Commercial Metals Company Reports A Fourth Consecutive Profitable Quarter And Full Year Profits Of $207.5 Million

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today reported for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2012 net earnings of $30.2 million or $0.26 per diluted share on net sales of $1.9 billion, a significant improvement compared to a net loss of $120.3 million or $1.04 per share in the prior year fourth quarter. Net earnings for the year ended August 31, 2012 represent the fifth-best full year performance in CMC's nearly 100 year history at $207.5 million or $1.78 per diluted share on sales of $7.8 billion. The fiscal year 2012 performance compares to a net loss of $129.6 million or $1.12 per diluted share on sales of $7.9 billion for the same period last year.

Joe Alvarado, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to report a fourth consecutive quarter of profitability and the fifth-best year in the history of our company, despite a backdrop of weak conditions in most major markets globally.  Results have improved dramatically over last year's fourth quarter. Consistent with the third quarter of this year, each operating segment posted quarterly adjusted operating profit.  Our cash flow from operations substantially improved over the prior year."

The board of directors of CMC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 on October 23, 2012 for shareholders of record on November 7, 2012.  The dividend will be paid on November 21, 2012.

Fourth Quarter 2012 Review
Net earnings for this year's fourth quarter from continuing operations were $17.0 million or $0.15 per diluted share.  Adjusted EBITDA was $109.2 million for this year's fourth quarter and cash flow from operations was $61.2 million.  After-tax items included in continuing operations were:

• LIFO income of $18.3 million ($0.16 per diluted share) as compared to $6.3 million ($0.05 per share) of after-tax LIFO expense in the fourth quarter of 2011;
• loss of $2.5 million ($0.02 per diluted share) related to the sale of a rebar fabrication shop in Rosslau, Germany;
• expenses of $2.5 million ($0.02 per diluted share) related to the full valuation of certain state tax losses; and
• expenses of $2.4 million ($0.02 per diluted share) related to our proxy contest and hostile tender offer.

Earnings from discontinued operations were $13.2 million or $0.11 per diluted share, which primarily consists of the share sale of CMC's Croatian subsidiary for a pre-tax gain of $13.8 million (including a $7.5 million gain in foreign currency translation).  Certain assets excluded from the share sale were sold in June and the remaining assets were sold in September 2012.  Total net cash proceeds for these transactions will be approximately $41 million.

Alvarado added, "A year ago we committed to exiting unprofitable businesses and as part of executing that plan, as of September 21, 2012 we have completed the sale of our Croatian pipe subsidiary.  We expect to receive a net of $41 million in cash as a result of these transactions."

Americas Recycling recorded an adjusted operating profit of $8.3 million as compared to $10.8 million from prior year's fourth quarter.  Due to oversupply and reduced export demand, ferrous scrap prices rapidly declined in the first two months of the fourth quarter of 2012, before partially recovering in August.  Lower demand negatively affected both the segment's margins and volumes.  On the nonferrous side, the segment's volume and pricing declined compared to a year ago.

Americas Mills recorded an adjusted operating profit of $62.3 million, $16.7 million more than last year's fourth quarter.  The segment's volumes were essentially flat quarter over quarter while margins were better.  Due to lower input prices, LIFO for this segment improved $27.4 million to income of $21.6 million during this year's fourth quarter.

The Americas Fabrication segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $1.5 million in this year's fourth quarter, marking a significant improvement of $44.3 million over last year's fourth quarter adjusted operating loss of $42.8 million.  The segment continued to benefit from stable material pricing and improved margins in the backlog.  Compared to a year ago, both shipments and bid activity improved for this segment.

The International Mill segment had an adjusted operating profit of $5.4 million for this year's fourth quarter compared to an adjusted operating profit of $14.6 million during last year's fourth quarter.  Included in this year's fourth quarter is a pre-tax loss of $3.8 million related to the sale of a rebar fabrication shop in Rosslau, Germany.  During this year's fourth quarter, the segment shipped substantial billet orders, mostly to Asian markets.  Market conditions in Europe continue to be soft, putting pressure on margins, and significant uncertainty remains. 

Our International Marketing and Distribution segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $1.5 million for this year's fourth quarter compared to an adjusted operating profit of $22.7 million for last year's fourth quarter.  Within this segment, the reduced profitability is primarily due to reduced demand in some of our key products marketed by our raw materials division.  Uncertainty around the outcome of economic stimulus in China is weighing on this division's results.  Furthermore, our European trading division experienced lower volumes and margins as a result of the continued Euro zone market conditions.

Full Year 2012 Review
Continuing operations for fiscal year 2012 were net earnings of $209.0 million or $1.79 per diluted share. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, cash flow from operations was $196.0 million and adjusted EBITDA was $364.2 million, which are $168.2 million and $127.0 million higher, respectively, than the prior year.  Cash and short-term investments totaled $262.4 million as of August 31, 2012. After-tax items included in continuing operations were:

• LIFO income of $29.6 million ($0.25 per diluted share) as compared to $50.0 million ($0.43 per diluted share) of expense in fiscal 2011;
• a tax benefit of $102.1 million ($0.87 per diluted share) related to ordinary worthless stock and bad debt deductions from the prior investment in CMC's Croatian subsidiary;
• a tax benefit of $11.5 million ($0.10 per diluted share) for research and experimentation expenditures; and 
• expenses of $9.7 million ($0.08 per diluted share) related to our proxy contest and hostile tender offer.

Discontinued operations reflected a net loss of $1.5 million for the full year, attributable to the wind down of the Croatian pipe mill, which was offset by a $13.8 million pre-tax gain on sale of the Croatian subsidiary. 

Outlook
Alvarado concluded, "In general we see economic recovery lacking meaningful momentum.  Scrap prices continue to move down as we begin our fiscal year 2013 but we do expect a reversal of this trend during the winter months when supply tightens.  We believe that, despite weakness in the scrap markets, our Recycling business has done a good job adjusting to the market volatility and maintaining profitability. Domestically, there is clear indication that residential construction is improving, which is a leading indicator of increased non-residential activity.  Our International Mill segment continues to face difficult markets due to economic uncertainty in the Euro zone.  Lastly, our International Marketing and Distribution segment faces substantial headwinds due to reduced demand in our raw materials division as well as the impact of China's unclear growth outlook.  As always, we remain committed to improving our cost structure and cash flows."

Conference Call
CMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its fourth quarter 2012 conference call today, Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. ET.  Joe Alvarado, President and CEO, and Barbara Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, will host the call.  The call is accessible via our website at www.cmc.com.  In the event you are unable to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived and available for replay on the webcast on the next business day.  Financial and statistical information presented in the broadcast are located on CMC's website under "Investors".

Commercial Metals Company and subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market steel and metal products, related materials and services through a network including steel minimills, steel fabrication and processing plants, construction-related product warehouses, a copper tube mill, metal recycling facilities and marketing and distribution offices in the United States and in strategic international markets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's expectations relating to economic conditions, product pricing and demand, scrap prices, inventory levels, instability within the Euro zone and general market conditions.  There are inherent risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statements. Variances will occur and some could be materially different from our current expectations.  Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect events, new information or otherwise.

Developments that could impact the Company's expectations include the following: absence of global economic recovery or possible recession relapse; construction activity or lack thereof; decisions by governments affecting the level of steel imports, including tariffs and duties; difficulties or delays in the execution of construction contracts resulting in cost overruns or contract disputes;  metals pricing over which the Company exerts little influence; increased capacity and product availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers, including import quantities and pricing; execution of cost reduction strategies;  industry consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization;  currency fluctuations;  availability and pricing of raw materials, including scrap metal, energy, insurance and supply prices; passage of new, or interpretation of existing, environmental laws and regulations;  and the pace of overall economic activity, particularly in China.

COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)

This press release contains financial measures not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided below.

Adjusted Operating Profit (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted operating profit (loss) is used to evaluate the financial performance of the Company. Adjusted operating profit (loss) is the sum of our earnings (loss) before income taxes, outside financing costs and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. For added flexibility, we may sell certain accounts receivable both in the U.S. and internationally. We consider sales of receivables as an alternative source of liquidity to finance our operations and believe that removing these costs provides a clearer perspective of the current operating performance. Adjusted operating profit (loss) may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is the sum of our earnings (loss) before income taxes, outside financing costs, depreciation, amortization and non-cash impairment charges. It excludes the Company's largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization, including impairment charges. As a measure of cash flow before interest expense, it is one guideline used to assess the Company's ability to pay its current debt obligations as they mature and a tool to calculate possible future levels of leverage capacity. Adjusted EBITDA to interest is a covenant test in certain of the Company's note agreements. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is one measure used to assess the Company's unleveraged performance of our investments. Adjusted EBITDA may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA to interest coverage for the

Total Capitalization:

Total capitalization is the sum of long-term debt, deferred income taxes, and stockholders' equity. The ratio of debt to total capitalization is a measure of current debt leverage. The following reconciles total capitalization at August 31, 2012 to the most comparable GAAP measure, stockholders' equity:

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Long-term debt to cap ratio as of August 31, 2012:
Debt divided by capitalization

Total debt to cap plus short-term debt plus notes payable ratio as of August 31, 2012:

Current ratio as of August 31, 2012:
Current assets divided by current liabilities

SOURCE Commercial Metals Company

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