Mueller Industries, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Fiscal 2012 Results

News provided by

Mueller Industries, Inc.

05 Feb, 2013, 12:00 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) announced today that net income for the fourth quarter ending December 29, 2012 was $16.4 million, or 58 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $12.9 million, or 34 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2011.

This 71 percent increase in per share earnings for the fourth quarter was principally due to the decrease in our outstanding shares. In September of 2012, Mueller repurchased 10.4 million of its outstanding common shares at $41 per share. There remain 28.1 million shares currently outstanding. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $504.0 million compared with $491.4 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Net income for the fiscal year totaled $82.4 million, or $2.31 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.19 billion. This compares to $86.3 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.42 billion in 2011. Included in net income was a favorable litigation settlement gain in the first quarter of 2011 of $10.5 million, or 18 cents per diluted share. The decrease in net sales was predominantly attributable to lower copper costs that impact the selling prices of our products. Copper prices decreased to an average of $3.61 per pound in 2012 compared with $4.01 per pound in 2011.

Financial and Operating Highlights

  • For the fourth quarter of 2012, the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment posted operating income of $18.6 million on net sales of $293.3 million, which compares with operating income of $16.4 million on net sales of $277.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. 
  • The OEM segment reported operating income of $12.9 million on net sales of $213.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.  This compares with operating income of $12.0 million on net sales of $219.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. 
  • For 2012, net cash provided by operating activities was $108.3 million, ending the year with $198.9 million of cash on hand, equal to $7.08 per share.   
  • Capital expenditures during 2012 totaled $56.8 million.  The Company has additional improvement projects underway in its core manufacturing operations, which will reduce costs and increase capacity.

Business Outlook for 2013

Regarding the outlook for 2013, Greg Christopher, CEO said, "Mueller's business is significantly dependent on the housing and commercial construction industry. After more than five years of decline and stagnation, the industry finally appears to be gaining positive momentum.

"We note that Mueller was able to earn more than $100 million in operating income per year (except for 2009) during the difficult years following the housing bust and financial meltdown of 2007. We look forward to the anticipated recovery years with optimism."

Mueller Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; and fabricated tubular products. Mueller's operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China. Mueller's business is importantly linked to: (1) the construction of new homes; (2) the improvement and reconditioning of existing homes and structures; and (3) the commercial construction market which includes office buildings, factories, hotels, hospitals, etc.

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Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and technological factors, and the availability of financing, among others, as set forth in the Company's SEC filings. The words "pro forma", "outlook," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. The Company has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.


MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

















For the Quarter Ended

For the Year Ended

December 29,

December 31,

December 29,

December 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)








Net sales

$    504,006

$    491,384

$   2,189,938

$   2,417,797








Cost of goods sold

438,719

427,942

1,904,463

2,115,677

Depreciation and amortization

8,177

9,284

31,495

36,865

Selling, general, and administrative expense

32,247

33,009

129,456

135,953

Insurance settlement

-

-

(1,500)

-

Litigation settlements

(4,050)

-

(4,050)

(10,500)

Severance

3,369

-

3,369

-








Operating income

25,544

21,149

126,705

139,802








Interest expense

(1,179)

(2,549)

(6,890)

(11,553)

Other (expense) income, net

(424)

487

539

1,912








Income before income taxes

23,941

19,087

120,354

130,161

Income tax expense

(7,195)

(6,015)

(36,681)

(43,075)








Consolidated net income

16,746

13,072

83,673

87,086








Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(378)

(144)

(1,278)

(765)








Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.

$     16,368

$     12,928

$     82,395

$     86,321
























Weighted average shares






     for basic earnings per share

27,782

38,001

35,332

37,835

Effect of dilutive stock-based awards

324

341

414

361








Adjusted weighted average shares






     for diluted earnings per share

28,106

38,342

35,746

38,196
















Basic earnings per share

$       0.59

$       0.34

$       2.33

$       2.28
















Diluted earnings per share

$       0.58

$       0.34

$       2.31

$       2.26
















Dividends per share

$      0.125

$      0.100

$      0.425

$      0.400
















Summary Segment Data:






Net sales:






Plumbing & Refrigeration segment

$    293,275

$    277,001

$   1,238,230

$   1,330,435

OEM segment

213,610

219,813

974,606

1,119,795

Elimination of intersegment sales

(2,879)

(5,430)

(22,898)

(32,433)








Net sales

$    504,006

$    491,384

$   2,189,938

$   2,417,797








Operating income:






Plumbing & Refrigeration segment

$     18,558

$     16,404

$     87,014

$     84,761

OEM segment

12,884

12,036

67,087

72,670

Unallocated expenses

(5,898)

(7,291)

(27,396)

(17,629)








Operating income

$     25,544

$     21,149

$    126,705

$    139,802


















MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)













December 29,

December 31,

2012

2011

(Unaudited)

ASSETS


Cash and cash equivalents

$    198,934

$    514,162

Accounts receivable, net

271,093

250,027

Inventories

229,434

219,193

Other current assets

47,733

43,317

    Total current assets

747,194

1,026,699




Property, plant, and equipment, net

233,263

203,744

Other assets

123,698

117,161





$  1,104,155

$  1,347,604












LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


Current portion of long-term debt

$     27,570

$     41,265

Accounts payable

87,574

65,545

Other current liabilities

143,552

106,434

    Total current liabilities

258,696

213,244




Long-term debt

207,300

156,476

Pension and postretirement liabilities

55,019

54,244

Environmental reserves

22,597

22,892

Deferred income taxes

20,910

14,856

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,667

1,130




    Total liabilities

566,189

462,842




Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity

506,908

855,688

Noncontrolling interest

31,058

29,074




    Total equity

537,966

884,762





$  1,104,155

$  1,347,604










MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)











For the Year Ended




December 29,

December 31,




2012

2011




(Unaudited)

Operating activities:


Consolidated net income

$    83,673

$    87,086

Reconciliation of consolidated net income



to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

31,932

37,262


Stock-based compensation expense

6,136

3,482


Insurance settlement

(1,500)

-


Insurance proceeds - noncapital related

14,250

10,000


Loss (gain) on disposal of properties

1,411

(202)


Deferred income taxes

(1,284)

(4,190)


Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options

(2,528)

(853)


Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
businesses acquired:





Receivables

(22,853)

28,487



Inventories

(4,834)

(15,678)



Other assets

(14,985)

460



Current liabilities

8,368

7,966



Other liabilities

9,345

(1,593)



Other, net

1,166

1,522







Net cash provided by operating activities

108,297

153,749







Investing activities:


Capital expenditures

(56,825)

(18,751)

Businesses acquired

(11,561)

(6,882)

Insurance proceeds for property and equipment

42,250

-

Net withdrawals from (deposits in) restricted cash balances

9,243

(3,055)

Proceeds from sales of properties

517

1,984







Net cash used in investing activities

(16,376)

(26,704)







Financing activities:


Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.

(14,891)

(15,146)

(Repayment) issuance of debt by joint venture, net

(14,429)

6,162

Repayment of long-term debt

(149,176)

(750)

Issuance of long-term debt

200,000

-

Net cash (used) received to settle stock-based awards

(4,181)

3,880

Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

2,528

853

Repurchase of common stock

(427,448)

-

Debt issuance costs

(1,051)

(1,943)







Net cash used in financing activities

(408,648)

(6,944)







Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

1,499

(78)







(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(315,228)

120,023







Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

514,162

394,139







Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

$   198,934

$   514,162