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A. O. Smith Announces Second Quarter Earnings

MILWAUKEE, July 15 -- A. O. Smith Corporation today announced second quarter earnings of $6.5 million or $.22 per share. The reported earnings include the impact of an after-tax charge of $7.9 million or $.26 per share primarily related to a previously announced restructuring program.

Excluding the charge, second quarter earnings were $14.4 million or $.48 per share compared with $17.3 million or $.58 per share in 2004. Sales for the three-month period ending June 30 were $438 million, unchanged from the same period last year.

For the first six months of 2005, A. O. Smith earned $20.8 million or $.69 per share compared with six-month 2004 earnings of $28.0 million or $.94 per share. Excluding the after-tax charges of $8.5 million or $.28 per share, six month earnings were $29.3 million or $.97 per share.

Six month sales were $847 million, slightly lower than sales of $854 million for the same period in 2004.

"On June 24th we reduced our forecast for 2005 to a range of between $1.60 and $1.80 per share, from $1.80 to $2.00 per share, excluding the impact of the $.35 restructuring program announced with our first quarter results," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. O'Toole commented.

"This change in forecast is primarily the result of an inventory buildup in the wholesale water heater distribution channel, which has adversely affected demand for both commercial and residential product during the first half of 2005. We expect the channel to clear as we progress through the balance of the year."

Water Systems

Although the company saw a favorable impact from improved pricing and a thirty percent sales increase in the China Water Heater business, second quarter sales declined approximately $6 million to $204 million because of softer customer demand in the North American market.

Operating earnings of $18.8 million were similar to the second quarter of 2004 as significantly improved operating efficiency and improved pricing to cover higher material costs offset the impact of lower North American unit volumes. Last year's second quarter results included a non-recurring pretax gain of approximately $3.3 million from the favorable resolution of litigation related to pre-acquisition State Industries' Duron product.

Electrical Products

Second quarter sales of $235 million in the company's electric motor operation were modestly higher than 2004 as improved pricing more than offset weaker demand primarily in markets adversely affected by cooler weather.

Operating earnings were $6.0 million, or $13.4 million excluding a $7.4 million pretax restructuring charge, compared with $17.4 million last year. Though improved pricing offset higher material costs, reduced contribution on lower volume and reduced operating efficiencies resulted in a decline in operating profit. Plant efficiency was adversely affected by inventory reduction initiatives.

Restructuring & Other Costs

In the second quarter the company recorded a pre-tax charge of $8.6 million for restructuring and other costs. In addition to the $7.4 million charge at Electrical Products, primarily related to the closure of its Bray, Ireland facility, there was also a $1.2 million expense related to a contingent leasing liability at its discontinued Automotive Products operation which was recorded as a corporate expense.

Other Matters

During the quarter the company received a $28 million payment against its dip tube receivable leaving a balance of approximately $6 million that will be collected in the second half of this year. This will result in the complete recovery of receivables associated with this dispute. All litigation associated with this issue has been concluded.

Concurrent with this receipt, the company elected to make a voluntary contribution of $30 million to its pension plan.

GSW Acquisition

The company has signed a letter of intent to acquire GSW of Canada, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer durable products, including water heaters and building products. GSW had 2004 sales of approximately $US 470 million. The company has initiated the customary regulatory review process in both the United States and Canada.

Company discusses outlook

"Last month we issued guidance for 2005 of earnings ranging between $1.25 and $1.45 per share, or $1.60 to $1.80 before restructuring and other charges," O'Toole said.

A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is one of North America's largest manufacturers of electric motors, with a comprehensive line of hermetic motors, fractional horsepower alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) motors, and integral horsepower motors, as well as one of North America's largest manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment. The company employs approximately 16,500 people worldwide.

                  A. O.  SMITH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
               (condensed consolidated financial statements -
                 dollars in millions, except per share data)

                            Statement of Earnings
                                 (unaudited)

                                       Three Months ended  Six Months ended
                                             June 30           June 30
                                          2005     2004     2005     2004

  Net sales                              $437.7   $437.3   $846.9   $853.8
  Cost of products sold                   353.5    348.9    674.6    687.2
   Gross profit                            84.2     88.4    172.3    166.6

  Selling, general and administrative      60.4     58.9    122.8    117.6
  Restructuring and other charges           8.6       -       9.5       -
  Interest expense                          3.5      3.2      6.9      6.4
  Other expense                             0.7      0.3      0.8      0.5
                                           11.0     26.0     32.3     42.1
  Tax provision                             4.5      8.7     11.5     14.1

  Net Earnings                             $6.5    $17.3    $20.8    $28.0

  Net Earnings Per Share of Common
   Stock (Diluted)                        $0.22    $0.58    $0.69    $0.94

    Average Common Shares Outstanding
     (000's omitted)                     30,131   29,913   30,068   29,913

                           A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
                                Balance Sheet
                            (dollars in millions)

                                                (unaudited)
                                                  June 30        December 31
                                                   2005              2004
  ASSETS:

      Cash and cash equivalents                    $11.9             $25.1
      Receivables                                  308.8             281.6
      Inventories                                  226.9             233.5
      Deferred income taxes                         11.0              10.9
      Other current assets                          29.7              33.9

        Total Current Assets                       588.3             585.0

      Net property, plant and equipment            348.6             358.8
      Goodwill and other intangibles               313.5             313.2
      Other assets                                  22.8              55.8

      Total Assets                              $1,273.2          $1,312.8

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

      Trade payables                              $170.3            $158.8
      Accrued payroll and benefits                  31.4              28.3
      Product warranty                              16.6              17.5
      Long-term debt due within one year            10.9               8.6
      Other current liabilities                     38.2              32.0

        Total Current Liabilities                  267.4             245.2

      Long-term debt                               226.1             272.5
      Other liabilities                             96.4             102.8
      Pension liability                             60.2              87.9
      Deferred income taxes                         16.3              13.8
      Stockholders' equity                         606.8             590.6

      Total Liabilities and
       Stockholders' Equity                     $1,273.2          $1,312.8

                          A. O.  SMITH CORPORATION
                           STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                            (dollars in millions)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                      Six Months ended
                                                           June 30
                                                    2005             2004
  Operating Activities
  Continuing
       Net earnings                                $20.8             $28.0

       Adjustments to reconcile net
        earnings to net cash provided by
        operating activities:
        Depreciation & amortization                 26.0              26.8
        Net change in current
         assets and liabilities                      0.7             (43.8)
        Net change in noncurrent
         assets and liabilities                      2.8              (1.3)
        Other                                        0.9               2.2
  Cash Provided by Operating Activities             51.2              11.9

  Investing Activities
       Acquisition of business                        -               (2.3)
       Capital expenditures                        (16.4)            (19.8)
  Cash Used in Investing Activities                (16.4)            (22.1)

  Financing Activities
       Long-term debt incurred                         -              16.0
       Long-term debt retired                      (44.2)             (2.1)
       Other stock transactions                      6.1               3.0
       Dividends paid                               (9.4)             (8.8)
  Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing
   Activities                                      (47.5)              8.1

  Discontinued
  Cash Used in Discontinued Operations              (0.5)             (0.4)

       Net decrease in cash and cash
        equivalents                                (13.2)             (2.5)
       Cash and cash equivalents -
        beginning of period                         25.1              18.7

  Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of
   Period                                          $11.9             $16.2

                   A. O.  SMITH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                               Business Segments
                             (dollars in millions)
                                  (unaudited)

                                       Three Months ended  Six Months ended
                                             June 30           June 30
                                          2005     2004     2005     2004
     Net sales
         Electrical Products             $234.5   $227.7   $441.6   $451.3
         Water Systems                    204.0    209.6    406.5    402.5
         Inter-Segment Sales               (0.8)      -      (1.2)      -
                                         $437.7   $437.3   $846.9   $853.8

     Operating earnings
         Electrical Products (1)           $6.0    $17.4    $18.5    $34.5
         Water Systems                     18.8     18.7     39.7     27.5
                                           24.8     36.1     58.2     62.0

     Corporate expenses (2)               (10.3)    (6.9)   (19.0)   (13.5)
     Interest expense                      (3.5)    (3.2)    (6.9)    (6.4)

     Earnings before income taxes          11.0     26.0     32.3     42.1

     Tax provision                          4.5      8.7     11.5     14.1
     Net earnings                          $6.5    $17.3    $20.8    $28.0

     (1) includes pretax restructuring
               and other charges of:       $7.4              $8.3

     (2) includes pretax restructuring
               and other charges of:       $1.2              $1.2