10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2002

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Dec 31, 2001

Filed February 13, 2002For Securities:APD

Summary

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) reported a decrease in sales and net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, compared to the same period in the prior year. Sales declined by 11% to $1,316.5 million, and net income fell to $113.7 million from $135.6 million in the prior year. This resulted in diluted earnings per share of $0.52, down from $0.62 in the prior year. The company cited softer demand in the electronics market and reduced natural gas cost pass-through as key drivers for the sales decline in its Industrial Gases segment. Despite the overall revenue decline, the Chemicals segment showed a notable increase in operating income due to lower costs, and the Equipment segment experienced a sales increase. The company also announced an agreement to sell a significant portion of its U.S. packaged gas business to Airgas, Inc., which is expected to result in a gain. Management highlighted ongoing cost reduction efforts and a strategic portfolio management process aimed at enhancing business mix and value.

Key Highlights

  • 1Consolidated sales decreased by 11% to $1,316.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2001, compared to $1,475.8 million in the prior year.
  • 2Net income for the quarter declined to $113.7 million from $135.6 million in the prior year, resulting in diluted EPS of $0.52 compared to $0.62.
  • 3The Industrial Gases segment saw a 12% decrease in sales, primarily due to soft demand in the electronics market and reduced natural gas cost pass-through.
  • 4The Chemicals segment reported an 11% sales decline but a 9% increase in operating income, driven by lower costs.
  • 5The company announced an agreement to sell its U.S. packaged gas business to Airgas, Inc., expecting to recognize a gain on the transaction.
  • 6Total debt decreased to $2,404.6 million from $2,477.7 million at the end of the previous quarter, with total debt as a percentage of capital at 42%.
  • 7The company adopted new accounting standards SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142, with no immediate impact on financial statements but requiring an impairment test for goodwill.

Frequently Asked Questions

The decrease in sales and net income was primarily driven by a slowdown in the global electronics market affecting the Industrial Gases segment, coupled with reduced natural gas cost pass-through. Lower demand across several end markets also contributed to the decline.

The announced sale of the majority of the U.S. packaged gas business to Airgas, Inc. is part of Air Products' strategy to manage its portfolio and improve the mix and value of its businesses. The company expects to recognize a gain from this divestiture, which generated $223 million in revenues in 2001.

The company adopted SFAS No. 141 (Business Combinations) and SFAS No. 142 (Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets) on October 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 141 had no impact on the financial statements. SFAS No. 142 requires goodwill to no longer be amortized and mandates an impairment test. The company was performing this impairment test as of October 1, 2001, and goodwill amortization in 2001 was $14.8 million after-tax.

Capital expenditures for new plant and equipment are expected to be approximately $700 million in 2002. The company also intends to pursue acquisition opportunities and investments in affiliated entities, with these expenditures anticipated to be funded by cash from operations and proceeds from asset sales.