CLOROX CO /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023.


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 1-07151

THE CLOROX COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware			31-0595760
(State or other jurisdiction of			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

1221 Broadway, Oakland, California, 94612-1888

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(510) 271-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
___________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock - $1.00 par value	CLX	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☑

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller Reporting Company

☐

Emerging Growth Company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of April 18, 2023, there were 123,623,524 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock ($1.00 par value).

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Clorox Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Net sales	$	1,915	$	1,809	$	5,370	$	5,306
Cost of products sold		1,115		1,160		3,324		3,429
Gross profit		800		649		2,046		1,877
Selling and administrative expenses		311		233		854		710
Advertising costs		206		153		523		502
Research and development costs		35		31		100		98
Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments		445		—		445		—
Interest expense		24		21		69		69
Other (income) expense, net		24		11		54		20
Earnings (losses) before income taxes		(245)		200		1		478
Income tax expense (benefit)		(36)		48		21		111
Net earnings (losses)		(209)		152		(20)		367
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		2		2		7		6
Net earnings (losses) attributable to Clorox	$	(211)	$	150	$	(27)	$	361
Net earnings (losses) per share attributable to Clorox
Basic net earnings (losses) per share	$	(1.71)	$	1.22	$	(0.22)	$	2.93
Diluted net earnings (losses) per share	$	(1.71)	$	1.21	$	(0.22)	$	2.91
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)
Basic		123,649		123,177		123,512		123,074
Diluted		123,649		123,877		123,512		123,943

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(205)	$	207	$	(39)	$	394
Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2		2		7		6
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Clorox	$	(207)	$	205	$	(46)	$	388

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The Clorox Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)


	3/31/2023		6/30/2022
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	242	$	183
Receivables, net		678		681
Inventories, net		735		755
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		90		106
Total current assets		1,745		1,725
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $2,672 and $2,530, respectively		1,315		1,334
Operating lease right-of-use assets		359		342
Goodwill		1,250		1,558
Trademarks, net		546		687
Other intangible assets, net		176		197
Other assets		427		315
Total assets	$	5,818	$	6,158
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Notes and loans payable	$	138	$	237

Current operating lease liabilities		88		78
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		1,722		1,469
Income taxes payable		48		—
Total current liabilities		1,996		1,784
Long-term debt		2,476		2,474
Long-term operating lease liabilities		323		314
Other liabilities		824		791
Deferred income taxes		27		66
Total liabilities		5,646		5,429
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock: $1.00 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		—		—
Common stock: $1.00 par value; 750,000,000 shares authorized; 130,741,461 shares issued as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022; and 123,611,466 and 123,152,132 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively		131		131
Additional paid-in capital		1,232		1,202
Retained earnings		415		1,048
Treasury stock, at cost: 7,129,995 and 7,589,329 shares as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively		(1,277)		(1,346)
Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income		(498)		(479)
Total Clorox stockholders’ equity		3		556
Noncontrolling interests		169		173
Total stockholders’ equity		172		729
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,818	$	6,158

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The Clorox Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions)


	Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Operating activities:
Net earnings (losses)	$	(20)	$	367
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (losses) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization		174		167
Stock-based compensation		60		44
Deferred income taxes		(122)		11
Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments		445		—
Other		34		7
Changes in:
Receivables, net		(1)		(56)
Inventories, net		13		(53)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(15)		2
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		78		(93)
Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, net		2		—
Income taxes payable / prepaid		80		55
Net cash provided by operations		728		451
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(144)		(172)

Other		2		5
Net cash used for investing activities		(142)		(167)
Financing activities:
Notes and loans payable, net		(99)		395
Long-term debt repayments		—		(300)
Treasury stock purchased		—		(25)
Cash dividends paid to Clorox stockholders		(437)		(428)
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		—		(5)
Issuance of common stock for employee stock plans and other		10		—
Net cash used for financing activities		(526)		(363)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		—		(2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		60		(81)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
Beginning of period		186		324
End of period	$	246	$	243

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The Clorox Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of The Clorox Company and its controlled subsidiaries (the Company or Clorox) for the periods presented. However, the financial results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year or for any other future period.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP) have been omitted or condensed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The information in this report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, which includes a complete set of footnote disclosures, including the Company’s significant accounting policies.

Restructuring Liabilities

The Company incurs restructuring costs in connection with workforce reductions; consolidation or closure of a facility; sale or termination of a line of business; and other actions. Such costs include employee termination benefits (one-time arrangements and benefits attributable to prior service), termination of contractual obligations, non-cash asset charges and other direct incremental costs.

The Company records employee termination liabilities once they are both probable and estimable for severance provided under the Company’s existing severance policy. Employee termination liabilities outside of the Company’s existing severance policy are recognized at the time relevant employees are notified, unless the employees will be retained to render service beyond a minimum retention period for transition purposes, in which case the liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Other costs associated with a restructuring plan or exit or disposal activities, such as consulting and professional fees, facility exit costs, employee relocation, outplacement costs, accelerated depreciation or asset impairments associated with a restructuring plan, are recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred or the asset is impaired.

Impairment Review of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company tests its goodwill, trademarks with indefinite lives and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment in the fiscal fourth quarter unless there are indications during a different interim period that these assets may have become impaired.

With respect to goodwill, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors, such as the maturity and stability of the reporting unit, the magnitude of the excess fair value over carrying value from a previous period’s impairment testing, other reporting unit specific operating results, microeconomic and macroeconomic factors, as well as new events and circumstances impacting the operations at the reporting unit level. The Company operates through strategic business units (SBUs) that are organized into the Company’s operating segments. Reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes were identified as the Company’s individual operating segments. If the result of a qualitative test indicates a potential for impairment of a reporting unit, a quantitative test is performed. In the quantitative test, the Company compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the reporting unit.

To determine the fair value of a reporting unit as part of its quantitative test, the Company uses the discounted cash flow (DCF) method under the income approach, as it believes that this approach is the most reliable indicator of the fair value of its businesses and the fair value of its future earnings and cash flows. Under this approach, which requires significant judgments, the Company estimates the future cash flows of each reporting unit and discounts these cash flows at a rate of return that reflects their relative risk. The cash flows used in the DCF method are consistent with those the Company uses in its internal planning, which gives consideration to actual business trends experienced, and the broader business strategy for the long term. The other key estimates and factors used in the DCF method include, but are not limited to, net sales and expense growth rates, commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, inflation and a terminal growth rate. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce different results.

For trademarks and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors, such as the maturity and stability of the trademark or other intangible asset, the magnitude of the excess fair value over carrying value from a previous period’s impairment testing, other specific operating results as well as new events and circumstances impacting the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the intangible asset. If the result of a qualitative test indicates that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, a quantitative test is performed. When a quantitative test is performed, the estimated fair value of an asset is compared to its carrying value. If the carrying value of such asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value. The Company uses the DCF method under the relief from royalty income approach to estimate the fair value of its trademarks and other intangible assets with indefinite lives. This approach requires significant judgments in determining the royalty rates and the assets’ estimated cash flows, as well as the appropriate discount and foreign exchange rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value. Changes in such estimates or the use of alternative assumptions could produce different results.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-04, "Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations.” These amendments require disclosure of the key terms of outstanding supplier finance programs and a rollforward of the related obligations. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, except for the amendment on rollforward information, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. As these amendments relate to disclosures only, there are no impacts expected to the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

NOTE 2. RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED COSTS

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company began recognizing costs related to a plan that involves streamlining its operating model to meet its objectives of driving growth and productivity. The streamlined operating model is expected to enhance the Company’s ability to respond more quickly to changing consumer behaviors and innovate faster. The Company anticipates the implementation of this new model will be completed in fiscal year 2024, with different phases occurring throughout the implementation period.

The Company anticipates incurring approximately $75 to $100 of costs in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 related to this initiative. Of this total amount, the higher-end of the range of approximately $40 to $60 is expected to be incurred in fiscal year 2023. Related costs are primarily expected to include employee-related costs to reduce certain staffing levels such as severance payments, as well as for consulting and other costs. Costs incurred are expected to be settled primarily in cash.

Restructuring and related implementation costs, net were $21 and $44 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively. The following table summarizes the total restructuring and related implementation costs, net associated with the Company’s streamlined operating model plan as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2023
Costs of products sold	$	—	$	(1)
Selling and administrative expenses	6		11
Other (income) expense, net:
Employee-related costs	15		34


Total, net	$	21	$	44

Employee-related costs primarily include severance and other termination benefits calculated based on salary levels, prior service and statutory requirements. Other costs primarily include consulting fees incurred for the organizational design and implementation of the future streamlined operating model, related processes and other professional fees incurred.

