Record Net Sales & Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
Cash Provided by Operating Activities Up 119% YTD
Company Reduces Outstanding Revolver Debt by 73% in the Quarter
Increases Common Stock Cash Dividend 15%; Raises 2005 Guidance
HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2005 -- Quanex Corporation (NYSE:NX) today reported record fiscal third quarter net sales and income from continuing operations. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.71, a third quarter record and more than double year ago quarterly results of $0.82. Third quarter diluted earnings per share were $1.70.
Quarterly Highlights
--------------------
-- Return on invested capital was 19.7% compared to 8.6% in the
year ago period.
-- Third quarter net sales were $498.8 million, up 24% over the
year ago quarter.
-- Net sales from Mikron Industries, acquired in December 2004,
were up 14% from the year ago quarter; earnings were $0.17 per
diluted share after interest expense.
-- Vehicular Products and Building Products segment operating
income for the quarter were up 93% and 121%, respectively, over
last year's third quarter.
-- Income from continuing operations set a third quarter record of
$45.0 million, compared to $20.5 million in the year ago quarter.
-- Common stock cash dividend was increased to $0.155 per quarter.
-- Outstanding revolver bank debt was reduced by $80 million.
-- Total debt to capitalization at quarter end was 21.2%; cash and
equivalents were $8.8 million.
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
----------------------------------------
3rd qtr 2005 3rd qtr 2004 inc/(dcr)
------------ ------------ ---------
Net Sales $498.8 $403.0 24%
Operating Income 76.4 34.5 122%
Income from Continuing Ops. 45.0 20.5 119%
EPS: Basic Earnings from
Continuing Ops. $1.78 $0.83 114%
EPS: Diluted Earnings
from Continuing Ops. 1.71 0.82 109%
Segment Commentary
------------------
Vehicular Products
3rd qtr 2005 3rd qtr 2004 inc/(dcr)
------------ ------------ ---------
Net Sales $240.0 $226.8 6%
Operating Income 48.1 25.0 93%
The Vehicular Products segment is focused on providing customers with value-added, engineered steel bar and extrusion products. Key market drivers are light vehicle builds (appx. 65% of segment sales) and heavy duty truck builds (appx. 15% of segment sales).
"While our average selling price was up in the quarter, demand was off versus a year ago due to inventory adjustments and significant production cutbacks by two of our major end users -- General Motors and Ford. Consequently, our engineered steel bar shipments were down from year ago levels," said Raymond A. Jean, chairman and chief executive officer. "We now expect the OEMs to build vehicle stocks to more normalized levels in the back half of the calendar year, and we are therefore looking for improved bar shipments in our fourth quarter over the third, although down from the frenzied pace of our fourth quarter 2004. Margins remained excellent in the segment and operating income nearly doubled compared to the year ago quarter, the benefit of higher selling prices and falling scrap costs," continued Jean.
Building Products
3rd qtr 2005 3rd qtr 2004 inc/(dcr)
------------ ------------ ---------
Net Sales $258.9 $177.1 46%
Operating Income 42.8 19.4 121%
The Building Products segment is focused on providing window and door OEM customers with engineered products and components, and is also a leading provider of common alloy aluminum sheet. Key market drivers are housing starts (appx. 50% of segment sales) and remodeling activity (appx. 50% of segment sales).
"The overall housing outlook remained positive during our third quarter, with annualized housing starts hovering around the 2 million mark. Some of our window and door customers were adversely impacted early in the quarter by severe weather, primarily in their Northeast markets," Jean said. "Offsetting this impact were excellent operating results at our aluminum sheet business, which had a very strong quarter. Our painted sheet sales remained very strong and accounted for nearly 45% of all sheet sales in the quarter, thanks, in part, to excellent operating performance at our Alabama facility. Also, we're pleased with what we see at Mikron. They are on a sharp growth curve given their new programs and the strong performance of their customer base," said Jean.
