January 25, 2016 - 4:10 PM EST
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Graco Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Annual Sales and Earnings

Organic Growth and Acquisitions Contribute to Solid 2015 Performance

Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the quarter and year ended Dec. 25, 2015.

Summary
$ in millions except per share amounts

  Quarter Ended   Year Ended

Dec 25,
2015

 

Dec 26,
2014

 

%
Change

Dec 25,
2015

 

Dec 26,
2014

 

%
Change

 
Net Sales $ 325.6 $ 306.0

6 %

$ 1,286.5 $ 1,221.1 5

 %

Operating Earnings 76.1 69.5

10 %

302.1 308.9 (2

)%

Net Earnings 53.5 49.0

9 %

345.7 225.6 53

 %

Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share

$ 0.94 $ 0.80

18 %

$ 5.86 $ 3.65 61

 %

 
  • Sales increased 6 percent for the quarter and 5 percent for the year. At consistent currency translation rates, sales increased 10 percent for both the quarter and the year, including growth from acquired operations of 4 percentage points for the quarter and 6 percentage points for the year, and organic growth of 6 percentage points for the quarter and 4 percentage points for the year.
  • Changes in currency translation rates reduced sales, operating earnings and net earnings by approximately $12 million, $7 million and $5 million, respectively, for the quarter and $58 million, $32 million and $20 million, respectively, for the year.
  • Non-recurring income tax benefits increased net earnings for the year by a total of $9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.
  • In April, the Company sold the Liquid Finishing business assets acquired in 2012. Net earnings include Liquid Finishing-related after-tax investment income totaling $1 million ($0.01 per diluted share) for the quarter (from post-closing adjustments) and $141 million ($2.40 per diluted share) for the year. Net earnings in 2014 included after-tax Liquid Finishing investment income of $4 million ($0.05 per diluted share) for the quarter and $27 million ($0.43 per diluted share) for the year.

"Graco achieved record performance in 2015 as a result of the efforts of our employees and channel partners around the world," said Patrick J. McHale, Graco's President and CEO. "The fourth quarter and full year 2015 were Company records for annual and fourth quarter sales, net income and diluted earnings per share. In addition, this was the Company's eighteenth consecutive quarter of record same-quarter sales."

Consolidated Results

Changes in currency translation rates reduced sales by approximately $12 million for the quarter and $58 million for the year, and decreased net earnings by approximately $5 million for the quarter and $20 million for the year.

Sales for the quarter increased 6 percent, with increases in all segments. Sales from operations acquired within the last 12 months totaled $13 million for the quarter, contributing 4 percentage points of growth. Organic sales at consistent translation rates increased 6 percent, with a 10 percent increase in the Americas, flat in EMEA and a 1 percent increase in Asia Pacific.

Sales for the year increased 5 percent, including an 11 percent increase in the Americas, partially offset by a 4 percent decrease in EMEA. Acquired operations contributed $67 million of incremental sales, representing 6 percentage points of growth. Organic sales at consistent translation rates increased 4 percent, driven by a 7 percent increase in the Americas.

Gross profit margin rates for the quarter and year were lower than rates in the comparable periods last year due mostly to changes in currency translation rates. Favorable effects of realized pricing and lower material costs offset the impact of lower average gross margin rates of acquired operations.

Total operating expenses for the quarter were flat compared to the fourth quarter last year and for the year they were $25 million (7 percent) higher than last year. Expenses of acquired operations totaled $6 million for the quarter and $27 million for the year. Spending related to regional and product expansion initiatives increased expenses for the year by approximately $4 million. Unallocated corporate expenses for the year increased $5 million, mostly from increases in pension, stock compensation and central warehouse costs. Changes in currency translation rates reduced operating expenses by approximately $3 million for the quarter and $16 million for the year.

In April, the Company sold the Liquid Finishing business assets acquired in 2012. Held separate investment income for the year includes the pre-tax gain on sale of $150 million, net of transaction and other related expenses, and dividends of $42 million. Net earnings for the quarter include after-tax net gain on the sale of $1 million ($0.01 per diluted share) from post-closing adjustments. Net earnings for the year include after-tax gain and dividends totaling $141 million ($2.40 per diluted share). Net earnings in 2014 included after-tax net investment income of $4 million ($0.05 per diluted share) for the quarter and $27 million ($0.43 per diluted share) for the year. No further Liquid Finishing dividends will be received.

