Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Results


  • Net Sales of $680.7 Million Up 8.9%
  • Net Income of $33.7 Million Up 23.2%; EPS of $0.86 Up 22.9%
  • Updates Full-year Guidance
  • Declares Dividend of $0.29

CLEVELAND, Oct. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) today reported first quarter fiscal 2018 sales and earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Net sales for the quarter grew 8.9% to $680.7 million from $624.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. The overall sales increase for the quarter reflects a 0.8% increase from acquisition-related volume and favorable foreign currency translation of 0.7%. Excluding these factors, organic growth was up 9.2%, which was partially offset by a 1.8% impact from one less sales day in the quarter. Net income for the quarter increased 23.2% to $33.7 million from $27.4 million, and earnings per share rose 22.9% to $0.86 per share, compared with $0.70 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Commenting on the results, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer Neil A. Schrimsher said, “Building on our recent momentum, we are off to a solid start in fiscal 2018. Our first quarter results reflect ongoing progress in executing our strategic plan, with emphasis on serving our customers, enhancing our capabilities and driving continuous improvements for growth and profitability.”

Outlook

“Entering the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we are narrowing our full-year guidance range for earnings per share to between $3.10 and $3.20 per share, on a sales increase of 4% to 5%.” Mr. Schrimsher concluded, “We are well-positioned in our markets and on track to deliver our fiscal year commitments, with opportunities for continued improvement in sales, operating performance and earnings.”

Share Repurchases

During the quarter, the Company purchased 247,500 shares of its common stock in open market transactions for $13.8 million. At September 30, 2017, the Company had remaining authorization to purchase 1,202,500 additional shares.

Dividend

Today the Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per common share, payable on November 30, 2017, to shareholders of record on November 15, 2017.

Conference Call Information

Applied will host its quarterly conference call for investors and analysts at 10 a.m. ET on October 25. Neil A. Schrimsher – President & CEO, and David K. Wells – CFO will discuss the Company's performance. To join the call, dial 877-311-4351 (toll free) or 614-999-9139 (International) using conference ID 93445697. 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 93445697.

About Applied Industrial Technologies

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 “guidance,” “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, 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

INVESTOR RELATIONS
David K. Wells
Vice President – Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
216-426-4755

CORPORATE & MEDIA RELATIONS
Julie A. Kho
Manager, Public Relations
216-426-4483

 
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
   
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  2017      2016 
Net Sales$  680,701 $  624,848 
Cost of sales   488,277    446,518 
Gross Profit   192,424    178,330 
Selling, distribution and administrative, including depreciation              140,587    134,911 
Operating Income   51,837    43,419 
Interest expense, net   2,166    2,146 
Other income, net   (711)   (197)
Income Before Income Taxes   50,382    41,470 
Income Tax Expense   16,661    14,099 
Net Income$  33,721 $  27,371 
Net Income Per Share - Basic$  0.87 $  0.70 
Net Income Per Share - Diluted$  0.86 $  0.70 
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic   38,932    39,044 
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted   39,336    39,382 
 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) 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.

(2) During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. As a result of this adoption, the condensed statement of consolidated income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 has been restated resulting in a decrease in selling, distribution and administrative expenses and increasing other income, net of $0.2 million; resulting in an increase to operating income for the same amount.

    
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
    
    
    
 September 30,
2017
     June 30,
2017
    
Assets 
Cash and cash equivalents$  77,769 $  105,057
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $9,182 and $9,628    405,572    390,931
Inventories   364,979    345,145
Other current assets   28,559    41,409
Total current assets   876,879    882,542
Property, net   111,313    108,068
Goodwill    209,834    206,135
Intangibles, net   159,848    163,562
Deferred tax assets   9,242    8,985
Other assets   17,791    18,303
Total Assets$  1,384,907 $  1,387,595
    
Liabilities   
Accounts payable$  165,233 $  180,614
Current portion of long-term debt   5,595    4,814
Other accrued liabilities   109,432    124,325
Total current liabilities   280,260    309,753
Long-term debt   285,175    286,769
Other liabilities   45,804    45,817
Total Liabilities   611,239    642,339
Shareholders' Equity   773,668    745,256
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$  1,384,907 $  1,387,595
   

 

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
 (In thousands)
     
 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
                 2017     2016 
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities 
Net income $  33,721  $  27,371 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided 
  by operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization of property    3,927     3,650 
Amortization of intangibles    5,831     6,237 
Amortization of stock appreciation rights and options    577     809 
Gain on sale of property    (198)    (1,068)
Other share-based compensation expense    778     555 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions    (35,025)    2,835 
Other, net    (171)    1,475 
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities    9,440     41,864 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities 
Property purchases    (6,336)    (2,999)
Proceeds from property sales    283     1,747 
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired    (5,014)    -  
Net Cash used in Investing Activities  (11,067)  (1,252)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities 
Net repayments under revolving credit facility    -    (22,000)
Long-term debt repayments  (839)  (838)
Purchases of treasury shares  (13,761)  (3,048)
Dividends paid  (11,327)  (10,943)
Acquisition holdback payments    (319)    (4,444)
Taxes paid for shares withheld for equity awards    (1,056)    (987)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options    -      108 
Net Cash used in Financing Activities  (27,302)  (42,152)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash  1,641   (299)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents    (27,288)    (1,839)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    105,057     59,861 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $  77,769  $  58,022