PPG reported financial results for the second quarter 2024. The company has reported 2 per cent drop in its net sales at US$ 4.79 billion in 2Q 2024 as compared to US$ 4.87 billion in Q2 2023. However, the net income during the quarter was 8 per cent higher at US$ 528 million as compared to US$ 490 million in Q2 2023. Adjusted net income in Q2 2024 was US$ 590 million against US$ 534 million, reflecting a growth of 10 per cent.

Commenting on the results, Tim Knavish, Chairman and CEO, PPG said: “PPG delivered strong financial results in an increasingly challenging macro-environment. We achieved record reported EPS and adjusted EPS and grew year-over-year adjusted EPS by 11%, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth.

Overall organic sales were flat, but grew in many of our businesses, including aerospace coatings, packaging coatings, architectural coatings Americas and Asia Pacific, traffic solutions and specialty coatings and materials. This growth was offset by global automotive builds that weakened as the quarter progressed and global industrial production which remained soft. Also, refinish coatings sales were down year over year reflecting a comparison to record prior year results and uneven distributor order patterns.

Overall European year-over-year sales volume comparisons improved sequentially versus the first quarter, but sales volumes remained unfavorable and were below our initial expectations. Our financial results continued to benefit from our well-established businesses in Mexico and China, our second and third largest countries based on revenue.

We built on our segment margin growth momentum as aggregate segment margins improved 110 basis points, which marks the seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement. Also, our gross margins improved by 180 basis points year over year. Our balance sheet remains strong, including lower inventories year over year, and we remain committed to utilizing cash for shareholder value creation. For the third consecutive quarter we repurchased shares, with approximately $150 million repurchased in the quarter and about $300 million year to date.

Looking ahead, we expect strong momentum in Mexico. We believe that demand in China for PPG technology-advantaged products will deliver continued organic growth, albeit at lower growth rates than achieved in the first half of the year. In Europe, demand remains uneven by country and end use, but we expect to realize modest sequential year-over-year improvement. In the U.S., economic conditions have remained subdued in several end-use markets, but we expect overall improvement as the second half of the year progresses.

As we execute on various enterprise growth initiatives and capitalize on our technical and service capabilities, we expect positive momentum in driving improved sales volumes will broaden within our business portfolio. In addition to those businesses that grew in the second quarter, we expect organic growth in automotive refinish coatings and protective and marine coatings. Also, while still slightly unfavorable year over year, we are projecting modest sequential quarterly improvement in general industrial demand. As a result, in the third quarter we are projecting flat-to-low single-digit percentage aggregate organic sales growth.

The strategic reviews of the architectural coatings U.S. and Canada business and the global silicas business that were announced in the first quarter are progressing. We are diligently working toward and remain on schedule to determine paths forward as a result of each of these reviews.” 

Our more than 50,000 employees continue to be dedicated to delivering growth for PPG. Our record results this quarter were made possible by our PPG team around the world who make it happen and deliver on our purpose every day: We protect and beautify the world®.