form8kq2earningsrelease.htm
 


 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  May 21, 2009


THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
1-8649
41-0580470
(State of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


8111 Lyndale Avenue South
     Bloomington, Minnesota     
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
   55420   
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (952) 888-8801


                        Not Applicable                        
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 


 
 

 

Section 2  —  Financial Information

 Item 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 On May 21, 2009, The Toro Company announced its earnings for the three and six months ended May 1, 2009.

Attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of The Toro Company’s press release in connection with the announcement.  The information in this Item 2.02, including the exhibit attached hereto, is  furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.



 
 

 

Section 9  —  Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(d)   Exhibits.
 
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release dated May 21, 2009 (furnished herewith).



 
 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE TORO COMPANY
(Registrant)

Date:  May 21, 2009
By /s/ Stephen P. Wolfe                                                                
 
Stephen P. Wolfe
 
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer


 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
99.1
Press release dated May 21, 2009 (furnished herewith).

 
 

 

exhibit99.htm
 
logo
 
 
Investor Relations
John Wright
Director, Investor Relations
(952) 887-8865, invest@toro.com

Media Relations
Branden Happel
Manager, Public Relations
(952) 887-8930, pr@toro.com
www.thetorocompany.com

For Immediate Release

TORO REPORTS FISCAL 2009 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

·  
Solid performance drives net earnings per share of $1.00
·  
Strong execution against working capital initiative enhances liquidity position
·  
Cash flow from operations improves $38 million from prior year

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (May 21, 2009) – The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today reported net earnings of $36.9 million, or $1.00 per share, on net sales of $499.9 million for its fiscal second quarter ended May 1, 2009.  In the comparable fiscal 2008 period, the company posted net earnings of $62.8 million, or $1.60 per share, on net sales of $638.5 million.

For the fiscal year to date, Toro reported net earnings of $43.6 million, or $1.18 per share, on net sales of $840 million.  The company’s net earnings for the first half of fiscal 2009 were reduced by $2.1 million, or $0.04 per share on an after-tax basis, to account for workforce adjustments.  In the first half of fiscal 2008, the company posted net earnings of $81.4 million, or $2.07 per share, on net sales of $1,044.3 million.

Michael J. Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and chief executive officer, stated that shipments to both the professional and residential markets declined due to the impact of the ongoing global recession resulting in lower golf equipment and project spending, continued weakness in commercial construction and housing, and soft consumer demand.  “We believe our market share position continues to improve and our field inventory levels are down from the prior year,” said Hoffman.  “To avoid building excess inventory, we remain focused on managing and aligning production with end market demand.  At the same time, we are carefully controlling spending, and aggressively competing for our customers’ business.”

SEGMENT RESULTS

Professional

·  
Professional segment net sales for the fiscal 2009 second quarter totaled $310.4 million, down 29.2 percent from the comparable fiscal 2008 period.  Sales declined across nearly all product categories with worldwide demand for golf maintenance equipment and irrigation systems under significant pressure.  Overall shipments for landscape contractor products were down, but somewhat offset by strong orders for the new GrandStand™ stand-on mowers and next generation zero-turn mowers.  For the fiscal year to date, professional segment net sales declined 26.4 percent to $539.7 million.
 
·  
Professional segment earnings for the fiscal 2009 second quarter were $56.9 million, down 41.3 percent from last year’s second quarter.  For the fiscal year to date, professional segment earnings totaled $87 million, down 41.4 percent from the prior year period.

Residential

·  
Residential segment net sales for the fiscal 2009 second quarter totaled $183.6 million, down 4.7 percent from the comparable fiscal 2008 period.  Improved product placement for a new and broader line of walk power mowers drove healthy gains, while shipments of riding products were lower as consumers took a more cautionary approach to larger purchases.  For the fiscal year to date, residential segment net sales declined 2.8 percent to $290.6 million.

·  
Residential segment earnings for the fiscal 2009 second quarter were $16.6 million, down 20.2 percent from last year’s second quarter.  For the fiscal year to date, residential segment earnings totaled $21.4 million, down 12.8 percent from the prior year period.

 
 

 
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Gross margin for the fiscal 2009 second quarter was 32.3 percent compared with 35.7 percent in the comparable fiscal 2008 period.  For the first half of fiscal 2009, gross margin was 33.3 percent, compared with 36.1 percent in the first half of 2008.  The margin decline in both the second quarter and first half was primarily due to commodity costs versus last year, production cuts from lower sales volumes and efforts to reduce inventory levels, and unfavorable product mix.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the fiscal 2009 second quarter declined $22.7 million, or 18.2 percent, but increased to 20.5 percent of net sales from 19.6 percent in the same period last year.  For the fiscal year to date, SG&A expenses were down $35.3 million, or 14.6 percent, but increased to 24.6 percent of net sales compared with 23.2 percent in the prior year’s first half. SG&A expenses in both periods were lower as a result of reduced spending across most areas and lower incentive expenses.

