Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Reports Improved Second Quarter Results
FINDLAY, Ohio, Aug. 5, 2009 -- Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today reported operating profit from continuing operations of $41 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, a dramatic $57 million improvement from the same period in 2008. Net income from continuing operations was $31 million for the quarter, a $53 million improvement from a loss in the same measure of $22 million in 2008. Net sales for the period were $632 million, down $141 million from the prior year. The decreased revenues were driven primarily by volume declines related to global economic conditions. The Company had a net loss of $13 million, or 22 cents per share, during the quarter improving from a net loss of $22 million during the second quarter of 2008. The net loss was significantly impacted by charges to discontinued operations of $37 million.
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Improved profits were driven by the Company's continued manufacturing improvements and lower raw material costs. These were partially offset by lower sales volumes, production curtailments and slightly unfavorable price and mix. The Company also continued to progress with the closure of its facility in Albany, Ga., incurring related restructuring costs. Operating profit was 6.6 percent of net sales during the quarter, compared with an operating loss of 1.9 percent during the second quarter of 2008.
The Company had cash of $302 million as of June 30, 2009, up $55 million from Dec. 31, 2008, and reduced debt by $53 million during the first half of 2009.
Through the first six months of 2009, Cooper generated $1.2 billion in net sales. Operating profit was $25 million during the same period, compared with operating losses of $6 million in 2008.
North American Tire Operations
North American Tire operations generated sales of $427 million during the second quarter, down from 2008 net sales of $548 million during the same quarter. Sales volumes were affected by continued soft demand in North America as weakness in the replacement tire market persists. The Cooper brand continued to outpace the industry in the U.S. market when compared to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's reported shipments for the industry. The most significant volume decreases were in the economy and light truck product segments. The private brand distributor channel continued to be significantly weaker. The segment experienced stronger sales during the last month of the quarter as the market showed signs of improvement.
Operating profit for the second quarter improved significantly to $28 million, compared with operating losses of $22 million from the same period in 2008. Raw material cost improvements during the quarter positively affected results by $75 million compared with the prior year quarter. Manufacturing operations improved by $14 million as a result of the Company's continued focus on improvement in this area. An adjustment to pension liability, as the Company froze pension plans for U.S. based salaried employees effective June 30, 2009, resulted in a non-recurring benefit of $8 million. Offsetting this were net negative price and mix changes of $6 million. Volume decreases negatively affected profits by $25 million. The curtailment of production resulted in greater unabsorbed fixed overhead during the period of $10 million compared to a year ago. Restructuring charges amounted to $8 million during the quarter.
To date, the Company has incurred $99 million of restructuring costs related to the closure of its Albany, Ga., facility. The total restructuring costs are estimated to be $120 to $145 million, 60 to 70 percent expected to be non-cash. Production is now expected to cease at the facility by October 2009, ahead of original estimates.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the segment had operating profit of $24 million, a $38 million improvement over the first six months of 2008.
International Tire Operations
The Company's International Tire Operations reported sales of $257 million in the quarter, a decrease of $26 million from the second quarter of 2008. Decreases in sales volumes for the European markets were partially offset by increased volumes from the Asian operations. This resulted in a net decrease in units sold by the segment of 4.5 percent. Currency had a negative impact on sales, while price and mix impacts were slightly negative. Operating profit for the segment was $19 million compared with operating profit of $6 million during the second quarter of 2008. Driving this improvement were lower raw material costs of $19 million and improved manufacturing operations of $5 million, offset by negative price and mix effects of $8 million.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the segment had operating profit of $16 million, a $3 million improvement over the first six months of 2008.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations include a net charge of $35 million for a U.S. tax obligation due to the settlement of a taxation matter for an Advanced Pricing Agreement that was initiated prior to the sale of a former subsidiary. The resulting cash impact to the Company of the above settlement consists of two parts, a tax obligation in the U.S. of approximately $35 million and a refund of taxes paid in Canada of approximately $70 million. On Aug. 3, 2009, Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., the company that acquired the former subsidiary, filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Based upon these facts, the Company does not believe the criteria for recognition of the refund receivable has been met and will not record a receivable until the certainty of realization is assured. The Company will pursue all options to recover the tax refunds owed to it under the sale agreement.
Management Commentary and Outlook
Roy Armes, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We were extremely pleased with the improvements that have occurred in our operations. These are the result of work that has been ongoing for several quarters. The decrease in raw material prices, combined with the relative strength of pricing and mix, were also welcome changes from the forces we encountered during the second half of 2008. Raw material prices have decreased in recent months, and we do not see a return to the extreme price highs of last year, but do expect increases in the second half.
"Focusing on our global cost structure, profitably increasing our top line, and enhancing our organizational capabilities are the key elements of our strategic plan and each are being addressed while preserving liquidity. While the macroeconomic environment remains challenging, we continue to see progress by successfully executing to our capabilities.
"The employees have done an excellent job of focusing on and delivering improvements. Changes in our manufacturing footprint and other operational improvements continue to reposition Cooper as a stronger company. While there are no guarantees that the macroeconomic environment will stabilize or rebound, we look forward to the impact of related operating leverage when economic conditions improve. Because of the uncontrollable factors that affect the tire industry, we remain very cautious about the levels of future profitability."
Cooper's management team will discuss the financial and operating results for the quarter in a conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time Thursday. Interested parties may access the audio portion of that conference call on the investor relations page of the Company's web site at www.coopertire.com.
About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world. For more information, visit Cooper Tire's web site at: www.coopertire.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains what the Company believes are "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding projections, expectations or matters that the Company anticipates may happen with respect to the future performance of the industries in which the Company operates, the economies of the United States and other countries, or the performance of the Company itself, which involve uncertainty and risk.
Such "forward-looking statements" are generally, though not always, preceded by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "projects," "intends," "plans," "estimates," and similar terms that connote a view to the future and are not merely recitations of
historical fact. Such statements are made solely on the basis of the Company's current views and perceptions of future events, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be true.
It is possible that actual results may differ materially from those projections or expectations due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
-- changes in economic and business conditions in the world;
-- the failure to achieve expected sales levels;
-- consolidation among the Company's competitors and customers;
-- technology advancements;
-- the failure of the Company's suppliers to timely deliver products in
accordance with contract specifications;
-- changes in interest and foreign exchange rates;
-- changes in the Company's customer relationships, including loss of
particular business for competitive or other reasons;
-- the impact of reductions in the insurance program covering the
principal risks to the Company, and other unanticipated events and
conditions;
-- volatility in raw material and energy prices, including those of
steel, petroleum based products and natural gas and the unavailability
of such raw materials or energy sources;
-- the inability to obtain and maintain price increases to offset higher
production or material costs;
-- increased competitive activity including actions by larger competitors
or low-cost producers;
-- the inability to recover the costs to develop and test new products or
processes;
-- the risks associated with doing business outside of the United States;
-- changes in pension expense and/or funding resulting from investment
performance of the Company's pension plan assets and changes in
discount rate, salary increase rate, and expected return on plan
assets assumptions, or changes to related accounting regulations;
-- government regulatory initiatives, including regulations under the
TREAD Act;
-- the impact of labor problems, including a strike brought against the
Company or against one or more of its large customers or suppliers;
-- litigation brought against the Company including products liability;
-- an adverse change in the Company's credit ratings, which could
increase its borrowing costs and/or hamper its access to the credit
markets;
-- changes to the credit markets and/or access to those markets;
-- inaccurate assumptions used in developing the Company's strategic plan
or the inability or failure to successfully implement the Company's
strategic plan including closure of the Albany, Georgia facility;
-- inability to adequately protect the Company's intellectual property
rights;
-- failure to successfully integrate acquisitions into operations or
their related financings may impact liquidity and capital resources;
-- inability to use deferred tax assets;
-- recently proposed changes on tariffs for certain tires imported into
the United States from China, and;
-- changes in the Company's relationship with joint venture partners.
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking statements
in this report are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances.
Prospective investors are cautioned that any such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.
The Company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement included herein or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.
Further information covering issues that could materially affect financial performance is contained in the Company's periodic filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
(Statements of income and balance sheets follow. . .)
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
June 30 June 30
-------------------- ----------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales $772,907 $631,729 $1,452,228 $1,203,137
Cost of products sold 743,078 531,269 1,366,161 1,052,408
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit 29,829 100,460 86,067 150,729
Selling, general and
administrative 45,246 50,278 91,930 95,384
Restructuring charges - 8,709 - 23,061
Settlement of retiree
medical case - - - 7,050
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating profit (loss) (15,417) 41,473 (5,863) 25,234
Interest expense (12,742) (12,097) (24,220) (24,752)
Debt extinguishment - - (583) -
Interest income 3,669 1,105 7,392 2,480
Dividend from
unconsolidated subsidiary - - 1,943 -
Other income - net 2,201 1,249 3,518 2,072
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before income taxes (22,289) 31,730 (17,813) 5,034
Income tax benefit
(expense) 677 (967) (371) 2,806
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations (21,612) 30,763 (18,184) 7,840
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations,
net of income taxes (131) (37,085) 213 (37,449)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss) (21,743) (6,322) (17,971) (29,609)
Net income attributable
to noncontrolling
shareholders' interests 488 6,638 2,574 4,618
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)
attributable to Cooper
Tire & Rubber Company $(22,231) $(12,960) $(20,545) $(34,227)
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic earnings (loss)
per share
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
attributable to
Cooper Tire & Rubber
Company $(0.38) $0.41 $(0.35) $0.05
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations (0.00) (0.63) 0.00 (0.64)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)
attributable to
Cooper Tire &
Rubber Company $(0.38) $(0.22) $(0.35) $(0.58)
Diluted earnings (loss)
per share
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
attributable to Cooper
Tire & Rubber Company $(0.38) $0.40 $(0.35) $0.05
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations (0.00) (0.62) 0.00 (0.63)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)
attributable to
Cooper Tire & Rubber
Company $(0.38) $(0.22) $(0.35) $(0.57)
Weighted average shares
outstanding
Basic 58,897 58,958 59,191 58,950
Diluted 58,897 59,803 59,191 59,610
Depreciation $35,136 $30,795 $69,155 $61,346
Amortization $1,150 $547 $2,508 $1,113
Capital expenditures $33,848 $25,389 $65,512 $42,306
Segment information
Net sales
North American Tire $547,513 $427,333 $1,045,185 $866,650
International Tire 282,966 257,182 514,746 423,394
Eliminations (57,572) (52,786) (107,703) (86,907)
Segment profit (loss)
North American Tire (21,906) 27,951 (13,762) 24,331
International Tire 5,944 19,204 12,853 16,383
Eliminations 988 (785) (282) (1,059)
Unallocated corporate
charges (443) (4,897) (4,672) (14,421)
******************************
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30
----------------------
2008 2009
---------- ---------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $252,316 $302,459
Accounts receivable 405,899 367,337
Inventories 443,674 377,080
Other current assets 144,404 65,008
---------- ----------
Total current assets 1,246,293 1,111,884
Net property, plant and equipment 1,007,516 886,549
Goodwill 31,340 -
Restricted cash 2,730 2,310
Intangibles and other assets 81,414 85,206
---------- ----------
$2,369,293 $2,085,949
========== ==========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Notes payable $154,816 $161,083
Trade payables and accrued
liabilities 475,476 449,535
Income taxes 4,060 2,342
Liabilities of discontinued operations 1,317 35,568
Current portion of long-term debt 39,420 118,841
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 675,089 767,369
Long-term debt 419,060 325,469
Postretirement benefits other than
pensions 248,919 246,170
Pension benefits 38,526 263,940
Other long-term liabilities 112,670 123,583
Long-term liabilities of discontinued
operations 9,462 9,905
Deferred income taxes - -
Noncontrolling shareholders' interests 97,827 91,468
Stockholders' equity 767,740 258,045
---------- ----------
$2,369,293 $2,085,949
========== ==========
* Amounts do not add due to rounding.
These interim statements are subject to year-end adjustments.
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