MEDINA, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) today reported a double-digit increase in net sales for its fiscal 2013 second quarter ended November 30, 2012.  Net income and diluted earnings per share increased significantly over the prior year, excluding one-time adjustments in both years.

Second-Quarter Results

Net sales increased 11.1% to $1.02 billion from $916.1 million a year ago. On an as reported basis, consolidated EBIT decreased 3.7%, to $89.5 million from $93.0 million in the year-ago second quarter.  Second-quarter net income declined 16.5%, to $41.7 million from $49.9 million in the fiscal 2012 second quarter. Earnings per diluted share fell 18.4% to $0.31 from $0.38 a year ago.

The one-time adjustment in the fiscal 2013 second quarter was a non-cash charge of $10.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share in corporate/other, for the write-down of RPM's remaining equity investment in Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd., due to continued deteriorating economic conditions in India, where Kemrock is based, and the resulting impact on Kemrock's operating performance and stock price. The fiscal 2012 second quarter adjustment was for income recognized in RPM's industrial segment, which occurred when RPM's ownership position in Kemrock exceeded 20%, thereby triggering a reportable equity ownership position and resulted in a benefit of $5.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, including a $4.6 million cumulative income catch-up. 

On an as adjusted basis, excluding the Kemrock impact from both periods, RPM's fiscal 2013 second-quarter consolidated EBIT improved 14.3% to $100.4 million from $87.8 million a year ago.  Second-quarter net income grew 17.4% to $52.5 million from $44.7 million in the fiscal 2012 second quarter, while earnings per diluted share improved 17.6% to $0.40 from $0.34 a year ago.  

"Second-quarter operating results, on an adjusted basis, continue to meet our plan with sales, EBIT and net income posting strong double-digit increases," stated Frank C. Sullivan, chairman and chief executive officer.  "We are also seeing benefits from our robust acquisition program, which has added businesses generating approximately $300 million in annual sales during the past 12 months," he stated. 

Second-Quarter Segment Sales and Earnings

During the second quarter, on an as reported basis, industrial segment sales grew 7.7% to $691.0 million from $641.5 million in the fiscal 2012 second quarter.  Organic sales improved 1.2%, including 1.6% in foreign exchange translation losses, while acquisition growth added 6.5%.  Industrial segment EBIT decreased 0.2% to $78.1 million from $78.3 million in the same period a year ago. On an as adjusted basis, which excludes the Kemrock-related impact from both periods, industrial segment EBIT grew 6.9% to $78.1 million from $73.1 million a year ago.

"With the exception of our industrial businesses in Europe and our roofing division, most of our industrial product lines continued to perform well, including construction sealants, weather proofing and admixtures, as well as many of our smaller, niche industrial products, such as edible coatings, fluorescent pigments and disaster restoration solutions," Sullivan stated.

RPM's fiscal 2013 second-quarter consumer segment sales increased 18.9% to $326.4 million from $274.6 million a year ago. Organic sales improved 6.2%, with no foreign exchange impact, while acquisition growth added 12.7%. Consumer segment EBIT improved 44.1%, to $38.6 million from $26.8 million a year ago.

"Our consumer product lines are performing to our expectations.  They continue to enjoy robust organic sales volume growth due to continued improvement in the U.S. residential housing market and strong demand for higher-end new products, while partially recouping lost margin from the moderation in raw material costs compared to the prior year. Additionally, acquisition activity over the past year, including Synta, Kirker and Australia-based HiChem, contributed to the strong consumer segment sales and earnings growth in the quarter," stated Sullivan. 

Corporate and other expenses during the fiscal 2013 second quarter were higher than the prior year by approximately $4.3 million, on an as adjusted basis, due primarily to higher insurance, professional fees and pension expenses. 

Cash Flow and Financial Position

For the first half of fiscal 2013, cash from operations was $127.6 million compared to $110.0 million a year ago. Capital expenditures of $30.8 million compare to depreciation of $27.6 million during the first half of this fiscal year.  Total debt at November 30, 2012 increased to $1.42 billion from $1.09 billion at November 30, 2011 and $1.12 billion at May 31, 2012, primarily due to additional borrowings to fund acquisitions.  RPM's net (of cash) debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 48.1%, compared to 40.3% at May 31, 2012, and it continues to be at the low end of the company's historic norms. At November 30, 2012, liquidity stood at $962 million, including cash of $262 million and $700 million in long-term committed available credit.

"Our solid cash and liquidity position is supporting a growing cash dividend, increased capital investments and a very successful acquisition program," Sullivan stated. 

First-Half Sales and Earnings

On an as reported basis, fiscal 2013 first-half net sales improved 8.5% to $2.06 billion from $1.90 billion during the first six months of fiscal 2012.  Consolidated EBIT declined 24.6% to $173.1 million from $229.5 million during the first six months of fiscal 2012. Net income declined 40.4% to $75.6 million from $126.7 million in the fiscal 2012 first half.  Diluted earnings per share fell 41.2% to $0.57 from $0.97 a year ago. 

On an as adjusted basis, first-half sales increased 8.7% to $2.07 billion.  First-half EBIT was up 7.1% to $240.2 million from $224.3 million a year ago.  First-half net income grew 13.0% to $137.3 million from $121.5 million in the fiscal 2012 first half.  Fiscal 2013 first-half earnings per diluted share were up 11.8% to $1.04 from $0.93 a year ago. In addition to the Kemrock adjustments this fiscal year totaling $56.1 million, the first half also included a one-time charge of $11.0 million in the company's Building Solutions Group associated with a strategic decision to exit certain unprofitable contracts outside North America and to focus on the successful core roofing business in the United States and Canada.

First-Half Segment Sales and Earnings

On an as reported basis, RPM's industrial segment fiscal 2013 first-half sales improved 6.6%, to $1.39 billion from $1.31 billion in the fiscal 2012 first half.  Organic sales decreased 0.7%, including net foreign exchange translation losses of 3.5%, while acquisition growth added 7.3%. Industrial segment EBIT declined 9.2% to $155.0 million from $170.8 million a year ago.

On an as adjusted basis, industrial segment first-half net sales improved 6.8%, to $1.40 billion from $1.31 billion a year ago.  Industrial segment EBIT grew 6.2% to $175.8 million from $165.5 million in the 2012 first half.

First-half sales for the consumer segment increased 12.9% to $669.7 million from $593.4 million a year ago.  Organic sales increased 5.9% and acquisition growth added an additional 7.0%. Consumer segment EBIT increased 24.4% to $97.4 million from $78.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2012. 

Acquisitions

Second-quarter acquisitions included Synta, Inc. and Kirker Enterprises, Inc.  Acquired by the Rust-Oleum Group on September 21, 2012, Synta is a $40 million producer and marketer of innovative and unique exterior wood deck and concrete restoration systems sold under the brands of Deck Restore and Concrete Restore at leading home centers and other retail outlets.  Acquired by the RPM2 Consumer Group on September 5, 2012, Kirker manufactures nail care enamels, coatings components and related products for the personal care industry and has sales of more than $100 million.

Business Outlook

"We reiterate our full-year guidance, which we increased when first-quarter earnings were announced on October 3, 2012. We continue to anticipate sales growth of 8% to 10% and growth in diluted earnings per share of 9% to 12%, which equates to an EPS range of $1.80 to $1.85, on an as adjusted basis.  As usual, we expect weaker results for the seasonally difficult fiscal third quarter ending February 28, 2013, but anticipate a strong fiscal 2013 fourth quarter. We see continued strength in top- and bottom-line performance in our consumer segment as the U.S. residential housing market steadily improves. Most of our industrial businesses are also performing well, with the exception of many European operations and the Building Solutions Group roofing division.  Current-year acquisitions will offset these weaker sectors and contribute to our results. We also expect to continue the recent trend of recouping gross profit margin during the last half of this fiscal year as well," Sullivan stated.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to further discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m. EST today.  The call can be accessed by dialing 800-901-5241 or 617-786-2963 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 noon EST on January 8, 2013 until 11:59 p.m. EST on January 15, 2013.  The replay can be accessed by dialing 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888 for international callers. The access code is 22890306.  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., a holding company, owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services serving both industrial and consumer markets. RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and specialty chemicals. Industrial brands include Stonhard, Tremco, illbruck, Carboline, Flowcrete, Universal Sealants and Euco. RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement and by hobbyists. Consumer brands include Zinsser, Rust-Oleum, DAP, 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 and planning, 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; (j) risks and uncertainties associated with the SPHC bankruptcy proceedings; and (k) 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, 2012, 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.

SOURCE RPM International Inc.