The effective income tax rate of 27 percent for the quarter was consistent with the fourth quarter rate last year. Favorable effects of lower tax rates on foreign earnings were offset by the effect of post-tax dividends received in the fourth quarter of 2014. The federal R&D credit was reinstated in the fourth quarter and the Company recognized a full-year benefit of $3 million, consistent with the amount recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014. The effective income tax rate of 27 percent for the year was one percentage point lower than last year. A change in the Company's assertion with respect to reinvestment of foreign earnings decreased deferred income taxes related to undistributed foreign earnings by $7 million and reduced the effective tax rate for the year. Higher post-tax dividend income, favorable effects of lower tax rates on foreign earnings, and an additional non-recurring tax benefit of $2 million further reduced the effective tax rate for the year. Those reductions were partially offset by the tax rate effects of the gain on the sale of the Liquid Finishing business assets.

Change in Financial Reporting Segments

Beginning with the first quarter of 2015, the Company revised the presentation of its financial reporting segments. Operations of the Process and the Oil and Natural Gas divisions, historically included in the Industrial segment, are now aggregated with the Lubrication division (formerly reported as a separate segment) in the newly-formed Process segment. This change aligns the types of products offered and markets served within the segments. Prior year segment information has been restated to conform to 2015 reporting.

A summary of the Company’s three reportable segments (Industrial, Process and Contractor) follows.

The Industrial segment includes our Industrial Products and Applied Fluid Technologies divisions. The Industrial segment markets equipment and pre-engineered packages for moving and applying paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives and other fluids. Markets served include automotive and vehicle assembly and components production, wood and metal products, rail, marine, aerospace, farm, construction, bus, recreational vehicles and various other industries.

The Process segment includes our Process, Oil and Natural Gas, and Lubrication divisions. The Process segment markets pumps, valves, meters and accessories to move and dispense chemicals, oil and natural gas, water, waste water, petroleum, food, lubricants and other fluids. Markets served include food and beverage, dairy, oil and natural gas, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, electronics, waste water, mining, fast oil change facilities, service garages, fleet service centers, automobile dealerships and industrial lubrication applications.

The Contractor segment remains unchanged. The Contractor segment markets sprayers for architectural coatings for painting, corrosion control, texture and line striping.

Segment Results

Certain measurements of segment operations are summarized below:

  Quarter   Year
Industrial   Process   Contractor Industrial   Process   Contractor
       
Net sales (in millions) $ 167.1 $ 69.3 $ 89.1 $ 616.1 $ 273.6 $ 396.8

Percentage change from last year

   Sales

2

 %

11 % 11 % (1 )% 23 % 6 %

   Operating earnings

5

 %

(6 )% 33 % (1 )% (8 )% 6 %

Operating earnings as a percentage of sales

   2015

34

 %

13 % 18 % 33 % 16 % 22 %

   2014

34

 %

15 % 15 % 33 % 21 % 22 %
 

Industrial segment sales for the quarter increased 2 percent (7 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales in this segment increased 10 percent in the Americas, decreased 10 percent in EMEA (1 percent at consistent translation rates) and increased 4 percent in Asia Pacific (7 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales for the year decreased 1 percent, but increased 5 percent at consistent translation rates. Sales increased 6 percent in the Americas, decreased 12 percent in EMEA (increased 1 percent at consistent translation rates) and were flat in Asia Pacific (increased 4 percent at consistent translation rates). Operating margin rates for the Industrial segment for the quarter and year were consistent with last year.

Process segment sales for the quarter increased 11 percent (14 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales in this segment increased 10 percent in the Americas, 14 percent in EMEA and 9 percent in Asia Pacific. Sales for the year in this segment increased 23 percent (27 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales increases came from acquired operations including Alco Valves (acquired in October 2014), White Knight Fluid Handling and High Pressure Equipment (both acquired in January 2015). Organic sales at consistent translation rates were down 2 percent for the quarter and up 1 percent for the year. Lower average profit margins of acquired operations, changes in currency translation rates and incremental investment in oil and natural gas products led to decreases in operating margin rates for this segment.

Contractor segment sales for the quarter increased 11 percent (15 percent at consistent translation rates), with a 20 percent increase in the Americas partially offset by decreases in EMEA and Asia Pacific. Sales for the year in this segment increased 6 percent (9 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales increased 13 percent in the Americas, decreased 10 percent in EMEA (increased 2 percent at consistent translation rates) and decreased 14 percent in Asia Pacific (9 percent at consistent translation rates). Operating margin rate for the quarter was 3 percentage points higher than the comparable period last year due to volume leverage. Operating margin rate for the year was consistent with last year, with the unfavorable impact of currency translation rates offset by volume-related increases.

