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Worthington Reports Second Quarter Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Worthington Industries, Inc. today reported results for the three- and six-month periods ended November 30, 2006.

(U.S. dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

2Q2007 

1Q2007

2Q2006

6M2007

6M2006

Net sales $ 729.3  $ 778.7  $ 699.5  $ 1,508.0  $ 1,393.7 
Operating income 30.6  54.7  49.7  85.3  77.2 
Equity income 14.8  18.3  14.2  33.1  27.4 
Net earnings 26.9  43.2  39.0  70.2  67.4 
Earnings per share

$ 0.31 

$ 0.48  $ 0.44  $ 0.79  $ 0.76 
 

EBITDA(a)

$ 60.4  $ 87.6  $ 79.4  $ 147.9  $ 134.9 

(a)Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. See reconciliation on consolidated statement of earnings.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2007, net sales were $729.3 million, an increase of 4% from $699.5 million last year. Second quarter net earnings were $26.9 million and earnings per diluted share were $0.31, compared to $39.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Net earnings in the prior year period (2Q2006) included a $0.04 per share after-tax benefit due to a $5.3 million reduction in insurance reserves.

For the six-month period, net sales of $1,508.0 million were 8% higher than $1,393.7 million for the same period last year. Net earnings were $70.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, up 4% from $67.4 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

While we again had strong performances from our Pressure Cylinders segment and WAVE joint venture, our Steel Processing and Metal Framing segments had lower volumes as a result of weaker demand, Chairman and CEO John McConnell stated.

Volumes in these two segments are expected to reach their lowest levels in December and result in our third quarter being the weakest of the year. The degree of weakness will depend on steel pricing and how quickly our end markets improve. McConnell added, With excellent people and improving opportunities, we will make the most of a difficult third quarter and end the year with a much stronger fourth quarter.

Second Quarter Highlights

  • Quarterly net sales and operating income in the Pressure Cylinders segment were a second quarter record $120.3 million and $20.2 million, respectively.
  • Equity income from six unconsolidated joint ventures, totaled $14.8 million due to record second quarter performance at Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE).
  • During the second quarter, 3.6 million common shares were repurchased, reducing total outstanding shares to 85.2 million at quarter end.
  • During the second quarter, $15.1 million was paid to shareholders in a regular quarterly dividend. At quarter end, the dividend yielded a 3.7% annualized return.

Quarterly Segment Results

In the Steel Processing segment, quarterly net sales rose 3%, or $10.4 million, to $374.9 million from $364.5 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2006. The acquisition of Precision Specialty Metals (PSM) in August 2006 contributed $13.6 million to the net sales increase. Pricing improved relative to the prior year (up 19%) as a result of the acquisition and generally higher steel prices but was offset by a 14% decline in volume. Operating income fell primarily due to the lower volumes.

In the Metal Framing segment, net sales decreased 1% or $2.7 million, to $189.5 million from $192.2 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2006. Pricing improved 7% but was offset by lower volumes (down 8%) compared to the year ago quarter. The increase in selling prices was not enough to offset sharply higher raw material costs. The combined impact of a narrower spread between selling prices and material costs and reduced volumes led to an operating loss.

In the Pressure Cylinders segment, net sales increased 13%, or $13.8 million, to $120.3 million from $106.5 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2006. Average selling prices improved significantly due to product mix and price increases in certain product lines. The product mix improvement, strong results in Europe and plant consolidation savings led to an 80% improvement in operating income from the prior year.

Worthingtons joint ventures added significantly to second quarter results. Equity in the net income of six unconsolidated affiliates totaled $14.8 million for the quarter, compared to $14.2 million in the year ago quarter. Compared to the year ago quarter, WAVE equity income was up 16%. WAVEs improvement was offset by weaker results in the other joint ventures and by changes in the mix of joint ventures. (Dietrich Residential Construction became a consolidated entity in October 2005, Acerex was sold in April 2006 and the Dietrich/NOVA joint venture was formed in July 2006.)

Outlook

While the outlook for the Pressure Cylinders segment and the WAVE joint venture continues to be positive, the Steel Processing and Metal Framing segments will likely generate losses early in the third quarter due to a combination of higher priced inventory and lower volumes. Both margins and volume should begin to improve somewhat in January, with the volume recovery in Steel Processing being more predictable, but consolidated results for the third quarter may be very weak. The depth of the weakness in the third quarter will largely depend on pricing and the pace at which demand recovers in Metal Framing. It is expected that both Metal Framing and Steel Processing will deplete their higher priced inventories during the third quarter and will be well positioned for a recovery as the seasonally strong fourth quarter begins in March.

Other

Share Repurchases

During the second quarter, 3.6 million shares were repurchased under a 10 million share authorization originally announced June 13, 2005, leaving approximately 6.4 million shares. Purchases may occur from time to time, on the open market or in private transactions, with consideration given to the market price of the stock, the nature of other investment opportunities, cash flows from operations and general economic conditions.

Dividend Declared

On November 15, 2006, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share payable December 29, 2006, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2006.

Conference Call

Worthington will review second quarter results during its quarterly conference call today, December 21, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Details on the conference call can be found on the company web site at www.WorthingtonIndustries.com

Corporate Profile

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of approximately $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is North Americas premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as metal framing, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stampings, metal ceiling grid systems and laser welded blanks. Worthington employs more than 8,000 people and operates 63 facilities in 10 countries.

Founded in 1955, the company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule, with earning money for its shareholders as the first corporate goal. This philosophy, an unwavering commitment to the customer, and one of the strongest employee/employer partnerships in American industry serve as the companys foundation. Worthington Industries is listed as one of Americas Most Admired Companies and one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America by Fortune magazine.

Safe Harbor Statement

The company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act). Statements by the company relating to future or expected performance, sales, operating results and earnings per share; projected capacity and working capital needs; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods; anticipated capital expenditures and asset sales; projected timing, results, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions or to facility dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; new products and markets; expectations for company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets; expected benefits from new initiatives; effects of judicial rulings and other non-historical matters constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation, product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the companys products; fluctuations in pricing, quality or availability of raw materials (particularly steel), supplies, utilities and other items required by operations; effects of facility closures and the consolidation of operations; the effect of consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction and related industries; failure to maintain appropriate levels of inventories; the ability to realize cost savings and operational efficiencies on a timely basis; the overall success of, and the ability to integrate, newly-acquired businesses and achieve synergies therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies within facilities and within the industry as a whole; financial difficulties (including bankruptcy filings) of customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the company does business; the effect of national, regional and worldwide economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including a prolonged or substantial economic downturn; the effect of disruption in business of suppliers, customers, facilities and shipping operations due to adverse weather, casualty events, equipment breakdowns, acts of war or terrorist activities or other causes; changes in customer inventories, spending patterns, product choices, and supplier choices; risks associated with doing business internationally, including economic, political and social instability, and foreign currency exposure; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; adverse claims experience with respect to workers compensation, product recalls or liability, casualty events or other matters; deviation of actual results from estimates and/or assumptions used by the company in the application of its significant accounting policies; level of imports and import prices in the companys markets; the impact of judicial rulings and governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad; and other risks described from time to time in the companys filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share)
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
November 30, November 30,
2006 2005 2006 2005
Net sales $ 729,262  $ 699,516  $ 1,507,982  $ 1,393,663 
Cost of goods sold 645,164  596,108  1,302,533  1,214,903 
Gross margin 84,098  103,408  205,449  178,760 
Selling, general and administrative expense 53,531  53,747  120,157  101,554 
Operating income 30,567  49,661  85,292  77,206 
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income (expense) (704) (163) (1,069) 195 
Interest expense (6,022) (6,555) (10,367) (13,282)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates 14,802  14,175  33,081  27,387 
Earnings before income taxes 38,643  57,118  106,937  91,506 
Income tax expense 11,698  18,090  36,765  24,071 
Net earnings $ 26,945  $ 39,028  $ 70,172  $ 67,435 
 
 
Average common shares outstanding - basic 87,234  88,194  88,004  88,082 
Earnings per share - basic $ 0.31  $ 0.44  $ 0.80  $ 0.77 
 
 
Average common shares outstanding - diluted 87,611  88,986  88,555  88,729 
Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.31  $ 0.44  $ 0.79  $ 0.76 
 
 
Common shares outstanding at end of period 85,203  88,285  85,203  88,285 
 
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.17  $ 0.17  $ 0.34  $ 0.34 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of net earnings to EBITDA
Net earnings $ 26,945  $ 39,028 

 

$ 70,172  $ 67,435 
Interest expense 6,022  6,555 

 

10,367  13,282 
Income taxes 11,698  18,090 

 

36,765  24,071 
Depreciation & amortization 15,690  15,749  30,621  30,109 
EBITDA $ 60,355  $ 79,422 

 

$ 147,925  $ 134,897 
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
November 30, May 31,
2006 2006
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,527  $ 56,216 
Short-term investments 2,173 
Receivables, less allowances of $5,112 and $4,964 at November 30, 2006 and May 31, 2006
379,219  404,553 
Inventories:
Raw materials 309,270  266,818 
Work in process 109,111  104,244 
Finished products 113,010  88,295 

Total inventories

531,391  459,357 
Assets held for sale 6,875  23,535 
Deferred income taxes 15,451  15,854 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 38,547  34,553 
Total current assets 994,010  996,241 
 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 126,135  123,748 
Goodwill 178,703  177,771 
Other assets 48,970  55,733 
Property, plant & equipment, net 570,302  546,904 
Total assets $ 1,918,120  $ 1,900,397 
 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 218,467  $ 362,883 
Notes payable 203,500  7,684 
Accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and related taxes 41,135  49,784 
Dividends payable 14,486  15,078 
Other accrued items 41,731  36,483 
Income taxes payable 7,614  18,874 
Total current liabilities 526,933  490,786 
 
Other liabilities 57,811  55,249 
Long-term debt 245,000  245,000 
Deferred income taxes 112,329  114,610 
Total liabilities 942,073  905,645 
 
Minority interest 52,281  49,446 
Shareholders' equity 923,766  945,306 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,918,120  $ 1,900,397 
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
November 30, November 30,
2006 2005 2006 2005
Operating activities
Net earnings $ 26,945  $ 39,028  $ 70,172  $ 67,435 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 
Depreciation and amortization 15,690  15,749  30,621  30,109 
Provision for deferred income taxes (670) (737) 174  (5,202)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions 10,123  (8,171) (537) (8,820)
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries 965  1,753  2,581  2,534 
Other adjustments (1,993) 1,496  (577) 2,337 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 24,223  2,214  32,793  59,914 
Inventories 23,597  (19,120) (63,938) 36,219 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (865) (6,093) (3,246) (7,194)
Other assets 3,494  729  3,988  (630)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (93,964) 64,776  (166,575) 32,695 
Other liabilities 3,393  (7,277) 1,765  (3,522)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 10,938  84,347  (92,779) 205,875 
 
Investing activities
Investment in property, plant and equipment, net (16,684) (12,137) (33,507) (25,013)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (577) (6,770) (31,727) (6,770)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (364) (1,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets 17,072  1,848  17,956  2,782 
Purchases of short-term investments (175,254) (243,253)
Sales of short-term investments -  117,999  2,173  147,999 
Net cash used by investing activities (553) (74,314) (46,105) (124,255)
 
Financing activities
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 72,726  195,816 
Principal payments on long-term debt (2) 23  (2) (490)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 15  2,808  1,865  4,103 
Excess tax benefits - stock-based compensation 200 
Payments to minority interest (1,920) (3,840)
Repurchase of common shares (62,508) (62,508)
Dividends paid (15,098) (14,970) (30,176) (29,920)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (4,867) (14,059) 105,195  (30,147)
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5,518  (4,026) (33,689) 51,473 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 17,009  112,748  56,216  57,249 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 22,527  $ 108,722  $ 22,527  $ 108,722 
WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
This supplemental information is provided to assist in the analysis of the results of operations.
 
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
November 30, November 30,
2006 2005 2006 2005
Volume:
Steel Processing (tons) 791  919  1,688  1,756 
Metal Framing (tons) 157  171  323  355 
Pressure Cylinders (units) 9,379  12,005  21,321  25,550 
 
Net sales:
Steel Processing $ 374,879  $ 364,458  $ 775,867  $ 716,085 
Metal Framing 189,515  192,197  401,855  397,519 
Pressure Cylinders 120,300  106,463  241,811  213,516 
Other 44,568  36,398  88,449  66,543 
Total net sales $ 729,262  $ 699,516  $ 1,507,982  $ 1,393,663 
 
Material cost:
Steel Processing $ 287,934  $ 266,428  $ 585,763  $ 545,001 
Metal Framing 138,522  119,988  268,708  256,797 
Pressure Cylinders 53,329  50,270  110,495  105,319 
 
Operating income (loss):
Steel Processing $ 17,774  $ 24,661  $ 38,571  $ 33,027 
Metal Framing (4,862) 13,857  12,919  24,252 
Pressure Cylinders 20,166  11,214  36,836  19,168 
Other (2,511) (71) (3,034) 759 
Total operating income $ 30,567  $ 49,661  $ 85,292  $ 77,206