https://www.avient.com/resource-center?document_type=0&form_build_id=form-UG1SadN_IzwjaEoNv2mxi93WqDtETQ5gclbi1PCnUm0&form_id=resource_filter_form&industry=0&op=FILTER RESULTS&product_family=80&product_name=0&product_subfamily=0&page=1
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/resources/AVNT Fermium Conference - May 2023 w NonGAAP Recs.pdf
National Defense budget of $842 billion submitted to Congress in Q1 2023 • European NATO members annual defense spend expected to increase by up to 20% Where Avient Wins: Dyneema® is the world’s strongest fiber™ One of the highest strength to weight ratios of any material on Earth Direct relationships with industry leading armor manufacturers Resistant to most chemicals, UV, and moisture to handle any environment Avient Confidential 17 DEFENSE Source: US Department of Defense, defense.gov, NATO17 Source: TRANSPORTATION • Increased EPA regulations requiring improved fuel efficiency, enabled in part by lower-weight vehicles • Automakers preparing for 2/3 of U.S. vehicles to be 100% electric by 2032 Where Avient Wins: Lightweight panels that establish both strength and stiffness resulting in decreased energy usage, lower emissions Long-lasting Color applications to resist UV exposure, temperature fluctuations and exceed the stylistic requirements of global automakers 18 $130 $530 Q2 FY $0.60 $2.40 Q2 FY 2023 GUIDANCE 19 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $845 $3,400 Q2 FY Adjusted EPS (in millions) (in millions) CASH FLOW / LEVERAGE 20 • Maintaining free cash flow and leverage guidance from February earnings call • IT investment to further integrate acquired businesses and capture operational efficiencies • Restructuring actions to streamline operations and improve profitability, primarily in Europe ($ millions) 2023E Cash Flow from Operating Activities 350$ Less: Run-Rate CapEx (110) CapEx for IT System Upgrade (25) CapEx for Restructuring (15) Total CapEx (150) Free Cash Flow 200$ Adjusted EBITDA 530$ Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA 2.9x LONG-TERM REVENUE GROWTH DRIVERS Growth Drivers Long-Term Growth Rate Sustainable Solutions 8–12% Healthcare 8–10% Composites 10% Asia / LATAM 5% Other (GDP growth) 2–3% Avient 6.5% 21 Sustainable Solutions 32% Asia / LATAM 15% Composites 8% Healthcare 6% Other (GDP Growth) 39% • Virtual presentation to be held September 20, 2023 • The company will be conducting an investor-focused presentation around our sustainability solutions portfolio Avient Confidential 22 SUSTAINABILITY INVESTOR DAY 22 $340M $405M $455M $550M $790M $915M 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020PF** 2021 2022PF*** SUSTAINABILITY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Revenue From Sustainable Solutions* 2016-2022 ($ in millions) Organic Future Growth Revenue Assumptions From Sustainable Solutions: 8 - 12% 23 *Avient Sustainable Solutions definitions aligned with FTC 2012 Guide for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (“Green Guides”) **2020 is Pro Forma to include full year of the Clariant Color business ***2022 is Pro Forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials and the divestiture of Distribution $1,175M Lightweighting Eco-Conscious Recycle Solutions VOC Reduction Sustainable Infrastructure Human Health & Safety Reduced Energy Use Bio-polymers SUSTAINABILITY NEEDS BY MARKET B&C • Eco-Conscious • Carbon footprint • Resource conservation Healthcare • Carbon footprint • Bio based content • Eco-Conscious Automotive • Light weighting • Recycled Content • VOC reduction Consumer • Recycle Solutions • Light weighting • Carbon Footprint Packaging • Recycle Solutions • Light weighting • Food waste reduction Common Theme: CO2 Emission Goals Increasing Single-Use Plastic Regulation 24 INVESTING IN INNOVATION S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y P O R T F O L I O 25 AP P EN D IX 28 RAW MATERIAL 2022 ANNUAL PURCHASES Performance Additives 16% Pigments 12% TiO2 10% Dyestuffs 2% Polyethylene 11% Nylon 6% Polypropylene 5% Styrenic Block Copolymer 5% Other Raw Materials 33% ~40% hydrocarbon based (Grey shaded materials are hydrocarbon based, includes portion of “Other Raw Materials”) Non-hydrocarbon based materials • Cost inflation decelerating, particularly for hydrocarbon-based raw materials 2022 pro forma results for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials SEGMENT DATA U.S. & Canada 40% EMEA 37% Asia 18% Latin America 5% 2022 PRO FORMA SEGMENT, END MARKET AND GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY REVENUESEGMENT FINANCIALS Consumer 20% Packaging 24% Industrial 15% Building and Construction 10% Telecommunications 4% Energy 4% Defense 6% END MARKET REVENUE $2,355M $402M $1,300M $272M Sales EBITDA Specialty Engineered Materials Color Additives and Inks $592M$3,653M (1) Transportation 9% Healthcare 8% 30 (1) Total company sales and adjusted EBITDA of $3,653M and $592M, respectively, include intercompany sales eliminations and corporate costs C O L O R , A D D I T I V E S & I N K S 2022 REVENUE | $2 .4 B ILL ION US & Canada 34% EMEA 38% Asia 20% Latin America 8% END MARKET REGION 31 Packaging 34% Consumer 21% Healthcare 8% Industrial 15% Transportation 8% Building & Construction 11% Telecommunications 1% Energy 2% S P E C I A LT Y E N G I N E E R E D