Leggett & Platt Reports First Quarter EPS Of $.33

CARTHAGE, Mo., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• 1Q EPS was $.33, a 10% increase versus the prior year
• 1Q sales were $936 million, 1% lower than in prior year
• 1Q EBIT margin increased to 8.5%, compared to 7.9% last year
• Raised low end of guidance; 2013 EPS guidance now $1.55 - 1.75, on sales of $3.80 - 3.95 billion

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported first quarter earnings per diluted share of $.33.  In the first quarter of 2012, earnings were $.30 per share.  First quarter 2013 earnings increased primarily as a result of cost improvements and favorable product mix in certain businesses.

First quarter 2013 sales were $936 million, a 1% (or $11 million) decrease versus the prior year.  Same location sales declined 2%, due in significant part to lower rod mill trade sales. Unit volumes were essentially flat. Acquisitions improved sales by 1%.

CEO Comments
CEO David S. Haffner commented, "We are pleased with our start to 2013, and remain optimistic that we will continue to see longer-term benefits from ongoing consumer and housing market recoveries. EPS grew 10% versus the same quarter last year, and our EBIT margin increased by 60 basis points. These improvements occurred despite flat unit volume, which reflects the lack of overall market demand growth. First quarter EPS was impacted by 3 cents per share from an unusually high accrual for TSR-driven and other stock-based long-term incentive compensation plans; this primarily reflects the significant increase in stock price from $27 to $34 over the course of the quarter.

"Since 2007, our primary long-term financial goal has been to consistently rank in the top third of the S&P 500 companies for Total Shareholder Return (TSR[1]) as measured over rolling 3-year periods.  For the three year period that began January 1, 2011, we have so far (over the last 28 months) generated annual average TSR of 24%, compared to 13% for the S&P 500 index.  That TSR performance places us among the top 21% of S&P 500 companies, within our goal to be in the top third.

"We have continued to maintain our strong financial base. During the quarter we built our cash position in anticipation of the $200 million long-term debt repayment we made on April 1. At quarter's end we had $500 million available under our existing commercial paper program. We ended the quarter with net debt to net capital at 29.6%, slightly below our long-term 30%-40% target range."

Dividends and Stock Repurchases
In February, Leggett & Platt's Board of Directors declared a $.29 first quarter dividend, one cent higher than last year's first quarter dividend.  Thus, 2013 marks the 42^nd consecutive annual dividend increase for the company, with a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Only two other S&P 500 companies can claim as high a rate of dividend growth for as many years.

At yesterday's closing share price of $33.38, the indicated annual dividend of $1.16 per share generates a yield of 3.5%, one of the highest dividend yields among the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.

During the first quarter the company purchased 1.6 million shares of its stock, and issued 2.4 million shares. Approximately two-thirds of the stock issuance relates to employee stock option exercises in response to recent stock price improvement. The number of shares outstanding rose 0.8 million during the quarter, to 142.9 million. 

2013 Outlook Narrowed
For 2013, Leggett & Platt now anticipates annual sales growth between 2% and 6%, resulting in sales of $3.80-3.95 billion, reflecting the company's belief that the economy will improve modestly. The company increased the low end of its EPS guidance by $.05, and now projects 2013 EPS of $1.55-1.75, a 6% - 20% improvement compared to 2012's Continuing Operations adjusted EPS of $1.46.[2]   

Cash from operations should again exceed $350 million for the full year.  Capital expenditures are expected to be no more than $100 million, and dividend payments should approximate $125 million, as the company previously accelerated the January 2013 dividend payment into December 2012.

As has been typical since 2007, after funding dividends and capital expenditures, any excess cash flow should be targeted toward acquisitions or stock repurchases. Management has standing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 10 million shares each year; however, no specific repurchase commitment or timetable has been established. The company expects during 2013 to issue approximately 4 million shares via employee benefit plans, given the high level of stock option exercises.  

Over the last few years, Leggett & Platt significantly reduced its fixed cost structure, but purposely retained spare production capacity.  Accordingly, unit sales volumes can rebound appreciably without the need for large capital investment.  As a result, the company has meaningful operating leverage that should significantly benefit future earnings as market demand rebounds.

SEGMENT RESULTS – First Quarter 2013 (versus the same period in 2012)
Residential Furnishings – Total sales decreased $6 million, or 1%, from reduced unit volumes.  EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) increased $2 million, with the effect of lower sales more than offset by a $3 million gain related to a hurricane insurance claim, cost improvements, and favorable product mix in the U.S. Spring business unit.

Commercial Fixturing & Components – Total sales increased $1 million, or 1%.  EBIT decreased $6 million due to the absence of last year's $2 million divestiture gain, costs incurred for programs that ship in the second quarter, competitive pricing, and lower sales of office furniture components. 

Industrial Materials – Total sales decreased $12 million, or 5%.  Same location sales declined 7%, as slightly higher unit volumes were more than offset by reduced trade sales at the rod mill and price deflation in wire and rod. EBIT improved by $10 million, primarily due to the absence of last year's $4 million of acquisition-related costs, cost improvements, and higher unit volume in certain businesses.

Specialized Products – Total sales increased $1 million, or 1%.  EBIT declined $3 million, with the benefit from cost reductions and higher sales more than offset by a $5 million charge related to a patent infringement verdict. 

Slides and Conference Call
A set of slides containing summary financial information is available from the Investor Relations section of Leggett's website at www.leggett.com.  Management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Central (9:00 a.m. Eastern) on Friday, April 26. The webcast can be accessed (live or replay) from Leggett's website. The dial-in number is (201) 689-8341; there is no passcode.

Second quarter results will be released after the market closes on Thursday, July 25, with a conference call the next morning.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Leggett's website at www.leggett.com.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) is a diversified manufacturer (and member of the S&P 500) that conceives, designs and produces a variety of engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The 130-year-old firm is comprised of 20 business units, 18,000 employee-partners, and 130 manufacturing facilities located in 17 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) office furniture components; c) drawn steel wire; d) automotive seat support & lumbar systems; e) carpet underlay; f) adjustable bed bases; g) bedding industry machinery.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking." These statements involve uncertainties and risks, including the company's ability to improve operations and realize cost savings, price and product competition from foreign and domestic competitors, changes in demand for the company's products, cost and availability of raw materials and labor, fuel and energy costs, future growth of acquired companies, general economic conditions, foreign currency fluctuation, litigation risks, and other factors described in the company's Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement reflects only the company's beliefs when the statement is made. Actual results could differ materially from expectations, and the company undertakes no duty to update these statements.

CONTACT:   Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or [email protected]
David M. DeSonier, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations
Susan R. McCoy, Staff Vice President of Investor Relations

[1] TSR = (Change in Stock Price + Dividends) / Beginning Stock Price; assumes dividends are reinvested

[2] To aid investors' awareness of basic operational profitability, 2012 adjusted EPS excludes $.22 in unusual tax benefits. Full year 2012 reported EPS was $1.70, including $.02 from Discontinued Operations.

SOURCE Leggett & Platt