8-KMaterial AgreementsFinancial EventsRegulation FD+1

EMERSON ELECTRIC CO 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Dec 17, 2010)

Filed December 17, 2010For Securities:EMR

Summary

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) filed an 8-K on December 16, 2010, primarily announcing the execution of a new $2.75 billion, four-year revolving credit facility, effective December 16, 2010, and expiring in December 2014. This facility replaces a previous credit line and is unsecured, supporting general corporate purposes including commercial paper borrowings. Notably, as of the filing date, there were no outstanding loans or letters of credit under this new facility, and the company indicated no intention to borrow. The filing also provided an update on the company's order trends for November 2010. Underlying order growth remained robust, in the range of 15-20% year-over-year, driven by strong performance in capital goods businesses like Process Management and Industrial Automation. This performance aligns with previously issued full-year financial expectations. Emerson reiterated its guidance for fiscal year 2011, projecting underlying sales growth of 7-10% and reported sales growth of 12-15%, with an operating profit margin expected between 17.2% and 17.5%.

Key Highlights

  • 1Emerson Electric entered into a new $2.75 billion, four-year revolving credit facility on December 16, 2010, maturing in December 2014.
  • 2The new credit facility replaces a prior $2.83 billion facility and is unsecured, intended for general corporate purposes.
  • 3As of the filing date, there were no outstanding borrowings or letters of credit under the new credit facility, with no immediate intention to draw upon it.
  • 4Underlying order growth for November 2010 was strong at 15-20% year-over-year, primarily driven by Process Management and Industrial Automation segments.
  • 5The company reiterated its full-year 2011 financial guidance, including underlying sales growth of 7-10% and reported sales growth of 12-15%.
  • 6Operating profit margin for fiscal year 2011 is projected to be in the range of 17.2% to 17.5%.
  • 7Emerson announced upcoming investor events, including the Q1 2011 earnings call on February 1, 2011, and an Annual Investment Community Update on February 3, 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

The new $2.75 billion credit facility provides Emerson with significant financial flexibility for general corporate purposes, including supporting commercial paper issuance. Although it replaces a slightly larger facility, its unsecured nature and the absence of current borrowings suggest a strong liquidity position and confidence in ongoing operations.

The strong underlying order growth of 15-20% in November 2010, particularly in Process Management and Industrial Automation, indicates healthy demand for Emerson's products and solutions, especially in capital goods. This performance is in line with the company's expectations for the full fiscal year and suggests continued business momentum.

The reiterated guidance for fiscal year 2011, including 7-10% underlying sales growth and 12-15% reported sales growth, appears achievable given the strong order trends observed in November. The company's confidence in these projections is further supported by the expected operating profit margin of 17.2-17.5%.

No, the filing indicates no immediate financial obligations or concerns related to the new credit facility, as there are no outstanding loans or letters of credit. The company's stated intention is not to borrow under this facility at this time, implying a solid cash flow position.