Federal-Mogul Reports Another Strong Quarter of Improved Earnings and Cash Flow in Q1 2010

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federal-Mogul Corporation (Nasdaq: FDML) today reported its first quarter 2010 financial performance, with sales of $1.5 billion, 20 percent higher versus Q1 2009, strong gross margin of $254 million or 17.1 percent and net income of $15 million or $0.15 per diluted share.  Excluding a charge resulting from the Venezuelan currency devaluation, the company realized adjusted net income of $35 million or $0.35 per share for Q1 2010.  Analysts' consensus earnings expectation for Q1 2010 was $0.22 per share.(1)  The company's operational EBITDA(2) nearly doubled versus the prior year to $138 million and cash flow(3) strongly improved to $50 million during the quarter.

"Federal-Mogul's strong financial results in the first quarter of 2010 demonstrate the benefit of an improving industry and the positive impact of our customer, market and product diversification, combined with the company's ability to leverage its lower operating cost resulting from restructuring initiatives in 2009," said Jose Maria Alapont, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We nearly doubled our EBITDA during Q1 2010 on a sales increase of 20 percent, demonstrating our capability to convert incremental revenue to greater profitability."

The company's stronger sales performance reflected an overall improvement in global automotive original equipment market demand. Federal-Mogul's sales in Q1 2010 of $1,489 million improved 20 percent, versus $1,238 million recorded during the same period one year ago.  Federal-Mogul realized market share gains in all three of its business units serving the original equipment automakers. The company's sales were higher in all regions, with Asia-Pacific original equipment sales up 98 percent in the quarter versus the prior year, as compared to original equipment market expansion in the region of 46 percent during Q1 2010 versus Q1 2009.  

Gross margin in Q1 2010 was $254 million or 17.1 percent of sales versus $158 million or 12.8 percent in Q1 2009.  Federal-Mogul recorded SG&A expenses of $184 million or 12.4 percent of sales during Q1 2010, versus $184 million or 14.9 percent of sales in the same period of 2009.  The company has a strong track record of SG&A improvement and continues to develop plans to further leverage existing staff support costs as the traditional automotive markets strengthen and the company implements plans to grow in Energy, Industrial and Transport market segments, where its core products can be applied to new product categories.

The company reported, in Q1 2010, net income of $15 million or $0.15 per diluted share or $35 million or $0.35 per share excluding the impact of the charge to recognize the Venezuelan currency devaluation.  Federal-Mogul recorded, in Q1 2009, a net loss of $(101) million.

Operational EBITDA in Q1 2010 was $138 million or 9.3 percent of sales, nearly double the $70 million or 5.7 percent of sales reported in Q1 2009.  Operational EBITDA for the first quarter 2010, excluding the impact of the currency devaluation in Venezuela, was $158 million or 10.6 percent of sales.

Cash flow in Q1 2010 was positive at $50 million, a strong improvement versus cash usage of $(196) million in Q1 2009. This quarter's performance, when coupled with strong cash management in previous quarters, brings cash flow for the last 12 months to over $400 million. This ability to generate significant cash and deliver earnings during a distressed economic period is indicative of the strength of the company's sustainable global profitable growth strategy.  

Federal-Mogul received, in Q1 2010, seven recognition awards from global customers including Caterpillar, Cummins, Ford, General Motors, Honda, John Deere and Toyota.  The company continues to operate at world-class quality and delivery performance levels.

Federal-Mogul's leading product portfolio includes numerous technologies capable of increasing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and improving vehicle comfort and safety.  Five industry-leading Federal-Mogul innovations were recently recognized at the 2010 Automotive News PACE™ Awards.  PACE is an industry award given by a panel of independent judges that review leading innovations submitted by automotive industry suppliers.  Federal-Mogul won PACE Awards in three separate product technology and process innovation categories, more than any other company in the 2010 competition.  The company's DuraBowl® piston, windshield wiper connection system and High Precision Electro-Erosion Machining Process (HPEEM) were each honored with a PACE Award for industry-leading innovation and successful commercial application.  Federal-Mogul has received a total of seven PACE awards in recent years.

"Our strong first quarter earnings and cash flow performance shows that we are on the right track.  The company's commitment to leading technology and innovation to drive this growth was recently recognized through the PACE Awards.  Our customers and now independent industry judges have recognized Federal-Mogul for developing innovative solutions to solve the industry's most pressing challenges for fuel efficiency, emissions reduction and improved vehicle safety.  Through strong financial performance, customer recognition and leading technology accomplishments we are demonstrating our capability to generate sustainable global profitable growth," Alapont said.

1. Analysts' expectations according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S dated April 27, 2010.
2. Operational EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain items such as restructuring and impairment charges, Chapter 11-related reorganization expenses, gains and losses on the sales of businesses, and the expense relating to U.S.-based funded pension plans.
3. Cash flow is equal to net cash provided from (used by) operating activities less net cash used by investing as set forth on the attached statement of cash flows, excluding cash received from the 524(g) Trust and impacts of the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Corporation is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety technologies, serving the world's foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive, light commercial, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine, rail, off-road and industrial vehicles, as well as the worldwide aftermarket. The company's leading technology and innovation, lean manufacturing expertise, as well as marketing and distribution deliver world-class products, brands and services with quality excellence at a competitive cost. Federal-Mogul is focused on its sustainable global profitable growth strategy, creating value and satisfaction for its customers, shareholders and employees.  Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899.  The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs nearly 41,000 people in 33 countries. Visit the company's Web site at www.federalmogul.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical fact, constitute "Forward-Looking Statements." Actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors that are described in Federal-Mogul's most recent report to the SEC on Form 10-K, which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports to the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Such factors include, among others, the cost and timing of implementing restructuring actions, the Company's ability to generate cost savings or manufacturing efficiencies to offset or exceed contractually or competitively required price reductions or price reductions to obtain new business, conditions in the automotive industry, and certain global and regional economic conditions. Federal-Mogul does not intend or assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.  

* Please note accent over 'e' in Jose Maria Alapont

SOURCE Federal-Mogul Corporation