Briggs & Stratton Corporation Reports Strong Sales and Net Income for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2004
MILWAUKEE, April 22 -- Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Briggs & Stratton today announced fiscal 2004 third quarter consolidated net sales of $654.7 million and net income of $71.3 million or $2.88 per diluted share. The third quarter of fiscal 2003 had consolidated net sales of $560.4 million and net income of $43.0 million or $1.81 per diluted share. The $94.3 million or 17% consolidated net sales increase was primarily the result of shipment increases in both the Engines and Power Products business segments. The net income increase of $28.3 million was the result of increased Engines segment sales, a shipment mix that favored engines with higher margins, and greater production volumes in both business segments that lowered unit costs.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2004, the Company had net sales of $1,402.1 million and net income of $95.9 million or $3.95 per diluted share. For the same period a year ago, net sales were $1,149.5 million, and net income was $47.7 million or $2.10 per diluted share. Most of the $252.6 million or 22% sales increase for the first nine months was the result of increased shipments that occurred in both business segments. The majority of the nine-month net income improvement of $48.2 million was the result of increased sales, primarily in the Engines segment, strong production volume increases in both business segments, and a benefit from more favorable exchange rates in fiscal 2004 on Euro denominated engine sales.
Engines:
Third quarter sales were $581.9 million versus $496.9 million for the same period a year ago, an increase of $85.0 million or 17%. A majority of the 17% improvement was the result of a 13% increase in engine unit shipments. The remainder of the improvement was the result of a favorable mix of engine shipments and a $4.4 million revenue improvement from favorable exchange rates on Euro denominated sales.
Sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $1,174.1 million versus $997.0 million in the prior year, an improvement of $177.1 million or 18%. An engine unit shipment increase of 15% and a favorable Euro impact of $22.3 million were the main drivers of the sales increase.
Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was $110.0 million, up $44.6 million or 68% from the same period in the prior year. The major contributor was the sales volume increase that made up over 50% of the improvement. Additional contributions to the improvement came from lower manufacturing expenses due to cost reduction initiatives, a favorable mix of engine shipments, greater production volume that lowered unit costs, and the $4.4 million Euro benefit referenced above. The improvements were partially offset by increased operating expenses. Operating expenses are projected to be higher this year due to anticipated costs related to employees, increased marketing efforts and professional fees.
Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $148.7 million, up $63.4 million or 74% from the same period a year ago. The reasons for the improvement are the same as discussed for the quarter except that the Euro benefit of $22.3 million had a greater impact and, at the same time, product mix played a lesser role because favorable mix was a result of timing between quarters. As in the third quarter, operating costs for the nine months increased and offset some of the gains.
Power Products:
Third quarter sales were $125.6 million versus $94.9 million from the same period a year ago, an increase of $30.7 million or 32%. The 32% improvement was the result of a pressure washer shipment volume increase of 40% and a generator volume increase of 34%. The pressure washer increase resulted from our major retailers aggressively stocking in anticipation of another strong selling season. Although we have not yet entered the hurricane season, generator demand continues to increase due to product awareness created by last summer's landfall of a major hurricane and the power grid failure experienced in the Eastern United States.
Sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $348.8 million versus $209.8 million in the prior year, a $139.0 million or 66% increase. Generator volume increases, for the same reasons identified for the third quarter, account for just over 50% of this increase. Pressure washer volume accounts for the remainder of the increase. The pressure washer increase was driven by advertising and promotional programs at major retailers, a successful new product offering, and increased placement at certain major retailers.
Income from operations was $7.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, an improvement of $1.6 million over the same period a year ago. A significant increase in production volume reduced unit costs by almost $6.0 million. Offsetting the production volume related gains was an increase of $4.0 million in the cost of components purchased from Europe. The cost of these components has increased significantly as the Euro has strengthened.
Income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $21.9 million, an improvement of $12.8 million over the operating income generated for the same period a year ago. Major drivers of income improvement were the significant production volume increase that reduced unit costs and the strong generator and pressure washer sales volume increases that occurred in the first half of fiscal 2004. However, the cost of European sourced components discussed for the quarter, had a negative impact of $7.0 million. In addition, increased variable manufacturing costs related to the high production volumes also offset a portion of the gain derived from increased sales and production volumes.
General:
The effective tax rate for the fiscal 2004 third quarter increased over the prior year. This increase reflects recognition that our European sales are lower this year and hence the foreign tax credit that is derived from the income on those sales will be less. We believe that the effective rate for entire fiscal 2004 will be 34.5%.
Outlook:
As we provide this fourth quarter projection we believe that the spring retail selling season will be strong for both business segments. Consequently, our sales forecast for the fiscal 2004 fourth quarter should be very similar to the actual results achieved last year. Gross margins are projected to be approximately 24.5%, reflecting the benefit of high production volumes and continuing cost reduction programs. Operating expenses are estimated at approximately $55 million. Interest expense is projected at $9 million and other income at $2 million. The effective tax rate is projected at 38%. As a result, fourth quarter net income is anticipated to be in the range of $35 to $40 million. Depreciation and capital expenditures are both estimated to be approximately $16 million.
The fourth quarter projection means our forecast of net income for fiscal 2004 will be in the range of $130 to $135 million. Consolidated sales projections anticipate growth of approximately 15%, with approximately 60% of the growth improvement being provided by Power Products segment sales that are forecasted to approach $450 million for the fiscal year. The remainder of the net sales growth is attributable to engines and reflects our current opinion that we have experienced increased market penetration in fiscal 2004, in addition to the forecasted domestic market growth of 2% to 4% for the fiscal year. Gross margins are projected to be in the range of 23.0% to 23.5%. This improved range reflects our belief that current production levels will continue and results of cost control and reduction programs will remain favorable. Operating expenses are projected to be approximately $206 million, reflecting the variable nature of some costs associated with a higher level of sales. Interest expense is anticipated to be $38 million, and other income approximately $8 million. We are assuming an effective tax rate of 34.5% for the year. Depreciation is estimated to be $65 million, and capital expenditures are projected to be $50 to $55 million.
The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 AM (EDT) to review this information. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on our corporate website: http://www.briggsandstratton.com/shareholders . Also available is a dial-in number to access the call real-time at (888) 743-4176. A replay will be offered beginning approximately two hours after the call ends and will be available for one week. Dial (888) 266-2081 to access the replay. The pass code will be 800911.
BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Fiscal Periods Ended March
(In Thousands, except per share data)
Third Quarter Nine Months
2004 2003 2004 2003
NET SALES $654,681 $560,431 $1,402,060 $1,149,489
COST OF GOODS SOLD 486,914 444,211 1,083,252 929,836
Gross Profit on Sales 167,767 116,220 318,808 219,653
ENGINEERING, SELLING, GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 53,263 46,421 151,333 125,947
Income from Operations 114,504 69,799 167,475 93,706
INTEREST EXPENSE (9,603) (10,117) (29,031) (30,378)
OTHER INCOME, Net 2,467 3,313 5,175 6,814
Income Before Provision
for Income Taxes 107,368 62,995 143,619 70,142
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 36,100 20,020 47,700 22,450
Net Income $71,268 $42,975 $95,919 $47,692
Average Shares Outstanding 22,154 21,626 22,215 21,626
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $3.22 $1.99 $4.32 $2.21
Diluted Average Shares
Outstanding 25,166 24,464 25,191 24,465
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $2.88 $1.81 $3.95 $2.10
Segment Information
(In Thousands)
Third Quarter Nine Months
2004 2003 2004 2003
NET SALES:
Engines $581,915 $496,891 $1,174,111 $996,980
Power Products 125,637 94,904 348,800 209,839
Inter-Segment Eliminations (52,871) (31,364) (120,851) (57,330)
Total* $654,681 $560,431 $1,402,060 $1,149,489
*Includes International
Sales of: $129,992 $139,580 $298,070 $298,958
GROSS PROFIT ON SALES:
Engines $156,450 $105,808 $279,823 $196,523
Power Products 14,146 11,766 42,107 23,845
Inter-Segment Eliminations (2,829) (1,354) (3,122) (715)
Total $167,767 $116,220 $318,808 $219,653
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:
Engines $110,019 $65,392 $148,731 $85,372
Power Products 7,314 5,761 21,866 9,049
Inter-Segment Eliminations (2,829) (1,354) (3,122) (715)
Total $114,504 $69,799 $167,475 $93,706
BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the End of Fiscal March 2004 and 2003
(In Thousands)
2004 2003
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and Cash Equivalents $184,800 $104,942
Accounts Receivable, Net 419,647 373,954
Inventories 331,092 230,745
Deferred Income Tax Asset 55,167 55,616
Other 14,669 15,170
Total Current Assets 1,005,375 780,427
OTHER ASSETS:
Goodwill 154,070 161,030
Investments 43,489 43,637
Prepaid Pension 79,793 71,581
Deferred Loan Costs, Net 6,756 8,834
Other Long-Term Assets 10,966 7,997
Total Other Assets 295,074 293,079
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
At Cost 863,144 890,355
Less - Accumulated Depreciation 506,169 514,369
Plant and Equipment, Net 356,975 375,986
$1,657,424 $1,449,492
2004 2003
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts Payable $149,485 $111,001
Domestic Notes Payable 1,220 2,075
Foreign Loans 1,389 14,948
Accrued Liabilities 215,763 184,460
Total Current Liabilities 367,857 312,484
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Deferred Revenue on Sale of
Plant & Equipment 14,990 15,215
Deferred Income Tax Liability 65,529 49,084
Accrued Pension Liability 21,826 17,193
Accrued Employee Benefits 14,280 13,352
Accrued Postretirement Health
Care Obligation 44,641 57,417
Long-Term Debt 502,378 500,907
Total Other Liabilities 663,644 653,168
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT:
Common Stock and Additional
Paid-in Capital 38,186 35,640
Retained Earnings 895,930 796,062
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Gain 1,190 473
Unearned Compensation on
Restricted Stock (981) (325)
Treasury Stock, at Cost (308,402) (348,010)
Total Shareholders' Investment 625,923 483,840
$1,657,424 $1,449,492
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
Nine Months Ended Fiscal March
2004 2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income $95,919 $47,692
Depreciation and Amortization 48,167 46,546
Loss on Disposition of Plant and
Equipment, Net 4,507 2,889
Provision for Deferred Income Taxes 1,119 6,864
Increase in Accounts Receivable (217,725) (177,964)
Increase in Inventories (121,955) (33,539)
Decrease in Other Current Assets 3,460 2,739
Increase in Accounts Payable and
Accrued Liabilities 68,830 41,578
Increase in Prepaid Pension, Net (4,368) (9,833)
Other, Net (8,607) (10,476)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities (130,653) (83,504)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to Plant and Equipment (35,456) (28,816)
Proceeds Received on Disposition of
Plant and Equipment 617 3,298
Refund of Cash Paid for Acquisition 5,686 -
Dividends Received 3,500 9,861
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (25,653) (15,657)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (Repayments) Borrowings on Loans
and Notes Payable (331) (872)
Dividends (14,667) (13,860)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options 29,415 -
Net Cash Provided by/(Used in)
Financing Activities 14,417 (14,732)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES 1,874 2,890
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (140,015) (111,003)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning 324,815 215,945
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Ending $184,800 $104,942