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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016.

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 1-475

 

 

A. O. Smith Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   39-0619790
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
11270 West Park Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin   53224-9508
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip Code)

(414) 359-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.)    ¨  Yes    x  No

Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 2016 — 26,213,695 shares

Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 2016 — 147,699,519 shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Index

A. O. Smith Corporation

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

     3   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

     3   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2016 and December  31, 2015

     4   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

     5   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - September 30, 2016

     6-19   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     20-25   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     25   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     25-26   

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     27   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     27   

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     27   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     27   

Signatures

     28   

Index to Exhibits

     29   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016     2015     2016     2015  

Net sales

   $ 683.9      $ 625.1      $ 1,987.8      $ 1,897.1   

Cost of products sold

     400.6        369.5        1,158.1        1,149.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     283.3        255.6        829.7        747.2   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     164.7        149.0        484.1        455.6   

Interest expense

     2.1        1.6        5.7        6.0   

Other income

     (1.9     (2.2     (6.2     (7.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     118.4        107.2        346.1        293.2   

Provision for income taxes

     35.2        33.6        102.3        90.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Earnings

   $ 83.2      $ 73.6      $ 243.8      $ 203.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

   $ 0.48      $ 0.41      $ 1.39      $ 1.14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Net Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

   $ 0.47      $ 0.41      $ 1.38      $ 1.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends Per Share of Common Stock

   $ 0.12      $ 0.095      $ 0.36      $ 0.285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016     2015     2016     2015  

Net earnings

   $ 83.2      $ 73.6      $ 243.8      $ 203.1   

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (3.5     (17.8     (12.0     (28.0

Unrealized net (losses) gains on cash flow derivative instruments, less related income tax benefit (provision) of $0.2 and $1.1 in 2016, $(0.4) and $(0.4) in 2015

     (0.2     0.6        (1.7     0.6   

Adjustment to pension liability, less related income tax provision of $(1.6) and $(1.5) in 2016 and $(1.8) and $(5.7) in 2015

     2.4        2.7        2.3        8.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive Earnings

   $ 81.9      $ 59.1      $ 232.4      $ 184.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.   

 

3


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions, except share data)

 

     (unaudited)
September 30, 2016
    December 31, 2015  

Assets

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 269.3      $ 323.6   

Marketable securities

     409.5        321.6   

Receivables

     517.3        501.4   

Inventories

     258.6        222.9   

Other current assets

     52.9        45.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     1,507.6        1,415.4   

Property, plant and equipment

     919.8        866.8   

Less accumulated depreciation

     (461.4     (424.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

     458.4        442.7   

Goodwill

     491.8        420.9   

Other intangibles

     311.8        291.0   

Other assets

     54.8        59.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 2,824.4      $ 2,629.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Current Liabilities

    

Trade payables

   $ 455.8      $ 424.9   

Accrued payroll and benefits

     76.8        81.6   

Accrued liabilities

     97.6        90.1   

Product warranties

     44.6        43.7   

Debt due within one year

     7.3        12.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     682.1        653.2   

Long-term debt

     328.9        236.1   

Pension liabilities

     95.2        134.2   

Other liabilities

     192.6        163.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     1,298.8        1,186.9   

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Class A Common Stock, $5 par value: authorized 27,000,000 shares; issued 26,350,200 and 26,373,396

     131.8        131.8   

Common Stock, $1 par value: authorized 240,000,000 shares; issued 164,357,392 and 164,334,196

     164.4        164.4   

Capital in excess of par value

     476.1        469.3   

Retained earnings

     1,531.2        1,350.7   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (324.8     (313.4

Treasury stock at cost

     (453.1     (360.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     1,525.6        1,442.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 2,824.4      $ 2,629.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.   

 

4


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016     2015  

Operating Activities

    

Net earnings

   $ 243.8      $ 203.1   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     48.7        47.3   

Pension (income) expense

     (4.8     0.1   

Stock based compensation expense

     8.1        7.8   

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Current assets and liabilities

     (23.5     (6.4

Noncurrent assets and liabilities

     (7.8     (13.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities - continuing operations

     264.5        238.1   

Cash Used in Operating Activities - discontinued operations

     (0.9     (1.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     263.6        237.1   

Investing Activities

    

Capital expenditures

     (58.7     (53.1

Acquisitions

     (90.5     —     

Investments in marketable securities

     (415.5     (322.2

Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities

     318.2        213.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (246.5     (161.5

Financing Activities

    

Term debt (repaid) incurred

     (13.2     61.7   

Long-term debt incurred (repaid)

     99.7        (22.4

Common stock repurchases

     (100.2     (104.3

Net proceeds from stock option activity

     5.5        3.8   

Dividends paid

     (63.2     (50.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (71.4     (112.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (54.3     (36.5

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

     323.6        319.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period

   $ 269.3      $ 282.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A. O. SMITH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. It is suggested that the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on February 17, 2016.

On April 11, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock and on September 7, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Common Stock (including treasury shares) in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend to stockholders of record on September 21, 2016 and payable on October 5, 2016. All references in the financial statements and footnotes to the number of shares outstanding, price per share amounts, and stock-based compensation data have been recast to reflect the split for all periods presented.

Certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 230, Statement of Cash Flows (issued under Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-15, “Clarification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.”) This amendment clarifies reporting for contingent consideration payments made after a business combination depending on how soon after the acquisition the payments are made. The amendment requires adoption for periods beginning January 1, 2018 and permits early adoption. The Company is in the process of determining whether the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB amended ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (issued under ASU 2016-09). This amendment simplified several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The amendment required adoption for periods beginning January 1, 2017 and permitted early adoption. The Company adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2016.

The amendment required the benefits or deficiencies of tax deductions in excess of or less than the recognized compensation cost to be recorded as income tax benefits or expense in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings in the periods in which they occur. The amendment also

 

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Table of Contents
1. Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

eliminated previous guidance that required unrecognized future excess income tax benefits to be considered used to repurchase shares in the calculation of diluted shares which resulted in lower diluted shares outstanding than the calculation under the amendment. The Company applied this guidance prospectively. As such, in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized $0.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of discrete income tax benefits associated with excess tax benefits on settled stock based compensation awards and the Company’s diluted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased as compared to the way it was calculated under previous guidance.

The amendment also required that cash paid by an employer to a taxing authority when shares are directly withheld for employee income tax withholding purposes be classified as financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. As required, the Company applied this guidance retrospectively in the presentation of the consolidated statements of cash flows for the period beginning January 1, 2015 and, as a result, reclassified $5.8 million of cash used by operating activities to cash used by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

In February 2016, the FASB amended ASC 842, Leases (issued under ASU 2016-02). This amendment requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for most leasing arrangements currently classified as operating leases. This amendment is effective for periods beginning January 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of determining whether the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of earnings or consolidated statements of cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB amended ASC 740, Income Taxes (issued under ASU 2015-17). This amendment required that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The amendment was effective for periods beginning January 1, 2016 and allowed either prospective adoption or retrospective adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 retrospectively and, as a result, has classified all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for all periods presented. Current deferred taxes of $40.5 million as of December 31, 2015 were reclassified to non-current deferred taxes on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

In July 2015, the FASB amended ASC 330, Inventory (issued under ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.”) This amendment requires inventory that is recorded using the first-in, first-out method to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 will be effective prospectively for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of earnings or consolidated statements of cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC 606-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (issued under ASU 2014-09). ASC 606-10 will replace all existing revenue recognition guidance when effective. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral of the effective date to periods beginning January 1, 2018, with early application permitted as of January 1, 2017. Either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption is allowed under ASC 606-10. The Company is in the process of determining whether the adoption of ASC 606-10 will have an impact on its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of earnings or consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents
2. Acquisitions

On August 8, 2016, the Company acquired 100 percent of the shares of Aquasana, Inc. (Aquasana), a Texas-based water treatment company. With the addition of Aquasana, the Company entered the U.S. water treatment market. Aquasana is included in the Company’s North America segment for reporting purposes.

The Company paid an aggregate cash purchase price of $84.8 million, net of $1.9 million of cash acquired. In addition, the Company incurred acquisition-related costs of approximately $1.2 million.

The following table summarizes the preliminary estimate of fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for purposes of allocating the purchase price. The Company is in the process of finalizing the fair value estimates, therefore the allocation of the purchase price is subject to refinement. Of the preliminary $30.0 million of acquired intangible assets, $21.5 million was assigned to trade names that are not subject to amortization, $8.3 million was assigned to customer relationships which will be amortized over ten years and the remaining $0.2 million was assigned to patents which will be amortized over three years.

 

August 8, 2016 (dollars in millions)

      

Current assets, net of cash acquired

   $ 7.3   

Property, plant and equipment

     2.7   

Intangible assets

     30.0   

Goodwill

     59.5   
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     99.5   

Current liabilities

     (5.0

Long-term liabilities

     (9.7
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     (14.7
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 84.8   
  

 

 

 

The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial statements from August 8, 2016, the date of acquisition. Revenues and pre-tax loss associated with Aquasana included in the consolidated statement of earnings totaled $6.2 million and $(1.2) million, respectively which included $0.2 million of operating earnings less $1.2 million of acquisition-related costs and $0.2 of interest expense incurred by the Company resulting from the acquisition.

On August 26, 2016, the Company acquired certain assets, primarily inventory, of a small electric water heater manufacturer serving the North America market. The Company paid $5.7 million for the assets. Under the purchase agreement, the Company agreed to make additional contingent payments for the acquired assets if certain conditions are met over the next ten years. As of the acquisition date, the Company estimated the fair value of the contingent payments at $5.2 million and recorded a liability for the contingent consideration.

