Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 21, 2010

 

 

LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Missouri   001-07845   44-0324630

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

No. 1 Leggett Road, Carthage, MO   64836
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 417-358-8131

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On October 21, 2010, Leggett & Platt, Incorporated issued a press release announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

This information is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

On October 22, 2010, the Company will hold an investor conference call to discuss its third quarter financial results, annual guidance and related matters.

The press release contains the Company’s “net debt to net capitalization ratio.” Reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is set forth in the press release. Company management believes the presentation of net debt to net capitalization provides investors a useful way to evaluate the Company’s debt leverage if the Company was to use its cash to pay down debt. The Company’s cash has fluctuated, sometimes significantly, from period to period. Management uses this ratio as supplemental information to track leverage trends across time periods with variable levels of cash. Net debt to net capitalization may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be considered a substitute for, or more meaningful than long-term debt to total capitalization. Because we may not be able to use our cash to reduce our debt on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the net debt to net capitalization ratio may have material limitations.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

The information contained in Item 2.02 above (including Exhibit 99.1) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release dated October 21, 2010


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED
Date: October 21, 2010     By:   /S/    JOHN G. MOORE        
     

John G. Moore

Vice President – Chief Legal & HR Officer and Secretary


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release dated October 21, 2010
Press Release

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 21, 2010

LEGGETT & PLATT POSTS THIRD QUARTER EPS OF $.31

Carthage, MO, October 21, 2010 —

 

   

3Q EPS of $.31

 

   

3Q sales of $867 million, 7% higher than in prior year

 

   

Updated 2010 EPS guidance to $1.10 - 1.20 on sales of $3.30 - 3.35 billion

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported third quarter earnings per diluted share of $.31 (including a $.02 per share net LIFO expense). In the third quarter of 2009, earnings were $.34 per share (including a $.05 per share net LIFO benefit). Compared to third quarter 2009, third quarter 2010 earnings benefited from higher unit volumes and lower effective tax rates; these factors were more than offset by an increase in net LIFO expense (of $.07 per share) and higher-cost raw materials.

Sales from Continuing Operations were $867 million, 7% (or $57 million) higher than 2009 third quarter sales, primarily due to unit volume growth in the Specialized Products segment.

Markets Soften

President and CEO David S. Haffner commented, “Certain of our key markets, primarily related to residential furnishings, weakened noticeably in the third quarter. As a result, our third quarter sales were lower than those of second quarter, which rarely occurs. Though aggregate unit volume increased 6% in the third quarter (compared to 3Q 2009), this was a much slower pace than the 15% unit growth experienced during the first half of 2010. We believe the stronger consumer demand during the first half of the year was driven, in part, by larger income tax refunds and house purchase incentives. In addition, raw material costs temporarily increased beyond the amounts anticipated when we implemented price increases during the second quarter; however, we are seeing costs begin to retreat to expected levels. As a result, we are revising our full year EPS guidance to the lower half of our prior range.

“Strategically, during the quarter we completed the sale of the seventh, and last, of the businesses we planned to divest as part of the company’s strategic realignment. The seven divestitures collectively generated $433 million of after tax cash proceeds, exceeding the original $400 million goal. Cash flow remains strong and net debt declined during the quarter.

“We remain well positioned as the economy recovers. Given our unused production capacity, sales can rebound to at least $4 billion before we need to invest much capital. We continue to expect an incremental EBIT margin of 25-35% as unit volumes increase; as a result, EBIT margin should improve as sales grow.

“Since 2008, when we implemented our new strategy, we have exceeded our goal of providing Total Shareholder Return (TSR1) that ranks within the top  1/3 of the S&P 500. Longer term, we believe that modest sales growth, continued margin improvement, our dividend yield, and stock buybacks will enable us to continue to attain that goal.”

Dividend and Stock Repurchases

In August, Leggett & Platt’s Board of Directors declared a $.27 third quarter dividend, a 3.8% increase versus the second quarter dividend. Leggett & Platt has increased annual dividends for 39 consecutive years, at a compound annual growth rate of 14%. At yesterday’s closing share price of $22.88, the indicated annual dividend of $1.08 per share generates a dividend yield of 4.7%.

 

1 TSR = (Change in Stock Price + Dividends Received) / Beginning Stock Price.

 

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During the third quarter, the company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its stock at an average price of $21.15 per share, and issued 0.4 million shares. Year to date, the company repurchased 4.7 million shares and issued 2.4 million shares; as a result, shares outstanding decreased to 146.5 million (14% lower than it was three years ago).

