EMERSON
ACHIEVES RECORD 2007 RESULTS
-
Fourth Quarter Sales Up 11 Percent to $6.1 Billion
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Fourth Quarter Earnings
Per Share of $0.78, Up 20 Percent
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2007 Operating Cash
Flow of $3.0 billion, Up 20 Percent
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Quarterly Dividend
Increased 14 Percent to $0.30 Per Share
ST. LOUIS, November 6, 2007
– Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced record net sales for
fiscal 2007 of $22.6 billion, an increase of 12 percent from
the prior year. Sales for the fourth quarter ended September
30, 2007 were $6.1 billion, an increase of 11 percent over
the $5.5 billion reported in the same period last year. The
Company achieved underlying sales growth in the quarter of 7
percent which excludes increases of 3 percent due to
favorable currency exchange rates and 1 percent from
acquisitions, net of divestitures.
Earnings per share for the fourth quarter of $0.78
represented an increase of 20 percent over the $0.65
achieved in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company
translated strong sales performance during the quarter into
expanded operating profit margin, which was a key component
of the 20 percent increase in earnings per share. Operating
profit margin during the quarter was 16.6 percent, an
improvement of 70 basis points from the prior year period.
This improvement was driven by a continued focus on cost
reduction programs and leverage on sales increases. Pretax
earnings margin was 14.8 percent compared to 14.1 percent in
the prior year period.
“Emerson had a great finish to 2007 and enters 2008 with
solid momentum,” said Emerson Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President David N. Farr. “End market conditions
tracked expectations and the Company’s ability to execute in
this environment led to performance in sales, earnings and
cash generation that exceeded our expectations.”
For the year ended September 30, 2007, sales increased 12
percent to $22.6 billion. This strong performance was a
result of 7 percent underlying sales growth, which is in
line with Emerson’s long-term objective of achieving
underlying sales growth in the range of 5 to 7 percent.
Currency translation added more than 2 percent and
acquisitions, net of divestitures, added nearly 3 percent to
reported sales growth. For fiscal 2007, earnings per share
rose 19 percent to $2.66 from the $2.24 reported in 2006.
“Emerson’s performance has been outstanding over the last
five years,” Farr said. “We have focused on the correct
strategies to grow across the business platforms while also
enhancing shareholder returns. This is a proven formula that
Emerson will continue to follow as it pursues future
opportunities.”
Balance Sheet / Cash Flow
Operating cash flow was a record $3.0 billion in 2007,
representing a 20 percent increase from 2006. Capital
expenditures were $681 million in 2007, an increase of 13
percent from 2006 due primarily to capacity expansions at
Climate Technologies and Process Management. Free cash flow
(operating cash flow less capital expenditures) for the year
was $2.3 billion, also a record amount and an increase of 22
percent from the prior year.
Continued focus on efficient use of working capital,
especially in the face of strong underlying sales growth,
helped to drive the strong cash flow performance. The ratio
of trade working capital as a percent of sales improved to
16.2 percent from 16.5 percent in the prior year quarter.
Return on total capital (ROTC), a key measure of earnings
and balance sheet performance, increased by 170 basis points
to 20.1 percent in fiscal 2007.
Based on the Company’s continued strong cash generation and
positive outlook for the future, the Board of Directors has
voted to increase the quarterly cash dividend by 14 percent
from twenty-six and one-quarter cents ($0.2625) to thirty
cents ($0.30) per share of common stock. The dividend will
be payable December 10, 2007 to shareholders of record on
November 16, 2007.
“Emerson continued to execute well in 2007, despite weakness
from certain parts of the economy during the year. The cash
flow and return on total capital performance, as well as the
ability to increase the dividend, demonstrate this execution
clearly. Achieving these levels of returns and cash
generation is significant and indicative of the value
creation that continues to occur inside Emerson,” Farr said.
Fiscal 2007 Operating Highlights
Process Management had a great year in 2007 with reported
sales increasing 17 percent to $5.7 billion. Underlying
sales growth for the year was 11 percent, which excludes
favorable impacts from currency translation (4 percent) and
acquisitions (2 percent). The margin for Process Management
expanded by 70 basis points to 18.7 percent as it continued
to deliver market-leading technology and achieve strong
sales and earnings performance.
