact of labor relations; (14) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, resins, copper and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (15) Whirlpool's ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (16) impacts from goodwill impairment and related charges; (17) triggering events or circumstances impacting the carrying value of our long-lived assets; (18) inventory and other asset risk; (19) the uncertain global economy and changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products; (20) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and postretirement benefit plans; (21) changes in LIBOR, or replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate; (22) litigation, tax, and legal compliance risk and costs, especially if materially different from the amount we expect to incur or have accrued for, and any disruptions caused by the same; (23) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; and (24) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental, health and safety regulations, and taxes and tariffs. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in Whirlpool's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. World's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company claim is based on the most recently available publicly reported annual product sales, parts, and support revenues.


                                                                                          
             
                WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

                                                                                  
            
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

                                                                                      
           
                FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31

                                                                                
            
               (Millions of dollars, except per share data)




                                                                                                 Three Months Ended                                                     Twelve Months Ended


                                                                             2020                                                                 2019                2020                       2019


                                                                      (Unaudited)                                                         (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)



     
                Net sales                                                        $
           
                5,798                                                             $
              5,382         $
       
        19,456  $
       20,419



     
                Expenses



     Cost of products sold                                                 4,434                                                                      4,334                                  15,606             16,886




     Gross margin                                                          1,364                                                                      1,048                                   3,850              3,533




     Selling, general and administrative                                     523                                                                        562                                   1,877              2,142



     Intangible amortization                                                  16                                                                         16                                      62                 69



     Restructuring costs                                                     102                                                                         46                                     288                188



     Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles                              7                                                                                                                 7



     (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses                            -                                                                                                              (7)             (437)




     Operating profit                                                        716                                                                        424                                   1,623              1,571




     
                Other (income) expense



     Interest and sundry (income) expense                                     17                                                                         54                                    (21)             (168)



     Interest expense                                                         46                                                                         39                                     189                187




     Earnings before income taxes                                            653                                                                        331                                   1,455              1,552



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                            152                                                                         43                                     384                354




     Net earnings                                                            501                                                                        288                                   1,071              1,198



     Less: Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests           4                                                                                                              (10)                14




     Net earnings available to Whirlpool                                             $
           
                497                                                               $
              288          $
       
        1,081   $
       1,184




     
                Per share of common stock



     Basic net earnings available to Whirlpool                                      $
           
                7.90                                                              $
              4.56          $
       
        17.24   $
       18.60




     Diluted net earnings available to Whirlpool                                    $
           
                7.77                                                              $
              4.52          $
       
        17.07   $
       18.45




     Dividends declared                                                             $
           
                1.25                                                              $
              1.20           $
       
        4.85    $
       4.75




     
                Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)



     Basic                                                                  62.9                                                                       63.3                                    62.7               63.7



     Diluted                                                                63.9                                                                       63.9                                    63.3               64.2


                                                                                                                                    
              
                WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

                                                                                                                                 
              
                CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                                                          
              
                (Millions of dollars, except share data)






                                                                                                                                                                                           December 31,               December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   2020                        2019


                                                                                                                                                                                           (Unaudited)



     
                Assets



     Current assets



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                          $
      
      2,924                               $
      1,952



     Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $132 and $132, respectively                                                                                                                        3,109                                2,198



     Inventories                                                                                                                                                                                 2,187                                2,438



     Prepaid and other current assets                                                                                                                                                              795                                  810



     Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                        9,015                                7,398




     Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,780 and $6,444, respectively                                                                                                                3,199                                3,301



     Right of use assets                                                                                                                                                                           989                                  921



     Goodwill                                                                                                                                                                                    2,496                                2,440



     Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $673 and $593, respectively                                                                                                           2,194                                2,225



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                                                       2,217                                2,238



     Other noncurrent assets                                                                                                                                                                       240                                  358




     Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                      $
      
      20,350                              $
      18,881




     
                Liabilities and stockholders' equity



     Current liabilities



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                                                                   $
      
