"We delivered a strong quarter driven by continued growth across our portfolio," said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin. "Our results demonstrate continued robust demand and reinforce our positive long-term outlook. Despite supply chain challenges impacting our input costs and factory output, our team has gone to great lengths to deliver superior products and solutions to our customers. We are helping to address critical societal needs, including climate change, indoor air quality, and the safe distribution of food and vaccines. Our future growth will be driven by our differentiated products and solutions, which are supported by secular tailwinds propelling our healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions."
Third Quarter 2021 Results
Carrier's third quarter sales of $5.3 billion were up 7% compared to the prior year and organic sales were up 4% over the same period. Sales strength continued in the HVAC segment, with strong light commercial and aftermarket sales performance offsetting the expected modest North American residential HVAC decline in the quarter. Organic sales growth of 14% for the Refrigeration segment was driven by strong Transport refrigeration growth. Fire and Security sales were up 2% organically driven by Fire and Security products growth. All segments were impacted by cost and availability headwinds related to supply chain challenges. GAAP operating profit in the quarter of $828 million was down 23% from last year and adjusted operating profit of $858 million was down 1%. These results reflect higher volume and price realization offset by increased supply chain costs and the absence of prior year cost containment activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. GAAP operating profit comparisons were also impacted by the absence of a 2020 gain on the sale of Beijer shares held as an investment.Net income was $469 million, and adjusted net income was $630 million. GAAP EPS of $0.53 and adjusted EPS of $0.71 included about a $0.05 benefit from a lower adjusted effective tax rate. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $579 million and capital expenditures were $74 million, resulting in free cash flow of $505 million.