 

8


Table of Contents
3. Inventories

The following table presents the components of the Company’s inventory balances:

 

(dollars in millions)

      
     September 30, 2016      December 31, 2015  

Finished products

   $ 118.0       $ 85.7   

Work in process

     12.0         13.4   

Raw materials

     138.3         139.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories, at FIFO cost

     268.3         238.7   

LIFO reserve

     (9.7      (15.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net inventory

   $ 258.6       $ 222.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4. Product Warranties

The Company offers warranties on the sales of certain of its products and records an accrual for the estimated future claims. The following table presents the Company’s warranty liability activity.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 

(dollars in millions)

   2016      2015  

Balance at July 1,

   $ 141.5       $ 138.3   

Expense

     10.4         11.7   

Claims settled

     (8.9      (11.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30,

   $ 143.0       $ 138.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(dollars in millions)

   2016      2015  

Balance at January 1,

   $ 139.4       $ 136.2   

Expense

     35.0         38.1   

Claims settled

     (31.4      (35.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30,

   $ 143.0       $ 138.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5. Long-Term Debt

The Company has a $400 million multi-currency revolving credit agreement with eight banks, which expires on December 12, 2017. The facility has an accordion provision which allows it to be increased up to $500 million if certain conditions (including lender approval) are satisfied.

Borrowings under bank credit lines and commercial paper borrowings are supported by the $400 million revolving credit agreement. As a result of the long-term nature of this facility, the Company’s commercial paper and credit line borrowings are classified as long-term debt at September 30, 2016.

 

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Table of Contents
6. Earnings per Share of Common Stock

The numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is net earnings. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares used in the earnings per share calculations:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares

     174,409,789         177,396,392         175,019,605         178,177,130   

Effect of dilutive stock options and share units

     2,138,589         1,342,756         2,097,444         1,391,714   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

     176,548,378         178,739,148         177,117,049         179,568,844   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

7. Stock Based Compensation

The Company adopted the A. O. Smith Combined Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) effective January 1, 2007. The Plan was reapproved by stockholders on April 16, 2012. The Plan is a continuation of the A. O. Smith Combined Executive Incentive Compensation Plan which was originally approved by stockholders in 2002. The number of shares available for granting of options or share units at September 30, 2016 was 3,268,580. Upon stock option exercise or share unit vesting, shares are issued from treasury stock.

Total stock based compensation expense recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Total stock based compensation expense recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $8.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively.

Stock Options

The stock options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 have three year pro rata vesting from the date of grant. Stock options are issued at exercise prices equal to the fair value of Common Stock on the date of grant. For active employees, all options granted in 2016 and 2015 expire ten years after date of grant. The Company’s stock options are expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period; however, included in the stock option expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was expense associated with the accelerated vesting of stock option awards for certain employees who either are retirement eligible or become retirement eligible during the vesting period. Stock based compensation expense attributable to stock options in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Stock based compensation expense attributable to stock options in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents
7. Stock Based Compensation (continued)

 

Changes in option awards, all of which relate to Common Stock, were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

     Weighted-Avg.
Per Share
Exercise Price
     Number of
Options
     Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(dollars in
millions)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

   $ 18.03         2,653,558         

Granted

     32.08         553,370         

Exercised

     14.01         (508,022      

Forfeited

     28.99         (5,762      
     

 

 

       

Outstanding at September 30, 2016

     21.64         2,693,144         7 years       $ 73.8   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Exercisable at September 30, 2016

   $ 16.11         1,626,562         6 years       $ 53.6   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

The weighted-average fair value per option at the date of grant during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was $8.03 and $8.58, respectively. Assumptions were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2016     2015  

Expected life (years)

     5.8        5.9   

Risk-free interest rate

     1.7     2.0

Dividend yield

     1.3     1.0

Expected volatility

     27.7     29.3

The expected lives of options for purposes of these models are based on historical exercise behaviors. The risk-free interest rates for purposes of these models are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect on the dates of grant for the respective expected lives of the options. The expected dividend yields for purposes of these models are based on the dividends paid on Common Stock in the preceding four quarters divided by the grant date market value of the Common Stock. The expected volatility for purposes of these models are based on the historical volatility of the Common Stock.

Stock Appreciations Rights (SAR)

Certain non-U.S.-based employees have been granted SARs. Each SAR award grants the employee the right to receive cash equal to the excess of the share price of the Common Stock on the date that a participant exercises such right over the grant date price of the stock. SARs granted have three year pro rata vesting from the date of grant. SARs were issued at exercise prices equal to the fair value of Common Stock on the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Compensation expense for SARs is initially measured based on the fair value on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, using assumptions similar to stock option awards. SARs are subsequently remeasured at each reporting period based on a revised Black-Scholes value. No SARs were granted in 2016. As of September 30, 2016, there were 24,940 SARs outstanding and 8,320 were exercisable. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, 430 SARs were exercised and 860 SARs were forfeited. In the first nine months of 2015, the Company granted 26,230 cash-settled SARs.

 

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7. Stock Based Compensation (continued)

 

Restricted Stock and Share Units

Participants may also be awarded shares of restricted stock or share units under the Plan. The Company granted 160,428 and 152,070 share units under the Plan in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The share units were valued at $5.2 million and $4.7 million at the dates of issuance in 2016 and 2015, respectively, based on the prices of the Common Stock at the dates of grant. The share units are recognized as compensation expense ratably over the three-year vesting period; however, included in share unit expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was expense associated with accelerated vesting of share unit awards for certain employees who either are retirement eligible or will become retirement eligible during the vesting period. Stock based compensation expense attributable to share units of $0.7 million and $0.5 million was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Stock based compensation expense attributable to share units of $4.2 million was recognized in each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Certain non-U.S.-based employees receive the cash value of vested shares at the vesting date in lieu of shares.