      4,834                        4,547



     Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                                                              637                                  652



     Accrued advertising and promotions                                                                                                                                                            831                                  949



     Employee compensation                                                                                                                                                                         648                                  450



     Notes payable                                                                                                                                                                                  12                                  294



     Current maturities of long-term debt                                                                                                                                                          298                                  559



     Other current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                   1,070                                  918



     Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                   8,330                                8,369




     Noncurrent liabilities



     Long-term debt                                                                                                                                                                              5,059                                4,140



     Pension benefits                                                                                                                                                                              516                                  542



     Postretirement benefits                                                                                                                                                                       166                                  322



     Lease liabilities                                                                                                                                                                             838                                  778



     Other noncurrent liabilities                                                                                                                                                                  732                                  612




     Total noncurrent liabilities                                                                                                                                                                7,311                                6,394




     Stockholders' equity


      Common stock, $1 par value, 250 million shares authorized, 112 million shares issued, and 62 million and 63 million shares outstanding, respectively                                          113                                  112



     Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                  2,923                                2,806



     Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                                           8,639                                7,870



     Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                                                      (2,811)                             (2,618)



     Treasury stock, 50 million and 49 million shares, respectively                                                                                                                            (5,065)                             (4,975)




     Total Whirlpool stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                        3,799                                3,195




     Noncontrolling interests                                                                                                                                                                      910                                  923




     Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                  4,709                                4,118




     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                        $
      
      20,350                              $
      18,881


                                                                                                    
         
             WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

                                                                                                
         
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                  
         
         FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31

                                                                                                    
         
             (Millions of dollars)




                                                                                                                                                                 Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                         2020                              2019


                                                                                                                                                  (Unaudited)



     
                Operating activities



     Net earnings                                                                                                                                            $
              
              1,071               $
     1,198



     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                       568                                        587



     Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles                                                                                                          7



     (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses                                                                                                      (7)                                     (437)



     Changes in assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                               (940)                                      (87)



     Inventories                                                                                                                                         241                                       (39)



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                    341                                        140



     Accrued advertising and promotions                                                                                                                (123)                                       118



     Accrued expenses and current liabilities                                                                                                          (287)                                        22



     Taxes deferred and payable, net                                                                                                                     156                                      (116)



     Accrued pension and postretirement benefits                                                                                                        (30)                                      (81)



     Employee compensation                                                                                                                               303                                        106



     Other                                                                                                                                               200                                      (181)




     Cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                                   1,500                                      1,230




     
                Investing activities



     Capital expenditures                                                                                                                              (410)                                     (532)



     Proceeds from sale of assets and business                                                                                                           166                                      1,174



     Other                                                                                                                                                 7                                        (6)




     Cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                                                                                   (237)                                       636




     
                Financing activities



     Net proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt                                                                                                    1,033                                        700



     Repayments of long-term debt                                                                                                                      (569)                                     (949)



     Net proceeds (repayments) from short-term borrowings                                                                                              (330)                                     (723)



     Dividends paid                                                                                                                                    (311)                                     (305)



     Repurchase of common stock                                                                                                                        (121)                                     (148)



     Common stock issued                                                                                                                                  44                                          8



     Other                                                                                                                                                 1                                        (7)




     Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                                                   (253)                                   (1,424)




     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                                      (28)                                      (28)




     Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                                                   982                                        414



     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year                                                                                   1,952                                      1,538




     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year                                                                                               $
              
              2,934               $
     1,952

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Millions of dollars except per share data)
(Unaudited)

