- Third quarter sales increased 11 percent, to $5.6 billion
- EPS from continuing operations increased 53 percent, to $0.78
- Operating profit margin expanded 330 basis points to 18.0 percent
- Full year EPS guidance raised to $2.60 to $2.70
ST. LOUIS, August 3, 2010 – Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced that net sales for the third quarter ended June 30, 2010 were $5.6 billion, an increase of 11 percent from the prior year quarter. Underlying sales increased 7 percent, which excludes a 3 percent impact from acquisitions and a 1 percent impact from favorable currency exchange rates. Growth resumed in the U.S. and Europe, up 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Asia continued to grow, as it has each quarter this year, increasing 3 percent.
Earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter were $0.78 per share, increasing 53 percent compared with $0.51 last year. Including discontinued operations, net earnings per share increased 51 percent, to $0.77.
“Global markets continue to recover, at a slower pace than previous economic cycles, but in-line with our expectations. We expect this slow, but steady, recovery to continue for the next several years. We do not expect a double-dip recession in our end markets. This will be an environment where well-managed, global industrial companies can operate quite efficiently,” said Chairman, CEO and President David N. Farr. “Our solid third quarter results prove the actions we’re taking to strengthen Emerson’s performance and accelerate growth in key markets around the world continue to be the right ones. We delivered substantial improvements in sales, profits and margins during the quarter and have positive momentum globally as we finish out our fiscal year.”
Gross profit margin and operating profit margin expansion were strong as a result of leverage on higher sales volume, new product and technology programs, and our aggressive global restructuring and repositioning efforts. Gross profit margin improved to 39.2 percent compared with 36.1 percent in the prior year quarter, and operating profit margin increased to 18.0 percent, compared with 14.7 percent in the prior year period. Pretax margin improved 4.8 points from 10.9 percent to 15.7 percent.
Business Segment Highlights
Process Management sales moved positive, up 2 percent in the quarter, which included a 1 percent underlying sales decrease, a 2 percent favorable impact from acquisitions and a positive currency impact of 1 percent. Segment margin improved to 20.6 percent, increasing 5.8 points from 14.8 percent in the prior year quarter, driven primarily by cost reductions, positive mix, lower restructuring expense and foreign currency transactions. Orders have continued to strengthen and project quoting activity has increased, although mega-projects are not expected to have an impact until later in 2011. Process Management was recently selected as the main automation contractor for Shell’s floating LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility, potentially the world’s first floating LNG development. Process Management also opened a $30 million global innovation center, including the world’s largest flow lab, to develop and test high-performance valves.
Industrial Automation sales increased 18 percent in the quarter with 16 percent underlying sales growth and a 2 percent favorable impact from acquisitions. Sales growth resumed across all businesses and geographies in this segment. Segment margin increased 7.1 points to 12.8 percent, with positive impacts from volume leverage and aggressive cost reduction actions, compared with significant deleverage in the prior year quarter.
Network Power sales increased 7 percent in the quarter, including an underlying sales decline of 1 percent, a 7 percent favorable impact from the Avocent acquisition and a positive currency impact of 1 percent. Growth remained solid in the earlier cycle embedded power business. Sales in Asia weakened against solid growth last year as well as a reduction in stimulus benefits in China versus the prior year quarter, but are expected to grow in the fourth quarter. Orders continue to improve for the uninterruptible power supply and precision cooling business. Margin for this segment expanded 2.4 points to 12.8 percent, due primarily to aggressive cost repositioning actions, lower restructuring expense and a favorable impact from foreign currency transactions.
Climate Technologies demonstrated strong global growth with sales increasing 29 percent in the third quarter. International growth was 35 percent and U.S. growth was 23 percent. Underlying sales were up 28 percent and acquisitions added 1 percent. Strength in Asia continued, with sales up 49 percent compared with the prior year quarter with positive impacts from stimulus programs and recently enacted higher-efficiency standards in China. U.S. sales growth remained broad-based among residential, refrigeration and commercial end markets. Europe moved positive and grew 22 percent in the quarter, with strength in refrigeration. Margin increased 4.4 points to 20.1 percent reflecting benefits from volume leverage, restructuring efforts and lower restructuring expense.
Appliance and Tools sales grew 10 percent in the quarter, including an 8 percent increase in underlying sales and a 2 percent favorable impact from acquisitions. Sales growth was solid across the professional tools, motors and appliance businesses, partially offset by weakness in residential storage. Segment margin expanded 4.0 points to 18.0 percent, driven primarily by benefits from restructuring programs and volume leverage.
Balance Sheet / Cash Flow
For the third quarter, operating cash flow was $703 million and capital expenditures were $122 million resulting in free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) of $581 million. Free cash flow was 99 percent of net earnings attributable to Emerson in the quarter. Operating cash flow for the nine months ended in June was $2.0 billion, an increase of 17 percent, primarily driven by increased earnings.
“Our operating management has delivered strong trade working capital performance, as demonstrated by working capital improving to 16.3 percent of sales this quarter,” Farr said. “Free cash flow remains a priority and we expect a record level of free cash flow and trade working capital as a percent of sales this year. We are putting that cash to work to strengthen our core businesses and invest for future growth, both internally and with strong strategic acquisitions. We will remain disciplined in using the strength of our balance sheet as we have historically. We fully understand it is our responsibility to invest for shareholders to deliver long-term incremental value.”
2010 Outlook
Based on improving business conditions and continued strength in order trends, Emerson now expects full year earnings per share in the range of $2.60 to $2.70. This does not include any impact from the recently announced offer to purchase Chloride Group PLC or any potential divestitures of LANDesk or our North American motors and controls businesses. For the year, underlying sales are expected to be approximately flat. Emerson estimates a 3 percent favorable impact from already completed acquisitions and a 2 percent favorable impact from currency translation, resulting in net sales that are up approximately 4 to 5 percent. Operating profit margin and pretax margin are expected to be in the range of 16.2 to 16.5 percent and 13.3 to 13.7 percent, respectively.
Upcoming Investor Events
Today at 2:00 p.m. EDT (1:00 p.m. CDT), Emerson senior management will discuss the third quarter 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 website 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 website.
On August 31, 2010, Emerson Chief Operating Officer Edward L. Monser will present at the Morgan Stanley Global Industrials Unplugged Conference in New York City. The presentation will begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT and conclude at approximately 9:40 a.m. EDT.
Details of upcoming events will be posted as they occur on the Events Calendar in the Investor Relations section of the website.
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 2010 Financial Tables
