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Emerson Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results and Raises Full Year 2020 Guidance

Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today reported results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020 and announced updated guidance for the full year.

Third quarter GAAP net sales were down 16 percent and underlying sales were down 15 percent excluding unfavorable currency of 1 percent. Revenue declines were in-line with management expectations, as COVID-19 negatively affected nearly all end markets and geographies throughout the quarter. The company continued to see particular weakness in North American markets while China grew by 3 percent. Third quarter trailing three-month underlying orders were down 19 percent, reflective of customers across industrial, commercial and residential markets cutting costs and budgets in response to COVID-19 related operating restrictions and a general drop in economic activity.

Third quarter gross profit margin of 41.3 percent was down 140 basis points from 42.7 percent due to manufacturing plant deleverage. Pretax margin of 11.7 percent and EBIT margin of 12.9 percent were down 470 basis points and 440 basis points, respectively. Adjusted EBIT margin, which excludes restructuring and related charges, was 15.3 percent for the quarter, down 240 basis points, reflecting deleverage, foreign exchange losses, and the effect of a higher stock price, which was mitigated by aggressive cost reductions and favorable price cost.

GAAP earnings per share was $0.67 and adjusted earnings per share, which excludes restructuring and related charges, was $0.80 and exceeded management’s guidance of $0.56 to $0.64. These results reflected the benefits of aggressive restructuring and cost control actions, and a lower effective tax rate than expected in the quarter.

Operating cash flow was $842 million, down $104 million or 11 percent for the quarter. Year-to-date operating cash flow was $1.85 billion, up $52 million or 3 percent. Free cash flow was $738 million, down $87 million or 11 percent, resulting in free cash flow conversion of 181 percent in the quarter. Year-to-date free cash flow was $1.53 billion, up $118 million or 8 percent.

"Like many organizations, Emerson has been forced to rapidly adapt to the COVID-19 reality during the quarter, and I'm extremely proud of how the team rose to the challenge," said Emerson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David N. Farr. "Amidst all of the shifting dynamics and uncertainties, we remained steadfast in our primary focus of keeping employees safe and healthy, and serving customers in their essential industries with the vital technologies and services they rely upon. I want to personally thank our entire Emerson organization, and especially our front-line employees serving essential industries, for their diligence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to supporting our customers and one another in this rapidly evolving and challenging environment. I also want to thank my fellow Office of the Chief Executive team members who remained in our offices every day throughout the third quarter to lead the company through these particularly challenging and ever-changing past 125 days.

"While sales results were in-line with expectations, profitability for the third quarter came in well above expectations, primarily driven by our ongoing aggressive cost actions and as Emerson remained at work around the world. Overall orders and revenue declines were in-line with management expectations, as most end markets were heavily impacted by COVID-19. Geographically, North America was down 20 percent and remains the key near-term challenge from a demand perspective. Cash flow in the quarter was strong, and we have provided updated guidance for the year as markets begin to stabilize and reopen, and our aggressive cost actions deliver significant savings."

Business Platform Results

Automation Solutions net sales decreased 14 percent, with underlying sales down 13 percent excluding unfavorable currency of 1 percent. In the Americas, underlying sales were down 19 percent, with North America down 20 percent, reflecting continued broad-based industrial weakness. Europe underlying sales were down 8 percent as both Western and Eastern European markets showed early signs of stabilizing. Asia, Middle East & Africa underlying sales dropped 6 percent, as solid growth in China of 9 percent was more than offset by weakness in the rest of Asia and the Middle East. Longer cycle businesses of final control and systems saw declines of high-single and mid-single digits respectively, while the shorter cycle instrumentation business had a sharper decline.

June trailing three-month underlying orders were down 19 percent, reflecting weakness across most end markets, with the exception of life sciences and medical. Geographically, the Americas dropped sharply, down 28 percent, while Europe declined by 12 percent. Asia, Middle East & Africa showed the most modest decline, down 9 percent. China orders were up 1 percent as the economy reopened. Backlog was unchanged from last quarter at approximately $5.1 billion.

Segment EBIT margin decreased 3.7 points to 12.0 percent, driven by deleverage and mix. Adjusted segment EBIT margin, which excludes restructuring and related costs, decreased 120 basis points to 15.1 percent while adjusted segment EBITDA margin decreased 30 basis points, to 20.4 percent. Total restructuring in the quarter was $80 million, and totals $192 million year-to-date.

Commercial & Residential Solutions net sales decreased 20 percent with underlying sales down 19 percent excluding unfavorable currency of 1 percent. Underlying sales in the Americas were down 20 percent, reflecting a broad-based decline, particularly in commercial end markets. Europe was down 12 percent as air conditioning weakness more than offset demand in heat pump markets. Finally, Asia, Middle East & Africa was down 18 percent, with China down 9 percent.

