STAMFORD - Crane Holdings, Co. (NYSE: CR), a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products, reported fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results.
Max Mitchell, Crane Holdings, Co. President and Chief Executive Officer stated: 'Another outstanding quarter of execution by our global team, along with continued progress toward our planned separation. Preparations for the separation are progressing smoothly, and we remain on-track for completion in April 2023. Both organizations continue to build out strong teams that will position both Crane Company and Crane NXT to deliver consistent, differentiated execution. Further, we continue to believe that the transaction will permit each post-separation company to optimize its investments and capital allocation policies to further accelerate growth and unlock shareholder value.'
Mr. Mitchell continued: 'Operationally, we had a very strong fourth quarter, with record quarterly adjusted EPS of $2.13 and a record adjusted operating margin of 18.6% driven, in part, by 11% core sales growth with strength across all three of our global strategic growth platforms. Leading indicators also remain strong, with core orders up 15% and core backlog up 28% compared to last year. However, despite strength of those metrics, based on broader macroeconomic trends and general uncertainty, we are planning for somewhat constrained and mixed activity in 2023 paired with gradual supply chain relief throughout the year. That said, we are confident that we are positioned to drive above-market growth in any potential environment, and we are prepared to respond quickly to capitalize on any demand above our current outlook.'
Initial 2023 Outlook and Guidance
Details of our initial 2023 outlook and guidance for both Crane Company and Crane NXT are included in the presentation that accompanies this earnings release available on our website at www.craneco.com under Investors, Events & Presentations.
Full Year 2022 Results
Full year 2022 GAAP EPS of $7.18 compared to $7.36 in the prior year. Full year 2022 adjusted EPS of $7.88 increased 15% compared to $6.88 in the prior year.
Full year 2022 sales were $3,375 million, a decrease of $33 million, or 1%, compared to full year 2021. Core sales growth of $220 million, or 6%, was more than offset by the $139 million, or 4%, impact from the May divestiture of Crane Supply, and a $114 million, or 3%, impact from unfavorable foreign exchange.
Full year order growth of 5% was driven by 13% core order growth, partially offset by a 4% divestiture impact and a 4% impact from unfavorable foreign exchange. Full year backlog growth of 23% was driven by 28% core backlog growth, partially offset by a 4% impact from unfavorable foreign exchange and a 2% divestiture impact.
Full year GAAP operating profit margin declined to 10.9%, from 15.5% last year, driven primarily by a loss on the August divestiture of asbestos-related assets and liabilities and related items. Full year 2022 adjusted operating profit margin was 17.7%, compared to 15.5% last year, driven primarily by pricing actions and productivity that more than offset inflation and the impact of lower volumes.
Full Year 2022 Cash Flow and Other Financial Metrics
Cash used for operating activities in 2022 was $152 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $499 million in 2021. Cash used for operating activities in 2022 included outflows of $605 million related to the August divestiture of asbestos-related assets and liabilities and other portfolio actions. Capital expenditures in 2022 were $58 million, compared to $54 million last year. Free cash flow (cash provided by operating activities less capital spending) in 2022 was negative $210 million, compared to positive $445 million last year. Adjusted free cash flow (free cash flow less the cash outflows associated with the divestiture of asbestos-related assets and liabilities and other portfolio actions) in 2022 was $395 million, compared to $445 million last year.
The Company held cash of $658 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $479 million as of December 31, 2021. Total debt was $1,243 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $842 million as of December 31, 2021, with the increase related to the August asbestos divestiture transaction.
Fourth Quarter 2022 Results
Fourth quarter 2022 GAAP EPS of $1.87 compared to EPS of $1.22 in the fourth quarter of 2021. Fourth quarter 2022 adjusted EPS was $2.13, compared to $1.31 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Fourth quarter 2022 sales were $824 million, a slight decline compared to $825 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Core sales growth of $90 million, or 11%, was more than offset by a $58 million, or 7%, divestiture impact, and a $33 million, or 4%, impact from unfavorable foreign exchange.
Core year-over-year order growth of 15% in the fourth quarter was partially offset by a 7% divestiture impact and a 5% impact from unfavorable foreign exchange. Total year-over-year backlog growth of 23% was driven by 28% core backlog growth, partially offset by a 4% impact from unfavorable foreign exchange and a 2% divestiture impact.
