Air Products Reports Fiscal 2015 Third Quarter EPS Up 13 Percent*

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• EPS of $1.65*, up 13 percent* versus prior year on a non-GAAP diluted basis despite significant currency headwinds
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.7* percent up 430* basis points versus prior year
• Accelerating benefits from restructuring, enabled by the new organization
• Awarded major gases supply contract for new semiconductor giga fab in South Korea
• EPS of $1.47 versus prior year of $1.46 on a GAAP diluted basis

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today reported net income of $359 million*, up 14 percent* versus prior year, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.65*, up 13 percent* versus prior year for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2015.

On a GAAP basis, net income and diluted EPS from continuing operations were $319 million and $1.47, respectively, for the quarter.

*The results and guidance in this release, unless otherwise indicated, are based on non-GAAP continuing operations. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results can be found at the end of this release.

Third quarter sales of $2,470 million decreased six percent versus prior year, as underlying sales growth of four percent was offset by unfavorable currency and lower energy pass-through. Volumes increased three percent, primarily in Industrial Gases–Asia, Materials Technologies and the LNG business, and pricing was up one percent.

Operating income of $482 million increased 17 percent versus prior year, and operating margin of 19.5 percent improved 380 basis points, driven by cost performance, higher pricing and higher volumes. Adjusted EBITDA of $758 million increased nine percent over prior year, and EBITDA margin of 30.7 percent improved 430 basis points, reflecting strong operating leverage.

Commenting on the quarter, Seifi Ghasemi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "The Air Products team delivered another quarter of great results, with particular strength in our regional Industrial Gases segments, while Materials Technologies continued to improve. We again showed strong improvement in safety, and despite significant currency headwinds and stagnant economic conditions around the globe, our earnings per share were up by 13 percent, EBITDA margins increased to more than 30 percent, and this quarter's operating margin is the highest in more than 25 years. This significant improvement is a direct result of our people executing our five-point strategy. As a result, we have again increased our full year guidance to $6.50 - $6.60, which at midpoint is up 13% over last year."

Third Quarter Results by Business Segment:

• Industrial Gases – Americas sales of $898 million decreased 16 percent versus prior year on 13 percent lower energy pass-through and three percent unfavorable currency. Underlying sales were flat, as higher pricing offset lower volumes. Operating income of $207 million increased nine percent. Operating margin of 23 percent improved 520 basis points over prior year, driven by cost performance, lower energy pass-through, and higher pricing. Adjusted EBITDA of $328 million increased six percent, and EBITDA margin of 36.5 percent improved 740 basis points over prior year. Sequentially, operating income increased 13 percent on higher volumes and price and lower costs.
• Industrial Gases – Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) sales of $455 million declined 15 percent versus last year, driven by 16 percent unfavorable currency. Volumes and pricing were both up one percent. Operating income of $88 million increased two percent as strong cost performance was largely offset by unfavorable currency, while record operating margin of 19.2 percent increased 330 basis points. Adjusted EBITDA of $147 million decreased five percent versus prior year, and record EBITDA margin of 32.2 percent increased 350 basis points.
• Industrial Gases – Asia sales of $418 million increased 14 percent versus prior year, primarily on 11 percent volume growth mainly from new plants. Unfavorable currency impacts reduced sales by three percent. Operating income of $101 million increased 20 percent, and operating margin of 24.2 percent improved 130 basis points over prior year due to higher volumes from the new plants and strong cost performance overcoming negative pricing. Adjusted EBITDA of $166 million increased 12 percent. Sequentially, operating income increased 19 percent on strong cost performance and higher seasonal volumes.
• Materials Technologies sales of $540 million increased three percent over the prior year. Underlying sales were up seven percent on four percent higher volume growth and three percent positive pricing, partially offset by unfavorable currency of four percent. On a constant currency basis, Electronics Materials sales were up 18 percent on strong volume growth and positive price. On a constant currency basis, Performance Materials sales declined two percent from the prior year on softer volumes. Record operating income of $132 million increased 36 percent, and record operating margin of 24.4 percent improved 600 basis points versus prior year, primarily due to higher pricing and volumes. Record adjusted EBITDA of $155 million increased 27 percent, and record EBITDA margin of 28.6 percent improved 540 basis points over prior year.

Non-GAAP results for the company exclude a pre-tax charge of $59.8 million, or $0.18 per share, for business restructuring and pension settlement.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Air Products expects fourth quarter EPS from continuing operations to be between $1.75 and $1.85 per share. For the full fiscal year, the Company is raising its guidance from continuing operations to $6.50 to $6.60 per share, which at the midpoint, represents a 13 percent increase over fiscal 2014.

Subsequent Event

Earlier in July, Air Products acquired 30.5 percent of the outstanding shares of Indura−an industrial

gas business in Latin America−increasing its ownership position to 97.8 percent. The valuation was agreed at the time of initial purchase in 2012 and will be a use of cash of $278 million in the company's fiscal fourth quarter.

Access the Q3 earnings teleconference scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 30 by calling 888-500-6954 (domestic) or 719-457-2715 (international) and entering passcode 1083893, or access the Event Details page on Air Products' Investor Relations web site.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a leading industrial gases company. For nearly 75 years, the Company has provided atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including metals, food and beverage, refining and petrochemical, and natural gas liquefaction. Air Products' Materials Technologies segment serves the semiconductor, polyurethanes, cleaning and coatings, and adhesives industries. Over 20,000 employees in 50 countries are working to make Air Products the world's safest and best performing industrial gases company, providing sustainable offerings and excellent service to all customers. In fiscal 2014, Air Products had sales of $10.4 billion and was ranked number 276 on the Fortune 500 annual list of public companies. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about earnings guidance and business outlook. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including, without limitation, global or regional economic conditions and supply and demand dynamics in market segments into which the Company sells; significant fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies from that currently anticipated; future financial and operating performance of major customers; unanticipated contract terminations or customer cancellations or postponement of projects and sales; asset impairments due to economic conditions or specific events; the impact of competitive products and pricing; challenges of implementing new technologies; ability to protect and enforce the Company's intellectual property rights; unexpected changes in raw material supply and markets; the impact of price fluctuations in natural gas and disruptions in markets and the economy due to oil price volatility; the ability to recover increased energy and raw material costs from customers; costs and outcomes of litigation or regulatory investigations; the impact of management and organizational changes; the success of productivity and cost reduction programs; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or divestitures; political risks, including the risks of unanticipated government actions; acts of war or terrorism; the impact of changes in environmental, tax or other legislation and regulatory activities in jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate; and other risk factors described in the Company's Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change in the Company's assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

* Presented below are reconciliations of the reported GAAP results to the non-GAAP measures.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Millions of dollars unless otherwise indicated, except for share data)

The discussion of third quarter and year-to-date results includes comparisons to non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and non‑GAAP Capital Expenditures. The presentation of non-GAAP measures is intended to enhance the usefulness of financial information by providing measures which management uses internally to evaluate our operating performance and manage our capital expenditures.

We use non-GAAP measures to assess our operating performance by excluding certain disclosed items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business. We believe non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with meaningful information to understand our underlying operating results and to analyze financial and business trends. Non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, should not be viewed in isolation, are not a substitute for GAAP measures, and have limitations which include but are not limited to:

• Our measure excludes certain disclosed items, which we do not consider to be representative of underlying business operations. However, these disclosed items represent costs (benefits) to the Company.
• Though not business operating costs, interest expense and income tax provision represent ongoing costs of the Company.
• Depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of the plant, equipment, and intangible assets which permit us to manufacture and/or market our products.
• Other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

A reader may find any one or all of these items important in evaluating our performance. Management compensates for the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures by using them only to supplement our GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business. In evaluating these financial measures, the reader should be aware that we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation in the future.

ADJUSTED EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as income from continuing operations (including noncontrolling interests) excluding certain disclosed items, which the Company does not believe to be indicative of underlying business trends, before interest expense, income tax provision, and depreciation and amortization expense. Adjusted EBITDA provides a useful metric for management to assess operating performance.

Below is a reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations on a GAAP basis to Adjusted EBITDA:

Below is a reconciliation of segment Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

We utilize a non-GAAP measure in the computation of capital expenditures and include spending associated with facilities accounted for as capital leases and purchases of noncontrolling interests. Certain contracts associated with facilities that are built to provide product to a specific customer are required to be accounted for as leases and such spending is reflected as a use of cash within cash provided by operating activities, if the arrangement qualifies as a capital lease. Additionally, the purchase of noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction and is reflected as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows.

Below is a reconciliation of capital expenditures on a GAAP basis to a non-GAAP measure:

OUTLOOK

Guidance provided is on a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the impact of certain items that we believe are not representative of our underlying business.

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated)

1. BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING    

On 18 September 2014, we announced plans to reorganize the Company, including realignment of our businesses in new reporting segments and other organizational changes, effective as of 1 October 2014. As a result of this reorganization, we will incur ongoing severance and other charges. For the three and nine months ended 30 June 2015, we recognized an expense of $58.2 ($38.8 after-tax, or $.18 per share) and $146.0 ($98.7 after-tax, or $.45 per share), respectively. Severance and other benefits totaled $22.5 and $110.3 for the three and nine months ended 30 June 2015, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2015, the reorganization has resulted in the elimination of approximately 1,500 positions. The third quarter expense also included $35.7 for asset and associated contract actions related to the exit of product lines within the Industrial Gases – Global and Materials Technologies segments. Additional charges will be recorded in future periods as the Company commits to specific actions.

2. PENSION SETTLEMENT

Our U.S. supplemental pension plan provides for a lump sum benefit payment option at the time of retirement, or for corporate officers, six months after the participant's retirement date. We recognize pension settlement losses when cash payments exceed the sum of service and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost of the plan for the fiscal year. For the three and nine months ended 30 June 2015, we recognized a pension settlement charge of $1.6 ($1.0 after-tax) and $14.2 ($8.9 after-tax, or $.04 per share) to accelerate recognition of a portion of actuarial losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with this plan. We expect that additional settlement losses will be recognized during the fourth quarter.

3. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Effective 1 October 2014, we began operating under a new structure and reporting our results under the following seven new segments:

• Industrial Gases – Americas
• Industrial Gases – EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)
• Industrial Gases – Asia
• Industrial Gases – Global
• Materials Technologies
• Energy-from-Waste
• Corporate and other

Each of the three regional Industrial Gases segments (Americas, EMEA, Asia) includes, with respect to such region, onsite Air Separation Units (ASUs producing primarily oxygen, nitrogen and argon), Hydrogen/HyCO Plants (producing primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, syngas and steam), and the regional Merchant Gases businesses (including liquid/bulk, packaged gases and related equipment). The Industrial Gases – Global segment includes atmospheric sale of equipment businesses, such as ASUs and noncryogenic generators, as well as global resources associated with the Industrial Gases business. The Materials Technologies segment includes the Electronics Materials and Performance Materials businesses, but excludes the previous Electronics tonnage gases business which is now part of the three regional Industrial Gases segments. The Energy-from-Waste segment consists of the Tees Valley projects in the United Kingdom. The Corporate and other segment includes two on-going global businesses (our liquefied natural gas, or LNG, sale of equipment business and our helium storage and distribution vessel sale of equipment business), the polyurethane intermediates business that was exited in early fiscal year 2014, and corporate support functions that benefit all of the business segments. Support functions that support a specific business are allocated directly to the related segment.

Prior year information conforms with the fiscal year 2015 presentation. For additional historical financial information comparable to the 2015 presentation, see our Form 8-K filed on 5 January 2015.

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On 30 December 2014, we acquired our partner's equity ownership interest in a liquefied industrial gases production joint venture in North America for $22.6, which increased our ownership from 50% to 100%. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and subsequent to the acquisition, the results are consolidated within our Industrial Gases – Americas segment. The assets acquired, primarily plant and equipment, were recorded at their fair market values as of the acquisition date.

The acquisition date fair value of the previously held equity interest was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis under the income approach. The nine months ended 30 June 2015 include a gain of $17.9 ($11.2 after-tax, or $.05 per share) as a result of revaluing our previously held equity interest to fair value as of the acquisition date. This gain is reflected on the consolidated income statements as "Gain on previously held equity interest."

SOURCE Air Products

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