For the full year, the company anticipates repurchasing a total of 6 to 8 million shares of its stock and issuing approximately 3 million shares (primarily for employee purchases of stock). The company has standing authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 10 million shares each year, but has established no specific repurchase commitment or timetable.

2010 Outlook

Leggett anticipates full year 2010 sales of approximately $3.30 - 3.35 billion, and EPS of $1.10 - 1.20. Cash from operations should exceed $300 million for the full year, which is more than sufficient to provide the cash needed for capital expenditures and dividends.

LIFO

All of Leggett’s segments use the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method for valuing inventories. An adjustment is made at the corporate level to convert about 60% of the inventories to the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method.

LIFO accounting created significant variability in 2009 quarterly earnings. Steel deflation negatively impacted segment earnings for the first half of 2009. This impact was offset by a LIFO benefit at the corporate level, but that benefit was spread across all four quarters in 2009. As a result, earnings for the third quarter 2009 included a LIFO benefit of $16.0 million; in contrast, third quarter 2010 earnings reflect a LIFO expense of $5.3 million.

SEGMENT RESULTS – Third Quarter 2010 (versus 3Q 2009)

Residential Furnishings – Total sales were unchanged; unit volume decreases were offset by inflation. EBIT (earnings before interest and income taxes) decreased $1 million due to reduced unit volume.

Commercial Fixturing & Components – Total sales increased $6 million, or 4%, primarily due to new programs with office furniture manufacturers. EBIT decreased $1 million; gains due to higher sales were more than offset by higher raw material costs and a less favorable sales mix.

Industrial Materials – Total sales increased $11 million, or 6%; unit volume was 2% higher, inflation increased sales by 10%, and a small divestiture reduced sales by 6%. EBIT decreased $7 million, with the impact of higher volume more than offset by higher raw material costs and lost earnings contribution associated with the divestiture.

Specialized Products – Total sales increased $35 million, or 28%, with all portions of the segment showing meaningful improvement. EBIT increased $10 million due to higher volume.

 

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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 8:00 a.m. Central (9:00 a.m. Eastern) on Friday, October 22 to discuss quarterly results, annual guidance, and related matters. The webcast can be accessed (live or replay) from Leggett’s website. The dial-in number is (201) 689-8341; there is no passcode.

Fourth quarter results will be released after the market closes on February 1; a conference call will occur the next day.

 

      

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

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) is a diversified manufacturer (and member of the S&P 500) that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The company serves a broad suite of customers that comprise a “Who’s Who” of U.S. manufacturers and retailers. The 127-year-old firm is comprised of 19 business units, 20,000 employee-partners, and more than 140 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.

Leggett & Platt is the leading U.S. manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) office furniture components; c) drawn steel wire; d) automotive seat support and lumbar systems; e) carpet underlay; f) power foundations; g) bedding industry machinery.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this release that are not historical in nature are “forward-looking.” These statements involve uncertainties and risks, including the company’s ability to improve operations and realize cost savings, 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, future growth of acquired companies, general economic conditions, foreign currency fluctuation, litigation risks, and other factors described in the company’s Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement reflects only the company’s beliefs when the statement is made. Actual results could differ materially from expectations, and the company undertakes no duty to update these statements.

CONTACT:    Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or invest@leggett.com

David M. DeSonier, Vice President of Strategy and Investor Relations

Susan R. McCoy, Director of Investor Relations

 

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LEGGETT & PLATT   Page 4 of 5   October 21, 2010

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   THIRD QUARTER     YEAR TO DATE  

(In millions, except per share data)

   2010     2009     Change     2010     2009     Change  

Net sales (from continuing operations)

   $ 866.5      $ 809.9        7   $ 2,557.2      $ 2,285.4        12

Cost of goods sold

     697.8        622.6          2,043.3        1,825.9     
                                    

Gross profit

     168.7        187.3          513.9        459.5     

Selling & administrative expenses

     87.6        84.8        3     268.7        275.7        (3 %) 