M AT E R I A L S 2022 PRO FORMA REVENUE | $1 .3 B ILL ION END MARKET US & Canada 52% EMEA 35% Asia 13% REGION 32 Packaging 5% Consumer 19% Healthcare 8%Industrial 16% Transportation 10% Telecommunications 10% Energy 9% Defense 15% Building & Construction 8% Packaging 32% Consumer 27% Healthcare 8% Industrial 14% Building & Construction 5% Telecommunications 3% Energy 1% Defense 1% Asia (18% of sales) Transportation 9% 2022 PROFORMA AVIENT REGIONAL SALES BY END MARKET Packaging 27% Consumer 14% Healthcare 5% Industrial 17% Building & Construction 10% Energy 5% Defense 8% EMEA (37% of sales)Transportation 11% Packaging 13% Consumer 24% Healthcare 12% Industrial 15% Building & Construction 13% Energy 5% Defense 5% US & Canada (40% of sales) Transportation 7% Packaging 56% Consumer 23% Healthcare 4% Industrial 7% Building & Construction 4% Telecommunications 1% LATAM (5% of sales) Transportation 5% Telecommunications 3% Telecommunications 6% 33 PEER COMPARISONS AVIENT IS ASSET LIGHT Capex / Revenue 2023E (%) Avient Specialty Formulators Other Specialty / Chemical Companies Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of April 28, 2023 Note: Avient reflects 2023 estimated revenue of $3,400 and estimated run-rate CAPEX of $110M. 35 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 5 5 5 6 7 9 A vi en t K W R P P G F U L R P M A V Y F M C H U N H X L C E E C L A S H E M N S C L FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of April 28, 2023 Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2022-07/Avient Announces Second Quarter 2022 Results_1.pdf
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks, including recessionary conditions; the current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; information systems failures and cyberattacks; amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; any material adverse changes in the Dyneema Business; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the Dyneema Acquisition, and the possible sale of the Distribution business segment; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates, changes in the rate of inflation and any recessionary conditions.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/avnt-q3-2021-earnings-presentation_0.pdf
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: • Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; • The effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; • The current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows, including without any limitation, any supply chain and logistics issues; • Our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Clariant’s Color business, including any expected synergies; • Changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; • Fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; • Production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; • Unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; • An inability to achieve the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisition and integration working capital reductions, cost reductions and employee productivity goals; • Our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; • Information systems failures and cyberattacks; • Our ability to consummate and successfully integrate acquisitions; • Amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; and • Other factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/avnt-first-quarter-2021-news-release.pdf
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; the current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Clariant's Masterbatch business, including any expected synergies; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to achieve the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisition and integration working capital reductions, cost reductions and employee productivity goals; our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; information systems failures and cyberattacks; our ability to consummate and successfully integrate acquisitions; and amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2023-05/AVNT Q1 2023 Earnings Presentation.pdf
National Defense budget of $842 billion submitted to Congress in Q1 2023 • European NATO members annual defense spend expected to increase by up to 20% Where Avient Wins: Dyneema® is the world’s strongest fiber™ One of the highest strength to weight ratios of any material on Earth Direct relationships with industry leading armor manufacturers Resistant to most chemicals, UV, and moisture to handle any environment Avient Confidential 13 DEFENSE Source: US Department of Defense, defense.gov, NATO13 Source: TRANSPORTATION • Increased EPA regulations requiring improved fuel efficiency, enabled in part by lower-weight vehicles • Automakers preparing for 2/3 of U.S. vehicles to be 100% electric by 2032 Where Avient Wins: Lightweight panels that establish both strength and stiffness resulting in decreased energy usage, lower emissions Long-lasting Color applications to resist UV exposure, temperature fluctuations and exceed the stylistic requirements of global automakers 14 $130 $530 Q2 FY $0.60 $2.40 Q2 FY 2023 GUIDANCE 15 Sales Adjusted EBITDA $845 $3,400 Q2 FY Adjusted EPS (in millions) (in millions) CASH FLOW / LEVERAGE 16 • Maintaining free cash flow and leverage