RPM RPM International Inc

MEDINA, Ohio, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) today reported record sales, net income and diluted earnings per share for its fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31, 2015.

Fourth-Quarter Results

Fourth-quarter net sales increased 7.5% to $1.37 billion from $1.28 billion. Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved 18.7% to $204.3 million, from $172.1 million a year ago. Net income for the fourth quarter was up 17.7% to $128.0 million from $108.8 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Diluted earnings per share were $0.94, up 17.5% from $0.80 reported a year ago. 

"We are pleased with RPM's fourth-quarter performance, especially in view of the headwinds posed by the very strong U.S. dollar and sluggish conditions in many international regions, including much of Europe and Latin America. Despite these challenges, our operating companies continue to compete and win in their respective markets, helping to drive our growth. Furthermore, fiscal 2015 will be most remembered as the year we closed the chapter on our Bondex asbestos liability issue and reconsolidated the Specialty Products Holding Corp. (SPHC) subsidiaries generating more than $400 million in annualized sales back into the fold at RPM," stated Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and chief executive officer.

Fourth-Quarter Segment Sales and Earnings

Fiscal 2015 fourth-quarter industrial segment sales increased 14.2% to $878.5 million from $769.2 million reported a year ago. Organic sales improved 6.4%, while acquisition growth added 16.3%, including the impact of SPHC subsidiaries that were reconsolidated with RPM's results effective on January 1, 2015. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 8.5%. Industrial segment EBIT was up 21.6% to $120.7 million from $99.2 million in the prior year.

"Industrial results were mixed in the fourth quarter, as they have been throughout the 2015 fiscal year.  Our U.S. industrial businesses performed well, benefiting in part from continued momentum in commercial construction and the additional sales attributable to the reconsolidation of SPHC. This performance was dampened by the surge in the U.S. dollar against most other currencies around the world, especially the Euro.  Overall, our industrial businesses in Europe showed tremendous resiliency with relatively flat sales in local currencies," stated Sullivan.

Net sales for RPM's consumer segment declined 2.5% to $494.7 million from $507.6 million in the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter. Organic sales were down 1.3%, while acquisition growth added 1.3%. Foreign exchange translation was a negative 2.5%. Consumer segment EBIT increased 17.1% in the fiscal 2015 fourth quarter to $100.6 million from $86.0 million and included an earn-out reversal of $9.9 million from Synta, established at the time of its acquisition in fiscal 2013.  Excluding the earn-out, EBIT increased 5.5%.

"Our consumer businesses faced some tough comparisons against a very strong fourth quarter in fiscal 2014, particularly our Synta deck coatings and Kirker nail enamel businesses. Additionally, the impact of a particularly rainy spring and start to the summer selling season dampened retail take-away across nearly all our consumer product lines," stated Sullivan.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

For fiscal 2015, cash from operations was $330.4 million, up 18.8% from $278.1 million in fiscal 2014. Capital expenditures during the year were $85.4 million, while depreciation was $62.2 million. Total debt at the end of fiscal 2015 was $1.66 billion, compared to $1.35 billion at the end of fiscal 2014. RPM's net (of cash) debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 53.4%, compared to 42.4% at May 31, 2014.

As previously reported, during the fourth quarter RPM sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.250% notes due June 1, 2045. Net proceeds of the offering were used to repay a portion of borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility.

"RPM's capital position remains strong, with 87.3% of total debt at fixed rates and a total average interest rate of 4.26%. While our net (of cash) debt-to-total capitalization ratio increased as a result of borrowing to fund the first installment of our settlement related to SPHC, it is still within our historic norms. Our strong cash generation allowed RPM to reduce long-term debt in the fourth quarter by more than $200 million. At May 31, 2015, RPM had $963.7 million in liquidity, including cash and long-term committed available credit, enabling the continuation of our acquisition program, internal growth efforts and a growing cash dividend," Sullivan stated.

Fiscal 2015 Consolidated Sales and Earnings

Fiscal 2015 consolidated net sales increased 5.0% to $4.59 billion from $4.38 billion in fiscal 2014. Consolidated EBIT was up 6.7% to $522.3 million from $489.7 million in fiscal 2014. Reported net income declined 17.9% to $239.5 million from $291.7 million in fiscal 2014. Diluted earnings per share of $1.78 were down 18.3% from $2.18 a year ago.

