Leggett & Platt Reports 1Q Results

CARTHAGE, Mo., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

• 1Q sales grew 12%, to $1.16 billion
• 1Q EPS of $.45; 1Q adjusted¹ EPS of $.49, a decrease of $.08 vs 1Q18
• 1Q included restructuring-related charges and ECS transaction costs: $7 million (pretax) or $.04 per share
• 2019 guidance unchanged: sales of $4.95-$5.1 billion; EPS of $2.35-$2.55; adjusted EPS of $2.45-$2.65

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported first quarter 2019 sales of $1.16 billion, a 12% increase versus first quarter last year. Growth from ECS and other smaller acquisitions (+13%) was slightly offset by a 1% decline in organic sales. Volume was down 3%, with growth in U.S. Spring more than offset by declines in Fashion Bed, Home Furniture and Automotive. Raw material-related selling price increases of 4% were partially offset by a negative currency impact of 2%.

First quarter EBIT decreased $9 million and adjusted¹ EBIT decreased $2 million. EBIT benefited from improved metal margins at the steel rod mill and the ECS acquisition's earnings (even after $14 million of purchase accounting charges). However, these increases were more than offset by declines in Automotive, Fashion Bed, Flooring Products, and Adjustable Bed. EBIT margin was 8.5% and adjusted¹ EBIT margin was 9.1%. In the first quarter of 2018, EBIT margin was 10.4%.

First quarter EPS was $.45. First quarter adjusted¹ EPS was $.49, a decrease of $.08 versus 2018.  The decline reflects the EBIT items discussed above in addition to higher interest expense ($.04/share) and tax rate ($.03/share).

First quarter included $7 million (pretax), or $.04 per share, of restructuring-related charges ($6 million) and ECS transaction costs ($1 million). Of this total, $2 million were cash charges and $5 million were non-cash. For the full year, total restructuring-related charges are expected to be approximately $17 million ($.10/share; $5 million cash/$12 million non-cash).

CEO Comments
President and CEO Karl G. Glassman commented, "Sales grew 12% in the first quarter, primarily from the recently completed ECS acquisition. Sales also increased from continued market share and content gains in U.S. Spring and pricing actions in our steel-related businesses. These improvements were more than offset by our decision to exit the Fashion Bed business, exchange rate impact and softer demand in Automotive, and volume we chose to exit in our Home Furniture business.

"We continue to be excited about the opportunities that the ECS acquisition brings. Demand for their proprietary specialty foams and downstream products is strong, even while the U.S. bedding industry continues to be impacted by unfairly priced Chinese mattresses that are the subject of a pending antidumping matter.  Since the filing of the case with the U.S. International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce in September 2018, we have seen a notable increase in imported mattresses from China which has impacted ECS's sales growth.  We expect a preliminary decision on the dumping allegations by the Department of Commerce in late May.  If duties are imposed, we expect our Bedding businesses along with the entire U.S. bedding industry, to benefit.  Excluding the two weeks prior to the January 16^th closing, we expect ECS's 2019 sales to be approximately $650 million (and continue to expect annualized sales of approximately $675 million). As anticipated, earnings in the first quarter included a non-recurring purchase accounting charge related to acquired inventories of $5 million.

"In the fourth quarter of 2018 we initiated restructuring activity in our Home Furniture and Fashion Bed businesses. We are exiting low margin business, reducing operating costs, and eliminating excess capacity in our Home Furniture business which should be substantially complete by the end of the second quarter.  In late March, we announced the closure of the Fashion Bed business which should be substantially complete by the end of the third quarter.

"Our 2019 guidance is unchanged. As mentioned, sales growth will benefit significantly from the ECS acquisition. In addition, we continue to expect sales growth in Automotive, U.S. Spring, Aerospace, Hydraulic Cylinders, and Work Furniture, largely offset by our decision to exit Fashion Bed and planned declines in Home Furniture. We anticipate improved earnings for the full year from higher sales and moderating steel inflation.

"Our priorities with regard to balance sheet strength and dividend growth have not changed. As we shift our near-term focus to reducing leverage from the ECS acquisition, we will prioritize debt repayment after funding organic growth and dividends. We expect to be back to our target level of debt to trailing 12-months adjusted EBITDA of approximately 2.5x by year-end 2020. 