A summary of share unit activity under the Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

     Number of Units      Weighted-Average
Grant Date Value
 

Issued and unvested at January 1, 2016

     658,524       $ 22.15   

Granted

     160,428         32.21   

Vested

     (268,306      17.39   

Forfeited

     (3,660      29.32   
  

 

 

    

Issued and unvested at September 30, 2016

     546,986       $ 27.39   
  

 

 

    

 

8. Pensions

The following table presents the components of the Company’s net pension expense:

 

(dollars in millions)              
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Service cost

   $ 0.4       $ 0.5       $ 1.3       $ 1.5   

Interest cost

     7.7         9.4         23.0         28.2   

Expected return on plan assets

     (13.9      (14.3      (41.5      (43.1

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     4.4         4.8         13.2         14.3   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (0.3      (0.3      (0.8      (0.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Defined benefit plan (income) expense

   $ (1.7    $ 0.1       $ (4.8    $ 0.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company did not make a contribution to its U.S. pension plan in 2015. The Company is not required to make a contribution in 2016 but made a voluntary $30 million contribution in the three months ended September 30, 2016.

 

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Table of Contents
9. Operations by Segment

The Company is comprised of two reporting segments: North America and Rest of World. The Rest of World segment is primarily comprised of China, Europe and India. Both segments manufacture and market comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless and electric water heaters as well as water treatment products. Both segments primarily manufacture and market in their respective regions of the world. The North America segment also manufactures and globally markets specialty commercial water heating equipment, condensing and non-condensing boilers and water system tanks. The Company also manufactures and markets in-home air purification products in China. The following table presents the Company’s results of operations by segment:

 

(dollars in millions)

                           
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Net sales

           

North America

   $ 450.8       $ 417.4       $ 1,307.5       $ 1,289.3   

Rest of World

     240.3         217.1         697.6         634.3   

Inter-segment sales

     (7.2      (9.4      (17.3      (26.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 683.9       $ 625.1       $ 1,987.8       $ 1,897.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating earnings

           

North America

   $ 100.5       $ 90.5       $ 296.5       $ 247.7   

Rest of World

     31.1         27.4         90.9         84.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     131.6         117.9         387.4         332.2   

Corporate expense

     11.1         9.1         35.6         33.0   

Interest expense

     2.1         1.6         5.7         6.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     118.4         107.2         346.1         293.2   

Provision for income taxes

     35.2         33.6         102.3         90.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 83.2       $ 73.6       $ 243.8       $ 203.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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10. Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach which are prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

(dollars in millions)

             

Fair Value Measurement Using

   September 30,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)

   $ 409.1       $ 323.9   

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)

     —           (0.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 409.1       $ 323.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no changes in the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 

11. Derivative Instruments

ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging as amended, requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of the hedging relationships. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure hedged, as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The Company designates that all of its hedging instruments are cash flow hedges. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax, and is reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The amount by which the cumulative change in the value of the hedge more than offsets the cumulative change in the value of the hedged item (i.e., the ineffective portion) is recorded in earnings, net of tax, in the period the ineffectiveness occurs.

 

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Table of Contents
11. Derivative Instruments (continued)

 

The Company utilizes certain derivative instruments to enhance its ability to manage currency as well as raw materials price risk. Derivative instruments are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into contracts for speculative purposes. The contracts are executed with major financial institutions with no credit loss anticipated for failure of the counterparties to perform.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of certain subsidiaries. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases, sales and certain intercompany transactions in the normal course of business. Currencies for which the Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts include the British pound, Canadian dollar, Euro and Mexican peso.

Gains and losses on these instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, until the underlying transaction is recorded in earnings. When the hedged item is realized, gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings. The assessment of effectiveness for forward contracts is based on changes in the forward rates. These hedges have been determined to be effective.

The majority of the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss for cash flow hedges are expected to be reclassified into earnings within one year.

The following table summarizes, by currency, the contractual amounts of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts.

 

(dollars in millions)

      
     September 30,  
     2016      2015  
     Buy      Sell      Buy      Sell  

British pound

   $ —         $ 0.2       $ —         $ 1.1   

Canadian dollar

     —           77.2         —           64.9   

Euro

     6.7         0.5         9.2         1.9   

Mexican peso

     13.8         —           16.9         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20.5       $ 77.9       $ 26.1       $ 67.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commodity Futures Contracts

In addition to entering into supply arrangements in the normal course of business, the Company also enters into futures contracts to fix the cost of certain raw material purchases, principally copper and steel, with the objective of minimizing changes in cost due to market price fluctuations. The Company’s hedging strategy for achieving this objective is to purchase commodities futures contracts on the open market of the London Metals Exchange (LME) or over the counter contracts based on the LME for copper. The Company purchased steel futures contracts on the New York Metals Exchange (NYMEX).

With NYMEX, the Company is required to make cash deposits on unrealized losses on steel derivative contracts.

 

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Table of Contents
11. Derivative Instruments (continued)

 

The after-tax gains and losses on the effective portion of the copper and steel hedge contracts as of September 30, 2016 were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into cost of products sold in the periods in which the underlying transactions are recorded in earnings. The after-tax gains and losses on the effective portion of the contracts will be reclassified within one year. Contractual amounts of the Company’s commodities futures contracts were immaterial as of September 30, 2016.

