Xylem Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Fourth-Quarter Highlights

  • Orders of $2.2 billion, up 7% on a reported and organic basis
  • Revenue of $2.3 billion, up 7% on a reported and organic basis
  • Earnings per share of $1.34, up 22%; $1.18 on an adjusted basis, up 19%

Full-Year Highlights

  • Revenue of $8.6 billion, up 16% on a reported basis and 6% organically
  • Earnings per share of $3.65, up 31%; $4.27 on an adjusted basis, up 13%
  • 2025 full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance range of $4.50 to $4.70

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#LetsSolveWater–Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), a leading global water solutions company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results. The Company’s total revenue of $2.3 billion surpassed prior guidance, on strong execution and demand. Fourth-quarter earnings also exceeded Xylem’s previous guidance.

“The team delivered a strong fourth quarter to close a record-breaking year for Xylem,” said Matthew Pine, Xylem’s CEO. “We set new benchmarks for full-year revenue, net income and adjusted EBITDA margins, and earnings per share, with the team showing great operating discipline across the portfolio. All segments delivered strong Q4 orders growth, giving us momentum coming into 2025 on resilient underlying demand.”

“In a year of transition and transformation, the team focused on what matters while delivering on the initiatives that have laid the foundation for sustainable growth and value creation. Our 2025 guidance reflects the team’s commitment to our long-term framework as we continue to enable our customers to address the world’s greatest water challenges.”

Net income for the quarter was $326 million, or $1.34 per share. Net income margin increased 190 basis points to 14.5 percent. These results are driven by a non-recurring gain on the remeasurement of our previously held equity interest in Idrica and strong operational performance, partially offset by non-recurring tax benefits in the prior year, a loss on sale of businesses, and increased restructuring and realignment costs. Adjusted net income was $287 million, or $1.18 per share, which excludes the impacts of the gain on remeasurement of previously held equity investment, loss on sale of businesses, purchase accounting intangible amortization, restructuring and realignment costs, and special charges.

Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margin was 21.0 percent, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 140 basis points. Productivity savings, strong price realization and higher volume drove the margin expansion, exceeding the impact of inflation and strategic investments.

The Board of Directors of Xylem has declared a first-quarter dividend of $0.40 per share, an increase of 11 percent. The dividend is payable on March 19, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 18, 2025.

Outlook

Xylem forecasts full-year 2025 revenue of approximately $8.6 to $8.7 billion, up approximately 0 to 2 percent on a reported basis and up approximately 3 to 4 percent on an organic basis.

Full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately 21.3 to 21.8 percent, an increase of 70 to 120 basis points from Xylem’s 2024 adjusted results. Full-year free cash flow margin is expected to be approximately 9 to 10 percent.

Further 2025 planning assumptions are included in Xylem’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings materials posted at www.xylem.com/investors. Excluding revenue, Xylem provides guidance only on a non-GAAP basis due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting certain amounts that would be included in GAAP earnings, such as discrete tax items, without unreasonable effort.

Supplemental information on Xylem’s fourth-quarter earnings, as well as definitions of and reconciliations for certain non-GAAP items is posted at www.xylem.com/investors.