"Achieving Total Shareholder Return (TSR) that ranks within the top third of the S&P 500 over rolling three-year periods remains a primary financial goal. We strongly believe our disciplined growth strategy, portfolio management, and prudent use of capital will support achievement of this goal over time."

Debt, Cash Flow, Dividends and Stock Repurchases
In January, in connection with the ECS acquisition, the Company borrowed $500 million under a 5-year term loan with its bank group. In March, Leggett & Platt issued $500 million of 4.4% notes that mature in 2029 and used the proceeds to pay down outstanding commercial paper. At the end of the first quarter, $832 million was available under the commercial paper program; debt was 3.6x trailing 12-month pro forma adjusted¹ EBITDA. Reflecting normal seasonality, the Company generated operating cash of $31 million in the quarter.

In February, Leggett & Platt's Board of Directors declared a $.38 first quarter dividend, two cents higher than last year's first quarter dividend.  Thus, 2019 marks 48 consecutive annual dividend increases for the Company, a record that only ten S&P 500 companies currently exceed. Leggett & Platt is proud of its dividend record and plans to extend it.  At Friday's closing share price of $42.01, the indicated annual dividend of $1.52 per share generates a dividend yield of 3.6%, one of the highest dividend yields among the 57 stocks of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.

Leggett is committed to maintaining a strong, investment grade profile and expects to reduce leverage by temporarily limiting share repurchases, reducing other acquisition spending, and using operating cash flow to repay debt. Accordingly, in the first quarter the Company only repurchased .3 million shares of its stock at an average price of $42.38; those were primarily shares surrendered by employees for option exercises.  The Company issued 1.0 million shares through employee benefit plans and option exercises. Shares outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2019 were 131.2 million.  

2019 Guidance
Full year 2019 guidance is unchanged. Sales are expected to be $4.95-$5.1 billion, an increase of 16-19% versus 2018. The ECS acquisition should add approximately $650 million to sales (commencing from the January 16^th acquisition date). In addition, organic sales growth is expected to be flat to +3%. 

EPS is expected to be $2.35-$2.55, including approximately $.10 per share of restructuring-related costs.  Adjusted EPS is expected to be $2.45-$2.65, reflecting slightly higher organic sales and moderating steel inflation, partially offset by a higher tax rate. ECS is expected to be neutral to EPS in 2019. Based upon this guidance range, 2019 EBIT margin should be 10.3-10.8% and adjusted EBIT margin should be 10.8-11.2%.

The Company expects 2019 depreciation and amortization of $210 million and net interest expense of approximately $95 million, both increasing versus 2018 in large part due to the ECS acquisition. EPS guidance assumes a 24% tax rate (vs. 20% in 2018) and fully diluted shares of 136 million.

Cash from operations is expected to approximate $550 million in 2019. The increase versus 2018 primarily reflects the ECS acquisition and earnings growth. Capital expenditures should be approximately $195 million, and dividend payments should require $205 million. Leggett's target for dividend payout is approximately 50% of adjusted earnings; payout for 2019 is expected to be above the target. Leggett expects to repatriate offshore cash of roughly $170 million.

Leggett's long-term priorities for use of cash remain: fund organic growth, pay dividends, fund strategic acquisitions, and repurchase stock with available cash. As previously stated, the Company is prioritizing debt repayment after funding organic growth and dividends, and as a result is temporarily limiting share repurchases and reducing acquisition spending.

LIFO
Approximately 40% of Leggett's inventories are valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. These are primarily the Company's domestic, steel-related inventories. With relatively stable steel costs since the beginning of the year, there was no LIFO expense in the first quarter of 2019. In early 2018, increasing steel costs resulted in a first quarter LIFO expense of $6.0 million (pretax).

SEGMENT RESULTS – First Quarter 2019 (versus 1Q 2018)
Residential Products – Total sales grew 34% mostly due to acquisitions. Organic sales increased 3% from raw material-related selling price increases, net of currency impact.  Volume was flat, with continued market share and content gains in U.S. Spring and growth in International Spring, offset by declines in other businesses. EBIT decreased $3 million, with earnings from the ECS acquisition (after $14 million of purchase accounting charges) more than offset by lower volume in several businesses, ECS transaction costs of $1 million, and other smaller factors.