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial measures, some of which we refer to as "ongoing" measures, including earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), EBIT margin, ongoing EBIT, ongoing EBIT margin, ongoing earnings per diluted share, organic net sales, adjusted effective tax rate, sales excluding currency and free cash flow. Ongoing measures exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing operations and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Sales excluding foreign currency is calculated by translating the current period net sales, in functional currency, to U.S. dollars using the prior-year period's exchange rate compared to the prior-year period net sales. Management believes that sales excluding foreign currency provides stockholders with a clearer basis to assess our results over time, excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Management believes that organic net sales provides stockholders with a clearer basis to assess our results over time, excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and the Embraco divestiture. Management believes that adjusted tax rate provides investors with a meaningful, consistent comparison of the Company's effective tax rate, excluding the pre-tax income and tax effect of certain unique items. Management believes that free cash flow provides investors and stockholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing the company's ability to fund its activities and obligations.The Company provides free cash flow related metrics, such as free cash flow as a percentage of net sales, as long-term management goals, not an element of its annual financial guidance, and as such does not provide a reconciliation of free cash flow to cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for these long-term goal metrics. Whirlpool does not provide a non-GAAP reconciliation for its other forward-looking long-term value creation and other goals, such as organic net sales, EBIT, and gross debt/EBITDA, as such reconciliation would rely on market factors and certain other conditions and assumptions that are outside of the company's control. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist investors and stockholders in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance, and reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These ongoing financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported net earnings available to Whirlpool per diluted share, net earnings, net earnings available to Whirlpool, net earnings margin, net sales, effective tax rate and cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. We also disclose segment EBIT and ongoing segment EBIT as important financial metrics used by the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker to evaluate performance and allocate resources in accordance with ASC 280 - Segment Reporting. GAAP net earnings available to Whirlpool per diluted share and ongoing earnings per diluted share are presented net of tax, while individual adjustments in each reconciliation are presented on a pre-tax basis; the income tax impact line item aggregates the tax impact for these adjustments. The tax impact of individual line item adjustments may not foot precisely to the aggregate income tax impact amount, as each line item adjustment may include non-taxable components. Historical quarterly earnings per share amounts are presented based on a normalized tax rate adjustment to reconcile quarterly tax rates to full-year tax rate expectations. We strongly encourage investors and stockholders to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

FOURTH-QUARTER 2020 ONGOING EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES AND ONGOING EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures ongoing earnings before interest and taxes and ongoing earnings per diluted share, with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net earnings available to Whirlpool and net earnings per diluted share available to Whirlpool, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Net earnings margin is calculated by dividing net earnings available to Whirlpool by net sales. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT by net sales. EBIT margin is calculated by dividing EBIT by net sales. The earnings per diluted share GAAP measure and ongoing measure are presented net of tax, while each adjustment is presented on a pre-tax basis. Our fourth-quarter GAAP tax rate was 23.4%. The aggregate income tax impact of the taxable components of each adjustment is presented in the income tax impact line item at our fourth-quarter adjusted tax rate (non-GAAP) of 30.0%.


                                                                Three Months Ended



     Earnings Before Interest & Taxes Reconciliation:          December 31, 2020



     Net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool                                     $
       497



     Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests                  4



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                             152



     Interest expense                                                          46




     Earnings before interest & taxes                                               $
       699




     Net sales                                                                    $
       5,798



     Net earnings margin                                            8.6
            %



                                                                  
            Results classification                          Earnings before               Earnings per
                                                                                                        interest & taxes                   diluted share



     Reported measure                                                                                                     $
              699                                    $
     7.77



     Restructuring costs(a)                                    
       Restructuring costs                                                102                               1.60


      Product warranty and liability (income) expense(c)        
       Cost of products sold                                             (30)                            (0.46)


      Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
       Cost of products sold                                             (74)                            (1.16)


      Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
       Selling, general and administrative                               (39)                            (0.62)



     Corrective action recovery(e)                             
       Cost of products sold                                              (1)                            (0.02)



     Income tax impact                                                                                                                                          0.20



     Normalized tax rate adjustment(b)                                                                                                                        (0.67)




     Ongoing measure                                                                                                      $
              657                                    $
     6.64




     Net sales                                                                                                          $
              5,798



     Ongoing EBIT margin                                                                                           11.3
                                                                                                                       %