Order rates varied dramatically during the quarter, from down 35 percent in April year-over-year, to positive 1 percent in June. June trailing three-month underlying orders were down 19 percent, as the OEM and distribution-based businesses saw significant declines in business activity. Businesses more exposed to big box and do-it-yourself retail performed better but were still negative in the quarter. Geographically, North America dropped by 19 percent as commercial and professional tools markets were particularly weak. Asia orders declined by 20 percent, while China was down 7 percent. Europe dropped by 12 percent, as general weakness was somewhat offset by residential heat pump demand.

Segment EBIT margin decreased 3.3 points to 19.1 percent driven by deleverage. Adjusted segment EBIT margin, which excludes restructuring and related costs, decreased 270 basis points to 20.0 percent, and adjusted segment EBITDA margin dropped 160 basis points to 24.7 percent. Total restructuring in the quarter was $12 million, with a total of $31 million year-to-date.

2020 Outlook

Management has updated the full year 2020 outlook to reflect the dynamic demand environment associated with global economic reopening and the stronger cost savings impacts. GAAP earnings per share guidance is $2.80 to $2.95. Adjusted earnings per share guidance, which excludes restructuring actions and related costs, is $3.20 to $3.35, compared to prior guidance of $3.00 to $3.20. This increase primarily reflects the aggressive restructuring reset actions and COVID-19 related cost containment actions positively impacting profitability. Total restructuring actions for the year are now expected to be approximately $300 million, an increase of $20 million from the previous guidance. Share repurchases remain suspended, and total approximately $950 million. There is no change in the dividend outlook. Lastly, capital expenditures remain unchanged at $550 million.

The following table presents the updated 2020 guidance framework:

Sales Growth Guidance

EPS and Cash Flow Guidance

GAAP EPS

$2.80 - $2.95

Net Sales Growth

(10%) - (9%)

Adjusted EPS

$3.20 - $3.35

Automation Solutions

(10%) - (8%)

Tax Rate

~20%

Commercial & Residential Solutions

(11%) - (9%)

Operating Cash Flow

~$2.8B

Underlying Sales Growth

(9%) - (7.5%)

Free Cash Flow

~$2.25B

Automation Solutions

(9%) - (7%)

Capital Expenditures

~$550M

Commercial & Residential Solutions

(10%) - (8%)

Share Repurchases

~$950M

This updated guidance assumes, among other items, a continued challenging but steadily improving demand environment in the fourth quarter. We still expect revenue to return to growth in either the second or third quarter of 2021. The updated guidance also assumes no major operational or supply chain disruptions. Lastly, the guidance assumes no changes in discrete tax items and assumes oil prices remain in the approximately $35 to $45 range during that time period.

"As the fiscal year rapidly comes to a close and economies continue to reopen, we remain laser focused on driving long-term value creation for all of our stakeholders - customers, employees, communities, and shareholders," Farr concluded. "I firmly believe that we will emerge from this pandemic a stronger, leaner, and more agile organization, poised to partner with our customers and capitalize on the macro trends accelerated by COVID-19: automation, efficiency, digitization, and emissions measurement and management. The challenging repositioning work we are engaged in now positions Emerson for long-term outperformance as the world's economies emerge from this historic COVID-19 chapter."

Upcoming Investor Events

Today, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, Emerson management will discuss the third quarter 2020 results during an investor conference call. Participants can access a live webcast available at www.emerson.com/financial at the time of the call. A replay of the call will remain available for 90 days. Conference call slides will be posted in advance of the call on the company website.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and Emerson undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect later developments. These risks and uncertainties include the scope, duration and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as economic and currency conditions, market demand, including related to the pandemic and oil and gas price declines and volatility, pricing, protection of intellectual property, cybersecurity, tariffs, competitive and technological factors, among others, as set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

(tables attached)

Table 1

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS

(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE, UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended June 30

Percent

2019

2020

Change

Net sales

$4,684

$3,914

(16)%

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales

2,683

2,296

SG&A expenses

1,126

934

Other deductions, net

65

181

Interest expense, net

43

45

Earnings before income taxes

767

458

(40)%

Income taxes

155

51

Net earnings

612

407

Less: Noncontrolling interests in earnings of subsidiaries

8

8

Net earnings common stockholders

$604

$399

(34)%

Diluted avg. shares outstanding

619.0

600.0

Diluted earnings per share common share

$0.97

$0.67

(31)%

Quarter Ended June 30

2019

2020

Other deductions, net

Amortization of intangibles

$60

$60

Restructuring costs

20

88

Other

(15

)

33

Total

$65

$181

Table 2

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS

(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE, UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended June 30