Charges for restructuring and related implementation costs are recorded in the Corporate segment as these initiatives are centrally directed and controlled and are not included in internal measures of segment operating performance.

The Company may, from time to time, decide to pursue additional restructuring-related initiatives that involve costs in future periods.

The following tables reconcile the accrual for the streamlined operating model restructuring and related implementation costs discussed above, which are recorded within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:


	Three Months Ended March 31
	Employee-Related Costs		Other		Total
Accrual Balance as of December 31, 2022	$	13	$	2	$	15
Charges	15		7		22
Cash payments	(10)		(4)		(14)

Accrual Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	18	$	5	$	23


	Nine Months Ended March 31
	Employee-Related Costs		Other		Total
Accrual Balance as of June 30, 2022	$	—	$	—	$	—
Charges	34		14		48
Cash payments	(16)		(9)		(25)

Accrual Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	18	$	5	$	23

NOTE 3. INVENTORIES, NET

Inventories, net, consisted of the following as of:


	3/31/2023		6/30/2022
Finished goods	$	638	$	593
Raw materials and packaging	185		191
Work in process	13		16
LIFO allowances	(94)		(40)
Total inventories, net	$	742	$	760
Less: Noncurrent inventories, net (1)	7		5
Total current inventories, net	$	735	$	755

(1)Noncurrent inventories, net is recorded in Other assets.

NOTE 4. GOODWILL, TRADEMARK AND OTHER ASSETS IMPAIRMENTS

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, management made a decision to narrow the focus on core brands and streamline investment levels in the Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) business. As a result, revisions were made to the internal financial projections and operational plans of the VMS business reflecting the Company’s current estimates regarding the future financial performance of these operations and macroeconomic factors. The revised estimated future cash flows reflect lower sales growth expectations and lower investment levels. These revisions were considered a triggering event requiring interim impairment assessments to be performed as part of the preparation of the quarterly financial statements on the global indefinite-lived trademarks, other long-term assets and the VMS reporting unit.

Based on the outcome of these assessments, the following pre-tax, non-cash impairment charges were recorded:


	Impairment Charges
	VMS reporting unit		International reporting unit		Total
Goodwill	$	306	$	—	$	306
Trademarks, net	127		12		139


Total	$	433	$	12	$	445

In connection with recognizing these impairment charges, the Company recognized tax benefits related to the impairments of $83 due to the partial tax deductibility of these charges.

To determine the estimated fair values of the global indefinite-lived trademarks related to the VMS business, the Company used the DCF method under the relief from royalty income approach. This approach requires significant judgments in determining the royalty rates and the assets’ estimated cash flows as well as the appropriate discount rates applied to those cash flows to determine fair value. As a result of the interim impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of the global indefinite-lived trademarks exceeded their estimated fair value, and recorded impairment charges of $139. In addition, the useful lives of the impaired trademarks, with a remaining net carrying value of $28 as of March 31, 2023, were changed from indefinite to definite beginning on April 1, 2023, which reflects the remaining expected useful lives of the trademarks based on the most recent financial and operational plans. The weighted-average estimated useful life of these trademarks is 20 years.

After adjusting the carrying values of the global indefinite-lived trademarks and concluding that the carrying amounts of the other long-lived assets were recoverable, the Company completed a quantitative impairment test for goodwill and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $306 in the VMS reporting unit. To determine the fair value of the VMS reporting unit, the Company used a DCF method under the income approach. In accordance with this approach, the Company estimated the future cash flows of the VMS reporting unit and discounted these cash flows at a rate of return that reflects its relative risk. The other key estimates and factors used in the DCF method include, but are not limited to, net sales and expense growth rates and a terminal growth rate. The decrease in projected cash flows due to the revisions adversely impacted key assumptions used in determining the fair value of the VMS reporting unit and assets contained therein, primarily projected net sales. There is no remaining goodwill associated with the impaired reporting unit.

No triggering events were identified in the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the International reporting unit below its carrying value through March 31, 2023.

Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill as of March 31, 2023 from June 30, 2022, were as follows:


	Goodwill
	Health and Wellness		Household		Lifestyle		International		Total
Balance as of June 30, 2022	$	629	$	85	$	244	$	600	$	1,558

Translation adjustments and other	—		—		—		(11)		(11)
Balance as of September 30, 2022	629		85		244		589		1,547
Translation adjustments and other	—		—		—		6		6
Balance as of December 31, 2022	629		85		244		595		1,553
Goodwill impairment	(306)		—		—		—		(306)
Translation adjustments and other	—		—		—		3		3
Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	323	$	85	$	244	$	598	$	1,250

The following table summarizes the carrying amount of trademarks and other intangible assets as of March 31, 2023 and as of June 30, 2022:


	March 31, 2023						June 30, 2022
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization / Impairments		Net carrying amount		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization / Impairments		Net carrying amount
Trademarks not subject to amortization	$	666	$	139	$	527	$	668	$	—	$	668
Trademarks subject to amortization	56		37		19		57		38		19
Other intangible assets	578		402		176		577		380		197
Total	$	1,300	$	578	$	722	$	1,302	$	418	$	884

Amortization expense relating to the Company’s intangible assets was $7 and $22 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively, and $8 and $24 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for these intangible assets is $8, $29, $28, $28 and $28 for the remainder of fiscal year 2023 and fiscal years 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively.

NOTE 5. OTHER LIABILITIES

Venture Agreement

The Company has an agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) for the Company’s Glad bags and wraps business. In connection with this agreement, P&G provides research and development (R&D) support to the Glad business. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, P&G had a 20% interest in the venture. The Company pays a royalty to P&G for its interest in the profits, losses and cash flows, as contractually defined, of the Glad business, which is included in Cost of products sold. In December 2017, the Company and P&G extended the term of the agreement and the related R&D support provided by P&G. The term will expire in January 2026, unless the parties agree, on or prior to January 31, 2025, to further extend the term of the agreement for another seven years or agree to take some other relevant action. The agreement can be terminated earlier under certain circumstances, including at P&G’s option upon a change in control of the Company or, at either party’s option, upon the sale of the Glad business by the Company.

Upon termination of the agreement, the Company is required to purchase P&G’s 20% interest for cash at fair value as established by predetermined valuation procedures. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the estimated fair value of P&G’s interest in the venture was $527 and $635, respectively, of which $492 and $468, respectively, has been recognized and is reflected in Other liabilities. The difference between the estimated fair value and the amount recognized, and any future changes in the fair value of P&G’s interest, is charged to Cost of products sold in accordance with the effective interest method over the remaining life of the agreement. Following termination, the Glad business will retain the exclusive core intellectual property licenses contributed by P&G on a royalty-free basis for the licensed products marketed.

NOTE 6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Risk Management and Derivative Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain commodity, foreign currency and interest rate risks related to its ongoing business operations and uses derivative instruments to mitigate its exposure to these risks.

Commodity Price Risk Management

The Company may use commodity futures, options and swap contracts to limit the impact of price volatility on a portion of its forecasted raw material requirements. These commodity derivatives may be exchange traded or over-the-counter contracts and generally have original contractual maturities of less than two years. Commodity purchase and options contracts are measured at fair value using market quotations obtained from the Chicago Board of Trade commodity futures exchange and commodity derivative dealers.

As of March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2022, the notional amount of commodity derivatives was $55 and $27, respectively, which related primarily to exposures in soybean oil used for the Food products business and jet fuel used for the Grilling business.

Foreign Currency Risk Management

The Company may also enter into certain over-the-counter derivative contracts to manage a portion of the Company’s forecasted foreign currency exposure associated with the purchase of inventory. These foreign currency contracts generally have original contractual maturities of less than two years. The foreign exchange contracts are measured at fair value using information quoted by foreign exchange dealers.

The notional amounts of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts used by the Company’s subsidiaries to hedge forecasted purchases of inventory were $55 and $31 as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company may enter into over-the-counter interest rate contracts to fix a portion of the benchmark interest rate prior to the anticipated issuance of fixed rate debt. These interest rate contracts generally have original contractual maturities of less than three years. The interest rate contracts are measured at fair value using information quoted by bond dealers.

The Company held no interest rate contracts as of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022.

Commodity, Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Derivatives

The Company designates its commodity forward, futures and options contracts for forecasted purchases of raw materials, foreign currency forward contracts for forecasted purchases of inventory and interest rate contracts for forecasted interest payments as cash flow hedges.

