CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - October 9, 2009) - Oil-Dri Corporation of America (
NYSE:
ODC)
today announced increased net income and net sales for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2009.
The Company reported net sales for the fiscal year of $236,245,000, a 2%
increase compared with net sales of $232,359,000 for the previous fiscal
year. Net income for the fiscal year was $9,586,000, or $1.32 per diluted
share, a 6% increase compared with net income of $9,039,000, or $1.25 per
diluted share, for fiscal 2008.
Net sales for the fourth quarter were $55,934,000, a 6% decrease compared
with net sales of $59,505,000 in the same quarter one year ago. The
Company reported net income for the quarter of $2,552,000, or $0.35 per
diluted share, a 3% increase compared with net income of $2,453,000, or
$0.34 per diluted share, in the same quarter one year ago.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Review
President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel S. Jaffee said, "While our net
sales declined in the fourth quarter, we are encouraged by our year-end
results and our concerted efforts to control expenses and sell higher
margin products. Our balance sheet remains strong, allowing us to reduce
debt and pay dividends while investing heavily in capital projects.
"Overall our business remains healthy as indicated by the following key
metrics. We continue to make steady progress in light of the challenging
economy and are pleased to have increased the dividend for the sixth
consecutive year and invested in new products while supporting sales of
existing business."
Key Metrics F'09 F'08 F'07 F'06 F'05
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Cash, cash
equivalents &
invest-
ments $19,837,000 $27,764,000 $30,027,000 $25,855,000 $19,435,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Notes payable
minus cash and
equivalents
(debt net
of cash) $ 1,663,000 ($ 684,000) $ 1,133,000 $ 9,385,000 $ 3,885,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Return on
average
stockholders'
equity 10.8% 10.8% 10.0% 7.2% 9.0%
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
*Net income
per diluted
share $ 1.32 $ 1.25 $ 1.09 $ 0.73 $ 0.88
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Research and
development
expenses $ 2,099,000 $ 2,497,000 $ 2,154,000 $ 1,809,000 $ 2,429,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Capital
expendi-
tures $15,253,000 $ 7,302,000 $ 7,757,000 $10,827,000 $ 7,311,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Dividends
paid $ 3,684,000 $ 3,377,000 $ 3,038,000 $ 2,403,000 $ 2,206,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Dividends
paid per
Common
Stock
share $ 0.56 $ 0.52 $ 0.48 $ 0.38 $ 0.34
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
*Net income per diluted share reflects the five-for-four stock split
effected on September 8, 2006.
Business Review
Net sales for the Company's Business to Business Products Group were
$76,049,000 and group income was $14,948,000 for the fiscal year. Net
sales for the quarter were $17,208,000 and group income was $2,957,000.
Net sales and unit volume were down for Pro's Choice, Flo-Fre, Pure-Flo and
ConditionAde products for the fiscal year and fourth quarter. Net sales
were up for Agsorb, Ultra-Clear products in the fiscal year and quarter.
The new Calibrin products also contributed to the Group's results for the
fiscal year and quarter.
Net sales for the Company's Retail and Wholesale Products Group were
$160,196,000 and group income was $17,007,000 for the fiscal year. Net
sales for the quarter were $38,726,000 and group income was $5,099,000.
Net sales were up for Cat's Pride branded and private label cat litters for
the fiscal year. The worldwide economic slowdown led to decreased net
sales of industrial and automotive products in the United States and net
sales and unit volume declines in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Financial Review
On June 9, 2009, Oil-Dri's Board of Directors declared quarterly cash
dividends of $0.15 per share of outstanding Common Stock and $0.1125 per
share of outstanding Class B Stock. The dividends were payable September
4, 2009 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 21,
2009. At the July 31, 2009 stock closing price of $15.75 per share and
assuming cash dividends continue at the same rate, the annual yield on the
Company's Common Stock is 3.8%.
The Company has paid cash dividends continuously since 1974 and has
increased dividends annually for the past six years.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at July 31, 2009, totaled
$19,837,000. Capital expenditures for the fiscal year totaled $15,253,000,
which was $7,847,000 more than the fiscal year's depreciation and
amortization of $7,406,000.