Percent

2019

2020

Change

Net sales

$13,401

$12,227

(9)%

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales

7,714

7,100

SG&A expenses

3,348

3,040

Other deductions, net

172

401

Interest expense, net

134

116

Earnings before income taxes

2,033

1,570

(23)%

Income taxes

429

310

Net earnings

1,604

1,260

Less: Noncontrolling interests in earnings of subsidiaries

15

18

Net earnings common stockholders

$1,589

$1,242

(22)%

Diluted avg. shares outstanding

621.6

608.4

Diluted earnings per share common share

$2.55

$2.04

(20)%

Nine Months Ended June 30

2019

2020

Other deductions, net

Amortization of intangibles

$177

$178

Restructuring costs

40

216

Special advisory fees

13

Other

(45

)

(6

)

Total

$172

$401

Table 3

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended June 30

2019

2020

Assets

Cash and equivalents

$1,603

$2,450

Receivables, net

2,901

2,512

Inventories

2,061

2,102

Other current assets

785

815

Total current assets

7,350

7,879

Property, plant & equipment, net

3,614

3,565

Goodwill

6,544

6,624

Other intangible assets

2,691

2,488

Other

1,118

1,174

Total assets

$21,317

$21,730

Liabilities and equity

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

$1,877

$1,725

Accounts payable

1,785

1,426

Accrued expenses

2,556

2,834

Total current liabilities

6,218

5,985

Long-term debt

4,336

5,500

Other liabilities

1,959

2,367

Total equity

8,804

7,878

Total liabilities and equity

$21,317

$21,730

Table 4

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended June 30

2019

2020

Operating activities

Net earnings

$1,604

$1,260

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

609

631

Stock compensation

83

69

Pension expense

(1

)

50

Changes in operating working capital

(352

)

(86

)

Other, net

(141

)

(70

)

Cash provided by operating activities

1,802

1,854

Investing activities

Capital expenditures

(395

)

(329

)

Purchases of businesses, net of cash and equivalents acquired

(385

)

(114

)

Divestitures of businesses

10

Other, net

(91

)

(65

)

Cash used in investing activities

(861

)

(508

)

Financing activities

Net increase in short-term borrowings

427

269

Proceeds from short-term borrowings greater than three months

546

Payments of short-term borrowings greater than three months

(340

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

1,691

1,488

Payments of long-term debt

(655

)

(502

)

Dividends paid

(909

)

(910

)

Purchases of common stock

(1,000

)

(942

)

Other, net

21

28

Cash used in financing activities

(425

)

(363

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

(6

)

(27

)

Increase in cash and equivalents

510

956

Beginning cash and equivalents

1,093

1,494

Ending cash and equivalents

$1,603

$2,450

Table 5

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT SALES AND EARNINGS

(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, UNAUDITED)

Quarter Ended June 30

2019

2020

Sales

Automation Solutions

$3,025

$2,589

Climate Technologies

1,199

970

Tools & Home Products

463

357

Commercial & Residential Solutions

1,662

1,327

Eliminations

(3

)

(2

)

Net sales

$4,684

$3,914

Earnings

Automation Solutions

$477

$311

Climate Technologies

278

195

Tools & Home Products

93

58

Commercial & Residential Solutions

371

253

Stock compensation

(31

)

(51

)

Unallocated pension and postretirement costs

27

12

Corporate and other

(34

)

(22

)

Interest expense, net

(43

)

(45

)

Earnings before income taxes

$767

$458

Restructuring costs

Automation Solutions

$15

$76

Climate Technologies

4

5

Tools & Home Products

1

4

Commercial & Residential Solutions

5

9

Corporate

3

Total

$20

$88

The table above does not include $6 of costs related to restructuring actions that were reported in cost of sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Depreciation and Amortization

Automation Solutions

$133

$137

Climate Technologies

42

44

Tools & Home Products

18

20

Commercial & Residential Solutions

60

64

Corporate and other

10

8

Total

$203

$209

 

Table 6

EMERSON AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT SALES AND EARNINGS

(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, UNAUDITED)

Nine Months Ended June 30

2019

2020

Sales

Automation Solutions

$8,834

$8,150

Climate Technologies

3,171

2,869

Tools & Home Products

1,390

1,219

Commercial & Residential Solutions

4,561

4,088

Eliminations

6

(11

)

Net sales

$13,401

$12,227

Earnings

Automation Solutions

$1,328

$1,012

Climate Technologies

650

563

Tools & Home Products

286

233

Commercial & Residential Solutions

936

796

Stock compensation

(83

)

(69

)

Unallocated pension and postretirement costs

81

37

Corporate and other

(95

)

(90

)

Interest expense, net

(134

)

(116

)

Earnings before income taxes

$2,033

$1,570

Restructuring costs

Automation Solutions

$26

$182

Climate Technologies

8

14

Tools & Home Products

5

12

Commercial & Residential Solutions

13

26

Corporate

1

8

Total

$40

$216

The table above does not include $15 of costs related to restructuring actions that were reported in cost of sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2020.