     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding

FOURTH-QUARTER 2019 ONGOING EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES AND ONGOING EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures ongoing earnings before interest and taxes and ongoing earnings per diluted share, with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net earnings available to Whirlpool and net earnings per diluted share available to Whirlpool, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Net earnings margin is calculated by dividing net earnings available to Whirlpool by net sales. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT by net sales. EBIT margin is calculated by dividing EBIT by net sales. The earnings per diluted share GAAP measure and ongoing measure are presented net of tax, while each adjustment is presented on a pre-tax basis. Our fourth-quarter GAAP tax rate was 12.8%. The aggregate income tax impact of the taxable components of each adjustment is presented in the income tax impact line item at our fourth-quarter adjusted tax rate (non-GAAP) of 9.6%.


                                                                Three Months Ended



     Earnings Before Interest & Taxes Reconciliation:          December 31, 2019



     Net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool                                     $
       288



     Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                              43



     Interest expense                                                          39




     Earnings (loss) before interest & taxes                                        $
       370




     Net sales                                                                    $
       5,382



     Net earnings margin                                            5.4
            %



                                                                  
            Results classification                           Earnings before               Earnings per
                                                                                                         interest & taxes                   diluted share



     Reported measure                                                                                                      $
              370                                    $
     4.52



     Restructuring costs(a)                                    
       Restructuring costs                                                  46                               0.72



     Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
       Cost of products sold                                              (95)                            (1.49)



     Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
       Selling, general and administrative                                   9                               0.14



     Trade customer insolvency settlement(f)                   
       Interest and sundry (income) expense                                 59                               0.93



     Income tax impact                                                                                                                                         (0.02)



     Normalized tax rate adjustment(b)                                                                                                              0.11




     Ongoing measure                                                                                                       $
              389                                    $
     4.91




     Net sales                                                                                                           $
              5,382



     Ongoing EBIT margin                                                                                             7.2
                                                                                                                        %





     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding

FULL-YEAR 2020 ONGOING EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES, ONGOING EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures ongoing earnings before interest and taxes and ongoing earnings per diluted share, with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool and net earnings (loss) per diluted share available to Whirlpool, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Net earnings margin is calculated by dividing net earnings available to Whirlpool by net sales. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT by net sales. EBIT margin is calculated by dividing EBIT by net sales. The earnings per diluted share GAAP measure and ongoing measure are presented net of tax, while each adjustment is presented on a pre-tax basis. Our full-year GAAP tax rate is approximately 26.5%. The aggregate income tax impact of the taxable components of each adjustment is presented in the income tax impact line item at our full-year adjusted tax rate of approximately 26.3%.


                                                                Twelve Months Ended



     Earnings Before Interest & Taxes Reconciliation:           December 31, 2020



     Net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool                                     $
      1,081



     Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests                (10)



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                              384



     Interest expense                                                          189




     Earnings before interest & taxes                                               $
      1,644




     Net sales                                                                     $
      19,456



     Net earnings margin                                             5.6
            %

                                                                                                                                      Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                       December 31, 2020


                                                                   
              Results classification                                 Earnings before                 Earnings (loss)
                                                                                                                                                                            per
                                                                                                                 interest & taxes                      diluted share



     Reported measure                                                                                                             $
              1,644                                         $
     17.07



     Restructuring costs(a)                                    
     Restructuring costs                                                            288                                    4.54


      Product warranty and liability (income) expense(c)        
     Cost of products sold                                                         (30)                                 (0.47)


      Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
     Cost of products sold                                                         (74)                                 (1.16)


      Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
     Selling, general and administrative                                           (39)                                 (0.61)



     Corrective action recovery(e)                             
     Cost of products sold                                                         (14)                                 (0.22)


      (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses(g)           (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses                                 (7)                                 (0.10)



     Income tax impact                                                                                                                                       (0.53)



     Normalized tax rate adjustment(b)                                                                                                                         0.03




