10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2005

AMETEK INC/ Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2005

Filed August 5, 2005For Securities:AME

Summary

AMETEK, Inc. reported strong financial performance for the second quarter and first half of 2005, with record sales, operating income, and net income in Q2. The company demonstrated robust growth driven by both internal expansion across its Electronic Instruments Group (EIG) and Electromechanical Group (EMG) and strategic acquisitions. Notable acquisitions in the period include SPECTRO Beteiligungs GmbH (SPECTRO) and a technology line from Xtreme Energy, which are expected to enhance AMETEK's capabilities in analytical instrumentation and technical motors, respectively. The company's financial position remains solid, supported by healthy operating cash flows and access to significant credit facilities. AMETEK also successfully amended and extended its revolving credit facility, providing enhanced financial flexibility for future growth initiatives. Investors should note the company's ongoing operational improvement initiatives and its acquisition strategy focused on differentiated businesses, which contribute to increased sales, profitability, and a growing goodwill balance.

Key Highlights

  • 1AMETEK reported record net sales of $352.1 million in Q2 2005, a 15.8% increase year-over-year, and $686.1 million for the first six months, up 15.3%.
  • 2Net income for Q2 2005 rose 27.1% to $35.2 million, with diluted EPS reaching $0.50, up 25.0% from $0.40 in Q2 2004.
  • 3The company completed the acquisition of SPECTRO Beteiligungs GmbH for approximately $96.9 million in June 2005, significantly boosting the Electronic Instruments Group.
  • 4Both Electronic Instruments Group (EIG) and Electromechanical Group (EMG) showed strong performance, with EIG sales up 20% and EMG sales up 11.3% for the first half of 2005.
  • 5Operating income margin improved to 17.3% in Q2 2005 (from 15.6% in Q2 2004) and 16.9% for the first six months (from 15.3% in the prior year), driven by operational improvements and acquisitions.
  • 6Cash provided by operating activities was $68.4 million for the first six months of 2005, though down from $77.1 million in the prior year, the company maintains strong liquidity.
  • 7AMETEK amended its $300 million revolving credit facility, extending the expiration date and enhancing financial flexibility, with $181.9 million available at June 30, 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

The acquisitions of SPECTRO Beteiligungs GmbH in June 2005 and Hughes-Treitler (July 2004) and Taylor Hobson (June 2004) contributed significantly to AMETEK's top-line growth. SPECTRO, in particular, is expected to enhance the Electronic Instruments Group's capabilities. While these acquisitions increased selling, general, and administrative expenses due to their nature as differentiated businesses, they also drove sales growth and contributed to overall profit increases.

The company is demonstrating improving profitability and margins. Operating income as a percentage of sales increased significantly in both the second quarter and the first six months of 2005 compared to 2004. This improvement is attributed to strong internal growth in differentiated businesses, favorable product mix, benefits from operational improvement initiatives, and the positive impact of recent acquisitions. The company anticipates its tax rate to normalize for the full year, suggesting potential for sustained profitability.

AMETEK maintains a strong liquidity position with $53.4 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2005. The company generated $68.4 million in operating cash flow during the first six months of 2005. Furthermore, AMETEK has access to significant credit facilities, including a $300 million revolving bank credit facility which was recently amended and extended, providing ample financial flexibility to support its growth plans, including acquisitions and capital expenditures.

AMETEK is currently accounting for share-based payments using the intrinsic value method under APB Opinion No. 25, resulting in no compensation expense for stock options granted at fair market value. However, the company plans to adopt SFAS 123(R), "Share-Based Payment," effective January 1, 2006. This will require expensing the fair value of stock awards, which will likely increase reported expenses and reduce reported net income and EPS on a pro forma basis, as indicated in Note 9 of the filing.