VALVOLINE INC - Quarter Report: 2021 December (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 December 31, 2021


☐			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 001-37884

VALVOLINE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Kentucky			30-0939371
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Valvoline Way

Lexington, Kentucky 40509

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Telephone Number (859) 357-7777

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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, par value $0.01 per share

VVV

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 þ No o

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 þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 Act). Yes ☐ No þ

At January 31, 2022, there were 179,356,295 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


			Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income			3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)			5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			7

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			18

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK			30

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES			30

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS			31

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS			31

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS			31

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS			32

SIGNATURE			33

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


	Three Months Ended December 31
(In millions, except per share amounts - unaudited)	2021		2020
Sales	$	858	$	653
Cost of sales	614		425
Gross profit	244		228

Selling, general and administrative expenses	135		117
Legacy and separation-related expenses	3		1
Equity and other income, net	(15)		(14)
Operating income	121		124
Net pension and other postretirement plan income	(9)		(13)
Net interest and other financing expenses	17		20

Income before income taxes	113		117
Income tax expense	26		30
Net income	$	87	$	87

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.48	$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.47

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic	181		185
Diluted	182		186

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$	87	$	87
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Currency translation adjustments	—		18
Amortization of pension and other postretirement plan prior service credits	—		(2)
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	1		—
Other comprehensive income	1		16
Comprehensive income	$	88	$	103

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


(In millions, except per share amounts - unaudited)	December 31 2021		September 30 2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	152	$	230
Receivables, net	530		496
Inventories, net	264		258
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	55		53
Total current assets	1,001		1,037
Noncurrent assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	824		817
Operating lease assets	309		307
Goodwill and intangibles, net	782		775
Equity method investments	50		47
Deferred income taxes	13		14
Other noncurrent assets	204		194
Total noncurrent assets	2,182		2,154
Total assets	$	3,183	$	3,191

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt	$	32	$	17
Trade and other payables	218		246
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	291		306
Total current liabilities	541		569
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	1,662		1,677
Employee benefit obligations	248		258
Operating lease liabilities	276		274
Deferred income taxes	34		26
Other noncurrent liabilities	255		252
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,475		2,487
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 40 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	—		—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 400 shares authorized; 180 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021	2		2
Paid-in capital	33		35
Retained earnings	123		90


Accumulated other comprehensive income	9		8
Total stockholders’ equity	167		135
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,183	$	3,191

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)



	Three months ended December 31, 2021
(In millions, except per share amounts - unaudited)	Common stock			Paid-in capital		Retained earnings		Accumulated other comprehensive income		Totals
	Shares	Amount
Balance at September 30, 2021	180	$	2	$	35	$	90	$	8	$	135
Net income	—	—		—		87		—		87
Dividends paid, $0.125 per common share	—	—		—		(23)		—		(23)
Stock-based compensation, net of issuances	—	—		(2)		—		—		(2)
Repurchases of common stock	—	—		—		(31)		—		(31)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—	—		—		—		1		1
Balance at December 31, 2021	180	$	2	$	33	$	123	$	9	$	167


























	Three months ended December 31, 2020
(In millions, except per share amounts - unaudited)	Common stock			Paid-in capital		Retained deficit		Accumulated other comprehensive income		Totals
	Shares	Amount
Balance at September 30, 2020	185	$	2	$	24	$	(110)	$	8	$	(76)
Net income	—	—		—		87		—		87
Dividends paid, $0.125 per common share	—	—		—		(23)		—		(23)
Stock-based compensation, net of issuances	—	—		1		—		—		1
Repurchases of common stock	(2)	—		—		(58)		—		(58)
Cumulative effect of adoption of credit losses standard, net of tax	—	—		—		(2)		—		(2)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—	—		—		—		16		16
Balance at December 31, 2020	183	$	2	$	25	$	(106)	$	24	$	(55)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Three months ended December 31
(In millions - unaudited)	2021		2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	87	$	87
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities

Depreciation and amortization	25		21

Deferred income taxes	8		—





Stock-based compensation expense	3		3
Other, net	(1)		(1)
Change in assets and liabilities
Receivables	(37)		7
Inventories	(6)		(4)
Payables and accrued liabilities	(41)		(40)
Other assets and liabilities	(6)		6
Total cash provided by operating activities	32		79
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(35)		(35)
Repayments of notes receivable	3		9

Acquisitions of businesses	(14)		(218)


Other investing activities, net	—		(1)
Total cash used in investing activities	(46)		(245)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	30		11

Repayments on borrowings	(31)		—

Repurchases of common stock	(31)		(58)

Cash dividends paid	(23)		(23)
Other financing activities	(8)		(3)
Total cash used in financing activities	(63)		(73)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	—		6
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(77)		(233)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period	231		761
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period	$	154	$	528

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Index to Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			Page

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies			8
Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements			9
Note 3 - Acquisitions			10

Note 4 - Debt			11
Note 5 - Income Taxes			12
Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans			12
Note 7 - Litigation, Claims and Contingencies			13
Note 8 - Earnings Per Share			13
Note 9 - Reportable Segment Information			14
Note 1 0 - Supplemental Financial Information			16
Note 1 1 - Subsequent Events			17

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Valvoline Inc. (“Valvoline” or the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations for interim financial reporting, which do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements. Therefore, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Valvoline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Certain prior period amounts disclosed herein have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may vary from these estimates. In the opinion of management, the assumptions underlying the condensed consolidated financial statements for these interim periods are reasonable, and all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been made and are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the entire year, particularly in light of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") global pandemic and its effects.

Valvoline has substantially maintained its operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to-date and has continued precautionary measures to protect the Company's employees and customers and manage through the currently known impacts on its business. Current and future impacts as a result of the pandemic cannot be reasonably quantified or estimated due to its unprecedented nature, breadth, and uncertainties, including the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic.

