Lennox International Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
● | 4Q11 adjusted EPS of $0.51 and GAAP EPS of $0.32 |
● | 2011 adjusted EPS of $2.04 and GAAP EPS of $1.65 |
● | Reiterate 2012 revenue growth guidance of 2-6% |
● | Reiterate 2012 adjusted EPS from continuing operations guidance of $2.20-$2.60 |
DALLAS, February 2, 2012 – Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2011 results.
For the fourth quarter, revenue was $756 million, down 1% from the prior-year quarter. Excluding the Kysor/Warren acquisition that closed in January 2011, revenue was down 7% in the fourth quarter. Total segment profit margin for the company overall was 5.5% compared to 6.4% in the prior-year quarter. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations on an adjusted basis was $0.51 compared to $0.55 in the prior-year quarter. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations on a GAAP basis was $0.32 compared to $0.51 in the fourth quarter a year ago.
For the full year, revenue was $3.3 billion, up 7% from the prior year. At constant currency, revenue was up 5%. Excluding the Kysor/Warren acquisition, revenue was flat, or down 2% at constant currency. Total segment profit margin for the company overall was 5.4% compared to 7.0% in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations on an adjusted basis, was $2.04 compared to $2.40 in 2010. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations on a GAAP basis was $1.65 compared to $2.10 in the prior year.
“In 2011, the residential HVAC market was down in dollar value compared to 2010, primarily from a lower mix of business without the $1,500 U.S. tax credit for high-efficiency equipment in place and with the re-emergence of minimum-efficiency condensing units in the industry based on the old R-22 refrigerant,” said Todd Bluedorn, CEO of Lennox International. “Our residential equipment and service businesses were down accordingly in 2011. Our commercial and refrigeration businesses, however, were up in 2011. At constant currency, Commercial revenue grew 10% and Refrigeration revenue grew 5% on an organic basis, adjusted for the Kysor/Warren acquisition and the strategic exit of the third-party coil business in Australia.
“In the fourth quarter, our Commercial business continued to show strong, broad-based growth, with revenue up 9% at constant currency and margin up 230 basis points to a record fourth-quarter level of 11.1%. In our Refrigeration business, organic revenue was up 2% at constant currency. Margins expanded 170 basis points to a record fourth-quarter level of 11.7%.
“Turning to our residential equipment and service businesses, revenue and profits were down on the warmer winter weather across North America in the fourth quarter and against the tough comparison to a year ago. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we saw a pull-forward of demand ahead of our announced price increases and from the approaching expiration of the federal tax credit at the $1,500 level. As discussed at the time, these effects drove volume and a strong product mix.
“Looking at 2012 overall, we continue to expect low single-digit shipment growth across our commercial, refrigeration, and residential end markets, and expect total company revenue growth of 2-6%. We reiterate our adjusted EPS guidance range of $2.20-$2.60 for the full year.”
FOURTH QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: Revenue for the fourth quarter was $756 million, down 1% from the prior year. Foreign exchange was neutral to revenue. Excluding Kysor/Warren and at constant currency, revenue was down 7%. Volume was down, and price/mix was flat against the fourth quarter a year ago.
Gross Profit: Gross profit in the fourth quarter was $190 million compared to $220 million in the prior-year quarter. Gross margin was 25.1% versus 28.9% in the fourth quarter a year ago. Gross margin was negatively impacted by lower volume and product mix, higher commodity costs, and the Kysor/Warren acquisition, with a partial offset from favorable price.
Income from Continuing Operations: For the fourth quarter, adjusted income from continuing operations was $26 million, or $0.51 diluted earnings per share, compared to $30 million, or $0.55 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the prior-year quarter. On a GAAP basis, fourth quarter 2011 income from continuing operations was $17 million, or $0.32 diluted earnings per share, compared to $28 million, or $0.51 diluted earnings per share, in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2011 excludes net after-tax charges of $9.7 million, which are derived from:
| ● | $9.5 million charge for goodwill and asset impairment in the Hearth business |
| ● | $1.5 million charge related to restructuring activities |
| ● | $1.3 million income related to a special product quality adjustment, net |
| ● | $0.6 million net change in unrealized gains on open future contracts |
| ● | $0.6 million charge from other items, net |
FULL YEAR 2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: For the full year, revenue was $3.3 billion, up 7% from the prior year. Foreign exchange had a positive 2 point impact to revenue. Excluding Kysor/Warren and at constant currency, revenue was down 2%. Volume was down, and price/mix was up for the full year.
Gross Profit: Gross profit for the full year was $834 million compared to $892 million in the prior year. Gross margin was 25.2% versus 28.8% in 2010. Gross margin was negatively impacted by lower volume and product mix, higher commodity costs, a lower positive warranty adjustment, and the acquisition of Kysor/Warren, with a partial offset from favorable price.
Income from Continuing Operations: Adjusted income from continuing operations for 2011 was $109 million, or $2.04 diluted earnings per share, compared to $134 million, or $2.40 diluted earnings per share in the prior year. On a GAAP basis, income from continuing operations for 2011 was $88 million, or $1.65 diluted earnings per share, compared to $117 million, or $2.10 diluted earnings per share in the prior year.