guidance from February earnings call • IT investment to further integrate acquired businesses and capture operational efficiencies • Restructuring actions to streamline operations and improve profitability, primarily in Europe ($ millions) 2023E Cash Flow from Operating Activities 350$ Less: Run-Rate CapEx (110) CapEx for IT System Upgrade (25) CapEx for Restructuring (15) Total CapEx (150) Free Cash Flow 200$ Adjusted EBITDA 530$ Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA 2.9x LONG-TERM REVENUE GROWTH DRIVERS Growth Drivers Long-Term Growth Rate Sustainable Solutions 8–12% Healthcare 8–10% Composites 10% Asia / LATAM 5% Other (GDP growth) 2–3% Avient 6.5% 17 Sustainable Solutions 32% Asia / LATAM 15% Composites 8% Healthcare 6% Other (GDP Growth) 39% • Virtual presentation to be held September 20, 2023 • The company will be conducting an investor-focused presentation around our sustainability solutions portfolio Avient Confidential 18 SUSTAINABILITY INVESTOR DAY 18 $340M $405M $455M $550M $790M $915M 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020PF** 2021 2022PF*** SUSTAINABILITY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Revenue From Sustainable Solutions* 2016-2022 ($ in millions) Organic Future Growth Revenue Assumptions From Sustainable Solutions: 8 - 12% 19 *Avient Sustainable Solutions definitions aligned with FTC 2012 Guide for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (“Green Guides”) **2020 is Pro Forma to include full year of the Clariant Color business ***2022 is Pro Forma for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials and the divestiture of Distribution $1,175M Lightweighting Eco-Conscious Recycle Solutions VOC Reduction Sustainable Infrastructure Human Health & Safety Reduced Energy Use Bio-polymers SUSTAINABILITY NEEDS BY MARKET B&C • Eco-Conscious • Carbon footprint • Resource conservation Healthcare • Carbon footprint • Bio based content • Eco-Conscious Automotive • Light weighting • Recycled Content • VOC reduction Consumer • Recycle Solutions • Light weighting • Carbon Footprint Packaging • Recycle Solutions • Light weighting • Food waste reduction Common Theme: CO2 Emission Goals Increasing Single-Use Plastic Regulation 20 INVESTING IN INNOVATION S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y P O R T F O L I O 21 AP P EN D IX 24 RAW MATERIAL 2022 ANNUAL PURCHASES Performance Additives 16% Pigments 12% TiO2 10% Dyestuffs 2% Polyethylene 11% Nylon 6% Polypropylene 5% Styrenic Block Copolymer 5% Other Raw Materials 33% ~40% hydrocarbon based (Grey shaded materials are hydrocarbon based, includes portion of “Other Raw Materials”) Non-hydrocarbon based materials • Cost inflation decelerating, particularly for hydrocarbon-based raw materials 2022 pro forma results for the acquisition of Avient Protective Materials SEGMENT DATA U.S. & Canada 40% EMEA 37% Asia 18% Latin America 5% 2022 PRO FORMA SEGMENT, END MARKET AND GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY REVENUESEGMENT FINANCIALS Consumer 20% Packaging 24% Industrial 15% Building and Construction 10% Telecommunications 4% Energy 4% Defense 6% END MARKET REVENUE $2,355M $402M $1,300M $272M Sales EBITDA Specialty Engineered Materials Color Additives and Inks $592M$3,653M (1) Transportation 9% Healthcare 8% 26 (1) Total company sales and adjusted EBITDA of $3,653M and $592M, respectively, include intercompany sales eliminations and corporate costs C O L O R , A D D I T I V E S & I N K S 2022 REVENUE | $2 .4 B ILL ION US & Canada 34% EMEA 38% Asia 20% Latin America 8% END MARKET REGION 27 Packaging 34% Consumer 21% Healthcare 8% Industrial 15% Transportation 8% Building & Construction 11% Telecommunications 1% Energy 2% S P E C I A LT Y E N G I N E E R E D M AT E R I A L S 2022 PRO FORMA REVENUE | $1 .3 B ILL ION END MARKET US & Canada 52% EMEA 35% Asia 13% REGION 28 Packaging 5% Consumer 19% Healthcare 8%Industrial 16% Transportation 10% Telecommunications 10% Energy 9% Defense 15% Building & Construction 8% Packaging 32% Consumer 27% Healthcare 8% Industrial 14% Building & Construction 5% Telecommunications 3% Energy 1% Defense 1% Asia (18% of sales) Transportation 9% 2022 PROFORMA AVIENT REGIONAL SALES BY END MARKET Packaging 27% Consumer 14% Healthcare 5% Industrial 17% Building & Construction 10% Energy 5% Defense 8% EMEA (37% of sales)Transportation 11% Packaging 13% Consumer 24% Healthcare 12% Industrial 15% Building & Construction 13% Energy 5% Defense 5% US & Canada (40% of sales) Transportation 7% Packaging 56% Consumer 23% Healthcare 4% Industrial 7% Building & Construction 4% Telecommunications 1% LATAM (5% of sales) Transportation 5% Telecommunications 3% Telecommunications 6% 29 PEER COMPARISONS AVIENT IS ASSET LIGHT Capex / Revenue 2023E (%) Avient Specialty Formulators Other Specialty / Chemical Companies Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of April 28, 2023 Note: Avient reflects 2023 estimated revenue of $3,400 and estimated run-rate CAPEX of $110M. 31 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 5 5 5 6 7 9 A vi en t K W R P P G F U L R P M A V Y F M C H U N H X L C E E C L A S H E M N S C L FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION Source: Peer data per Bloomberg as of April 28, 2023 Note: Free cash flow conversion calculated as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/AVNT January IR Presentation_w Non-Gaap Recs.pdf
