Mueller Industries, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2018 Earnings

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI) announced today operating income of
$47.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared with $45.6 million
in the same quarter last year. On an adjusted basis, excluding non-cash
impairment charges, operating income was up 11.7 percent over 2017,
$50.9 million versus $45.6 million respectively.

Net income for the period was $24.1 million, or 42 cents per diluted
share, on $640.1 million in net sales, compared with net income of $30.0
million, or 52 cents per diluted share, on $577.9 million in net sales
for the same quarter of 2017.

Financial and Operating Highlights for the first quarter of 2018:

  • EPS was affected by:

    • A $3.5 million pre-tax asset impairment charge.
    • $5.3 million in net losses from our investment in Tecumseh
      Products Co. This includes a $2.4 million charge recorded to
      increase reserves for certain legal contingencies.
    • $3.2 million in additional interest expense over the same period
      in 2017 due to the issuance of debentures in March of 2017.
  • Net sales were impacted by:

    • Higher selling prices, as a result of higher copper prices, the
      average price of copper was 18.5 percent (49 cents per pound)
      higher compared with the same period of 2017.
    • A 6.4 percent increase in overall unit volume in the CompanyÔÇÖs
      U.S. copper and brass businesses as our mills are beginning to
      operate more effectively.
    • The absence of $26.0 million of net sales recorded in the first
      quarter of 2017 by MXR, a business the Company exited in June 2017.
  • On March 31, 2018, the Company acquired Die-Mold Tool Limited, a
    manufacturer of plastic PEX fittings and plastic injection tooling,
    for approximately $12.5 million.
  • The Company repurchased 250 thousand shares of its common stock at a
    cost of approximately $6.6 million.
  • The effective tax rate of 17.6 percent reflects the impact of the new
    tax law and a $3.9 million benefit related to our investment in
    Tecumseh.
  • At quarter end, the Company had $91.6 million of cash, a current ratio
    of 3.6 to 1, and debt to total capitalization of 46.9 percent.

Our outlook remains consistent with our most recent annual report. Greg
Christopher, Mueller CEO, adds, ÔÇ£Our first quarter results were largely
achieved because of improvement in our U.S. Brass Rod and Copper Tube
mills, as the benefits of overcoming the operational challenges that
plagued us in 2017 are realized. We are also pleased to complete the
acquisition of Die-Mold. Their current capabilities and products will
complement our PEX pipe manufacturing platform, as well as strengthen
our bench in the pressure plastics arena.

"Tecumseh continues to be on a path of correction but heavy lifting
remains to execute our restructuring plan. We will continue to monitor
and review all alternatives.ÔÇØ

Mueller Industries, Inc. is an industrial manufacturer that specializes
in copper and copper alloy manufacturing while also producing goods made
from aluminum, steel, and plastics. It is headquartered in Memphis,
Tennessee and comprises a network of operations in the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, South Korea, and China. Its products
include tubing, fittings, valves, vessels, and related items for
plumbing and HVACR related piping systems, as well as rod, forgings,
extrusions, and various components for OEM applications. Products are
distributed into sectors such as building construction, appliance,
defense, energy, and automotive.

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be
ÔÇ£forward-lookingÔÇØ statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.
These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability
of raw materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and
technological factors, and the availability of financing, among others,
as set forth in the CompanyÔÇÖs SEC filings. The words ÔÇ£outlook,ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£estimate,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£project,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£intend,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£expect,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£believe,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£target,ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£encourage,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£anticipate,ÔÇØ ÔÇ£appear,ÔÇØ and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. The reader should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date of this report. The Company has no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events after
the date of this report.

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands, except per share data) March 31,
2018
April 1,
2017
Net sales $ 640,060 $ 577,920
Cost of goods sold 545,670 488,427
Depreciation and amortization 9,456 8,355
Selling, general, and administrative expense 34,057 35,574

Asset impairment

3,469 ÔÇö
Operating income 47,408 45,564
Interest expense (5,909 ) (2,531 )
Other income, net 560 594
Income before income taxes 42,059 43,627
Income tax expense (7,395 ) (11,929 )
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax (10,320 ) (1,243 )
Consolidated net income 24,344 30,455
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (216 ) (468 )
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc. $ 24,128 $ 29,987
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share 56,900 56,780
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards 517 658
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share 57,417 57,438
Basic earnings per share $ 0.42 $ 0.53
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.42 $ 0.52
Dividends per share $ 0.100 $ 8.100
Summary Segment Data:
Net sales:
Piping Systems Segment $ 430,964 $ 398,775
Industrial Metals Segment 177,332 149,837
Climate Segment 36,063 34,279
Elimination of intersegment sales (4,299 ) (4,971 )
Net sales $ 640,060 $ 577,920
Operating income:
Piping Systems Segment $ 32,949 $ 30,590
Industrial Metals Segment 22,633 20,347
Climate Segment 5,547 5,610
Unallocated expenses (13,721 ) (10,983 )
Operating income $ 47,408 $ 45,564

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

March 31,

2018

December 30,

2017

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 91,573 $ 120,269
Accounts receivable, net 321,756 244,795
Inventories 329,231 327,901
Other current assets 20,267 46,150
Total current assets 762,827 739,115
Property, plant, and equipment, net 300,074 304,321
Other assets 273,943 276,737
$ 1,336,844 $ 1,320,173
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERSÔÇÖ EQUITY
Current portion of debt $ 9,087 $ 16,480
Accounts payable 115,425 102,503
Other current liabilities 88,812 123,269
Total current liabilities 213,324 242,252
Long-term debt 478,778 448,592
Pension and postretirement liabilities 28,149 28,713
Environmental reserves 23,091 23,699
Deferred income taxes 18,807 19,403
Other noncurrent liabilities 21,630 21,486
Total liabilities 783,779 784,145
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholdersÔÇÖ equity 538,755 522,111
Noncontrolling interests 14,310 13,917
Total equity 553,065 536,028
$ 1,336,844 $ 1,320,173

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands) March 31,
2018
April 1,
2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income $ 24,344 $ 30,455
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 9,536 8,419
Stock-based compensation expense 1,912 1,736
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates 10,320 1,243
Gain on disposals of properties (676 ) (16 )
Gain on sales of securities ÔÇö (254 )

Impairment charge

3,469 ÔÇö
Deferred income taxes (940 ) (80 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables (72,843 ) (53,756 )
Inventories 3,504 (6,991 )
Other assets 20,967 1,205
Current liabilities (23,898 ) 8,215
Other liabilities (1,845 ) (668 )
Other, net (365 ) (930 )
Net cash used in operating activities (26,515 ) (11,422 )
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures (5,517 ) (7,345 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (12,466 ) ÔÇö
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates (609 ) ÔÇö
Proceeds from sales of properties 708 192
Proceeds from sales of securities ÔÇö 1,444
Net cash used in investing activities (17,884 ) (5,709 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc. (5,679 ) (179,848 )
Repurchase of common stock (6,575 ) ÔÇö
Issuance of long-term debt 41,754 ÔÇö
Repayments of long-term debt (15,903 ) (306 )
Repayment of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net (3,342 ) (7,367 )
Net cash received (used) to settle stock-based awards 50 (870 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 10,305 (188,391 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,289 2,499
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (32,805 ) (203,023 )
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the
period
126,563 360,469
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period $ 93,758 $ 157,446

Contacts

Mueller Industries, Inc.
Jeffrey A. Martin, 901-753-3226