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company that empowers customers and communities to build a more water-secure world. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered revenue of $8.6 billion in 2024, optimizing water and resource management with innovation and expertise. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Generally, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “forecast,” “likely,” “believe,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “may” and similar expressions or their negative, may, but are not necessary to, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements address uncertain matters and include any statements that: are not historical, such as statements about our strategy, financial plans, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals (including those related to our social, environmental and other sustainability goals); or address possible or future results of operations or financial performance, including statements relating to orders, revenues, operating margins and earnings per share growth.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in or implied by our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the impact of overall industry and general economic conditions on our markets, customers’ operating conditions and demand; geopolitical events, conditions and volatility, including protectionism and other anti-global sentiment, possible escalation of the conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, and the Middle East, and regulatory, economic and other risks associated with our global sales, supply chain and operations; manufacturing and operating cost increases due to macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, energy supply, supply chain shortages, logistics challenges, tight labor markets, prevailing price changes, new or additional tariffs and other factors; demand for our products, disruption, competition or pricing pressures in the markets we serve; cybersecurity incidents or other disruptions of information technology systems on which we rely, or involving our connected products and services; lack of availability or delays in receiving parts and raw materials from our supply chain, including electronic components (in particular, semiconductors); disruptions in operations at our facilities or that of third parties upon which we rely; uncertainty related to the realization of revenue synergies related to our acquisition of Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.; safe and compliant treatment and handling of water, wastewater and hazardous materials; failure to successfully execute large projects, including meeting performance guarantees and customers’ budgets, timelines and safety requirements; our ability to retain and attract leadership and other key talent, as well as competition for overall talent and labor; defects, security, warranty and liability claims, and recalls related to our products; uncertainty around our simplification, productivity, restructuring and realignment actions and related costs, savings and business impacts; our ability to execute strategic investments for growth, including acquisitions and divestitures; availability, regulation or interference with radio spectrum used by certain of our products; volatility in served markets or impacts on our business and operations due to weather conditions, including the effects of climate change; risks related to our sustainability commitments and related voluntary or required disclosures; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; difficulty predicting our financial results; risk of future impairments to goodwill and other intangible assets; changes in our effective tax rates or tax expenses; regulatory and financial market risks related to our pension and other defined benefit plans; failure to comply with, or changes in, laws or regulations, including related to our business conduct, operations, products and services, including anti-corruption, data privacy and security, trade, competition, the environment, climate change and health and safety; legal, governmental or regulatory claims, investigations or proceedings and associated contingent liabilities; matters related to intellectual property infringement or expiration of rights; and other factors set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in subsequent filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Forward-looking and other statements in this press release regarding our environmental and other sustainability plans and goals are not an indication that these statements are necessarily material to investors, to our business, operating results, financial condition, outlook, or strategy, to our impacts on sustainability matters or other parties, or are required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking social, environmental and sustainability-related statements may be based on: standards for measuring progress that are still developing; internal controls and processes that continue to evolve; third-party data, review, representations, or certifications; information from acquired entities, which may be subject to ongoing review, may not yet or ever be integrated into our reporting processes, and may not be reconcilable with our processes; and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available to us as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

XYLEM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(In Millions, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

2024

2023

2022

Revenue from products

$

7,095

$

6,291

$

4,978

Revenue from services

1,467

1,073

544

Revenue

8,562

7,364

5,522

Cost of revenue from products

4,250

3,817

3,002

Cost of revenue from services

1,100

830

436

Cost of revenue

5,350

4,647

3,438

Gross profit

3,212

2,717

2,084

Selling, general and administrative expenses

1,911

1,757

1,227

Research and development expenses

230

232

206

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

62

76

29

Operating income

1,009

652

622

Interest expense

44

49

50

U.K. pension settlement expense

140

Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest

152

Other non-operating income, net

16

33

7

(Loss) Gain on sale of businesses

(46

)

(1

)

1

Income before taxes

1,087

635

440

Income tax expense

197

26

85

Net income

$

890

$

609

$

355

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

3.67

$

2.81

$

1.97

Diluted

$

3.65

$

2.79

$

1.96

Weighted average number of shares:

Basic

242.6

217.0

180.2

Diluted

243.5

218.2

181.0

XYLEM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In Millions, except per share amounts)

December 31,

2024

2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,121

$

1,019

Receivables, less allowances for discounts, returns and credit losses of $59 and $56 in 2024 and 2023, respectively

1,668

1,617

Inventories

996

1,018

Assets held for sale

77

Prepaid and other current assets

232

230

Total current assets

4,094

3,884

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,152

1,169

Goodwill

7,980

7,587

Other intangible assets, net

2,379

2,529

Other non-current assets

892

943

Total assets

$

16,497

$

16,112

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

1,006

$

968

Liabilities held for sale

21

Accrued and other current liabilities

1,271

1,221

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

25

16

Total current liabilities

2,323

2,205

Long-term debt, net

1,991

2,268

Accrued post-retirement benefit obligations

304

344

Deferred income tax liabilities

497

557

Other non-current accrued liabilities

500

562

Total liabilities

5,615

5,936

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

235

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock — par value $0.01 per share:

Authorized 750.0 shares, issued 259.2 and 257.6 shares in 2024 and 2023, respectively

3

3

Capital in excess of par value

8,687

8,564

Retained earnings

3,140

2,601

Treasury stock – at cost 16.2 shares and 16.0 shares in 2024 and 2023, respectively

(753

)

(733

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(435

)

(269

)

Total stockholders’ equity

10,642

10,166

Non-controlling interest

5

10

Total equity

10,647

10,176

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and stockholders’ equity

$

16,497

$

16,112

XYLEM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Millions) (Unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

2024

2023

2022

Operating Activities

Net income

$

890

$

609

$

355

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation

258

193

111

Amortization

304

243

125

Deferred income taxes

(36

)

(79

)

(64

)