     Ongoing measure                                                                                                              $
              1,768                                         $
     18.55




     Net sales                                                                                                                   $
              19,456



     Ongoing EBIT margin                                                                                                     9.1
                                                                                                                                %





     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding

FULL-YEAR 2019 ONGOING EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES AND ONGOING EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures ongoing earnings before interest and taxes and ongoing earnings per diluted share, with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net earnings available to Whirlpool and net earnings per diluted share available to Whirlpool, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT by net sales. EBIT margin is calculated by dividing EBIT by net sales. The earnings per diluted share GAAP measure and ongoing measure are presented net of tax, while each adjustment is presented on a pre-tax basis. Our full-year GAAP tax rate of approximately 22.8% includes the impact of the gain on sale of Embraco. The aggregate income tax impact of the taxable components of each adjustment is presented in the income tax impact line item at our full-year adjusted tax rate of approximately 15.3%.


                                                                Twelve Months Ended



     Earnings Before Interest & Taxes Reconciliation:           December 31, 2019



     Net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool                                     $
      1,184



     Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests                  14



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                              354



     Interest expense                                                          187




     Earnings before interest & taxes                                               $
      1,739




     Net sales                                                                     $
      20,419



     Net earnings margin                                             5.8
            %

                                                                                                                                      Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                                                       December 31, 2019


                                                                   
              Results classification                                 Earnings before                 Earnings (loss)
                                                                                                                                                                            per
                                                                                                                 interest & taxes                      diluted share



     Reported measure                                                                                                             $
              1,739                                         $
     18.45



     Restructuring costs(a)                                    
     Restructuring costs                                                            188                                    2.93



     Brazil indirect tax credit(h)                             
     Interest and sundry (income) expense                                         (180)                                 (2.80)



     (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses(g)           (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses                               (437)                                 (6.79)



     Product warranty and liability (income) expense(c)        
     Cost of products sold                                                          126                                    1.96



     Product warranty and liability (income)  expense(c)       
     Interest and sundry (income) expense                                             5                                    0.08



     Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
     Cost of products sold                                                         (95)                                 (1.48)



     Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d) 
     Selling, general and administrative                                              9                                    0.14



     Trade customer insolvency claim settlement(f)             
     Interest and sundry (income) expense                                            59                                    0.92



     Income tax impact                                                                                                                                                         0.75



     Normalized tax rate adjustment(b)                                                                                                                         1.84




     Ongoing measure                                                                                                              $
              1,414                                         $
     16.00




     Net sales                                                                                                                   $
              20,419



     Ongoing EBIT margin                                                                                           6.9
            %





     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding

FULL-YEAR 2021 OUTLOOK FOR ONGOING EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES AND ONGOING EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures ongoing earnings before interest and taxes and ongoing earnings per diluted share, with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, net earnings available to Whirlpool and net earnings per diluted share available to Whirlpool, for the twelve months ending December 31, 2021. Ongoing EBIT margin is calculated by dividing ongoing EBIT by net sales. EBIT margin is calculated by dividing EBIT by net sales. The earnings per diluted share GAAP measure and ongoing measure are presented net of tax, while each adjustment is presented on a pre-tax basis. The aggregate income tax impact of the taxable components of each adjustment is presented in the income tax impact line item at our anticipated full-year adjusted tax rate between 24.0% and 26.0%.


                                                                                   Twelve Months Ending


                                                                                     December 31, 2021


                                     
              Results classification 
           Earnings before          
        Earnings (loss) per
                                                                         interest & taxes*                diluted share



     Reported measure*                                                                          $1,775         
              $17.80-$18.80



     Restructuring costs(a) 
              Restructuring costs                                         100                             1.59



     Income tax impact      
              Interest and sundry                                                                      (0.39)
                             (income) expense




     Ongoing measure                                                                            $1,875         
              $19.00-$20.00