Cash Flow
"Cash provided by operating activities remains extremely strong, and for the nine months ended July, we generated $160.7 million compared to $73.5 million in the year ago period. In December 2004, we borrowed $200 million from our revolving credit line to finance the acquisition of Mikron. Through July, the outstanding balance was reduced by $170 million, or 85%, with $80 million of that paid down in the third quarter alone. Once again, Quanex finds itself in an enviable financial position with a low debt to capitalization ratio that provides us with excellent financial flexibility. Today we increased our quarterly cash dividend from $0.135 to $0.155 per share, which equates to a $0.62 per share dividend on an annualized basis. This action is consistent with both our excellent financial results and our prospects for the future," continued Jean.
Outlook
Consistent with a strong housing market and the acquisition of Mikron, Quanex expects an excellent fourth quarter from its window and door components businesses.
At its engineered steel bar business, Quanex entered the fourth quarter with a lower backlog compared to the year ago period. However, the vehicular supply chain inventory correction is coming to an end and production schedules are expected to increase to replenish low dealer stocks with 2006 models. While the precise timing remains an issue, the Company does expect demand at its engineered steel bar business to regain momentum through calendar 2005.
At the aluminum sheet business, demand is off modestly from year ago levels as customers rebalance inventories. However, with robust end markets, combined with strong margins and a healthy mix of value-added products, the business is expected to have an excellent quarter.
Consolidating expected segment results, Quanex looks to report record fiscal 2005 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in a range of $6.10 to $6.20, up from fiscal 2004's $2.30, and higher than the Company's previous guidance of $5.75 to $6.00 issued on May 26, 2005. The Company cautions that its combination of short cycle businesses and volatile raw material costs, particularly for steel scrap, makes forecasting problematic.
Other
Quanex continues to incur substantial costs related to its Sarbanes-Oxley activities and estimated that external costs were approximately $3.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share in the quarter.
The Company continues to account for stock options using the current transition provisions of SFAS No. 123. Accordingly, Quanex does not reflect the option expense in its income statement or diluted earnings per share. However, the Company does disclose the impact to net income and diluted earnings per share in footnotes to its SEC financial statements. Expensing stock options in the third quarter would have reduced net income by about $542,000 and would have reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.02. Quanex will begin expensing stock options in its fiscal 2006 first quarter.
On January 26, 2005, the Company irrevocably elected, pursuant to the indenture governing its 2.50% convertible senior debentures due 2034, to settle the principal amount of the debentures in cash when they become convertible and are surrendered by the holders thereof. Allowing for this election and using an average stock price of $53.04 for its third fiscal quarter, the Company's diluted earnings per share were reduced by $0.04. The Company estimates that for each $3.00 increase in its stock price above the debenture's conversion price of approximately $38.30, diluted earnings per share will be reduced by about $0.01 per quarter. On August 1, 2005, the Company announced, as required, that its debentures were convertible by holders in accordance with the terms of the indenture.
Dividend Declared
The Board of Directors increased the Company's quarterly cash dividend by $0.02 and declared $0.155 per share on the common stock, payable September 30, 2005, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2005.
Corporate Profile
Quanex Corporation, with expected 2005 sales of $2 billion, is an industry-leading manufacturer of value-added, engineered materials and components serving the vehicular products and building products markets.
Financial Statistics as of 07/31/05
Book value per common share: $24.74; Total debt to capitalization: 21.16%; Return on invested capital: 19.69%; Return on common equity: 26.21%; Actual number of common shares outstanding: 25,268,137
Definitions
Book value per common share -- calculated as total stockholders' equity as of balance sheet date divided by actual number of common shares outstanding;
Total debt to capitalization -- calculated as the sum of both the current and long term portion of debt, as of balance sheet date, divided by the sum of both the current and long term portion of debt plus total stockholders' equity as of balance sheet date;
Return on invested capital -- calculated as the total of the prior 12 months net income plus prior 12 months after-tax interest expense and capitalized interest, the sum of which is divided by the trailing five quarters average total debt (current and long term) and total stockholders' equity;
Return on common equity -- calculated as the prior 12 months net income, divided by the trailing five quarters average common stockholders' equity.