Interest expense for the fiscal 2009 second quarter was $4.4 million compared with $5.4 million in the prior year’s second quarter.  The decline in interest expense resulted from a reduction in average short-term debt compared with the fiscal 2008 second quarter, reflecting benefits of the company’s continued focus on working capital management and a more conservative approach to share repurchases.  For the fiscal year to date, interest expense totaled $8.8 million, down from $10.3 million from the comparable 2008 period.

The effective tax rate for the fiscal 2009 second quarter was 34.2 percent compared with 35 percent in the comparable 2008 period primarily due to the reinstatement of the federal Research and Engineering Tax Credit.

Accounts receivable at the end of the fiscal 2009 second quarter totaled $407.8 million, down 25.5 percent, on a 21.7 percent decline in second quarter net sales.  Net inventories in the fiscal 2009 second quarter declined by nearly $50 million, or 18.7 percent, from the comparable 2008 period.  The company’s ongoing efforts to improve asset management resulted in lower accounts receivable and inventory levels, and contributed to improved cash flow from operations. 


BUSINESS OUTLOOK

“While there are forecasts of the economic environment improving by the end of 2009, we expect that would have little impact on our fiscal year which ends in October,” said Hoffman.  “This has been a difficult year, but we remain focused on driving retail demand, managing production and inventory, reducing spending, and investing in innovation.  Even though our new product sales cannot fully counter a recession, our investment in innovation is paying off now and should continue to do so as our markets improve.”
 
Given the ongoing global recession, the company has adjusted its outlook for fiscal 2009 and now expects fiscal 2009 revenues to decline about 18 percent from fiscal 2008, and net earnings per share to be approximately $1.60 to $1.80.

The Toro Company is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor maintenance equipment and beautification products to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields.

LIVE CONFERENCE CALL
May 21, 10:00 a.m. CST
www.thetorocompany.com/invest

The Toro Company will conduct a conference call and webcast for investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (CST) on May 21, 2009.  The webcast will be available at www.streetevents.com or at www.thetorocompany.com/invest.  Webcast participants will need to complete a brief registration form and should allocate extra time before the webcast begins to register and, if necessary, download and install audio software.

Safe Harbor
Statements made in this news release, which are forward-looking, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. These uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market as well as matters specific to Toro. Particular risks and uncertainties that may affect the company’s operating results or overall financial position at the present include: slow or negative growth rates in global and domestic economies, resulting in rising unemployment and weakened consumer confidence; the threat of further terrorist acts and war, which may result in contraction of the U.S. and worldwide economies; drug cartel-related violence, which may disrupt our production activities and maquiladora operations based in Juarez, Mexico; fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, including steel, resins and other commodities; fluctuating fuel and other costs of transportation; the impact of abnormal weather patterns, natural disasters and global pandemics; the level of growth or contraction in our markets, including the golf market; government and municipal revenue, budget and spending levels, which may negatively impact our grounds maintenance equipment business in the event of reduced tax revenues and tighter government budgets; dependence on The Home Depot as a customer for the residential segment; elimination of shelf space for our products at retailers; inventory adjustments or changes in purchasing patterns by our customers; market acceptance of existing and new products; increased competition; our ability to achieve the goals for our current three-year growth, profit and asset management initiative called “GrowLean” which is intended to improve our revenue growth, after-tax return on sales and working capital efficiency; our increased dependence on international sales and the risks attendant to international operations; credit availability and terms, interest rates and currency movements including, in particular, our exposure to foreign currency risk; our relationships with our distribution channel partners, including the financial viability of distributors and dealers; our ability to successfully achieve our plans for and integrate acquisitions and manage alliances; the costs and effects of changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies, including rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters; unforeseen product quality or other problems in the development, production and usage of new and existing products; loss of or changes in executive management or key employees; ability of management to manage around unplanned events; our reliance on our intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others;  the occurrence of litigation or claims, including the previously disclosed pending litigation against the company and other defendants that challenges the horsepower ratings of lawnmowers, of which the company is currently unable to assess whether the litigation would have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated operating results or financial condition, although an adverse result might be material to operating results in a particular reporting period.  In addition to the factors set forth in this paragraph, market, economic, financial, competitive, legislative, governmental, weather, production and other factors identified in Toro's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the forward-looking statements in this press release. Toro undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements made in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.