Industrial Automation had strong performance in 2007 with
reported sales of $4.3 billion, an increase of 13 percent
from the prior year. Underlying sales increased by 10
percent, led by strength in Europe. Reported sales included
a 4 percent favorable impact from currency translation and a
1 percent unfavorable impact from divestitures. The margin
for this segment was 15.6 percent compared to 15.1 percent
in the prior year.
Network Power sales were $5.2 billion in 2007, an increase
of 18 percent versus the prior year. Underlying sales growth
was 9 percent led by strength in Asia. Reported sales growth
included a positive impact from acquisitions of 7 percent
and favorable currency translation of 2 percent. The margin
for this segment was 12.5 percent, a 140 basis point
improvement versus the prior year driven by sales volume
leverage and benefits from cost reduction activities.
Climate Technologies sales for the year increased 6 percent
to $3.6 billion. Underlying sales growth was 1 percent with
strength in Europe and Asia offsetting a 7 percent decline
in the United States. Reported sales included a 3 percent
benefit from acquisitions and 2 percent from currency
translation. The 2007 margin for this segment was 14.9
percent, a 40 basis point decline from 2006.
Appliance and Tools achieved sales of $4.4 billion, an
increase of 3 percent which included underlying sales growth
of 1 percent. Reported sales included a favorable impact of
1 percent from acquisitions and 1 percent from currency
translation. The margin for this segment was 13.0 percent,
an increase of 20 basis points over 2006.
Fiscal 2008 Outlook
Order trends for Emerson’s businesses continue to track
expectations and the Company has positive momentum heading
into fiscal 2008. Underlying sales growth for fiscal 2008 is
expected to be in the range of 5 to 7 percent and reported
sales growth is expected to be in the range of 7 to 10
percent. Based on this level of sales growth, the Company
expects to generate 2008 earnings per share growth in the
range of 10 to 15 percent above the $2.66 per share earned
in 2007.
Upcoming Investor Events
On Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. EST (2:00 p.m.
CST), Emerson senior management will discuss the fourth
quarter and fiscal year results during an investor
conference call. All interested parties may listen to the
live conference call via the Internet by going to the
Investor Relations area of Emerson's Web site at
www.emerson.com/financial and completing a brief
registration form. A replay of the conference call will be
available for the next three months at the same location on
the Web site. Details of upcoming events will be posted as
they occur in the Investor Relations Calendar of Events on
the corporate Web site.
On November 7, 2007, Mr. Farr will present at the Robert W.
Baird Industrial Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The
presentation will begin at 9:20 a.m. EST and conclude at
approximately 9:50 a.m. EST. All interested parties may
listen to the live Web cast via the Internet by going to the
Investor Relations area of Emerson's Web site at
www.emerson.com/financial and completing a brief
registration form. A replay of the Web cast will be
available for approximately one week at the same location on
the Web site.
On Friday morning, February 8, 2008, Emerson senior
management will host Emerson's annual investment community
update meeting in St. Louis, Missouri at Emerson’s Global
Headquarters. Additional details will be available in
December.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical
may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and
uncertainties, and Emerson undertakes no obligation to
update any such statements to reflect later developments.
These risks and uncertainties include economic and currency
conditions, market demand, pricing, and competitive and
technological factors, among others, as set forth in the
Company's most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
The Company expects to file the Form 10-K for fiscal 2007,
including audited financial statements, within the next 30
days.
Additional Information
Q4FY07 Financial Tables
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader
in bringing technology and engineering together to provide
innovative solutions to customers through its network power,
process management, industrial automation, climate
technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in
fiscal 2007 were $22.6 billion. For more information, visit
Emerson.com.
About Emerson Climate Technologies
Emerson
Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, is the world’s
leading provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning
and refrigeration solutions for residential, industrial and
commercial applications. The group combines best-in-class
technology with proven engineering, design, distribution,
educational and monitoring services to provide customized,
integrated climate-control solutions for customers
worldwide. Emerson Climate Technologies’ innovative
solutions, which include industry-leading brands such as
Copeland Scroll and White-Rodgers, improve human comfort,
safeguard food and protect the environment. For more
information, visit
EmersonClimate.com.