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8-K - FORM 8-K - LEGGETT & PLATT INCd8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 28, 2011

LEGGETT & PLATT REPORTS EPS OF $.30 FOR FIRST QUARTER

Carthage, MO, April 28, 2011 —

 

   

1Q EPS was $.30.

 

   

1Q sales were $896 million, 10% higher than in prior year.

 

   

Repurchased 5.4 million shares during the quarter; outstanding shares declined to 142.6 million.

 

   

Ended first quarter with net debt at 27.5% of net capital, below 30% - 40% target range.

 

   

Increased 2011 EPS guidance to $1.25 - 1.50, on sales of $3.5 - 3.8 billion.

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported first quarter earnings per diluted share of $.30. In the first quarter of 2010, earnings from Continuing Operations were also $.30 per share. First quarter 2011 earnings benefited from higher unit volumes, but this benefit was offset by higher-cost raw materials.

First quarter 2011 sales were $896 million, a 10% (or $80 million) increase versus the prior year. Same location sales grew 10%, primarily from unit volume growth in the Specialized Products and Industrial Materials segments. Inflation contributed 4% to sales.

Increasing Demand

President and CEO David S. Haffner commented, “We are very encouraged to see higher market demand and sales growth during the first quarter. That growth enhanced earnings, but was offset by higher raw material costs, as previously anticipated. We implemented price increases during the quarter in response to cost inflation; as a result, we expect improved margins in subsequent quarters.

“We are moving into the third step of the three-part strategic plan we announced in November 2007, given our successful completion of the first step (divest low-performing businesses) and significant progress in the second step (improve margins and returns). The third step envisions growth of 4-5% per year, on average. For the next couple of years we expect market recovery to provide growth in excess of our target; earnings should improve meaningfully as a result of our operating leverage and spare production capacity. Longer term, we expect growth to come from commercialization of innovative new products, expansion into potential new growth areas, and normal GDP-like growth in our existing markets.

“During the first quarter we were more aggressive with our stock repurchases, buying back 5.4 million shares. We believe the economy is gradually recovering, and our end markets appear more stable. Accordingly, we are more willing to repurchase shares, and to let leverage gradually move toward our target range. As has been our practice since late 2007, we prioritize use of cash as follows: first, for capital needs and dividends; second, for growth projects and acquisitions, when high-quality opportunities arise; and third, for stock repurchases.

“We continue to assess our overall performance by comparing our Total Shareholder Return (TSR1) to that of peer companies on a rolling three-year basis. For the three-year period that began January 1, 2009, we have so far (over the last 28 months) generated TSR of 29% per year on average, while the S&P 500 index generated average TSR of 22% per year. Accordingly, our 2009-2011 TSR ranks among the top half of the companies in the S&P 500 index.

 

1 

TSR = (Change in Stock Price + Dividends Received) / Beginning Stock Price; assumes dividends are reinvested

 

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“While achieving these results, we have maintained our strong financial base. We ended the quarter with net debt to net capital below our long-term target range, and over $450 million available under our existing commercial paper program and revolver facility.”

Dividends and Stock Repurchases

Leggett & Platt’s Board of Directors declared a $.27 first quarter dividend, one cent higher than last year’s first quarter dividend. Thus, 2011 marks the 40th consecutive annual dividend increase for the company, with a compound annual growth rate of 14%. At yesterday’s closing share price of $24.18, the indicated annual dividend of $1.08 per share generates a dividend yield of 4.5%.

During the first quarter, the company repurchased 5.4 million shares of its stock at an average price of $23.29 per share, and issued 1.8 million shares through employee benefit and stock purchase plans. As a result, the number of shares outstanding decreased to 142.6 million.

2011 Outlook

Over the last three years Leggett & Platt significantly reduced its fixed cost structure, but purposely retained spare production capacity. Accordingly, sales can rebound to over $4 billion without the need for large capital investment. As a result, the company has meaningful operating leverage that should significantly benefit future earnings as market demand rebounds.

Leggett & Platt anticipates 2011 sales of approximately $3.5-3.8 billion, an increase of 4% to 13% versus 2010, including expected inflation of approximately 4%. Based upon that sales expectation, the company projects 2011 EPS of $1.25 - 1.50.

For over 20 years the company has generated operating cash in excess of the amount needed to fund dividends and capital expenditures. That should again be true this year, as cash from operations is expected to exceed $300 million for 2011. Capital expenditures should be approximately $85 million this year, and dividend payments should approximate $155 million.

For the full year, the company anticipates repurchasing up to 10 million shares of its stock and issuing approximately 3 million shares (primarily for employee benefit and stock purchase plans). The company has standing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 10 million shares each year, but has established no specific repurchase commitment or timetable.