NOTE 6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

The effects of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments on Other comprehensive (loss) income and Net earnings (losses) were as follows:


	Gains (losses) recognized in Other comprehensive (loss) income
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Commodity purchase derivative contracts	$	(4)	$	10	$	(6)	$	12
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	1		(1)		1		—
Interest rate derivative contracts	—		39		—		39
Total	$	(3)	$	48	$	(5)	$	51


	Location of gains (losses) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income into Net earnings	Gains (losses) reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income and recognized in Net earnings (losses)
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Commodity purchase derivative contracts	Cost of products sold	$	—	$	3	$	7	$	13
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	Cost of products sold	—		—		1		—
Interest rate derivative contracts	Interest expense	4		—		10		(3)
Total		$	4	$	3	$	18	$	10

The estimated amount of the existing net gain (loss) in Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income as of March 31, 2023 that is expected to be reclassified into Net earnings (losses) within the next twelve months is $9.

Counterparty Risk Management and Derivative Contract Requirements

The Company utilizes a variety of financial institutions as counterparties for over-the-counter derivative instruments. The Company enters into agreements governing the use of over-the-counter derivative instruments and sets internal limits on the aggregate over-the-counter derivative instrument positions held with each counterparty. Certain terms of these agreements require the Company or the counterparty to post collateral when the fair value of the derivative instruments exceeds contractually-defined counterparty liability position limits. Of the over-the-counter derivative instruments in liability positions, $1 and $0 contained such terms as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. As of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, neither the Company nor any counterparty was required to post any collateral as no counterparty liability position limits were exceeded.

Certain terms of the agreements governing the Company’s over-the-counter derivative instruments require the Company’s credit ratings, as assigned by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s to the Company and its counterparties, to remain at a level equal to or better than the minimum of an investment grade credit rating. If the Company’s credit ratings were to fall below investment grade, the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request full collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. As of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company and each of its counterparties had been assigned investment grade ratings by both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

Certain of the Company’s exchange traded futures and options contracts used for commodity price risk management include requirements for the Company to post collateral in the form of a cash margin account held by the Company’s broker for trades conducted on that exchange. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company maintained cash margin balances related to exchange traded futures and options contracts of $3 and $1, respectively, which are classified as Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NOTE 6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

Trust Assets

The Company holds interests in mutual funds and cash equivalents as part of trust assets related to its nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The participants in the nonqualified deferred compensation plans, who are the Company’s current and former employees, may select among certain mutual funds in which their compensation deferrals are invested in accordance with the terms of the plans and within the confines of the trusts, which hold the marketable securities. The trusts represent variable interest entities for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary, and therefore, trust assets are consolidated and included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The interests in mutual funds are measured at fair value using quoted market prices. The Company has designated these marketable securities as trading investments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories of the fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

As of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis included derivative financial instruments, which were classified as either Level 1 or Level 2, and trust assets to fund the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plans, which were classified as Level 1.

All of the Company’s derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. The following table provides information about the balance sheet classification and the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments:


			3/31/2023				6/30/2022
	Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Assets
Commodity purchase options contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—
Commodity purchase swaps contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2	—		—		6		6

Foreign exchange forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2	1		1		1		1

			$	2	$	2	$	7	$	7
Liabilities
Commodity purchase futures contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1	2		2		1		1
Commodity purchase swaps contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2	1		1		—		—

			$	3	$	3	$	1	$	1

NOTE 6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

The following table provides information about the balance sheet classification and the fair values of the Company’s other assets and liabilities for which disclosure of fair value is required:


			3/31/2023				6/30/2022
	Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Assets
Interest-bearing investments, including money market funds	Cash and cash equivalents (1)	1	$	61	$	61	$	86	$	86
Time deposits	Cash and cash equivalents (1)	2	7		7		4		4


Trust assets for nonqualified deferred compensation plans	Other assets	1	126		126		119		119
			$	194	$	194	$	209	$	209
Liabilities
Notes and loans payable	Notes and loans payable (2)	2	$	138	$	138	$	237	$	237

Current maturities of long-term debt and Long-term debt	Current maturities of long- term debt and Long-term debt (3)	2	2,476		2,376		2,474		2,386
			$	2,614	$	2,514	$	2,711	$	2,623

(1)Cash and cash equivalents are composed of time deposits and other interest-bearing investments, including money market funds with original maturity dates of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.

(2)Notes and loans payable are composed of outstanding U.S. commercial paper balances and/or amounts drawn on the Company’s credit agreements, all of which are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.

(3)Current maturities of long-term debt and Long-term debt are recorded at cost. The fair value of Long-term debt, including current maturities, was determined using secondary market prices quoted by corporate bond dealers, and is classified as Level 2.

Furthermore, impairment charges of $445 were recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2023, of which $306 and $139 related to the goodwill of the VMS reporting unit and certain related indefinite-lived trademarks, respectively. These adjustments were included as Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The non-recurring fair values utilized included unobservable Level 3 inputs based on management’s best estimates and assumptions. For additional information, refer to Note 4.

NOTE 7. INCOME TAXES

In determining its quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter. The effective tax rate on losses was 14.7% and the effective tax rate on earnings was 1,813.5% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate on earnings was 23.9% and 23.3% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. The lower tax rate on losses before income taxes in the current three month period was driven by the partial non-deductibility of impaired VMS goodwill. The substantially higher tax rate on earnings before income taxes in the current nine month period was driven by lower pre-tax income due to the VMS impairment charges and the non-deductibility of a portion of those charges.

The Inflation Reduction Act (the “Act”) was signed into law on August 16, 2022. The Act introduces a new 15% corporate minimum tax for certain large corporations that becomes effective at the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2024 and it imposes a 1% excise tax on the value of share repurchases, net of new share issuances, after December 31, 2022. These provisions, as well as the other corporate tax changes included in the Act, are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE 8. NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER SHARE (EPS)

The following is the reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) used to calculate basic net EPS to those used to calculate diluted net EPS:


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023	3/31/2022	3/31/2023	3/31/2022
Basic	123,649	123,177	123,512	123,074
Dilutive effect of stock options and other	—	700	—	869
Diluted	123,649	123,877	123,512	123,943

Antidilutive stock options and other	4,953	2,489	4,953	2,489

Basic net earnings (losses) per share and Diluted net earnings (losses) per share are calculated on Net earnings (losses) attributable to Clorox.

Since the Company generated net losses attributable to Clorox for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, there was no dilutive effect of stock options and other instruments because their impacts would be antidilutive.

NOTE 9. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table provides a summary of Comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Net earnings (losses)	$	(209)	$	152	$	(20)	$	367
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	10		19		(1)		(9)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	(7)		34		(21)		31
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments	1		2		3		5
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	4		55		(19)		27
Comprehensive income (loss)	(205)		207		(39)		394
Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2		2		7		6
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Clorox	$	(207)	$	205	$	(46)	$	388

NOTE 10. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Changes in the components of Stockholders’ equity were as follows for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31
(Dollars in millions except per share data; shares in thousands)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Net (Loss) Income		Noncontrolling interests		Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Amount		Shares					Amount		Shares
Balance as of December 31, 2021	$	131	130,741	$	1,180	$	949	$	(1,373)	(7,777)	$	(574)	$	178	$	491
Net earnings	—		—	—		150		—		—	—		2		152
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—		—	—		—		—		—	55		—		55
Dividends to Clorox stockholders ($1.16 per share declared)	—		—	—		(143)		—		—	—		—		(143)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(4)		(4)

Stock-based compensation	—		—	19		—		—		—	—		—		19
Other employee stock plan activities	—		—	(4)		(5)		15		107	—		—		6


Balance as of March 31, 2022	$	131	130,741	$	1,195	$	951	$	(1,358)	(7,670)	$	(519)	$	176	$	576

Balance as of December 31, 2022	$	131	130,741	$	1,207	$	782	$	(1,297)	(7,263)	$	(502)	$	170	$	491
Net earnings (losses)	—		—	—		(211)		—		—	—		2		(209)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—		—	—		—		—		—	4		—		4
Dividends to Clorox stockholders ($1.18 per share declared)	—		—	—		(147)		—		—	—		—		(147)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(3)		(3)

Stock-based compensation	—		—	29		—		—		—	—		—		29
Other employee stock plan activities	—		—	(4)		(9)		20		133	—		—		7



Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	131	130,741	$	1,232	$	415	$	(1,277)	(7,130)	$	(498)	$	169	$	172

