Mohawk Industries, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Earnings

-- Record Adjusted EPS; 21% Increase Over PY

-- Adjusted Operating Income Up 110 bps

CALHOUN, Georgia, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced 2014 third quarter net earnings of $151 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.06. Excluding unusual charges, net earnings were $179 million and EPS was $2.44, a 21% increase over last year's third quarter adjusted EPS and the highest quarterly adjusted EPS in the company's history. Net sales for the third quarter of 2014 were $1.99 billion, an increase of 1.5% versus the prior year's third quarter or approximately 2% on a constant exchange basis. For the third quarter of 2013, net sales were $1.96 billion, net earnings were $119 million and EPS was $1.63; excluding unusual charges, net earnings were $147 million and EPS was $2.02.

For the nine months ending September 27, 2014, net sales were $5.9 billion, an increase of 8% versus the prior year. Net earnings and EPS for the nine-month period were $385 million and $5.25, respectively. Net earnings excluding unusual charges were $431 million and adjusted EPS was $5.88, an increase of 24% over the nine-month adjusted EPS results in 2013. For the nine months ending September 28, 2013, net sales were $5.4 billion, net earnings were $254 million and EPS was $3.53; excluding unusual charges, net earnings and EPS were $342 million and $4.76.

Commenting on Mohawk Industries' third quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "During the period, we significantly increased our adjusted operating income by 12% compared to last year through productivity enhancements, cost containment and acquisition synergies. Ongoing initiatives to control our expenses and increase our productivity yielded our highest operating margins in 8 years. We delivered good results this period, even in an environment with sluggish demand, due to our market diversification and strong execution. We will continue investing into our business to support future growth and profitability. The $550 million in capital investments we will make this year are increasing our productivity, allowing us to further differentiate our products and improve our margins."

Carpet segment net sales for the quarter were $779 million, up 1% over last year. Adjusted operating income for the segment rose approximately 20% over the prior year and the margin was up 170 basis points as a result of investments in new technology, increased productivity, cost reductions and improved quality. During the period, Mohawk's participation in the more value-oriented polyester category increased due to the company's proprietary Continuum fiber process that delivers superior post-consumer recycled carpet with outstanding stain and soil resistance as well as greater softness. Mohawk's position in modular tile continues to grow and is enhanced by the introduction of new 12-by-36-inch plank carpet tiles that can be utilized to create stylish new designs for public spaces. The price increase on certain products announced in April was fully executed at the beginning of the quarter and helped to offset increased raw material prices and freight costs. To offset escalating transportation costs, an additional freight increase was implemented in July.

Ceramic segment net sales for the quarter were $780 million, up 2% over last year as reported or 3% at a constant exchange rate. The segment's adjusted operating income grew 16% over the prior year due to increased productivity, better quality and improved pricing and mix. In the U.S., the integration of Marazzi into the company's U.S. ceramic operations is substantially complete. Site work has begun for the new ceramic plant in Tennessee, which will make higher value technical porcelain products that the company historically has imported. To recoup higher freight and raw material costs, a price increase was announced for implementation in January. In Mexico, new larger sizes, planks and market-leading designs should fuel further sales growth and improve mix, margins and average selling price. In Russia, sales grew on a local basis as enhancements in design, value and service helped capture increased share in a slowing ceramic market. In Europe, sales were essentially flat, although margins grew due to reduced costs and improved mix as new higher value products replaced older ones.

Laminate and Wood segment net sales for the quarter were $463 million, up approximately 3% over last year as reported and at a constant exchange rate. Adjusted operating margin for the segment was 11.6% due to lower sales in laminate, higher costs in new products and equipment start-ups offset by acquisitions and productivity improvements. In the U.S., new residential construction strengthened wood flooring sales, although market pricing did not keep pace with higher material costs. The segment's U.S. manufacturing facilities are aggressively implementing productivity improvements and cost reductions. In Europe, the Pergo product revision has upgraded the styling and performance of the brand, and the new Quick-Step laminate collection is being well received as a result of its luxurious appearance and distinctive texture. The segment's insulation business continued to grow with operational and formula improvements offsetting pricing pressures. The segment's European board business delivered top line growth due to a broad product offering and increased margins from productivity improvements and higher material yields.

Lorberbaum said, "We anticipate that growth in the U.S. economy and the flooring category will remain unchanged during the fourth quarter with residential remaining slow as commercial grows. Overall we expect improvement in our sales and operating margins compared to last year. However, due to the strengthening U.S. dollar, we anticipate foreign currency translation will reduce sales and profits as reported. Our performance will benefit from new products, productivity improvements, synergies from our acquisitions and cost containment initiatives. We remain confident in our ability to execute our business strategy within the prevailing economic conditions. With these factors, our guidance for fourth quarter earnings is $2.18 to $2.27 per share, excluding any restructuring charges. We foresee upside for the U.S. flooring industry over the medium to long term. The forecast for new home construction in the U.S. is for robust growth for the next several years, and we believe that stronger employment numbers and improving consumer confidence will result in increased home remodeling."

