News Details

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) today reported first quarter 2016 net earnings of $38.5 million, or 29 cents per share¹. In addition to a negative impact from foreign currency translation of $3.0 million, or 5.4 percent, GAAP EPS reflects:

• Restructuring charges of $7.5 million, or 4 cents per share, and
• Investigation-related costs of $2.6 million, or 1 cent per share.

First quarter 2016 adjusted EPS² was 34 cents, compared with 40 cents last year. The tables attached to this press release provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.

"Our first quarter performance reflects disciplined management of the business in light of continued and persistent pressures related to reduced Customer demand, economic uncertainty and currency translation," said Tod Carpenter, president and chief executive officer of Donaldson. "Our focus remains on supporting our Customers, enhancing operational efficiency and investing for growth.

"In response to the challenging environment, we took restructuring actions during the quarter in each of our geographic regions. These actions will generate annual savings of approximately $25 million, with the majority of those savings realized this fiscal year.

"We have also revised full-year 2016 sales and earnings guidance, reflecting slowing conditions primarily in our Off-Road, Engine Aftermarket and Industrial Filtration Solutions businesses. Despite the reduction of our sales guidance, the midpoint of our adjusted EPS guidance is slightly above last year, reflecting the benefits from recent and previous restructuring actions, our Continuous Improvement initiatives and expense controls."

Sales Results

First quarter 2016 sales declined 9.8 percent to $538.0 million from $596.5 million in 2015, which includes a negative impact from foreign currency translation of 6.3 percent, or $37.4 million. Excluding the impact of currency translation, first quarter sales decreased 3.6 percent, primarily due to a 5.4 percent decline in Engine Products. The table below illustrates year-over-year sales performance with and without the impact of foreign currency translation.

Operating Profit Results

First quarter operating margin was 10.3 percent, which includes an impact from restructuring charges and investigation-related costs of 1.4 percentage points and 0.5 percentage points, respectively. Excluding these impacts, first quarter adjusted operating margin was 12.2 percent, compared with 12.9 percent in first quarter 2015.

Gross margin decreased 1.9 percentage points in first quarter to 33.1 percent from 35.0 percent last year, reflecting an impact of 0.6 percentage points related to restructuring charges and a 0.6 percentage point transactional impact from foreign currency exchange rates. Other gross margin pressures, including lower fixed-cost absorption, were partially offset by Donaldson's Continuous Improvement initiatives.

First quarter operating expense rate increased to 22.8 percent from 22.1 percent last year. Restructuring charges and investigation-related costs increased the expense rate by 0.8 percentage points and 0.5 percentage points, respectively. Additionally, Donaldson recorded product warranty charges in first quarter that increased the rate by 0.6 percentage points. These impacts were partially offset by the benefit of restructuring actions taken in fiscal 2015, combined with disciplined expense control across the organization.

Interest expense increased to $5.0 million in first quarter from $3.5 million last year, reflecting a higher level of debt.

The Company's first quarter 2016 effective income tax rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 27.9 percent from 27.6 percent in 2015, primarily due to non-recurring discrete tax benefits recorded last year.

Capital Returned to Shareholders

During first quarter, Donaldson repurchased 2.07 million shares, or 1.5 percent, of its common stock at an average price of $32.85 for a total of $68.0 million. The Company paid dividends of $22.7 million in first quarter.

Fiscal 2016 Outlook³

Donaldson now expects fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS between $1.49 and $1.69, compared with prior adjusted EPS guidance of $1.57 to $1.77. Fiscal 2016 GAAP EPS is expected to be approximately 6 cents lower than adjusted EPS, reflecting the full-year impact from restructuring charges and investigation-related costs of 5 cents and 1 cent, respectively. GAAP guidance does not reflect any potential future costs related to the independent investigation, which was completed in November 2015.

Donaldson's full-year 2016 guidance reflects:

• Sales between $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion, or 3 percent to 7 percent below last year, compared with prior guidance for sales to be approximately equal to last year. In local currency, sales are now expected in a range between flat and a decline of 4 percent compared with fiscal 2015.
  • Based on a forecast of the euro at US$1.09 and 124 yen to the US$, foreign currency translation is expected to negatively impact full-year 2016 sales by approximately $80 million.
• Adjusted operating margin in a range between 12.9 percent and 13.7 percent, in line with prior guidance.
• An effective income tax rate between 26.0 percent and 28.0 percent, compared with prior guidance of 26.5 percent to 28.5 percent.
• Repurchasing between 2 percent and 4 percent of outstanding shares.