In April 2015, the Company sold the Liquid Finishing business assets acquired in 2012 that were held as a cost-method investment. Post-closing purchase price adjustments were recorded in the third and fourth quarters of 2015. The $150 million pre-tax gain on the sale, net of transaction and other related expenses, was included in investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings. Prior to the sale, income was recognized on dividends received from after-tax earnings of Liquid Finishing and also included in investment income. There was no dividend income in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $4 million in 2014. For the year, dividend income was $42 million in 2015 and $28 million in 2014. Results excluding Liquid Finishing investment income and expense provide a more consistent base of comparison to future results. A calculation of the non-GAAP measurement of net earnings excluding investment income and expense follows (in millions except per share amounts):

  Quarter Ended   Year Ended

Dec 25,
2015

 

Dec 26,
2014

Dec 25,
2015

 

Dec 26,
2014

 
Net Earnings, as reported $ 53.5 $ 49.0 $ 345.7 $ 225.6
Held separate investment (income), net (0.9 ) (3.2 ) (191.6 ) (26.0 )
Income tax effect 0.3   (0.3 ) 50.2   (0.8 )
Net Earnings, adjusted $ 52.9   $ 45.5   $ 204.3   $ 198.8  
 
Diluted earnings per share
As reported $ 0.94 $ 0.80 $ 5.86 $ 3.65
Adjusted $ 0.93 $ 0.75 $ 3.46 $ 3.22
 

Outlook

"Throughout 2015, we were focused on achieving our full-year outlook of mid-single digit organic sales growth on a constant currency basis worldwide, as well as growth in all geographic regions and reportable segments. With the exception of a small decline in Asia Pacific, we met our 2015 outlook," said McHale. "During the fourth quarter of 2015 our incoming orders were similar to the prior year on an organic constant currency basis, reflecting a sequential weakening in demand growth. We continue to invest for long-term growth in our new product development, geographic expansion and market expansion initiatives. As we enter 2016, we are cautiously optimistic that our growth initiatives and end market exposure will help us achieve our outlook of low single digit organic constant currency growth for the first quarter and low-to-mid single digit growth for the full year 2016. While worldwide macroeconomic conditions and currency fluctuations remain a concern, we will drive for growth in every reportable segment and geography again in 2016. At current exchange rates, unfavorable changes in foreign currency translation rates create a full-year headwind of approximately 2 percent on sales and 5 percent on net income for 2016, with the largest headwind in the first half."

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions regarding forward-looking statements of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is filing this Cautionary Statement in order to do so. From time to time various forms filed by our Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K, our Form 10Qs and Form 8-Ks, and other disclosures, including our 2014 Overview report, press releases, earnings releases, analyst briefings, conference calls and other written documents or oral statements released by our Company, may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally use words such as “expect,” “foresee,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “should,” “estimate,” “will,” and similar expressions, and reflect our Company’s expectations concerning the future. All forecasts and projections are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon currently available information, but various risks and uncertainties may cause our Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of new information or future events.

Future results could differ materially from those expressed due to the impact of changes in various factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: our Company’s growth strategies, which include making acquisitions, investing in new products, expanding geographically and targeting new industries; economic conditions in the United States and other major world economies; changes in currency translation rates; changes in laws and regulations; compliance with anti-corruption laws; new entrants who copy our products or infringe on our intellectual property; risks incident to conducting business internationally; the ability to meet our customers’ needs and changes in product demand; supply interruptions or delays; security breaches; political instability; results of and costs associated with, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory reviews incident to our business as well as indemnification claims under our asset purchase agreement with Carlisle Companies Incorporated, Carlisle Fluid Technologies, Inc., and Finishing Brands Holdings Inc.; the possibility of decline in purchases from few large customers of the Contractor segment; variations in activity in the construction and automotive industries; and natural disasters. Please refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014 (and most recent Form 10-Q) for a more comprehensive discussion of these and other risk factors. These reports are available on the Company’s website at www.graco.com and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Investors should realize that factors other than those identified above and in Item 1A might prove important to the Company’s future results. It is not possible for management to identify each and every factor that may have an impact on the Company’s operations in the future as new factors can develop from time to time.

Conference Call

Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. ET, to discuss Graco’s fourth quarter results.

A real-time webcast of the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. Individuals wanting to listen and view slides can access the call on the Company’s website at www.graco.com. Listeners should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call to install any necessary audio software.

For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay will be available soon after the conference call on Graco’s website, or by telephone beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. CT on Jan. 26, 2016, by dialing 888-203-1112, Conference ID #2790548, if calling within the U.S. or Canada. The dial-in number for international participants is 719-457-0820, with the same Conference ID #. The replay by telephone will be available through Jan. 30, 2016.

Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com or on Twitter @GracoInc.