The fiscal 2015 adjustment was $83.5 million in the third quarter for a non-cash, net charge for a tax accrual related to possible repatriation of overseas earnings to fund remaining obligations under the company's SPHC settlement. On an adjusted basis, net income was up 10.7% to $323.0 million, and diluted earnings per share improved 9.2% to $2.38.

Fiscal 2015 Segment Sales and Earnings

Fiscal 2015 sales for RPM's industrial segment increased 8.0% to $2.99 billion from $2.77 billion in fiscal 2014. Organic sales increased 5.1%, with acquisition growth, mostly SPHC, contributing 7.6%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 4.7%. Industrial segment EBIT improved 5.6% to $323.0 million from $306.0 million in fiscal 2014.

Consumer segment sales for fiscal 2015 decreased slightly to $1.60 billion from $1.61 billion in fiscal 2014. Organic sales increased by 0.1%, and acquisition growth added 1.3%. Currency translation negatively impacted sales by 1.6%. Consumer segment EBIT increased 9.1%, to $273.9 million from $251.1 million, including the benefits of the Synta earn-out reversal during the fourth quarter and the Kirker earn-out reversal in the second quarter.

Business Outlook

"For fiscal 2016, we expect consumer segment sales to increase by 4% to 5%, with our core consumer businesses continuing to gain market share with new product innovations. Unfortunately, poor weather from the spring has continued into the summer months, dampening first-quarter sales. On a more positive note, we expect a return to both top- and bottom-line growth in our Synta and Kirker units, both of which faced significant headwinds in fiscal 2015," Sullivan stated.

"In the industrial segment, we anticipate sales growth of 8% to 10%.  We expect continued positive momentum from our U.S.-based industrial businesses, especially those serving the commercial construction markets. In Europe, we see a return to growth in local currencies by many of our industrial businesses there, along with continued strong growth in Brazil in its local currency, with new products expected to drive incremental sales as well. We don't foresee improvement in sales for our businesses serving the energy sector, as both exploration and production continue to decline as a result of lower energy prices. In addition, we expect a continued strong negative impact from foreign currency translation," Sullivan stated. 

"RPM's guidance for earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2016 is approximately $2.55, a 7.1% improvement over the as-adjusted $2.38 per diluted share in fiscal 2015. The guidance includes the anticipated negative impact of $0.10 per share as a result of a higher effective tax rate and $0.07 per share from the estimated negative impact of foreign currency translation during fiscal 2016. For our consumer segment, the first quarter is getting off to a weak start due to the weather related slowdown.  Our results for the industrial segment, with 50% of its sales outside of the U.S., will be somewhat weighted to the second half due to the expected negative impact of foreign exchange translation during the first half of fiscal 2016, offset in part by the expected continuing solid performance of the SPHC companies," stated Sullivan.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss the results beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT the same day. The call can be accessed by dialing 888-771-4371 or 847-585-4405 for international callers. Participants are asked to call the assigned number approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The call, which will last approximately one hour, will be open to the public, but only financial analysts will be permitted to ask questions. The media and all other participants will be in a listen-only mode.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available from approximately 12:30 p.m. EDT on July 27, 2015 until 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 3, 2015. The replay can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 or 630-652-3042 for international callers. The access code is 38349286. The call also will be available both live and for replay, and as a written transcript, via the RPM web site at www.RPMinc.com.  

About RPM

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services for both industrial and consumer markets. RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and specialty chemicals. Industrial companies include Stonhard, Tremco, illbruck, Carboline, Flowcrete, Day-Glo, Dryvit and Euclid Chemical. RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement and by hobbyists. Consumer brands include Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane and Testors. Additional details can be found at www.RPMinc.com and by following RPM on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RPMintl.

For more information, contact Barry M. Slifstein, vice president – investor relations, at 330-273-5090 or bslifstein@rpminc.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to our business. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us, and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in financial markets, the availability of capital and the effect of changes in interest rates, and the viability of banks and other financial institutions; (b) the prices, supply and capacity of raw materials, including assorted pigments, resins, solvents and other natural gas- and oil-based materials; packaging, including plastic containers; and transportation services, including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products; (d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our construction and chemicals businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f) the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign operations; (g) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors; (h) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and divestiture activities; (i) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent liability reserves;  and (j) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2014, as the same may be updated from time to time. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

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SOURCE RPM International Inc.