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Kennametal Reports Second-Quarter Results; Performance in Line With Expectations
LATROBE, Pa., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) reported net income for the second quarter ended December 31, 1999, excluding special charges, of $12.4 million or $0.41 per share compared to $14.0 million or $0.47 per share last year. The performance for the quarter was in line with expectations and reflects the company's growing success in implementing operational improvement programs. Earnings per share, excluding goodwill amortization expense and special charges, were $0.63 per share compared to $0.68 per share in the prior year's quarter. Including special charges, net income for the quarter was $8.2 million or $0.27 per share.
In commenting on the quarter, Kennametal Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Markos I. Tambakeras said, "I am pleased that we again achieved our earnings commitment. Consistent with our recently announced strategy, we are focusing on primary working capital and cash flow improvement. We are beginning to see the benefits of continuous operating improvements as evidenced by the successful launch of our new, world class North American distribution center in Cleveland, the strong marketplace reception of our five new grades and 2,000 new products, the initiation of our restructuring projects, and a flawless Y2K transition. While I am dissatisfied with the top line growth, which reflects continuing softness in our markets, we maintained strict cost control discipline and continued to improve our working capital and cash flow generation. This focus will position Kennametal to leverage future market improvement into higher levels of earnings and cash flow."
The company made significant progress in reducing working capital, resulting in another strong quarter of improved cash generation. Inventory declined $17 million from June 30, 1999 and primary working capital as a percent of sales declined by 400 basis points from fiscal 1999. During the quarter, the company generated free cash flow of $52 million, bringing the total free cash flow for the year to $102 million. In the first half of last year, the company used cash of $26 million. Total debt at quarter-end was $771 million, a reduction of $90 million from June 30, 1999. The total debt- to-capital ratio was 48.9 percent, a reduction of 300 basis points from 51.9 percent at June 30, 1999.
As anticipated, market conditions remained tough. Sales for the December 1999 quarter were $453.9 million, a two percent improvement from the September quarter and a decrease of six percent from $484.3 million in the year-ago quarter, and were in line with expectations. Unfavorable foreign currency translation effects and the impact of the divestiture of the Strong Tool Company steel mill business accounted for two and one percent, respectively, of the sales decline from last year.
Gross profit margin in the second quarter was 37.2 percent, an improvement of 30 basis points from the September quarter due to benefits from lean manufacturing initiatives. Gross profit margin was about the same as last year's 37.4 percent despite an unfavorable sales mix and lower production levels.
Operating expenses for the quarter, excluding special charges, were $123.7 million, a decline of five percent from $130.5 million in the same quarter last year. Operating expenses continued to decrease due to the company's ongoing cost-competitiveness and productivity improvement programs.
Special charges of $7.5 million, or $0.14 per share were included in the quarter's results. Included in the special charges was an extraordinary item for the early extinguishment of debt. The company expects to record the remaining portion of the previously announced $25 - $30 million special charges by fiscal year-end.
Sales for the first six months of the year were $896.9 million compared to $965.2 million last year, a decline of seven percent. Unfavorable foreign currency translation effects and the impact of the divestiture of the Strong Tool Company steel mill business accounted for two and one percent, respectively, of the sales decline from last year. Net income for the first half, excluding special items, was $22.4 million or $0.74 per share compared to $21.4 million or $0.72 per share for the same period last year. Net income for the first half, including special items, was $18.2 million or $0.60 per share.
In summary, Mr. Tambakeras said, "We have articulated a strategy to reposition Kennametal to unlock its potential. As I have traveled throughout the company communicating our strategies and goals, I am encouraged by the positive attitude and dedication to improvement of the Kennametal employees worldwide. Everywhere I go, I see early evidence of increasing discipline and more fact-based decision making. I also continue to be impressed by the strong loyalty of our customer base to our brands. Although we are still in the early stages of strategy implementation, this bolsters my confidence in our ability to build on the underpinnings of the strong Kennametal franchise to become a top tier financial performer and the premier consumable tooling solutions supplier. We are on track with our stated strategy and focused on stabilizing the company, delivering our earnings commitments, and generating strong cash flow to position us for sustainable growth in the future."
