Commercial Metals Company Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $0.29 And Full Year Profits Of $115.6 Million

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended August 31, 2014. Net earnings attributable to CMC for the fourth quarter ended August 31, 2014 were $34.9 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.9 billion. This compares to net earnings attributable to CMC of $4.1 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.7 billion for the three months ended August 31, 2013. For the year ended August 31, 2014, net earnings attributable to CMC were $115.6 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, on net sales of $7.0 billion. This compares to net earnings attributable to CMC of $77.3 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, on net sales of $6.9 billion for the year ended August 31, 2013.

Results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 included after-tax LIFO income from continuing operations of $1.0 million ($0.01 per diluted share), compared with after-tax LIFO income from continuing operations of $10.3 million ($0.09 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations was $66.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with adjusted operating profit from continuing operations of $36.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 included asset impairment charges and a full valuation allowance of tax net operating losses related to our Australian operations of $25.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $102.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $83.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, commented, "We are pleased with the results of our fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. For the full year fiscal 2014, adjusted operating profit increased 18% over the prior period with modest topline growth of around 2%. During fiscal 2014, the U.S. economy showed positive signs of steady economic recovery. Non-residential construction spending was up 6% over the prior year, and the unemployment rate dropped 1% to an average of 6.6% for the twelve months ended August 31, 2014. Additionally, we continued to focus on improving and evaluating underperforming operations for their long-term viability. As a result of our on-going evaluations, in September 2014 we decided to exit our steel distribution business in Australia."

On October 27, 2014, the board of directors of CMC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 for stockholders of record on November 12, 2014.  The dividend will be paid on November 26, 2014. Furthermore, the board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $100.0 million of CMC's outstanding common stock from time to time for cash in open market transactions or in privately-negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws.  The timing and the amount of repurchases, if any, will be determined by the Company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions, capital allocation alternatives and other factors.

Business Segments - Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2014 Review
Our Americas Recycling segment recorded an adjusted operating loss of $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, compared with an adjusted operating loss of $6.7 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Ferrous and nonferrous shipments increased 2% and 6%, respectively, during the quarter, while average selling prices were stable when compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This increase in net sales coupled with a 2% decrease in average material costs for both ferrous and nonferrous material resulted in the improvement in adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Our Americas Mills segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $63.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with an adjusted operating profit of $58.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The increase in adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was due to a 12% increase in total shipments compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This increase in total shipments was driven by a 9% increase in shipments of our higher margin finished products, including reinforcement bar ("rebar") and merchants, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. In addition, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the average selling price of our finished products increased at a higher rate per short ton than the increase in our finished products' average material cost, resulting in a 5% improvement in average metal margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The increase in shipments and improvement in average metal margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 were partially offset by a $13.5 million unfavorable change in pre-tax LIFO, from pre-tax LIFO income of $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 to pre-tax LIFO expense of $6.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Our Americas Fabrication segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $8.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with an adjusted operating profit of $8.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Total shipments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 17% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013; however, a $5 per short ton decrease in average selling prices coupled with an increase in input cost resulted in an 8% decline in metal margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. This decline in metal margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was partially offset by a $3.1 million increase in pre-tax LIFO income, resulting in nearly flat adjusted operating profit compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. This segment entered fiscal 2015 with a stronger backlog when compared to one year ago.

Our International Mill segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with an adjusted operating profit of $8.0 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Average selling prices increased $14 per short ton and outpaced a 1% increase in average material cost; however, an 11% decrease in total shipments for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 drove the $3.0 million decline in adjusted operating profit compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Our International Marketing and Distribution segment recorded an adjusted operating profit of $13.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with an adjusted operating loss of $16.2 million in the prior year's fourth quarter.  The $29.4 million improvement in adjusted operating profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was primarily the result of charges recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 for goodwill and other asset impairments, as well as one-time exit costs to close unprofitable locations. Our marketing and distribution divisions headquartered in the United States reported improved results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 when compared to the prior year's fourth quarter.  However, our European trading division continued to suffer weakened results in response to the poor Eurozone market conditions.

Fiscal 2014 Full Year Review
Earnings from continuing operations for fiscal year 2014 were $102.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share.  For the year ended August 31, 2014, net cash flow from operating activities was $136.9 million, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $361.7 million.  After-tax LIFO expense from continuing operations for fiscal 2014 was $8.8 million ($0.07 per diluted share), compared to after-tax LIFO income from continuing operations of $34.4 million ($0.29 per diluted share) in fiscal 2013.  As of August 31, 2014, cash and short-term investments totaled $434.9 million, an increase of 15% from the end of our 2013 fiscal year.

Earnings from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2014 were $13.5 million, which primarily consisted of earnings related to the sale of our copper tube business in the first fiscal quarter of 2014. 

Outlook
Alvarado concluded, "Heading into our fiscal year 2015, many of our key market indicators have shown strength in recent months. For example, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) was 53.0 for the month of August, following 55.8 in July, which was the highest mark since 2007. The Eurozone economy is growing gradually, with rising construction activity. While macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns remain, all indications suggest continued market growth in fiscal 2015."

Conference Call
CMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its fourth quarter fiscal 2014 conference call today, Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. ET.  Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, 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 its 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, 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 CMC's expectations relating to economic conditions and CMC's operating plans.  These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as we, CMC or its management, "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intends," "plans to," "ought," "could," "will," "should," "likely," "appears" or other similar words or phrases. There are inherent risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our expectations are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially.  Except as required by law, CMC undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect events, new information or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from CMC's expectations include the following: absence of global economic recovery or possible recession relapse and the pace of overall global economic activity and its impact in a highly cyclical industry; construction activity or lack thereof; continued sovereign debt problems in the Euro-zone; success or failure of governmental efforts to stimulate the economy including restoring credit availability and confidence in a recovery; significant reductions in China's steel consumption or increased Chinese steel production; rapid and significant changes in the price of metals; increased capacity and product availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing; passage of new, or interpretation of existing, environmental laws and regulations; increased legislation associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; solvency of financial institutions and their ability or willingness to lend; customers' inability to obtain credit and non-compliance with contracts; financial covenants and restrictions on the operation of our business contained in agreements governing our debt; currency fluctuations; global factors including political and military uncertainties; availability of electricity and natural gas for minimill operations; information technology interruptions and breaches in security data; ability to retain key executives; execution of cost reduction strategies; industry consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization; ability to make necessary capital expenditures; availability and pricing of raw materials over which we exert little influence, including scrap metal, energy, insurance and supply prices; unexpected equipment failures; competition from other materials; losses or limited potential gains due to hedging transactions; litigation claims and settlements, court decisions and regulatory rulings; risk of injury or death to employees, customers or other visitors to our operations; and increased costs related to health care reform legislation.

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 is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses adjusted operating profit to evaluate the financial performance of CMC.  Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations is the sum of our earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. Adjusted operating profit is the sum of adjusted operating profit from continuing operations and adjusted operating profit from discontinued operations. 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 we believe that removing these costs provides a clearer perspective of CMC's operating performance. Adjusted operating profit may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is the sum of our earnings from continuing operations before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, outside financing costs and income taxes. It also excludes CMC's largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization, as well as impairment charges, which are also non-cash. Adjusted EBITDA is the sum of adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or as a better measure of liquidity than net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP. However, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information, which is often used by analysts, creditors, and other interested parties in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense is a covenant test in certain of CMC's debt agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is also the target benchmark for our annual and long-term cash incentive performance plans for management. Adjusted EBITDA may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA to interest coverage:

Total Capitalization:

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

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Long-term debt to total capitalization ratio as of August 31, 2014:

Total debt to total capitalization plus short-term debt plus notes payable ratio as of August 31, 2014:

Current ratio as of August 31, 2014:
Current assets divided by current liabilities

SOURCE Commercial Metals Company

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http://www.cmc.com

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