	Nine Months Ended March 31
(Dollars in millions except per share data; shares in thousands)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Net (Loss) Income		Noncontrolling interests		Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Amount		Shares					Amount		Shares
Balance as of June 30, 2021	$	131	130,741	$	1,186	$	1,036	$	(1,396)	(7,961)	$	(546)	$	181	$	592

Net earnings	—		—	—		361		—		—	—		6		367
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—		—	—		—		—		—	27		—		27
Dividends to Clorox stockholders ($3.48 per share declared)	—		—	—		(430)		—		—	—		—		(430)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(11)		(11)

Stock-based compensation	—		—	44		—		—		—	—		—		44
Other employee stock plan activities	—		—	(35)		(16)		63		443	—		—		12
Treasury stock purchased	—		—	—		—		(25)		(152)	—		—		(25)

Balance as of March 31, 2022	$	131	130,741	$	1,195	$	951	$	(1,358)	(7,670)	$	(519)	$	176	$	576

Balance as of June 30, 2022	$	131	130,741	$	1,202	$	1,048	$	(1,346)	(7,589)	$	(479)	$	173	$	729
Net earnings (losses)	—		—	—		(27)		—		—	—		7		(20)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	—		—	—		—		—		—	(19)		—		(19)
Dividends to Clorox stockholders ($4.72 per share declared)	—		—	—		(587)		—		—	—		—		(587)
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(11)		(11)

Stock-based compensation	—		—	60		—		—		—	—		—		60
Other employee stock plan activities	—		—	(30)		(19)		69		459	—		—		20



Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	131	130,741	$	1,232	$	415	$	(1,277)	(7,130)	$	(498)	$	169	$	172

NOTE 10. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income attributable to Clorox by component were as follows for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended March 31
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives		Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income
Balance as of December 31, 2021	$	(431)	$	18	$	(161)	$	(574)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	19		48		—		67
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income	—		(3)		2		(1)
Income tax benefit (expense)	—		(11)		—		(11)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	19		34		2		55
Balance as of March 31, 2022	$	(412)	$	52	$	(159)	$	(519)

Balance as of December 31, 2022	$	(459)	$	107	$	(150)	$	(502)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	9		(3)		—		6
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income	—		(4)		1		(3)
Income tax benefit (expense), and other	1		—		—		1
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	10		(7)		1		4
Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	(449)	$	100	$	(149)	$	(498)

	Nine Months Ended March 31
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives		Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments		Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income
Balance as of June 30, 2021	$	(403)	$	21	$	(164)	$	(546)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(9)		51		—		42
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income	—		(10)		6		(4)
Income tax benefit (expense)	—		(10)		(1)		(11)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(9)		31		5		27
Balance as of March 31, 2022	$	(412)	$	52	$	(159)	$	(519)

Balance as of June 30, 2022	$	(448)	$	121	$	(152)	$	(479)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(2)		(5)		—		(7)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income	—		(18)		4		(14)
Income tax benefit (expense), and other	1		2		(1)		2
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(1)		(21)		3		(19)
Balance as of March 31, 2023	$	(449)	$	100	$	(149)	$	(498)

Included in foreign currency translation adjustments are remeasurement losses on long-term intercompany loans where settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future. There were no amounts associated with these loans reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive net (loss) income for the periods presented.

NOTE 11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a domestic qualified pension plan (the Plan). The Plan is frozen for all participants. The Plan generally was frozen effective June 30, 2011 for all employees, except for certain collectively bargained employees, whose Plan freeze was effective January 1, 2019. As a result of the Plan freeze, no employees are eligible to commence participation in the Plan or accrue any additional benefits under the Plan.

On May 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to terminate the Plan. The amendment will allow the settlement of the pension obligation with either a lump sum payout or a purchased annuity. It is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete the termination from the date of the approved resolution to terminate the Plan. The completion of the process of offering and accepting lump sum elections are dependent on when certain regulatory approvals are obtained. Currently, there is not enough information available to determine the ultimate charge of the termination. The Plan is fully funded under specified Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) funding rules as of March 31, 2023.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s retirement income plans:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022

Interest cost	$	4	$	3	$	13	$	11
Expected return on plan assets (1)	(3)		(4)		(8)		(11)
Settlement loss recognized	—		1		—		1
Amortization of unrecognized items	3		3		7		7
Total	$	4	$	3	$	12	$	8

(1)The weighted average long-term expected rate of return on plan assets used in computing the fiscal year 2023 net periodic benefit cost is 2.7%.

The net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s retirement health care plans was $(1) for both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, and $0 for both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022.

During both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company made $8 in contributions to its domestic retirement income plans. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company made $12 and $13 in contributions to its domestic retirement income plans, respectively.

Service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost, if any, is reflected in employee benefit costs, all other components are reflected in Other (income) expense, net.

NOTE 12. OTHER CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain environmental matters, including response actions at various locations. The Company had recorded liabilities totaling $26 and $28 as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively, for its share of aggregate future remediation costs related to these matters.

One matter, which accounted for $12 and $14 of the recorded liability as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively, relates to environmental costs associated with one of the Company’s former operations at a site located in Alameda County, California. In November 2016, at the request of regulators and with the assistance of environmental consultants, the Company submitted a Feasibility Study that evaluated various options for managing the site and included estimates of the related costs. Following further discussions with the regulators in 2017, the Company recorded an undiscounted liability for costs estimated to be incurred over a 30-year period, based on one of the options in the Feasibility Study. In September 2021, as a result of an additional study and further discussions with regulators, the Company submitted a Soil Vapor Intrusion Report to the regulators, which has not resulted in a change to the recorded liability. While the Company believes its latest estimates of remediation costs are reasonable, the ultimate remediation requirements are not yet finalized and the regulators could require the Company to implement remediation actions for a longer period or take additional actions, which could include estimated undiscounted costs of up to approximately $28 over an estimated 30-year period, or require the Company to take different actions and incur additional costs.

NOTE 12: OTHER CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (continued)

Another matter in Dickinson County, Michigan, at the site of one of the Company’s former operations for which the Company is jointly and severally liable, accounted for $10 and $9 of the recorded liability as of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. This amount reflects the Company’s agreement to be liable for 24.3% of the aggregate remediation and associated costs for this matter pursuant to a cost-sharing agreement with a third party. If the third party is unable to pay its share of the response and remediation obligations, the Company may be responsible for such obligations. With the assistance of environmental consultants, the Company maintains an undiscounted liability representing its current best estimate of its share of the capital expenditures, maintenance and other costs that may be incurred over an estimated 30-year remediation period. Although it is reasonably possible that the Company’s exposure may exceed the amount recorded for the Dickinson County matter, any amount of such additional exposures, or range of exposures, is not estimable at this time.

The Company’s estimated losses related to these matters are sensitive to a variety of uncertain factors, including the efficacy of any remediation efforts, changes in any remediation requirements and the future availability of alternative clean-up technologies. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and other loss contingencies, including, without limitation, loss contingencies relating to contractual arrangements (including costs connected to the transition and unwinding of certain supply and manufacturing relationships), product liability, patents and trademarks, advertising, labor and employment, environmental, health and safety and other matters. With respect to these proceedings, claims and other loss contingencies, while considerable uncertainty exists, in the opinion of management at this time, the ultimate disposition of these matters, to the extent not previously provided for, will not have a material adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

Guarantees

In conjunction with divestitures and other transactions, the Company may provide typical indemnifications (e.g., indemnifications for representations and warranties and retention of previously existing environmental, tax and employee liabilities) that have terms that vary in duration and in the potential amount of the total obligation and, in many circumstances, are not explicitly defined. The Company has not made, nor does it believe that it is probable that it will make, any material payments relating to its indemnifications, and believes that any reasonably possible payments would not have a material adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

The Company had not recorded any material liabilities on the aforementioned guarantees as of both March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022.

The Company was a party to letters of credit of $14 as of March 31, 2023, primarily related to its insurance carriers, of which $0 had been drawn upon.

NOTE 13. SEGMENT RESULTS

The Company operates through strategic business units (SBUs) that are organized into the Company’s operating segments. The operating segments are then aggregated into four reportable segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle and International.

Certain non-allocated administrative costs, interest income, interest expense and various other non-operating income and expenses are reflected in Corporate. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, other long-term assets and deferred taxes.

The tables below present reportable segment information and a reconciliation of the segment information to the Company’s consolidated net sales and earnings (losses) before income taxes, with amounts that are not allocated to the reportable segments reflected in Corporate.