Amortization

     4.9        5.5          14.8        15.3     

Other expense (income), net

     0.6        2.0          (7.5     14.8     
                                    

Earnings before interest and taxes

     75.6        95.0        (20 %)      237.9        153.7        55

Net interest expense

     7.6        8.0          23.8        24.0     
                                    

Earnings before income taxes

     68.0        87.0          214.1        129.7     

Income taxes

     18.1        30.8          63.1        51.1     
                                    

Net earnings from continuing operations

     49.9        56.2          151.0        78.6     

Discontinued operations, net of tax 1

     (0.6     (0.5       (0.7     (0.7  
                                    

Net earnings

     49.3        55.7          150.3        77.9     

Less net income from non-controlling interest

     (1.9     (1.4       (5.1     (1.3  
                                    

Net earnings attributable to L&P

   $ 47.4      $ 54.3        (13 %)    $ 145.2      $ 76.6        90
                                    

Earnings per diluted share

            

From continuing operations

   $ 0.31      $ 0.34        $ 0.95      $ 0.48     

From discontinued operations

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00        ($ 0.01   $ 0.00     

Net earnings per diluted share

   $ 0.31      $ 0.34        (8 %)    $ 0.94      $ 0.48        99

Shares outstanding

            

Common stock (at end of period)

     146.5        152.3          146.5        152.3     

Basic (average for period)

     150.7        159.7          151.6        160.8     

Diluted (average for period)

     152.9        160.5          153.7        161.2     

CASH FLOW

   THIRD QUARTER     YEAR TO DATE  

(In millions)

   2010     2009     Change     2010     2009     Change  

Net earnings

   $ 49.3      $ 55.7        $ 150.3      $ 77.9     

Depreciation and amortization

     30.0        32.5          91.2        97.3     

Working capital decrease (increase)

     (20.6     16.7          (90.9     156.6     

Asset Impairment

     0.2        0.5          2.5        1.2     

Other operating activity

     31.6        36.6          55.3        97.4     
                                    

Net Cash from Operating Activity

   $ 90.5      $ 142.0        (36 %)    $ 208.4      $ 430.4        (52 %) 

Additions to PP&E

     (18.6     (13.9     34     (48.6     (65.4     (26 %) 

Purchase of companies, net of cash

     0.0        (2.5       (0.4     (2.8  

Proceeds from asset sales

     16.4        3.3          27.2        9.1     

Dividends paid

     (38.2     (39.2       (115.4     (117.5  

Repurchase of common stock, net

     (8.9     (78.5       (80.7     (104.5  

Additions (payments) to debt, net

     (13.2     (9.1       29.3        (101.8  

Other

     5.2        (2.8       (3.6     9.3     
                                    

Increase (Decr.) in Cash & Equiv.

   $ 33.2      $ (0.7     $ 16.2      $ 56.8     
                                    

FINANCIAL POSITION

   30-Sep                    

(In millions)

   2010     2009     Change                    

Cash and equivalents

   $ 276.7      $ 221.5           

Receivables

     546.6        548.7           

Inventories

     448.9        397.4           

Held for sale

     0.0        18.5           

Other current assets

     36.2        64.8           
                        

Total current assets

     1,308.4        1,250.9        5      

Net fixed assets

     621.3        664.0           

Held for sale

     24.7        42.2           

Goodwill and other assets

     1,124.9        1,138.3           
                        

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,079.3      $ 3,095.4        (1 %)       
                        

Trade accounts payable

   $ 232.1      $ 209.3           

Current debt maturities

     9.8        1.9           

Held for sale

     0.0        4.0           

Other current liabilities

     308.0        323.9           
                        

Total current liabilities

     549.9        539.1        2      

Long term debt

     833.5        772.4        8      

Deferred taxes and other liabilities

     180.4        155.0           

Equity

     1,515.5        1,628.9        (7 %)       
                        

Total Capitalization

     2,529.4        2,556.3           
                        

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

   $ 3,079.3      $ 3,095.4           
                        

 

1

Primarily includes: Coated Fabrics (formerly in Residential Furnishings); Storage Products (formerly in Commercial Fixturing & Components).


 

LEGGETT & PLATT   Page 5 of 5   October 21, 2010

 

 

SEGMENT RESULTS

   THIRD QUARTER     YEAR TO DATE  
(In millions)    2010     2009     Change     2010     2009     Change  

External Sales

                                    

Residential Furnishings

   $ 442.1      $ 441.1        0.2   $ 1,329.8      $ 1,271.0        4.6

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     148.5        142.1        4.5     429.9        387.1        11.1

Industrial Materials

     126.8        115.1        10.2     374.4        322.3        16.2

Specialized Products

     149.1        111.6        33.6     423.1        305.0        38.7
                                                

Total

   $ 866.5      $ 809.9        7.0   $ 2,557.2      $ 2,285.4        11.9
                                                

Inter-Segment Sales

                                    