ABOUT MOHAWK INDUSTRIES

Mohawk Industries is the leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Bigelow, Daltile, Durkan, Karastan, Lees, Marazzi, Kerama Marazzi, Mohawk, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world's largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and the United States.

Certain of the statements in the immediately preceding paragraphs, particularly anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters and those that include the words "could," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and "estimates," or similar expressions constitute "forward-looking statements." For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation in raw material prices and other input costs; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company's products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; tax, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk's SEC reports and public announcements.

Conference call Friday, October 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
The telephone number is 1-800-603-9255 for US/Canada and [phone] for International/Local. Conference ID # 10924357. A replay will be available until Friday, November 14, 2014 by dialing 855-859-2056 for US/local calls and [phone] for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 10924357.

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Operations		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net sales		$ 1,990,658		1,961,536		5,852,000		5,424,650
Cost of sales		1,434,236		1,444,646		4,239,411		4,016,638
Gross profit		556,422		516,890		1,612,589		1,408,012
Selling, general and administrative expenses		342,729		340,987		1,045,913		1,012,069
Operating income		213,693		175,903		566,676		395,943
Interest expense		34,786		25,630		77,584		70,098
Other expense (income), net		(2,374)		1,168		961		6,458
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes		181,281		149,105		488,131		319,387
Income tax expense		30,021		28,993		102,957		62,965
Earnings from continuing operations		151,260		120,112		385,174		256,422
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $297 and $782, respectively		-		(553)		-		(1,914)
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest		151,260		119,559		385,174		254,508
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(6)		491		77		373
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.		$ 151,266		119,068		385,097		254,135
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Income from continuing operations		$ 2.08		1.65		5.29		3.59
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		-		(0.01)		-		(0.03)
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.		$ 2.08		1.64		5.29		3.56
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic		72,864		72,575		72,814		71,467
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Income from continuing operations		$ 2.06		1.64		5.25		3.56
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		-		(0.01)		-		(0.03)
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.		$ 2.06		1.63		5.25		3.53
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted		73,376		73,087		73,332		71,975
Other Financial Information
(Amounts in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$ 225,549		213,059		323,423		326,973
Depreciation and amortization		$ 85,167		81,550		249,905		222,542
Capital expenditures		$ 141,883		109,426		391,580		255,523
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(Amounts in thousands)
						September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents						$ 105,569		63,580
Receivables, net						1,209,557		1,154,368
Inventories						1,640,487		1,612,696
Prepaid expenses and other current assets						275,981		221,767
Deferred income taxes						137,220		136,052
Total current assets						3,368,814		3,188,463
Property, plant and equipment, net						2,772,722		2,683,984
Goodwill						1,668,520		1,713,883
Intangible assets, net						746,304		811,116
Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets						145,100		166,711
Total assets						$ 8,701,460		8,564,157
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and commercial paper						$ 583,495		89,031
Accounts payable and accrued expenses						1,247,862		1,296,192
Total current liabilities						1,831,357		1,385,223
Long-term debt, less current portion						1,806,821		2,257,391
Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities						486,764		587,910
Total liabilities						4,124,942		4,230,524
Noncontrolling interest						-		-
Total stockholders' equity						4,576,518		4,333,633
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity						$ 8,701,460		8,564,157
Segment Information		Three Months Ended				As of or for the Nine Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands)		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net sales:
Carpet		$ 778,849		772,751		2,234,083		2,238,953
Ceramic		779,842		767,005		2,271,660		1,939,054
Laminate and Wood		462,574		450,723		1,431,839		1,326,178
Intersegment sales		(30,607)		(28,943)		(85,582)		(79,535)
Consolidated net sales		$ 1,990,658		1,961,536		5,852,000		5,424,650
Operating income (loss):
Carpet		$ 74,082		68,836		171,179		148,936
Ceramic		101,254		75,908		268,320		152,188
Laminate and Wood		44,768		39,020		149,730		119,075
Corporate and eliminations		(6,411)		(7,861)		(22,553)		(24,256)
Consolidated operating income		$ 213,693		175,903		566,676		395,943
Assets:
Carpet						$ 2,016,109		1,830,869
Ceramic						3,788,164		3,820,002
Laminate and Wood						2,672,599		2,721,707
Corporate and eliminations						224,588		191,579
Consolidated assets						$ 8,701,460		8,564,157

