LZB La Z Boy Inc

MONROE, Mich., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE:LZB) today reported its operating results for its fiscal 2007 third quarter ended January 27, 2007. Net sales for the quarter were $403.9 million, down 9.6%, compared with the prior-year period. The company posted a per-share loss of $0.15, which included an after-tax $0.28 per-share loss from discontinued operations, most of which was attributable to the non-cash write- down of intangible assets of businesses held for sale. Income from continuing operations was $0.13 per share. The per-share amounts also included an after- tax restructuring charge of $0.03 per share relating to the company-owned retail operation, non-cash stock option expense of $0.01 per share after tax and income per share of $0.04 after tax related to anti-dumping duties received on bedroom furniture imported from China. In last year's third quarter, the company reported earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.19, which included an after-tax per share restructuring charge of $0.01. For the nine months ended January 27, 2007, net sales were $1.2 billion, a decrease of 2.8% compared with the prior-year period. The company posted a per-share loss of $0.07 for the nine-month period, including an after-tax loss of $0.28 per share for discontinued operations, most of which is attributable to the write-down of intangible assets of businesses held for sale. Income from continuing operations was $0.21 per share. The per-share amounts also included an after-tax restructuring charge of $0.06 relating to the company- owned retail operation, non-cash stock option expense of $0.02 per share after tax, and income per share of $0.04 after tax related to anti-dumping duties. These results compare with last year's earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.13 per share, which included after-tax restructuring charges of $0.10 per share. Kurt L. Darrow, President and CEO, said, "Despite the challenging sales environment pervasive throughout our industry, we were able to improve margins in our wholesale businesses while doing an excellent job managing our inventory, reducing our debt and generating cash. In our company-owned retail segment, we continued to execute against our strategy to strengthen our performance and, therefore, expect meaningful improvement in our next fiscal year. We also took a number of steps to strategically align our portfolio of companies for the future and will strive diligently towards a smooth transition for both our customers and employees of Sam Moore, Pennsylvania House and Clayton Marcus. We appreciate their dedication to the brands and their continued support as we go through this process and are in discussions with potential buyers who would be suitable long-term partners for those businesses." Upholstery For the fiscal 2007 third quarter, the company achieved an operating margin of 7.6% on a year-over-year sales decrease of 11.8%. Darrow stated, "On significantly lower volume, we were able to hold our margin against last year's third quarter and increase it sequentially from our fiscal 2007 second quarter. This performance continues to demonstrate the success of our cost- containment initiatives, which are focused on increased global sourcing as well as the conversion of our La-Z-Boy branded facilities to the cellular production process, which will improve our speed to market and quality while lowering costs." During the quarter, the company signed a letter of intent to sell its Sam Moore upholstered chair operations to Hooker Furniture and results from Sam Moore are included in discontinued operations. A separate press release announcing the pending transaction was distributed simultaneously with this news release. Darrow continued, "We are also working to broaden our distribution and further strengthen the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system." For the quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system, which includes both company-owned and independent-licensed stores, opened eight new stores, relocated and/or remodeled eight and closed three, bringing the total store count to 340, of which 187 are in the New Generation format. Darrow noted, "We are on track to open, relocate or remodel approximately 45 New Generation stores in the overall network in fiscal 2007 and plan in the fiscal fourth quarter to add four new stores to the system, relocate or convert four and close eight." System-wide, for the fourth calendar quarter, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, same-store written sales, which the company tracks as an indicator of retail activity, were down 8.3% and total sales, which includes new stores, decreased 5.1%. Casegoods In the third quarter, casegoods sales were $63.1 million, down 14.6% from last year's third quarter. The segment's operating margin was 9.1%, versus last year's third-quarter margin of 7.9%. Darrow stated, "As a result of transitioning our business to primarily an import model with a heavily variable cost structure, we posted solid operating margins." Darrow added, "During the quarter we continued to evaluate the various companies within our portfolio and our Board approved a plan to sell our Pennsylvania House/Clayton Marcus operation and their results are included in discontinued operations. Pennsylvania House has very strong consumer brand recognition and, together with Clayton Marcus, we will explore alternatives to maximize returns to our shareholders. Looking ahead in our casegoods business, we will maintain our focus on competitive new product introductions, with superior design and quality, while improving our service levels to our customers." During the quarter, our petitioning casegoods companies collectively received $3.4 million in Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA) payments, net of legal expenses, in duties collected in connection with