               Note: Numbers may not reconcile due
                to rounding




                            *Earnings Before Interest & Taxes
                             (EBIT) is a non-GAAP measure. The
                             Company does not provide a forward-
                             looking 
                quantitative
                             reconciliation of EBIT to the most
                             directly comparable GAAP financial
                             measure, net earnings available to
                                        Whirlpool, because the
                                        net earnings available to
                             noncontrolling interests item of
                             such reconciliation -- which has
                                        historically represented
                                        a relatively insignificant amount of
                             the Company's overall net earnings -
                             - implicates the
                             Company's projections regarding the
                             earnings of the Company's non
                             wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint
                             ventures that 
                cannot be
                             quantified precisely or without
                             unreasonable efforts.

ORGANIC NET SALES

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure organic net sales with reported net sales, for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for the Company.


                   
            Three Months Ended


                      
            December 31,


                     2020                      2019 Change


     Net sales            $
              5,798                $
     5,382  7.7

                                                                     %


     Less: Embraco
      net sales


     Add-Back:
      currency        138



     Organic net          $
              5,937                $
     5,382 10.3
      sales
                                                                     %

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure organic net sales with reported net sales, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for the Company.


                 
            Twelve Months Ended


                    
            December 31,


                  2020                        2019  Change


     Net sales         $
              19,456                  $
     20,419 (4.7)

                                                                       %


     Less:
      Embraco
      net sales                                    (635)


     Add-Back:
      currency     551



     Organic net       $
              20,007                  $
     19,784   1.1
      sales
                                                                       %

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure organic net sales with reported net sales, for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for Whirlpool Latin America.


                           
              Three Months Ended


                              
              December 31,


                             2020                        2019 Change


      Net sales                       $
              821                $
     782  5.0

                                                                             %


      Less:
       Embraco
       net
       sales                    -


      Add-
       Back:
       currency               179



      Organic                       $
              1,000                $
     782 27.9
       net
       sales                                                                 %






     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding

FULL-YEAR 2020 GROSS DEBT TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION & AMORTIZATION RATIO

The reconciliation provided below reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure ongoing EBITDA to net earnings available to Whirlpool, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.


                                                                            Twelve Months Ended



     Ongoing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation & amortization:  December 31, 2020



     Net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool                                                $
     1,081



     Net earnings (loss) available to noncontrolling interests                            (10)



     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                          384



     Interest expense                                                                      189




     Earnings before interest & taxes                                                          $
     1,644




     Restructuring costs(a)                                                                288



     Product warranty and liability expense(c)                                            (30)



     Sale leaseback, real estate and receivable adjustments(d)                           (114)



     Corrective action recovery(e)                                                        (14)



     (Gain) loss on sale and disposal of businesses(g)                                     (7)




     Ongoing earnings before interest & taxes                                                  $
     1,768




     Depreciation and amortization                                                         568




     Ongoing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation & amortization                      $
     2,336

The reconciliation provided below reconciles Whirlpool's Gross Debt outstanding, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.


                                           Twelve Months Ended



     Gross debt outstanding:               December 31, 2020



     Long-term debt                                           $
     5,059



     Current maturities of long-term debt                 298



     Notes payable                                         12




     Gross debt outstanding                                   $
     5,369

The reconciliation provided below calculates Whirlpool's Gross Debt to ongoing EBITDA ratio, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.


                                                   Twelve Months
                                                        Ended


      Gross debt to EBITDA ratio:                  December 31,
                                                        2020


      Gross debt outstanding                                     $
     5,369


      Ongoing earnings before
       interest, taxes, depreciation
       and amortization                                          $
     2,336


      Gross debt to EBITDA ratio:                            2.3





     Note: Numbers may not reconcile due to rounding



     
      FOOTNOTES





     1.                  RESTRUCTURING COSTS
                 - In 2019,
                           these costs were primarily related to actions
                           that right-size our EMEA business and
                           certain other unique restructuring events,
                           including restructuring of the Naples, Italy
                           manufacturing plant. In 2020, these costs
                           were primarily related to actions that right-
                           size and reduce the fixed cost structure of
                           our global business, attributable primarily
                           to the current macroeconomic uncertainties
                           caused by COVID-19. This includes costs of
                           approximately $100 million related to
                           restructuring in the United States and
                           approximately $188 million related to
                           restructuring outside of the United States,
                           including the exit of our Naples, Italy
                           facility. In 2021, these costs are primarily
                           related to actions taken by the Company in
                           response to the current macroeconomic
                           uncertainties caused by COVID-19 within our
                           EMEA region.