Residential Furnishings

   $ 1.6      $ 2.2        $ 5.7      $ 6.6     

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     1.0        1.2          3.1        3.1     

Industrial Materials

     56.4        57.1          180.6        167.3     

Specialized Products

     10.8        13.1          29.2        44.0     
                                    

Total

   $ 69.8      $ 73.6        $ 218.6      $ 221.0     
                                    

Total Sales

                                    

Residential Furnishings

   $ 443.7      $ 443.3        0.1   $ 1,335.5      $ 1,277.6        4.5

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     149.5        143.3        4.3     433.0        390.2        11.0

Industrial Materials

     183.2        172.2        6.4     555.0        489.6        13.4

Specialized Products

     159.9        124.7        28.2     452.3        349.0        29.6
                                                

Total

   $ 936.3      $ 883.5        6.0   $ 2,775.8      $ 2,506.4        10.7
                                                

EBIT

                                    

Residential Furnishings

   $ 38.3      $ 39.1        (2 %)    $ 132.3      $ 56.1        136

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     10.0        11.0        (9 %)      26.6        9.4        183

Industrial Materials

     14.6        21.8        (33 %)      44.8        48.6        (8 %) 

Specialized Products

     19.2        8.9        116     46.4        2.1        2110

Intersegment eliminations and other

     (1.2     (1.8       (2.6     (14.5  

Change in LIFO reserve

     (5.3     16.0          (9.6     52.0     
                                                

Total

   $ 75.6      $ 95.0        (20 %)    $ 237.9      $ 153.7        55
                                                

EBIT Margin 1

               Basis Pts                 Basis Pts  

Residential Furnishings

     8.6     8.8     (20     9.9     4.4     550   

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     6.7     7.7     (100     6.1     2.4     370   

Industrial Materials

     8.0     12.7     (470     8.1     9.9     (180

Specialized Products

     12.0     7.1     490        10.3     0.6     970   
                                                

Overall from Continuing Operations

     8.7     11.7     (300     9.3     6.7     260   
                                                

LAST SIX QUARTERS

   2009     2010  

Selected Figures

   2Q     3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q  

Trade Sales ($ million)

     757        810        770        816        874        867   

Sales Growth (vs. prior year)

     (28.8 %)      (28.5 %)      (12.8 %)      13.7     15.4     7.0

EBIT ($ million)

     41        95        77        77        85        76   

EBIT Margin

     5.4     11.7     10.0     9.5     9.7     8.7

Net Earnings - excludes discontinued oper. ($m)

     19        55        41        46        52        48   

Net Margin - excludes discontinued operations

     2.5     6.8     5.3     5.6     6.0     5.5

EPS - continuing operations (diluted)

   $ 0.12      $ 0.34      $ 0.26      $ 0.30      $ 0.34      $ 0.31   

Cash from Operations ($ million)

     174        142        135        51        67        91   

Net Debt to Net Capitalization

                                    

Long term debt

     773        772        789        822        855        834   

Current debt maturities

     17        2        10        10        10        10   

Less cash and equivalents

     (222     (221     (260     (247     (244     (277
                                                

Net Debt

     568        553        539        585        621        567   
                                                

Total capitalization

     2567        2556        2526        2524        2508        2529   

Current debt maturities

     17        2        10        10        10        10   

Less cash and equivalents

     (222     (221     (260     (247     (244     (277
                                                

Net Capitalization

     2362        2337        2276        2287        2274        2263   
                                                

Long Term Debt to Total Capitalization

     30.1     30.2     31.2     32.6     34.1     33.0

Net Debt to Net Capital

     24.0     23.7     23.7     25.6     27.3     25.0
Management uses Net Debt to Net Capital to track leverage trends across time periods with variable levels of cash.   

Same Location Sales (vs. prior year)

   2Q     3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q  

Residential Furnishings

     (23 %)      (23 %)      (9 %)      5     9     0

Commercial Fixturing & Components

     (29 %)      (28 %)      (25 %)      23     8     4

Industrial Materials

     (38 %)      (41 %)      (26 %)      8     29     13

Specialized Products

     (33 %)      (27 %)      (6 %)      31     30     28

Overall from Continuing Operations

     (28 %)      (28 %)      (13 %)      14     16     8

 

1

Segment margins calculated on Total Sales. Overall company margin calculated on External Sales.

nm = not meaningful