Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results


  • Fourth Quarter Sales Increase of 7.5%
  • Fourth Quarter EPS of $1.34,
    Includes One-time Tax Benefit of $0.56 Per Share
  • Provides Fiscal Year 2018 Outlook  

CLEVELAND, Aug. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) today reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 year ended June 30, 2017.

Net sales for the quarter were $681.5 million, an increase of 7.5% compared with $634.0 million in the same quarter a year ago. The sales increase for the quarter reflects a 0.8% increase from acquisition-related volume and an unfavorable foreign currency translation of 0.4%. Excluding these factors, organic growth was 7.9% in the quarter, modestly offset by 0.8% due to one-half less selling days in the quarter. Net income for the quarter was $53.0 million, or $1.34 per share, compared with $26.1 million, or $0.66 per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Results for the current period include a favorable one-time tax benefit of $22.2 million, or $0.56 per share, related to the write-off of the Company’s investment in one of its Canadian subsidiaries.

For the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, net sales were $2.59 billion, an increase of 2.9% compared with $2.52 billion last year. Net income was $133.9 million, or $3.40 per share, compared with $29.6 million, or $0.75 per share, in the prior year. The current year results include the one-time tax benefit in the fourth quarter mentioned previously, while the prior year results included a third quarter non-cash charge of $1.62 per share for goodwill impairment.

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer Neil A. Schrimsher said, “We are pleased with the positive strides we made throughout fiscal 2017, including continued sequential progress in the fourth quarter. Our results for the year reflect the benefits from serving our customers’ operating needs, driving continuous improvements and enhancing our technical value-added capabilities. We look forward to building on our business momentum for continued growth in fiscal 2018.”

Outlook

Today the Company also provided its initial outlook for fiscal year 2018. For the full year, the Company is forecasting a sales increase in the range of 3.0% to 5.0% and expects earnings per share in the range of $3.00 to $3.20 per share.

Mr. Schrimsher concluded, “Across our organization, we remain focused on executing our strategy and serving new and existing customers who want to buy from fewer, more capable suppliers. We are well-positioned to serve these industrial needs through our multiple channels to market, including: 430+ local Service Centers; 70+ Fluid Power sales and service facilities; digital and printed catalog; Maintenance Supplies & Solutions® vendor managed inventory specialists; and our Applied.com e-commerce site. Providing choice, convenience and expertise generates success for our customers and value for all of our stakeholders.”

Share Repurchases

During fiscal 2017, the Company returned more than $50 million to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases. The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock in open market transactions during the fourth quarter. For the full fiscal year, the Company purchased 162,500 shares for $8.2 million. At June 30, 2017, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase 1,450,000 additional shares. 

Conference Call Information

Applied will host its quarterly conference call for investors and analysts at 10 a.m. ET on August 11, 2017. President & CEO Neil A. Schrimsher, CFO Mark O. Eisele, and Vice President – Finance David K. Wells will discuss the Company's performance. To join the call, dial 877-311-4351 (toll free) or 614-999-9139 (for International callers) using conference ID 56397200. A live audio webcast can be accessed online through the investor relations portion of the Company's website at www.applied.com. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks by dialing 855-859-2056 or 800-585-8367 (both toll free), or 404-537-3406 (International) using conference ID 56397200.

About Applied

Founded in 1923, Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission products, fluid power components, and other industrial supplies, serving MRO and OEM customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid power shop services. Applied also offers storeroom services and inventory management solutions that provide added value to its customers. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “forecast,” “expect,” “will” and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends in the industrial sector of the economy, the performance of acquired businesses, currency exchange movements, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

  APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
     
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
Year Ended
June 30,
  2017  2016  2017  2016
Net Sales$  681,471 $  634,006 $  2,593,746 $  2,519,428
Cost of sales   485,364    455,556    1,856,051    1,812,006
Gross Profit   196,107    178,450    737,695    707,422
Selling, distribution and administrative,    
  including depreciation   147,858    136,005    563,105    553,827
Goodwill impairment   -     -     -     64,794
Operating Income   48,249    42,445    174,590    88,801
Interest expense, net   2,130    2,059    8,541    8,763
Other (income) expense, net   (261)   (64)   (917)   1,060
Income Before Income Taxes   46,380    40,450    166,966    78,978
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense   (6,580)   14,383    33,056    49,401
Net Income $  52,960 $  26,067 $  133,910 $  29,577
Net Income Per Share - Basic$  1.36 $  0.67 $  3.43 $  0.75
Net Income Per Share - Diluted$  1.34 $  0.66 $  3.40 $  0.75
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic   39,024    39,030    39,013    39,254
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted   39,474    39,286    39,404    39,466


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recorded a non-routine tax benefit pertaining to a worthless stock tax deduction of $22.2 million, or $0.56 per share.  This deduction is based on the write-off of its investment in one of its Canadian subsidiaries for U.S. tax purposes.  