     2.                  NORMALIZED TAX RATE ADJUSTMENT
                 -
                           During the fourth quarter of 2019, the
                           Company calculated ongoing earnings per share
                           using an adjusted tax rate of 9.6%, to
                           reconcile to our full-year 2019 effective
                           tax rate of 15.3%, which excludes the tax
                           impact of the gain on sale of the Embraco
                           business, a valuation allowance release and
                           the Brazil indirect tax credit. During the
                           fourth quarter of 2020, the Company
                           calculated ongoing earnings per share using
                           an adjusted tax rate of 30.0%, to reconcile
                           to our full-year effective tax rate of
                           26.3%.





     3.                  PRODUCT WARRANTY AND LIABILITY (INCOME)
                           EXPENSE - In September 2015, the Company
                           recorded a liability related to a corrective
                           action affecting certain legacy Indesit
                           products. During the second and third
                           quarters of 2019, the Company incurred
                           additional product warranty expense related
                           to this previously disclosed legacy Indesit
                           dryer corrective action campaign in the UK
                           for approximately $12 million and $14
                           million, respectively. In the third quarter
                           of 2019, the Company recorded a charge of
                           approximately $105 million for estimated
                           product warranty expense related to certain
                           EMEA-produced washers for which the Company
                           commenced a recall in January 2020.




            During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company
              released an accrual of approximately $30
              million related to this EMEA-produced washer
              recall campaign, based on our revised
              expectations regarding future period cash
              expenditures for the campaign.





     4.                  SALE LEASEBACK, REAL ESTATE AND RECEIVABLE
                           ADJUSTMENTS - In the fourth quarter of 2019,
                           the Company sold certain owned properties,
                           primarily warehouses, while agreeing to lease
                           these same properties from the purchaser. As
                           part of the sale, the Company recognized a
                           pre-tax gain on sale of the group of
                           properties of approximately $111 million and
                           a cash benefit of approximately $140 million.
                           In addition, the Company wrote off the full
                           loan receivable amount outstanding of
                           approximately $18 million related to a
                           previous loan between the Company and a not-
                           for-profit entity in connection with a
                           community and economic development project.
                           The Company also wrote-down the book value
                           of certain real estate properties,
                           recognizing a loss of approximately $7
                           million.




            In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company
              sold and leased back a group of properties
              for net proceeds of approximately $139
              million. The transaction met the requirements
              for the sale leaseback accounting. In the
              fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recorded
              the sale of the properties, which resulted in
              a pre-tax gain of approximately $113 million
              ($89 million, net of tax) recorded in cost of
              products sold ($74 million) and selling,
              general and administrative expense ($39
              million) in the Consolidated Statements of
              Comprehensive Income (Loss).





     5.                  CORRECTIVE ACTION RECOVERY -  The Company
                           recorded a benefit of $13 million in the
                           third quarter of 2020 and $1 million in the
                           fourth quarter of 2020 related to a vendor
                           recovery in our ongoing EMEA-produced washer
                           corrective action. The Company anticipates
                           recording additional immaterial vendor
                           recovery benefits in one or more future
                           quarters.





     6.                  TRADE CUSTOMER INSOLVENCY SETTLEMENT - In
                           January 2020, the Company entered into an
                           agreement with the insolvency trustee for
                           Alno AG, a former trade customer of a Company
                           subsidiary in which the Company subsidiary
                           held a minority equity interest, to settle
                           all potential claims that the insolvency
                           trustee may have against the Company
                           subsidiary related to the Alno insolvency,
                           resulting in a one-time charge of EUR52.75
                           million ($59 million as of December 31,
                           2019).