LIFO

All of Leggett’s segments use the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method for valuing inventories. An adjustment is made at the corporate level to convert about 60% of the inventories to the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method. Steel cost increases contributed to a LIFO expense of $15 million for the full year 2010 (for Continuing Operations). For 2011, the company expects LIFO expense of $22 million.

 

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SEGMENT RESULTS – First Quarter 2011 (versus 1Q 2010)

Residential Furnishings – Total sales increased $25 million, or 6%; inflation accounted for the bulk of the sales increase. EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) decreased $7 million due to higher raw material costs and a reduction in the amount of income from building sales.

Commercial Fixturing & Components – Total sales decreased $13 million, or 9%. EBIT increased slightly, with a gain from sale of a building largely offset by the effect of lower sales.

Industrial Materials – Total sales increased $33 million, or 19%; unit volume grew 7% and inflation added 12% to sales. EBIT improved slightly, with the impact of higher volume largely offset by increased raw material costs.

Specialized Products – Total sales increased $38 million, or 28%, from unit volume growth in all three sectors of the segment. EBIT increased $10 million, primarily due to higher volumes.

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, April 29. The webcast can be accessed (live or replay) from Leggett’s website. The dial-in number is (201) 689-8341; there is no passcode. Second quarter results will be released after the market closes on Thursday, July 28, with a conference call the next morning.

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

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) is a diversified manufacturer (and member of the S&P 500) that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The company serves a broad suite of customers that comprise a “Who’s Who” of U.S. manufacturers and retailers. The 128-year-old firm is comprised of 19 business units, 19,000 employee-partners, and 140 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) office furniture components; c) drawn steel wire; d) automotive seat support and lumbar systems; e) carpet underlay; f) power foundations; 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, 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 invest@leggett.com

David M. DeSonier, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Susan R. McCoy, Director of Investor Relations

 

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LEGGETT & PLATT   Page 4 of 5    April 28, 2011

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     FIRST QUARTER  

(In millions, except per share data)

   2011     2010     Change  

Net sales (from continuing operations)

   $ 895.8      $ 816.4        10

Cost of goods sold

     725.8        650.9     
                  

Gross profit

     170.0        165.5     

Selling & administrative expenses

     95.8        92.3        4

Amortization

     4.8        5.0     

Other expense (income), net

     (4.8     (9.0  
                  

Earnings before interest and taxes

     74.2        77.2        (4 %) 

Net interest expense

     8.0        8.2     
                  

Earnings before income taxes

     66.2        69.0     

Income taxes

     19.9        21.5     
                  

Net earnings from continuing operations

     46.3        47.5     

Discontinued operations, net of tax 1

     —          (0.6  
                  

Net earnings

     46.3        46.9     

Less net income from non-controlling interest

     (1.3     (1.8  
                  

Net earnings attributable to L&P

   $ 45.0      $ 45.1        (0 %) 
                  

Earnings per diluted share

      

From continuing operations

   $ 0.30      $ 0.30     

From discontinued operations

   $ 0.00      ($ 0.00  

Net earnings per diluted share

   $ 0.30      $ 0.29        2

Shares outstanding

      

Common stock (at end of period)

     142.6        147.8     

Basic (average for period)

     149.2        152.6     

Diluted (average for period)

     150.8        154.3     

CASH FLOW

 

     FIRST QUARTER  

(In millions)

   2011     2010     Change  

Net earnings

   $ 46.3      $ 46.9     

Depreciation and amortization

     30.1        31.9     

Working capital decrease (increase)

     (46.5     (39.9  

Asset Impairment

     3.0        2.3     

Other operating activity

     13.9        9.9     
                  

Net Cash from Operating Activity

   $ 46.8      $ 51.1        (8 %) 

Additions to PP&E

     (16.7     (13.5  

Purchase of companies, net of cash

     (0.6     (0.4  

Proceeds from asset sales

     17.1        10.0     

Dividends paid

     (39.7     (38.7  

Repurchase of common stock, net

     (109.7     (32.0  

Additions (payments) to debt, net

     45.7        15.5     

Other

     8.0        (5.3  
                  

Increase (Decr.) in Cash & Equiv.

