PPG has reported its financial results for the third-quarter 2023. The company reported third-quarter net sales of $4.6 billion, up 4% year over year (YOY), quarterly earnings per diluted share (EPS) of $1.79, and record adjusted EPS of $2.07. As well, PPG reported continued progress on margin recovery, with segment margin up 260 basis points YOY, and year-to-date operating cash flow of over $1.5 billion - up more than $1.1 billion YOY.

Tim Knavish, PPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the quarter, saying, “I am proud of the PPG team for delivering outstanding results in a challenging global demand environment, including a slower-than-expected recovery in China. We achieved record third-quarter net sales and adjusted earnings per share aided by the breadth and resiliency of our business portfolio. This included strong operating performance with both of our operating segments delivering at least 25% earnings growth, led by our aerospace, automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM), automotive refinish coatings and PPG Comex businesses, all of which also produced record sales for a third-quarter.”

Performance coatings net sales increased, led by higher selling prices and favorable foreign currency translation. Demand for PPG’s technology-advantaged aerospace products remained strong as the business delivered mid-teen percentage organic sales growth year over year. In the architectural coatings Americas and Asia-Pacific business, PPG Comex delivered record sales for the 13th consecutive quarter as it continues to benefit from a growing Mexican economy and its excellent brand. As anticipated, overall organic sales in the U.S. architectural coatings business decreased a low single-digit percentage, as continued growth in the professional contractor channel was offset by soft do-it-yourself demand. Demand for architectural coatings in the EMEA region is nearing trough levels as sales volumes were essentially flat year over year. Automotive refinish coatings organic sales increased by a low single-digit percentage as strong year-over-year growth in Europe, Asia and Latin America was partially offset by softer demand in the U.S. reflecting uneven distributor ordering patterns.

Segment income increased by 25% versus the prior year, primarily due to higher selling prices and moderating input costs which are trending down from historically high levels. Segment operating margins improved by 230 basis points year over year.

Industrial coatings net sales were flat compared to the third-quarter 2022 as lower sales volumes were offset by higher selling prices, a net benefit from acquisitions and divestitures, and favorable foreign currency translation.

Automotive OEM coatings organic sales increased by a low single-digit percentage with higher selling prices in all regions and higher aggregate volumes. Growth in sales volumes was led by the company’s strong positions in China and Mexico. Offsetting this sales volume growth was lower global industrial activity which drove softer sales activity in all other businesses in the operating segment. Industrial coatings organic sales declined by a mid-single-digit percentage as positive selling price realization was more than offset by lower sales volumes in most sub-segments. As expected, packaging coatings organic sales were lower by a high single-digit percentage driven by softer demand in each major region and most product categories.

Segment income was higher than the prior year by $54 million, or 28%, primarily due to higher selling prices and raw material costs moderating from historically high levels, partially offset by lower sales volumes. Segment margins improved by 300 basis points compared to the third-quarter 2022.

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