Cabot Corporation announced results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2024.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, net income attributable to Cabot Corporation was US$ 109 million ($1.94 per common share). Reinforcement Materials segment EBIT was up 3 per cent YoY at US$ 136 million. Cash Flows from Operations of US$ 207 million in the third fiscal quarter supported the return of US$ 73 million of cash to shareholders in the quarter.

Sean Keohane, Cabot President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the quarter, “I am very pleased that we were able to deliver adjusted EPS of $1.92 in the third quarter, which represents an increase of 35% over the prior year’s results. Our strong third quarter financial results reflect the continued strength of the Reinforcement Materials segment despite some headwinds due to weather-related events, and a significant EBIT step up in the Performance Chemicals segment driven by improved volumes and product mix. In Performance Chemicals, it is encouraging to see that demand in strategic high value applications such as automotive and semiconductors rebounded to more normalized levels after a very prolonged de-stocking period, and that our products into strategic infrastructure applications continue to build momentum.”

Keohane continued, “During the third quarter, we delivered operating cash flow of $207 million and returned $73 million of cash to our shareholders through $24 million in dividends and $49 million in share repurchases. Our balance sheet remains solid with Net Debt to EBITDA at 1.2x and liquidity of $1.4 billion”.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for the Company, Keohane said, “Given the strong year-to-date results and our expectations for the fourth fiscal quarter, we are raising our adjusted EPS guidance range for fiscal 2024 to $7.00 to $7.10 from our previously communicated range of $6.65 to $6.85. This updated guidance range reflects an increase of $0.30 at the midpoint driven by our expectations for improved results in the Performance Chemicals segment from higher demand and a more favorable product mix as compared to the first half of the year and continued strong results in the Reinforcement Materials segment.

Keohane continued, “With one quarter to go in fiscal 2024, we are on track to deliver greater than 30% year-over-year adjusted EPS growth. Our strong cash flow and disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation has allowed us to invest in key growth projects and return capital to shareholders. I believe Cabot is executing well against our “Creating for Tomorrow” strategy and our long-term targets to deliver attractive shareholder returns.  Our revised outlook for adjusted EPS in fiscal 2024 would place us at or above the high-end of our targeted range of 8% to 12% adjusted EPS compound annual growth rate from fiscal 2021. Also, we remain on track to deliver our target of more than $1 billion of cumulative discretionary free cash flow over the last three fiscal years."