10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2012

CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY CORP Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Mar 31, 2012

Filed May 4, 2012For Securities:CRS

Summary

Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS) reported solid financial results for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal year 2012, driven by strategic pricing, product mix improvements, and the recent acquisition of Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc. (Latrobe). Revenue for the third quarter increased by 16% year-over-year to $539.9 million, with a notable 24% increase when excluding surcharges, demonstrating strong organic growth and the positive impact of the Latrobe acquisition. This growth was particularly strong in the aerospace and defense, energy, and distribution segments. The company also saw significant improvements in gross profit margin, both on a reported and an adjusted basis, reflecting its ability to pass on raw material cost increases and benefit from a more favorable product mix. Net income attributable to Carpenter for the quarter was $33.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, an improvement from the prior year. The acquisition of Latrobe, completed in late February 2012, is proving to be accretive to earnings and is expected to significantly increase the company's capacity to meet demand for premium products. Management is focused on integrating Latrobe and leveraging its capabilities, particularly in the aerospace and energy sectors. Despite increased capital expenditures for a new manufacturing facility and ongoing investments, the company maintains a strong liquidity position with substantial cash and available borrowing capacity.

Financial Statements
Beta

Key Highlights

  • 1Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 increased by 16% to $539.9 million compared to the prior year, with a 24% increase excluding surcharges, indicating robust underlying business performance and the impact of the Latrobe acquisition.
  • 2Gross profit increased significantly by 44% to $105.1 million, with gross margin improving to 19.5% (25.1% excluding surcharges), driven by better product mix, higher pricing, and operational efficiencies.
  • 3The acquisition of Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc. on February 29, 2012, contributed $56.3 million in net sales and $2.9 million in operating income (before fair value adjustments) in its first quarter, signaling a positive financial contribution.
  • 4Net income attributable to Carpenter increased to $33.0 million ($0.69 per diluted share) for the quarter, up from $28.6 million ($0.64 per diluted share) in the prior year, demonstrating improved profitability.
  • 5Capital expenditures increased substantially to $107.3 million for the nine-month period, largely due to investments in capacity expansion, including the planned $500 million facility in Alabama.
  • 6The company maintained a strong liquidity position with $175.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $344.1 million available under its credit facility as of March 31, 2012, sufficient to fund operations and growth initiatives.
  • 7Management is actively managing market risks through derivative instruments, including commodity forward contracts and foreign exchange contracts, to mitigate volatility in raw material prices and currency fluctuations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The acquisition of Latrobe Specialty Metals, completed on February 29, 2012, contributed $56.3 million in net sales and $2.9 million in operating income (before inventory fair value adjustments) in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. The company expects Latrobe to be accretive to earnings and sees it as a key driver for increasing capacity to meet demand for premium products.

Total net sales increased by 16% to $539.9 million in the third quarter. Excluding surcharges, sales rose 24%, driven by strong performance in the Aerospace and Defense (up 21%), Energy (up 28%), and Distribution (up 161%) end-use markets. The Specialty Alloys Operations (SAO) segment saw a 6% increase in net sales, and the newly formed Latrobe segment showed substantial growth due to its recent acquisition.

Carpenter Technology reported $175.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $344.1 million in available credit as of March 31, 2012, indicating a strong liquidity position. The company plans significant capital expenditures, including a new $500 million facility in Alabama, which are expected to result in modestly negative free cash flow over the next few fiscal years, but management anticipates generating consistently positive free cash flow once these major investments are completed.

The company is involved in ongoing legal and environmental matters. Notably, it settled the Boarhead Farms litigation in September 2011 for $21.8 million. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded at $5.1 million. While management believes these matters will not materially affect the company's financial position in the long term, there's a general disclaimer about the uncertainty of future outcomes in such cases.