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Amcast Announces First Quarter 2001 Results

21 December 2000

Amcast Announces First Quarter 2001 Results

    DAYTON, Ohio--Dec. 20, 2000--Amcast Industrial Corporation today announced results of its first quarter fiscal year 2001, ended December 3, 2000.
    Sales for the first quarter of 2001 were $137.9 million, compared to $146.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. Operating income for the first quarter of 2001 was $4.1 million, 13% below the $4.7 million earned a year ago. Net income was $82,000 (1 cent per diluted share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2001, compared to income before the cumulative effect of an accounting change of $1,295,000 (14 cents per diluted share) a year earlier.
    Demand for the company's copper plumbing fittings and North American automotive products remained near the prior year levels. However, anticipated replacement of commercial brass products business lost in the second quarter of fiscal 2000 was not achieved and demand for aluminum wheels in Europe softened.
    During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, sales for the flow control segment were $33.0 million compared to $35.4 million a year earlier. Operating income was $4.5 million in fiscal 2001, compared to $6.0 million a year earlier.
    Lower revenues in this segment were primarily due to the lower brass sales combined with lower selling levels compared to the prior year. Operating income was reduced by the impact of pricing, partly offset by lower manufacturing and administrative spending and improved plant efficiencies.
    Engineered Components revenues declined from $110.7 million in fiscal 2000 to $105.0 million in fiscal 2001. Revenues were lower in Europe as demand softened and a lower Euro exchange rate prevailed.
    Operating income for the segment was $1.3 million in fiscal 2001 versus $0.6 million earned in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. The improvement was the result of a more profitable mix of wheels in Europe and North America, coupled with lower manufacturing costs, primarily at the company's Wapakoneta, Ohio, plant. This more than offset the impact of lower manufacturing efficiencies and higher costs in the company's European operations.
    The results of the first quarter are below the Company's expectations. They reflect some early signs of a softening in the economy and a resultant cautiousness on the part of some customers regarding inventory levels. The Company announced price increases in selected fitting lines that should benefit the second quarter.
    In Europe and North America, the Company is seeing some easing of demand from automotive manufacturers. In the current uncertain economic climate, the Company is taking a cautious view of the near-term future. In that regard, the Company has begun to take further actions to reduce costs.
    With regard to the previously announced strategic alternatives initiative, the Company and its financial advisors are actively evaluating potential alternatives to increase shareholder value.

    

                         STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands except per share amounts)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                             ------------------------
                                             December 03  November 28
                                                 2000         1999
                                             -----------  -----------
Net sales                                     $ 137,944    $ 146,079
Cost of sales                                   121,656      127,768
                                             -----------  -----------

                              Gross Profit       16,288       18,311

Selling, general and
 administrative expenses                         12,197       13,603
                                             -----------  -----------
 
                          Operating Income        4,091        4,708

Equity in (income) loss of joint
 venture and other (income) and expense             755         (248)
Interest expense                                  3,199        2,823
                                             -----------  -----------

            Income before Income Taxes and
    Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change          137        2,133

Income taxes                                         55          838
                                             -----------  -----------

           Income before Cumulative Effect
                      of Accounting Change           82        1,295

Cumulative effect of accounting change,
 net of tax                                                      983 
                                             -----------  -----------

   Net Income                                 $      82    $   2,278
                                             ===========  ===========

Basic earnings per share before cumulative
 effect of accounting change                  $    0.01    $    0.14
                                             ===========  ===========

Basic earnings per share                      $    0.01    $    0.25
                                             ===========  ===========

Diluted earnings per share before
 cumulative effect of accounting change       $    0.01    $    0.14
                                             ===========  ===========

Diluted earnings per share                    $    0.01    $    0.25
                                             ===========  ===========

Average number of shares outstanding - Basic      8,406        8,956 

Average number of shares outstanding - Diluted    8,412        8,962



                       CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS


($ in thousands)
 
                                       December 03     August 31
                                          2000           2000
                                       -----------     ---------
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents               $  5,399       $  3,062
Accounts receivable                       72,592         85,041
Inventories                               84,891         77,512
Other current assets                      20,569         16,304
                                       -----------     ---------

                                         183,451        181,919


Property, Plant and Equipment            221,700        226,857
Goodwill                                  49,370         49,707
Other Assets                              22,321         21,903
                                       -----------     ---------

                                        $476,842       $480,386
                                       ===========     =========


Current Liabilities
Accounts payable                        $ 76,557       $ 84,285
Current debt                               9,483          4,628
Other current liabilities                 38,370         38,013
                                       -----------     ---------

                                         124,410        126,926


Long-Term Debt                           152,062        147,273
Deferred Liabilities                      48,686         50,233
Shareholders' Equity                     151,684        155,954
                                       -----------     ---------

                                        $476,842       $480,386
                                       ===========     =========