This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are
not limited to, the extent that global economic conditions do not change
materially, risks associated with integrated businesses and restructuring
programs, demands on management resources, and risks associated with
international markets such as currency exchange rates and competition. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date hereof.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated financial highlights for Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) for
the quarter and six months ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 are shown in
the following tables (in thousands, except per share amounts). All fiscal
year 2000 data is subject to year-end (June 30) adjustment and audit by
independent public accountants.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
Operations: 1999 1998 1999 1998
Net sales $ 453,928 $ 484,318 $ 896,871 $ 965,240
Cost of goods sold 285,061 303,256 564,675 605,162
Gross profit 168,867 181,062 332,196 360,078
Operating expenses (a) 126,702 130,540 249,189 269,459
Restructuring and asset
impairment chgs. (b) 3,981 -- 3,981 --
Amortization of intangibles 6,597 6,261 13,600 12,666
Operating income 31,587 44,261 65,426 77,953
Interest expense 13,753 17,635 28,280 35,256
Other (income) expense (c) 510 (223) 252 193
Income before provision for
income taxes and minority
interest 17,324 26,849 36,894 42,504
Provision for income taxes 7,709 11,400 16,418 18,100
Minority interest 1,104 1,413 2,052 2,974
Income before extraordinary
item 8,511 14,036 18,424 21,430
Loss on early extinguishments
of debt, net of taxes (d) (267) -- (267) --
Net income $ 8,244 $ 14,036 $ 18,157 $ 21,430
Per Share Data:
Diluted earnings
per share $ 0.27 $ 0.47 $ 0.60 $ 0.72
Dividends per share $ 0.17 $ 0.17 $ 0.34 $ 0.34
Diluted average shares
outstanding 30,330 29,889 30,255 29,915
(a) For the quarter and six months ended December 31, 1999 these amounts
include a charge of $3.0 million for environmental remediation.
(b) For the quarter and six months ended December 31, 1999 these amounts
include charges for operational improvement programs.
(c) For the quarter and six months ended December 31, 1999 these amounts
include charges of $1,345 and $2,487 respectively for fees incurred
in connection with the company's accounts receivable securitization
program.
(d) For the quarter and six months ended December 31, 1999 these amounts
represent a non-cash charge for the accelerated write-off of deferred
financing fees due to the early extinguishment of the company's term
loan.
Supplemental Data Sheet
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
1999 1998(a) 1999 1998(a)
Sales:
North America $ 166,027 $ 169,840 $ 325,847 $ 338,028
Europe 73,486 87,138 142,505 169,469
Asia Pacific 13,937 10,912 27,262 21,230
Global Metalworking 253,450 267,890 495,614 528,727
Engineered Products 43,926 45,459 83,109 90,337
Mining and Construction 39,010 40,678 84,627 86,894
JLK/Industrial Supply(b) 117,542 130,291 233,521 259,282
Total $ 453,928 $ 484,318 $ 896,871 $ 965,240
By Geographic Area:
Within the
United States $ 296,687 $ 319,313 $ 592,782 $ 652,201
International 157,241 165,005 304,089 313,039
EPS excluding special
charges and amortization
expense $ 0.63 $ 0.68 $ 1.19 $ 1.14
Free Cash Flow:
Net Income $ 8,244 $ 14,036 $ 18,157 $ 21,430
Non-cash Items 6,401 7,704 6,481 9,327
Depreciation &
Amortization 25,221 23,698 51,285 47,415
Change in Working Capital 22,560 (9,362) 47,717 (42,432)
Capital Expenditures (10,897) (34,333) (21,676) (61,681)
Free Cash Flow $ 51,529 $ 1,743 $ 101,964 $ (25,941)
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Quarter Ended
12/31/99 9/30/99 6/30/99 12/31/98
Accounts Receivable $ 224,022 $ 233,867 $ 231,287 $ 333,235
Inventory 417,473 431,324 434,462 465,154
Accounts Payable (111,056) (106,668) (89,339) (96,678)
Total Primary Working
Capital (PWC) 530,439 558,523 576,410 701,711
PWC % Sales(c) 30.9% 32.0% 34.9% 35.5%
Debt 771,417 814,836 861,291 1,017,254
Debt/Total Capital 48.9% 50.2% 51.9% 55.9%
(a) Certain amounts in prior year sales have been reclassified to conform
to the current year presentation.
(b) Compared to the amounts reported separately by JLK, these amounts have
been adjusted to properly reflect the elimination of intercompany
sales to Kennametal and its subsidiaries.
(c) Calculated by averaging beginning of the year and quarter balances
divided by annualized sales.
SOURCE Kennametal Inc.
Web site: http: //www.kennametal.com
CONTACT: Mary Stanutz, 724-539-5638