Share-based compensation

56

60

37

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

62

76

29

U.K. pension settlement expense

140

Loss (gain) from sale of businesses

46

1

(1

)

Gain on remeasurement of previously held equity interest

(152

)

Other, net

4

(4

)

Payments for restructuring

(32

)

(30

)

(11

)

Contributions to post-retirement benefit plans

(25

)

(25

)

(19

)

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):

Changes in receivables

(107

)

(87

)

(192

)

Changes in inventories

(41

)

41

(147

)

Changes in accounts payable

64

22

117

Changes in accrued liabilities

17

(4

)

57

Changes in accrued and deferred taxes

14

(109

)

57

Net changes in other assets and liabilities

(59

)

(74

)

6

Net Cash — Operating activities

1,263

837

596

Investing Activities

Capital expenditures

(321

)

(271

)

(208

)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

4

1

4

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

(193

)

(476

)

Proceeds from sale of businesses

11

105

1

Cash received from investments

6

1

5

Cash paid for investments

(11

)

(1

)

(11

)

Cash paid for equity investments

(6

)

(57

)

(3

)

Cash received from interest rate swaps

38

Cash received from cross-currency swaps

29

28

28

Settlement of currency forward agreement

(10

)

Other, net

(1

)

4

3

Net Cash — Investing activities

(482

)

(628

)

(191

)

Financing Activities

Short-term debt repaid

(268

)

Long-term debt issued, net

1

278

Long-term debt repaid, net

(17

)

(160

)

(527

)

Repurchase of common stock

(20

)

(25

)

(52

)

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

67

62

8

Dividends paid

(350

)

(299

)

(217

)

Other, net

(28

)

(13

)

(2

)

Net Cash — Financing activities

(615

)

(157

)

(790

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(53

)

23

(20

)

Cash classified within assets held for sale

(11

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

102

75

(405

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

1,019

944

1,349

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

1,121

$

1,019

$

944

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:

Interest

$

67

$

69

$

76

Income taxes (net of refunds received)

$

219

$

211

$

91

Xylem Inc. Non-GAAP Measures
Management reviews key performance indicators including revenue, gross margins, segment operating income and margins, orders growth, working capital and backlog, among others. In addition, we consider certain non-GAAP (or “adjusted”) measures to be useful to management and investors evaluating our operating performance for the periods presented, and to provide a tool for evaluating our ongoing operations, liquidity and management of assets. This information can assist investors in assessing our financial performance and measures our ability to generate capital for deployment among competing strategic alternatives and initiatives, including but not limited to, dividends, acquisitions, share repurchases and debt repayment. Excluding revenue, Xylem provides guidance only on a non-GAAP basis due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting certain amounts that would be included in GAAP earnings, such as discrete tax items, without unreasonable effort. These adjusted metrics are consistent with how management views our business and are used to make financial, operating and planning decisions. These metrics, however, are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for revenue, operating income, net income, earnings per share (basic and diluted) or net cash from operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP. We consider the following items to represent the non-GAAP measures that we consider to be key performance indicators, as well as the related reconciling items to the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
“Organic revenue” and “Organic orders” defined as revenue and orders, respectively, excluding the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency translation and contributions from acquisitions and divestitures. Divestitures include sales or discontinuance of insignificant portions of our business that did not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation. The period-over-period change resulting from foreign currency translation impacts is determined by translating current period and prior period activity using the same currency conversion rate.
“Constant currency” defined as financial results adjusted for foreign currency translation impacts by translating current period and prior period activity using the same currency conversion rate. This approach is used for countries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
“EBITDA” defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense. “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted Segment EBITDA” reflect the adjustments to EBITDA and segment EBITDA, respectively, to exclude share-based compensation charges, restructuring and realignment costs, gain or loss from sale of businesses and special charges.
“Adjusted EBITDA Margin” and “Adjusted Segment EBITDA Margin” defined as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted segment EBITDA divided by total revenue and segment revenue, respectively.
“Adjusted Operating Income”, “Adjusted Segment Operating Income”, “Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted EPS” defined as operating income, segment operating income, net income and earnings per share, adjusted to exclude restructuring and realignment costs, amortization of acquired intangible assets, gain or loss from sale of businesses, special charges and tax-related special items, as applicable.
“Adjusted Operating Margin” and “Adjusted Segment Operating Margin” defined as adjusted operating income and adjusted segment operating income divided by total revenue and segment revenue, respectively.
“Free Cash Flow” defined as net cash from operating activities, as reported in the Statement of Cash Flows, less capital expenditures.
Free Cash Flow Conversion defined as Free Cash Flow, or Adjusted Free Cash Flow as applicable; divided by net income, excluding the gain on sale of businesses and other non-recurring, significant non-cash impacts, such as non-cash impairment charges and significant deferred tax items. “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” used in Free Cash Flow Conversion defined as free cash flow adjusted for significant cash items for which the corresponding income statement impact does not occur within the same fiscal year.
“Free Cash Flow Margin” defined as free cash flow, adjusted for significant cash paid or received for non-operational tax, acquisition or divestiture activities; divided by revenue.
“Realignment costs” defined as costs not included in restructuring costs that are incurred as part of actions taken to reposition our business, including items such as professional fees, severance, relocation, travel, facility set-up and other costs.
“Special charges” defined as non-recurring costs incurred by the Company, such those related to acquisitions and integrations, divestitures and non-cash impairment charges.
“Tax-related special items” defined as tax items, such as tax return versus tax provision adjustments, tax exam impacts, tax law change impacts, excess tax benefits/losses and other discrete tax adjustments.
Xylem Inc. Non-GAAP Reconciliation
Reported vs. Organic and Constant Currency Orders ($ Millions)
(As Reported – GAAP) (As Adjusted – Organic) Constant Currency