Depreciation and Amortization

Automation Solutions

$393

$414

Climate Technologies

132

133

Tools & Home Products

54

58

Commercial & Residential Solutions

186

191

Corporate and other

30

26

Total

$609

$631

 

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Other

Table 7

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP measures (denoted by *) with the most directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):

Q3 2020 Underlying Sales Change

Auto Solns

Comm & Res
Solns

Emerson

Reported (GAAP)

(14

)%

(20

)%

(16

)%

(Favorable) / Unfavorable FX

1

%

1

%

1

%

Acquisitions / Divestitures

%

%

%

Underlying*

(13

)%

(19

)%

(15

)%

FY 2020E Underlying Sales Change

Auto Solns

Comm & Res
Solns

Emerson

Reported (GAAP)

(10)% - (8)%

(11)% - (9)%

(10)% - (9)%

(Favorable) / Unfavorable FX

~ 1%

~ 1%

1% - 1.5%

Acquisitions / Divestitures

~ -%

~ -%

~ -%

Underlying*

(9)% - (7)%

(10)% - (8)%

(9)% - (7.5)%

Earnings Per Share

Q3 FY20E

Q3 FY20

Earnings per share (GAAP)

$0.43 - $0.51

$

0.67

Restructuring and related charges

~ 0.13

0.13

Adjusted earnings per share*

$0.56 - $0.64

$

0.80

Earnings Per Share

FY2020E
Prior
Guidance

FY2020E

Earnings per share (GAAP)

$2.62 - $2.82

$2.80 - $2.95

Restructuring and related charges

~ 0.38

~ 0.40

Adjusted earnings per share*

$3.00 - $3.20

$3.20 - $3.35

EBIT Margin

Q3 FY19

Q3 FY20

Change

Pretax margin (GAAP)

16.4

%

11.7

%

(470) bps

Interest expense, net

0.9

%

1.2

%

30 bps

Earnings before interest and taxes margin*

17.3

%

12.9

%

(440) bps

Restructuring and related charges

0.4

%

2.4

%

200 bps

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes margin*

17.7

%

15.3

%

(240) bps

Automation Solutions Segment EBIT Margin

Q3 FY19

Q3 FY20

Change

Automation Solutions Segment EBIT margin (GAAP)

15.7

%

12.0

%

(370) bps

Restructuring charges impact

0.6

%

3.1

%

250 bps

Automation Solutions Adjusted Segment EBIT margin*

16.3

%

15.1

%

(120) bps

Depreciation / amortization

4.4

%

5.3

%

90 bps

Automation Solutions Adjusted Segment EBITDA margin*

20.7

%

20.4

%

(30) bps

Commercial & Residential EBIT Margin

Q3 FY19

Q3 FY20

Change

Commercial & Residential EBIT margin (GAAP)

22.4

%

19.1

%

(330) bps

Restructuring charges impact

0.3

%

0.9

%

60 bps

Commercial & Residential Adjusted EBIT margin*

22.7

%

20.0

%

(270) bps

Depreciation / amortization

3.6

%

4.7

%

110 bps

Commercial & Residential Adjusted EBITDA margin*

26.3

%

24.7

%

(160) bps

Q3 Cash Flow

Q3 FY19

Q3 FY20

Change

% Change

Operating cash flow (GAAP)

$

946

$

842

$

(104

)

(11)%

Capital expenditures

(121

)

(104

)

17

—%

Free cash flow*

$

825

$

738

$

(87

)

(11)%

Q3 Year-To-Date Cash Flow

FY 2019

FY 2020

Change

% Change

Operating cash flow (GAAP)

$

1,802

$

1,854

$

52

3%

Capital expenditures

(395

)

(329

)

66

5%

Free cash flow*

$

1,407

$

1,525

$

118

8%

FY 2020E Cash Flow

FY 2020E

Operating cash flow (GAAP)

~ $2,800

Capital expenditures

~ (550)

Free cash flow*

~ $2,250

Cash Flow to Net Earnings Conversion

Q3 FY20

Operating cash flow to net earnings (GAAP)

207

%

Capital expenditures

(26

)%

Free cash flow to net earnings*

181

%

Note: Underlying sales and orders exclude the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency translation.

###

Contacts:

Investor Contact: Pete Lilly (314) 553-2197
Media Contact: Casey Murphy (314) 982-6220

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