10-KPeriod: FY2003

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC Annual Report, Year Ended Sep 30, 2003

Filed December 3, 2003For Securities:ROK

Summary

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) reported total sales of $4.1 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. The company operates through three main segments: Control Systems, Power Systems, and FirstPoint Contact. The Control Systems segment is the largest, contributing approximately 80% of total sales, and offers industrial automation products, systems, software, and services. Financially, the company demonstrated improved profitability compared to the prior year, with income from continuing operations before accounting change increasing to $282 million ($1.49 per diluted share) from $226 million ($1.20 per diluted share) in 2002. Net income for fiscal 2003 was $286 million. The company's cash flow from operations remained strong at $436 million, and it maintained a solid balance sheet with total assets of $3.986 billion and total shareowners' equity of $1.587 billion. The company also repurchased approximately $128 million of its common stock during the year. Rockwell Automation's outlook for fiscal 2004 is optimistic, with management forecasting mid-single-digit revenue growth and diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.35 to $1.45, reflecting signs of emerging upward trends in customer demand across its markets.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total sales for fiscal year 2003 reached $4.1 billion, showing a modest increase from $3.9 billion in 2002.
  • 2The Control Systems segment remains the dominant revenue driver, accounting for 80% of total sales ($3.3 billion) in 2003.
  • 3Income from continuing operations before accounting change significantly improved to $282 million ($1.49/share) in 2003, up from $226 million ($1.20/share) in 2002.
  • 4Net income for fiscal 2003 was $286 million, a substantial increase from $121 million in 2002.
  • 5Cash flow from operating activities was robust at $436 million for fiscal 2003.
  • 6The company repurchased approximately $128 million of its common stock in fiscal 2003.
  • 7Management provided a positive outlook for fiscal 2004, anticipating mid-single-digit revenue growth and diluted EPS between $1.35 and $1.45.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockwell Automation's revenue is generated through three operating segments: Control Systems, Power Systems, and FirstPoint Contact. In fiscal year 2003, the Control Systems segment was the largest contributor, representing 80% of total sales, followed by Power Systems (17%) and FirstPoint Contact (3%).

The company showed improved financial performance in fiscal year 2003. Sales increased to $4.1 billion from $3.9 billion in 2002. More significantly, income from continuing operations before accounting change grew to $282 million ($1.49 per diluted share) from $226 million ($1.20 per diluted share) in 2002. Net income also saw a substantial increase, rising to $286 million from $121 million in the prior year.

Rockwell Automation's management expressed optimism for fiscal year 2004, citing strengthening customer demand. They are planning for revenue growth in the mid-single digits and project diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.35 to $1.45.

Yes, Rockwell Automation pays quarterly cash dividends. For fiscal years 2003 and 2002, the annual dividend per common share was $0.66. The company expects to continue paying quarterly dividends at this annual rate in fiscal year 2004.