Statements that use the words "expect," "should," "believe," "will," "might," or similar words reflecting future expectations or beliefs are forward-looking statements. The statements found above are based on current expectations. Actual results or events may differ materially from this release. Factors that could impact future results may include, without limitation, the effect of both domestic and global economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the availability and cost of raw materials. For a more complete discussion of factors that may affect the Company's future performance, please refer to the Company's most recent 10-K filing (December 21, 2004) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in particular the sections titled, "Private Securities Litigation Reform Act" contained therein.
For additional information, visit the Company's website at www.quanex.com.
QUANEX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended Nine months ended
July 31, July 31
---------------------- ----------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 498,796 $ 403,017 Net sales $1,502,737 $1,027,936
378,824 337,637 Cost of sales 1,157,784 880,142
Selling, general
and
administrative
27,300 17,734 expense 75,036 46,158
Depreciation and
16,275 13,178 amortization 48,402 38,040
Gain on sale of
-- -- land -- (454)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
76,397 34,468 Operating income 221,515 64,050
(2,491) (1,735) Interest expense (7,841) (4,491)
(749) (209) Other, net (2,088) 613
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from
continuing
operations
73,157 32,524 before taxes 211,586 60,172
Income tax
(28,166) (12,022) expense (81,461) (22,235)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income from
continuing
44,991 20,502 operations 130,125 37,937
Gain (loss) from
discontinued
operations, net
(276) (2,744) of taxes (6,190) (2,208)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 44,715 $ 17,758 Net income $ 123,935 $ 35,729
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic earnings
per common
share:
Earnings from
continuing
$ 1.78 $ 0.83 operations $ 5.18 $ 1.54
Gain (loss) from
discontinued
$ (0.01) $ (0.11) operations $ (0.25) $ (0.09)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Basic earnings
$ 1.77 $ 0.72 per share $ 4.93 $ 1.45
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted earnings
per common
share:
Earnings from
continuing
$ 1.71 $ 0.82 operations $ 4.98 $ 1.52
Gain (loss) from
discontinued
$ (0.01) $ (0.11) operations $ (0.23) $ (0.09)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted earnings
$ 1.70 $ 0.71 per share $ 4.75 $ 1.43
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:
25,238 24,696 Basic 25,133 24,602
26,630 25,086 Diluted 26,394 25,002
Cash dividends
$ 0.1550 $ 0.1267 per share $ 0.4250 $ 0.3533
QUANEX CORPORATION
INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Nine months ended
July 31, July 31,
---------------------- ----------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
Net sales:
Vehicular
$ 239,923 $ 225,956 Products $ 803,943 $ 570,484
Building
258,873 177,061 Products 698,794 457,452
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
$ 498,796 $ 403,017 Net sales $1,502,737 $1,027,936
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
Operating
income:
Vehicular
$ 48,109 $ 24,952 Products $ 153,331 $ 47,530
Building
42,803 19,406 Products 96,267 35,718
Corporate and
(14,515) (9,890) Other (28,083) (19,198)
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
Operating
$ 76,397 $ 34,468 Income $ 221,515 $ 64,050
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
QUANEX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
July 31, October 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 2004 2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Cash and
$ 8,827 $ 39,071 equivalents $ 41,743 $ 22,108
Accounts and
notes
receivable,
171,584 172,265 net 176,358 104,009
132,742 115,354 Inventories 115,367 68,626
Deferred
10,870 7,876 income taxes 10,744 5,320
Other current
4,030 3,005 assets 2,363 1,499
Current
assets of
discontinued
132 38,163 operations 9,759 31,886
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current
328,185 375,734 assets 356,334 233,448
Property,
plant and
962,951 834,584 equipment 842,147 742,602
Less
accumulated
(533,314) (479,850) depreciation (491,165) (443,869)
---------- --------- --------- -----------
Property,
plant and
equipment,
429,637 354,734 net 350,982 298,733
199,603 138,924 Goodwill, net 134,670 66,436
Cash surrender
value
insurance
23,724 24,972 policies, net 24,439 24,536
Intangibles,
84,130 28,137 net 27,556 2,755
9,231 9,600 Other assets 9,391 3,517
Long-term
assets of
discontinued
2,679 38,774 operations 26,150 53,689
------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,077,189 $ 970,875 Total assets $ 929,522 $ 683,114
==================================================================
Liabilities
and
stockholders'
equity
Accounts
$ 134,275 $ 137,053 payable $ 161,674 $ 80,791
Accrued
65,697 41,170 liabilities 45,844 33,764
Income taxes
8,421 7,901 payable 4,127 7,641
Current
maturities of
2,669 3,554 long-term debt 456 3,877
Current
liabilities
of
discontinued
330 14,622 operations 4,102 14,592
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
current
211,392 204,300 liabilities 216,203 140,665
165,167 190,558 Long-term debt 130,496 15,893
Deferred
pension
8,813 6,444 credits 8,804 7,781
Deferred
postretirement
welfare
7,590 7,864 benefits 7,745 7,845
Deferred
48,563 66,731 income taxes 53,983 49,938
Non-current
environmental
7,520 8,047 reserves 8,188 13,517
Other
2,971 2,771 liabilities 2,973 283
Long-term
liabilities
of
discontinued
-- 1,714 operations 423 2,033
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
452,016 488,429 liabilities 428,815 237,955
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
stockholders'
625,173 482,446 equity 500,707 445,159
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
liabilities
and
stockholders'
$1,077,189 $ 970,875 equity $ 929,522 $ 683,114
==================================================================
QUANEX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended
July 31,
---------------------
2005 2004
--------- ---------
Operating activities:
Net income $ 123,935 $ 35,729
Loss from discontinued operations 6,190 2,208
--------- ---------
Net income from continuing operations 130,125 37,937
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to cash provided by operating
activities:
Gain on sale of land -- (454)
Depreciation and amortization 48,851 38,439
Deferred income taxes (4,303) 11,340
Deferred pension and
postretirement benefits (145) (1,318)
--------- ---------
174,528 85,944
Changes in assets and liabilities,
net of effects from acquisitions
and dispositions:
Decrease (Increase) in accounts
and notes receivable 16,423 (45,070)
Decrease (Increase) in inventory (6,162) (7,031)
Increase (Decrease) in accounts
payable (40,860) 34,341
Increase (Decrease) in accrued
liabilities 1,106 4,390
Increase (Decrease) in income
taxes payable 19,204 (2,947)
Other, net (775) 1,408
Operating cash flow from
discontinued operations (2,730) 2,482
--------- ---------
Cash provided by operating
activities 160,734 73,517
Investment activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash
acquired (200,519) (214,579)
Proceeds from sale of land -- 637
Proceeds from sale of discontinued
operations 11,592 --
Capital expenditures, net of
retirements (35,475) (11,904)
Other, net 669 (471)
Cash used for investment activities
from discontinued operations (179) (1,345)
--------- ---------
Cash used for investment activities (223,912) (227,662)
Financing activities:
Bank borrowings (repayments), net 29,710 175,000
Common dividends paid (10,351) (8,386)
Issuance of common stock, net 10,328 9,667
Other, net 565 (5,182)
--------- ---------
Cash provided by financing activities 30,252 171,099
--------- ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and equivalents 10 9
Increase (Decrease) in cash (32,916) 16,963
Beginning of period cash and
equivalents 41,743 22,108
--------- ---------
End of period cash and equivalents $ 8,827 $ 39,071
========= =========