Reconciliation of Net Earnings Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. to Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
						Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
						September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.						$ 151,266		119,068		385,097		254,135
Adjustments to net earnings:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs						14,013		24,431		36,907		75,608
Acquisitions purchase accounting (inventory step-up)						-		12,297		-		31,041
Discontinued operations						-		851		-		2,696
Legal reserve						10,000		-		10,000		-
Bond redemption						15,450		-		15,450		-
Deferred loan costs						1,080		490		1,080		490
Interest on 3.85% senior notes						-		-		-		3,559
Income taxes						(12,792)		(9,772)		(17,412)		(25,220)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.						$ 179,017		147,365		431,122		342,309
Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.						$ 2.44		2.02		5.88		4.76
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted						73,376		73,087		73,332		71,975
Reconciliation of Net Sales to Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net sales				$ 1,990,658		1,961,536		5,852,000		5,424,650
Adjustment to net sales on a constant exchange rate				8,517		-		(16,100)		-
Net sales on a constant exchange rate				$ 1,999,175		1,961,536		5,835,900		5,424,650
Reconciliation of Net Sales to Pro Forma Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate
(Amounts in thousands)
				Nine Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net sales				$ 5,852,000		5,424,650
2013 Acquisitions						333,994
Adjustment to net sales on a constant exchange rate				(16,100)		-
Pro forma net sales on a constant exchange rate				$ 5,835,900		5,758,644
Reconciliation of Segment Net Sales to Segment Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate
(Amounts in thousands)
				Ceramic				Laminate and Wood
				Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net sales				$ 779,842		767,005		462,574		450,723
Adjustment to segment net sales on a constant exchange rate				9,098		-		(581)		-
Segment net sales on a constant exchange rate				$ 788,940		767,005		461,993		450,723
Reconciliation of Gross Profit to Adjusted Gross Profit
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Gross Profit				$ 556,422		516,890
Adjustments to gross profit:
Restructuring and integration-related costs				7,261		14,699
Acquisitions purchase accounting (inventory step-up)				-		12,297
Adjusted gross profit				$ 563,683		543,886
Adjusted gross profit as a percent of net sales				28.3%		27.7%
Reconciliation of Selling, General and Administrative Expenses to Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Selling, general and administrative expenses				$ 342,729		340,987
Adjustments to selling, general and administrative expenses:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs				(6,752)		(9,712)
Legal reserve				(10,000)		-
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses				$ 325,977		331,275
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales				16.4%		16.9%
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Operating income				$ 213,693		175,903		566,676		395,943
Adjustments to operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs				14,013		24,411		36,907		75,588
Legal reserve				10,000		-		10,000		-
Acquisitions purchase accounting (inventory step-up)				-		12,297		-		31,041
Adjusted operating income				$ 237,706		212,611		613,583		502,572
Adjusted operating margin as a percent of net sales				11.9%		10.8%		10.5%		9.3%
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
(Amounts in thousands)
				Carpet				Ceramic				Laminate and Wood
				Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Operating income				$ 74,082		68,836		101,254		75,908		44,768		39,020
Adjustments to operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs				-		1,570		4,248		3,070		9,015		19,246
Legal reserve				10,000		-		-		-		-		-
Acquisitions purchase accounting (inventory step-up)				-		-		-		12,297		-		-
Adjusted operating income				$ 84,082		70,406		105,502		91,275		53,783		58,266
Adjusted operating margin as a percent of net sales				10.8%		9.1%		13.5%		11.9%		11.6%		12.9%
Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt
(Amounts in thousands)
				September 27, 2014
Current portion of long-term debt and commercial paper				$ 583,495
Long-term debt, less current portion				1,806,821
Less: Cash and cash equivalents				105,569
Net Debt				$ 2,284,747
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(Amounts in thousands)												Trailing Twelve
				Three Months Ended								Months Ended
				December 31, 2013		March 29, 2014		June 28, 2014		September 27, 2014		September 27, 2014
Operating income				$ 150,988		130,735		222,248		213,693		717,664
Other (expense) income				(2,656)		(4,890)		1,555		2,374		(3,617)
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest				(132)		28		(111)		6		(209)
Depreciation and amortization				86,329		80,984		83,754		85,167		336,234
EBITDA				234,529		206,857		307,446		301,240		1,050,072
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs				37,812		11,725		11,169		14,013		74,719
Legal reserve				-		-		-		10,000		10,000
Adjusted EBITDA				$ 272,341		218,582		318,615		325,253		1,134,791
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA												2.0
Reconciliation of Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes to Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes				$ 181,281		149,105
Adjustments to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs				14,013		24,431
Acquisitions purchase accounting (inventory step-up)				-		12,297
Legal reserve				10,000		-
Bond redemption				15,450		-
Deferred loan costs				1,080		490
Interest on 3.85% senior notes				-		-
Adjusted earnings before income taxes				$ 221,824		186,323
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense to Adjusted Income Tax Expense
(Amounts in thousands)
				Three Months Ended
				September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Income tax expense				$ 30,021		28,993
Income tax effect of adjusting items				12,792		9,475
Adjusted income tax expense				$ 42,813		38,468
Adjusted income tax rate				19%		21%
The Company believes it is useful for itself and investors to review, as applicable, both GAAP and the above non-GAAP measures in order to assess the performance of the Company's business for planning and forecasting in subsequent periods. In particular, the Company believes excluding the impact of restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs is useful because it allows investors to evaluate our performance for different periods on a more comparable basis.