Strategic separation

On October 12, 2021, Valvoline announced its intention to pursue a separation of its two reportable segments, Retail Services and Global Products. Valvoline is evaluating the alternatives to accomplish the separation of these two businesses, and consummation of the separation will be subject to final approval by Valvoline's Board of Directors (the “Board”). No timetable has currently been established for completion of the separation, which is expected to enable the two businesses to enhance focus on their distinct customer bases, strategies and operational needs.

Recent accounting pronouncements

The following accounting guidance relevant to Valvoline was either issued or adopted in the current year, or is expected to have a meaningful impact on Valvoline in future periods upon adoption. The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued other accounting guidance during the period that is not currently applicable or expected to have a material impact on Valvoline’s condensed consolidated financial statements, and therefore, is not described below.

Issued but not yet adopted

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for arrangements modified as a result of reference rate reform as the market transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank reference rates to alternative reference rates. This guidance is available to be adopted on a prospective basis through the end of calendar 2022 for qualifying contract modifications and hedging arrangements. The Company has interest rate swap hedging arrangements and U.S.-based variable rate long-term debt for which existing payments are based on LIBOR tenors expected to cease in June 2023. As of December 31, 2021, 28% of Valvoline’s outstanding total long-term debt and $275 million of its interest rate swap agreements are under existing arrangements that mature following LIBOR cessation and do not contain fallback provisions to alternative reference rates. The Company is evaluating its options for these arrangements and expects to adopt this guidance to the

extent there are qualifying contractual modifications prior to the end of calendar 2022. Valvoline does not expect any modifications that may apply for this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy:


	As of December 31, 2021
(In millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)
Cash and cash equivalents
Money market funds	$	1	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	—
Time deposits	36		—		36		—		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Currency derivatives (b)	2		—		2		—		—
Other noncurrent assets
Non-qualified trust funds	10		—		2		—		8
Interest rate swap agreements	4		—		4		—		—
Total assets at fair value	$	53	$	1	$	44	$	—	$	8

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Currency derivatives (b)	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	—

Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred compensation obligations	27		—		—		—		27
Total liabilities at fair value	$	28	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	27


	As of September 30, 2021
(In millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		NAV (a)
Cash and cash equivalents
Money market funds	$	13	$	13	$	—	$	—	$	—
Time deposits	87		—		87		—		—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Currency derivatives (b)	3		—		3		—		—
Other noncurrent assets
Non-qualified trust funds	11		—		4		—		7
Interest rate swap agreements	2				2		—
Total assets at fair value	$	116	$	13	$	96	$	—	$	7

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Currency derivatives (b)	$	3	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap agreements	1		—		1		—		—
Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred compensation obligations	24		—		—		—		24
Total liabilities at fair value	$	28	$	—	$	4	$	—	$	24

(a)Funds measured at fair value using the net asset value ("NAV") per share practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

(b)The Company had outstanding contracts with notional values of $143 million and $137 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

There were no material gains or losses recognized in earnings during the three months ended December 31, 2021 or 2020 related to these assets and liabilities.

Long-term debt

Long-term debt is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at carrying value, rather than fair value, and is therefore excluded from the disclosure above of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value within the condensed consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. The fair values of the Company's outstanding fixed rate senior notes shown below are based on recent trading values, which are considered Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.


	December 31, 2021						September 30, 2021
(In millions)	Fair value		Carrying value (a)		Unamortized discounts and issuance costs		Fair value		Carrying value (a)		Unamortized discounts and issuance costs
2030 Notes	$	614	$	593	$	(7)	$	622	$	593	$	(7)
2031 Notes	523		529		(6)		531		529		(6)
Total	$	1,137	$	1,122	$	(13)	$	1,153	$	1,122	$	(13)

(a)Carrying values shown are net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs.

Refer to Note 4 for details of these notes as well as Valvoline's other debt instruments that have variable interest rates with carrying amounts that approximate fair value.

NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS

The Company acquired 12 service center stores in single and multi-store transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $14 million during the three months ended December 31, 2021. These acquisitions expand Valvoline's retail

presence in key North American markets, increase the number of company-operated service center stores, and contributed to growing the Retail Services system to over 1,600 system-wide service center stores.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company acquired 81 service center stores in single and multi-store transactions, including 27 former franchise locations converted to company-owned service center stores and 12 franchise-operated service center stores, for an aggregate purchase price of $218 million.

The Company’s acquisitions are accounted for as business combinations. A summary follows of the aggregate cash consideration paid and the total assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the three months ended December 31:


(In millions)	2021		2020

Inventories	$	—	$	2

Property, plant and equipment	3		79
Operating lease assets	4		23
Goodwill (a)	11		175
Intangible assets (b)
Reacquired franchise rights (c)	—		33


Other	—		3

Other current liabilities	—		(6)
Operating lease liabilities	(4)		(21)
Other noncurrent liabilities	—		(70)
Net assets acquired	$	14	$	218

(a)Goodwill is generally expected to be deductible for income tax purposes and is primarily attributed to the operational synergies and potential growth expected to result in economic benefits in the respective markets of the acquisitions.

(b)Intangible assets acquired during the three months ended December 31, 2020 have weighted average amortization periods of 11 years.

(c)Prior to the acquisition of former franchise service center stores, the Company licensed the right to operate franchised service centers, including the use of Valvoline's trademarks and trade name. In connection with these acquisitions, Valvoline reacquired those rights and recognized separate definite-lived reacquired franchise rights intangible assets, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the weighted average remaining term of approximately 11 years for the rights reacquired in fiscal 2021. The effective settlement of these arrangements resulted in no settlement gain or loss as the contractual terms were at market.

The fair values above are preliminary for up to one year from the date of acquisition as they may be subject to measurement period adjustments if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The Company does not currently expect any material changes to the preliminary purchase price allocations for acquisitions completed during the last twelve months.

