Air Products Reports Fiscal 2022 First Quarter GAAP EPS# and Adjusted EPS* of $2.52

Q1 FY22 (comparisons versus prior year):

• GAAP EPS of $2.52, up 19 percent; GAAP net income of $550 million, up 13 percent; and GAAP net income margin of 18.4 percent, down 210 basis points 
• Adjusted EPS* of $2.52, up 19 percent; adjusted EBITDA* of $1,003 million, up eight percent; and adjusted EBITDA margin* of 33.5 percent, down 570 basis points

Recent Highlights 

• Increased quarterly dividend by eight percent to $1.62 per share—the 40th consecutive year of increases—which is expected to return more than $1.4 billion to shareholders in 2022
• Closed on Phase I of the ~$12 billion air separation unit/gasification/power joint venture with Aramco, ACWA Power and Air Products Qudra in Jazan Economic City, Saudi Arabia in late October 
• Awarded thyssenkrupp nucera a contract to supply a more than two-gigawatt electrolysis plant for the NEOM carbon-free hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia 
• Continued to be recognized for sustainability and extend commitments: listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the 12th consecutive year; received Best Carbon Management Project Award from Chemical Week for net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; set increased goal to achieve 30 percent minority representation in professional and managerial roles in the U.S. by 2025

Guidance

• Maintaining fiscal 2022 full-year adjusted EPS guidance* of $10.20 to $10.40, up 13 to 15 percent over prior year adjusted EPS*; fiscal 2022 second quarter adjusted EPS guidance* of $2.30 to $2.40, up 11 to 15 percent over prior year second quarter adjusted EPS* 
• Expect fiscal year 2022 capital expenditures* of $4.5 to $5.0 billion 

^#Earnings per share is calculated and presented on a diluted basis from continuing operations attributable to Air Products. 

*Certain results in this release, including in the highlights above, include references to non-GAAP financial measures on a consolidated, continuing operations basis and a segment basis. Additional information regarding these measures and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP historical results can be found below. In addition, as discussed below, it is not possible, without unreasonable efforts, to identify the timing or occurrence of events and transactions that could significantly impact future GAAP EPS or cash flow used for investing activities if they were to occur.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today reported first quarter fiscal 2022 results, including GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $2.52, up 19 percent over prior year, and GAAP net income of $550 million, up 13 percent over prior year as higher volumes, pricing and equity affiliate income more than offset higher costs. GAAP net income margin of 18.4 percent decreased 210 basis points, primarily due to higher energy cost pass-through, which negatively impacted margin by about 200 basis points.  

For the quarter, on a non-GAAP basis, adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $2.52 increased 19 percent over the prior year, and adjusted EBITDA of $1,003 million was up eight percent over the prior year as higher volumes, pricing and equity affiliate income more than offset higher costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 33.5 percent decreased 570 basis points, primarily due to higher energy cost pass-through, which negatively impacted margin by about 450 basis points.

First quarter sales of $3.0 billion increased 26 percent over the prior year, on 14 percent higher energy cost pass-through, eight percent higher volumes and five percent higher pricing, partially offset by one percent unfavorable currency. Volume growth was driven by new assets, hydrogen and merchant recovery, and higher equipment sales. Pricing improved in the Americas, Asia and Europe—the Company's three largest segments—and in most major product lines. 

Air Products closed on Phase I of the $12 billion Jazan joint venture in late October 2021, which favorably contributed to results this quarter. On an ongoing basis, the benefit is seen in equity affiliate income and non-operating income. Q1 FY22 also saw a one-time benefit in equity affiliate income and non-controlling interest from the transfer of the Jazan air separation unit (ASU) assets and the settlement of the ASU JV.  

Commenting on the results, Air Products' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Seifi Ghasemi said, "With our secure business model, strong cash flows, and the continued hard work and dedication of the Air Products team around the world, we again performed in keeping with our commitments to our shareholders. The team delivered these results despite unprecedented energy cost increases, supply chain disruptions and the continuing pandemic. At the end of October, we also closed on Phase I of the Jazan project―the largest in our company’s history―which will create value for many years to come. As we continue to deploy capital into megaprojects that provide lower-carbon forms of energy and improve sustainability, we also remain committed to return cash to shareholders through our dividend, which we proudly increased for the 40th consecutive year."

Fiscal First Quarter Results by Business Segment

• Americas sales of $1,224 million were up 31 percent over the prior year on 20 percent higher energy cost pass-through; eight percent higher volumes, driven primarily by hydrogen and merchant demand; and three percent higher pricing. Operating income of $267 million increased 18 percent as higher volumes and pricing more than offset higher energy costs. Adjusted EBITDA of $457 million increased 14 percent on these same factors as well as higher equity affiliate income. Operating margin of 21.8 percent decreased 240 basis points, as higher energy cost pass-through negatively impacted margin by about 350 basis points. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 37.3 percent decreased 560 basis points, as higher energy cost pass-through negatively impacted margin by about 700 basis points.

• Asia sales of $780 million increased nine percent over the prior year on four percent higher volumes, particularly on-site volume from new plants across the region; three percent higher pricing; and two percent favorable currency. Operating income of $221 million increased three percent and adjusted EBITDA of $339 million increased two percent, as favorable volumes, pricing and currency more than offset higher costs. Operating margin of 28.3 percent decreased 160 basis points and adjusted EBITDA margin of 43.4 percent decreased 280 basis points, as favorable volumes were more than offset by higher costs.

• Europe sales of $744 million increased 37 percent over the prior year on 27 percent higher energy cost pass-through; nine percent higher pricing; and five percent higher volumes, driven primarily by hydrogen and merchant demand, partially offset by four percent unfavorable currency. Operating income of $99 million decreased 28 percent and adjusted EBITDA of $163 million decreased 19 percent, primarily driven by higher energy and other costs, partially offset by higher pricing. Operating margin of 13.3 percent decreased 1,200 basis points and adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.9 percent decreased 1,520 basis points, predominantly on the higher energy costs; about half of the decline was due to energy cost pass-through.

• Middle East and India equity affiliate income of $92 million was up $71 million over the prior year, primarily from the Jazan joint ventures.

Outlook

Air Products continues to expect full-year fiscal 2022 adjusted EPS guidance of $10.20 to $10.40, up 13 to 15 percent over prior year adjusted EPS. For the fiscal 2022 second quarter, Air Products' adjusted EPS guidance is $2.30 to $2.40, up 11 to 15 percent over fiscal 2021 second quarter adjusted EPS. 

Air Products expects capital expenditures of $4.5 to $5.0 billion for full-year fiscal 2022. 

Management has provided adjusted EPS guidance on a continuing operations basis, which excludes the impact of certain items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business performance, such as the incurrence of additional costs for cost reduction actions and impairment charges, or the recognition of gains or losses on disclosed items. It is not possible, without unreasonable efforts, to predict the timing or occurrence of these events or the potential for other transactions that may impact future GAAP EPS or the effective tax rate. Furthermore, it is not possible to identify the potential significance of these events in advance, but any of these events, if they were to occur, could have a significant effect on our future GAAP EPS. Management therefore is unable to reconcile, without unreasonable effort, the Company’s forecasted range of adjusted EPS and effective tax rate to a comparable GAAP range.

Earnings Teleconference
Access the fiscal 2022 first quarter earnings teleconference scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 4, 2022 by calling 323-701-0160 and entering passcode 7375615 or access the Event Details page on Air Products’ Investor Relations website.