Stockholm October 22, 2010
Magnus Yngen, President and CEO:
”End-user demand continued to recover in most of our markets during the quarter. Sales as well as operating income for the Group as a whole increased. Europe & Asia/Pacific and Construction showed strong performances. Operating income for Americas was negative due to lower sales and increased costs. Despite a recovery in the market, our sales for Americas decreased due to the reduced listings of low-end lawn mowers with a major retailer in North America for the 2010 season.
Strong growth in sales to the dealer channel continued to be an important driver for the Group’s positive earnings development during the year, as were innovative new product launches. Our estimate is that we have gained market shares for lawn and garden products during the season in Europe.
In the fourth quarter, which is the smallest quarter of the year for the Group, we expect Group shipments to be slightly higher than in the fourth quarter of 2009.”
THIRD QUARTER
Net sales
Net sales for the third quarter increased by 3% to SEK 6,907m (6,709). Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales increased by 5%. Prices were unchanged. Europe & Asia/Pacific accounted for 6 percentage points of the adjusted increase and Construction for 1 percentage point while Americas accounted for a decrease of 2 percentage points.
Efforts to grow sales in the dealer channel continued to be successful and increased double digit both in Europe and Asia/Pacific and in Americas. In North America, the reduced listings with a major retailer for the 2010 season had a negative impact on sales, which were partly offset by sales to other accounts. Sales of forestry and construction products are relatively more important in the third and fourth quarter when the gardening season in most of our markets normally comes to an end. Sales of garden products in the third quarter predominantly consist of replenishment orders from the trade.
Operating income
Third quarter operating income increased by 137% compared to the corresponding quarter 2009 and amounted to SEK 411m (173). Currency had a positive effect of approximately SEK 17m and the net positive effect from items affecting comparability was SEK 59m. Adjusted operating income increased by SEK 162m.
The increase in operating income for the Group was mainly a result of a favorable mix as well as higher sales. Selling and administrative costs increased, mainly due to higher distribution and IT costs. The operating margin, excluding items affecting comparability, increased to 5.9% (3.5). Third quarter operating income 2009 included restructuring charges of SEK 59m.
Operating income and operating margin for Europe and Asia/Pacific and Construction increased. Operating income and operating margin for Americas decreased, due to lower sales and production volumes as well as higher distribution and IT costs.
Changes in exchange rates, including both translation and transaction effects net of hedging, had a total positive effect on operating income of SEK 17m (-74). Hedging contracts had a positive effect of SEK 36m (-30).
FIRST NINE MONTHS
Net sales
Net sales for the first nine months declined by 6% to SEK 27,446m (29,342). Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales were unchanged. Prices were also unchanged. Europe & Asia/Pacific accounted for a sales increase of 2 percentage points of the adjusted change and Americas for a negative 3 percentage points while Construction’s contribution was 1 percentage point. Efforts to grow sales in the dealer channel continued to be successful.
Operating income
Operating income for the first nine months increased by 21% compared to the first nine months of 2009 and amounted to SEK 2,508m (2,075). Currency had a positive effect of approximately SEK 130m and the net negative effect from items affecting comparability was SEK 95m. Adjusted operating income increased by SEK 398m.
Operating income 2010 includes charges of SEK 207m for the previously announced closure of one factory in North America and one in Greece and costs related to a legal case in North America. For further information see page 6. The first nine months of 2009 included items affecting comparability totaling SEK 112m related to restructuring charges.
The increase in operating income was mainly a result of favorable mix and currency effects, lower costs for direct material and higher sales, which was partly offset by higher IT and distribution costs. The operating margin, excluding items affecting comparability, increased to 9.9% (7.5)
NET FINANCIAL ITEMS
Net financial items for the third quarter amounted to SEK -101m (-65) and for the first nine months to SEK -258m (-433). The higher net financial cost in the third quarter is mainly due to a negative mark-to-market impact of the interest rate component in the Group’s hedge contracts. The improvement for the first nine months is primarily due to lower net debt. The average interest rate on borrowings at the end of the third quarter was 3.6% (3.2).
INCOME AFTER FINANCIAL ITEMS
Income after financial items for the third quarter increased by 187% to SEK 310m (108) corresponding to a margin of 4.5% (1.6). For the first nine months income after financial items increased by 37% to SEK 2,250m (1,642) corresponding to a margin of 8.2% (5.6).
