Pentair Announces First Quarter Results; Reports Sales Up 5% and Earnings Per Share of $0.42

Pentair, Inc. (NYSE:PNR) today announced that first quarter 2007 sales increased 5 percent to $808 million from $771 million in the first quarter of 2006. Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $0.42 were flat with the year-earlier period. Free cash flow for the quarter improved to a usage of $75 million versus a usage of $101 million in the first quarter of 2006, an improvement of $26 million driven by lower cash use of working capital. The Company said it remains committed to achieving free cash flow greater than 100 percent conversion of net income in 2007. "Pentair delivered solid performance in the first quarter, and we are on track to achieve our 2007 goals,” said Randall J. Hogan, Pentair chairman and chief executive officer. "Overall, sales were good despite the challenges we faced in water markets affected by slow North American residential housing starts and headwinds in our electronic markets from consolidation in the telecommunication industry,” he added. "As expected, the Water Group began to deliver margin improvements in the quarter,” Hogan continued. "This progress reflects actions we took in the third and fourth quarters of 2006 to address market softness as well as effective deployment of our lean disciplines across our businesses and our continued emphasis on supply management. "Looking ahead, we continue to view our markets as challenging. However, based on our solid first quarter and our progress on cost actions, we remain committed to exceeding two dollars in earnings per share for 2007,” Hogan said. Water Group Highlights The Water Group delivered strong year-over-year sales performance with sales of $555 million, up 7 percent over the same period last year. Organic sales growth, excluding the Jung Pump acquisition, was 5 percent. Excluding favorable foreign currency exchange, organic growth for the Water Group was about 4 percent. Continued growth in China and in emerging markets in Asia-Pacific as well as continued success in penetrating markets in Europe and the Middle East contributed to Water’s overall growth. Sales in Asia-Pacific grew 27 percent, or 23 percent excluding currency exchange. Sales in Europe grew 36 percent, or 14 percent excluding the Jung Pump acquisition and approximately 6 percent also excluding currency exchange. Strong sales in the commercial and industrial pump markets continued; however, this growth was offset by continued weakness in residential pump sales. Overall, North American pump sales were down 1 percent. Sales in North American Filtration markets were flat, with growth in industrial and food service filtration markets offset by slowing residential markets. Pool and Spa sales were approximately 11 percent higher than the same period in 2006, due to shipments of fourth quarter 2006 early-buy program orders and successful new product introductions. Combining the pool and spa sales of fourth quarter 2006 and first quarter 2007 to reflect the first half of the pool season, sales were down approximately 4 percent as compared to the year-earlier period. The Water Group’s first quarter operating income totaled $61 million, up 10 percent as compared to $56 million in the same period in 2006, as higher volume, price realization and improved productivity more than offset inflation. Water’s first quarter operating margins expanded 20 basis points to 11.0 percent reflecting core operational improvements. Excluding the fair market value inventory step-up for Jung Pump, Water’s first quarter operating margins expanded 50 basis points. Technical Products Highlights For the quarter, Technical Products’ sales of $253 million were essentially flat as compared to $254 million in the same period last year. Consolidation in the telecommunication (telecom) market and datacommunication (datacom) projects that reached end-of-life continue to depress growth. Excluding the impact of favorable foreign currency exchange, sales decreased approximately 3 percent. Technical Products global electronic sales were down approximately 8 percent. Strong first quarter sales in Asia advanced 32 percent as compared to the first quarter of 2006 with the majority of the growth reflecting successful penetration into China. This growth was offset by declines in North American and European sales, reflecting the telecom market contraction and datacom programs that, as expected, reached end-of-life. In North America, first quarter growth in the electrical markets was up approximately 5 percent. The industrial, commercial and networking market segments all grew, driven by the Company’s distribution penetration strategy. First quarter operating income for Technical Products totaled $32 million as compared to $38 million in the same quarter last year. Operating margins of 12.5 percent were 230 basis points lower compared to 14.8 percent in the same period in 2006. This decline reflects softness in the telecom and datacom markets; raw material inflation; and, exit costs related to a previously announced 2001 French facility closure. These exit costs negatively affected operating margins by approximately 70 basis points. Earnings Conference Call As previously announced, Pentair will discuss the Company’s results, strategy and outlook on a conference call with investors at 12:00 p.m. Eastern today. The Company will host a live webcast and presentation on the Financial Information page of the Company’s website (www.pentair.com); the webcast and presentation will be archived at the same site following the conclusion of the conference call. Caution concerning forward-looking statements Any statements made about the company’s anticipated financial results are forward-looking statements, subject to risks and uncertainties such as continued economic growth, including the strength of housing and related markets; the ability to integrate acquisitions successfully and the risk that expected synergies may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the ability to successfully limit any judgment arising out of the Horizon litigation; foreign currency effects; retail and industrial demand; product introductions; and, pricing and other competitive pressures. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from anticipated results. About Pentair, Inc. Pentair (www.pentair.com) is a diversified operating company headquartered in Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair’s Technical Products Group is a leader in the global enclosures and thermal management markets, designing and manufacturing thermal management products and standard, modified, and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical components. With 2006 revenues of $3.15 billion, Pentair employs approximately 15,000 people worldwide. Pentair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)   Three months ended March 31 April 1 In thousands, except per-share data   2007   2006 Net sales $ 807,995  $ 771,389  Cost of goods sold   570,592    548,881  Gross profit 237,403  222,508  % of net sales 29.4% 28.8% Selling, general and administrative 142,300  129,089  % of net sales 17.6% 16.7% Research and development 14,950  14,863    % of net sales   1.9%   1.9% Operating income 80,153  78,556  % of net sales 9.9% 10.2% Net interest expense 15,120  13,284    % of net sales   1.9%   1.7% Income from continuing operations before income taxes 65,033  65,272  % of net sales 8.0% 8.5% Provision for income taxes 22,903  22,201    Effective tax rate   35.2%   34.0% Income from continuing operations 42,130  43,071  Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax   143    (1,451) Net income   $ 42,273    $ 41,620    Earnings (loss) per common share Basic Continuing operations $ 0.43  $ 0.43  Discontinued operations   —    (0.01) Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.43    $ 0.42    Diluted Continuing operations $ 0.42  $ 0.42  Discontinued operations   —    (0.01) Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.42    $ 0.41    Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 98,966  100,493  Diluted 100,271  102,492    Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.15  $ 0.14  Pentair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)   March 31 December 31 April 1 In thousands   2007   2006   2006 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 64,230  $ 54,820  $ 50,237  Accounts and notes receivable, net 532,792  422,134  520,968  Inventories 413,178  398,857  375,619  Deferred tax assets 52,198  50,578  44,432  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   41,907    31,239    28,921  Total current assets 1,104,305  957,628  1,020,177    Property, plant and equipment, net 351,211  330,372  314,164    Other assets Goodwill 1,830,359  1,718,771  1,723,952  Intangibles, net 384,933  287,011  262,829  Other   69,505    71,197    67,561  Total other assets   2,284,797    2,076,979    2,054,342  Total assets   $ 3,740,313    $ 3,364,979    $ 3,388,683    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Short-term borrowings $ 16,003  $ 14,563  $ —  Current maturities of long-term debt 8,257  7,625  4,246  Accounts payable 208,713  206,286  206,528  Employee compensation and benefits 85,741  88,882  75,536  Current pension and post-retirement benefits 7,918  7,918  —  Accrued product claims and warranties 42,766  44,093  42,238  Income taxes 13,525  22,493  27,195  Accrued rebates and sales incentives 31,293  39,419  23,353  Other current liabilities   91,402    90,003    94,418  Total current liabilities 505,618  521,282  473,514    Other liabilities Long-term debt 1,056,495  721,873  888,015  Pension and other retirement compensation 213,512  207,676  158,535  Post-retirement medical and other benefits 47,401  47,842  73,812  Long-term income taxes payable 14,412  —  —  Deferred tax liabilities 111,106  109,781  123,663  Other non-current liabilities   85,912    86,526    76,452  Total liabilities 2,034,456  1,694,980  1,793,991    Shareholders' equity   1,705,857    1,669,999    1,594,692  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 3,740,313    $ 3,364,979    $ 3,388,683    Days sales in accounts receivable (13 month moving average) 54  54  55  Days inventory on hand (13 month moving average) 77  76  71  Days in accounts payable (13 month moving average) 56  56  56  Debt/total capital 38.8% 30.8% 35.9% NOTE: The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB No. 109 ("FIN 48") on January 1, 2007. As a result of adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded an adjustment to retained earnings of $2.9 million. Additionally, the Company has added the line "Long-term income taxes payable" to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to report its total long-term liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Pentair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)   Three months ended March 31 April 1 In thousands   2007   2006 Operating activities Net income $ 42,273  $ 41,620  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities (Gain) loss on disposal of discontinued operations (143) 1,451  Depreciation 15,523  15,230  Amortization 4,900  4,258  Deferred income taxes (355) 2,483  Stock compensation 6,218  6,646  Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (1,063) (2,532) Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions and dispositions Accounts and notes receivable (99,387) (95,541) Inventories (6,381) (25,379) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (8,770) (4,258) Accounts payable 7,886  (4,041) Employee compensation and benefits (13,081) (23,528) Accrued product claims and warranties (1,403) (1,363) Income taxes (1,448) 10,717  Other current liabilities (7,638) (26,140) Pension and post-retirement benefits 4,033  4,477    Other assets and liabilities   1,167    3,550  Net cash used for continuing operations (57,669) (92,350)     Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations   —    48  Net cash used for operating activities (57,669) (92,302)   Investing activities Capital expenditures (18,865) (9,054) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 1,329  79  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (230,581) (2,158) Divestitures —  (24,007) Other   —    (2,150) Net cash used for investing activities (248,117) (37,290)   Financing activities Net short-term borrowings 1,234  —  Proceeds from long-term debt 345,190  272,906  Repayment of long-term debt (10,250) (133,051) Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 1,063  2,532  Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,762  2,577  Repurchases of common stock (9,280) —  Dividends paid   (15,022)   (14,224) Net cash provided by financing activities 314,697  130,740    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   499    589  Change in cash and cash equivalents 9,410  1,737  Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   54,820    48,500  Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 64,230    $ 50,237    Free cash flow Net cash used for operating activities $ (57,669) $ (92,302) Less capital expenditures (18,865) (9,054) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment   1,329    79  Free cash flow   $ (75,205)   $ (101,277) Pentair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Supplemental Financial Information by Reportable Business Segment (Unaudited)   First Qtr First Qtr In thousands   2007   2006   Net sales to external customers Water $ 555,412  $ 517,169  Technical Products   252,583    254,220  Consolidated   $ 807,995    $ 771,389    Intersegment sales Water $ 214  $ 50  Technical Products 896  889  Other   (1,110)   (939) Consolidated   $ —    $ —    Operating income (loss) Water $ 60,879  $ 55,587  Technical Products 31,631  37,704  Other   (12,357)   (14,735) Consolidated   $ 80,153    $ 78,556    Operating income as a percent of net sales Water 11.0% 10.8% Technical Products 12.5% 14.8% Consolidated 9.9% 10.2%