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) June 18, 2007

 


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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On June 18, 2007, Leggett & Platt, Incorporated issued a press release to update earnings guidance for the second quarter of 2007 and provide full year earnings guidance for 2007. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. On June 19, 2007, the company will hold an investor conference call to discuss the press release.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Document Description

99.1    Press Release dated June 18, 2007


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: June 18, 2007   By:  

/S/ JOHN G. MOORE

    John G. Moore
    Vice President – Corporate Affairs


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.  

Document Description

99.1   Press Release dated June 18, 2007
Press Release

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 18, 2007    Exhibit 99.1

LEGGETT & PLATT REDUCES 2Q AND 2007 GUIDANCE

Carthage, MO, June 18, 2007 —

 

   

2Q guidance: EPS of $.31-$.36, on a 4% sales decrease versus 2Q 2006.

 

   

2007 guidance: EPS of $1.35-$1.55, on a 2% sales decrease versus 2006.

Fortune 500 diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt announced that second quarter earnings are expected to be within the range of $.31-$.36 per share. On a per share basis, this $.11 decline versus April guidance results from $.08 less earnings from continuing operations and $.03 of incremental restructuring-related costs. Sales are anticipated to be about $75 million lower than previously thought, and are substantially responsible for the reduced earnings expectation. Quarterly sales (from continuing operations) are now projected at approximately $1.30 billion, a 4% decline versus 2Q 2006; same location sales are expected to be down by about 6%, but should be partially offset by a 2% sales increase from acquisitions.

The table below shows the changes in guidance from April to now, for both the second quarter and the full year 2007, as well as actual full year results for 2006.

 

Guidance, $/share

   2Q 2007 Guidance     Full Year 2007 Guidance     2006  
     April    Current     Change     April    Current     Change     Actual  

Continuing Operations

   .37-.42    .29-.34     (.08 )   1.48-1.68    1.28-1.48     (.20 )   1.49  

Non-recurring Benefits

   .05    .05     —       .05    .05     —       .12  

Restructuring-related Costs

   —      (.03 )   (.03 )   —      (.05 )   (.05 )   (.07 )

Discontinued Operations

   —      —       —       .07    .07     —       .07  
                                        

EPS

   .42-.47    .31-.36     (.11 )   1.60-1.80    1.35-1.55     (.25 )   1.61  

Sales, Continuing Ops, $mln

   1375    1300     (75 )   5400    5200     (200 )   5314  

Full year 2007 earnings are now anticipated to be $1.35-$1.55 per share. The $.25 per share decrease versus April guidance reflects reduced sales expectations and incremental restructuring-related costs. Full year 2007 sales, excluding discontinued operations, are now anticipated to be approximately $5.2 billion, a $200 million decrease versus April’s guidance. Compared to 2006, full year sales (from continuing operations) are anticipated to decline by 2%, with acquisitions completed to-date adding about 2% to sales and same location sales expected to decline by 4%. Management is intently examining a few remaining underperforming operations, and may close those facilities; accordingly, guidance incorporates additional non-recurring net expenses of $.05 per share for the year ($.03 in 2Q; $.02 in the second half of the year).

CEO David S. Haffner commented, “Several of our markets have weakened considerably in the past 8 weeks, resulting in a broad-based revenue shortfall. Given the limited visibility into our markets, we cannot forecast a robust second half of the year. We simply do not see a major catalyst that will appreciably increase demand; accordingly, our full year guidance reflects continued market weakness for the remainder of 2007.

“We understand that investors’ patience is running thin, and we are equally dissatisfied. Status quo is clearly not acceptable. As part of the ongoing strategic review of our business portfolio that commenced earlier this year, we are critically analyzing likely changes to individual business models and to the portfolio itself. You may recall that we concluded a large divestiture just two months ago; we expect other changes going forward. We believe this activity will help set the stage for significant total shareholder return in the future.”

P.O. BOX 757 · NO. 1 LEGGETT ROAD · CARTHAGE, MISSOURI 64836-0757 · 417/358-8131


Management will discuss these events in a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Central (9am Eastern) on Tuesday, June 19. The webcast can be accessed (live or replay) from the Investor Relations section of Leggett’s website at www.leggett.com. The dial-in number is (303) 205-0033; there is no password. Second quarter results will be released after the market closes on July 19, with a conference call the next morning.

 

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

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) is a FORTUNE 500 diversified manufacturer that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in virtually every home, office, retail store, and automobile. The company serves a broad suite of customers that comprise a “Who’s Who” of U.S. manufacturers and retailers. The 124-year-old firm is composed of 28 business units, 33,000 employee-partners, and more than 300 facilities located in over 20 countries.

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: Susan R. McCoy, Director of Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or invest@leggett.com

 

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