The following tables present the impact of derivative contracts on the Company’s financial statements.

Fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:

 

(dollars in millions)

           
    

Balance Sheet Location

   September 30,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 

Foreign currency contracts

   Other current assets    $ 0.6       $ 3.6   
   Accrued liabilities      (1.2      (1.3

Commodities contracts

   Other current assets      0.8         —     
   Accrued liabilities      (1.1      (0.3
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

   $ (0.9    $ 2.0   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

The effect of derivatives designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statement of earnings is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended September 30 (dollars in millions):

 

Derivatives in ASC 815 cash flow hedging relationships

   Amount of gain
(loss)
recognized in
OCI on
derivative
(effective
portion)
   

Location of gain
(loss)
reclassified
from
accumulated
OCI into
earnings
(effective
portion)

   Amount of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into earnings
(effective portion)
   

Location of

gain (loss)
recognized in
earnings on
derivative
(ineffective
portion)

   Amount of
gain (loss)
recognized in
earnings on a
derivative
(ineffective
portion)
 
     2016     2015          2016     2015          2016      2015  

Foreign currency contracts

   $ 0.8      $ 3.0      Cost of products sold    $ (0.3   $ 1.9      N/A    $ —         $ —     

Commodities contracts

     (1.1     (0.2   Cost of products sold      0.7        (0.1   Cost of products sold      —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (0.3   $ 2.8         $ 0.4      $ 1.8           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
11. Derivative Instruments (continued)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30 (dollars in millions):

 

Derivatives in ASC 815 cash flow hedging relationships

   Amount of gain
(loss) recognized
in OCI on
derivative
(effective portion)
    Location of
gain (loss)
reclassified
from
accumulated
OCI into
earnings
(effective
portion)
     Amount of gain
(loss) reclassified
from accumulated
OCI into earnings
(effective portion)
    Location of
gain (loss)
recognized in
earnings on
derivative
(ineffective
portion)
     Amount of
gain (loss)
recognized in
earnings on a
derivative
(ineffective
portion)
 
     2016     2015            2016     2015            2016      2015  

Foreign currency contracts

   $ (4.1   $ 5.7       
 
Cost of
products sold
  
  
   $ (1.1   $ 4.6        N/A       $ —         $ —     

Commodities contracts

     0.7        (0.5    
 
Cost of
products sold
  
  
     0.7        (0.3    
 
Cost of
products sold
  
  
     —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (3.4   $ 5.2         $ (0.4   $ 4.3         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

12. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were 29.7 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively. The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were 31.3 percent and 30.7 percent, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the prior year was primarily due to the early adoption of a new accounting standard for share based compensation beginning January 1, 2016.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $2.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits of which $0.5 million would affect its effective income tax rate if recognized. The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense.

The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for 2014 and 2015 are subject to audit. The Company is subject to state and local audits for tax years 2000-2015. The Company is also subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations for years 2007-2015.

 

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Table of Contents
13. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

Changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss by component are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

            
     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2016     2015  

Cumulative foreign currency translation

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (47.9   $ (6.9

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

     (3.5     (17.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (51.4     (24.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized net (loss) gain on cash flow derivatives

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (0.3     0.9   

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

     —          1.6   

Realized gains on derivatives reclassified to cost of products sold (net of tax provision of $0.2 and $0.7 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)

     (0.2     (1.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (0.5     1.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension liability

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (275.3     (270.0

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

     (0.1     —     

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss: (1)

     2.5        2.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (272.9     (267.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period

   $ (324.8   $ (290.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)      Amortization of pension items:

    

Actuarial losses

   $ 4.4 (2)    $ 4.8 (2) 

Prior year service cost

     (0.3 )(2)      (0.3 )(2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4.1        4.5   

Income tax benefit

     (1.6     (1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassification net of income tax benefit

   $ 2.5      $ 2.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2)       These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 8 - Pensions for additional details

            

 

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13. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component (continued)

 

Changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss by component are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

            
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016     2015  

Cumulative foreign currency translation

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (39.4   $ 3.3   

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

     (12.0     (28.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (51.4     (24.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized net gain on cash flow derivatives

    

Balance at beginning of period

     1.2        0.9   

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

     (1.9     3.2   

Realized losses (gains) on derivatives reclassified to cost of products sold (net of tax (benefit) provision of $(0.2) and $1.7 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)

     0.2        (2.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (0.5     1.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension liability

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (275.2     (276.2

Other comprehensive (gain) loss before reclassifications

     (5.3     0.7   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss: (1)

     7.6        8.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (272.9     (267.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period

   $ (324.8   $ (290.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)      Amortization of pension items:

    

Actuarial losses

   $ 13.2 (2)    $ 14.3 (2) 

Prior year service cost

     (0.8 )(2)      (0.8 )(2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     12.4        13.5   

Income tax benefit

     (4.8     (5.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassification net of income tax benefit

   $ 7.6      $ 8.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2)       These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 8 - Pensions for additional details

            

 

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Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Our Company is comprised of two reporting segments: North America and Rest of World. Our Rest of World segment is primarily comprised of China, Europe and India. Both segments manufacture and market comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless and electric water heaters as well as water treatment products. Both segments primarily manufacture and market in their respective region of the world. Our North America segment also manufactures and globally markets specialty commercial water heating equipment, condensing and non-condensing boilers and water systems tanks. We also manufacture and market in-home air purifier products in China.