Adjusted income from continuing operations for 2011 excludes net after-tax charges of $20.3 million, which are derived from:
| ● | $10.6 million charge for restructuring activities |
| ● | $9.5 million charge for goodwill and asset impairment in the Hearth business |
| ● | $2.8 million income related to a special product quality adjustment, net |
| ● | $2.5 million net change in unrealized losses on open future contracts |
| ● | $0.8 million charge for acquisition costs, net |
| ● | $0.3 million income/gain from other items, net |
Free Cash Flow and Total Debt: Cash generated from operations for the year was $76 million. The company invested $43 million in capital assets, resulting in free cash flow of $33 million. In the second half of 2011, free cash flow was $194 million compared to $186 million in the second half of 2010. The company repurchased $120 million of stock in 2011, including $30 million in the fourth quarter. Total debt at the end of 2011 was $465 million. Total cash and cash equivalents were $45 million ending the year.
BUSINESS SEGMENT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Residential Heating and Cooling
| ● | 4Q11 revenue of $300 million, down 14% from $349 million in the prior-year quarter; foreign exchange was neutral |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit of $14 million, down 57% from $34 million in 4Q10 |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit margin of 4.8%, down 480 basis points from 9.6% in 4Q10 |
| ● | 2011 revenue of $1,341 million, down 5% from $1,417 million in 2010; foreign exchange was neutral |
| ● | 2011 segment profit of $75 million, down 43% from $132 million in 2010 |
| ● | 2011 profit margin of 5.6%, down 370 basis points from 9.3% in 2010 |
Fourth quarter and full year results were negatively impacted by lower volume, lower product mix, and higher commodity costs, with offsets from favorable price, productivity initiatives, and lower SG&A expenses. Both quarterly and full-year results were negatively impacted by losses in the Hearth business with single-family housing starts in 2011 at the lowest level on record. In the fourth quarter, the Hearth business had goodwill and asset impairments, which are not included at the segment level. The company is pursuing strategic alternatives for the Hearth business.
Commercial Heating and Cooling
| ● | 4Q11 revenue of $160 million, up 8% from $148 million in the prior-year quarter; up 9% at constant currency |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit of $18 million, up 35% from $13 million in 4Q10 |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit margin of 11.1%, up 230 basis points from 8.8% in 4Q10 |
| ● | 2011 revenue of $696 million, up 12% from $620 million in 2010; up 10% at constant currency |
| ● | 2011 segment profit of $79 million, up 15% from $69 million in 2010 |
| ● | 2011 segment profit margin of 11.4%, up 20 basis points from 11.2% in 2010 |
Fourth quarter and full year results were positively impacted by higher volume, favorable price/mix, productivity initiatives, and lower SG&A expenses, with an offset from higher commodity costs.
Service Experts
| ● | 4Q11 revenue of $122 million, down 16% from $145 million in the prior-year quarter; foreign exchange was neutral |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit of $1 million, down 78% from $5 million in 4Q10 |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit margin of 0.9%, down 260 basis points from 3.5% in 4Q10 |
| ● | 2011 revenue of $529 million, down 10% from $590 million in 2010; down 11% at constant currency |
| ● | 2011 segment profit of $2 million, down 92% from $19 million in 2010 |
| ● | 2011 segment profit margin of 0.3%, down 300 basis points from 3.3% in 2010 |
Fourth quarter and full year results were negatively impacted by lower volume, with offsets from productivity initiatives and lower SG&A expenses.
Refrigeration
| ● | 4Q11 revenue of $189 million, up 36% from $139 million in the prior-year quarter; up 2% on an organic basis; foreign exchange was neutral |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit of $22 million, up 59% from $14 million in 4Q10 |
| ● | 4Q11 segment profit margin of 11.7%, up 170 basis points from 10.0% in 4Q10 |
| ● | 2011 revenue of $805 million, up 46% from $551 million in 2010; up 10% on an organic basis and up 5% at constant currency |
| ● | 2011 segment profit of $78 million, up 26% from $61 million in 2010 |
| ● | 2011 segment profit margin of 9.6%, down 150 basis points from 11.1% in 2010 |
Fourth quarter and full year results were positively impacted by favorable price/mix, productivity initiatives, and lower SG&A expenses, with an offset from higher commodity costs.
2012 FULL YEAR OUTLOOK
The company reiterates its 2012 guidance, originally provided on December 14, 2011:
| ● | Revenue growth of 2-6%, with a neutral impact from foreign exchange |
| ● | Adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $2.20 to $2.60 |
| ● | GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $2.17 to $2.57 |
| ● | Tax rate of approximately 33-34% |
| ● | Average diluted share count of approximately 51 million shares for the full year |
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
A conference call to discuss the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2011 results will be held this morning at 8:30 a.m. Central time. To listen, please call the conference call line at 612-332-0226 at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and use reservation number 232842. This conference call will also be webcast on Lennox International’s web site at http://www.lennoxinternational.com.
A replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. Central time on February 2 through February 9, 2012, by dialing 800-475-6701 (U.S.) or 320-365-3844 (International) and using access code 232842. This call will also be archived on the company’s web site.
Lennox International Inc. is a global leader in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LII.” Additional information is available at: http://www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting Steve Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 972-497-6670.
The statements in this news release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding expected financial results for 2012, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond LII’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements include, but are not limited to: the impact of higher raw material prices, LII’s ability to implement price increases for its products and services, the impact of unfavorable weather, and a decline in new construction activity in the demand for products and services. For information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, see LII’s publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LII disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.