USG Corp. (USG)

[Enterprising Investor]

USG Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results (10/26/17)

Business Highlights

Third Quarter 2017 vs. Third Quarter 2016

- Net sales increased to $795 million from $767 million

- Net income increased to $66 million from $62 million; adjusted net income decreased to $68 million from $69 million

- Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.46 from $0.42; adjusted earnings per diluted share increased to $0.47 from $0.46

- Repurchased $56 million of common stock under $250 million share repurchase program

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USG Corporation (NYSE:USG), an industry leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, today reported results for the third quarter of 2017.

“We had positive momentum in the third quarter, with increased net sales and wallboard volume,” said Jennifer Scanlon, President and CEO of USG Corporation. “We are well positioned for growth as we continue to provide innovative solutions for our customers’ challenges.”

On a consolidated basis in the third quarter of 2017, net sales were $795 million, compared to $767 million in the third quarter of 2016. Operating profit decreased to $93 million from $97 million, while adjusted operating profit decreased to $111 million from $127 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Higher input costs in the Gypsum and Ceilings businesses were the primary driver of the decrease.

USG generated $66 million in net income and $0.46 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017. On an adjusted basis, the corporation earned $68 million in net income and $0.47 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $69 million and $0.46 per diluted share, respectively, in the third quarter of 2016. A full reconciliation of GAAP to adjusted metrics is set forth on an attached schedule.

The corporation’s Gypsum segment generated $85 million of operating profit in the third quarter of 2017. On an adjusted basis, operating profit of $88 million in the Gypsum segment decreased by $13 million from the third quarter of 2016. US wallboard volumes increased by 5% in the third quarter of 2017. The average realized selling price for US wallboard decreased by approximately 2% sequentially and was impacted by freight costs and changes in wallboard product mix due to hurricanes Harvey and Irma. US wallboard manufacturing costs increased by $10 million due primarily to increased waste paper costs.

The Ceilings segment earned $28 million of operating profit in the third quarter of 2017, a $5 million decrease from the third quarter of 2016 primarily on higher input costs across both tile and grid products.
The USG Boral business generated $15 million of equity income in the third quarter of 2017. On an adjusted basis, equity income of $15 million decreased by $3 million from the third quarter of 2016. The impact of increased plasterboard volumes was more than offset by unfavorable operational reserve adjustments in India and higher plasterboard manufacturing costs across the business.

Ms. Scanlon continued, “I am proud of everyone at USG for their efforts and commitment to putting our customers first in the wake of the challenges presented by recent storms. Our customer service, supply chain and plant teams worked around the clock to ensure we were ready and able to support our loyal customers in a time of need.”

A conference call is being held today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time (8:00 a.m. Central time) during which USG senior management will discuss the corporation’s operating results. The conference call will be webcast on the USG investor relations website, investor.usg.com, where the accompanying presentation materials can be found. The dial-in number for the conference call is 1-888-771-4371 in the United States and Canada (1-847-585-4405 for other international callers), and the pass code is 45799104. After the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the USG website. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until Friday, November 24, 2017. The replay dial-in number is 1-888-843-7419 (1-630-652-3042 for international callers), and the pass code is 45799104.

About USG Corporation

USG Corporation is an industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions. Headquartered in Chicago, USG serves construction markets around the world through its United States Gypsum Company and USG Interiors, LLC subsidiaries and its international subsidiaries, including its USG Boral Building Products joint venture. Its wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products provide the solutions that enable customers to build the outstanding spaces where people live, work and play. Its USG Boral Building Products joint venture is a leading plasterboard and ceilings producer across Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. For additional information, visit www.usg.com.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171026005179/en/USG-Corporation-Reports-Quarter-2017-Results