	Net sales
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Health and Wellness	$	707	$	662	$	2,054	$	2,055
Household	550		539		1,435		1,404
Lifestyle	353		306		1,005		961
International	305		302		876		886

Total	$	1,915	$	1,809	$	5,370	$	5,306

	Earnings (losses) before income taxes
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Health and Wellness (1)	$	(290)	$	84	$	(72)	$	245
Household	99		92		165		138
Lifestyle	83		66		217		239
International (2)	15		31		62		80
Corporate (3)	(152)		(73)		(371)		(224)
Total	$	(245)	$	200	$	1	$	478

(1)The earnings (losses) before income taxes for the Health and Wellness segment includes $433 of non-cash impairment charges related to the VMS business for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023.

(2)The earnings (losses) before income taxes for the International segment include $12 of non-cash impairment charges related to the VMS business for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023.

(3)The losses before income taxes for Corporate includes restructuring and related implementation costs, net for the streamlined operating model of $21 and $44 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively. While recorded within the Corporate segment, for informational purposes the following table provides the approximate restructuring and related implementation costs, net corresponding to the Company’s reportable segments as a percentage of the total costs:


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2023
Health and Wellness	7	%	6	%
Household	4		2
Lifestyle	2		3
International	21		19
Corporate	66		70
Total	100	%	100	%

All intersegment sales are eliminated and are not included in the Company’s reportable segments’ net sales.

Net sales to the Company’s largest customer, Walmart Inc. and its affiliates, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, were 26% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 25% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022.

NOTE 13. SEGMENT RESULTS (Continued)

The following table provides Net sales as a percentage of the Company’s consolidated net sales, disaggregated by operating segment, for the periods indicated:


	Net sales
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Cleaning	30	%	28	%	30	%	30	%
Professional Products	4		4		5		5
Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements	3		4		3		4
Health and Wellness	37	%	36	%	38	%	39	%
Bags and Wraps	12		12		12		12
Grilling	8		10		6		6
Cat Litter	9		8		9		8
Household	29	%	30	%	27	%	26	%
Food	10		10		11		10
Natural Personal Care	4		4		4		4
Water Filtration	4		3		4		4
Lifestyle	18	%	17	%	19	%	18	%
International	16	%	17	%	16	%	17	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Clorox Company
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of The Clorox Company’s (the Company or Clorox) financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect future results. The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with MD&A and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on August 10, 2022, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this Report). Unless otherwise noted, MD&A compares the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2023 (the current period) to the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2022 (the prior period), with percentage and basis point calculations based on rounded numbers, except for per share data and the effective tax rate.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Clorox is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. Clorox sells its products primarily through mass retailers, grocery outlets, warehouse clubs, dollar stores, home hardware centers, drug, pet and military stores, third-party and owned e-commerce channels, and distributors. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags and wraps; Kingsford® grilling products; Hidden Valley® dressings, dips, seasonings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products; and RenewLife®, Rainbow Light®, Natural Vitality® and NeoCell® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The Company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. The Company has operations in more than 25 countries or territories and sells its products in more than 100 markets.

The Company primarily markets its leading brands in midsized categories considered to be financially attractive. Most of the Company’s products compete with other nationally advertised brands within each category and with “private label” brands.

The Company operates through strategic business units (SBUs) that are organized into the Company’s operating segments. These operating segments are then aggregated into four reportable segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle and International. These four reportable segments consist of the following:

•Health and Wellness consists of cleaning products, professional products and vitamins, minerals and supplements mainly marketed and sold in the U.S. Products within this segment include cleaning products such as laundry additives and home care products, primarily under the Clorox®, Clorox2®, Scentiva®, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex® and Formula 409® brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplements under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell and Rainbow Light brands.

•Household consists of bags and wraps, grilling products and cat litter marketed and sold in the U.S. Products within this segment include bags and wraps under the Glad brand; grilling products under the Kingsford brand; and cat litter primarily under the Fresh Step and Scoop Away® brands.

•Lifestyle consists of food, natural personal care products and water-filtration products marketed and sold in the U.S. Products within this segment include dressings, dips, seasonings and sauces, primarily under the Hidden Valley brand; natural personal care products under the Burt’s Bees brand; and water-filtration products under the Brita brand.

•International consists of products sold outside the U.S. Products within this segment include laundry additives, home care products, water-filtration products, digestive health products; grilling products; cat litter; food; bags and wraps; natural personal care products; and professional cleaning and disinfecting products marketed primarily under the Clorox, Ayudin®, Clorinda®, Poett, Pine-Sol, Glad, Brita, RenewLife, Ever Clean® and Burt’s Bees brands.

RECENT EVENTS AFFECTING THE COMPANY

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company continued to experience supply chain disruptions including the impacts of cost inflation resulting in persistently high manufacturing and logistics costs as well as higher commodity costs. In addition to these evolving challenges, ongoing uncertainties and economic and social disruptions remained present due to the continued effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which were further heightened by the conflict in Ukraine that began in the previous fiscal year.

While demand for many of the products across the Company's portfolio remained strong compared to pre-pandemic levels, it has moderated versus the initial periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. An inflationary environment marked by supply chain disruptions, higher manufacturing and logistics costs and higher commodity costs is expected to continue through fiscal year 2023. While we have not experienced significant disruptions in our operations during fiscal year 2023 to date, the risks of future negative impacts due to transportation, logistical or supply constraints and higher commodity costs for certain raw materials remain present, and the Company continues to experience corresponding incremental costs and gross margin pressures. For fiscal year 2023, the Company’s focus will be on addressing supply chain disruptions and volatility in commodity costs and foreign exchange markets and countering inflationary pressures through pricing actions and cost-cutting measures. In order to enhance the Company’s ability to respond more quickly to changing consumer behaviors and innovate faster, the Company has announced a streamlined operating model to be implemented over the course of fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

The impact of continued inflationary pressures and geopolitical events, specifically the conflict in Ukraine, have increased global economic and political uncertainty due to the uncertainty around the duration and resolution of the conflict and potential economic and global supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the extent of COVID-19’s effect on the Company’s operational and financial performance in the future will depend on future developments, including the duration, spread, intensity and phase of the pandemic in different countries, the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the effectiveness of vaccines against these variants, the Company’s continued ability to manufacture and distribute its products, any future government actions affecting consumers, our business operations, including any vaccine mandates, or the economy in general, and effectiveness of global vaccines. All of these factors are difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving landscape as the Company continues to expect a variable operating environment going forward.

For additional information on the impacts and our response to the coronavirus pandemic, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Net sales	$	1,915	$	1,809	6	%	$	5,370	$	5,306	1	%


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Percentage change versus the year-ago period
	Reported (GAAP) Net Sales Growth / (Decrease)		Reported Volume		Acquisitions & Divestitures		Foreign Exchange Impact		Price/Mix/ Other (1)		Organic Sales Growth / (Decrease) (Non-GAAP) (2)		Organic Volume (3)
Health and Wellness	7	%	(16)	%	—	%	—	%	23	%	7	%	(16)	%
Household	2		(12)		—		—		14		2		(12)
Lifestyle	15		—		—		—		15		15		—
International	1		(7)		—		(13)		21		14		(7)
Total	6	%	(11)	%	—	%	(2)	%	19	%	8	%	(11)	%

	Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Percentage change versus the year-ago period
	Reported (GAAP) Net Sales Growth / (Decrease)		Reported Volume		Acquisitions & Divestitures		Foreign Exchange Impact		Price/Mix/Other (1)		Organic Sales Growth / (Decrease) (Non-GAAP) (2)		Organic Volume (3)
Health and Wellness	—	%	(19)	%	—	%	—	%	19	%	—	%	(19)	%
Household	2		(8)		—		—		10		2		(8)
Lifestyle	5		(6)		—		—		11		5		(6)
International	(1)		(6)		—		(11)		16		10		(6)
Total	1	%	(12)	%	—	%	(2)	%	15	%	3	%	(12)	%

(1)This represents the net impact on net sales growth / (decrease) from pricing actions, mix and other factors.

(2)Organic sales growth / (decrease) is defined as net sales growth / (decrease) excluding the effect of any acquisitions and divestitures and foreign exchange rate changes. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of organic sales growth / (decrease) to net sales growth / (decrease), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

(3)Organic volume represents volume excluding the effect of any acquisitions and divestitures.

Net sales in the current three month period increased by 6%, primarily driven by sales growth across all reportable segments. Volume decreased by 11% versus the prior period primarily due to pricing actions. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the impact of favorable price mix.

Net sales in the current nine month period increased by 1%, primarily driven by sales growth in the Lifestyle and Household reportable segments. Volume decreased by 12%, reflecting lower shipments across all reportable segments primarily due to pricing actions. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the impact of favorable price mix.