NOTE 4 - DEBT

The following table summarizes Valvoline’s total debt as of:


(In millions)	December 31 2021		September 30 2021
2031 Notes	$	535	$	535
2030 Notes	600		600
Term Loan	475		475
Revolver (a)	—		—
Trade Receivables Facility (b)	59		59
China Construction Facility (c)	39		39
China Working Capital Facility (d)	—		—
Debt issuance costs and discounts	(14)		(14)
Total debt	1,694		1,694

Current portion of long-term debt	32		17
Long-term debt	$	1,662	$	1,677

(a)As of December 31, 2021, the total borrowing capacity remaining under the $475 million revolving credit facility was $471 million due to a reduction of $4 million for letters of credit outstanding.

(b)The Trade Receivables Facility had $116 million of borrowing capacity remaining and the wholly-owned financing subsidiary owned $304 million of outstanding accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021.

(c)The remaining borrowing capacity under the China Construction Facility was approximately $4 million as of December 31, 2021.

(d)The China Working Capital Facility had a borrowing capacity remaining of approximately $24 million as of December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021, Valvoline was in compliance with all covenants under its long-term borrowings.

NOTE 5 – INCOME TAXES

Income tax provisions for interim quarterly periods are based on an estimated annual effective income tax rate calculated separately from the effect of significant, infrequent or unusual discrete items related specifically to interim periods. The following summarizes income tax expense and the effective tax rate in each interim period:


	Three months ended
	December 31
(In millions)	2021			2020
Income tax expense	$	26		$	30
Effective tax rate percentage	23.0		%	25.6		%

The decreases in the effective tax rate and income tax expense were principally driven by discrete benefits in the current year compared to unfavorable discrete impacts in the prior year.

NOTE 6 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The following table summarizes the components of pension and other postretirement benefit income:


	Pension benefits				Other postretirement benefits

(In millions)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Three months ended December 31
Service cost	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	—
Interest cost	11		11		—		—
Expected return on plan assets	(20)		(22)		—		—
Amortization of prior service credits	—		—		—		(2)

Net periodic benefit income	$	(9)	$	(10)	$	—	$	(2)

NOTE 7 – LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, Valvoline is party to lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company establishes liabilities for the outcome of such matters where losses are determined to be probable and reasonably estimable. Where appropriate, the Company has recorded liabilities with respect to these matters, which were not material for the periods presented as reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements herein. There are certain claims and legal proceedings pending where loss is not determined to be probable or reasonably estimable, and therefore, accruals have not been made. In addition, Valvoline discloses matters when management believes a material loss is at least reasonably possible.

In all instances, management has assessed each matter based on current information available and made a judgment concerning its potential outcome, giving due consideration to the amount and nature of the claim and the probability of success. The Company believes it has established adequate accruals for liabilities that are probable and reasonably estimable.

Although the ultimate resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and there can be no assurances that the actual amounts required to satisfy liabilities from these matters will not exceed the amounts reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements, based on information available at this time, it is the opinion of management that such pending claims or proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 8 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table summarizes basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three months ended
	December 31
(In millions, except per share amounts)	2021		2020
Numerator
Net income	$	87	$	87

Denominator

Weighted average common shares outstanding	181		185
Effect of potentially dilutive securities (a)	1		1
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	182		186

Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.48	$	0.47
Diluted	$	0.48	$	0.47

(a)There were approximately 1 million outstanding stock appreciation rights not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2020, because the effect would have been antidilutive.

NOTE 9 - REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION

Valvoline manages its business through the following two reportable segments:

•Retail Services - services the passenger car and light truck quick lube market in the United States and Canada with a broad array of preventive maintenance services and capabilities performed through Valvoline’s retail network of company-operated and independent franchised service center stores, in addition to independent Express Care stores that service vehicles with Valvoline products.

•Global Products - sells engine and automotive preventive maintenance products in more than 140 countries and territories to mass market and automotive parts retailers, installers, and commercial customers, including original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), to service light- and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

These segments represent components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is utilized on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker in allocating resources and evaluating performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used in making these operating decisions, which Valvoline defines as segment operating income adjusted for depreciation and amortization and certain key items impacting comparability.

Certain indirect expenses are recognized within each segment based on the estimated utilization of indirect resources. Costs to support corporate functions and certain non-operational and corporate activity that is not directly attributable to a particular segment are not included in the segment operating results regularly utilized by the chief operating decision maker. This activity is separately delineated within Corporate to reconcile to consolidated results.

Segment financial results

The following presents sales and adjusted EBITDA for each reportable segment:


	Three months ended
	December 31
(in millions)	2021		2020
Sales
Retail Services	$	346	$	254
Global Products	512		399
Consolidated sales	$	858	$	653

Adjusted EBITDA
Retail Services	$	98	$	70
Global Products	77		94
Total operating segments	175		164
Corporate	(19)		(15)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA	156		149
Reconciliation to income before income taxes:
Net interest and other financing expenses	(17)		(20)
Depreciation and amortization	(25)		(21)
Key items: (a)
Net pension and other postretirement plan income	9		13
Legacy and separation-related expenses	(3)		(1)
LIFO charge	(6)		(4)
Information technology transition costs	(1)		—
Business interruption recovery	—		1
Income before income taxes	$	113	$	117

(a)Key items represent adjustments to U.S. GAAP results and consist of non-operational matters, including pension and other postretirement plan non-service income and remeasurement adjustments, legacy and separation-related activity, changes in the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") inventory reserve, and certain other corporate matters excluded from operating results that management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods.

Disaggregation of revenue

Sales by primary customer channel for the Company’s reportable segments are summarized below:


	Three months ended
	December 31
(In millions)	2021		2020
Retail Services
Company operations	$	243	$	178
Non-company operations	103		76
Total Retail Services	346		254

Global Products
Do-It-Yourself	175		140
Installer and other	337		259
Total Global Products	512		399

Consolidated sales	$	858	$	653

Sales by reportable segment disaggregated by geographic market follows:


	Retail Services				Global Products				Total
(In millions)	2021		2020		2021		2020		2021		2020
Three months ended December 31
North America (a)	$	346	$	254	$	304	$	235	$	650	$	489
Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA")	—		—		67		51		67		51
Asia Pacific	—		—		104		83		104		83
Latin America (a)	—		—		37		30		37		30
Totals	$	346	$	254	$	512	$	399	$	858	$	653

(a)Valvoline includes the United States and Canada in its North America region. Mexico is included within the Latin America region.