Other noncurrent liabilities increased significantly during the year. The
increase was the result of a higher actuarially calculated benefit
obligation and lower plan asset values for the Company's defined benefit
pension plan.
Capital expenditures in the fiscal year were significantly greater than in
previous fiscal years due to construction of a new plant in Ripley,
Mississippi at which the Company will manufacture its new Verge engineered
granules.
The effective tax rate was 28% of the pre-tax income in fiscal 2009 versus
26% in fiscal 2008. The effective tax rate was higher in fiscal 2009 due
to higher income, a lower deduction for mining depletion due to reduced
tonnage and an unfavorable tax impact from foreign operations.
Looking Forward
Jaffee continued, "In June 2009 we announced that Wal-Mart would
dramatically reduce the number of stores carrying our branded cat litter
products. The new store counts went into effect in August 2009 and have
resulted in the loss of a material amount of branded cat litter sales and
related profitability with this account. We have received strong support
from our other retail partners who see this as an opportunity to promote
Cat's Pride and grow their cat litter sales. Only time will tell what the
net effect of these changes will be on our top and bottom lines.
"We are encouraged by the growing opportunities for our newly launched
products, Calibrin-A and Calibrin-Z enterosorbents. Considering the
regulatory challenges for product registration and the worldwide economic
slowdown, we are very pleased with the initial acceptance of these products
in the marketplace.
"We also are pleased with the prospect of sales of our Verge engineered
granules. These new higher margin products may help offset some of the
Wal-Mart unit volume and net sales declines we expect to see in the current
fiscal year. We also hope to benefit from lower fuel costs as we begin new
natural gas contracts in the first quarter."
The Company will offer a live webcast of the fourth quarter earnings
teleconference on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.,
Chicago Time. To listen to the call via the web, please visit
www.streetevents.com or
www.oildri.com. An archived recording of the call
and written transcripts of all teleconferences are posted on the Oil-Dri
website.
Agsorb, Calibrin, Cat's Pride, ConditionAde, Flo-Fre, Pure-Flo, and
Ultra-Clear are all registered trademarks of Oil-Dri Corporation of
America. Pro's Choice and Verge are trademarks of Oil-Dri Corporation of
America.
Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading supplier of specialty sorbent
products for agricultural, horticultural, fluids purification, specialty
markets, industrial and automotive, and is the world's largest manufacturer
of cat litter.
Certain statements in this press release contain forward-looking statements
that are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and
projections about our future performance, our business, our beliefs and our
management's assumptions. In addition, we, or others on our behalf, may
make forward-looking statements in other press releases or written
statements, or in our communications and discussions with investors and
analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, webcasts, phone
calls and conference calls. Words such as "expect," "outlook," "forecast,"
"would," "could," "should," "project," "intend," "plan," "continue,"
"believe," "seek," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "may," "assume,"
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify
such forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not
limited to, the dependence of our future growth and financial performance
on successful new product introductions, intense competition in our
markets, volatility of our quarterly results, risks associated with
acquisitions, our dependence on a limited number of customers for a large
portion of our net sales and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that are described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these or other risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated,
intended, expected, believed, estimated, projected or planned. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except to the
extent required by law, we do not have any intention or obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of
this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events,
changes in assumptions or otherwise.