Engine Products: Full-year 2016 Engine sales are now expected to decline between 3 percent and 7 percent compared with 2015. In local currency, sales are now expected in a range between flat and a decline of 4 percent compared with fiscal 2015, reflecting:

• Continued weakness in the global agriculture and mining equipment markets, a slowdown in the construction market and moderating build rates for on-road heavy-duty transportation in the second half of fiscal 2016.
• A moderate increase in utilization of on-road heavy-duty trucks offset by a decline in utilization of off-road equipment, resulting in a decline in sales of replacement filters.
• A continued slowdown in U.S. defense spending partially offset by growing sales of commercial aerospace products.

Industrial Products: Full-year 2016 Industrial sales are now expected to decline between 3 percent and 7 percent compared with 2015. In local currency, sales are now expected in a range between a 3 percent decline and a 1 percent increase compared with fiscal 2015.

• Industrial Filtration Solutions' sales are now expected to decrease between 2 percent and 6 percent from last year, reflecting a lower growth rate for manufacturing production and new capital investment, partially offset by the benefit from Donaldson's introduction of new products.
• Gas Turbine sales are now expected to decline between 11 percent and 15 percent, due to market declines in Europe and Asia Pacific, partially offset by share gains from replacement parts.
• Special Applications' sales are expected to decline slightly due to the membrane, disk drive and semiconductor businesses, partially offset by growth in venting products.

Restructuring Charges and Other Adjusting Items

In first quarter 2016, Donaldson took actions to further align its operating and manufacturing cost structure with current and projected Customer and end-market demand. These actions resulted in a pre-tax charge of $7.5 million, driven primarily by restructuring the salaried and production workforce. The Company also recorded an additional charge related to the closure of its production facility in Grinnell, Iowa, which will be completed in second quarter 2016.

During first quarter, the Audit Committee of Donaldson's Board of Directors engaged independent external counsel and independent forensic accountants to investigate revenue recognition issues in Donaldson's European Gas Turbine business. In first quarter, the Company recognized pre-tax costs of $2.6 million related to the investigation, which completed in November 2015.

Miscellaneous

The Company will webcast its first quarter 2016 earnings conference call at 9:00 a.m. CT today. To participate, go to IR.Donaldson.com and click on the webcast icon. The webcast replay will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT today through 12:00 p.m. CT Dec. 23, 2015, and a telephone replay will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT today through 12:00 p.m. CT Nov. 26, 2015. The audio replay number is (888) 203-1112 (access code: 915839).

The Company desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") and is making this cautionary statement in connection with such safe harbor legislation. This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts, plans, trends, and projections relating to our business and financial performance and global economic conditions, which involve uncertainties that could materially impact results. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance.

The Company wishes to caution investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, and the most important risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim financial reports on Form 10-Q. Donaldson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About Donaldson Company

Founded in 1915 and based in Bloomington, MN, Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) is a global leader in the filtration industry with approximately 140 sales, manufacturing and distribution locations in 44 countries. Donaldson's innovative filtration technologies improve people's lives, enhance Customers' equipment performance and protect the environment. For more information, visit www.Donaldson.com.

Note: All figures independently rounded

Note: All figures independently rounded

Note: All figures independently rounded

Note: Rate analysis metrics are computed by dividing the applicable amount by net sales.

Note: All figures independently rounded

Note: All figures independently rounded

Note: All figures independently rounded

(a) Current year restructuring charges include (1) actions related to rebalancing and reducing the current workforce (2) accrued severance, project management fees, warehousing costs, moving expenses, and supplies and equipment associated with the closing of our Grinnell, Iowa, facility.

(b) Investigation costs relate to professional services incurred in connection with the independent investigation into our Gas Turbine Systems Products revenue recognition.

Although free cash flow, EBITDA, adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted diluted EPS are not measures of financial performance under GAAP, the Company believes they are useful in understanding its financial results. Free cash flow is a commonly used measure of a company's ability to generate cash in excess of its operating needs. EBITDA is a commonly used measure of operating earnings less non-cash expenses. We evaluate our results of operations both on an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our current period local currency financial results using the prior period exchanges rates and compared these adjusted amounts to our prior period reports results. A shortcoming of these financial measures is that they do not reflect the company's actual results under GAAP. Management does not intend these items to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures.

Note: All figures independently rounded

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Donaldson Company, Inc.
Brad Pogalz, 952-887-3753