NOTE 10 - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

The following provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:


(In millions)	December 31 2021		September 30 2021		December 31 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	152	$	230	$	527
Restricted cash (a)	2		1		1
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	154	$	231	$	528

(a)Included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and other receivables

The following summarizes Valvoline’s accounts and other receivables in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:


(In millions)	December 31 2021		September 30 2021

Trade	$	513	$	475
Other	15		16
Notes receivable from franchisees (a)	7		10
Receivables, gross	535		501
Allowance for credit losses	(5)		(5)
Receivables, net	$	530	$	496

(a)Notes receivable from franchisees were primarily issued in fiscal 2020 to provide financial assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no material balances past due as of December 31, 2021.

Inventories

The following summarizes Valvoline’s inventories in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:


(In millions)	December 31 2021		September 30 2021
Finished products	$	277	$	276
Raw materials, supplies and work in process	60		49
Reserve for LIFO cost valuation	(73)		(67)

Total inventories, net	$	264	$	258

Revenue recognition

The following disaggregates the Company’s sales by timing of recognition:


	Three months ended
	December 31
(In millions)	2021		2020
Sales at a point in time	$	844	$	642
Franchised revenues transferred over time	14		11
Total consolidated sales	$	858	$	653

NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Dividend declared

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements of historical fact, including estimates, projections, and statements related to the Company’s business plans and operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Valvoline has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and “intends” and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on Valvoline’s current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Valvoline’s most recently filed periodic report on Form 10-K. Valvoline assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future, unless required by law.


Index to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			Page

Business Overview			18
Results of Operations - Consolidated Review			22
Results of Operations - Reportable Segment Review			25
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources			27
New Accounting Pronouncements			30
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates			30

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, as well as the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

Valvoline Inc. is a global vehicle and engine care company that continuously powers the future of mobility through innovative services and products for electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. Valvoline has consistently led the way innovating and reinventing its services and products for changing technologies and customer needs throughout its 155-year history. Valvoline operates a fast-growing, best-in-class network of service center stores, which are well positioned to serve evolving vehicle maintenance needs with Valvoline's iconic products. In addition to its quick, easy and trusted quick lube oil change services and the legendary Valvoline-branded passenger car motor oils, Valvoline provides a wide array of lubricants, chemicals, fluids, and other complementary products and services, including leading the world's supply of battery fluids to electric vehicle manufacturers, with each solution tailored to help extend vehicle and engine range and efficiency.

Valvoline provides vehicle and engine care solutions to a range of customers, including end consumers, OEMs, mass market and automotive parts retailers, small to large installers, vehicle fleets, and distributors, among others. Valvoline operates and franchises more than 1,600 service center locations and is the second and third largest chain in the United States (“U.S.”) and Canada, respectively, by number of stores. With sales in more than 140 countries and territories, Valvoline’s solutions are available for every engine and powertrain, including high-mileage and heavy-duty applications, and are offered at more than 80,000 locations worldwide.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Valvoline is focused on the following key business and growth strategies in fiscal 2022:

•Executing the strategic separation of Valvoline's two business segments, Retail Services and Global Products, to create sustainable value for the Company's stakeholders and best position the segments for continued long-term success by allowing Retail Services to continue its growth and focus on leveraging its world class service model and providing Global Products with the opportunity to focus and allocate capital to its own strategic priorities;

•Aggressively growing Retail Services through organic service center expansion, opportunistic acquisitions, and franchisee growth, while rapidly diversifying and expanding retail service offerings and capabilities through a quick, easy, and trusted customer experience delivered by hands-on experts;

•Accelerating Global Products market share growth through continued development of and investment in key global emerging and high value markets by fully leveraging brand equity and product platforms to drive speed, efficiency, and value across the business and customer interactions, while increasing penetration of Valvoline’s full product portfolio;

•Expanding capabilities to serve future transport vehicles by continuing to develop relationships with electric vehicle OEMs and leveraging innovation in the delivery of future services and products in direct and adjacent markets; and

•Building a strong foundation enabled by data and technology to make Valvoline easy to do business with.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Strategic separation

On October 12, 2021, Valvoline announced its intention to pursue a separation of its two reportable segments, Retail Services and Global Products. Valvoline is making progress and evaluating alternatives to accomplish the separation of these two strong businesses. Consummation of the separation will be subject to final approval by Valvoline's Board, and no timetable has currently been established for completion of the separation. Valvoline’s results this quarter highlight the independent strengths of both of its reportable segments, and separation is expected to enable the two businesses to enhance focus on their distinct customer bases, strategies for continued growth, and operational needs.

COVID-19 update

Valvoline has been able to substantially maintain its operations, demonstrating growth and strong results, while managing through the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Management is unable to reasonably quantify the impact of COVID-19 on its current year results. The continually evolving COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain and its future impact on Valvoline will depend on a number of factors, including among others, the duration and severity of the spread of COVID-19, emerging variants, vaccine and booster effectiveness, public acceptance of safety protocols, and government measures, including vaccine mandates, implemented at the local and federal levels designed to slow and contain the spread of COVID-19, among others. While the Company cannot predict the duration or the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, or the effect it may continue to have on Valvoline's business, results of operations, or liquidity, management continuously monitors the situation, the sufficiency of its responses, and makes adjustments as needed. For more information, refer to Risk Factors included in Item 1A of Part I in Valvoline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

FIRST FISCAL QUARTER 2022 OVERVIEW

The following were the significant events for the first fiscal quarter of 2022, each of which is discussed more fully in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

•Valvoline reported net income of $87 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.48 in the three months ended December 31, 2021. Net income was flat compared to the prior year period and diluted EPS grew 2%.