(Financial tables follow)

 

 

THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
 
Net sales
  $ 499,852     $ 638,510     $ 840,024     $ 1,044,309  
Gross profit
    161,225       227,766       279,485       376,903  
Gross profit percent
    32.3 %     35.7 %     33.3 %     36.1 %
Selling, general, and administrative expense
    102,231       124,943       206,790       242,060  
Earnings from operations
    58,994       102,823       72,695       134,843  
Interest expense
    (4,420 )     (5,419 )     (8,778 )     (10,302 )
Other income (expense), net
    1,483       (798 )     2,293       900  
Earnings before income taxes
    56,057       96,606       66,210       125,441  
Provision for income taxes
    19,196       33,822       22,618       44,030  
Net earnings
  $ 36,861     $ 62,784     $ 43,592     $ 81,411  
                                 
Basic net earnings per share
  $ 1.01     $ 1.64     $ 1.20     $ 2.12  
                                 
Diluted net earnings per share
  $ 1.00     $ 1.60     $ 1.18     $ 2.07  
                                 
Weighted average number of shares of common
stock outstanding – Basic
     36,397        38,239        36,382        38,313  
                                 
Weighted average number of shares of common
stock outstanding – Diluted
     36,763        39,126        36,807        39,263  


Segment Data (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
Segment Net Sales
 
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
 
Professional
  $ 310,377     $ 438,650     $ 539,746     $ 733,697  
Residential
    183,557       192,549       290,581       298,874  
Other
    5,918       7,311       9,697       11,738  
Total  *
  $ 499,852     $ 638,510     $ 840,024     $ 1,044,309  
                                 
* Includes international sales of
  $ 148,756     $ 197,770     $ 279,147     $ 356,227  

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
Segment Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
 
Professional
  $ 56,859     $ 96,907     $ 86,988     $ 148,460  
Residential
    16,581       20,782       21,421       24,563  
Other
    (17,383 )     (21,083 )     (42,199 )     (47,582 )
Total
  $ 56,057     $ 96,606     $ 66,210     $ 125,441  






THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,673     $ 32,053  
Receivables, net
    407,801       547,192  
Inventories, net
    215,775       265,428  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    16,405       13,698  
Deferred income taxes
    57,704       56,633  
Total current assets
    727,358       915,004  
                 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    165,564       172,203  
Deferred income taxes
    6,470       6,508  
Goodwill and other assets, net
    111,952       110,172  
Total assets
  $ 1,011,344     $ 1,203,887  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 3,377     $ 2,341  
Short-term debt
    32,900       151,500  
Accounts payable
    98,592       117,425  
Accrued liabilities
    238,922       275,911  
Total current liabilities
    373,791       547,177  
                 
Long-term debt, less current portion
    225,909       227,753  
Deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities
    15,011       16,813  
Stockholders’ equity
    396,633       412,144  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,011,344     $ 1,203,887  




 
 

 

THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
May 1,
2009
   
May 2,
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 43,592     $ 81,411  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
used in operating activities:
               
Equity losses from investments
    38       324  
Provision for depreciation and amortization
    21,576       21,836  
Gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment
    (13 )     (81 )
Gain on sale of a business
    -       (113 )
Stock-based compensation expense
    2,084       3,281  
Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes
    187       (1,463 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables
    (150,379 )     (260,988 )
Inventories
    (7,382 )     (13,920 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (3,207 )     (2,870 )
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue, and other long-term liabilities
     20,639        61,291  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (72,865 )     (111,292 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
    (17,366 )     (22,479 )
Proceeds from asset disposals
    75       871  
Increase in investment in affiliates
    -       (250 )
Increase in other assets
    (320 )     (279 )
Proceeds from sale of a business
    -       1,048  
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
    -       (1,000 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (17,611 )     (22,089 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Increase in short-term debt
    30,209       151,128  
Repayments of long-term debt, net of costs
    (1,477 )     (750 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards
    3,293       339  
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based awards
    3,759       1,718  
Purchases of Toro common stock
    (4,803 )     (36,906 )
Dividends paid on Toro common stock
    (10,919 )     (11,478 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    20,062       104,051  
                 
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    728       (664 )
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (69,686 )     (29,994 )
Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the period
    99,359       62,047  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period
  $ 29,673     $ 32,053  



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