The Toro Company Reports Record Second Quarter Results

THE TORO COMPANY REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

·         Sales increase to record $704 million for the quarter

·         Quarterly net earnings per share up 17 percent to a record $1.32

·         Late spring impacts momentum in quarter

·         Company tempers sales growth expectations and maintains earnings outlook

BLOOMINGTON, MN -- May. 23 -- The Toro Company today reported net earnings of $78.4 million, or $1.32 per share, on a net sales increase of 1.9 percent to $704.5 million for its fiscal second quarter ended May 3, 2013. In the comparable fiscal 2012 period, the company delivered net earnings of $68.8 million, or $1.13 per share, on net sales of $691.5 million.

For the first six months, Toro reported net earnings of $109.8 million, or $1.85 per share, on a net sales increase of 3 percent to $1,149.1 million. In the comparable fiscal 2012 period, the company posted net earnings of $88.7 million, or $1.46 per share, on net sales of $1,115.3 million.

“We achieved record sales and earnings in the quarter, despite this year’s challenging weather pattern compared to a year ago,” said Michael J. Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and chief executive officer. “In 2012, we enjoyed ideal spring conditions with a warm, early start to the season, while this year much of North America and Europe have dealt with unusually cold weather. These conditions delayed sales, especially of our residential products which are more immediately impacted by weather.

Improved market conditions for some of our professional customers, combined with new products and solid execution, fueled shipment growth that offset the delay of our residential shipments. Through the first six months, our golf and micro irrigation businesses have been strong, and our professional sales in Europe and Asia are ahead of last year. While our earnings benefited from mix and timing, I’m pleased to see our productivity efforts yielding results on the path to our Destination 2014 operating earnings goal.”

“Even with a marginal winter season and late start to spring, we remain cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year,” said Hoffman. “Retail activity in our residential business started to pick up in late April, and the momentum is continuing in May. Looking forward, we face favorable comparisons to last year, when much of the United States struggled with drought conditions during the summer months. Since we are not likely to make up all of the impact from the late start to spring, including a resulting increase in field inventory, we are tempering our revenue growth expectations for the year. Despite lower sales growth, we are maintaining our earnings outlook on the strength of productivity gains and favorable commodity trends, somewhat offset by anticipated pressures from mix and manufacturing utilization in the second half of the year.”

The company now expects revenue growth for fiscal 2013 to be about 3 to 4 percent, and continues to expect net earnings to be about $2.40 to 2.45 per share, or an increase of about 12 to 15 percent over fiscal 2012.

SEGMENT RESULTS

Professional

Professional segment net sales for the second quarter totaled $496.4 million, up 8.9 percent from the prior year period. Shipments of landscape contractor equipment increased on channel demand in anticipation of the upcoming season. Rental and construction equipment sales were up on strong rental customer demand and incremental sales from the Stone acquisition.

Worldwide sales of golf equipment and irrigation increased on improved budgets that enabled customers to replace aging fleets and systems with new innovative products. Global micro irrigation sales increased on continued demand for more efficient irrigation solutions for agriculture. For the first six months, professional segment net sales were $825.6 million, up 11.6 percent from the comparable fiscal 2012 period.

Professional segment earnings for the second quarter totaled $112.3 million, up 13.8 percent from the prior year period. For the first six months, professional segment earnings were $173.0 million, up 22.9 percent from the comparable fiscal 2012 period.

Residential

Residential segment net sales for the second quarter totaled $201.4 million, down 13.2 percent from the prior year period. Unfavorable weather delayed the start of the spring goods selling season, negatively impacting the sales of walk power mowers and riding products. For the first six months, residential segment net sales were $322.3 million, down 12.8 percent from the comparable fiscal 2012 period. The year-to-date sales results were largely attributable to the unusually mild winter and the late start to spring.

Residential segment earnings for the second quarter totaled $24.7 million, down 13.5 percent from the prior year period. For the first six months, residential segment earnings were $36.8 million, down 10.4 percent from the comparable fiscal 2012 period.

OPERATING RESULTS

Gross margin for the second quarter improved 180 basis points to 35.8 percent due to segment mix, coupled with productivity gains and selective price increases. For the first six months, gross margin was up 210 basis points to 36.4 percent.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percent of sales increased 50 basis points for the second quarter to 19.1 percent. For the first six months, SG&A expense increased 40 basis points as a percent of sales to 22.1 percent. For both periods, the increase in SG&A as a percent of sales was a result of higher warehousing expense, incremental costs from acquisitions, increased engineering spending, and higher health insurance costs.

Operating earnings as a percent of sales increased 130 basis points to 16.7 percent for the second quarter, and was up 170 basis points to 14.3 percent for the year to date.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter was 32.6 percent compared with 34.1 percent in the same period last year. For the year to date comparison, the tax rate decreased to 31.3 percent from 34 percent. The decrease in both periods was primarily the result of the reenactment of the Federal Research and Engineering Tax Credit.

Accounts receivable at the end of the second quarter totaled $307.8 million, up 12.8 percent from the prior year period. Net inventories were $310 million, up 23.6 percent from last year’s second quarter. Trade payables were $203.7 million, up 3.7 percent compared with last year.

About The Toro Company

The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With sales of more than $1.9 billion in fiscal 2012, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 90 countries through strong relationships built on integrity and trust, constant innovation, and a commitment to helping customers enrich the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land.

Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.thetorocompany.com.