Emerson Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced that sales for the third quarter ended June 30, 2014 decreased 1 percent, with the Artesyn divestiture deducting 5 percent and acquisitions adding 1 percent. Underlying sales grew 3 percent, with North America and Europe up 4 percent and Asia up 3 percent, as business conditions continued to improve, albeit slowly and unevenly across markets and geographies. Growth in mature markets was stronger than in emerging regions, reflecting global political instability and economic uncertainty in some developing countries. Underlying orders have grown 5 percent year-to-date, increasing backlog to a record level.

Profitability expansion continued, with strong improvement in gross profit and EBIT margin reflecting portfolio changes and operational efficiencies. Earnings per share of $1.03 grew 6 percent excluding Artesyn related charges in the prior year despite a $0.03 headwind from difficult tax rate comparisons, with reported earnings per share up 281 percent.

Operating cash flow of just over $1 billion exceeded expectations, supported by solid conversion from earnings and on track for another strong year. Strategic growth and productivity investments increased capital expenditures versus the prior year, resulting in slightly lower free cash flow. Share repurchase activity remained high, with over $700 million completed year-to-date. Proceeds from the completion of the Connectivity Solutions business unit divestiture in the fourth quarter will augment share repurchase by approximately $100 million, increasing the full year to approximately $1 billion. Cash returned to shareholders through share repurchase and dividends remains on track to exceed 60 percent of operating cash flow for the full year.

“Underlying sales growth improved, increasing 3 percent from the prior year despite the global business environment struggling to sustain growth momentum,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David N. Farr. “Fundamentals continue to gradually strengthen, but persisting economic challenges in some markets and rising geopolitical tension have hampered growth, which is not expected to improve in the near term. In light of the sluggish conditions, operations executed well in the quarter, driving margin expansion, generating robust cash and maintaining focus on strategic investment programs, emphasizing our commitment to investing for long-term growth.”

Business Segment Highlights

Process Management net sales grew 6 percent, supported by stable and sustained levels of investment in the global energy and chemical industries. Underlying sales increased 2 percent, reflecting mixed market conditions across regions and continued cautious project execution by customers. Acquisitions added 4 percent. North America grew 7 percent, as unconventional oil and gas projects remained robust, and Europe increased 5 percent, led by strong growth in developing countries. Asia decreased 2 percent, as softness and difficult comparisons in Australia offset continued strength in China. Segment margin remained solid at 20.4 percent, declining from the prior year as strategic investments continued to support future profitable growth. Solid near term growth is expected, supported by strengthening in North America, anticipated recovery in Asia, and record backlog.

Industrial Automation net sales increased 1 percent and underlying sales were flat, with North America flat, Asia up 3 percent, and Europe down 5 percent. Demand for industrial goods continued to recover slowly, with underlying orders up 4 percent in the quarter, but trends across markets and geographies was mixed. Growth was strongest in the fluid automation, electrical distribution and materials joining business, offset by declines in power generating alternators and motors and drives, with Europe particularly weak. Segment margin of 16.6 percent improved 50 basis points. Market conditions are expected to continue to recover, but with slow improvement due to uneven economic trends and demand, especially in Europe and the Middle East.

Network Power net sales declined 18 percent, reflecting the Artesyn divestiture impact of 20 percent. Underlying sales grew 2 percent, with North America up 2 percent, Asia up 6 percent, and Europe up 10 percent. Growth was strong in the global telecommunications infrastructure business, led by double-digit gains in Asia. Data center market conditions remained mixed but flat overall, as strength in Europe and Asia was offset by slow demand in North America and weakness in Latin America. Segment margin expanded 60 basis points to 8.7 percent, reflecting portfolio changes and continued investment in strategic programs. Backlog strength and improving market conditions support the outlook for modest growth and improving profitability into next year.

Climate Technologies net and underlying sales increased 6 percent, as growth was balanced across all geographies, with North America up 4 percent, Asia up 9 percent, and Europe up 9 percent. The global refrigeration business remained strong, with double-digit growth, as market conditions in China and Europe were particularly robust. Moderate growth in the U.S. air conditioning business reflected strong demand in the service business, mid-single-digit growth in residential markets, and low-single-digit growth in commercial. Gains continued in the temperature sensors business, particularly in China. Segment margin remained strong at 21.0 percent. Favorable market conditions are expected to continue globally, led by improvement in U.S. air conditioning demand.

Commercial & Residential Solutions net and underlying sales grew 4 percent, with sequential improvement reflecting the impact of harsh winter weather in North America in the previous quarter. Growth was led by the professional tools and residential storage businesses. Segment margin improved 170 basis points to 22.1 percent. Recovery momentum is expected to continue in the near term, benefiting from improvement in U.S. residential and commercial construction markets.

2014 Outlook

Despite areas of ongoing uncertainty around the world, economic momentum continues to improve gradually but unevenly. Order trends are expected to improve modestly in the fourth quarter to between 5 and 7 percent underlying growth, led by better conditions in emerging markets and firming demand in the U.S. As the end of the fiscal year approaches, the slower than expected economic environment year-to-date is expected to result in financial performance trending to the low end of previously communicated expectations of 3 to 5 percent underlying sales growth, (1) to 1 percent net sales change, and earnings per share of $3.68 to $3.80. Strong cash generation year-to-date supports the outlook for operating cash flow of approximately $3.5 billion.

“We see the pace of growth improving through the fourth quarter, as global business confidence improves and investment levels recover,” Farr said. “Robust orders growth in the spring has driven backlog to a record level, supported by large projects with long lead times, and strategic investment programs continue to progress well, providing a foundation for a more favorable growth environment next year.”

Upcoming Investor Events

Today at 2 p.m. ET, Emerson management will discuss the third quarter results during a conference call. Access to a live webcast of the discussion will be available at www.emerson.com/financial at the time of the call. A replay of the conference call will remain available for approximately three months.

On Thursday, September 4, 2014, Emerson President and Chief Operating Officer Edward L. Monser will present at the Vertical Research Partners Industrials Conference in Westbrook, Connecticut. The presentation will be posted on Emerson's website at www.emerson.com/financial and remain available for approximately three months after the event.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Emerson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David N. Farr will present at the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference in Dana Point, California. The presentation will be posted on Emerson's website at www.emerson.com/financial and remain available for approximately three months after the event.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

Statements in this press 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, protection of intellectual property, and competitive and technological factors, among others, as set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

(tables attached)