Sales in our North America segment increased approximately eight percent in the third quarter of 2016 driven primarily by higher volumes of U.S. residential and commercial water heaters. On August 8, 2016, we entered the U.S. water treatment market by acquiring Aquasana. Aquasana is included in our North America segment and added $6.2 million of sales in that segment. We expect slower growth in our Lochinvar-branded sales than we anticipated earlier in 2016. Our Lochinvar-branded boiler products have historically grown as a result of the transition from lower efficiency boilers to higher efficiency boilers, new product introductions and market share gains. In 2016, we continue to expect our condensing boilers sales to grow at a rate of approximately ten percent. However, this sales growth will be offset by declines in Lochinvar-branded water heater and non-condensing boiler volumes. This likely will result in minimal Lochinvar-branded product sales growth in 2016, which is below our most recent growth expectations of six percent.

Sales in our Rest of World segment grew approximately 11 percent in the third quarter of 2016, as a result of 11 percent sales growth in China. China sales in local currency grew approximately 17 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. We expect full year 2016 sales in China to grow at a rate in excess of 16 percent in local currency driven by expected continued overall water heater market growth, market share gains, improved product mix and growth in sales of water treatment products at a rate significantly higher than 16 percent.

We expect to complete the conversion of nearly all of our North American plant sites to our new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system by the end of 2016. We project expenses related to our ERP implementation to be approximately $25 million in 2016, an increase over the $16 million of expenses in 2015 due to a larger number of scheduled implementation events in 2016. We estimate that our fourth quarter 2016 ERP expenses will be approximately $7 million higher than the same period last year.

On April 11, 2016, our stockholders approved a proposal to increase our authorized shares of Common Stock and on September 7, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of our Class A Common Stock and Common Stock (including treasury shares) in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend to stockholders of record on September 21, 2016 and payable on October 5, 2016. All references in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to the number of shares outstanding and price per share amounts have been recast to reflect the split for all periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THIRD QUARTER AND FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2016 COMPARED TO 2015

Sales for the third quarter of 2016 were $683.9 million or approximately nine percent higher than sales of $625.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Sales in the first nine months of 2016 increased to $1,987.8 million from $1,897.1 million in the same period last year. Excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar measured against the Chinese and Canadian currencies, sales increased approximately 11 percent in the third quarter of 2016 and seven percent in the first nine months of 2016 compared to prior periods. The increase in sales in the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher sales of water heaters and water treatment products in China as well as higher residential and commercial volumes of water heaters in the U.S. The increase in sales the first nine months of 2016 was primarily due to higher sales of water heaters and water treatment products in China as well as higher prices in the U.S. and Canada that were partially offset by lower residential volumes of water heaters in the U.S.

Gross profit margin in the third quarter of 2016 of 41.4 percent was higher than the gross profit margin of 40.9 percent in the third quarter of 2015. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2016 benefitted from higher volumes in China and the U.S. Gross profit margin in the first nine months of 2016 increased to 41.7 percent from 39.4 percent in the first nine months of 2015. Gross margin in the first nine months of 2016 benefitted from higher volumes in China and higher prices on water heaters in the U.S. and Canada as well as lower steel costs globally.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 increased by $15.7 million and $28.5 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods last year. The increase in SG&A expenses in both periods in 2016 was primarily due to higher selling, advertising and engineering costs in support of increased volumes in China.

Interest expense in the third quarter of 2016 was $2.1 million compared to $1.6 million in the same period last year. Interest expense in the first nine months of 2016 was $5.7 million compared to $6.0 million in the same period last year. The increase in interest expense in the third quarter of 2016 primarily resulted from debt incurred relative to the acquisition of Aquasana for approximately $85 million.

Other income was $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2016, down $0.3 million from the same period last year. Other income in the first nine months of 2016 was $6.2 million, down from $7.6 million in the first nine months of 2015. The decrease in other income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 was primarily due to decreased interest income as compared to the same periods last year.

Our pension costs and credits are developed from actuarial valuations. The valuations reflect key assumptions regarding, among other things, discount rates, expected return on assets, retirement ages, and years of service. We consider current market conditions including changes in interest rates in making these assumptions. Our assumption for the expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.5 percent in 2016, compared to 7.75 percent in 2015. The discount rate used to determine net periodic pension costs increased to 4.41 percent in 2016 from 4.05 percent in 2015. We recognized pension income in the first nine months of 2016 of $4.8 million compared to $0.1 million of pension expense in the first nine months of 2015. As of December 31, 2015, we changed the method we used to estimate the service cost and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension plan and post-retirement benefit plan. The change resulted in an approximate $5.4 million decrease in service and interest expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Our pension income/expense is reflected in cost of products sold and SG&A expense.

 

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Our effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 were 29.7 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively. Our effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 were 31.3 percent and 30.7 percent, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period last year was primarily due to our early adoption of a new accounting standard for share-based compensation. We estimate that our annual effective income tax rate for the full year 2016 will be approximately 30 percent, compared to 29.7 percent for the full year 2015.

North America

Sales in our North America segment were $450.8 million in the third quarter of 2016 or $33.4 million higher than sales of $417.4 million in the third quarter of 2015. Sales for the first nine months of 2016 were $1,307.5 million or $18.2 million higher than sales of $1,289.3 million in the same period last year. The increased sales in the third quarter of 2016 were primarily due to higher volumes of residential and commercial water heaters in the U.S. The increased sales in the first nine months of 2016 were primarily due to higher prices in the U.S. and Canada for residential and commercial water heaters that were partially offset by lower residential volumes of water heaters. The August 8, 2016 acquisition of Aquasana added $6.2 million of water treatment sales to our North America segment.

North America operating earnings were $100.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 or approximately 11 percent higher than operating earnings of $90.5 million in the same period of 2015. Operating earnings in the first nine months of 2016 were $296.5 million or approximately 20 percent higher than operating earnings of $247.7 million in the first nine months of 2015. Operating margin of 22.3 percent in the third quarter of 2016 was higher than 21.7 percent in the same period last year. Operating margin of 22.7 percent in the first nine months of 2016 was higher than 19.2 percent in the same period in 2015. The higher operating earnings and operating margin in third quarter of 2016 were primarily due to higher residential and commercial volumes of water heaters in the U.S. The higher operating earnings and operating margin in first nine months of 2016 were primarily due to higher prices in the U.S. and Canada and lower steel costs that were partially offset by lower residential volumes of water heaters. We expect our full year operating margin to be between 21.75 and 22.0 percent in 2016.

Rest of World

Sales in our Rest of World segment were $240.3 million in the third quarter of 2016 or $23.2 million higher than sales of $217.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Sales in the first nine months of 2016 were $697.6 million or $63.3 million higher than sales of $634.3 million in the first nine months of 2015. Excluding the negative impact of currency translation, sales in China grew 17 percent in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 due to higher sales of water heaters and water treatment products.

Rest of World operating earnings were $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 or approximately 14 percent higher than operating earnings of $27.4 million in the third quarter of 2015. Operating earnings in the first nine months of 2016 of $90.9 million were approximately eight percent higher than operating earnings of $84.5 million in the first nine months of 2015. China currency translation negatively impacted operating earnings by approximately $2 million and $5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. The higher operating earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 were primarily due to higher sales in China, partially offset by increased SG&A expenses in China. SG&A expenses were higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 primarily due to higher selling expenses in China to support our expansion in tier

 

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two and tier three cities and our e-commerce platform. Additionally, the third quarter of 2016 was impacted by higher advertising expenses to promote our products in China during the Summer Olympic Games and the European Soccer Championship – Euro 2016. Operating margin of 12.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016 was slightly higher than the operating margin of 12.6 percent in the same period last year. Operating margin of 13.0 percent in the first nine months of 2016 was slightly lower than the operating margin of 13.3 percent in the same period last year. Operating margins in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 were impacted by the factors mentioned above. In addition, our operating margin in the third quarter of 2016 benefitted from smaller losses in India. We expect our full year operating margin to be slightly above 13 percent in 2016.

Outlook

We expect our sales to grow between eight and 8.25 percent in local currency and between six and 6.25 percent in U.S. dollars in 2016. These growth rate forecasts reflect assumptions for currency underlying our organic growth at current exchange rates, except they assume continued depreciation in the China currency rate to an average of 6.80 to the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter. We expect China sales growth at a rate greater than 16 percent in local currency in 2016. As a result of continued strong performance in China and in North America, we increased the midpoint of our guidance for 2016. We believe we will achieve full year earnings of between $1.81 and $1.83 per share. These estimates do not include the potential impact from future acquisitions.

Liquidity & Capital Resources

Working capital of $825.5 million at September 30, 2016 was $63.3 million higher than at December 31, 2015 primarily due to higher cash and marketable securities balances located outside of the U.S., higher global inventory balances and higher working capital resulting from the acquisition of Aquasana which were partially offset by higher accounts payable balances in China. As of September 30, 2016, essentially all of our $678.8 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was held by our foreign subsidiaries. We would incur a cost to repatriate these funds to the U.S. and $44.4 million remains accrued for the repatriation of a portion of these funds.

Cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2016 increased to $263.6 million compared with $237.1 million of cash provided by operating activities during the same period last year. Higher earnings, partially offset by higher outlays for working capital resulted in the increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2016. For the full year 2016, we expect total cash provided by operating activities to be approximately $325 million.

Capital expenditures totaled $58.7 million in the first nine months of 2016, compared with $53.1 million spent in the year ago period. We project 2016 capital expenditures will be approximately $95 million to $100 million, including approximately $10 million to support our ERP system implementation and approximately $27 million related to capacity expansion to support growth in China and the U.S. We expect full year depreciation and amortization will be approximately $66 million.

In December 2012, we completed a $400 million multi-currency credit facility with a group of eight banks which expires in December 2017. The facility has an accordion provision which allows it to be increased up to $500 million if certain conditions (including lender approval) are satisfied. Borrowing rates under the facility are determined by our leverage ratio. The facility requires us to maintain two financial covenants, a leverage ratio test and an interest coverage test, and we were in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2016.