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E) = B+C+D

(F) = E/A

(G) = (E – C) / A

Change

% Change

Acquisitions /

Divestitures

Change

% Change

Orders

Orders

2024 v. 2023

2024 v. 2023

Book-to-Bill

FX Impact

Adj. 2024 v. 2023

Adj. 2024 v. 2023

2024

2023

Year Ended December 31
Xylem Inc.

8,730

7,501

1,229

16

%

102

%

(891

)

11

349

5

%

17

%

Water Infrastructure

2,727

2,313

414

18

%

107

%

(243

)

2

173

7

%

18

%

Applied Water

1,824

1,770

54

3

%

102

%

3

57

3

%

3

%

Measurement and Control Solutions

1,672

1,670

2

0

%

89

%

(5

)

(3

)

(0

%)

0

%

Water Solutions and Services

2,507

1,748

759

43

%

107

%

(643

)

6

122

7

%

44

%

Quarter Ended December 31
Xylem Inc.

2,196

2,044

152

7

%

97

%

(5

)

5

152

7

%

8

%

Water Infrastructure

691

633

58

9

%

95

%

3

61

10

%

10

%

Applied Water

442

420

22

5

%

97

%

22

5

%

5

%

Measurement and Control Solutions

473

442

31

7

%

101

%

(5

)

1

27

6

%

7

%

Water Solutions and Services

590

549

41

7

%

97

%

1

42

8

%

8

%

Quarter Ended September 30
Xylem Inc.

2,201

2,031

170

8

%

105

%

(4

)

166

8

%

8

%

Water Infrastructure

700

656

44

7

%

112

%

(4

)

40

6

%

6

%

Applied Water

437

422

15

4

%

98

%

15

4

%

4

%

Measurement and Control Solutions

386

343

43

13

%

84

%

(2

)

41

12

%

12

%

Water Solutions and Services

678

610

68

11

%

118

%

2

70

11

%

11

%

Quarter Ended June 30
Xylem Inc.

2,087

1,856

231

12

%

96

%

(265

)

11

(23

)

(1

%)

13

%

Water Infrastructure

690

563

127

23

%

109

%

(89

)

5

43

8

%

23

%

Applied Water

465

445

20

4

%

102

%

3

23

5

%

5

%

Measurement and Control Solutions

384

470

(86

)

(18

%)

80

%

1

(85

)

(18

%)

(18

%)

Water Solutions and Services

548

378

170

45

%

91

%

(176

)

2

(4

)

(1

%)

46

%

Quarter Ended March 31
Xylem Inc.

2,246

1,570

676

43

%

110

%

(621

)

(1

)

54

3

%

43

%

Water Infrastructure

646

461

185

40

%

113

%

(154

)

(2

)

29

6

%

40

%

Applied Water

480

483

(3

)

(1

%)

110

%

(3

)

(1

%)

(1

%)

Measurement and Control Solutions

429

415

14

3

%

93

%

14

3

%

3

%

Water Solutions and Services

691

211

480

227

%

123

%

(467

)

1

14

7

%

228

%

Contacts

Media

Houston Spencer +1 (914) 240-3046

Houston.Spencer@xylem.com

Investors

Keith Buettner +1 (724) 772-1531

Keith.Buettner@xylem.com

Read full story here

#FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM