- Sales increased 13 percent to $5.9 billion
- Earnings per share of $0.72, up 22 percent
- Operating cash flow increased 45 percent to $899 million
ST. LOUIS, August 7, 2007 – Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced record net sales and earnings for the third quarter ended June 30, 2007. Net sales totaled $5.9 billion, an increase of 13 percent from the $5.2 billion reported in the prior year period. For the quarter, underlying sales increased 9 percent which excludes the impact of favorable currency exchange rates (3 percent) and growth from acquisitions, net of divestitures (1 percent). Four of Emerson’s five business segments reported double-digit sales growth in the quarter.
Net earnings increased 18 percent to $574 million, or $0.72 per share. The earnings per share amount represents an increase of 22 percent from the $0.59 of earnings per share achieved in the third quarter of 2006. Operating profit margins improved to 16.1% in the quarter, a 40 basis point improvement from the 2006 period. Margins improved in four of the Company’s five business segments. Pretax earnings margins were 14.0 percent compared to 13.7 percent in the prior year period.
“Emerson’s continued strong performance this quarter demonstrates that our long-term strategies are working,” said Emerson Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President David N. Farr. “Our strong organic growth and profit margin improvements would not be possible without market leading technologies and global business platforms to serve our customers. Investing in these technologies and business platforms, while expanding our global footprint, will continue to be Emerson’s focus moving forward.”
For the nine months ended June 30, 2007, net sales were $16.4 billion, an increase of 12 percent over the same period last year. Earnings per share for the first nine months of the fiscal year were $1.88, an increase of 18 percent over the prior year period.
Balance Sheet / Cash Flow:
Operating cash flow in the quarter was $899 million, an increase of 45 percent compared to $620 million in the third quarter of 2006. Free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) for the quarter was $755 million, a 57 percent increase versus the prior year quarter. The Company’s full-year target for capital spending is unchanged at approximately $700 million, but the full year targets for operating and free cash flow have been increased to $2.8 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.
“The Company’s cash flow performance in the quarter was very good and is a testament to the operating management who were key to delivering these strong results,” Farr said. “Focus on cash flow generation and return on total capital continues to be a high priority at Emerson. This focus provides the Company with the ability to make internal growth investments and acquisitions, while also returning significant amounts of cash to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.” Through the first nine months of fiscal 2007, the Company has paid $629 million in dividends and repurchased $628 million of stock. Emerson’s goal is to return between 50 and 60 percent of operating cash flow to shareholders and the Company expects to be at the high end of this range in 2007.
Operating Highlights:
Process Management had another strong quarter as revenue grew by 19 percent. This increase was comprised of 14 percent underlying sales growth, 3 percent favorable impact from currency and 2 percent growth from acquisitions. The momentum of this business is evidenced by continued large project wins around the world. During the quarter, Process announced project awards to digitally automate facilities in the oil sands of Canada as well as the largest lignite-fired power plant in Europe.
Industrial Automation revenues increased by 13 percent during the quarter with growth led by the power generating alternator business. Underlying sales growth in the quarter was 9 percent which excludes a 4 percent favorable impact from currency translation. Growth rates for this segment were highest internationally, where underlying sales grew 12 percent.
Network Power sales increased by 14 percent in the quarter. Underlying sales were up 11 percent, favorable currency translation added more than 2 percent and acquisitions, net of divestitures, contributed approximately 1 percent. In the quarter, growth was in excess of 20 percent for the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and precision cooling businesses as well as the power systems business in Asia.
Climate Technologies grew by 13 percent in the quarter, with Europe and Asia leading the growth. Underlying sales in the quarter increased by 8 percent, acquisitions added 3 percent of growth and currency translation added 2 percent. Favorable conditions outside the United States led to 18 percent underlying sales growth internationally. Growth in the United States was 3 percent in spite of continued softness from residential construction markets.
Appliance and Tools experienced revenue growth of 1 percent in the third quarter. Underlying sales for this segment decreased by 1 percent and was offset by favorable 1 percent impacts from both currency translation and acquisitions. The consumer exposures in this segment, primarily related to big box retailers and residential construction, were soft and led to the negative underlying sales growth.
Full Year Earnings Outlook:
Based on strong results for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007 and continued solid order trends, Emerson has increased the outlook for the full year. The Company now expects full year earnings per share in the range of $2.58 to $2.63, an increase from the previous guidance of $2.50 to $2.60. The new range equates to earnings per share growth of 15 to 17 percent. For the year, underlying sales growth is expected in the range of 6 to 7 percent and reported sales growth is expected to be in the range of 10 to 12 percent.
Upcoming Investor Events
On Tuesday, August 7, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. EDT (1:00 p.m. CDT), Emerson senior management will discuss the third-quarter fiscal 2007 results during an investor conference call. All interested parties may listen to the live conference call via the Internet by going to the Investor Relations area of Emerson's Web site at www.emerson.com/financial and completing a brief registration form. A replay of the conference call will be available for the next three months at the same location on the Web site. Details of upcoming events will be posted as they occur in the Investor Relations Calendar of Events on the corporate Web site.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and Emerson undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect later developments. These risks and uncertainties include economic and currency conditions, market demand, pricing, and competitive and technological factors, among others, as set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
View Q3 2007 Financial Tables