Leggett & Platt Reports Record Quarterly EPS Of $.67

CARTHAGE, Mo., Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• 3Q EPS from continuing operations was $.67, a new quarterly record
• 3Q sales from continuing operations were $1.01 billion, also a new quarterly record
• EBIT margin improved to 14.0% in 3Q
• Raising 2015 EPS guidance; anticipate record EPS of $2.15 - 2.25 on sales of $3.92 - 3.98 billion
• 2016 outlook: expecting unit volume growth partially offset by deflation; EBIT margin in line with 2015

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported record quarterly EPS from continuing operations of $.67, a 31% improvement versus an adjusted[1] $.51 in the same quarter last year. Earnings benefited primarily from higher unit volumes and pricing discipline.

Sales from continuing operations were $1.01 billion, a quarterly record and 1% increase versus third quarter 2014 (during which sales increased 14%). In the third quarter, same location unit volume grew 5% and acquisitions added 2% to sales; these gains were largely offset by a 6% decline caused by raw material-related price deflation and currency impacts.

EBIT margin improved to 14.0% this quarter, an increase of 330 basis points from an adjusted[2] 10.7% in third quarter last year. Margin improvement was the result of higher unit volume, pricing discipline and improved capacity utilization.

CEO Comments

Board Chair and CEO David S. Haffner commented, "We continue to be very pleased with our performance this year. We posted record sales, EBIT, and EPS during the third quarter, extending our string of strong quarterly results that began in the second quarter of 2014. Year-to-date continuing operations EPS improved 24%, to $1.70 this year versus $1.37 last year (excluding last year's foam litigation expenses).  

"Nearly all of our businesses experienced volume growth during the quarter, despite strong prior year comparisons.  During the third quarter we saw unit volume growth of 37% in Comfort Core innersprings and 55% in adjustable beds.  We also experienced continued strong organic volume growth in both Automotive and European Spring. These volume gains are masked by the deflation and currency impacts we have been experiencing.

"We are achieving these results while maintaining our strong financial base. At quarter's end, we had $375 million available through our commercial paper program. Net debt to net capital was 36%, comfortably within our 30% - 40% target range." 

Dividend Increase and Stock Repurchases

In August, Leggett & Platt's Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by $.01, to $.32.  2015 marks 44 consecutive annual dividend increases for the company, at a compound annual growth rate of 13%. At yesterday's closing share price of $45.00, the indicated annual dividend of $1.28 per share generates a dividend yield of 2.8%.

During the third quarter the company purchased 0.9 million shares of its stock at an average price of $45.61, and issued 0.2 million shares through employee benefit plans and option exercises. Through three quarters of the year, the company purchased 3.7 million shares, and issued 2.0 million. Shares outstanding decreased to 136.1 million. 

TSR Results

The company's principal financial goal is to generate TSR that ranks among the top third of the S&P 500 companies over rolling 3-year periods. For the three year period that will end in December of this year, the company has so far (over the last 34 months) generated annual TSR of 23% per year. This performance ranks within the top 29 percent of the S&P 500, exceeding the company's goal.

2015 Records Anticipated

Leggett & Platt posted record adjusted EPS[3] from continuing operations for each of the last three years, and expects to do so again in 2015. The company also expects to achieve, in 2015, record sales and EBIT from continuing operations, and its highest EBIT margin since 1999.

Given its strong third quarter results, the company is raising its 2015 EPS guidance to $2.15 - 2.25. Prior guidance, issued in July, estimated EPS at $2.00 - $2.15. Sales this year have been impacted meaningfully by raw material-related price deflation and currency impacts. As a result, sales guidance is reduced to $3.92 - 3.98 billion, or 4-5% growth versus 2014. This sales forecast includes an approximate 5% negative impact from deflation and currency.

Cash from operations should exceed $375 million in 2015. Capital expenditures are expected to be roughly $110 million, and dividend payments should approximate $170 million. 

As has been the company's practice, after funding dividends and capital expenditures, remaining cash flow will be prioritized toward competitively advantaged acquisitions, which must meet stringent strategic and financial criteria. Should no acquisitions come to fruition, the company has standing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 10 million shares each year. For the full year 2015 the company expects to purchase approximately 4 million shares, most of which has already been accomplished, and to issue approximately 2.2 million shares via employee benefit plans and option exercises. 