   $ (49.1   $ (13.3  
                  

FINANCIAL POSITION

 

     31-Mar  

(In millions)

   2011      2010      Change  

Cash and equivalents

   $ 195.4       $ 247.2      

Receivables

     575.6         523.9      

Inventories

     462.2         438.6      

Held for sale

     0.0         16.8      

Other current assets

     57.2         53.0      
                    

Total current assets

     1,290.4         1,279.5         1

Net fixed assets

     616.1         641.4      

Held for sale

     20.4         27.3      

Goodwill and other assets

     1,140.0         1,142.5      
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,066.9       $ 3,090.7         (1 %) 
                    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 301.8       $ 240.6      

Current debt maturities

     2.2         10.0      

Held for sale

     0.0         3.6      

Other current liabilities

     281.7         312.5      
                    

Total current liabilities

     585.7         566.7         3

Long term debt

     821.9         822.2         (0 %) 

Deferred taxes and other liabilities

     201.5         162.3      

Equity

     1,457.8         1,539.5         (5 %) 
                    

Total Capitalization

     2,481.2         2,524.0      
                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

   $ 3,066.9       $ 3,090.7      
                    

 

1 

Primarily includes: Storage Products (formerly in Commercial Fixturing & Components).


LEGGETT & PLATT   Page 5 of 5    April 28, 2011

 

SEGMENT RESULTS

 

      FIRST QUARTER  
(In millions)    2011     2010     Change  

External Sales

      

Residential Furnishings

   $ 457.5      $ 432.3        5.8

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     127.8        140.7        (9.2 %) 

Industrial Materials

     145.5        115.3        26.2

Specialized Products

     165.0        128.1        28.8
                        

Total

   $ 895.8      $ 816.4        9.7
                        

Inter-Segment Sales

      

Residential Furnishings

   $ 2.3      $ 2.1     

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     1.2        1.0     

Industrial Materials

     64.8        61.8     

Specialized Products

     9.8        8.3     
                  

Total

   $ 78.1      $ 73.2     
                  

Total Sales

      

Residential Furnishings

   $ 459.8      $ 434.4        5.8

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     129.0        141.7        (9.0 %) 

Industrial Materials

     210.3        177.1        18.7

Specialized Products

     174.8        136.4        28.2
                        

Total

   $ 973.9      $ 889.6        9.5
                        

EBIT

      

Residential Furnishings

   $ 42.1      $ 49.1        (14 %) 

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     8.2        7.9        4

Industrial Materials

     14.0        13.4        4

Specialized Products

     18.1        8.4        115

Intersegment eliminations and other

     (2.7     0.5     

Change in LIFO reserve

     (5.5     (2.1  
                        

Total

   $ 74.2      $ 77.2        (4 %) 
                        
                 Basis Pts  

EBIT Margin 1

      

Residential Furnishings

     9.2     11.3     (210

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     6.4     5.6     80   

Industrial Materials

     6.7     7.6     (90

Specialized Products

     10.4     6.2     420   
                        

Overall from Continuing Operations

     8.3     9.5     (120
                        

LAST SIX QUARTERS

 

    2009     2010     2011  
    4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q     4Q     1Q  

Selected Figures

           

Trade Sales ($ million)

    770        816        874        867        802        896   

Sales Growth (vs. prior year)

    (13 %)      14     15     7     4     10

EBIT ($ million)

    77        77        85        76        50        74   

EBIT Margin

    10.0     9.5     9.7     8.7     6.2     8.3

Net Earnings - excludes discontinued oper. ($m)

    41        46        52        48        32        45   

Net Margin - excludes discontinued operations

    5.3     5.6     6.0     5.5     3.9     5.0

EPS - continuing operations (diluted)

  $ 0.26      $ 0.30      $ 0.34      $ 0.31      $ 0.21      $ 0.30   

Cash from Operations ($ million)

    135        51        67        91        154        47   

Net Debt to Net Capitalization

           

Long term debt

    789        822        855        834        762        822   

Current debt maturities

    10        10        10        10        2        2   

Less cash and equivalents

    (260     (247     (244     (277     (244     (195
                                               

Net Debt

    539        585        621        567        520        629   
                                               

Total capitalization

    2526        2524        2508        2529        2478        2481   

Current debt maturities

    10        10        10        10        2        2   

Less cash and equivalents

    (260     (247     (244     (277     (244     (195
                                               

Net Capitalization

    2276        2287        2274        2262        2236        2288   
                                               

Long Term Debt to Total Capitalization

    31.2     32.6     34.1     33.0     30.8     33.1

Net Debt to Net Capital

    23.7     25.6     27.3     25.1     23.3     27.5

Management uses Net Debt to Net Capital to track leverage trends across time periods with variable levels of cash.

 

     4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q     4Q     1Q  

Same Location Sales (vs. prior year)

            

Residential Furnishings

     (9 %)      5     9     0     (1 %)      6

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     (25 %)      23     8     4     1     (9 %) 

Industrial Materials

     (26 %)      8     29     13     18     19

Specialized Products

     (6 %)      31     30     28     16     28

Overall from Continuing Operations

     (13 %)      14     16     8     6     10

 

1 

Segment margins calculated on Total Sales. Overall company margin calculated on External Sales.

nm = not meaningful