Net sales totaled $4.3 billion, up 14 percent versus the year-ago period and up 13 percent on an organic basis, including double-digit organic growth across all four regions and high single-digit to double-digit organic growth in all three reporting segments.
Organic sales growth in the quarter includes a 7 percent increase in price and a 6 percent increase in volume. The local price increase primarily reflects actions taken to offset higher raw material costs.
Volume growth reflects a continuation of strong global demand in key areas such as semiconductors and water, along with continued improvement in industrial end-markets which were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year-ago period.
GAAP EPS from continuing operations totaled $0.47 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $266 million, versus GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.60 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $447 million in the year-ago period.
The decline was driven by headwinds associated with significant items, primarily the absence of a favorable income tax benefit recognized in prior year and higher transaction-related expenses, which more than offset a lower share count and higher segment earnings.
Operating EBITDA was $973 million, up 5 percent versus the year-ago period as pricing actions, volume gains and earnings associated with the July 1, 2021 acquisition of Laird Performance Materials more than offset higher raw material and logistics costs.
Operating EBITDA margin was negatively impacted by higher raw material and logistics costs. Adjusted EPS(4) was $1.08, up 54% from the year-ago period due primarily to a lower share count and higher segment results.
Operating cash flow in the quarter of $621 million and capital expenditures of $184 million resulted in adjusted free cash flow conversion of 100 percent.
Full year 2021 results
Full year net sales totaled $16.7 billion, up 16 percent versus prior year and up 14 percent on an organic(4) basis, including double-digit organic growth across all four regions and in all three reporting segments.
Organic sales growth for the year includes a 10 percent increase in volume and a 4 percent increase in price.
Volume growth reflects robust global customer demand throughout the year in secular growth areas such as electronics and water, along with recovery in end-markets adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year-ago period such as automotive, construction and industrial.
The local price increase primarily reflects actions taken to offset higher raw material costs.
Full year GAAP EPS from continuing operations totaled $3.23 on GAAP income from continuing operations of $1.8 billion, versus GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $(3.31) on GAAP loss from continuing operations of $(2.4) billion in the prior year.
The improvement was driven by lower net charges associated with significant items, primarily the absence of goodwill and other asset impairment charges recorded in the prior year, along with a lower share count, higher segment earnings and lower interest expense.
Full year operating EBITDA(4) was $4.2 billion, up 21 percent versus prior year. Volume gains, pricing actions and the absence of charges incurred in the prior year associated with temporarily idled facilities more than offset higher raw material and logistics costs and drove operating EBITDA margin expansion of 100 basis points. Adjusted EPS was $4.30, up 95% from prior year due primarily to a lower share count, higher segment results and lower interest expense.
Operating cash flow for the year of $2.3 billion and capital expenditures of $0.9 billion resulted in free cash flow of $1.4 billion. Adjusted free cash flow conversion(4) for the year of 66 percent was negatively impacted by higher inventories put in place to navigate the strong demand environment amid tight supply chain conditions.
The Board of Directors has declared a first quarter dividend of $0.33 per share on its outstanding common stock, representing a 10 percent increase to its regular quarterly dividend, payable March 15, 2022, to holders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2022. ■