O I L - D R I C O R P O R A T I O N O F A M E R I C A
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Fourth Quarter Ended July 31,
------------------------------------------
% of % of
2009 Sales 2008 Sales
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Sales $ 55,934 100.0% $ 59,505 100.0%
Cost of Sales (44,059) 78.8% (48,270) 81.1%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross Profit 11,875 21.2% 11,235 18.9%
Operating Expenses (8,090) 14.5% (7,993) 13.4%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Income 3,785 6.8% 3,242 5.4%
Interest Expense (457) 0.8% (493) 0.8%
Other Income 306 0.5% 404 0.7%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Income Taxes 3,634 6.5% 3,153 5.3%
Income Taxes (1,082) 1.9% (700) 1.2%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income $ 2,552 4.6% $ 2,453 4.1%
========= ========= ========= =========
Net Income Per Share:
Basic Common $ 0.38 $ 0.37
Basic Class B Common $ 0.31 $ 0.30
Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.34
Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic Common 5,177 5,114
Basic Class B Common 1,880 1,862
Diluted 7,252 7,237
Twelve Months Ended July 31,
------------------------------------------
% of % of
2009 Sales 2008 Sales
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Sales $ 236,245 100.0% $ 232,359 100.0%
Cost of Sales (186,861) 79.1% (186,289) 80.2%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross Profit 49,384 20.9% 46,070 19.8%
Operating Expenses (34,801) 14.7% (33,340) 14.3%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Income 14,583 6.2% 12,730 5.5%
Interest Expense (1,910) 0.8% (2,189) 0.9%
Other Income 636 0.3% 1,634 0.7%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Income Taxes 13,309 5.6% 12,175 5.2%
Income Taxes (3,723) 1.6% (3,136) 1.3%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income $ 9,586 4.1% $ 9,039 3.9%
========= ========= ========= =========
Net Income Per Share:
Basic Common $ 1.44 $ 1.38
Basic Class B Common $ 1.17 $ 1.11
Diluted $ 1.32 $ 1.25
Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic Common 5,146 5,068
Basic Class B Common 1,874 1,854
Diluted 7,242 7,215
O I L - D R I C O R P O R A T I O N O F A M E R I C A
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
(unaudited)
As of July 31,
-------------------------
2009 2008
------------ ------------
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 11,839 $ 6,848
Investment in Treasury Securities 7,998 20,916
Accounts Receivable, net 29,000 31,383
Inventories 17,795 17,744
Prepaid Expenses 7,085 5,760
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets 73,717 82,651
------------ ------------
Property, Plant and Equipment 59,485 51,440
Other Assets 16,059 14,897
------------ ------------
Total Assets $ 149,261 $ 148,988
============ ============
Current Liabilities
Current Maturities of Notes Payable $ 3,200 $ 5,580
Accounts Payable 5,304 7,491
Dividends Payable 994 919
Accrued Expenses 14,270 16,111
------------ ------------
Total Current Liabilities 23,768 30,101
------------ ------------
Long-Term Liabilities
Notes Payable 18,300 21,500
Other Noncurrent Liabilities 17,630 9,761
------------ ------------
Total Long-Term Liabilities 35,930 31,261
------------ ------------
Stockholders' Equity 89,563 87,626
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 149,261 $ 148,988
============ ============
Book Value Per Share Outstanding $ 12.76 $ 12.66
Acquisitions of
Property, Plant and Equipment
Fourth Quarter $ 2,571 $ 2,950
Year to Date $ 15,253 $ 7,302
Depreciation and Amortization Charges
Fourth Quarter $ 1,979 $ 1,859
Year to Date $ 7,406 $ 7,455
O I L - D R I C O R P O R A T I O N O F A M E R I C A
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
For the Twelve Months
Ended
July 31,
------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2009 2008
----------- -----------
Net Income $ 9,586 $ 9,039
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization 7,406 7,455
Decrease (Increase) in Accounts Receivable 2,354 (3,538)
(Increase) in Inventories (51) (2,507)
(Decrease) Increase in Accounts Payable (1,773) 1,438
(Decrease) in Accrued Expenses (1,841) (200)
Other 133 (346)
----------- -----------
Total Adjustments 6,228 2,302
----------- -----------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 15,814 11,341
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures (15,253) (7,302)
Net Dispositions (Purchases) of Investment
Securities 13,037 (2,331)
Other 27 (1,257)
----------- -----------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (2,189) (10,890)
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal payments on Long-Term Debt (5,580) (4,080)
Dividends Paid (3,684) (3,377)
Purchase of Treasury Stock (656) (20)
Other 838 1,811
----------- -----------
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (9,082) (5,666)
----------- -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents 448 (70)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
Equivalents 4,991 (5,285)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 6,848 12,133
----------- -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, July 31 $ 11,839 $ 6,848
=========== ===========