WHAT WE DO: WE ARE A FORMULATOR CUSTOM FORMULATION 6 N OVE MBE R 2 , 2023 W E BCAS T P RE S E N TAT I O N Complementary technologies and customer relationships offer opportunity to advance commercial strategy Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, to accelerate growth of sustainable, ultralight and high performance applications AVIENT PROTECTIVE MATERIALS FIRST YEAR 8 Composites comprises over half of Specialty Engineered Materials, compared to 9% in 2016 Proven history of success in areas such as outdoor high performance, defense and sustainable solutions Composites 44% 56% 2023E Sales Collaboration & InnovationComposites as a % of SEM People & Culture Talented, passionate, and creative associates drive continued integration success and allow two cultures to come together as one Avient Lightweight Protective Laminates: PROJECTILE PROTECTION Dyneema® Fiber Solutions Cushioning + Fit + Comfort: LONG-TERM WEAR reSound™ Versaflex™ Thermoplastic Elastomers Strength + Durability + Light-Weighting: SOLID MOUNTING BRACKETS Nymax™ Bergamid™ Complēt™ Engineered Materials Durability + Lubricity: HELMET LATCHES Lubri-One™ Internally Lubricated Polymers Color Consistency and Weatherability CUSTOMIZED SPECIFICATIONS Avient Color and Additive Solutions Antennae Performance FAST, RELIABLE CONNECTIONS PREPERM™ Low-Loss Dielectric Thermoplastics AVIENT PROTECTIVE MATERIALS CROSS SELLING OPPORTUNITIES Wired Connections CONSTANT COMMUNICATION Syncure™ Cross-linkable Wire & Cable Formulations9 10 AVIENT PROTECTIVE MATERIALS CROSS SELLING OPPORTUNITIES 10 Q 3 P E RFO RMAN CE 15.4% 16.3% 2022 PF 2023 Results vs.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2022-02/AVNT Q4 2021 Earnings Presentation_0.pdf
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: • Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; • The effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; • The current and potential future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows, including without any limitation, any supply chain and logistics issues; • Changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; • Fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; • Production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; • Unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; • Our ability to pay regular quarterly cash dividends and the amounts and timing of any future dividends; • Information systems failures and cyberattacks; • Amounts for cash and non-cash charges related to restructuring plans that may differ from original estimates, including because of timing changes associated with the underlying actions; and • Other factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
https://www.avient.com/investor-center/news/avient-announces-second-quarter-2020-results
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on our business, results from operations, financial condition and liquidity; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Clariant's color and additive masterbatch business, including any expected synergies; our ability to successfully integrate Clariant's color and additive masterbatch business and achieve the expected results of the acquisition of Clariant's color and additive masterbatch business, including, without limitation, the acquisition being accretive; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; changes in global industry capacity or in the rate at which anticipated changes in industry capacity come online; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an ability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisitions and integration, working capital reductions, costs reductions and employee productivity goals; information systems failures and cyberattacks; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including, without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the rate of inflation.
https://www.avient.com/investor-center/news/avient-announces-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2020-results-and-provides-guidance-2021
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on our business, results from operations, financial condition and liquidity; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives relating to the acquisition of Clariant's Masterbatch business, including any expected synergies; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; changes in polymer consumption growth rates and laws and regulations regarding plastics in jurisdictions where we conduct business; changes in global industry capacity or in the rate at which anticipated changes in industry capacity come online; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply, and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends including at the increased rate; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an ability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to acquisitions and integration, working capital reductions, costs reductions and employee productivity goals; information systems failures and cyberattacks; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including, without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the rate of inflation.