	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023			3/31/2022			% Change		3/31/2023			3/31/2022			% Change
Gross profit	$	800		$	649		23	%	$	2,046		$	1,877		9	%
Gross margin	41.8		%	35.9		%			38.1		%	35.4		%

Gross margin increased by 590 basis points in the current three month period from 35.9% to 41.8%. The increase was primarily driven by the benefit of price increases as well as cost savings, partially offset by unfavorable commodity costs and higher manufacturing and logistics costs.

Gross margin increased by 270 basis points in the current nine month period from 35.4% to 38.1%. The increase was primarily driven by the benefit of price increases as well as cost savings, partially offset by unfavorable commodity costs and higher manufacturing and logistics costs.

Expenses


	Three Months Ended
							% of Net Sales
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Selling and administrative expenses	$	311	$	233	33	%	16.2	%	12.9	%
Advertising costs	206		153		35		10.8		8.5
Research and development costs	35		31		13		1.8		1.7
	Nine Months Ended
							% of Net Sales
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Selling and administrative expenses	$	854	$	710	20	%	15.9	%	13.4	%
Advertising costs	523		502		4		9.7		9.5
Research and development costs	100		98		2		1.9		1.8

Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, increased by 330 basis points and 250 basis points in current three and nine month periods, respectively. The dollar increase in selling and administrative expenses in both the current three and nine month periods was primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense and the Company’s digital capabilities and productivity enhancements investments.

Advertising costs, as a percentage of net sales, increased by 230 basis points and 20 basis points in the current three and nine month periods versus the prior periods, respectively. The increase in advertising costs reflects the Company’s continued support behind its brands. The Company’s U.S. retail advertising spend as a percentage of net sales was 12% and 9% in the current and prior three month periods, respectively.

Research and development costs, as a percentage of net sales, were essentially flat in both the current three and nine month periods as compared to the prior periods. The Company continues to invest behind product innovation and cost savings.

Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments, Interest expense, Other (income) expense, net and the effective tax rate on earnings (losses)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023			3/31/2022			3/31/2023			3/31/2022
Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments	$	445		$	—		$	445		$	—
Interest expense	24			21			69			69
Other (income) expense, net	24			11			54			20
Effective tax rate on earnings (losses)	14.7		%	23.9		%	1,813.5		%	23.3		%

Goodwill, trademark and other asset impairments of $445 in both the current three and nine month periods reflect non-cash impairment charges to goodwill and certain indefinite-lived trademarks related to the VMS business. See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Other (income) expense, net was $24 and $11 in the current and prior three month periods, respectively, and $54 and $20 in the current and prior nine month periods, respectively. The variance was primarily due to restructuring and related implementation costs associated with the streamlined operating model incurred in both the current three and nine month periods.

Restructuring and related costs

Once fully implemented, the Company expects annual cost savings to be approximately $75 to $100 annually, with benefits of approximately $35 anticipated in fiscal year 2023. The benefits of the streamlined operating model are currently expected to increase future cash flows as a result of cost savings that will be generated primarily in the areas of selling and administration, supply chain, marketing and research and development.

Restructuring and related implementation costs, net were $21 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, of which $14 was related to employee-related costs and $7 was related to other costs. Restructuring and related implementation costs, net were $44 for the nine months ended March 31, 2023,of which $30 was related to employee-related costs and $14 was related to other costs. For further details on the streamlined operating model and restructuring, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The effective tax rate on earnings (losses) was 14.7% and 1,813.5% for the current three and nine month periods, respectively, and 23.9% and 23.3% for the prior three and nine month periods, respectively. The lower tax rate on losses before income taxes in the current three month period was driven by the partial non-deductibility of impaired VMS goodwill. The substantially higher tax rate on earnings before income taxes in the current nine month period was driven by lower pre-tax income due to the VMS impairment charges and the non-deductibility of a portion of those charges.

Diluted net earnings (losses) per share


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Diluted net earnings (losses) per share	$	(1.71)	$	1.21	(241)	%	$	(0.22)	$	2.91	(108)	%

Diluted net earnings (losses) per share (EPS) decreased by $2.92, or 241%, in the current three month period, primarily due to the noncash impairment charges on assets related to the VMS business, higher selling and administrative expenses, advertising investments and unfavorable commodity costs, partially offset by higher net sales primarily behind pricing as well as the benefit of cost savings.

Diluted EPS decreased by $3.13, or 108%, in the current nine month period, primarily due to the noncash impairment charges on assets related to the VMS business, higher selling and administrative expenses, unfavorable commodity costs, higher manufacturing and logistics costs and the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by net sales growth as well as the benefit of cost savings.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The following presents the results of the Company’s reportable segments and certain unallocated costs reflected in Corporate (see Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of segment results to consolidated results):

Health and Wellness


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Net sales	$	707	$	662	7	%	$	2,054	$	2,055	—	%
Earnings (losses) before income taxes	(290)		84		(445)		(72)		245		(129)

Volume and earnings (losses) before income taxes decreased by 16% and 445% respectively, and net sales increased by 7% during the current three month period. The volume decrease was primarily due to pricing actions, partially offset by strong consumption, primarily in Cleaning. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the benefit of price increases. The decrease in earnings (losses) before income taxes in the current period was primarily due to the noncash impairment charges on assets related to the VMS business, unfavorable commodity costs and advertising investments, partially offset by net sales growth primarily behind pricing as well as the benefit of cost savings.

Volume and earnings (losses) before income taxes decreased by 19% and 129% respectively, and net sales were essentially flat during the current nine month period. The volume decrease was primarily due to pricing actions and lower shipments from the ongoing normalization of consumer demand in Cleaning in the current period. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the benefit of price increases. The decrease in earnings (losses) before income taxes in the current period was primarily due to the noncash impairment charges on assets related to the VMS business and unfavorable commodity costs, partially offset by the benefit of price increases as well as cost savings.

Household


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Net sales	$	550	$	539	2	%	$	1,435	$	1,404	2	%
Earnings before income taxes	99		92		8		165		138		20

Net sales and earnings before income taxes increased by 2% and 8%, respectively, and volume decreased by 12% during the current three month period. The volume decrease was primarily driven by lower shipments across all SBUs due to pricing actions and in Grilling due to increased competitive activity, partially offset by strong consumption in Litter and Bags and Wraps. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the benefit of price increases. The increase in earnings before income taxes was mainly due to net sales growth primarily behind pricing as well as the benefit of cost savings, partially offset by advertising investments and unfavorable commodity costs.

Net sales and earnings before income taxes increased by 2% and 20%, respectively, and volume decreased by 8% during the current nine month period. The volume decrease was primarily driven by lower shipments across all SBUs due to pricing actions, as well as lower shipments in Grilling due to increased competitive activity in the current period. The variance between volume and net sales was primarily due to the benefit of price increases. The increase in earnings before income taxes was mainly due to net sales growth primarily behind pricing as well as the benefit of cost savings, partially offset by unfavorable commodity costs, higher manufacturing and logistics costs and advertising investments.

Lifestyle


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Net sales	$	353	$	306	15	%	$	1,005	$	961	5	%
Earnings before income taxes	83		66		26		217		239		(9)

Net sales and earnings before income taxes increased by 15% and 26% respectively, and volume was essentially flat during the current three month period. The variance between volume and net sales was mainly due to the benefit of pricing and strong consumption supported by merchandising activities in Brita and Food. The increase in earnings before income taxes was due to net sales growth primarily behind pricing as well as the benefit of cost savings, partially offset by advertising investments and unfavorable commodity costs.

Volume and earnings before income taxes decreased by 6% and 9% respectively, and net sales increased by 5% during the current nine month period. The volume decrease was primarily driven by lower shipments across all SBUs due to pricing actions. The variance between volume and net sales was mainly due to the benefit of price increases. The decrease in earnings before income taxes was primarily due to unfavorable commodity costs, advertising investments and higher manufacturing and logistics costs, partially offset by net sales growth primarily behind pricing.

International


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Net sales	$	305	$	302	1	%	$	876	$	886	(1)	%
Earnings before income taxes	15		31		(52)		62		80		(23)

Volume and earnings before income taxes decreased by 7% and 52% respectively, and net sales increased by 1% during the current three month period. The volume decrease was primarily due to pricing actions. The variance between volume and net sales was mainly due to the benefit of price increases, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease in earnings before income taxes was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, a noncash impairment charge related to the VMS business and higher manufacturing and logistics costs, partially offset by net sales growth primarily behind pricing and the benefit of cost savings.