(2) Applied uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing U.S. inventory.  An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time.  Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.

In fiscal 2017 reductions in U.S. inventories in the bearings pool resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years.  A portion of these reductions resulted from scrapping $6.0 million of bearings inventory which resulted in a similar amount of scrap expense being recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.   The overall impact of the fiscal 2017 LIFO layer liquidations increased gross profit by $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.  The net benefit of the bearings products LIFO layer liquidation benefit, less the bearing product scrap expense was $3.4 million.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 LIFO layer liquidation benefits of $2.1 million were recognized. 

(3) During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. As part of this adoption, the condensed statement of consolidated cash flows for the year ended June, 2016 has been restated resulting in an increase in net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities of $1.0 million.

(4) During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, simplifying the presentation of debt issue costs. The retrospective adoption of this standard resulted in the reclassification as of June 30, 2016 of unamortized debt issue costs of $0.1 million from other current assets to a reduction of current portion of long-term debt and $0.4 million from other assets to a reduction of long-term debt on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.

   

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(Amounts in thousands) 
        
    June 30,
2017
 June 30,
2016
 
      
        
Assets  
  Cash and cash equivalents $  105,057 $  59,861 
  Accounts receivable, less allowances of $9,628 and $11,034   390,931    347,857 
  Inventories    345,145    338,221 
  Other current assets     41,409    35,582 
    Total current assets    882,542    781,521 
  Property, net    108,068    107,765 
  Goodwill     206,135    202,700 
  Intangibles, net    163,562    191,240 
  Deferred tax assets    8,985    12,277 
  Other assets     18,303    16,522 
Total Assets  $  1,387,595 $  1,312,025 
     
Liabilities     
  Accounts payable $  180,614 $  148,543 
  Current portion of long-term debt    4,814    3,247 
  Other accrued liabilities    124,325    122,493 
    Total current liabilities    309,753    274,283 
  Long-term debt     286,769    324,583 
  Other liabilities     45,817    55,243 
Total Liabilities     642,339    654,109 
Shareholders' Equity    745,256    657,916 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$  1,387,595 $  1,312,025 
   

 

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS 
 (In thousands) 
 
 Year Ended
June 30,
 
  
   2017   2016  
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities 
Net income $  133,910  $  29,577  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided 
  by operating activities: 
  Goodwill impairment    -      64,794  
  Depreciation and amortization of property    15,306     15,966  
  Amortization of intangibles    24,371     25,580  
  Amortization of stock appreciation rights and options    1,891     1,543  
  (Gain) loss on sale of property    (1,541)    337  
  Other share-based compensation expense    3,629     2,524  
  Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions    (11,936)    23,910  
  Other, net    (1,011)    (2,217) 
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities    164,619     162,014  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities 
  Property purchases    (17,045)    (13,130) 
  Proceeds from property sales    2,924     603  
  Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired    (2,773)    (62,504) 
Net Cash used in Investing Activities  (16,894)  (75,031) 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities 
  Net (repayments) borrowings under revolving credit facility  (33,000)  (19,000) 
  Long-term debt borrowings    -    125,000  
  Long-term debt repayments  (3,353)  (98,662) 
  Deferred financing costs    -    (719) 
  Purchases of treasury shares  (8,242)  (37,465) 
  Dividends paid  (44,619)  (43,330) 
  Acquisition holdback payments    (11,307)    (18,913) 
  Taxes paid for shares withheld for equity awards    (3,484)    (1,022) 
  Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options    656     896  
  Other, net    -      208  
Net Cash used in Financing Activities  (103,349)  (93,007) 
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash  820   (3,585) 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    45,196     (9,609) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year    59,861     69,470  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $  105,057  $  59,861  
 



            

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