Industrial Products – Total sales grew 10%, from raw material-related selling price increases (19%) partially offset by lower volume (-9%). EBIT increased $15 million primarily from improved metal margins at our steel rod mill.

Furniture Products – Total sales were down 5%. Volume decreased 5% with growth in Work Furniture more than offset by our decision to exit Fashion Bed, planned declines in Home Furniture and lower sales in Adjustable Bed. Raw material-related selling price increases were offset by a negative currency impact. EBIT decreased $12 million, primarily from restructuring related-charges of $6 million and lower volume. 

Specialized Products – Total sales decreased 2%. The PHC acquisition completed in early 2018 added 3%. Organic sales were down 5%, primarily from a negative currency impact of 3% and softer demand in the automotive market. EBIT decreased $10 million primarily from lower volume and increased investment in Automotive product, program and strategy development to support long-term growth in the business.

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 7:30 a.m.Central (8:30 a.m. Eastern) on Tuesday, April 30. The webcast can be accessed 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 Monday, July 29, with a conference call the next morning.

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

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:  At Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG), we create innovative products that enhance people's lives, generate exceptional returns for our shareholders, and provide sought-after jobs in communities around the world. L&P is a 136-year-old diversified manufacturer that designs and produces engineered products found in most homes and automobiles. The Company is comprised of 15 business units, 23,000 employee-partners, and 145 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S.-based manufacturer of: a) bedding components; b) automotive seat support and lumbar systems; c) specialty bedding foams and private-label finished mattresses; d) components for home furniture and work furniture; e) flooring underlayment; f) adjustable beds; g) high-carbon drawn steel wire; and h) bedding industry machinery.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including, but not limited to, the 2019 sales and annualized sales of ECS; the acceleration of our Bedding businesses' sales; our ability to deleverage to a target level ratio of debt to trailing 12-months EBITDA of approximately 2.5 by year-end 2020; the Company's 2019 EPS, adjusted EPS, sales, sales growth, EBIT margin, adjusted EBIT margin, cash from operations, the amount of cash repatriated from offshore accounts, capital expenditures, dividends, dividend payout ratio, depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, tax rate and the amount of fully diluted shares; our ability to increase the dividend; and the amount and timing of 2019 restructuring-related charges related to the Fashion Bed and Home Furniture businesses (Restructuring Plan). Such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements described in this provision and reflect only the beliefs of Leggett or its management at the time the statement is made. Because all forward-looking statements deal with the future, they are subject to risks, uncertainties and developments which might cause actual events or results to differ materially from those envisioned or reflected in any forward-looking statement. Moreover, we do not have, and do not undertake, any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement was made. Some of these risks and uncertainties include: (i) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of ECS following the acquisition; (ii) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the ECS acquisition, including as a result of delay in integrating the businesses of ECS; (iii) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue synergies of ECS; (iv) inability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers of ECS; (v) the Company's and ECS's ability to achieve their respective operating targets; (vi) increases or decreases in our capital needs, which may vary depending on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, any other acquisition or divestiture activity and our working capital needs; (vii) market conditions; (viii) alternative capital market opportunities, including, without limitation, the relative attractiveness of longer-term debt financing or equity financing; (ix) the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 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, general economic conditions, possible goodwill or other asset impairment, foreign currency fluctuation, litigation risks; (x) the preliminary nature of the estimates related to the Restructuring Plan, and the possibility that all or some of the estimates may change as the Company's analysis develops, additional information is obtained, and the Company's efforts to downsize or consolidate any business progresses; (xi) our ability to timely implement the Restructuring Plan in a manner that will positively impact our financial condition and results of operations; (xii) the impact of the Restructuring Plan on the Company's relationships with its employees, major customers and vendors; and (xiii) other risk factors detailed from time to time in Leggett's reports filed with the SEC.

CONTACT:   Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or invest@leggett.com
Susan R. McCoy, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Wendy M. Watson, Director, Investor Relations
Cassie J. Branscum, Manager, Investor Relations

¹ Please refer to attached tables for non-GAAP reconciliations.

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SOURCE Leggett & Platt