     7.                  (GAIN) LOSS ON SALE AND DISPOSAL OF BUSINESSES
                           -  During the second quarter of 2019, the
                           Company entered into an agreement to sell its
                           South Africa operations. As a result, the
                           Company recorded a charge of $35 million for
                           the write-down of the assets of the disposal
                           group to fair value and $33 million of
                           cumulative foreign currency translation
                           adjustments included in the carrying amount
                           of the disposal group to calculate the
                           impairment. The Company also incurred charges
                           of approximately $11 million, primarily
                           inventory liquidation costs, related to the
                           exit of our domestic sales operations in
                           Turkey. Total charges recorded in the second
                           quarter of 2019 were approximately $79
                           million. During the third quarter of 2019,
                           changes in working capital accounts and
                           currency translation adjustments resulted in
                           the Company reducing the amount of loss by
                           approximately $5 million.




             On July 1, 2019 the Company closed the sale of
              the Embraco compressor business. As a result,
              the Company recorded a gain, before taxes, of
              approximately $511 million.




            During the third quarter of 2019, the Company
              reserved approximately $7 million for an
              expected change in purchase price for the
              sale of the Embraco compressor business.
              Adjustments to the final purchase price were
              finalized as of the third quarter of 2020,
              with no resulting change to the final
              purchase price, and the reserve was released
              and recognized as a gain during the quarter.





     8.                  BRAZIL INDIRECT TAX CREDIT - During the first
                           half of 2019, the Company received favorable,
                           non-appealable decisions related to the
                           recovery of certain taxes previously paid
                           over gross sales. As a result, the Company
                           recorded a gain in interest and sundry
                           (income) expense during the first quarter and
                           second quarter of 2019 in the amount of $127
                           million and $53 million, respectively, in
                           connection with these decisions.

FREE CASH FLOW

As defined by the Company, free cash flow is cash provided by (used in) operating activities after capital expenditures, proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses and changes in restricted cash. The reconciliation provided below reconciles twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and projected 2021 full-year free cash flow with cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Free cash flow as a percentage of net sales is calculated by dividing free cash flow by net sales.


                                                                                                    Twelve Months Ended


                                                                                                    December 31,



     
                (millions of dollars)                                                       2020                  2019 
     2021 Outlook



     Cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                        $1,500                $1,230              $1,550


      Capital expenditures, proceeds from sale of assets/businesses and change in restricted
       cash*                                                                                  (254)                  682               (550)



     Repayment of term loan                                                                                     (1,000)




     Free cash flow                                                                         $1,246                  $912             $1,000+






     Cash provided by (used in) investing activities**                                       (237)                  636



     Cash provided by (used in) financing activities**                                       (253)              (1,424)



               Note: 2019 free cash flow includes
                the net proceeds and the term loan
                repayment related to the sale of
                the Embraco business of
                approximately $1 billion.




               *In 2018 and 2019, restricted cash
                was used to fund capital
                expenditures and technical
                resources to enhance Whirlpool
                China's research and development
                and working capital, as required
                by the terms of the Whirlpool
                China (formerly Hefei Sanyo)
                acquisition. In 2020, restricted
                cash represents contributions held
                as part of the Company's
                Charitable Foundation which was
                consolidated as of September 30,
                2020.




               **Financial guidance on a GAAP
                basis for cash provided by (used
                in) financing activities and cash
                provided by (used in) investing
                activities has not been provided
                because in order to prepare any
                such estimate or projection, the
                Company would need to rely on
                market factors and certain other
                conditions and assumptions that
                are outside of its control.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whirlpool-corporation-delivering-on-long-term-value-creation-targets-with-very-strong-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-results-301216532.html

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation