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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 September 30, 2024

☐ 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 1-4462

STEPAN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware |  | 36-1823834
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1101 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 500, Northbrook, Illinois 60062

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number (847) 446-7500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class |  | Trading symbol(s) |  | Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 par value |  | SCL |  | 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, 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 Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class |  | Outstanding at October 31, 2024
Common Stock, $1 par value |  | 22,494,728 Shares

Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 - Financial Statements

STEPAN COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share amounts) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Net Sales |  | $ | 546,842 |  |  | $ | 562,226 |  |  | $ | 1,654,665 |  |  | $ | 1,793,637 |
Cost of Sales |  |  | 471,157 |  |  |  | 490,990 |  |  |  | 1,439,147 |  |  |  | 1,582,444 |
Gross Profit |  |  | 75,685 |  |  |  | 71,236 |  |  |  | 215,518 |  |  |  | 211,193 |
Operating Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling |  |  | 11,394 |  |  |  | 11,811 |  |  |  | 34,610 |  |  |  | 35,987 |
Administrative |  |  | 26,254 |  |  |  | 22,904 |  |  |  | 73,513 |  |  |  | 68,132 |
Research, development and technical services |  |  | 13,532 |  |  |  | 14,477 |  |  |  | 41,881 |  |  |  | 43,720 |
Deferred compensation expense (income) |  |  | 556 |  |  |  | (3,101 | ) |  |  | 2,729 |  |  |  | (856 | )
|  |  | 51,736 |  |  |  | 46,091 |  |  |  | 152,733 |  |  |  | 146,983 |
Business restructuring expense (Note 18) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,628 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,827 |
Operating Income |  |  | 23,949 |  |  |  | 19,517 |  |  |  | 62,785 |  |  |  | 58,383 |
Other Income (Expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest, net |  |  | (3,621 | ) |  |  | (2,987 | ) |  |  | (9,353 | ) |  |  | (9,674 | )
Other, net (Note 15) |  |  | 989 |  |  |  | (690 | ) |  |  | 4,551 |  |  |  | 3,348 |
|  |  | (2,632 | ) |  |  | (3,677 | ) |  |  | (4,802 | ) |  |  | (6,326 | )
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes |  |  | 21,317 |  |  |  | 15,840 |  |  |  | 57,983 |  |  |  | 52,057 |
Provision for Income Taxes |  |  | (2,289 | ) |  |  | 3,269 |  |  |  | 10,963 |  |  |  | 10,660 |
Net Income |  |  | 23,606 |  |  |  | 12,571 |  |  |  | 47,020 |  |  |  | 41,397 |
Net Income Per Common Share (Note 10): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 2.06 |  |  | $ | 1.82 |
Diluted |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 2.05 |  |  | $ | 1.80 |
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share (Note 10): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  |  | 22,836 |  |  |  | 22,786 |  |  |  | 22,829 |  |  |  | 22,770 |
Diluted |  |  | 22,923 |  |  |  | 22,930 |  |  |  | 22,936 |  |  |  | 22,956 |

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

2

STEPAN COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Unaudited

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Net Income |  | $ | 23,606 |  |  | $ | 12,571 |  |  | $ | 47,020 |  |  | $ | 41,397 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11) |  |  | 12,880 |  |  |  | (19,578 | ) |  |  | (19,082 | ) |  |  | 15,342 |
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11) |  |  | 60 |  |  |  | 61 |  |  |  | 175 |  |  |  | 179 |
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11) |  |  | (2,762 | ) |  |  | 562 |  |  |  | (2,213 | ) |  |  | 666 |
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  |  | 10,178 |  |  |  | (18,955 | ) |  |  | (21,120 | ) |  |  | 16,187 |
Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  | $ | 33,784 |  |  | $ | (6,384 | ) |  | $ | 25,900 |  |  | $ | 57,584 |

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

3

STEPAN COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Current Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 147,280 |  |  | $ | 129,823 |
Receivables, net |  |  | 434,146 |  |  |  | 422,050 |
Inventories (Note 6) |  |  | 296,704 |  |  |  | 265,558 |
Other current assets |  |  | 40,028 |  |  |  | 34,452 |
Total current assets |  |  | 918,158 |  |  |  | 851,883 |
Property, Plant and Equipment: |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost |  |  | 2,651,960 |  |  |  | 2,585,058 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation |  |  | (1,450,014 | ) |  |  | (1,378,393 | )
Property, plant and equipment, net |  |  | 1,201,946 |  |  |  | 1,206,665 |
Goodwill, net |  |  | 95,893 |  |  |  | 97,442 |
Other intangible assets, net |  |  | 46,377 |  |  |  | 52,571 |
Long-term investments (Note 3) |  |  | 25,121 |  |  |  | 26,804 |
Operating lease assets (Note 7) |  |  | 69,147 |  |  |  | 70,646 |
Other non-current assets |  |  | 57,147 |  |  |  | 57,343 |
Total assets |  | $ | 2,413,789 |  |  | $ | 2,363,354 |
Liabilities and Equity |  |  |  |  |  |
Current Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current maturities of debt (Note 14) |  | $ | 339,846 |  |  | $ | 252,898 |
Accounts payable |  |  | 257,067 |  |  |  | 233,031 |
Accrued liabilities |  |  | 124,380 |  |  |  | 121,941 |
Total current liabilities |  |  | 721,293 |  |  |  | 607,870 |
Deferred income taxes |  |  | 10,676 |  |  |  | 10,373 |
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 14) |  |  | 348,670 |  |  |  | 401,248 |
Non-current operating lease liabilities (Note 7) |  |  | 55,934 |  |  |  | 58,026 |
Other non-current liabilities |  |  | 57,851 |  |  |  | 69,347 |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8) |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity: |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares; 27,148,640 issued shares in 2024 and 27,005,852 issued shares in 2023 |  |  | 27,149 |  |  |  | 27,006 |
Additional paid-in capital |  |  | 252,675 |  |  |  | 247,032 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11) |  |  | (151,722 | ) |  |  | (130,602 | )
Retained earnings |  |  | 1,279,197 |  |  |  | 1,257,466 |
Less: Common treasury stock, at cost, 4,654,091 shares in 2024 and 4,628,072 shares in 2023 |  |  | (187,934 | ) |  |  | (184,412 | )
Total equity |  |  | 1,219,365 |  |  |  | 1,216,490 |
Total liabilities and equity |  | $ | 2,413,789 |  |  | $ | 2,363,354 |

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

4

STEPAN COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited

(In thousands) |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 47,020 |  |  | $ | 41,397 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  |  | 83,676 |  |  |  | 78,315 |
Deferred compensation |  |  | 2,729 |  |  |  | (856 | )
Realized and unrealized gains on long-term investments |  |  | (3,740 | ) |  |  | (2,598 | )
Stock-based compensation |  |  | 4,480 |  |  |  | 3,677 |
Deferred income taxes |  |  | (363 | ) |  |  | 12,636 |
Other non-cash items |  |  | 1,756 |  |  |  | 1,132 |
Changes in assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Receivables, net |  |  | (21,688 | ) |  |  | 25,838 |
Inventories |  |  | (39,003 | ) |  |  | 122,714 |
Other current assets |  |  | (5,995 | ) |  |  | (10,239 | )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  |  | 27,455 |  |  |  | (152,096 | )
Pension liabilities |  |  | (1,355 | ) |  |  | (1,474 | )
Environmental and legal liabilities |  |  | 818 |  |  |  | (10,817 | )
Deferred revenues |  |  | (2,023 | ) |  |  | (1,730 | )
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities |  |  | 93,767 |  |  |  | 105,899 |
Cash Flows From Investing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment |  |  | (86,572 | ) |  |  | (213,597 | )
Other, net |  |  | 5,831 |  |  |  | 1,669 |
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities |  |  | (80,741 | ) |  |  | (211,928 | )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving debt and bank overdrafts, net (Note 14) |  |  | 83,004 |  |  |  | 91,003 |
Other debt repayments (Note 14) |  |  | (48,571 | ) |  |  | (28,572 | )
Dividends paid |  |  | (25,289 | ) |  |  | (24,479 | )
Stock option exercises |  |  | 1,023 |  |  |  | 2,386 |
Other, net |  |  | (3,238 | ) |  |  | (3,701 | )
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities |  |  | 6,929 |  |  |  | 36,637 |
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash |  |  | (2,498 | ) |  |  | 1,150 |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |  |  | 17,457 |  |  |  | (68,242 | )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |  |  | 129,823 |  |  |  | 173,750 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |  | $ | 147,280 |  |  | $ | 105,508 |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds |  | $ | 8,482 |  |  | $ | 26,526 |
Cash payments of interest |  | $ | 21,513 |  |  | $ | 20,929 |

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

5

STEPAN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2024

Unaudited

1.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Stepan Company (the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate and make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2024, its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, have been included. These financial statements and related footnotes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K).

2.
RECONCILIATIONS OF EQUITY

Below are reconciliations of total equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |  | Total |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Additional Paid-in Capital |  |  | Common Treasury Stock |  |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  |  | Retained Earnings |
Balance, June 30, 2024 |  | $ | 1,192,436 |  |  | $ | 27,142 |  |  | $ | 250,945 |  |  | $ | (187,778 | ) |  | $ | (161,900 | ) |  | $ | 1,264,027 |
Issuance of 1,037 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan |  |  | 57 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 56 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Stock-based and deferred compensation |  |  | 1,524 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 1,674 |  |  |  | (156 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net income |  |  | 23,606 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 23,606 |
Other comprehensive income |  |  | 10,178 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 10,178 |  |  |  | — |
Cash dividends paid: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock ($0.375 per share) |  |  | (8,436 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (8,436 | )
Balance, September 30, 2024 |  | $ | 1,219,365 |  |  | $ | 27,149 |  |  | $ | 252,675 |  |  | $ | (187,934 | ) |  | $ | (151,722 | ) |  | $ | 1,279,197 |

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |  | Total |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Additional Paid-in Capital |  |  | Common Treasury Stock |  |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  |  | Retained Earnings |
Balance, December 31, 2023 |  | $ | 1,216,490 |  |  | $ | 27,006 |  |  | $ | 247,032 |  |  | $ | (184,412 | ) |  | $ | (130,602 | ) |  | $ | 1,257,466 |
Issuance of 24,161 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan |  |  | 1,023 |  |  |  | 24 |  |  |  | 999 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Stock-based and deferred compensation |  |  | 1,241 |  |  |  | 119 |  |  |  | 4,644 |  |  |  | (3,522 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net income |  |  | 47,020 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 47,020 |
Other comprehensive (loss) |  |  | (21,120 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (21,120 | ) |  |  | — |
Cash dividends paid: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock ($1.125 per share) |  |  | (25,289 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (25,289 | )
Balance, September 30, 2024 |  | $ | 1,219,365 |  |  | $ | 27,149 |  |  | $ | 252,675 |  |  | $ | (187,934 | ) |  | $ | (151,722 | ) |  | $ | 1,279,197 |

6

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |  | Total |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Additional Paid-in Capital |  |  | Common Treasury Stock |  |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  |  | Retained Earnings |
Balance, June 30, 2023 |  | $ | 1,215,097 |  |  | $ | 26,978 |  |  | $ | 242,215 |  |  | $ | (184,365 | ) |  | $ | (132,370 | ) |  | $ | 1,262,639 |
Issuance of 10,730 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan |  |  | 470 |  |  |  | 11 |  |  |  | 459 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Stock-based and deferred compensation |  |  | 1,750 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,757 |  |  |  | (7 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net income |  |  | 12,571 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 12,571 |
Other comprehensive (loss) |  |  | (18,955 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (18,955 | ) |  |  | — |
Cash dividends paid: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock ($0.365 per share) |  |  | (8,162 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (8,162 | )
Balance, September 30, 2023 |  | $ | 1,202,771 |  |  | $ | 26,989 |  |  | $ | 244,431 |  |  | $ | (184,372 | ) |  | $ | (151,325 | ) |  | $ | 1,267,048 |

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |  | Total |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Additional Paid-in Capital |  |  | Common Treasury Stock |  |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  |  | Retained Earnings |
Balance, December 31, 2022 |  | $ | 1,166,065 |  |  | $ | 26,841 |  |  | $ | 237,202 |  |  | $ | (180,596 | ) |  | $ | (167,512 | ) |  | $ | 1,250,130 |
Issuance of 43,502 shares of common stock under incentive compensation plan |  |  | 2,386 |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | 2,342 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Stock-based and deferred compensation |  |  | 1,215 |  |  |  | 104 |  |  |  | 4,887 |  |  |  | (3,776 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Net income |  |  | 41,397 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 41,397 |
Other comprehensive income |  |  | 16,187 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 16,187 |  |  |  | — |
Cash dividends paid: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock ($1.095 per share) |  |  | (24,479 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (24,479 | )
Balance, September 30, 2023 |  | $ | 1,202,771 |  |  | $ | 26,989 |  |  | $ | 244,431 |  |  | $ | (184,372 | ) |  | $ | (151,325 | ) |  | $ | 1,267,048 |

3.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Derivative assets and liabilities include the foreign currency exchange and interest rate swap contracts discussed in Note 4, Derivative Instruments, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Fair value and carrying value were the same because the contracts were recorded at fair value. The fair values of the foreign currency contracts were calculated as the difference between the applicable forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date and the contracted foreign exchange rates multiplied by the contracted notional amounts. The fair value of the interest rate swap was calculated as the difference between the contracted swap rate and the floating interest rate multiplied by the present value of the notional amount of the contract.

At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the fair values and related carrying values of debt, including current maturities, were as follows (the fair value and carrying value amounts are presented without regard to unamortized debt issuance costs of $527,000 and $895,000 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively):

(In thousands) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Fair value |  | $ | 667,357 |  |  | $ | 627,695 |
Carrying value |  |  | 689,043 |  |  |  | 655,041 |

7

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities, excluding cash and cash equivalents, measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall:

(In thousands) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |
Mutual fund assets |  | $ | 25,121 |  |  | $ | 25,121 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Derivative assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate contracts |  |  | 3,977 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,977 |  |  |  | — |
Foreign currency contracts |  |  | 1,243 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,243 |  |  |  | — |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 30,341 |  |  | $ | 25,121 |  |  | $ | 5,220 |  |  | $ | — |
Derivative liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | 768 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 768 |  |  | $ | — |

(In thousands) |  | December 31, 2023 |  |  | Level 1 |  |  | Level 2 |  |  | Level 3 |
Mutual fund assets |  | $ | 26,804 |  |  | $ | 26,804 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Derivative assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate contracts |  |  | 6,183 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6,183 |  |  |  | — |
Foreign currency contracts |  |  | 1,018 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,018 |  |  |  | — |
Total assets at fair value |  | $ | 34,005 |  |  | $ | 26,804 |  |  | $ | 7,201 |  |  | $ | — |
Derivative liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | 928 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 928 |  |  | $ | — |

4.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

At September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had open forward foreign currency exchange contracts to buy or sell foreign currencies with U.S. dollar equivalent amounts of $120,814,000 and $106,561,000, respectively. All forward foreign exchange contracts at September 30, 2024, had durations of one month to three months.

The Company is currently exposed to volatility in short-term interest rates and has mitigated certain portions of that risk by using an interest rate swap. The interest rate swap is recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. At September 30, 2024, the Company held an interest rate swap contract with a notional value of $100,000,000 that was designated as a cash flow hedge. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are initially recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income. As the interest rate swap contract is settled, the corresponding gain or loss is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) into earnings. The maturity date of the current interest swap contract is March 10, 2027, which is closely aligned with the June 24, 2027, maturity of the Company's revolving credit facility.

The fair values of the derivative instruments held by the Company on September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, are disclosed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Derivative instrument gains and losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, were immaterial. For amounts reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, see Note 11, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

5.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Compensation expense recorded for all stock options, performance shares, time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs) was as follows:

(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
$ | 1,551 |  |  | $ | 1,520 |  |  | $ | 4,480 |  |  | $ | 3,677 |

8

Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs were as follows:

(In thousands) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Stock options |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | 127 |
Performance shares and RSUs |  |  | 4,049 |  |  |  | 3,761 |
SARs |  |  | 3,753 |  |  |  | 3,648 |

The change in unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs is due to new grants issued in 2024.

The Company granted the following awards in the first nine months of 2024:

|  | Shares |
Stock options |  |  | 3,356 |
Performance shares (at target) and RSUs |  |  | 106,045 |
SARs |  |  | 90,201 |

The unrecognized compensation costs at September 30, 2024, are expected to be recognized over weighted-average periods of 1.9 years for stock options, performance shares and RSUs and 1.8 years for SARs.

6.
INVENTORIES

The composition of inventories at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was as follows:

(In thousands) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Finished goods |  | $ | 204,757 |  |  | $ | 184,828 |
Raw materials |  |  | 91,947 |  |  |  | 80,730 |
Total inventories |  | $ | 296,704 |  |  | $ | 265,558 |

7.
LEASES

Lease cost is recognized in both the Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses sections of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Lease Cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease cost |  | $ | 4,612 |  |  | $ | 4,448 |  |  | $ | 13,573 |  |  | $ | 13,255 |
Short-term lease cost |  |  | 2,718 |  |  |  | 2,697 |  |  |  | 8,654 |  |  |  | 8,215 |
Variable lease cost |  |  | 447 |  |  |  | 674 |  |  |  | 1,312 |  |  |  | 1,834 |
Total lease cost |  | $ | 7,777 |  |  | $ | 7,819 |  |  | $ | 23,539 |  |  | $ | 23,304 |
Other Information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating cash flow from operating leases |  | $ | 4,624 |  |  | $ | 4,447 |  |  | $ | 13,589 |  |  | $ | 13,276 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities |  |  | 2,353 |  |  |  | 916 |  |  |  | 3,901 |  |  |  | 8,336 |

9

The following table outlines the maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024.

(In thousands) |  |  |
Undiscounted Cash Flows: |  |  |
2024 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2024) |  | $ | 4,750 |
2025 |  |  | 15,434 |
2026 |  |  | 11,299 |
2027 |  |  | 8,152 |
2028 |  |  | 7,071 |
Subsequent to 2028 |  |  | 35,713 |
Total Undiscounted Cash Flows |  | $ | 82,419 |
Less: Imputed interest |  |  | (12,173 | )
Present value |  | $ | 70,246 |
Current operating lease liabilities (1) |  |  | 14,312 |
Non-current operating lease liabilities |  |  | 55,934 |
Total lease liabilities |  | $ | 70,246 |

(1)
This item is included in the Accrued liabilities line on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases |  | 8 Years |
Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases |  |  | 4.0 | %

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had a railcar lease, valued at approximately $370,000, that had not commenced. The lease will commence during the fourth quarter of 2024 with a lease term of five years.

8.
CONTINGENCIES

There are a variety of legal proceedings pending or threatened against the Company that occur in the normal course of the Company’s business, the majority of which relate to environmental assessment, protection and remediation matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties, judgments or costs being assessed against the Company at some future time. The Company’s operations are subject to extensive local, state and federal regulations, including the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Superfund amendments of 1986 (Superfund) as well as comparable regulations applicable to the Company’s foreign locations. Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by government authorities as a potentially responsible party at a number of sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred by the Company under CERCLA and similar state statutes. In addition, the Company is from time to time involved in routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including personal injury, property damage, tax, trade and labor matters. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely to incur with respect to these claims.

In determining the appropriate level of environmental reserves, the Company considers several factors such as information obtained from investigatory studies; changes in the scope of remediation; the interpretation, application and enforcement of laws and regulations; changes in the costs of remediation programs; the development of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; and the relative level of the Company’s involvement at various sites for which the Company is allegedly associated. The level of annual expenditures for remedial, monitoring and investigatory activities will change in the future as major components of planned remediation activities are completed and the scope, timing and costs of existing activities are changed. As of September 30, 2024, the Company estimated a range of possible environmental losses and legal losses of $21,463,000 to $48,894,000. Within the range of possible environmental losses and legal losses, management has currently concluded that no single amount is more likely to occur than any other amounts in the range and, thus, has accrued at the lower end of the range. These accruals totaled $21,463,000 at September 30, 2024, and $20,646,000 at December 31, 2023. A lthough the Company believes that its estimated range of possible environmental losses and legal losses and its reserves are adequate for contingencies, it is possible, due to uncertainties including those noted above, that additional reserves could be required in the future. Cash expenditures related to environmental remediation and certain other legal matters approximated $2,243,000 and $11,384,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

10

For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Based on the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, management believes that the Company has no material liability at these sites and that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. However, in the event of one or more adverse determinations with respect to such sites in any annual or interim period, the effect on the Company’s cash flows and results of operations for those periods could be material.

Following are summaries of the Company’s major contingencies at September 30, 2024:

Maywood, New Jersey Site

The Company’s property in Maywood, New Jersey, property formerly owned by the Company adjacent to its current site and other nearby properties (collectively, the Maywood site) were listed on the National Priorities List in September 1993 pursuant to the provisions of CERCLA because of alleged chemical and radiological contamination. Pursuant to (i) a September 21, 1987 Administrative Order on Consent entered into between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Company for property formerly owned by the Company at the Maywood site and (ii) the issuance of an order on May 2, 1991 by the USEPA to the Company for property currently owned by the Company at the Maywood site, the Company has completed various Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies of soil and groundwater at the Maywood site. On September 24, 2014, the USEPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for chemically-contaminated soil at the Maywood site. The ROD was amended pursuant to an Explanation of Significant Differences in January 2021. On February 29, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a consent decree among the Company, the United States, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund Administrator that requires the Company to take certain actions and to pay certain past costs of the United States and NJDEP. The USEPA has not yet issued a ROD for chemically-contaminated groundwater at the Maywood site. Based on the most current information available, the Company believes its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated costs of remediation for the Maywood site. The estimate of the cost of remediation for the Maywood site could change again as the Company continues to hold discussions with the USEPA, as the design of the remedial action is finalized, if a groundwater ROD is issued or if other potentially responsible parties are identified. The ultimate amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability.

D’Imperio Property Site

During the mid-1970’s, Jerome Lightman and the Lightman Drum Company disposed of hazardous substances generated by the Company at several sites in New Jersey, including the D’Imperio site. The Company was named as a potentially responsible party in an October 2, 1998 lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that involved the D’Imperio Site. The Company is cooperating with other potentially responsible parties to implement the selected remedy. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated cost of remediation for the D’Imperio site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability.

Wilmington Site

Property formerly owned and operated by the Company in Wilmington, Massachusetts was listed on the National Priorities List in 2006. The Company, together with the current site owner and another potentially responsible party, entered into an Administrative Order on Consent in July 2007 to undertake a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. A ROD was issued by the USEPA on March 30, 2021. The Company and three other potentially responsible parties entered into a consent decree, dated September 28, 2023, with USEPA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that requires the remedial design and remedial action of the remedy selected in the ROD for two operable units and an interim remedy for another operable unit. Remediation at this site is being managed by its current owner, to whom the Company sold the property in 1980. The Company is contractually obligated to contribute up to five percent of the environmental response costs incurred by the current owner, with no limitation on the ultimate amount of contributions. The Company has paid the current owner $3,914,000 for the Company’s portion of environmental response costs at the Wilmington site through September 30, 2024. The Company has recorded a liability for its portion of the estimated remediation costs for the site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.

11

On July 29, 2022, the Company and other potentially responsible parties were notified of a possible joint claim by federal and state trustees for alleged natural resource damages related to the Wilmington site. The alleged damages may result in a range of possible penalties and the Company recorded a liability for this matter during the first quarter of 2024. Depending on the ultimate resolution of this matter, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability.

Millsdale Site

On March 26, 2024, the Company received a Notice and Finding of Violation from the USEPA alleging violations of air regulations at the Company’s Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) facility. The notice alleges violations related to operating parameters and air emission requirements. The notice does not state whether the USEPA intends to pursue financial penalties or operational remedies. The alleged violations may result in a range of possible penalties; however, at this stage of the matter, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome or what impact, if any, the outcome might have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other U.S. Sites

Through the regular environmental monitoring of its plant production sites, the Company discovered levels of chemical contamination that were above thresholds allowed by law at its Millsdale and Fieldsboro, New Jersey plants. The Company voluntarily reported its results to the applicable state environmental agencies. As a result, the Company is required to perform self-remediation of the affected areas. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability for the remediation of the affected areas is appropriate based on an estimate of expected costs. However, actual costs could differ materially from the current recorded liability.

9.
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company sponsors various funded qualified and unfunded non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, the most significant of which cover employees in the U.S. and U.K. locations. The U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans are frozen and service benefits are no longer being accrued.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

|  | UNITED STATES |
(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Interest cost |  | $ | 1,651 |  |  | $ | 1,731 |  |  | $ | 4,954 |  |  | $ | 5,193 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (2,120 | ) |  |  | (2,133 | ) |  |  | (6,360 | ) |  |  | (6,399 | )
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) |  |  | (3 | ) |  |  | (6 | ) |  |  | (9 | ) |  |  | (18 | )
Net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | (472 | ) |  | $ | (408 | ) |  | $ | (1,415 | ) |  | $ | (1,224 | )

|  | UNITED KINGDOM |
(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Interest cost |  | $ | 165 |  |  | $ | 171 |  |  | $ | 486 |  |  | $ | 504 |
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | (187 | ) |  |  | (177 | ) |  |  | (552 | ) |  |  | (522 | )
Amortization of net actuarial loss |  |  | 82 |  |  |  | 85 |  |  |  | 242 |  |  |  | 250 |
Net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | 79 |  |  | $ | 176 |  |  | $ | 232 |

Employer Contributions

U.S. Plans

As a result of pension funding relief provisions included in the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, the Company is not required to make contributions to its funded U.S. qualified defined benefit plans. Approximately $238,000 is expected to be paid to the unfunded non-qualified plans in 2024. Of such amount, $210,000 had been paid to the non-qualified plans as of September 30, 2024.

12

U.K. Plan

The Company’s U.K. subsidiary does not expect to contribute to its defined benefit pension plan in 2024.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company sponsors retirement defined contribution plans that cover eligible U.S. and U.K. employees. The Company’s U.S. retirement plans include two qualified plans, one of which is a 401(k) plan and one of which is an employee stock ownership plan (profit sharing plan), and one non-qualified supplemental executive plan. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company made contributions into the qualified retirement plans for U.S. employees and for certain non-U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions were determined using a formula applied to Company earnings. Approximately 85 percent of union and non-union employees are eligible for either the Company's sponsored or statutory profit sharing contributions and 100 percent of U.S. based union and non-union employees are eligible for the Company's sponsored profit sharing contributions. In 2023 and 2024, profit sharing contributions for U.S. employees were made to the employee stock ownership plan. Profit sharing contributions are allocated to participant accounts based on participant base earnings.

Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s qualified contribution plans were as follows:

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Retirement savings contributions |  | $ | 2,106 |  |  | $ | 2,101 |  |  | $ | 6,526 |  |  | $ | 6,319 |
Profit sharing contributions |  |  | 691 |  |  |  | 673 |  |  |  | 2,223 |  |  |  | 1,543 |
Total defined contribution plan expenses |  | $ | 2,797 |  |  | $ | 2,774 |  |  | $ | 8,749 |  |  | $ | 7,862 |

The Company has a rabbi trust to fund the obligations of its non-qualified supplemental executive defined contribution plans (supplemental plans). The trust is comprised of various mutual fund investments selected by the participants of the supplemental plans. In accordance with the accounting guidance for rabbi trust arrangements, the assets of the trust and the obligations of the supplemental plans are reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for the mutual fund investment assets so that offsetting changes in the mutual fund values and defined contribution plan obligations would be recorded in earnings in the same period. Therefore, the mutual funds are reported at fair value with any subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The liabilities related to the supplemental plans increase (i.e., supplemental plan expense is recognized) when the value of the trust assets appreciate and decrease when the value of the trust assets decline (i.e., supplemental plan income is recognized). At September 30, 2024, the balance of the trust assets was $479,000, which equaled the balance of the supplemental plan liabilities. See the long-term investments section in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for further information regarding the Company’s mutual fund assets.

13

10.
EARNINGS PER SHARE

Below are the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(In thousands, except per share amounts) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Computation of Basic Earnings per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to Stepan Company |  | $ | 23,606 |  |  | $ | 12,571 |  |  | $ | 47,020 |  |  | $ | 41,397 |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding |  |  | 22,836 |  |  |  | 22,786 |  |  |  | 22,829 |  |  |  | 22,770 |
Basic earnings per share |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 2.06 |  |  | $ | 1.82 |
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to Stepan Company |  | $ | 23,606 |  |  | $ | 12,571 |  |  | $ | 47,020 |  |  | $ | 41,397 |
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding |  |  | 22,836 |  |  |  | 22,786 |  |  |  | 22,829 |  |  |  | 22,770 |
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)(1) |  |  | 25 |  |  |  | 54 |  |  |  | 36 |  |  |  | 75 |
Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method) |  |  | 9 |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | 2 |
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of SARs (under treasury stock method)(1) |  |  | 28 |  |  |  | 53 |  |  |  | 42 |  |  |  | 78 |
Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method) |  |  | 25 |  |  |  | 34 |  |  |  | 22 |  |  |  | 31 |
Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings |  |  | 22,923 |  |  |  | 22,930 |  |  |  | 22,936 |  |  |  | 22,956 |
Diluted earnings per share |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 0.55 |  |  | $ | 2.05 |  |  | $ | 1.80 |

(1)
883,188 and 860,788 options/SARs to acquire shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The options/SARs' exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the Company's common stock and inclusion of the instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the computations of the earnings per share. 822,271 and 623,648 options/SARs to acquire shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

14

11.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(In thousands) |  | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments |  |  | Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments |  |  | Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments |  |  | Total |
Balance at June 30, 2023 |  | $ | (121,915 | ) |  | $ | (18,961 | ) |  | $ | 8,506 |  |  | $ | (132,370 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (19,578 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | 564 |  |  |  | (19,014 | )
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  |  | — |  |  |  | 61 |  |  |  | (2 | ) |  |  | 59 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (19,578 | ) |  |  | 61 |  |  |  | 562 |  |  |  | (18,955 | )
Balance at September 30, 2023 |  | $ | (141,493 | ) |  | $ | (18,900 | ) |  | $ | 9,068 |  |  | $ | (151,325 | )
Balance at June 30, 2024 |  | $ | (148,374 | ) |  | $ | (20,293 | ) |  | $ | 6,767 |  |  | $ | (161,900 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | 12,880 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2,760 | ) |  |  | 10,120 |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  |  | — |  |  |  | 60 |  |  |  | (2 | ) |  |  | 58 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | 12,880 |  |  |  | 60 |  |  |  | (2,762 | ) |  |  | 10,178 |
Balance at September 30, 2024 |  | $ | (135,494 | ) |  | $ | (20,233 | ) |  | $ | 4,005 |  |  | $ | (151,722 | )
Balance at December 31, 2022 |  | $ | (156,835 | ) |  | $ | (19,079 | ) |  | $ | 8,402 |  |  | $ | (167,512 | )
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications |  |  | 15,342 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 673 |  |  |  | 16,015 |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  |  | — |  |  |  | 179 |  |  |  | (7 | ) |  |  | 172 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income |  |  | 15,342 |  |  |  | 179 |  |  |  | 666 |  |  |  | 16,187 |
Balance at September 30, 2023 |  | $ | (141,493 | ) |  | $ | (18,900 | ) |  | $ | 9,068 |  |  | $ | (151,325 | )
Balance at December 31, 2023 |  | $ | (116,412 | ) |  | $ | (20,408 | ) |  | $ | 6,218 |  |  | $ | (130,602 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (19,082 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2,207 | ) |  |  | (21,289 | )
Amounts reclassified from AOCI |  |  | — |  |  |  | 175 |  |  |  | (6 | ) |  |  | 169 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (19,082 | ) |  |  | 175 |  |  |  | (2,213 | ) |  |  | (21,120 | )
Balance at September 30, 2024 |  | $ | (135,494 | ) |  | $ | (20,233 | ) |  | $ | 4,005 |  |  | $ | (151,722 | )

15

Information regarding the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, is displayed below:

(In thousands) |  | Amount Reclassified from AOCI (1) |  |  |
AOCI Components |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Affected Line Item in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  |
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial (gains) |  | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | (233 | ) |  | $ | (232 | ) |  | (2)
|  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 18 |  |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | 53 |  |  | Tax benefit
|  | $ | (60 | ) |  | $ | (61 | ) |  | $ | (175 | ) |  | $ | (179 | ) |  | Net of tax
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 7 |  |  | Cost of sales
|  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 7 |  |  | Total before tax
|  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | Tax benefit
|  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period |  | $ | (58 | ) |  | $ | (59 | ) |  | $ | (169 | ) |  | $ | (172 | ) |  | Net of tax

(1)
A mounts in parentheses denote expense to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9, Postretirement Benefit Plans, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional details.
12.
SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has three reportable segments: Surfactants, Polymers and Specialty Products. Net sales by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Segment Net Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Surfactants |  | $ | 382,724 |  |  | $ | 373,836 |  |  | $ | 1,153,339 |  |  | $ | 1,233,351 |
Polymers |  |  | 149,796 |  |  |  | 169,559 |  |  |  | 455,061 |  |  |  | 495,200 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 14,322 |  |  |  | 18,831 |  |  |  | 46,265 |  |  |  | 65,086 |
Total |  | $ | 546,842 |  |  | $ | 562,226 |  |  | $ | 1,654,665 |  |  | $ | 1,793,637 |

16

Segment operating income and reconciliations of segment operating income to income before provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, are summarized below:

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Segment Operating Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Surfactants |  | $ | 26,303 |  |  | $ | 15,373 |  |  | $ | 69,445 |  |  | $ | 57,570 |
Polymers |  |  | 15,248 |  |  |  | 21,813 |  |  |  | 37,227 |  |  |  | 48,137 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 3,727 |  |  |  | 2,402 |  |  |  | 15,314 |  |  |  | 8,704 |
Segment operating income |  |  | 45,278 |  |  |  | 39,588 |  |  |  | 121,986 |  |  |  | 114,411 |
Business restructuring expense |  |  | — |  |  |  | (5,628 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | (5,827 | )
Unallocated corporate expenses (1) |  |  | (21,329 | ) |  |  | (14,443 | ) |  |  | (59,201 | ) |  |  | (50,201 | )
Total operating income |  |  | 23,949 |  |  |  | 19,517 |  |  |  | 62,785 |  |  |  | 58,383 |
Other Income (Expense) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest, net |  |  | (3,621 | ) |  |  | (2,987 | ) |  |  | (9,353 | ) |  |  | (9,674 | )
Other, net |  |  | 989 |  |  |  | (690 | ) |  |  | 4,551 |  |  |  | 3,348 |
Income before provision for income taxes |  | $ | 21,317 |  |  | $ | 15,840 |  |  | $ | 57,983 |  |  | $ | 52,057 |

(1)
Unallocated corporate expenses are primarily comprised of corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems, deferred compensation and environmental remediation) that are not included in segment operating income and are not used to evaluate segment performance. Unallocated corporate expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 also include expenses related to a criminal social engineering scheme that impacted one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia. The social engineering expenses recognized for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2024 were $3,300,000 and $6,800,000, respectively. See Note 17, Other Matter, below for detailed information about the charge.
13.
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $271,000 of contract liabilities and no contract assets. A contract liability would typically arise when an advance or deposit is received from a customer before the Company recognizes revenue. In practice, this is rare as it would require a customer to make a payment prior to a performance obligation being satisfied. When such situations do arise, the Company maintains a deferred revenue liability until the time a performance obligation has been satisfied. The Company recognized $688,000 of revenue in the first nine months of 2024 from pre-existing contract liabilities at December 31, 2023.

In addition, during 2020, the Company recorded $10,709,000 of long-term deferred revenue associated with a payment received to defray the cost of capital expenditures necessary to service a customer’s future product needs. At September 30, 2024, $4,985,000 was classified as long-term and $2,216,000 was classified as short-term. This deferred revenue is being recognized over the period of the contract and $3,508,000 of revenue has been recognized from the beginning of the contract term through September 30, 2024.

The tables below provide a geographic disaggregation of net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s business disaggregation by geographic region most effectively captures the nature and economic characteristics of the Company’s revenue streams impacted by economic factors.

(In thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
Geographic Market |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty |  |  | Total |
North America |  | $ | 217,809 |  |  | $ | 73,999 |  |  | $ | 12,072 |  |  | $ | 303,880 |
Europe |  |  | 66,387 |  |  |  | 63,632 |  |  |  | 2,119 |  |  |  | 132,138 |
Latin America |  |  | 84,609 |  |  |  | 346 |  |  |  | 131 |  |  |  | 85,086 |
Asia |  |  | 13,919 |  |  |  | 11,819 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 25,738 |
Total |  | $ | 382,724 |  |  | $ | 149,796 |  |  | $ | 14,322 |  |  | $ | 546,842 |

17

(In thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
Geographic Market |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty |  |  | Total |
North America |  | $ | 223,912 |  |  | $ | 90,521 |  |  | $ | 15,455 |  |  | $ | 329,888 |
Europe |  |  | 60,126 |  |  |  | 66,752 |  |  |  | 3,268 |  |  |  | 130,146 |
Latin America |  |  | 76,469 |  |  |  | 412 |  |  |  | 108 |  |  |  | 76,989 |
Asia |  |  | 13,329 |  |  |  | 11,874 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 25,203 |
Total |  | $ | 373,836 |  |  | $ | 169,559 |  |  | $ | 18,831 |  |  | $ | 562,226 |

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
Geographic Market |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty |  |  | Total |
North America |  | $ | 667,919 |  |  | $ | 223,636 |  |  | $ | 40,713 |  |  | $ | 932,268 |
Europe |  |  | 200,625 |  |  |  | 194,910 |  |  |  | 5,276 |  |  |  | 400,811 |
Latin America |  |  | 246,046 |  |  |  | 1,089 |  |  |  | 276 |  |  |  | 247,411 |
Asia |  |  | 38,749 |  |  |  | 35,426 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 74,175 |
Total |  | $ | 1,153,339 |  |  | $ | 455,061 |  |  | $ | 46,265 |  |  | $ | 1,654,665 |

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
Geographic Market |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty |  |  | Total |
North America |  | $ | 732,530 |  |  | $ | 259,839 |  |  | $ | 53,552 |  |  | $ | 1,045,921 |
Europe |  |  | 219,988 |  |  |  | 201,705 |  |  |  | 11,314 |  |  |  | 433,007 |
Latin America |  |  | 235,784 |  |  |  | 1,470 |  |  |  | 220 |  |  |  | 237,474 |
Asia |  |  | 45,049 |  |  |  | 32,186 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 77,235 |
Total |  | $ | 1,233,351 |  |  | $ | 495,200 |  |  | $ | 65,086 |  |  | $ | 1,793,637 |

14.
DEBT

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, debt was comprised of the following:

(In thousands) |  | Maturity Dates |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Senior unsecured notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
3.95% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $122 and $191 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2024-2027 |  | $ | 42,736 |  |  | $ | 56,952 |
3.86% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $37 and $105 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2024-2025 |  |  | 14,248 |  |  |  | 28,466 |
2.30% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $94 and $142 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2024-2028 |  |  | 39,906 |  |  |  | 49,858 |
2.37% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $99 and $148 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2024-2028 |  |  | 39,901 |  |  |  | 49,852 |
2.73% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $96 and $175 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2025-2031 |  |  | 99,904 |  |  |  | 99,825 |
2.83% (net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $79 and $134 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) |  | 2026-2032 |  |  | 74,921 |  |  |  | 74,866 |
Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing |  | 2024 |  |  | 370,000 |  |  |  | 283,000 |
Debt of foreign subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency |  | 2024 |  |  | 6,900 |  |  |  | 11,327 |
Total debt |  |  |  | $ | 688,516 |  |  | $ | 654,146 |
Less current maturities |  |  |  |  | 339,846 |  |  |  | 252,898 |
Long-term debt |  |  |  | $ | 348,670 |  |  | $ | 401,248 |

The Company's long-term debt financing is comprised of certain senior unsecured notes issued to insurance companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements (the Note Purchase Agreements), totaling $311,616,000 as of September 30, 2024. These notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and have fixed interest rates ranging from 2.30 percent to 3.95 percent. The notes had original maturities of seven to 12 years with mandatory principal payments beginning four, five and six years after issuance. The Company will be required to make principal payments on the currently outstanding notes from 2024 to 2032. On August 27, 2024, the Company entered into amendments to two of its note purchase agreements to increase the available facility amounts and extend the end date of the issuance period to August 27, 2027.

18

The Company's credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks provides for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000, consisting of (a) a $350,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $100,000,000 delayed draw term loan credit facility, each of which matures on June 24, 2027. The Company's credit agreement with Credit Industriel et Commercial NY (the CIC Credit Agreement) provides for a credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $8,700,000. The facility is for the sole purpose of the issuance of standby letters of credit. The Company maintains import and export letters of credit, and standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the Credit Agreement and under the CIC Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $11,375,000 and $370,000,000 of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement, inclusive of a $91,250,000 delayed draw term loan ($8,750,000 of the term loan principal has been permanently repaid as scheduled). There was $59,875,000 available under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had an outstanding letter of credit of $8,694,000 under the CIC Credit Agreement.

The Company’s material debt agreements contain provisions which, among other covenants, require maintenance of certain financial ratios and place limitations on additional debt, investments and payment of dividends. Based on the loan agreement provisions that place limitations on dividend payments, unrestricted retained earnings (i.e., retained earnings available for dividend distribution) were $257,153,000 and $234,399,000 at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

15.
OTHER, NET

Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income included the following:

(In thousands) |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Foreign exchange gains (losses) |  | $ | (470 | ) |  | $ | (623 | ) |  | $ | (872 | ) |  | $ | (541 | )
Investment income |  |  | 253 |  |  |  | 85 |  |  |  | 444 |  |  |  | 299 |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments |  |  | 794 |  |  |  | (481 | ) |  |  | 3,740 |  |  |  | 2,598 |
Net periodic benefit cost |  |  | 412 |  |  |  | 329 |  |  |  | 1,239 |  |  |  | 992 |
Other, net |  | $ | 989 |  |  | $ | (690 | ) |  | $ | 4,551 |  |  | $ | 3,348 |

16.
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Noncash investing activities included liabilities (accounts payable) incurred for property, plant and equipment expenditures of approximately $12,877,000 and $15,715,000 that were unpaid at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Noncash financing activities included the issuance of 118,627 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $10,617,000) and 97,774 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $10,480,000) under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan during the period ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

17.
OTHER MATTER

On July 18, 2024, the Company determined that one of its subsidiaries in Asia had been the victim of a criminal social engineering scheme which resulted in fraudulently induced outbound payments. The Company immediately launched an investigation, led by outside counsel, to determine the full extent of the fraud scheme and related potential exposure. The Company initiated contact with its banks and law enforcement authorities in an effort to, among other things, recover the transferred funds. To date, the Company has not found any evidence of additional fraudulent activity. The investigation is now closed and the Company has confirmed this was an isolated and contained event. This incident did not result in any unauthorized access to the Company's information systems or any confidential customer information or other data that the Company maintains. The Company recognized pre-tax charges of $3,300,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $6,800,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The charges were recorded on the Administrative Expenses line on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months periods ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively. These charges were not allocated to any of the Company's three reportable segments. This incident did not have a material impact on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations and cash flow.

18. BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING

2023 Restructuring

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $5,530,000 restructuring expense associated with a voluntary early retirement program. The program was offered to eligible employees, primarily located at the Company's corporate headquarters, to reduce costs.

19

The remainder of the business restructuring expenses incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, were not material, and relate to ongoing decommissioning expenses associated with the Company's 2016 Canadian plant closure.

19.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effect of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden of implementing the usage of new reference rates. The amendments apply to contract modifications that replace a reference rate affected by reference rate reform and contemporaneous modifications of other contract terms related to the replacement of the reference rate. If elected, the optional expedients to contract modifications must be applied consistently for all eligible contracts or eligible transactions. The original timeframe for electing optional expedients to contract modifications was between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06 deferring the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024. The guidance should be applied prospectively. Other than electing select expedients associated with an interest rate swap, the Company has not currently utilized any of the optional expedients of exceptions available under this ASU. The Company will continue to assess whether this ASU is applicable throughout the effective period.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements, Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative. The amendments in this update represent changes to clarify or improve disclosures and presentation requirements of a variety of topics, including Statement of Cash Flows-Overall (disclosures in annual periods where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented), Earnings Per Share-Overall (disclosures of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security), and Debt-Overall (disclosures of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings). The amendments in this update are effective two years after the SEC removes related disclosure requirements from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-06 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow, but will impact the Company’s interim and annual disclosures related to the relevant subtopics in this update.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This update requires more enhanced and detailed interim and annual disclosures regarding significant segment expenses and other segment items that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM). These items include the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses that have been already disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit and loss. Also, this update requires additional disclosures about significant segments' expenses regularly provided to CODM, disclosures of the CODM's title and position as well as an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. These requirements are in addition to the disclosures that are currently required by Topic 280, Segment reporting. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-07 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow, but will impact the Company’s interim and annual segment reporting disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income taxes (Topic 740) Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures. This update requires that public entities on an annual basis disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, the amendments in this update require the disclosure on an annual basis of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refund received) disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). This update requires all entities to disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-09 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow, but will impact the Company’s annual income tax disclosures.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) proposed a global minimum tax of 15 percent on reported profits (entitled “Pillar Two”) that has been agreed upon in principle by over 100 countries. During 2023, many countries took steps to incorporate Pillar Two into their domestic laws. Although the OECD’s model provides a framework for applying the minimum tax, countries may enact Pillar Two rules that vary slightly from the model, can adopt a different timeline, and may adjust local tax incentives in response to Pillar Two. While it is uncertain whether the U.S. will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, certain countries in which the Company operates have enacted such legislation, and other countries are in the process of

20

introducing legislation to implement Pillar Two. The Company does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flow and effective tax rate.

21

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

The following is management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) of certain significant factors that have affected the Company’s financial condition and results of operations during the interim periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than purely historical information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These statements include statements about Stepan Company’s and its subsidiaries’ (the Company) plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “illustrative” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors, include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under “Part II-Item IA - Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and under “Part I-Item IA. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, including the risks and uncertainties related to the following:

•
accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in any of the Company’s manufacturing facilities;
•
reduced demand for Company products due to customer product reformulations or new technologies;
•
the Company’s inability to successfully develop or introduce new products;
•
compliance with environmental, health and safety, product registration and anti-corruption laws;
•
the Company’s ability to make acquisitions of suitable candidates and successfully integrate acquisitions;
•
global competition and the Company’s ability to successfully compete;
•
volatility of raw material, natural gas and electricity costs as well as any disruption in their supply;
•
disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs;
•
downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns;
•
international business risks, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, legal restrictions and taxes;
•
unfavorable resolution of litigation against the Company;
•
the Company’s ability to keep and protect its intellectual property rights;
•
potentially adverse tax consequences due to the international scope of the Company’s operations;
•
downgrades to the Company’s credit ratings or disruptions to the Company’s ability to access well-functioning capital markets;
•
conflicts, military actions, terrorist attacks and general instability, particularly in certain energy-producing nations, along with increased security regulations;
•
cost overruns, delays and miscalculations in capacity needs with respect to the Company’s expansion or other capital projects;
•
interruption of, damage to or compromise of the Company’s IT systems and failure to maintain the integrity of customer, colleague or Company data;
•
the Company’s ability to retain its executive management and other key personnel;
•
the Company’s ability to operate within the limitations of debt covenants; and
•
the other factors set forth under “Risk Factors.”

22

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of its forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also impact the Company’s results. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

The “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” means Stepan Company and one or more of its subsidiaries only.

Overview

The Company produces and sells intermediate chemicals that are used in a wide variety of applications worldwide. The overall business is comprised of three reportable segments:

Surfactants – Surfactants, which accounted for 69 percent of consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2024, are principal ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products such as detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes. Other applications include fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients, emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products and industrial applications such as latex systems, plastics and composites. Surfactants are manufactured at five sites in the United States, two European sites (United Kingdom and France), five Latin American sites (one site in Colombia and two sites in each of Mexico and Brazil) and two Asian sites (Philippines and Singapore).

Polymers – Polymers, which accounted for 28 percent of consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2024, include polyurethane polyols, polyester resins and phthalic anhydride. Polyurethane polyols are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry and are also a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (collectively, CASE products). Powdered polyester resins are used in coating applications. CASE and powdered polyester resins are collectively referred to as specialty polyols. Phthalic anhydride is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins and plasticizers for applications in construction materials and components of automotive, boating and other consumer products. In addition, the Company uses phthalic anhydride internally in the production of polyols. In the United States, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) and Wilmington, North Carolina sites. Phthalic anhydride is manufactured at the Company’s Millsdale site and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Columbus, Georgia, site. In Europe, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the Company’s plants in Germany and the Netherlands and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s Poland site. In Asia, polyurethane polyols and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company’s China plant.

Specialty Products – Specialty products, which accounted for three percent of consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2024, include flavors, emulsifiers and solubilizers used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical applications. Specialty products are primarily manufactured at the Company’s Maywood, New Jersey, site.

23

Deferred Compensation Plans

The accounting for the Company’s deferred compensation plans can cause period-to-period fluctuations in Company income and expenses. Compensation expense is recognized when the value of the Company's common stock and mutual fund investment assets held for the plans increase, and compensation income is recognized when the value of the Company's common stock and mutual fund investment assets decline. The pretax effect of all deferred compensation-related activities (including realized and unrealized gains and losses on the mutual fund assets held to fund the deferred compensation obligations) and the income statement line items in which the effects of the activities were recorded are displayed in the following table:

|  | Income (Expense) |  |  |  |  |
|  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |
(In millions) |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Change |  |
Deferred Compensation (Administrative expenses) |  | $ | (0.5 | ) |  | $ | 3.1 |  |  | $ | (3.6 | ) | (1)
Realized/Unrealized Gains/Losses on Investments (Other, net) |  |  | 0.8 |  |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  |  | 1.3 |  |
Investment Income (Other, net) |  |  | 0.2 |  |  |  | 0.1 |  |  |  | 0.1 |  |
Pretax Income Effect |  | $ | 0.5 |  |  | $ | 2.7 |  |  | $ | (2.2 | ) |

|  | Income (Expense) |  |  |  |  |
|  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |
(In millions) |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Change |  |
Deferred Compensation (Administrative expenses) |  | $ | (2.7 | ) |  | $ | 0.8 |  |  | $ | (3.5 | ) | (1)
Realized/Unrealized Gains on Investments (Other, net) |  |  | 3.7 |  |  |  | 2.6 |  |  |  | 1.1 |  |
Investment Income (Other, net) |  |  | 0.4 |  |  |  | 0.3 |  |  |  | 0.1 |  |
Pretax Income Effect |  | $ | 1.4 |  |  | $ | 3.7 |  |  | $ | (2.3 | ) |

(1)
See the Segment Results-Corporate Expenses section of this MD&A for details regarding the period-over-period changes in deferred compensation.

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary income statements are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period. Because foreign exchange rates fluctuate against the U.S. dollar over time, foreign currency translation affects period-to-period comparisons of financial statement items (i.e., because foreign exchange rates fluctuate, similar period-to-period local currency results for a foreign subsidiary may translate into different U.S. dollar results). The following table presents the effects that foreign currency translation had on the period-over-period changes in consolidated net sales and various income statement line items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

|  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(In millions) |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | (Decrease) Due to Foreign Translation |
Net Sales |  | $ | 546.8 |  |  | $ | 562.2 |  |  | $ | (15.4 | ) |  | $ | (5.6 | )
Gross Profit |  |  | 75.7 |  |  |  | 71.2 |  |  |  | 4.5 |  |  |  | (0.9 | )
Operating Income |  |  | 23.9 |  |  |  | 19.5 |  |  |  | 4.4 |  |  |  | (0.4 | )
Pretax Income |  |  | 21.3 |  |  |  | 15.8 |  |  |  | 5.5 |  |  |  | (0.5 | )

|  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(In millions) |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Increase Due to Foreign Translation |
Net Sales |  | $ | 1,654.7 |  |  | $ | 1,793.6 |  |  | $ | (138.9 | ) |  | $ | 7.0 |
Gross Profit |  |  | 215.5 |  |  |  | 211.2 |  |  |  | 4.3 |  |  |  | 0.1 |
Operating Income |  |  | 62.8 |  |  |  | 58.4 |  |  |  | 4.4 |  |  |  | 0.2 |
Pretax Income |  |  | 58.0 |  |  |  | 52.1 |  |  |  | 5.9 |  |  |  | — |

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Summary

Net income in the third quarter of 2024 was $23.6 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, versus $12.6 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted net income was $23.7 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, versus $14.7 million, or $0.64 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2023 (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share” section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income and reported earnings per diluted share and non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $53.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, up 18 percent, versus $45.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $53.1 million, up 11 percent, versus $48.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 (see the "Reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported operating income and non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA). Below is a summary discussion of the major factors leading to the changes in net sales, expenses and income in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. A detailed discussion of segment operating performance for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 follows the summary.

Consolidated net sales decreased $15.4 million, or three percent, versus the prior year quarter. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $5.5 million. The decrease in average selling prices was mainly attributable to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and competitive activity within certain end markets. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $5.6 million. Consolidated sales volume decreased one percent, which negatively impacted the change in net sales by $4.3 million. Surfactant sales volume increased three percent while Polymer and Specialty Products sales volume decreased 11 percent and five percent, respectively.

Operating income in the third quarter of 2024 increased $4.4 million, or 23 percent, versus operating income in the third quarter of 2023. Surfactant and Specialty Products operating income increased $10.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, versus the third quarter of 2023. Polymer operating income decreased $6.6 million versus the third quarter of 2023. Corporate expenses, including business restructuring, environmental remediation, deferred compensation and charges associated with a criminal social engineering scheme impacting one the Company's subsidiaries in Asia, increased $1.2 million, or six percent, year-over-year. See Note 17, Other Matter, and Note 18, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of the Form 10-Q) for additional details regarding the criminal social engineering scheme and business restructuring expenses.

Operating expenses (including deferred compensation and business restructuring) were flat year-over-year. Changes in the individual income statement line items that comprise the Company’s operating expenses were as follows:

•
Selling expenses decreased $0.4 million, or four percent, year-over-year.
•
Administrative expenses increased $3.4 million, or 15 percent year-over-year, primarily due to a $3.3 million pre-tax charge recognized as a result of the criminal social engineering scheme impacting one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia.
•
Research, development and technical service (R&D) expenses decreased $0.9 million, or seven percent, between quarters, primarily due to lower salary expenses resulting from productivity measures implemented in late 2023.
•
Deferred compensation was a $0.6 million of expense in the third quarter of 2024 versus $3.1 million of income in the prior year quarter. The $3.7 million increase in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to a smaller decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock held for the plans during the third quarter of 2024 versus the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, the market value of mutual fund investment assets held for the plans appreciated during the third quarter of 2024 versus declining in value during the third quarter of 2023. See the Overview and Segment Results-Corporate Expenses section of this MD&A for further details.

Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2024 increased $0.6 million, or 21 percent, versus the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to higher outstanding debt balances and higher interest rates on borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility in 2024 versus 2023.

Other, net was $1.0 million of income in the third quarter of 2024 versus $0.7 million of expense in the third quarter of 2023. The Company recognized $1.0 million of investment income (including realized and unrealized gains and losses) for the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental defined contribution mutual fund assets in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $0.4 million of investment losses in the third quarter of 2023. In addition, the Company reported $0.5 million of foreign exchange losses in the third quarter of 2024 versus $0.6 million of foreign exchange losses in the third quarter of 2023. The Company's net periodic pension income was $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 versus $0.3 million of income in the third quarter of 2023.

The Company’s effective tax rate was a negative 10.7 percent in the third quarter of 2024 versus 20.6 percent in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to the Company’s intention to make an election under the US GILTI tax regime to exclude certain high taxed entities from the GILTI computation and thereby reduce the Company’s GILTI tax impact. The Company continues

25

to expect to elect “Bonus Depreciation” for its new alkoxylation facility that is being built in Pasadena, Texas and is expected to start up in December 2024. In addition, the Company’s research and development tax credit is forecasted to increase throughout the rest of the year. Finally, the Company recorded a favorable provision-to-return adjustment for its 2023 tax return in the third quarter of 2024. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has proposed a global minimum tax of 15 percent on reported profits (entitled "Pillar Two"). The Company does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flow and effective tax rate.

Segment Results

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
Surfactants |  | $ | 382,724 |  |  | $ | 373,836 |  |  | $ | 8,888 |  |  |  | 2 |
Polymers |  |  | 149,796 |  |  |  | 169,559 |  |  |  | (19,763 | ) |  |  | -12 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 14,322 |  |  |  | 18,831 |  |  |  | (4,509 | ) |  |  | -24 |
Total Net Sales |  | $ | 546,842 |  |  | $ | 562,226 |  |  | $ | (15,384 | ) |  |  | -3 |

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
Surfactants |  | $ | 26,303 |  |  | $ | 15,373 |  |  | $ | 10,930 |  |  |  | 71 |
Polymers |  |  | 15,248 |  |  |  | 21,813 |  |  |  | (6,565 | ) |  |  | -30 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 3,727 |  |  |  | 2,402 |  |  |  | 1,325 |  |  |  | 55 |
Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 45,278 |  |  | $ | 39,588 |  |  | $ | 5,690 |  |  |  | 14 |
Corporate Expenses, Excluding Deferred Compensation and Restructuring |  | $ | 20,773 |  |  | $ | 17,544 |  |  | $ | 3,229 |  |  |  | 18 |
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income) |  |  | 556 |  |  |  | (3,101 | ) |  |  | 3,657 |  |  | NM |
Business Restructuring |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,628 |  |  |  | (5,628 | ) |  | NM |
Total Operating Income |  | $ | 23,949 |  |  | $ | 19,517 |  |  | $ | 4,432 |  |  |  | 23 |

Surfactants

Surfactant net sales for the third quarter of 2024 increased $8.9 million versus net sales for the third quarter of 2023. Sales volume increased three percent year-over-year and positively impacted the change in net sales by $12.0 million. Higher average selling prices favorably impacted the change in net sales by $5.6 million. The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to a more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation had an $8.7 million unfavorable impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. A comparison of net sales by region follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 217,809 |  |  | $ | 223,912 |  |  | $ | (6,103 | ) |  |  | -3 |
Europe |  |  | 66,387 |  |  |  | 60,126 |  |  |  | 6,261 |  |  |  | 10 |
Latin America |  |  | 84,609 |  |  |  | 76,469 |  |  |  | 8,140 |  |  |  | 11 |
Asia |  |  | 13,919 |  |  |  | 13,329 |  |  |  | 590 |  |  |  | 4 |
Total Surfactants Segment |  | $ | 382,724 |  |  | $ | 373,836 |  |  | $ | 8,888 |  |  |  | 2 |

Net sales for North American operations decreased $6.1 million, or three percent, year-over-year. Sales volume declined two percent and negatively impacted the change in net sales by $3.7 million. The lower sales volume was primarily due to lower demand for products sold into the industrial cleaning and personal care end markets. Higher demand for products sold into the construction and industrial, oil field and agricultural end markets and to our distribution partners, partially offset the above. Lower average selling prices had a $2.2 million unfavorable impact on the change in net sales and were primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs, partially offset by favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $0.2 million.

26

Net sales for European operations increased $6.3 million, or 10 percent, primarily due to a 12 percent increase in sales volume that positively impacted the change in net sales by $7.2 million. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the industrial cleaning, personal care and agricultural end markets and to our distribution partners. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the change in net sales by $2.1 million and were primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs, partially offset by more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $1.2 million.

Net sales for Latin American operations increased $8.1 million, or 11 percent, primarily due to higher average selling prices and a seven percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $12.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The sales volume improvement was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the agricultural and laundry and cleaning end markets, and to our distribution partners. The higher average selling prices reflect more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $9.5 million. A stronger U.S. dollar relative to all currencies in the region led to the unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asian operations increased $0.6 million, or four percent, versus the prior year quarter. A six percent increase in sales volume positively impacted the change in net sales by $0.9 million. The sales volume improvement was mainly due to higher demand for products sold to our distribution partners and into the functional products end markets. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $0.3 million.

Surfactant operating income for the third quarter of 2024 increased $10.9 million, or 71 percent, versus operating income for the third quarter of 2023. Gross profit increased $9.9 million, or 25 percent, and operating expenses decreased $1.0 million, or four percent. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Profit and Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 25,418 |  |  | $ | 25,259 |  |  | $ | 159 |  |  |  | 1 |
Europe |  |  | 8,902 |  |  |  | 5,897 |  |  |  | 3,005 |  |  |  | 51 |
Latin America |  |  | 11,609 |  |  |  | 5,578 |  |  |  | 6,031 |  |  |  | 108 |
Asia |  |  | 3,515 |  |  |  | 2,818 |  |  |  | 697 |  |  |  | 25 |
Surfactants Segment Gross Profit |  | $ | 49,444 |  |  | $ | 39,552 |  |  | $ | 9,892 |  |  |  | 25 |
Operating Expenses |  |  | 23,141 |  |  |  | 24,179 |  |  |  | (1,038 | ) |  |  | -4 |
Surfactants Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 26,303 |  |  | $ | 15,373 |  |  | $ | 10,930 |  |  |  | 71 |

Gross profit for North American operations increased $0.2 million, or one percent. Higher average unit margins positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.6 million. A two percent decline in sales volume negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.4 million.

Gross profit for European operations increased $3.0 million, or 51 percent, primarily due to higher average unit margins and a 12 percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $2.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins were largely due to a more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in gross profit by $0.1 million.

Gross profit for Latin American operations increased $6.0 million, or 108%, primarily due to improved average unit margins and a seven percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in gross profit by $7.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins were primarily due to a more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.4 million.

Gross profit for Asia operations increased $0.7 million, or 25 percent, year-over-year primarily due to higher average unit margins and a six percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins reflect a more favorable product and customer mix along with lower overhead costs due to the timing of production runs.

Operating expenses for the Surfactants segment decreased $1.0 million, or four percent, in the third quarter of 2024 versus the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower salary expenses.

27

Polymers

Polymer net sales for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $19.8 million, or 12 percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2023. An 11 percent decrease in sales volume and lower average selling prices negatively impacted the change in net sales by $19.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $3.1 million. A comparison of net sales by region follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 73,999 |  |  | $ | 90,521 |  |  | $ | (16,522 | ) |  |  | -18 |
Europe |  |  | 63,632 |  |  |  | 66,752 |  |  |  | (3,120 | ) |  |  | -5 |
Asia and Other |  |  | 12,165 |  |  |  | 12,286 |  |  |  | (121 | ) |  |  | -1 |
Total Polymers Segment |  | $ | 149,796 |  |  | $ | 169,559 |  |  | $ | (19,763 | ) |  |  | -12 |

Net sales for North American operations decreased $16.5 million, or 18 percent, due to a 14 percent decline in sales volume and lower average selling prices. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $13.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Sales volume of polyols used in rigid foam applications declined 17 percent due to soft demand and competitive pressures. Sales volume of commodity phthalic anhydride declined 27 percent while sales volume of specialty polyols increased six percent year-over year. The lower average selling prices primarily reflect the pass-through of lower raw material costs.

Net sales for European operations decreased $3.1 million, or five percent, versus the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a nine percent decline in sales volume which negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $6.1 million. The decline in sales volume was primarily due to soft demand and competitive pressures. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $3.0 million. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asia and Other operations decreased $0.1 million, or one percent, primarily due to a six percent decrease in sales volume which negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $0.8 million. Higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $0.6 million and a $0.1 million, respectively.

Polymer operating income in the third quarter of 2024 decreased $6.6 million, or 30 percent, versus operating income in the third quarter of 2023. Gross profit decreased $6.8 million, or 24 percent and operating expenses decreased $0.2 million or four percent between years. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Profit and Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 11,243 |  |  | $ | 15,911 |  |  | $ | (4,668 | ) |  |  | -29 |
Europe |  |  | 8,435 |  |  |  | 10,833 |  |  |  | (2,398 | ) |  |  | -22 |
Asia and Other |  |  | 2,080 |  |  |  | 1,820 |  |  |  | 260 |  |  |  | 14 |
Polymers Segment Gross Profit |  | $ | 21,758 |  |  | $ | 28,564 |  |  | $ | (6,806 | ) |  |  | -24 |
Operating Expenses |  |  | 6,510 |  |  |  | 6,751 |  |  |  | (241 | ) |  |  | -4 |
Polymers Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 15,248 |  |  | $ | 21,813 |  |  | $ | (6,565 | ) |  |  | -30 |

Gross profit for North American operations decreased $4.7 million, or 29 percent, due to lower average unit margins and a 14 percent decline in sales volume. These items negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The lower average unit margins were primarily due to less favorable product mix.

Gross profit for European operations decreased $2.4 million, or 22 percent, versus the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower average unit margins and a nine percent decline in sales volume that negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.3 million.

Gross profit for Asia and Other operations increased $0.3 million, or 14 percent, primarily due to higher average unit margins. These higher average unit margins positively impacted the change in net sales by $0.4 million and partially reflect the Company's product diversification efforts in China. A six percent decline in sales volume negatively impacted the change in net sales by $0.1 million. Foreign currency translation was negligible year-over-year.

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Operating expenses for the Polymer segment decreased $0.3 million, or four percent, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023.

Specialty Products

Specialty Products net sales for the third quarter of 2024 decreased $4.5 million, or 24 percent, versus net sales for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was due to lower average selling prices and a five percent decrease in sales volume. Gross profit and operating income increased $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, year-over-year. The year-over-year increases in gross profit and operating income were mostly attributable to higher average unit margins within the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line. The higher unit margins reflect the non-recurrence of high-cost inventory carryover experienced in the prior year.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses, which include deferred compensation, business restructuring and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, increased $1.3 million, or six percent, year-over-year. Corporate expenses were $21.3 million in the third quarter of 2024 versus $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to $0.6 million of deferred compensation expense in the third quarter of 2024 versus $3.1 million of deferred compensation income in the third quarter of 2023. The Company also recorded a $3.3 million expense in the third quarter of 2024 related to a criminal social engineering scheme that impacted one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia. Partially offsetting these items was a $5.6 million business restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2023 that did not recur in 2024. See Note 17, Other Matter, and Note 18, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the criminal social engineering scheme and business restructuring expenses.

The $3.7 million increase in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to a smaller decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock held for the plans during the third quarter of 2024 versus the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, the market value of mutual fund investment assets held for the plans appreciated during the third quarter of 2024 versus declining in value during the third quarter of 2023. The following table presents the quarter-end Company common stock market prices used in the computation of deferred compensation income/expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
|  | September 30 |  |  | June 30 |  |  | September 30 |  |  | June 30 |
Company Common Stock Price |  | $ | 77.25 |  |  | $ | 83.96 |  |  | $ | 74.97 |  |  | $ | 95.56 |

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

Summary

Net income in the first nine months of 2024 was $47.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, versus $41.4 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2023. Adjusted net income was $47.7 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, versus $43.2 million, or $1.88 per diluted share in the prior year (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share” section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income and reported earnings per diluted share and non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $151.0 million, up eight percent, in the first nine months of 2024 versus $140.1 million in the first nine months of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $151.9 million, up seven percent, versus $142.5 million in the first nine months of 2023 (see the "Reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported operating income and non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA). Below is a summary discussion of the major factors leading to the year-over-year changes in net sales, expenses and income in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023. A detailed discussion of segment operating performance for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023 follows the summary.

Operating income for the first nine months of 2024 was $62.8 million, an eight percent increase versus operating income of $58.4 million for the first nine months of 2023. Surfactant and Specialty Products operating income increased $11.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, versus the first nine months of 2023. Polymer operating income decreased $10.9 million year-over-year. Corporate expenses, including business restructuring, environmental remediation, deferred compensation and expenses associated with a criminal social engineering scheme at one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia, increased $3.2 million, or six percent, year-over-year. See Note 17, Other Matter, and Note 18, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of the Form 10-Q) for additional details regarding the criminal social engineering scheme charges and business restructuring expenses. Foreign currency translation had a $0.2 million favorable impact on operating income in the first nine months of 2024 versus the first nine months of 2023.

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Operating expenses (including deferred compensation and business restructuring expenses) were flat between years. Changes in the individual income statement line items that comprise the Company’s operating expenses were as follows:

•
Selling expenses decreased $1.4 million, or four percent, year-over-year primarily due to lower salary expenses resulting from productivity measures implemented in late 2023.
•
Administrative expenses increased $5.4 million, or eight percent, year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by a $6.8 million expense recognized for a criminal social engineering scheme impacting one of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia and higher environmental reserve expenses. The higher environmental expense is primarily due to a reserve adjustment for environmental costs related to property formerly owned and operated by the Company in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Lower salary expenses, resulting from productivity measures implemented in late 2023, partially offset the above.
•
R&D expenses decreased $1.8 million, or four percent, year-over-year primarily due to lower salary expenses resulting from productivity measure implemented in late 2023.
•
Deferred compensation was a $2.7 million expense for the first nine months of 2024 versus $0.9 million of income during the first nine months of 2023. The $3.6 million increase in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to a smaller decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock held for the plans during the first nine months of 2024 versus the first nine months of 2023. Additionally, the market value of mutual fund investment assets held for the plans appreciated by a greater amount in 2024 versus the prior year. See the Overview and Segment Results-Corporate Expenses section of this MD&A for further details.

Net interest expense for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $0.3 million, or three percent, versus the first nine months of 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher non-U.S. interest income recognition and higher capitalized interest income, partially offset by higher U.S. interest expense.

Other, net was $4.6 million of income for the first nine months of 2024 compared to $3.3 million of income for the first nine months of 2023. The Company recognized $4.2 million of investment income (including realized and unrealized gains and losses) for the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental defined contribution mutual fund assets in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $2.9 million of investment income in the first nine months of 2023. In addition, the Company reported foreign exchange losses of $0.9 million in the first nine months of 2024 versus $0.6 million of foreign exchange losses in the first nine months of 2023. The Company also reported $0.2 million of higher net periodic pension income in the first nine months of 2024 versus the first nine months of 2023.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 18.9 percent for the first nine months of 2024 versus 20.5 percent for the first nine months of 2023. This is primarily due to the Company's increased research & development tax credit for 2024. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has proposed a global minimum tax of 15 percent on reported profits (entitled "Pillar Two"). The Company does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flow and effective tax rate.

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
Surfactants |  | $ | 1,153,339 |  |  | $ | 1,233,351 |  |  | $ | (80,012 | ) |  |  | -6 |
Polymers |  |  | 455,061 |  |  |  | 495,200 |  |  |  | (40,139 | ) |  |  | -8 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 46,265 |  |  |  | 65,086 |  |  |  | (18,821 | ) |  |  | -29 |
Total Net Sales |  | $ | 1,654,665 |  |  | $ | 1,793,637 |  |  | $ | (138,972 | ) |  |  | -8 |

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
Surfactants |  | $ | 69,445 |  |  | $ | 57,570 |  |  | $ | 11,875 |  |  |  | 21 |
Polymers |  |  | 37,227 |  |  |  | 48,137 |  |  |  | (10,910 | ) |  |  | -23 |
Specialty Products |  |  | 15,314 |  |  |  | 8,704 |  |  |  | 6,610 |  |  |  | 76 |
Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 121,986 |  |  | $ | 114,411 |  |  | $ | 7,575 |  |  |  | 7 |
Corporate Expenses, Excluding Deferred Compensation and Restructuring |  | $ | 56,472 |  |  | $ | 51,057 |  |  | $ | 5,415 |  |  |  | 11 |
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income) |  |  | 2,729 |  |  |  | (856 | ) |  |  | 3,585 |  |  | NM |
Business Restructuring |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5,827 |  |  |  | (5,827 | ) |  | NM |
Total Operating Income |  | $ | 62,785 |  |  | $ | 58,383 |  |  | $ | 4,402 |  |  |  | 8 |

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Segment Results

Surfactants

Surfactants net sales for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $80.0 million, or six percent, versus net sales for the first nine months of 2023. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the change in net sales by $113.3 million. The lower average selling prices were mainly due to declining raw material costs, less favorable product mix and increased competitive activity within the European and Latin American end-markets. Sales volume increased three percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $35.2 million. Foreign currency translation had a $1.9 million unfavorable impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. A year-over-year comparison of net sales by region follows:

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 667,919 |  |  | $ | 732,530 |  |  | $ | (64,611 | ) |  |  | -9 |
Europe |  |  | 200,625 |  |  |  | 219,988 |  |  |  | (19,363 | ) |  |  | -9 |
Latin America |  |  | 246,046 |  |  |  | 235,784 |  |  |  | 10,262 |  |  |  | 4 |
Asia |  |  | 38,749 |  |  |  | 45,049 |  |  |  | (6,300 | ) |  |  | -14 |
Total Surfactants Segment |  | $ | 1,153,339 |  |  | $ | 1,233,351 |  |  | $ | (80,012 | ) |  |  | -6 |

Net sales for North American operations decreased $64.6 million, or nine percent, year-over-year. Lower average selling prices had a $40.9 million unfavorable impact on the change in net sales and were primarily attributable to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and less favorable product mix. Sales volume decreased three percent and negatively impacted the change in net sales by $23.4 million. The decrease in sales volume primarily reflects lower demand for products sold into the agricultural end markets due to customer and channel inventory destocking during the first half of 2024. In addition, sales volume into the personal care end markets was negatively impacted by operational issues, partially related to a flood event at the Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) site, during the first half of 2024. Higher demand for products sold into the oil field, construction and industrial solutions, and to our distribution partners partially offset the aforementioned decline. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $0.3 million.

Net sales for European operations decreased $19.4 million, or nine percent, primarily due to lower average selling prices that negatively impacted the change in net sales by $40.5 million. The lower average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs, less favorable product mix and increased competitive activity within certain end-use markets. Sales volume was up nine percent and positively impacted the change in net sales by $18.7 million. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the consumer products and construction and industrial solutions end markets and to our distribution partners. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $2.4 million. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the European euro and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Latin American operations increased $10.3 million, or four percent, primarily due to a 13 percent increase in sales volume which positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $29.6 million. The higher sales volume was primarily due to higher demand for products sold into the agricultural and the laundry and cleaning end markets combined with higher demand from our distribution partners. Lower average selling prices negatively impacted the change in net sales by $16.3 million and primarily reflect lower raw material costs and increased competitive activity within certain end-use markets. A stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Brazilian real primarily led to a $3.0 million unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asian operations decreased $6.3 million, or 14 percent, year-over-year. Lower average selling prices, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and a two percent decline in sales volume, negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $4.6 million, $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The decline in average selling prices primarily reflects the pass-through of lower raw material costs. The decline in volume primarily reflects less demand for products sold into the commodity laundry and cleaning end markets, partially offset by higher demand for products sold into the personal care end markets and to our distribution partners.

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Surfactant operating income for the first nine months of 2024 increased $11.9 million, or 21 percent, versus operating income for the first nine months of 2023. Gross profit increased $9.8 million, or seven percent, and operating expenses decreased $2.1 million, or three percent. Year-over-year comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Profit and Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 77,164 |  |  | $ | 84,713 |  |  | $ | (7,549 | ) |  |  | -9 |
Europe |  |  | 23,704 |  |  |  | 21,182 |  |  |  | 2,522 |  |  |  | 12 |
Latin America |  |  | 31,520 |  |  |  | 19,972 |  |  |  | 11,548 |  |  |  | 58 |
Asia |  |  | 8,385 |  |  |  | 5,116 |  |  |  | 3,269 |  |  |  | 64 |
Surfactants Segment Gross Profit |  | $ | 140,773 |  |  | $ | 130,983 |  |  | $ | 9,790 |  |  |  | 7 |
Operating Expenses |  |  | 71,328 |  |  |  | 73,413 |  |  |  | (2,085 | ) |  |  | -3 |
Surfactants Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 69,445 |  |  | $ | 57,570 |  |  | $ | 11,875 |  |  |  | 21 |

Gross profit for North American operations decreased $7.5 million, or nine percent, versus the prior year due to lower average unit margins and a three percent decline in sales volume. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $4.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The lower average unit margins were mostly attributable to less favorable product mix, higher pre-operating expenses associated with the alkoxylation production facility that is being built in Pasadena, Texas and higher expenses incurred at the Company's Millsdale plant site due to operational issues, partially related to a flood event, during the first half of 2024.

Gross profit for European operations increased $2.5 million, or 12 percent, due to a nine percent increase in sales volume, higher average unit margins and the favorable impact of the foreign currency translation. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.8 million, $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Gross profit for Latin American operations increased $11.5 million, or 58 percent, due to improved average unit margins and a 13 percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $9.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins were primarily due to a more favorable product and customer mix. Foreign currency translation had a $0.9 million unfavorable impact on the change in gross profit.

Gross profit for Asian operations increased $3.3 million, or 64 percent, primarily due to higher average unit margins that positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $3.4 million. The higher average unit margins were primarily due to lower overhead costs due to the timing of production runs. A two percent decline in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.1 million.

Operating expenses for the Surfactant segment decreased $2.1 million, or three percent, year-over-year. This decrease was mainly attributable to lower salary expenses and bad debt provision expenses.

Polymers

Polymer net sales for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $40.1 million, or eight percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2023. Lower average selling prices and a three percent decrease in sales volume negatively impacted the change in net sales by $34.6 million and $14.4 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation had an $8.9 million favorable impact on the change in net sales year-over-year. A year-over-year comparison of net sales by region follows:

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Sales |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 223,636 |  |  | $ | 259,839 |  |  | $ | (36,203 | ) |  |  | -14 |
Europe |  |  | 194,910 |  |  |  | 201,705 |  |  |  | (6,795 | ) |  |  | -3 |
Asia and Other |  |  | 36,515 |  |  |  | 33,656 |  |  |  | 2,859 |  |  |  | 8 |
Total Polymers Segment |  | $ | 455,061 |  |  | $ | 495,200 |  |  | $ | (40,139 | ) |  |  | -8 |

Net sales for North American operations decreased $36.2 million, or 14 percent, due to an eight percent decrease in sales volume and lower average selling prices. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $20.4 million and $15.8 million, respectively. The lower average selling prices primarily reflect the pass-through of lower raw material costs. Sales volume within the commodity phthalic anhydride business declined 41 percent primarily due to operational issues at the Millsdale plant during

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the first half of 2024. Sales volume of polyols used in rigid foam applications decreased five percent year-over-year due to soft demand during the third quarter of 2024, which offset higher sales volume recognized during the first half of 2024. Sales volume of specialty polyols increased eight percent year-over-year.

Net sales for European operations decreased $6.8 million, or three percent, year-over-year. Lower average selling prices and a one percent decline in sales volume negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $15.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The lower average selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of lower raw material costs and increased competitive activity. Foreign currency translation positively impacted the change in net sales by $9.8 million. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound sterling led to the favorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asia and Other operations increased $2.9 million, or eight percent, due to an 11 percent increase in sales volume which positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $3.7 million. The higher sales volume was driven by the non-recurrence of COVID lock downs and restrictions that were in place in China during the first half of 2023 and higher demand for specialty polyols resulting from the Company's product diversification efforts. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $0.8 million.

Polymer operating income for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $10.9 million, or 23 percent, versus operating income for the first nine months of 2023. Gross profit decreased $11.3 million, or 16 percent, and operating expenses decreased $0.4 million, or two percent. Year-over-year comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(In thousands) |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Profit and Operating Income |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | Increase (Decrease) |  |  | Percent Change |
North America |  | $ | 27,171 |  |  | $ | 34,472 |  |  | $ | (7,301 | ) |  |  | -21 |
Europe |  |  | 25,013 |  |  |  | 31,044 |  |  |  | (6,031 | ) |  |  | -19 |
Asia and Other |  |  | 5,296 |  |  |  | 3,238 |  |  |  | 2,058 |  |  |  | 64 |
Polymers Segment Gross Profit |  | $ | 57,480 |  |  | $ | 68,754 |  |  | $ | (11,274 | ) |  |  | -16 |
Operating Expenses |  |  | 20,253 |  |  |  | 20,617 |  |  |  | (364 | ) |  |  | -2 |
Polymers Segment Operating Income |  | $ | 37,227 |  |  | $ | 48,137 |  |  | $ | (10,910 | ) |  |  | -23 |

Gross profit for North American operations decreased $7.3 million, or 21 percent, due to lower average unit margins and an eight percent decline in sales volume. These items negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $4.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The lower average unit margins largely reflect a phthalic anhydride related catalyst write-off ($2.1 million) during the second quarter of 2024 and higher expenses incurred at the Company's Millsdale plant due to operational issues during the first half of 2024.

Gross profit for European operations decreased $6.0 million, or 19 percent, versus the first nine months of 2023. This decrease was largely due to lower average unit margins and a one percent decline in sales volume that negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $6.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The lower average unit margins primarily reflect increased competitive activity. Foreign currency translation had a $0.9 million favorable impact on the change in gross profit.

Gross profit for Asia and Other operations increased $2.1 million, primarily due to higher average unit margins and an 11 percent increase in sales volume, driven largely by the Company's diversification efforts in China. These items positively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Foreign currency translation had a $0.1 million unfavorable impact on the change in gross profit year-over-year.

Operating expenses for the Polymers segment decreased $0.4 million, or two percent, year-over-year.

Specialty Products

Specialty Products net sales for the first nine months of 2024 decreased $18.8 million, or 29 percent, versus net sales for the first nine months of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower average selling prices that were partially offset by a one percent increase in sales volume. Gross profit and operating income increased $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, year-over-year. The year-over-year increases in gross profit and operating income were mostly attributable to higher average unit margins within the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) product line. The higher average unit margins reflect the non-recurrence of high-cost inventory carryover experienced in the prior year.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate expenses, which include deferred compensation, business restructuring, and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments, increased $3.2 million, or six percent, between years. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to $6.8 million of pre-tax charges associated with a criminal social engineering scheme impacting one of the Company's subsidiaries in

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Asia (see Note 17, Other Matter, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the criminal social engineering scheme) and higher deferred compensation and environmental reserve expenses. The higher environmental reserve expenses in 2024 were primarily driven by a reserve adjustment for environmental costs related to property formerly owned and operated by the Company in Wilmington, Massachusetts. These increases were partially offset by the non-recurrence of $5.8 million of business restructuring expenses incurred in 2023 (see Note 18, Business Restructuring, of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements for additional details) and lower 2024 salary expenses related to productivity measures implemented in late 2023.

Deferred compensation expense was $2.7 million in the first nine months of 2024 versus $0.9 million of income during the same period of 2023. The $3.6 million increase in deferred compensation expense was attributable to a smaller decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock held for the plans during the first nine months of 2024 versus the first nine months of 2023. The market price of Company common stock decreased $17.30 per share during the first nine months of 2024 versus a $31.49 per share decrease in the first nine months of 2023. Additionally, the market value of mutual fund investment assets held for the plans appreciated by a greater amount in 2024 versus the prior year. The following table presents the period-end Company common stock market prices used in the computation of deferred compensation expense/income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2022 |
|  | September 30 |  |  | December 31 |  |  | September 30 |  |  | December 31 |
Company Common Stock Price |  | $ | 77.25 |  |  | $ | 94.55 |  |  | $ | 74.97 |  |  | $ | 106.46 |

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating activities were a cash source of $93.8 million versus a cash source of $105.9 million for the comparable period in 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, investing cash outflows totaled $80.7 million versus cash outflows of $211.9 million in the prior year period. Financing activities were a cash source of $6.9 million versus a cash source of $36.6 million in the prior year period.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $17.5 million compared to December 31, 2023, inclusive of a $2.5 million unfavorable foreign exchange rate impact. On September 30, 2024, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $147.3 million including $27.2 million in money market funds, which were rated AAAm by Standard and Poor’s and Aaa-mf by Moody’s. Cash in U.S. demand deposit accounts totaled $6.7 million, and cash and cash equivalents of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries totaled $134.9 million (including UK money market funds of $21.5 million) as of September 30, 2024.

Operating Activities

Net income during the first nine months of 2024 increased $5.6 million versus the comparable period in 2023. Working capital was a cash use of $39.2 million during the first nine months of 2024 versus a cash use of $13.8 million in the comparable period in 2023.

Accounts receivable was a cash use of $21.7 million during the first nine months of 2024 compared to a cash source of $25.8 million for the comparable period in 2023. Inventories were a cash use of $39.0 million in 2024 versus a cash source of $122.7 million in 2023. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were a cash source of $27.5 million in 2024 compared to a cash use of $152.1 million for the same period in 2023.

Working capital requirements were lower in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the changes noted above. The change in inventories working capital primarily reflects the extensive efforts to reduce inventory levels in 2023 (source of cash) versus targeted inventory builds in 2024 in advance of two Polymer plant maintenance turnarounds and a third quarter 2024 inventory build in preparation for the hurricane season (use of cash). The change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities was due in large part to lower 2024 cash outlays required to meet lower incentive-based compensation, tax and other year-end obligations closely linked to lower 2023 earnings. It is management’s opinion that the Company’s liquidity is sufficient to provide for potential increases in working capital requirements during 2024.

Investing Activities

Cash used for investing activities decreased $131.2 million year-over-year. Cash used for capital expenditures was $86.6 million in the first nine months of 2024 versus $213.6 million in the same period of 2023. The lower capital spending in 2024 was largely attributable to reduced spending required to complete construction of the alkoxylation plant the Company is building at its Pasadena, Texas site.

For 2024, the Company estimates that total capital expenditures will be in the range of $120.0 million to $125.0 million. This full year projected spending includes completion of the new alkoxylation plant that is being built in Pasadena, Texas, along with growth initiatives, infrastructure and optimization initiatives.

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Financing Activities

Cash flow from financing activities was a source of $6.9 million in 2024 versus a source of $36.6 million in 2023. The year-over-year change was primarily due to a lower level of borrowings against the Company's revolving credit facility and higher scheduled debt repayments in 2024 versus the comparable period in 2023.

The Company purchases shares of its common stock in the open market or from its benefit plans from time to time to fund its own benefit plans and to mitigate the dilutive effect of new shares issued under its compensation plans. The Company may, from time to time, seek to purchase additional amounts of its outstanding equity and/or retire debt securities through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock on the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. At September 30, 2024, the Company had $125.1 million remaining under the share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors.

Debt and Credit Facilities

Consolidated balance sheet debt increased from $654.1 million on December 31, 2023 to $688.5 million on September 30, 2024, primarily due to domestic borrowings from the Company’s revolving credit facility partially offset by scheduled debt repayments. Net debt (which is defined as total debt minus cash – see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt” section of this MD&A) increased $16.9 million, from $524.3 million at December 31, 2023 to $541.2 million at September 30, 2024. This change reflects a cash increase of $17.5 million and a total debt increase of $34.4 million.

As of September 30, 2024, the ratio of net debt to net debt plus shareholders’ equity was 30.7 percent versus 30.0 percent at December 31, 2023 (see the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt” section in this MD&A for further details). On September 30, 2024, the Company’s debt included $311.6 million of unsecured notes, with maturities ranging from 2024 through 2032, that were issued to insurance companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements (the Note Purchase Agreements), a $91.3 million delayed draw term loan borrowed pursuant to the Company's credit agreement, $278.7 million of short term loans borrowed under the Company's revolving credit facility and $6.9 million of foreign credit line borrowings. The proceeds from the note issuances have been the Company’s primary source of long-term debt financing and are supplemented by borrowings under bank credit facilities to meet short and medium-term liquidity needs. On August 27, 2024, the Company entered into amendments to two of its note purchase agreements to increase the available facility amounts and extend the end date of the issuance period to August 27, 2027.

The Company's credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with a syndicate of banks provides for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million, consisting of (a) a $350.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $100.0 million delayed draw term loan credit facility, each of which matures on June 24, 2027. The Company's credit agreement with Credit Industriel et Commercial NY (the CIC Credit Agreement) provides for a credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $8.7 million. The facility is for the sole purpose of the issuance of standby letters of credit. The Company also maintains import and export letters of credit, and standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the Credit Agreement and under the CIC Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had outstanding borrowings totaling $370.0 million, inclusive of a $91.3 million delayed draw term loan, and letters of credit totaling $11.4 million under the Credit Agreement, with $59.9 million remaining available. As of September 30, 2024, the Company also had an outstanding letter of credit of $8.7 million under the CIC Credit Agreement.

The Company anticipates that cash from operations, committed credit facilities and cash on hand will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures, working capital, dividends and other planned financial commitments for the foreseeable future.

Certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company maintain short-term bank lines of credit in their respective local currencies to meet working capital requirements as well as to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. At September 30, 2024, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries had $6.9 million of outstanding debt.

The Company is subject to covenants under its material debt agreements that require the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and minimum net worth. These debt covenants also limit the incurrence of additional debt as well as the payment of dividends and repurchase of shares. Under the most restrictive of these debt covenants:

| 1. | The Company is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, as defined within the agreements, of 3.50 to 1.00, for the preceding four calendar quarters.

| 2. | The Company is required to maintain an existing maximum net leverage ratio, as defined within the agreements, not to exceed 3.75 to 1.00.

| 3. | The Company is required to maintain net worth of at least $750.0 million.

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| 4. | The Company is permitted to pay dividends and purchase treasury shares after June 24, 2022, in amounts of up to $100.0 million plus 100 percent of net income and cash proceeds of stock option exercises, measured cumulatively beginning January 1, 2022. The maximum amount of dividends that could have been paid within this limitation is disclosed as unrestricted retained earnings in Note 14, Debt, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

The Company believes it was in compliance with the covenants under its material debt agreements as of September 30, 2024.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

The Company’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and similar laws in the other countries in which the Company does business. Although the Company's environmental policies and practices are designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, future developments and increasingly stringent environmental regulation may require the Company to make additional unforeseen environmental expenditures. The Company will continue to invest in the equipment and facilities necessary to comply with existing and future regulations. During the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, the Company’s expenditures for capital projects related to environmental matters were $7.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. These projects are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which are typically 10 years. Recurring costs associated with the operation and maintenance of facilities for waste treatment and disposal and managing environmental compliance in ongoing operations at the Company’s manufacturing locations were $40.0 million and $27.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by the government as a potentially responsible party at a number of waste disposal sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred under CERCLA and similar state or foreign statutes. In addition, the Company is from time to time involved in routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including personal injury, property damage, tax, trade and labor matters. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely to incur with respect to these claims. It is the Company’s accounting policy to record liabilities when environmental assessments, remediation expenses or legal proceeding losses are probable, and the cost or range of possible costs can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum is accrued. Estimating the possible costs of environmental remediation requires making assumptions related to the nature and extent of contamination and the methods and resulting costs of remediation. Some of the factors on which the Company bases its estimates include information provided by decisions rendered by State and Federal environmental regulatory agencies, information provided by feasibility studies, and remedial action plans developed. After partial remediation payments at certain sites, the Company has estimated a range of possible environmental and legal losses of $21.5 million to $48.9 million at September 30, 2024 and $20.6 million to $49.4 million at December 31, 2023. Within the range of possible environmental and legal losses, management has currently concluded that no single amount is more likely to occur than any other amounts in the range and, thus, has accrued at the lower end of the range. The Company's environmental and legal accruals totaled $21.5 million at September 30, 2024 and $20.6 million at December 31, 2023. Because the liabilities accrued are estimates, actual amounts could differ materially from the amounts reported. Cash expenditures related to environmental remediation and certain other legal matters approximated $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $11.4 million for the same period in 2023.

For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Based on the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, management believes that the Company has no material liability at these sites and that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. Certain of these matters are discussed in Item 1, Part 2, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Legal Proceedings, in this report and in other filings of the Company with the SEC, which are available upon request from the Company. See also Note 8, Contingencies, in the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for a summary of the significant environmental proceedings related to certain sites.

OUTLOOK

Management is pleased that several of its Surfactant businesses delivered strong volume growth in the quarter. Agricultural sales volumes grew double-digits in the third quarter, which aligns with the Company's expectations for a second half 2024 recovery. Rigid Polyols demand should increase as the market gets more macro-economic clarity and the interest rate environment improves. Free cash flow should continue to improve driven by the completion of the Company's Pasadena investment, growth in market volumes, and the

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Company's continued focus on cost reduction. Management believes the Company is positioned to deliver full year Adjusted EBIDTA growth and positive free cash flow.

For explanations of non-GAAP measures (EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow), see NON-GAAP reconciliations discussion below.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company’s performance and financial condition. Internally, the Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to assist in analyzing what management views as the Company’s core operating performance for purposes of business decision making. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with useful supplemental information because they (i) provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding items affecting comparability between periods, (ii) permit investors to view performance using the same tools that management uses to budget, make operating and strategic decisions and evaluate the Company’s core operating performance across periods, and (iii) otherwise provide supplemental information that may be useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s financial results. In addition, the Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those GAAP financial measures, provides investors with additional tools to understand the factors and trends affecting the Company’s underlying business than could be obtained absent these disclosures. These measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures. For example, the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this Form 10-Q may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures the same way as the Company does.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted net income metrics to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items. The cumulative tax effect was calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the noted transactions occurred.

|  | Three Months Ended |
(In millions, except per share amounts) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | September 30, 2023 |
|  | Net Income |  |  | Diluted EPS |  |  | Net Income |  |  | Diluted EPS |
Net Income Attributable to the Company as Reported |  | $ | 23.6 |  |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 12.6 |  |  | $ | 0.55 |
Deferred Compensation Income (including related investment activity) |  |  | (0.5 | ) |  |  | (0.02 | ) |  |  | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (0.12 | )
Business Restructuring Expense |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.6 |  |  |  | 0.24 |
Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (Income) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  | — |
Environmental Remediation Expense |  |  | 0.6 |  |  |  | 0.02 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Cumulative Tax Effect on Above Adjustment Items |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.7 | ) |  |  | (0.03 | )
Adjusted Net Income |  | $ | 23.7 |  |  | $ | 1.03 |  |  | $ | 14.7 |  |  | $ | 0.64 |

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|  | Nine Months Ended |
(In millions, except per share amounts) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | September 30, 2023 |
|  | Net Income |  |  | Diluted EPS |  |  | Net Income |  |  | Diluted EPS |
Net Income Attributable to the Company as Reported |  | $ | 47.0 |  |  | $ | 2.05 |  |  | $ | 41.4 |  |  | $ | 1.80 |
Deferred Compensation (Income)(including related investment activity) |  |  | (1.4 | ) |  |  | (0.06 | ) |  |  | (3.7 | ) |  |  | (0.16 | )
Business Restructuring Expense |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.8 |  |  |  | 0.25 |
Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (Income) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.2 | ) |  |  | (0.01 | )
Environmental Remediation Expense |  |  | 2.3 |  |  |  | 0.10 |  |  |  | 0.5 |  |  |  | 0.02 |
Cumulative Tax Effect on Above Adjustment Items |  |  | (0.2 | ) |  |  | (0.01 | ) |  |  | (0.6 | ) |  |  | (0.02 | )
Adjusted Net Income |  | $ | 47.7 |  |  | $ | 2.08 |  |  | $ | 43.2 |  |  | $ | 1.88 |

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Management uses the non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA metrics to evaluate the Company's operating performance. Management excludes the items listed in the table below because they are non-operational items. Refer to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for a bridge between Operating Income and Net Income.

|  | Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
($ in millions) |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty Products |  |  | Unallocated Corporate |  |  | Consolidated |
Operating Income |  | $ | 26.3 |  |  | $ | 15.2 |  |  | $ | 3.7 |  |  | $ | (21.3 | ) |  | $ | 23.9 |
Depreciation and Amortization |  |  | 17.9 |  |  |  | 8.2 |  |  |  | 1.5 |  |  |  | 0.5 |  |  |  | 28.1 |
Other, Net Income |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1.0 |  |  |  | 1.0 |
EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 53.0 |
Deferred Compensation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.4 | ) |  |  | (0.4 | )
Environmental Remediation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 0.5 |  |  |  | 0.5 |
Adjusted EBITDA |  | $ | 44.2 |  |  | $ | 23.4 |  |  | $ | 5.2 |  |  | $ | (19.7 | ) |  | $ | 53.1 |
|  | Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
($ in millions) |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty Products |  |  | Unallocated Corporate |  |  | Consolidated |
Operating Income |  | $ | 15.4 |  |  | $ | 21.8 |  |  | $ | 2.4 |  |  | $ | (20.1 | ) |  | $ | 19.5 |
Depreciation and Amortization |  |  | 16.3 |  |  |  | 7.9 |  |  |  | 1.5 |  |  |  | 0.6 |  |  |  | 26.3 |
Other, Net Income |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.7 | ) |  |  | (0.7 | )
EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 45.1 |
Deferred Compensation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (2.7 | ) |  |  | (2.7 | )
Cash Settled SARs |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.1 | )
Business Restructuring |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.6 |  |  |  | 5.6 |
Environmental Remediation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 0.1 |  |  |  | 0.1 |
Adjusted EBITDA |  | $ | 31.6 |  |  | $ | 29.7 |  |  | $ | 3.9 |  |  | $ | (17.2 | ) |  | $ | 48.0 |

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|  | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
($ in millions) |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty Products |  |  | Unallocated Corporate |  |  | Consolidated |
Operating Income |  | $ | 69.4 |  |  | $ | 37.2 |  |  | $ | 15.3 |  |  | $ | (59.2 | ) |  | $ | 62.7 |
Depreciation and Amortization |  |  | 53.5 |  |  |  | 24.4 |  |  |  | 4.5 |  |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |  | 83.7 |
Other, Net Income |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4.6 |  |  |  | 4.6 |
EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 151.0 |
Deferred Compensation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (1.4 | ) |  |  | (1.4 | )
Environmental Remediation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2.3 |  |  |  | 2.3 |
Adjusted EBITDA |  | $ | 122.9 |  |  | $ | 61.6 |  |  | $ | 19.8 |  |  | $ | (52.4 | ) |  | $ | 151.9 |
|  | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 |
($ in millions) |  | Surfactants |  |  | Polymers |  |  | Specialty Products |  |  | Unallocated Corporate |  |  | Consolidated |
Operating Income |  | $ | 57.5 |  |  | $ | 48.1 |  |  | $ | 8.7 |  |  | $ | (56.0 | ) |  | $ | 58.3 |
Depreciation and Amortization |  |  | 47.7 |  |  |  | 24.5 |  |  |  | 4.3 |  |  |  | 1.9 |  |  |  | 78.4 |
Other, Net Income |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3.3 |  |  |  | 3.3 |
EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 140.0 |
Deferred Compensation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (3.7 | ) |  |  | (3.7 | )
Cash Settled SARs |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | (0.1 | )
Business Restructuring |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 0.5 |  |  |  | 0.5 |
Environmental Remediation |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 5.8 |  |  |  | 5.8 |
Adjusted EBITDA |  | $ | 105.1 |  |  | $ | 72.6 |  |  | $ | 13.0 |  |  | $ | (48.2 | ) |  | $ | 142.5 |

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt

Management uses the non-GAAP net debt metric to gain a more complete picture of the Company’s overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage level.

(In millions) |  | September 30, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt as Reported |  | $ | 339.8 |  |  | $ | 252.9 |
Long-Term Debt as Reported |  |  | 348.7 |  |  |  | 401.2 |
Total Debt as Reported |  |  | 688.5 |  |  |  | 654.1 |
Less Cash and Cash Equivalents as Reported |  |  | (147.3 | ) |  |  | (129.8 | )
Net Debt |  | $ | 541.2 |  |  | $ | 524.3 |
Equity |  | $ | 1,219.4 |  |  | $ | 1,216.5 |
Net Debt plus Equity |  | $ | 1,760.6 |  |  | $ | 1,740.8 |
Net Debt/Net Debt plus Equity |  |  | 31 | % |  |  | 30 | %

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Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes to the market risks described in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

a.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of September 30, 2024. Based on this evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024, such that the information required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Exchange Act and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

b.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

SEC regulations require the Company to disclose certain information about administrative or judicial proceedings involving certain environmental matters to which a governmental authority is a party if the Company reasonably believes that such proceedings may result in monetary sanctions above a specified threshold. Pursuant to SEC regulations, the Company has adopted a threshold of $1.0 million for purposes of determining whether disclosure of any such proceedings is required. The Company believes that this threshold is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of any such proceedings that are material to its business or financial condition.

There have been no material changes to the legal proceedings disclosed in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the modification of the risk factor set forth below:

Interruption of, damage to or compromise of the Company’s IT systems, failure to maintain the integrity of customer, colleague or Company data or illegal or fraudulent activities committed against the Company could harm the Company’s reputation and have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company relies on IT systems in its operations, including production, supply chain, research and development, finance, human resource and regulatory functions. The Company’s ability to effectively manage its business depends on the security, reliability and adequacy of these systems. IT system failures due to events including but not limited to network disruptions, programming errors, computer viruses and security breaches (e.g., cyber-attacks) could impact production activities, impede shipment of products, cause delays or cancellations of customer orders, or hamper the processing of transactions or reporting of financial results. These or similar occurrences, whether accidental or intentional, could result in theft, unauthorized use or publication of our intellectual property or confidential business information of our employees, customers, suppliers or other third parties, which could harm our reputation and competitive position, reduce the value of our investments in research and development and other strategic initiatives, result in a loss of business, as well as remedial and other costs, fines, investigations, enforcement actions or lawsuits or otherwise materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

During the normal course of business, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience attempts to compromise our information and communications technology and related systems. Despite the security measures the Company has in place, the Company’s customers’ and suppliers’ information and operational technology systems could be vulnerable to cyber-threats such as computer viruses or other malicious codes, security breaches, unauthorized access, phishing attacks and other disruptions from system failures, including network outages, unintentional or malicious actions of employees or contractors or cyber-attacks by hackers, criminal groups, nation-states and nation-state-sponsored organizations. In addition, if a material, actual or perceived breach of our security

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occurs, the public perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose customers or suppliers. Any such material disruptions or breaches of security could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The defensive measures and training that we take to limit and manage threats, especially cyber-related and social engineering threats, to our business may not adequately anticipate, prevent or mitigate harm we may suffer from such threats. Criminals use evolving and increasingly sophisticated methods of perpetrating illegal and fraudulent activities. For example, we determined in July 2024 that one of the Company’s subsidiaries in Asia was the victim of criminal social engineering scheme that resulted in a series of fraudulently-induced outbound payments for which the Company recognized pre-tax charges of $3,500,000 and $3,300,000 for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively. See Note 17, Other Matter, of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the criminal social engineering scheme. Fraudulent activities committed against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company continues to develop and enhance controls and security measures designed to protect against the risk of theft, loss or fraudulent or unlawful use of customer, supplier, third party, employee or Company data, or illegal or fraudulent activities committed against the Company and it maintains an ongoing process to re-evaluate the adequacy of its controls and measures. The Company may also be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance its privacy and security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any vulnerabilities. The Company maintains what it believes to be adequate and collectible insurance in the event of the theft, loss, fraudulent or unlawful use of customer, supplier, third party, employee or Company data, but any such occurrences could result in costs that may not be covered or may be in excess of any available insurance that the Company may have procured. While the Company has a comprehensive program in place for continuously reviewing, maintaining, testing and upgrading its IT systems and security, there can be no assurance that such efforts will prevent breakdowns of or breaches in Company IT systems or illegal or fraudulent activities committed against the Company that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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

Below is a summary by month of share purchases by the Company during the third quarter of 2024:

Month |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased |  |  |  | Average Price Paid per Share |  |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) |  |  | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) |
July 2024 |  |  | 1,583 |  | (2) |  | $ | 90.45 |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 125,050,905 |
August 2024 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 125,050,905 |
September 2024 |  |  | 162 |  | (3) |  | $ | 75.76 |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 125,050,905 |
Total |  |  | 1,745 |  |  |  | $ | 89.09 |  |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 125,050,905 |

(1)
On October 20, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000 of its outstanding common stock. Under this program, which does not have an expiration date, repurchases may be made from time to time through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or a combination of the foregoing, subject to applicable laws.
(2)
Includes 1,571 and 12 shares of the Company's common stock surrendered by employees to settle statutory withholding taxes related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights and the distribution of restricted stock units, respectively.
(3)
Includes 28 and 134 shares of the Company's common stock surrendered by employees to settle statutory withholding taxes related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights and the distribution of restricted stock units, respectively.

Item 3 – Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

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Item 5 – Other Information

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 6 – Exhibits

Exhibit No. |  | Description
31.1 | – | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.2 | – | Certification of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a- 14(a)/15d-14(a)
32 | – | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS | – | Inline 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 | – | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbases Document
104 | – | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURES

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.

STEPAN COMPANY

Date: November 6, 2024

/s/ Samuel S. Hinrichsen
Samuel S. Hinrichsen
Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer

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