Volume, net sales and earnings before income taxes decreased by 6%, 1% and 23%, respectively, in the current nine month period. The volume decrease was primarily due to pricing actions. The variance between volume and net sales was mainly due to the benefit of price increases, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease in earnings before income taxes was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, higher manufacturing and logistics costs, unfavorable commodity costs, lower volume and higher selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by the net impact of pricing.

Argentina

Effective July 1, 2018, under the requirements of U.S. GAAP, Argentina was designated as a highly inflationary economy, and as a result the U.S. dollar replaced the Argentine peso as the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in Argentina. Consequently, gains and losses from non-U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities of Clorox Argentina are recognized in Other (income) expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The business environment in Argentina continues to be challenging due to significant volatility in Argentina’s currency, high inflation, economic recession, impacts of COVID-19 and temporary price controls. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the net asset position, excluding goodwill, of Clorox Argentina was $49 and $45, respectively. Of these net assets, cash balances were approximately $24 and $15 as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Net sales from Clorox Argentina represented approximately 2% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for both the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

For additional information on the impacts of, and our response to, the business environment in Argentina, refer to “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

Corporate

Corporate includes certain non-allocated administrative costs, interest income, interest expense and various other non-operating income and expenses.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change		3/31/2023		3/31/2022		% Change
Losses before income taxes	$	(152)	$	(73)	108	%	$	(371)	$	(224)	66	%

Losses before income taxes increased by $79 in the current three month period primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense, restructuring charges associated with the implementation of the Company’s new operating model and the Company’s digital capabilities and productivity enhancement investments.

Losses before income taxes increased by $147 in the current nine month period primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense, the Company’s digital capabilities and productivity enhancement investments, and restructuring charges associated with the implementation of the Company’s new operating model.

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY

The Company’s financial condition and liquidity remained strong as of March 31, 2023. The following table summarizes cash activities:


	Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Net cash provided by operations	$	728	$	451
Net cash used for investing activities	(142)		(167)
Net cash used for financing activities	(526)		(363)

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operations was $728 in the current nine month period, compared with $451 in the prior nine month period. The increase was primarily driven by a decrease in working capital and lower incentive compensation paid in the current nine month period. The decrease in working capital was primarily driven by higher Accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to timing of payments, lower inventory balances mostly driven by optimization of inventory levels in the current nine month period and decrease in Accounts receivable due to timing of sales in the prior nine month period.

Payment Terms Extension and Supply Chain Financing

The Company initiated the extension of its payment terms with its suppliers in the second half of fiscal year 2020 in order to improve working capital as part of and to fund the IGNITE strategy and in keeping with evolving market practices. The Company’s current payment terms do not exceed 120 days in keeping with industry standards. The Company’s operating cash flows are directly impacted as a result of the extension of the payment terms with the suppliers.

As part of those ongoing efforts, the Company has arranged for a global financial institution to offer a voluntary supply chain finance (SCF) program for the benefit of the Company’s suppliers. Leveraging the Company’s credit rating, the SCF program enables suppliers to directly contract with the financial institution to receive payment from the financial institution prior to the payment terms between the Company and the supplier by selling the Company’s payables to the financial institution. Participation in the program is at the sole discretion of the supplier and the Company has no economic interest in a supplier's decision to enter into the agreement and has no direct financial relationship with the financial institution, as it relates to the SCF program. Once a supplier elects to participate in the SCF program and reaches an agreement with the financial institution, the supplier elects which individual Company invoices to sell to the financial institution. The terms of the Company’s payment obligations are not impacted by a supplier’s participation in the program and as such, the SCF program has no direct impact on the Company’s balance sheets, cash flows or liquidity. No guarantees are provided by the Company or any of our subsidiaries under the SCF program. There would not be an expected material impact to the Company’s liquidity or capital resources if the financial institution or a supplier terminated the SCF arrangement.

All outstanding amounts related to suppliers participating in SCF are recorded within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the associated payments are included in operating activities within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the amount due to suppliers participating in SCF and included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $212 and $211, respectively. While the Company does not have direct access to information on, or influence over, which invoices a participating supplier elects to sell to the financial institution, the Company expects that the majority of these amounts have been sold to the financial institution.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities was $142 in the current nine month period, compared with $167 in the prior nine month period. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to lower capital spending in the current nine month period.

Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities was $526 in the current nine month period, compared with $363 in the prior nine month period. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to net cash used against borrowings, partially offset by lower treasury stock purchases in the current nine month period.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

The Company's current liabilities may periodically exceed current assets as a result of the Company's debt management policies, including the Company's use of commercial paper borrowings which fluctuates depending on the amount and timing of operating and investing cash flows and payments for shareholder transactions such as dividends. In addition, the Company’s cash generated from operations has decreased from historical levels primarily due to higher manufacturing and logistics costs and unfavorable commodity costs. The Company continues to take actions to address some of the effects of such cost increases, which include implementing price increases, driving cost savings and optimizing the Company’s supply chain.

Global financial markets have experienced a significant increase in volatility due to heightened uncertainty, the impacts of cost inflation and continued economic and social disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and other geopolitical circumstances. Notwithstanding potential unforeseen adverse market conditions and as part of the Company’s regular assessment of its cash needs, the Company believes it will have the funds necessary to support our short- and long-term liquidity and operating needs, including the costs related to the announced streamlined operating model and its digital capabilities and productivity enhancements investments, based on our anticipated ability to generate positive cash flows from operations in the future, access to capital markets enabled by our strong short-term and long-term credit ratings and current borrowing availability.

Credit Arrangements

As of March 31, 2023, the Company maintained a $1,200 revolving credit agreement that matures in March 2027 (the Credit Agreement). There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, and the Company believes that borrowings under the Credit Agreement are and will continue to be available for general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement includes certain restrictive covenants and limitations. The primary restrictive covenant is a minimum ratio of 4.0, calculated as total earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and other similar non-cash charges and certain other items (Consolidated EBITDA) to total interest expense for the trailing four quarters (Interest Coverage ratio), as defined and described in the Credit Agreement.

The Company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants and limitations in the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2023, and anticipates being in compliance with all restrictive covenants for the foreseeable future.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company maintained $31 of foreign and other credit lines, of which $5 was outstanding.

Stock Repurchases and Dividend Payments

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had two stock repurchase programs: an open-market purchase program with an authorized aggregate purchase amount of up to $2,000, which has no expiration date, and a program to offset the anticipated impact of dilution related to stock-based awards (the Evergreen Program), which has no authorization limit on the dollar amount and no expiration date. There were no share repurchases of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company repurchased 0 and 152 thousand shares of common stock at a cost of $0 and $25, respectively.

Dividends per share declared and total dividends paid to Clorox stockholders were as follows for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	3/31/2023		3/31/2022		3/31/2023		3/31/2022
Dividends per share declared	$	1.18	$	1.16	$	4.72	$	3.48
Total dividends paid	146		143		437		428

Venture Agreement

The Company has a venture agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) for the Company’s Glad bags and wraps business. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, P&G had a 20% interest in the venture. Upon termination of the agreement, the Company is required to purchase P&G’s 20% interest for cash at fair value as established by predetermined valuation procedures.

The Company performed a valuation of the Glad bags and wraps business as of December 31, 2022 in connection with an update of the Company’s financial projections in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. As of March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the estimated fair value of P&G’s interest in the venture was $527 and $635, respectively, of which $492 and $468, respectively, has been recognized and is reflected in Other liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The $108 decrease in the estimated fair value of P&G’s interest since June 30, 2022 was attributable to an increase in the discount rate and a decrease in the estimated future cash flows since the prior valuation. Changes in the judgments, assumptions and market factors used could result in significantly different estimates of fair value. The difference between the estimated fair value and the amount recognized, and any future changes in the fair value of P&G’s interest, is charged to Cost of products sold in accordance over the remaining life of the agreement.

CONTINGENCIES

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the Company’s contingencies.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of recently issued accounting standards relevant to the Company.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The methods, estimates and judgments the Company uses in applying its most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results the Company reports in its consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, a different financial presentation could result depending on the judgments, estimates or assumptions that are used. The most critical accounting estimates are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and require the Company to make the most difficult and subjective judgments, often estimating the outcome of future events that are inherently uncertain. As of March 31, 2023, there have been no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since the preparation of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, except as noted below:

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

In addition, impairment charges of $139 were recorded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 related to indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with the VMS business. The useful lives of the impaired trademarks, with a remaining net carrying value of $28 as of March 31, 2023, were changed from indefinite to definite beginning on April 1, 2023.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Venture Agreement Terminal Obligation

Fair value determination requires significant judgment, assumptions and market factors which are uncertain and subject to change. Changes in the judgments, assumptions and market factors used could result in significantly different estimates of fair value. For perspective, if the discount rate as of December 31, 2022, the date of the most recent valuation performed, were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the estimated fair value of P&G’s interest would decrease by approximately $54 or increase by approximately $69, respectively. Such changes would affect the amount of future charges to Cost of products sold.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The non-GAAP financial measures that are included in this MD&A and the reasons management believes they are useful to investors are described below. These measures should be considered supplemental in nature and are not intended to be a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, these measures may not be the same as similarly named measures presented by other companies.

