Air Products and Chemicals Inc (APD)

[DewDiligence]

APD Reports FY4Q11 Results

[For archival purposes—PR is from 10/21/11. APD shares slipped on this announcement (but have since recovered) due to the tepid FY1Q12 (ending 12/31/11) EPS guidance of $1.31.-1.39. See http://www.airproducts.com/investors/~/media/Files/PDF/investors/teleconference-slides/q4fy11-teleconference-slides.ashx for the FY4Q11 CC slides.]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Air-Products-Reports-Fiscal-prnews-222120028.html?x=0&.v=1

›Friday October 21, 2011, 6:00 am EDT

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Sales of $2.6 billion up 11%
• EPS of $1.51 up 12% [non-GAAP]
• Awarded significant Tonnage contracts in the U.S. Gulf Coast and China
• Agreement with new equity affiliate partner in Saudi Arabia

Full Year Highlights

• Sales of $10.1 billion up 12%
• EPS of $5.73 up 14% [non-GAAP]
• Capital spending of $1.6 billion up 22%*
• $649 million in share repurchases completed and new $1 billion authorization
• Dividend increased for 29th consecutive year

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today reported net income of $325 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.51, for its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter versus $294 million* and $1.35*, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

The discussion of fourth quarter and full year results and guidance in this release is based on non-GAAP comparisons. A reconciliation can be found at the end of this release.*

Fourth quarter revenues of $2,611 million increased 11 percent versus prior year and one percent sequentially. Underlying revenues were up six percent and two percent, respectively. Operating income of $425 million rose six percent versus prior year and two percent sequentially on improved volumes.

For fiscal 2011, sales of $10,082 million increased 12 percent, primarily driven by a nine percent volume increase. Operating income of $1,671 million was up 13 percent and diluted EPS of $5.73 increased 14 percent from the prior year.

Commenting on the results, John McGlade, chairman, president and CEO said, "This quarter's improvements were driven by growth in emerging markets and strong performance in our Tonnage Gases business. Overall economic activity for this quarter continued at the slower underlying growth rate we saw last quarter."

Reflecting on the year, McGlade said, "We achieved another solid year of key project wins, double digit sales and earnings growth despite a slowing global economy in the second half of 2011. More importantly, we saw strong gains in operating cash flow, and we improved our most important measure, return on capital, by 80 basis points to 13.3% for the year."

Fourth Quarter Segment Performance

• Merchant Gases sales of $1,045 million increased 10 percent from the prior year on higher volumes in Asia and U.S./Canada. Sequentially, sales increased two percent, on three percent volume growth. Operating income of $192 million improved four percent from the prior year on better volumes and positive pricing in Asia and U.S./Canada. This was partially offset by higher costs and lower Healthcare pricing in Europe.

• Tonnage Gases sales of $883 million were up 17 percent from the prior year on 11 percent volume growth, primarily driven by new projects. Sales were up two percent sequentially. Operating income of $152 million was up 30 percent from the prior year, based on higher volumes, lower costs and gains related to contract modifications.

• Electronics and Performance Materials sales of $587 million increased 12 percent from the prior year, primarily on higher Electronics volumes and Performance Materials pricing. Sequentially, sales decreased three percent on lower Performance Materials volumes due to slowdowns in key markets including housing, construction and autos. Operating income of $92 million was up nine percent on higher Electronics volumes and improved pricing in Performance Materials.

• Equipment and Energy sales of $96 million and operating income of $12 million were down 25 percent and 43 percent, respectively, versus the prior year due to lower LNG and air separation unit activity. Sequential sales were up 21 percent on higher air separation unit activity. The sales backlog versus prior year is up 22 percent based on several new large orders.

Outlook

Looking ahead, McGlade said, "While the near-term economic outlook is for continued slow growth and is clouded by global economic and policy uncertainties, we are well positioned with a large backlog of projects backed by signed customer contracts. We are confident that the prospects for industrial gases and Air Products, in particular, remain bright, and we remain committed to achieving our 2015 goals for growth, margin and, most importantly, return on capital."

The company today announced initial guidance for fiscal year 2012 EPS in the range of $5.90 to $6.30 per share, representing year-over-year earnings growth of three to 10 percent. For the first quarter of fiscal 2012 ending December 31, 2011, EPS is expected to be between $1.31 and $1.39 per share.

The company also announced that it expects capital spending in fiscal 2012 to be between $1.9 and $2.2 billion.

Air Products (NYSE:APD - News) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had revenues of $10.1 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.‹