2016 Outlook

The company provided the following general framework for 2016, and will issue formal EPS and sales guidance when it announces fourth quarter results on February 1. Sales growth in 2016, excluding possible acquisitions or divestitures, is expected to be in the mid-single digits. Continued strong unit volume growth is anticipated in many of the company's product categories, but will likely be partially offset by commodity-related price deflation. 2016 EBIT margin is expected to be roughly in line with 2015, with the benefit to margin from higher unit volume likely offset by the non-recurrence of the 2015 pricing lag. This framework assumes that commodity prices (primarily steel) will stabilize near current levels.

LIFO

All of Leggett's operating segments use the first-in, first out (FIFO) method for valuing inventory.  An adjustment is made at the corporate level (i.e., outside the segments) to convert about 50% of the inventories to the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. These are primarily the company's domestic, steel-related inventories. Year-to-date in 2015, lower commodity costs have resulted in a LIFO benefit of $23 million, which has been largely offset by FIFO impacts within the segments.   

SEGMENT RESULTS – Third Quarter 2015 (versus the same period in 2014)

Historical financial amounts reflect the new segment structure announced in April 2015.

Residential Furnishings – Total sales decreased $6 million, or 1%.  Same location sales declined 2%, with higher unit volume in most product categories (+5%) more-than-offset by the impact of raw material-related price deflation and currency impacts (-7%). Acquisitions increased sales by 1%. EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) increased $33 million from non-recurrence of last year's $32 million foam litigation expense. The additional earnings benefit from higher unit volume was largely offset by FIFO impact and several smaller factors.

Commercial Products – Total sales increased $35 million, or 26%. Same location sales grew 15%, primarily from strong demand in Adjustable Bed. Acquisitions increased sales by 11%. EBIT increased $5 million primarily due to higher sales.

Industrial Materials – Total sales decreased $28 million, or 14%, largely from steel-related price deflation. Unit volumes were down slightly. EBIT increased $2 million, primarily from cost reductions. 

Specialized Products – Total sales increased $11 million, or 5%, with volume gains in all four businesses partially offset by currency impacts (-5%). EBIT increased $9 million, primarily from higher volume and absence of last year's $3 million litigation accrual.

Slides and Conference Call

A set of slides containing summary financial information is available from the Investor Relations section of Leggett's website at www.leggett.com.  Management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Central (9:00 a.m. Eastern) on Friday, October 30. The webcast can be accessed (live or replay) from Leggett's website. The dial-in number is (201) 689-8341; there is no passcode.

Fourth quarter results will be released after the market closes on Monday, February 1, 2016, with a conference call the next morning.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Leggett's website at www.leggett.com.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:  At Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG), we create innovative products that enhance people's lives, generate exceptional returns for our shareholders, and provide sought-after jobs in communities around the world. L&P is a 132 year-old diversified manufacturer that designs and produces engineered products found in most homes and automobiles. Continuing Operations are comprised of 18 business units, 20,000 employee-partners, and 130 manufacturing facilities located in 19 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) carpet cushion; c) adjustable bed bases; d) work furniture and components; e) drawn steel wire; f) automotive seat support & lumbar systems; g) bedding industry machinery.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking." These statements involve uncertainties and risks, including the company's ability to improve operations and realize cost savings, price and product competition from foreign and domestic competitors, changes in demand for the company's products, cost and availability of raw materials and labor, fuel and energy costs, future growth of acquired companies, general economic conditions, possible goodwill or other asset impairment, foreign currency fluctuation, litigation risks, and other factors described in the company's Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement reflects only the company's beliefs when the statement is made. Actual results could differ materially from expectations, and the company undertakes no duty to update these statements.

CONTACT:   Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or [email protected]
David M. DeSonier, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations
Susan R. McCoy, Vice President of Investor Relations

[1] To aid investors' awareness of operational profit, 3Q 2014 adjusted EPS from continuing operations excludes $.14 of foam litigation expense.

[2] 3Q 2014 continuing operations adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBIT margin exclude $32 million of foam litigation expense.

[3] Adjusted EPS excludes 2014 foam litigation expense, 2013 CVP impairment, and 2012 unusual tax benefits.

SOURCE Leggett & Platt

Related Links

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