TAXES
Taxes for the first nine months amounted to SEK -377m (-287), corresponding to a tax rate of 17% (17) of income after financial items. The tax rate is affected by utilization of tax-losses carried forward. The utilization of tax-losses carried forward are mainly related to the third quarter.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income for the third quarter increased by 209% to SEK 402m (130), corresponding to SEK 0.70 (0.23) per share after dilution. For the first nine months, the increase was 38% and amounted to SEK 1,873m (1,355), corresponding to SEK 3.25 per share (2.50). Due to the rights issue implemented in 2009, the average number of shares for the first nine months of 2010 has increased compared with the first nine months of 2009.
OUTLOOK FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER 2010
Due to seasonality, the fourth quarter is the smallest quarter of the year in terms of sales and operating income. Inventories in the trade of the Group’s products at the end of the third quarter were estimated to be on low levels in both the dealer and retail channels. To date in 2010, end-user demand has increased in most markets compared to the preceding season. However, the trade remains reluctant to build inventory.
The positive development for Europe & Asia/Pacific and for Construction is expected to continue, while shipments in Americas are expected to be down. In total, Group shipments in the fourth quarter of 2010 are expected to be slightly higher than in the fourth quarter of 2009.
PERFORMANCE BY BUSINESS AREA
As of 1 January 2010, external reporting comprises three business areas:
• Europe & Asia/Pacific, comprising forestry and garden products sold in Europe, Asia and the
Pacific region.
• Americas, comprising forestry and garden products sold in North America and Latin America
• Construction, comprising products for the global construction and stone industries.
Restatement of the third quarter 2009 between Americas and Europe & Asia/Pacific
Operating income for the third quarter as well as for the first nine months 2009 has been restated between Americas and Europe & Asia/Pacific due to correction of an intercompany transaction. The restatement had no impact on the Group’s operating income.
Third quarter operating income for Europe and Asia/Pacific has been restated from SEK 135m to SEK 190m and the first nine months of 2009 from SEK 1,649m to SEK 1,704m. Operating income for the third quarter for Americas has been restated from SEK 47m to SEK -8m and for the first nine months of 2009 from SEK 597m to SEK 542m.
Europe & Asia/Pacific
Sales for Europe & Asia/Pacific in the third quarter increased 8%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects the sales increase was 11%. In the first nine months, sales decreased 1%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales in the first nine months increased by 5%. Prices were unchanged.
Sales to the dealer channel developed strongly throughout the first nine months. Most regions, except for UK and France, had higher sales than in the preceding year. Several new products, including Husqvarna branded lawn mower range, mini rider and an expanded Automower® range, contributed to the increase.
Sales of watering products were also strong. It is estimated that the Group gained market share in Europe
during the first nine months.
Operating income and operating margin increased substantially in the third quarter. Performance was especially strong for watering products and accessories. The higher operating income was mainly a result of higher sales and an improved mix.
Operating income for the first nine months the preceding year was charged with restructuring costs amounting to SEK 111m, whereof SEK 59m in the third quarter. Operating margin for the first nine months, excluding items affecting comparability, increased to 17.0% (12.9).
Americas
Sales for Americas in the third quarter decreased 4%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects the decrease was 5%. In the first nine months, sales decreased 14%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales in the first nine months decreased by 7%. Prices were stable during the period.
The reduced listings with a major retailer in North America for the 2010 season had a negative effect on sales, especially for low-end lawn mowers. Efforts to grow sales in the dealer channel and with other retail accounts continued to pay off, but could not compensate for all of the reduced listings.
Operating income in the third quarter was negative and the margin amounted to -3.7% (-0.3). Operating income was negatively affected by lower sales and production volumes and higher costs for distribution and IT.
Operating income for the first nine months in 2010 includes items affecting comparability amounting to SEK 160m. SEK 110m is related to the closure of the factory in Beatrice and the transfer of the production to the Group’s plant in Orangeburg in the second quarter. SEK 50m is related to the settlement of an engine-capacity lawsuit in the first quarter. Operating margin for the first nine months, excluding items affecting comparability, decreased to 3.1% (4.1)
Construction
Sales for Construction in the third quarter increased 6%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects the sales increase was 8%. In the first nine months, sales increased 2%. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales in the first nine months increased by 7%.
The market for construction products improved in both North America and Europe during the first nine months.
Sales to rental companies increased. A number of new products have been successfully launched during the year and the Group’s market shares are estimated to have increased.
Operating income and margin in the third quarter improved, mainly as a result of higher sales and production volumes as well as new products with higher margins. The third quarter operating income includes a cost of SEK 16m related to a legal settlement. Operating margin for the third quarter increased to 5.9% (4.3).
Operating income for the first nine months was charged with restructuring costs amounting to SEK 47m, whereof all was charged in the second quarter. Operating margin for the first nine months, excluding items affecting comparability and the above mentioned charge of SEK 16m, increased to 5.7% (-2.6).
PARENT COMPANY
Net sales in the first nine months of 2010 for the Parent Company, Husqvarna AB, amounted to SEK 8,416m (7,049), of which SEK 6,452m (5,352) referred to sales to Group Companies and SEK 1,964m (1,697) to external customers. Income after financial items amounted to SEK 2,505m (2,187). Income for the first nine months was SEK 2,093m (1,857).
Investments in tangible and intangible assets for the first nine months amounted to SEK 205m (191). Cash and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 503m (1,311) at the end of the period. Undistributed earnings in the Parent Company at the end of the period amounted to SEK 17,985m (16,416). A dividend payment to shareholders in the amount of SEK 574m (0) was made during the second quarter.
RESTRUCTURING
In the second quarter 2010, the Group announced further restructuring in line with its strategy which includes increasing efficiency by consolidating the manufacturing footprint. The factory in Beatrice, Nebraska, will be closed and the production will be transferred to the factory in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The factory for construction equipment in Athens, Greece will also be closed.
Annual savings from the initiatives will amount to SEK 60m and will be realized gradually with full effect from the first quarter of 2012. Second-quarter operating income was charged with SEK 157m, of which the closure of the Beatrice factory accounted for SEK 110m.
In October 2009, the Group announced the implementation of a number of structural changes in 2009-2011. These measures are aimed at eliminating overlaps and increase efficiency within production and administration and involve consolidation of production in Sweden and the US, and of the sales organization in Europe & Asia/Pacific. The total cost of these measures amounts to SEK 399m and annual savings from these activities are expected to amount to approximately SEK 400m, and will be realized gradually from the second half of 2010 with full effect from the first quarter of 2012. Capital expenditure related to the restructuring is expected to amount to approximately SEK 400m, of which a new plant in Poland will account for approximately SEK 250m.
In September 2008, an initiative to reduce fixed costs through personnel cut-backs was announced. The total costs for the cut-backs were SEK 369m and the annual savings are SEK 450m as of the third quarter 2009.
Operational risks
Operational risks include general economic conditions, as well as trends in consumer and professional spending, particularly in North America and Europe, where the majority of the Group’s products are sold.
An economic downturn in these markets may have an adverse effect on Group sales and earnings. Shifts in product technology as well as shifts in distribution structure could also have a negative impact on Group sales and earnings.
Demand for the Group’s products is also dependent on weather conditions. Dry weather can reduce demand for such products as lawn mowers and tractors, but can stimulate demand for irrigation products.
Demand for chainsaws normally increases after storms and during cold winters.
Husqvarna’s operations are also subject to seasonal variations. Demand for consumer garden products and commercial lawn and garden products normally peaks in the second quarter, while the peak season for chainsaws is normally in the third quarter. Husqvarna has adapted its production processes and supply chain to respond to these conditions. However, parameters such as cash flow and production levels follow the seasonal variations in demand, which results in relatively greater risk exposure for the Group over short periods of time.
The Group is currently implementing a number of structural changes as well as a new organization. Restructuring and organizational changes always involve the risk of creating higher costs than anticipated and losing key personnel.
Financial risks
Financial risks refer primarily to exchange rates, interest rates, financing, and credit risks. Risk management within the Husqvarna Group is regulated by a financial policy established by the Board of Directors. A higher indebtedness resulting from the seasonality of the Group’s operations involve greater exposure to changes in exchange rates and interest rates, as well as financing risks.
Acquisitions
Husqvarna has completed a number of acquisitions. Although the Group has historically demonstrated ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, such integration always involves certain risks. Net sales can be adversely affected and costs can be higher than anticipated.