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Earnings (Unaudited)

   
Quarter Ended Year Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts) Dec 25,   Dec 26, Dec 25,   Dec 26,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Net Sales $ 325,557 $ 306,005 $ 1,286,485 $ 1,221,130
Cost of products sold 153,805   141,245   601,785   554,394  
Gross Profit 171,752 164,760 684,700 666,736
Product development 13,579 13,897 58,559 54,246
Selling, marketing and distribution 51,931 51,440 201,855 194,751
General and administrative 30,166   29,958   122,161   108,814  
Operating Earnings 76,076 69,465 302,125 308,925
Interest expense 4,190 4,903 17,643 18,733
Held separate investment (income), net (891 ) (3,194 ) (191,635 ) (25,951 )
Other expense (income), net (257 ) 715   1,404   1,070  
Earnings Before Income Taxes 73,034 67,041 474,713 315,073
Income taxes 19,490   18,000   129,000   89,500  
Net Earnings $ 53,544   $ 49,041   $ 345,713   $ 225,573  
Net Earnings per Common Share
Basic $ 0.96 $ 0.83 $ 6.00 $ 3.75
Diluted $ 0.94 $ 0.80 $ 5.86 $ 3.65
Weighted Average Number of Shares
Basic 55,898 59,388 57,610 60,148
Diluted 57,257 60,973 59,007 61,745
 

Segment Information (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 
Quarter Ended Year Ended
Dec 25, Dec 26, Dec 25, Dec 26,
2015 2014 2015 2014
Net Sales
Industrial $ 167,137 $ 163,239 $ 616,069 $ 622,343
Process 69,294 62,634 273,631 223,213
Contractor 89,126   80,132   396,785   375,574  
Total $ 325,557   $ 306,005   $ 1,286,485   $ 1,221,130  
Operating Earnings
Industrial $ 57,249 $ 54,746 $ 201,749 $ 203,910
Process 8,910 9,454 43,833 47,830
Contractor 15,897 11,995 86,447 81,892
Unallocated corporate (expense) (5,980 ) (6,730 ) (29,904 ) (24,707 )
Total $ 76,076   $ 69,465   $ 302,125   $ 308,925  
 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

   
Dec 25, Dec 26,
2015 2014
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 52,295 $ 23,656
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $10,400 and $8,100 225,509 214,944
Inventories 202,136 159,797
Investment in businesses held separate 421,767
Other current assets 29,077   19,374  
Total current assets 509,017 839,538
Property, Plant and Equipment, net 178,437 161,230
Goodwill 394,488 292,574
Other Intangible Assets, net 227,987 176,278
Deferred Income Taxes 56,976 48,951
Other Assets 24,447   26,207  
Total Assets $ 1,391,352   $ 1,544,778  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Notes payable to banks $ 15,901 $ 5,016
Trade accounts payable 40,505 39,306
Salaries and incentives 44,673 40,775
Dividends payable 18,447 17,790
Other current liabilities 75,090   69,850  
Total current liabilities 194,616 172,737
Long-term Debt 392,695 615,000
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation 137,457 136,812
Deferred Income Taxes 22,303 24,197
Other non-current liabilities 8,730
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock 55,766 59,199
Additional paid-in-capital 398,774 384,704
Retained earnings 285,508 252,865
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (104,497 ) (100,736 )
Total shareholders’ equity 635,551   596,032  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 1,391,352   $ 1,544,778  
 

GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 
Year Ended
Dec 25,   Dec 26,
2015 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net earnings $ 345,713 $ 225,573

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities

Depreciation and amortization 44,607 35,515
Deferred income taxes (11,585 ) 329
Share-based compensation 19,224 17,249
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements (1,775 ) (6,634 )
Gain on sale of business (149,894 )
Change in
Accounts receivable (18,276 ) (26,557 )
Inventories (34,109 ) (15,079 )
Trade accounts payable 4,305 450
Salaries and incentives (1,385 ) 1,520
Retirement benefits and deferred compensation 11,870 5,052
Other accrued liabilities 1,645 6,151
Other (20,701 ) (2,314 )
Net cash from operating activities 189,639   241,255  
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment additions (41,749 ) (30,636 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (189,017 ) (185,462 )
Investment in businesses held separate 530
Proceeds from sale of assets 610,162
Investment in restricted assets (9,518 )
Other 61   (1,163 )
Net cash used in investing activities 369,939   (216,731 )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Borrowings (payments) on short-term lines of credit, net 11,216 (4,459 )
Borrowings on notes and long-term line of credit 720,605 717,845
Payments on long-term line of credit (942,910 ) (511,215 )
Payments of debt issuance costs (890 )
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment arrangements 1,775 6,634
Common stock issued 18,835 30,199
Common stock repurchased (274,503 ) (195,326 )
Cash dividends paid (69,429 ) (66,362 )
Net cash from (used in) financing activities (534,411 ) (23,574 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 3,472   2,950  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 28,639 3,900
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Beginning of year 23,656   19,756  
End of year $ 52,295   $ 23,656  
 

Graco Inc.
Financial Contact:
Christian Rothe, 612-623-6205
or
Media Contact:
Charlotte Boyd, 612-623-6153
Charlotte_M_Boyd@graco.com


Source: Business Wire (January 25, 2016 - 4:10 PM EST)

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