•Retail Services sales increased 36% over the prior year driven by system-wide same-store-sales ("SSS") growth of 24.7% and the addition of 102 net new stores to the system from the prior year. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA increased 45% and 40%, respectively, over the prior year primarily due to strong top-line growth and margin expansion.

•Global Products sales grew 28% over the prior year primarily attributable to expanded distribution in North America and higher volumes in China and EMEA. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA decreased 20% and 18%, respectively, from the prior year primarily due to transitory supply chain costs and lingering price-cost lag that compared to modestly favorable price-cost lag in the prior year.

•The Company returned $54 million to its shareholders through payment of a cash dividend of $0.125 per share during the quarter and repurchasing approximately 1 million shares of Valvoline common stock.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, certain items within this document are presented on an adjusted basis. These non-GAAP measures, presented both on a consolidated and reportable segment basis, have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, the financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures included within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be carefully evaluated.

The following are the non-GAAP measures management has included and how management defines them:

•EBITDA - defined as net income/loss, plus income tax expense/benefit, net interest and other financing expenses, and depreciation and amortization;

•Adjusted EBITDA - defined as EBITDA adjusted for certain unusual, infrequent or non-operational activity not directly attributable to the underlying business, which management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods ("key items," as further described below);

•Segment adjusted EBITDA - defined as segment operating income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, in addition to key items impacting comparability;

•Free cash flow - defined as cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures and certain other adjustments as applicable; and

•Discretionary free cash flow - defined as cash flows from operating activities less maintenance capital expenditures and certain other adjustments as applicable.

These measures are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and management believes the use of non-GAAP measures on a consolidated and reportable segment basis provides a useful supplemental presentation of Valvoline's operating performance, enables comparison of financial trends and results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allows for transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating the business and measuring performance. The non-GAAP information used by management may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other companies, because of differing methods used in calculating such measures. For a reconciliation of the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures to the non-GAAP measures, refer to the “Results of Operations” and “Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections below.

Management believes EBITDA measures provide a meaningful supplemental presentation of Valvoline’s operating performance due to the depreciable assets associated with the nature of the Company’s operations and interest costs related to Valvoline’s capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA measures exclude the impact of key items, which consist of income or expenses associated with certain unusual, infrequent or non-operational activity not directly

attributable to the underlying business that management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods. Adjusted EBITDA measures enable comparison of financial trends and results between periods where key items may vary independent of business performance. Key items are often related to legacy matters or market-driven events considered by management to be outside the comparable operational performance of the business.

Key items may consist of adjustments related to: legacy businesses, including the separation from Valvoline's former parent company and associated impacts of related indemnities; significant acquisitions or divestitures; restructuring-related matters; and other matters that are non-operational or unusual in nature. Key items also include the following:

•Net pension and other postretirement plan expense/income - includes several elements impacted by changes in plan assets and obligations that are primarily driven by changes in the debt and equity markets, as well as those that are predominantly legacy in nature and related to prior service to the Company from employees (e.g., retirees, former employees, current employees with frozen benefits). These elements include (i) interest cost, (ii) expected return on plan assets, (iii) actuarial gains/losses, and (iv) amortization of prior service cost/credit. Significant factors that can contribute to changes in these elements include changes in discount rates used to remeasure pension and other postretirement obligations on an annual basis or upon a qualifying remeasurement, differences between actual and expected returns on plan assets, and other changes in actuarial assumptions, such as the life expectancy of plan participants. Accordingly, management considers that these elements are more reflective of changes in current conditions in global financial markets (in particular, interest rates) and are outside the operational performance of the business and are also primarily legacy amounts that are not directly related to the underlying business and do not have an immediate, corresponding impact on the compensation and benefits provided to eligible employees for current service. Adjusted EBITDA includes the costs of benefits provided to employees for current service, including pension and other postretirement service costs.

•Changes in the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") inventory reserve - charges or credits recognized in Cost of sales to value certain lubricant inventories at the lower of cost or market using the LIFO method. During inflationary or deflationary pricing environments, the application of LIFO can result in variability of the cost of sales recognized each period as the most recent costs are matched against current sales, while preceding costs are retained in inventories. LIFO adjustments are determined based on published prices, which are difficult to predict and largely dependent on future events. The application of LIFO can impact comparability and enhance the lag period effects between changes in inventory costs and relating pricing adjustments.

Details with respect to the composition of key items recognized during the respective periods presented herein are set forth below in the “EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” section of “Results of Operations” that follows.

Management uses free cash flow and discretionary free cash flow as additional non-GAAP metrics of cash flow generation. By including capital expenditures and certain other adjustments, as applicable, management is able to provide an indication of the ongoing cash being generated that is ultimately available for both debt and equity holders as well as other investment opportunities. Free cash flow includes the impact of capital expenditures, providing a supplemental view of cash generation. Discretionary free cash flow includes the impact of maintenance capital expenditures, which are routine uses of cash that are necessary to maintain the Company's operations and provides a supplemental view of cash flow generation to maintain operations before discretionary investments in growth. Free cash flow and discretionary free cash flow have certain limitations, including that they do not reflect adjustments for certain non-discretionary cash flows, such as mandatory debt repayments. The amount of mandatory versus discretionary expenditures can vary significantly between periods.

Key Business Measures

Valvoline tracks its operating performance and manages its business using certain key measures, including system-wide, company-operated and franchised store counts and SSS, and lubricant volumes sold. Management believes these measures are useful to evaluating and understanding Valvoline’s operating performance and should be considered as supplements to, not substitutes for, Valvoline's sales and operating income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Sales in the Retail Services reportable segment are influenced by the number of service center stores and the business performance of those stores. Stores are considered open upon acquisition or opening for business. Temporary store closings remain in the respective store counts with only permanent store closures reflected in the activity and end of period store counts. SSS is defined as sales by U.S. Retail Services service center stores (company-operated, franchised and the combination of these for system-wide SSS), with new stores including franchised conversions, excluded from the metric until the completion of their first full fiscal year in operation as this period is generally required for new store sales levels to begin to normalize. Differences in SSS are calculated to determine the percentage change between comparative periods. Retail Services sales are limited to sales at company-operated stores, sales of lubricants and other products to independent franchisees and Express Care operators and royalties and other fees from franchised stores. Although Valvoline does not recognize store-level sales from franchised stores as revenue in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, management believes system-wide and franchised SSS comparisons and store counts are useful to assess market position relative to competitors and overall store and segment operating performance.