 

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The facility backs up commercial paper and credit line borrowings. As a result of the long-term nature of this facility, our commercial paper and credit line borrowings, as well as drawings under the facility, are classified as long-term debt. At September 30, 2016, we had available borrowing capacity of $153.4 million under this facility. We believe the combination of available borrowing capacity and operating cash flow will provide sufficient funds to finance our existing operations for the foreseeable future.

In January 2015, we issued $75 million of fixed rate term notes to an insurance company. Principal payments commence in 2020 and the notes mature in 2030. The notes have an interest rate of 3.52 percent. We used proceeds of the notes to pay down borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Our total debt increased $87.2 million from $249.0 million at December 31, 2015 to $336.2 million at September 30, 2016, primarily due to the acquisition of Aquasana. Our leverage, as measured by the ratio of total debt to total capitalization, was 18.1 percent at September 30, 2016, compared with 14.7 percent at December 31, 2015.

Our pension plan continues to meet all funding requirements under Employee Retirement Income Security Act regulations. We are not required to make a contribution to the plan in 2016. However, primarily due to our expected continued strong cash flow generation and escalating Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insurance premiums, we made a $30 million voluntary contribution to the plan in 2016.

In 2015, our Board of Directors approved adding 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock to an existing discretionary share repurchase authority. Under our share repurchase program, we may purchase our Common Stock through a combination of Rule 10b5-1 automatic trading plan purchases and discretionary purchases in accordance with applicable securities laws. The stock repurchase authorization remains effective until terminated by our Board of Directors which may occur at any time, subject to the parameters of any Rule 10b5-1 automatic trading plan that we may then have in effect. We completed a two for one stock split on October 5, 2016. Adjusting for the split, during the first nine months of 2016, we repurchased 2,546,954 shares of our stock at a total cost of $100.2 million and a total of 2,632,558 shares of the authority remained at September 30, 2016. Depending on factors such as stock price, working capital requirements and alternative investment opportunities, we anticipate spending approximately $135 million on stock repurchases in 2016.

On October 6, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.12 per share on our Common Stock and Class A common stock. The dividend is payable on November 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on October 31, 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. which requires the use of estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. The critical accounting policies that we believe could have the most significant effect on our reported results or require complex judgment by management are contained in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. We believe that as of September 30, 2016 there has been no material change to this information.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 – Basis of Presentation in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part 1 Financial Information.

Forward Looking Statements

This filing contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this filing. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things, the following: a further slowdown in the growth rate of the Chinese economy and/or a decline in the growth rate of consumer spending in China; potential weakening in the high efficiency boiler segment in the U.S.; significant volatility in raw material prices; our inability to implement and maintain pricing actions; potential weakening in the U.S. residential or commercial construction or instability in our replacement markets; uncertain costs, savings and timeframes associated with our implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system; foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to execute our acquisition strategy; competitive pressures on our businesses; and adverse general economic conditions and capital market deterioration.

Forward-looking statements included in this filing are made only as of the date of this filing, and we are under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are qualified entirely by these cautionary statements.

ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As is more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, we are exposed to various types of market risks, including currency and certain commodity risks. Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk have not materially changed since that report was filed. We monitor our currency and commodity risks on a continuous basis and generally enter into forward and futures contracts to minimize these exposures. The majority of the contracts are for periods of less than one year. We do not engage in speculation in our derivative strategies. It is important to note that gains and losses from our forward and futures contract activities are offset by changes in the underlying costs of the transactions being hedged.

ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based upon their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

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Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There have been no material changes in the legal and environmental matters discussed in Part 1, Item 3 and Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

We completed a two-for-one stock split on October 5, 2016. Amounts below have been adjusted to reflect the stock split. In 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock to an existing discretionary share repurchase authority. Under the share repurchase program, the Common Stock may be purchased through a combination of Rule 10b5-1 automatic trading plan and discretionary purchases in accordance with applicable securities laws. The number of shares purchased and the timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, as well as working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities. The stock repurchase authorization remains effective until terminated by our Board of Directors which may occur at any time, subject to the parameters of any Rule 10b5-1 automatic trading plan that we may then have in effect. In the third quarter of 2016, we repurchased 382,558 shares at an average price of $47.01 per share and at a total cost of $18.0 million. As of September 30, 2016, there were 2,632,558 shares remaining on the existing repurchase authority.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

   (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
     (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share
     (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
     (d) Maximum
Number of Shares
that may yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 

July 1 – July 31, 2016

     24,000       $ 41.85         24,000         2,991,116   

August 1 – August 31, 2016

     115,250         47.30         115,250         2,875,866   

September 1 – September 31, 2016

     243,308         47.38         243,308         2,632,558   

ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS

Refer to the Exhibit Index on page 29 of this report.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has authorized this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.

 

    A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
November 8, 2016    

 /s/ Daniel L. Kempken

    Daniel L. Kempken
    Vice President and Controller
November 8, 2016    

 /s/ John J. Kita

    John J. Kita
    Executive Vice Presidentand Chief Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  31.1    Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  31.2    Certification of Periodic Report by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  32.1    Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
  32.2    Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101    The following materials from A. O. Smith Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 are filed herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensive Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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