Fourth quarter GAAP operating profit margin was 15.7%, compared to 11.3% last year, with the increase driven primarily by pricing actions, and to a lesser extent productivity and higher volumes. Fourth quarter 2022 adjusted operating profit margin was 18.6%, compared to 12.0% last year.
About Crane Holdings, Co.
Crane Holdings, Co. is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products. Founded in 1855, Crane provides products and solutions to customers across end markets including aerospace, defense, chemical and petrochemical, water and wastewater, payment automation, and banknote security and production, as well as for a wide range of general industrial and consumer applications. The Company has four business segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, Payment & Merchandising Technologies, and Engineered Materials. Crane has approximately 11,000 employees in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Crane is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief, or expectations, including, but not limited to: statements regarding Crane's and the ultimate spin-off company's ('SpinCo') portfolio composition and their relationship following the business separation; the anticipated timing, structure, benefits, and tax treatment of the separation transaction; benefits and synergies of the separation transaction; strategic and competitive advantages of each of Crane and SpinCo; future financing plans and opportunities and business strategies, prospects and projected operating and financial results. In addition, there is also no assurance that the separation transaction will be completed, that Crane's Board of Directors will continue to pursue the separation transaction (even if there are no impediments to completion), that Crane will be able to separate its businesses or that the separation transaction will be the most beneficial alternative considered. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
Words such as 'anticipate(s),' 'expect(s),' 'intend(s),' 'plan(s),' 'believe(s),' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'could,' 'should,' 'seek(s),' and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained.
Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in global economic conditions (including inflationary pressures) and geopolitical risks, including macroeconomic fluctuations that may harm our business, results of operation and stock price; the continuing effects from the coronavirus pandemic on our business and the global and U.S. economies generally; information systems and technology networks failures and breaches in data security, theft of personally identifiable and other information, non-compliance with our contractual or other legal obligations regarding such information; our ability to source components and raw materials from suppliers, including disruptions and delays in our supply chain; demand for our products, which is variable and subject to factors beyond our control; governmental regulations and failure to comply with those regulations; fluctuations in the prices of our components and raw materials; loss of personnel or being able to hire and retain additional personnel needed to sustain and grow our business as planned; risks from environmental liabilities, costs, litigation and violations that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and reputation; risks associated with conducting a substantial portion of our business outside the U.S.; being unable to identify or complete acquisitions, or to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire, or complete dispositions; adverse impacts from intangible asset impairment charges; potential product liability or warranty claims; being unable to successfully develop and introduce new products, which would limit our ability to grow and maintain our competitive position and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow; significant competition in our markets; additional tax expenses or exposures that could affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; inadequate or ineffective internal controls; specific risks relating to our reportable segments, including Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, Payment & Merchandising Technologies and Engineered Materials; the ability and willingness of Crane and SpinCo to meet and/or perform their obligations under any contractual arrangements that are entered into among the parties in connection with the separation transaction and any of their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold the other party harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities and the ability to achieve some or all the benefits that we expect to achieve from the separation transaction.
Readers should carefully review Crane's financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the section entitled 'Risk Factors' in Item 1A of Crane's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the other documents Crane and its subsidiaries file from time to time with the SEC. Readers should also carefully review the 'Risk Factors' section of the registration statement relating to the business separation which has been filed by SpinCo with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements reflect management's judgment as of this date, and Crane assumes no (and disclaims any) obligation to revise or update them to reflect future events or circumstances.
We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of any projections, statements or information contained in this document. It is understood and agreed that any such projections, targets, statements and information are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant business, financial, economic, operating, competitive and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond our control, that no assurance can be given that any particular financial projections ranges, or targets will be realized, that actual results may differ from projected results and that such differences may be material. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, we believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying the projected, expected or target results are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the financial projections, estimates and targets. The inclusion of financial projections, estimates and targets in this press release should not be regarded as an indication that we or our representatives, considered or consider the financial projections, estimates and targets to be a reliable prediction of future events.
Contact:
Jason D. Feldman
Tel: 203-363-7329
Web: www.craneco.com
CRANE NXT, CO. 