Management believes lubricant volumes sold in gallons by its consolidated subsidiaries is a useful measure in evaluating and understanding the operating performance of the Global Products segment. Volumes sold in other units of measure, including liters, are converted to gallons utilizing standard conversions.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated review

The following summarizes the results of the Company’s operations for the three months ended December 31:


	2021				2020				Variance
(In millions)	Amount		% of Sales		Amount		% of Sales		Amount		%
Sales	$	858	100.0	%	$	653	100.0	%	$	205	31.4	%
Gross profit	$	244	28.4	%	$	228	34.9	%	$	16	7.0	%
Net operating expenses	$	123	14.3	%	$	104	15.9	%	$	19	18.3	%
Operating income	$	121	14.1	%	$	124	19.0	%	$	(3)	(2.4)	%
Net income	$	87	10.1	%	$	87	13.3	%	$	—	—	%

Sales

The following provides a reconciliation of the increase in sales from the prior year:


	Year-over-year change
(In millions)	Three months ended December 31, 2021
Volume and mix	$	104

Price	90


Acquisitions	11
Change in sales	$	205

Volumes grew across the business and product mix improved, leading to top-line expansion, as demand for Valvoline’s products and services remains robust and market share gains benefited both segments. Additionally, the Company made ongoing progress in the price pass-through of raw material cost increases, which further drove higher sales. Retail Services sales were 36% higher led by SSS that increased nearly 25% across the system, in addition to growth from unit additions and acquisitions. Global Products sales increased 28% with 13% volume growth and top-line expansion across all regions.

The changes to reportable segment sales and the drivers thereof are discussed in further detail in the “Reportable Segment Review” section below.

Gross profit

The table below provides a reconciliation of the increase in gross profit from the prior year:


	Year-over-year change
(In millions)	Three months ended December 31, 2021
Volume and mix	$	50

Change in LIFO reserve	(2)
Price and cost	(33)

Acquisitions	1

Change in gross profit	$	16

The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher volumes and mix improvements in both segments, partially offset by the lag in passing through raw material cost increases, transitory supply chain inefficiencies that included higher logistics and manufacturing costs, and to a lesser degree, the negative impact of LIFO adjustments in the rising cost environment. Acquisitions contributed a muted benefit to gross profit due to new store ramp up costs.

The declines in gross profit margin rates were primarily the result of higher raw material costs, supply chain challenges, and the dilutive impact from passing through cost increases, which more than offset mix improvements. Management continues to closely monitor the raw material cost environment and make progress in passing through the cost increases that began in fiscal 2021.

The changes to reportable segment gross profit and the drivers thereof are discussed in further detail in the “Reportable Segment Review” section below.

Net operating expenses

The table below summarizes the components of net operating expenses for the three months ended December 31:


	2021				2020				Variance
(In millions)	Amount		% of Sales		Amount		% of Sales		Amount		%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	135	15.7	%	$	117	17.9	%	$	18	15.4	%
Legacy and separation-related expenses	3		0.3	%	1		0.1	%	$	2	200.0	%
Equity and other income, net	(15)		(1.7)	%	(14)		(2.1)	%	(1)		7.1	%
Net operating expenses	$	123	14.3	%	$	104	15.9	%	$	19	18.3	%

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily related to investments made to support future growth, including advertising and promotion, information technology, and acquisition-related costs.

Legacy and separation-related expenses increased primarily due to to costs incurred in the current year in planning for the separation of the Retail Services and Global Products segments. The Company expects to incur incremental costs during fiscal 2022 associated with planning for the proposed separation, including legal, tax and accounting, and other professional advisory and consulting fees. These costs cannot currently reasonably be estimated given the uncertainties in the manner and timing of separation.

The increase in Equity and other income, net was primarily driven by income for research lab testing, which was partially offset by lower insurance recoveries in the current year.

Net pension and other postretirement plan income

Net pension and other postretirement plan income decreased $4 million from the prior year. This decline was due to lower expected returns on plan assets as a result of the shift in asset allocation of the U.S. qualified plans toward a higher mix of fixed income securities, in addition to a reduction in the amortization of prior service credits into income from certain other postretirement plan amendments that ceased amortization beginning in fiscal 2022.

Net interest and other financing expenses

Net interest and other financing expenses decreased $3 million related to lower outstanding borrowings compared to the prior year.

Income tax expense

The following table summarizes income tax expense and the effective tax rate:


	Three months ended December 31
(In millions)	2021			2020
Income tax expense	$	26		$	30
Effective tax rate percentage	23.0		%	25.6		%

The decreases in the effective tax rate and income tax expense were principally driven by discrete benefits in the current year compared to unfavorable discrete impacts in the prior year.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:


	Three months ended December 31
(In millions)	2021		2020
Net income	$	87	$	87
Income tax expense	26		30
Net interest and other financing expenses	17		20
Depreciation and amortization	25		21
EBITDA	155		158
Net pension and other postretirement plan income (a)	(9)		(13)
Legacy and separation-related expenses	3		1
LIFO charge	6		4
Information technology transition costs	1		—
Business interruption recovery	—		(1)


Adjusted EBITDA	$	156	$	149

(a)Net pension and other postretirement plan income includes remeasurement gains and losses, when applicable, and recurring non-service pension and other postretirement net periodic income, which consists of interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of prior service credits. Refer to Note 6 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details.

Adjusted EBITDA improved $7 million from the prior year driven by strong top-line growth across both segments from higher volumes and ongoing progress in passing through raw material cost increases. Top-line growth and profit expansion in Retail Services were partially offset by price-cost lag and supply chain inefficiencies, in addition to increased operating expenses.

Reportable segment review

The Company manages its business through the following two reportable segments:

•Global Products - sells engine and automotive preventive maintenance products in more than 140 countries to retailers, installers, and commercial customers, including OEMs, to service light- and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.

Costs to support corporate functions and certain non-operational and corporate activity that is not directly attributable to a particular segment are not included in the segment operating results regularly utilized by the chief operating decision maker. This activity is separately delineated within Corporate to reconcile to consolidated results.

Results of Valvoline’s reportable segments are presented based on how operations are managed internally, including how the results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. The structure and practices are specific to Valvoline; therefore, the financial results of its reportable segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information for other comparable companies.

Retail Services

Management believes the number of company-operated and franchised service center stores as provided in the following tables is useful to assess the operating performance of the Retail Services reportable segment.






















	System-wide stores (a)
	First Quarter 2022	Fourth Quarter 2021	Third Quarter 2021	Second Quarter 2021	First Quarter 2021
Beginning of period	1,594	1,569	1,548	1,533	1,462
Opened	32	21	17	13	18
Acquired	12	7	5	3	54
Closed	(3)	(3)	(1)	(1)	(1)
End of period	1,635	1,594	1,569	1,548	1,533

	Number of stores at end of period
	First Quarter 2022	Fourth Quarter 2021	Third Quarter 2021	Second Quarter 2021	First Quarter 2021
Company-owned	738	719	698	673	663
Franchised	897	875	871	875	870

(a)System-wide store count includes franchised service center stores. Valvoline franchises are independent legal entities, and Valvoline does not consolidate the results of operations of its franchisees.

The year over year change of 102 net new company-operated and franchised stores was the result of 75 net openings and 27 acquired stores. Organic service center store growth was driven by 25 net company-operated

service center store openings and 50 net new franchisee store openings from expansion in key markets. In addition, 23 net stores converted within the system from franchise to company-operated.

The following summarizes the results of the Retail Services reportable segment:


	Three months ended December 31						Favorable (Unfavorable)
(In millions)	2021			2020
Financial information
Retail Services segment sales	$	346		$	254		36	%



Operating income (b)	$	81		$	56		45	%
Key items	—			—
Depreciation and amortization	17			14			21	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	98		$	70		40	%

Operating margin (c)	23.4		%	22.0		%	140	bps
Adjusted EBITDA margin (c)	28.3		%	27.6		%	70	bps

				Three months ended December 31
				2021			2020
Same-store sales growth
Company-operated (c)				22.1		%	6.1	%
Franchised (a) (d)				26.8		%	6.0	%
System-wide (a) (d)				24.7		%	6.0	%

(a)Measure includes Valvoline franchisees, which are independent legal entities. Valvoline does not consolidate the results of operations of its franchisees.

(b)Valvoline does not generally allocate activity below operating income to its operating segments; therefore, the table above reconciles operating income to adjusted EBITDA.

(c)Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by sales, and adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.

(d)Valvoline determines SSS growth as sales by U.S. Retail Services service center stores, with new stores, including franchise conversions, excluded from the metric until the completion of their first full fiscal year in operation.

Retail Services sales increased 36% for the first quarter compared to the prior year primarily due to strong SSS performance and unit additions. System-wide SSS grew 24.7% compared to the prior year led by increased transactions where leveraging data analytics capabilities drove customer base expansion. Solid contributions from growth in average ticket were largely due to pricing and premiumization that further contributed to system-wide SSS performance and highlighted in-store service delivery. The addition of 102 net new stores to the system through acquisitions and new service center store openings also contributed to sales growth from the prior year.

Operating income and adjusted EBITDA increased from the prior year outpacing sales growth and driving margin expansion. This growth was driven by the strong top-line performance and improved leverage from mature stores that have been open greater than three years and combined to more than offset the ramp up costs of new stores and challenges of the raw material cost environment.

Global Products

The following table summarizes the results of the Global Products reportable segment:


	Three months ended December 31						Favorable (Unfavorable)
(In millions)	2021			2020


Financial information
Sales by geographic region
North America (a)	$	304		$	235		29	%
Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA")	67			51			31	%
Asia Pacific	104			83			25	%
Latin America (a)	37			30			23	%
Global Products segment sales	$	512		$	399		28	%

Operating income (b)	$	70		$	88		(20)	%
Key items	—			—
Depreciation and amortization	7			6			17	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	77		$	94		(18)	%

Operating margin (c)	13.7		%	22.1		%	(840)	bps
Adjusted EBITDA margin (c)	15.0		%	23.6		%	(860)	bps

Volume information
Lubricant sales (gallons)	43.1			38.0			13	%


(a)			Valvoline includes the United States and Canada in its North America region. Mexico is included within the Latin America region.
(b)			Valvoline does not generally allocate activity below operating income to its operating segments; therefore, the table above reconciles operating income to adjusted EBITDA.
(c)			Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by sales, and adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.

Global Products sales increased from the prior year due to growth across all regions. The ongoing progress in price pass-through of raw material cost increases drove sales growth that outpaced volumes, which were up 13% from the prior year. Volume increases were led by expanded distribution in North America and growth in Asia Pacific, notably China, in addition to higher volumes in EMEA. Favorable mix further contributed to the increase in sales over the prior year as a result of higher branded and premium product mix.

Operating income and adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily related to price-cost lag due to raw material cost increases and supply chain disruptions that were partially offset by higher volumes and product mix benefits. Valvoline expects to continue to passing through pricing to recover raw material cost increases.

FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

The Company closely manages its liquidity and capital resources. Valvoline’s liquidity requirements depend on key variables, including the level of investment needed to support business strategies, the performance of the business, capital expenditures, borrowing arrangements, and working capital management. Capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividend payments are components of the Company’s cash flow and capital management strategy, which to a large extent, can be adjusted in response to economic and other changes in the business environment. The Company has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, which focuses on investing in key

priorities that support Valvoline’s business and growth strategies and returning capital to shareholders, while funding ongoing operations.