Organic sales growth / (decrease) is defined as net sales growth / (decrease) excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate changes and any acquisitions and divestitures. Management believes that the presentation of organic sales growth / (decrease) is useful to investors because it excludes sales from any acquisitions and divestitures, which results in a comparison of sales only from the businesses that the Company was operating and expects to continue to operate throughout the relevant periods, and the Company’s estimate of the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, which are difficult to predict and out of the control of the Company and management.

The following table provides a reconciliation of organic sales growth / (decrease) (non-GAAP) to net sales growth / (decrease) (GAAP), the most comparable GAAP measure:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Percentage change versus the year-ago period
	Health and Wellness		Household		Lifestyle		International		Total
Net sales growth / (decrease) (GAAP)	7	%	2	%	15	%	1	%	6	%
Add: Foreign Exchange	—		—		—		13		2
Add/(Subtract): Divestitures / Acquisitions	—		—		—		—		—
Organic sales growth / (decrease) (non-GAAP)	7	%	2	%	15	%	14	%	8	%

	Nine Months Ended March 31, 2023
	Percentage change versus the year-ago period
	Health and Wellness		Household		Lifestyle		International		Total
Net sales growth / (decrease) (GAAP)	—	%	2	%	5	%	(1)	%	1	%
Add: Foreign Exchange	—		—		—		11		2
Add/(Subtract): Divestitures / Acquisitions	—		—		—		—		—
Organic sales growth / (decrease) (non-GAAP)	—	%	2	%	5	%	10	%	3	%

Cautionary Statement

This Report, including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, 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, including, among others, statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses of governments, consumers, customers, suppliers, employees and the Company, on our business, operations, employees, financial condition and results of operations, and any such forward-looking statements, whether concerning the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future volumes, sales, organic sales growth, foreign currencies, costs, cost savings, margins, earnings, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates, cash flows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth or profitability are forward-looking statements based on management’s estimates, beliefs, assumptions and projections. Words such as “could,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will,” “predicts,” and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations, are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, and in this Report, as updated from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These factors include, but are not limited to:

•the impact of the changing retail environment, including the growth of alternative retail channels and business models, and changing consumer preferences;

•volatility and increases in the costs of raw materials, energy, transportation, labor and other necessary supplies or services;

•the ability of the Company to drive sales growth, increase prices and market share, grow its product categories and manage favorable product and geographic mix;

•risks related to supply chain issues, product shortages and disruptions to the business, as a result of increased supply chain dependencies due to an expanded supplier network and a reliance on certain single-source suppliers;

•the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts, including on the availability of, and efficiency of the supply, manufacturing and distribution systems for, the Company’s products, including any significant disruption to such systems; on the demand for and sales of the Company’s products; and on worldwide, regional and local adverse economic conditions;

•intense competition in the Company’s markets;

•unfavorable general economic and political conditions beyond our control, including recent supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, wage pressures, rising inflation, the interest rate environment, fuel and energy costs, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, weather events or natural disasters, disease outbreaks or pandemics, such as COVID-19, terrorism, and unstable geopolitical conditions, including the conflict in Ukraine;

•risks related to the Company’s use of and reliance on information technology systems, including potential security breaches, cyber-attacks, privacy breaches or data breaches that result in the unauthorized disclosure of consumer, customer, employee or Company information, or service interruptions, especially at a time when a large number of the Company’s employees are working remotely and accessing its technology infrastructure remotely;

•the ability of the Company to implement and generate cost savings and efficiencies, and successfully implement its business strategies, including achieving anticipated results and cost savings from the implementation of the streamlined operating model;

•dependence on key customers and risks related to customer consolidation and ordering patterns;

•the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel, which may continue to be impacted by challenges in the labor market, such as wage inflation and sustained labor shortages;

•the Company’s ability to maintain its business reputation and the reputation of its brands and products;

•lower revenue, increased costs or reputational harm resulting from government actions and compliance with regulations, or any material costs imposed by changes in regulation;

•the ability of the Company to successfully manage global political, legal, tax and regulatory risks, including changes in regulatory or administrative activity;

•risks related to international operations and international trade, including changing macroeconomic conditions as a result of inflation, volatile commodity prices and increases in raw and packaging materials prices, labor, energy and logistics; global economic or political instability; foreign currency fluctuations, such as devaluations, and foreign currency exchange rate controls; changes in governmental policies, including trade, travel or immigration restrictions, new or additional tariffs, and price or other controls; labor claims and civil unrest; continued high levels of inflation in Argentina; potential disruption from wars and military conflicts, including the conflict in Ukraine; impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; potential negative impact and liabilities from the use, storage and transportation of chlorine in certain international markets where chlorine is used in the production of bleach; widespread health emergencies, such as COVID-19; and the possibility of nationalization, expropriation of assets or other government action;

•the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, including those related to climate change and sustainability on our sales, operating costs or reputation;

•the ability of the Company to innovate and to develop and introduce commercially successful products, or expand into adjacent categories and countries;

•the impact of product liability claims, labor claims and other legal, governmental or tax proceedings, including in foreign jurisdictions and in connection with any product recalls;

•risks relating to acquisitions, new ventures and divestitures, and associated costs, including for asset impairment charges related to, among others, intangible assets, including trademarks and goodwill, in particular the impairment charges related to the carrying value of the Company’s VMS business; and the ability to complete announced transactions and, if completed, integration costs and potential contingent liabilities related to those transactions;

•the accuracy of the Company’s estimates and assumptions on which its financial projections, including any sales or earnings guidance or outlook it may provide from time to time, are based;

•risks related to additional increases in the estimated fair value of P&G’s interest in the Glad business;

•environmental matters, including costs associated with the remediation and monitoring of past contamination, and possible increases in costs resulting from actions by relevant regulators, and the handling and/or transportation of hazardous substances;

•the Company’s ability to effectively utilize, assert and defend its intellectual property rights, and any infringement or claimed infringement by the Company of third-party intellectual property rights;

•the performance of strategic alliances and other business relationships;

•the effect of the Company’s indebtedness and credit rating on its business operations and financial results and the Company’s ability to access capital markets and other funding sources, as well as the cost of capital to the Company;

•the Company’s ability to pay and declare dividends or repurchase its stock in the future;

•the impacts of potential stockholder activism; and

•risks related to any litigation associated with the exclusive forum provision in the Company’s bylaws.

The Company’s forward-looking statements in this Report are based on management’s current views, beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this Report. The Company undertakes 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 the federal securities laws.

In this Report, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “the Company,” “Clorox,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to The Clorox Company and its subsidiaries.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have not been any material changes to the Company’s market risk since June 30, 2022. For additional information, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, were effective such that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the third fiscal quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.A. Risk Factors

For information regarding Risk Factors, please refer to Item 1.A. in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and the information in “Cautionary Statement” included in this Report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In May 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $2,000 million in shares of common stock on the open market (the 2018 Open-Market Program), which has no expiration date.

In August 1999, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to reduce or eliminate dilution upon the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Company’s stock compensation plans (the Evergreen Program). In November 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the extension of the Evergreen Program to reduce or eliminate dilution in connection with issuances of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The Evergreen Program has no expiration date and has no specified limit as to dollar amount and therefore is not included in column [d] below.

The following table sets forth the purchases of the Company’s securities by the Company and any affiliated purchasers within the meaning of Rule 10b-18(a)(3) (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)) during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

Period

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

Average Price Paid

per Share (1)

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

January 1 to 31, 2023

—

$993 million

February 1 to 28, 2023

—

$993 million

March 1 to 31, 2023

—

$993 million

Total

—

(1)Average price paid per share in the period includes commission.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index below, which is incorporated by reference herein.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.


10.1						The Clorox Company Annual Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of February 14, 2023.
31.1						Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2						Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32						Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.SCH						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE						XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


		THE CLOROX COMPANY
		(Registrant)


DATE: May 2, 2023	BY	/s/ Laura Peck
		Laura Peck Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller