OC
Owens Corning (OC)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 revenue rose 23% year over year to $2.84B; adjusted EBIT was $430M (15% margin) and adjusted EBITDA was $629M (22% margin). GAAP diluted EPS was $(2.97) driven by non‑cash and strategic charges; adjusted EPS was $3.22, essentially flat YoY .
- Full‑year 2024 delivered $11.0B sales (+13%), $2.7B adjusted EBITDA (25% margin), and $1.2B free cash flow; 51% of FCF returned to shareholders via dividends and buybacks .
- Strategic transformation advanced: definitive agreement to sell Glass Reinforcements for $755M EV (closing expected 2025) and announced a new Southeast U.S. shingle plant (≈6M squares capacity, production expected 2027). Doors integration on track with synergy run‑rate building .
- 1Q25 outlook: mid‑20% revenue growth (continuing ops) and low‑20% enterprise EBITDA margin; FY25 framework: $240–260M corporate expense, $250–260M interest, 24–26% tax, ~$800M capex, ~$650M D&A .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Roofing and Insulation sustained premium profitability: Q4 Roofing EBIT/EBITDA margins 31%/32%; Insulation 17%/23% with positive pricing; Composites margins improved YoY (EBIT 9%, EBITDA 18%) .
- Structural resilience and cash: 18th straight quarter with mid‑teens adjusted EBIT and ≥20% adjusted EBITDA; FCF $479M in Q4 and $1.2B for the year; 51% of FCF returned to shareholders .
- Strategy execution: Doors acquisition contributing ($564M Q4 revenue), synergy capture underway; announced sale of Glass Reinforcements to refocus portfolio; added laminate shingle capacity (Medina conversion mid‑2025; new Southeast plant) .
- Quote (CEO): “2024 was a transformative year… reshaping the company… while consistently delivering higher, more resilient earnings and cash flow.” .
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What Went Wrong
- GAAP loss in Q4: $(258)M net loss and $(2.97) diluted EPS, driven by $672M adjusting items including $483M impairment from strategic review and $91M loss on business sale; adjusted EPS held at $3.22 .
- Doors near‑term softness and pricing normalization: Q4 Doors EBIT margin 5% (15% EBITDA) amid softer NA/EU markets and purchase accounting impact; management re‑aligned price points, expecting recovery with R&R and new construction rebound .
- Components volume headwinds and higher manufacturing costs in Roofing; attachment rates normalized and maintenance spend elevated; management guided to inflation headwinds persisting into early 2025 .
Financial Results
Headline quarterly progression (oldest → newest):
YoY comparison (Q4):
Segment breakdown (Q4 2024 vs Q4 2023):
Selected cash and returns (FY 2024):
Note on estimates: S&P Global consensus EPS and revenue for Q4 2024 were unavailable due to API limit; estimate comparisons are omitted.
Guidance Changes
Additional strategic updates:
- Announced sale of Glass Reinforcements to Praana Group (EV $755M; closing expected 2025) .
- New Southeast U.S. shingle plant (≈6M squares capacity; production expected 2027); Medina, OH conversion to laminates mid‑2025 .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategy and earnings quality: “We… consistently delivering higher, more resilient earnings and cash flow.” – Brian Chambers, CEO .
- Capital allocation and cash: “Free cash conversion was 89%… At year‑end, liquidity of $1.7B.” – Todd Fister, CFO .
- Portfolio focus: “Sale of… glass reinforcements… strengthens Owens Corning as a focused… building products leader.” – CEO .
- Roofing capacity expansion: “New… plant… capable of producing around six million squares per year… expected to begin production in 2027.” – Company release .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariff exposure quantified: Total potential tariff exposure ≤5% of enterprise cost base, with ~2/3 in Doors and ~1/3 in Insulation; Roofing exposure de minimis. Management emphasized “local‑for‑local” production and mitigation toolkit .
- Roofing margins outlook: Healthy 2025 core margin setup with pricing carryover and April action; headwinds from inflation and maintenance; components pressure largely behind after Q1 .
- Doors margin path: Near‑term mix/price normalization and softer markets weighed on Q4; margin rebuild via synergies (sourcing/OpEx), network optimization (site actions), and operating leverage as demand improves; limited input risk to lumber; finished‑goods cross‑border flows drive tariff sensitivity .
- Resegmentation mechanics: Nonwovens + structural lumber into Roofing; two glass fiber plants into Insulation; added revenue at similar segment margins; corporate eliminations approximated to ~half 2024 levels .
- Capex trajectory: Step‑up to ~$800M in 2025 for multi‑year growth/productivity/sustainability projects; long‑term structural capex target 4–5% of sales after projects complete .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus EPS and revenue for Q4 2024 were unavailable at the time of analysis due to API rate limits; therefore, estimate comparisons are omitted. Management did not provide Q4 explicit guidance prior but did outline a Q1 2025 and FY 2025 framework .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Quality of earnings intact: Adjusted EPS held YoY in Q4 despite sizable non‑cash restructuring/impairment charges; enterprise margins remain structurally higher (18th straight quarter ≥20% adjusted EBITDA) .
- Roofing remains the profit engine with pricing/mix tailwinds and added laminate capacity (Medina mid‑2025; new Southeast plant 2027), supporting durable high‑20s/low‑30s margin architecture through cycles .
- Doors is the near‑term swing factor: EBITDA margins 15% in Q4, with synergy run‑rate building and margin uplift expected alongside R&R/new construction recovery—monitor pricing normalization and tariff policy developments .
- Portfolio simplification a catalyst: Glass Reinforcements sale (EV $755M) and resegmentation sharpen focus on building products, reduce capital intensity, and should improve capital efficiency and cash conversion over time .
- 1Q25 setup constructive: Mid‑20% revenue growth (continuing ops) and low‑20% EBITDA margin despite mixed macros; watch components attachment rates and manufacturing cost inflation .
- Cash discipline continues: $1.2B FCF in 2024, 89% conversion, dividend lifted to $0.69 (Dec. 2024), and stated intent to return ≥50% of FCF over time while funding growth capex .
- Risk checks: Europe exposure in Insulation/Technical remains soft; tariff risk manageable and quantified; capex elevated near‑term but aligned to high‑return projects .
All data and quotes are sourced from Owens Corning’s Q4/FY2024 8‑K and press releases, and the Q4 2024 earnings call transcript as cited above.