Cash flows

Cash flows as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are summarized as follows for the three months ended December 31:


(In millions)	2021		2020
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period	$	231	$	761

Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	32		79
Investing activities	(46)		(245)
Financing activities	(63)		(73)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	—		6
Decrease increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(77)		(233)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period	$	154	$	528

Operating activities

The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities of $47 million from the prior year was primarily due to a timing-related unfavorable increase in net working capital, largely attributed to growth in accounts receivable from top-line expansion. In the current year period, net working capital (current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, minus current liabilities, excluding long-term debt due within one year) increased $85 million compared to a $35 million increase in the prior year.

Investing activities

The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities of $199 million was primarily due to lower current year acquisition activity of $204 million, which was partially offset by repayments of franchisee COVID relief loans that were $6 million higher in the prior year.

Financing activities

The decrease in cash flows used in financing activities of $10 million was primarily due to $27 million of lower share repurchases in the current year, which were partially offset by net proceeds from borrowings that were $12 million higher in the prior year. Lower share repurchases were the result of shifting to a consistent share buyback strategy in the second half of fiscal 2021, and higher net proceeds from borrowings in the prior year largely related to the China Construction Facility as the blending and packaging plant began production in December 2020.

Free cash flow

The following sets forth free cash flow and discretionary free cash flow and reconciles cash flows from operating activities to both measures. These free cash flow measures have certain limitations, including that they do not reflect adjustments for certain non-discretionary cash flows, such as mandatory debt repayments. Refer to the “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” section included above in this Item 2 for additional information regarding these non-GAAP measures.


	Three months ended December 31
(In millions)	2021		2020
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	32	$	79
Less: Maintenance capital expenditures	(6)		(5)
Discretionary free cash flow	26		74
Less: Growth capital expenditures	(29)		(30)
Free cash flow	$	(3)	$	44

The decrease in free cash flow over the prior year was driven by lower cash flows provided by operating activities as maintenance and growth capital expenditures were relatively flat. Management continues to expect strong free cash flow generation in fiscal 2022 of $260 million to $300 million.

Debt

Inclusive of the interest rate swap agreements, approximately 87% of Valvoline's outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2021 had fixed interest rates, with the remainder bearing variable rates. Valvoline was in compliance with all covenants of its debt obligations as of December 31, 2021 and had a combined total of $587 million of remaining borrowing capacity under its Revolver and Trade Receivables Facility. Credit facilities in place in China had approximately $28 million of combined borrowing capacity remaining, $24 million under the China Working Capital Facility and $4 million under the China Construction Facility. Refer to Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding the Company’s debt instruments.

Dividend payments and share repurchases

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.125 per common share for $23 million and repurchased nearly 1 million shares of its common stock for $31 million pursuant to the May 2021 Board authorization to repurchase up to $300 million of common stock through September 30, 2024 (the “2021 Share Repurchase Authorization”).

On January 24, 2022, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share of Valvoline common stock. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2022. Additionally, the Company repurchased shares of Valvoline common stock for $10 million during January 2022, leaving the Company with $232 million in aggregate share repurchase authority remaining under the 2021 Share Repurchase Authorization as of February 1, 2022.

Future declarations of quarterly dividends are subject to approval by the Board and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change, while the timing and amount of any future share repurchases will be based on the level of Valvoline's liquidity, general business and market conditions and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.

Summary

As of December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents totaled $152 million, total debt was $1.7 billion, and total remaining borrowing capacity under the Company’s Revolver and Trade Receivables Facility was $586 million. Valvoline’s ability to generate positive cash flows from operations is dependent on general economic conditions, the competitive environment in the industry, and is subject to the business and other risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or otherwise comply with the terms of its credit facilities, Valvoline may be required to seek additional financing alternatives.

Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity based on its current cash and cash equivalents position, cash generated from business operations, and existing financing to meet its required pension and other

postretirement plan contributions, debt servicing obligations, tax-related and other material cash and operating requirements for the next twelve months.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For a discussion and analysis of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the impacts on Valvoline, refer to Note 1 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Company’s critical accounting estimates are discussed in detail in Item 7 of Part II in Valvoline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Management reassessed the critical accounting estimates as disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and determined there were no changes in the three months ended December 31, 2021.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s market risks are discussed in detail in Item 7A of Part II in Valvoline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Management reassessed the quantitative and qualitative market risk disclosures as described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and determined there were no material changes to market risks in the three months ended December 31, 2021.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Valvoline’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), with the assistance of management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”), and based upon such evaluation, have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. These controls are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Valvoline’s management, including the CEO and CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no significant changes in Valvoline’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Valvoline’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, Valvoline is party to lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. For a description of Valvoline's legal proceedings, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

During the period covered by this report, there were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed Item 1A of Part I in Valvoline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company repurchased shares of its common stock for $31 million during the three months ended December 31, 2021 pursuant to the 2021 Share Repurchase Authorization. Share repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2021 follows:


Monthly Period	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs	Dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in millions)
October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021	325,186	$	33.55	325,186	$	262
November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021	284,916	$	35.37	284,916	$	252
December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021	294,475	$	35.55	294,475	$	242
Total	904,577	$	34.78	904,577

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits 10.1 through 10.3 are management compensatory plans or arrangements.













10.1*			Form of Outside Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement pursuant to the 2016 Valvoline Inc. Incentive Plan.
10.2*			Valvoline Severance Pay Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2022.
10.3*			Valvoline Change in Control Severance Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2022.
31.1*			Certification of Samuel J. Mitchell, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Valvoline, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*			Certification of Mary E. Meixelsperger, Chief Financial Officer of Valvoline, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32**			Certification of Samuel J. Mitchell, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Valvoline, and Mary E. Meixelsperger, Chief Financial Officer of Valvoline, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS			XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
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 (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

™ Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

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.


	VALVOLINE INC.
	(Registrant)

February 9, 2022	By:	/s/ Mary E. Meixelsperger
		Mary E. Meixelsperger
		Chief Financial Officer