NEWELL RUBBERMAID REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2007 RESULTS
Ongoing Transformation Drives Sales Growth of 3.6%, Margin Expansion of 130 bps
Full Year Guidance Reaffirmed
ATLANTA, July 26, 2007— Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL) today reported second quarter 2007 results, reflecting sales growth, gross margin expansion, and improvement in operating income and cash flow. In addition, management reaffirmed full year guidance.
Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 rose 3.6 percent to $1.69 billion, compared to $1.63 billion in the prior year. Leading the way were the Home & Family segment with high single digit growth and Cleaning, Organization & Décor with mid single digit growth.
“We continue to make solid progress in our multi-year transformation to a best-in-class, global consumer products company,” said Mark Ketchum, president and chief executive officer of Newell Rubbermaid. “For the seventh consecutive quarter, Newell Rubbermaid posted positive sales growth, driven by our new business model. I am particularly proud of our ability to compensate for a difficult manufacturing restructuring project in Europe and softness in several retail channels.”
Gross margin for the second quarter 2007 improved to 35.8 percent, a 130 basis point improvement over the prior year. The expansion was driven primarily by productivity improvements, including the impact of Project Acceleration.
Normalized earnings, which excludes Project Acceleration restructuring costs and the effect of one-time tax items, were $0.55 per share in the second quarter 2007, a 20 percent increase over the prior year’s result of $0.46 per share.
Excluding Project Acceleration restructuring costs of $15.5 million in 2007 and $19.1 million in 2006, operating income improved $27.5 million to $248.3 million, a 12.5 percent increase over the prior year. Excluding charges, income from continuing operations was $154.6 million, or $0.55 per share, for the second quarter 2007, compared to the prior year’s result of $149.0 million, or $0.54 per share. Income from continuing operations in the second quarter 2006 included a one-time tax benefit of $22.7 million, or $0.08 per share. A reconciliation of the results “as reported” to results “excluding charges” is attached to this press release.
Income from continuing operations, as reported, was $143.2 million, or $0.51 per share, for the second quarter 2007, compared to $135.5 million, or $0.49 per share, in the prior year.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $158.3 million in the second quarter 2007, compared to $103.8 million in the prior year. Capital expenditures were $36.4 million, versus $31.9 million in the prior year.
News Release
July 26,2007
Page 1 of 5
Newell Rubbermaid Inc.
Atlanta, GA
Securities Listed
NYSE
Common Stock
(Symbol: NWL)
www.newellrubbermaid.com
Ron Hardnock
Vice President, Investor Relations
David Doolittle
Director, Corporate Communications
10B Glenlake Parkway
Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: +1 (770) 407-3994
Fax: +1 (770) 407-3983