Robert L. Matejka
Analyst · Saul Ludwig
Thanks, Frank, and good morning, everyone. We thank you for joining us today. And first, I'll review the results of operations and cash flow activities for our fiscal 2012 second quarter, comment briefly on some year-to-date results of operations items. I'll touch upon a few November 30, 2011, balance sheet measures, and then I'll turn it back to Frank for closing comments before we take your questions. Our fiscal 2012 second quarter resulted in a consolidated net sales increase of 10.9% over the prior year to $916.1 million, principally due to volume improvement of 5.1%, price increases of 2.9% and acquisition growth of 3%. And these all were partially offset by unfavorable ForEx of about 0.1%, almost nonexistent on the ForEx side. The industrial segment net sales of $641.5 million, which accounted for 70% of net sales, increased 10.1% over last year with acquisition growth of 4.2%, volume increases of 3.2%, price increases 2.9%, all of which were partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange of about 0.2%. At the consumer segment, net sales of $274.6 million increased by 12.6% over the same quarter last year, with 9.5% attributable to unit volume growth, 3.0% from positive price and 0.1% attributable to acquisitions. ForEx had no impact on the consumer segment during this quarter. Our consolidated gross profit increased to $369 million from $339 million last year, principally due to the higher sales volume, price increases and some favorable mix. As a percent of net sales, gross profit declined by 80 basis points to 40.3% due to the persistently high cost of raw materials. Consolidated SG&A increased 12.5% to $281.9 million from $250.6 million last year due to the increase in the variable cost that are associated with higher sales volumes such as compensation and benefits, distribution costs, advertising and promotional issues, as well as acquisition costs associated with our increased M&A activity. As a percent of net sales, SG&A increased to 30.8% of sales from 30.3% a year ago. Earnings before interest and taxes or EBIT increased $93 million this year from $89.4 million last year, due principally to the higher sales volumes. Realized price increases were not able to offset the higher raw material costs resulting in an EBIT margin percent that declined from 10.8% to 10.2%. At the industrial segment, EBIT increased 14% to $78.3 million from $68.7 million a year ago, driven by overall 10.1% increases in sales, increased price increase and a favorable sales mix. These improvements more than offset higher raw material costs, resulting -- they were more than offset by higher raw material, resulting in an EBIT margin increase to 12.2% of net sales this year compared to 11.8% last year. Our consumer segment EBIT declined 2.0% to $26.7 million from $27.3 million a year ago. The sales increase of 12.6%, including price increases of 3% were not able to offset higher raw material costs and an increase in variable selling expenses that are associated with higher sales volumes. Corporate and other expenses increased by $5.4 million, primarily due to the higher acquisition cost of $3 million and insurance reimbursements in last year's second quarter of approximately $2.9 million that did not repeat this year. Interest expense increased from $16.4 million a year ago to $17.9 million, and this is primarily due to the issuance of an additional $150 million in debt in May of 2011, a higher average interest rate year-over-year and increased borrowings associated with this year's increased acquisition activity. Investment income decreased $3.3 million year-over-year, primarily due as a result of gains on sales of marketable securities last year of approximately $3.2 million that did not reoccur this year. The income tax rate of 29.2% for the quarter compared to last year's rate of 30.8%, principally due to the change in the jurisdictional mix of actual and forecasted earnings, the impact of certain foreign operations on our U.S. taxes and adjustments to certain tax valuation allowances. The bottom line net income attributable to RPM shareholders increased 2.3% to $49.9 million compared to last year's $48.8 million, and EPS was flat to last year at $0.38 per share. As you have seen in our earnings release and Frank's comments at the beginning of this discussion, we previously reported that last year's second quarter included roughly $7.5 million of nonrecurring items representing an after-tax benefit of approximately $0.04 per diluted share. This year's second quarter results of $0.38 per share include the benefit of the company's equity ownership in Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd., totaling about $0.04 a share, which was offset by $0.03 per share of costs related to higher acquisition-related expenses. Excluding onetime items in both years, EPS for the second quarter this fiscal year of $0.37 per share exceeded EPS for the same quarter last year of $0.34 a share or an increase of 8.8%. Now a few comments on our year-to-date results. Consolidated net sales increased 10.5% to $1.90 billion from $1.72 billion last year, principally due to a volume improvement of 3.6%, price increases of 2.9%, acquisition growth of 1.9% and favorable ForEx or foreign exchange of 2.1%. EBIT increased 8.6% to $229.5 million this year from $211.4 million last year due principally to higher sales volumes. Realized price increases were not able to offset higher raw material costs, resulting in an EBIT margin that declined from 12.3% to 12.1% of sales. The net income attributable to RPM shareholders on a year-to-date basis increased 7.6% to $126.7 million compared to last year's $117.8 million. EPS increased 6.6% to $0.97 per share this year compared to $0.91 a share last year. Looking at the balance sheet and cash flows, we find our 6-month CapEx of $18.4 million compares to $15.3 million for fiscal 2011. The depreciation and amortization expense increased slightly to $36.9 million from last year's $36.7 million. Cash from operating activities for the year-to-date of $110 million compares with $183 million a year ago. Increases in inventory of $24.7 million attributable to higher material cost and a reduction of $46.3 million in accounts payable due to timing differences of payments and a negative swing in other accrued liabilities were the main factors that contributed to the decrease. Our receivable days sales outstanding was 61.6 days compared to 58.7 a year ago, and days of inventory of 84 this year compared to 80.2 days last year. Finally, a few comments on our capital structure and overall liquidity. As of November 30, 2011, total debt was $1.1 billion compared to $925.1 million last November. On May 24, 2011, we sold $150 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% notes, which were on a follow-on issuance of our $300 million aggregate principal amount of notes due in 2019, which we initially issued on October 9, 2009. The follow-on offering was priced at a premium, with an effective yield to maturity of 4.934%. The proceeds will continue to be used for general corporate purposes. Our net debt to cap ratio of 38.7% at November 30, 2011, compared to 34.5% a year ago. The increase is primarily attributable to the additional $150 million of new debt issued in May of 2011. The total long term liquidity at November 30, 2011, was $803.9 million, with $301 million in cash and $502.9 million available through our bank revolver and accounts receivable securitization facilities. With that, I'll turn the call back to Frank.