the dumping of wooden bedroom furniture imported from China and is not included in the segment's operating income. Retail For the quarter, retail sales were $61.1 million compared with $57.4 million in last year's third quarter. On an operating basis, the segment incurred a loss, primarily as a result of the difficult retail environment, transition costs and its high fixed-cost structure relative to current volume. Darrow commented, "We continued to make significant changes to our company-owned retail operation this quarter. We opened four new company-owned stores, relocated one and converted two stores into the New Generation format. Our strategy for company-owned stores remains focused on the top 25 markets in North America where we can have a large enough store system in the right locations to further leverage our retail fixed cost structure. After evaluating our company-owned network of stores, we made the decision to exit the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market in order to focus on the larger markets with greater potential. We are in the process of closing four stores and a warehouse which will be completed at the end of our fourth quarter." Darrow added, "La-Z-Boy Incorporated owns 72 stores, including 44 in the New Generation format. For the fourth quarter, the company plans to add four New Generation stores to its retail segment: two new stores and two relocations/conversions, and will close six. This would bring the total number of company-owned stores opened, remodeled and/or relocated during fiscal 2007 to 19, with the total number of stores in the new format to 48, representing 71% of the 68 stores anticipated at fiscal year end. Our retail group continues to make progress in three key areas. We are increasing sales by adding stores, converting and relocating existing stores to the new format and achieving economies of scale through better penetration in our markets. Second, we are reducing redundancies and costs by consolidating individual market operations and have already implemented a new operating system in our Northeast region which will be rolled out to our other markets with completion expected this Fall. Third, we are improving gross margins as we re-merchandise the operations acquired over the past two years. Restructuring During the quarter, a pre-tax restructuring charge of $2.9 million, or $0.03 after-tax per share, was recorded and principally relates to the store closings in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market and related contract termination costs for leases, severance and benefits, the write-down of certain leasehold improvements and other restructuring costs. Balance Sheet For the quarter, the company's debt-to-capitalization ratio stood at 25.4%, a decrease from fiscal 2006 year end's ratio of 26.5%. The company did not repurchase any shares in the third quarter and has approximately 5.4 million shares remaining in its program. Business Outlook Commenting on the company's business outlook, Darrow noted: "Although we have made strides in our wholesale divisions from a margin perspective, the challenging retail environment persists and we believe the industry, overall, will continue to go through a difficult period. For the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter, we expect sales to be down 8% to 10% compared with last year's fourth quarter and expect earnings per share to be in the range of $0.03 to $0.07, including up to a $0.01 per share charge for stock option expense. In last year's fourth-quarter, we reported a loss per share of $0.20, which included a $0.44 write-down of intangibles." Forward-looking Information Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current information and assumptions and represent management's best judgment at the present time. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or projected due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: (a) changes in consumer confidence; (b) changes in demographics; (c) changes in housing sales; (d) the impact of terrorism or war; (e) continued energy price changes; (f) the impact of logistics on imports; (g) the impact of interest rate changes; (h) the potential disruptions from Chinese imports; (i) inventory supply price fluctuations; (j) the impact of imports as it relates to continued domestic production; (k) changes in currency exchange rates; (l) competitive factors; (m) operating factors, such as supply, labor or distribution disruptions including changes in operating conditions or costs; (n) effects of restructuring actions; (o) changes in the domestic or international regulatory environment; (p) not fully realizing cost reductions through restructurings; (q) ability to implement global sourcing organization strategies; (r) the impact of new manufacturing technologies; (s) the future financial performance and condition of independently operated dealers that we are required to consolidate into our financial statements or changes requiring us to consolidate additional independently operated dealers; (t) fair value changes to our intangible assets due to actual results differing from projected; (u) the impact of adopting new accounting principles; (v) the impact from natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes; (w) the ability to turn around under- performing retail stores; (x) the impact of retail store relocation costs, the success of new stores or the timing of converting stores to the New Generation format; (y) the ability to procure fabric rolls or cut and sewn fabric sets domestically or abroad; (z) the ability to sell the discontinued operations for their recorded fair value; and (aa) factors relating to acquisitions and other factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason. Additional Information This news release is just one part of La-Z-Boy's financial disclosures and should be read in conjunction with other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/sec_filings.aspx. Investors and others wishing to be notified of future La-Z-Boy news releases, SEC filings and quarterly investor conference calls may sign up at: http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/IR_email_alerts.aspx. Background Information La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group companies are Bauhaus, Centurion, England and La-Z-Boy. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid and Lea. The corporation's proprietary distribution network is dedicated exclusively to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 340 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores and 307 La-Z-Boy In- Store Galleries, in addition to in-store gallery programs at the company's Kincaid, England and Lea operating units. According to industry trade publication In Furniture, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries retail network is North America's largest single-brand furniture retailer. Additional information is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/. LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data) Third Quarter Ended Percent of Sales % Over 1/27/07 1/28/06 (Under) 1/27/07 1/28/06 Sales $403,874 $446,614 -9.6% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales Cost of goods sold 291,225 331,684 -12.2% 72.1% 74.3% Restructuring -- 594 100.0% -- 0.1% Total cost of sales 291,225 332,278 -12.4% 72.1% 74.4% Gross profit 112,649 114,336 -1.5% 27.9% 25.6% Selling, general and administrative 100,704 96,648 4.2% 24.9% 21.6% Restructuring 2,855 -- N/M 0.7% -- Operating income 9,090 17,688 -48.6% 2.3% 4.0% Interest expense 2,750 2,965 -7.3% 0.7% 0.7% Income from Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, net 3,430 -- N/M 0.8% -- Other income, net 1,998 1,390 43.7% 0.5% 0.3% Income from continuing operations before income taxes 11,768 16,113 -27.0% 2.9% 3.6% Income tax expense 4,823 6,132 -21.3% 41.0%* 38.1%* Income from continuing operations 6,945 9,981 -30.4% 1.7% 2.2% Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax) (14,766) 487 N/M -3.7% 0.1% Net income (loss) $(7,821) $10,468 -174.7% -1.9% 2.3% Basic average shares 51,367 51,673 Basic income from continuing operations per share $0.14 $0.19 Discontinued operations (net of tax) $(0.29) $0.01 Basic net income (loss) per share $(0.15) $0.20 Diluted average shares 51,609 51,857 Diluted income from continuing operations per share $0.13 $0.19 Discontinued operations (net of tax) $(0.28) $0.01 Diluted net income (loss) per share $(0.15) $0.20 Dividends paid per share $0.12 $0.11 *As a percent of pretax income, not sales. N/M = not meaningful LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data) Nine Months Ended Percent of Sales % Over 1/27/07 1/28/06 (Under) 1/27/07 1/28/06 Sales $1,210,353 $1,245,636 -2.8% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales Cost of goods sold 893,431 941,684 -5.1% 73.8% 75.6% Restructuring (400) 8,411 -104.8% -- 0.7% Total cost of sales 893,031 950,095 -6.0% 73.8% 76.3% Gross profit 317,322 295,541 7.4% 26.2% 23.7% Selling, general and administrative 294,098 277,488 6.0% 24.3% 22.3% Restructuring 5,120 -- N/M 0.4% -- Operating income 18,104 18,053 0.3% 1.5% 1.4% Interest expense 7,890 8,796 -10.3% 0.7% 0.7% Income from Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, net 3,430 -- N/M 0.3% -- Other income, net 3,487 1,953 78.5% 0.3% 0.2% Income from continuing operations before income taxes 17,131 11,210 52.8% 1.4% 0.9% Income tax expense 6,348 4,423 43.5% 37.1%* 39.5%* Income from continuing operations 10,783 6,787 58.9% 0.9% 0.5% Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax) (14,355) 442 N/M -1.2% -- Net income (loss) $(3,572) $ 7,229 -149.4% -0.3% 0.6% Basic average shares 51,509 51,819 Basic income from continuing operations per share $0.21 $0.13 Discontinued operations (net of tax) $(0.28) $0.01 Basic net income (loss) per share $(0.07) $0.14 Diluted average shares 51,743 51,950 Diluted income from continuing operations per share $0.21 $0.13 Discontinued operations (net of tax) $(0.28) $0.01 Diluted net income (loss) per share $(0.07) $0.14 Dividends paid per share $0.36 $0.33 *As a percent of pretax income, not sales. N/M = not meaningful LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited, amounts in thousands) Increase/(Decrease) 1/27/07 1/28/06 Dollars Percent 4/29/06 Current assets Cash and equivalents $17,484 $20,508 $(3,024) -14.7% $24,089 Receivables, net 217,103 274,001 (56,898) -20.8% 270,578 Inventories, net 214,151 246,547 (32,396) -13.1% 238,826 Deferred income taxes 31,369 29,385 1,984 6.8% 27,276 Assets of discontinued operations 39,354 -- 39,354 N/M -- Other current assets 24,847 24,734 113 0.5% 23,790 Total current assets 544,308 595,175 (50,867) -8.5% 584,559 Property, plant and equipment, net 192,382 210,798 (18,416) -8.7% 209,986 Goodwill 55,409 79,770 (24,361) -30.5% 56,926 Trade names 9,472 18,794 (9,322) -49.6% 18,794 Other long-term assets 87,339 86,096 1,243 1.4% 100,909 Total assets $888,910 $990,633 $(101,723) -10.3% $971,174 Current liabilities Short-term borrowings $15,702 $13,718 $1,984 14.5% $8,000 Current portion of long-term debt 3,312 2,566 746 29.1% 2,844 Accounts payable 60,236 77,479 (17,243) -22.3% 85,561 Liabilities of discontinued operations 5,681 -- 5,681 N/M -- Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 105,636 129,203 (23,567) -18.2% 128,112 Total current liabilities 190,567 222,966 (32,399) -14.5% 224,517 Long-term debt 147,117 193,978 (46,861) -24.2% 173,368 Deferred income taxes 9,605 4,946 4,659 94.2% 14,548 Other long-term liabilities 54,961 57,723 (2,762) -4.8% 48,396 Contingencies and commitments -- -- -- -- -- Shareholders' equity Common shares, $1 par value 51,372 51,713 (341) -0.7% 51,782 Capital in excess of par value 207,184 211,273 (4,089) -1.9% 210,826 Retained earnings 222,601 261,272 (38,671) -14.8% 246,387 Unearned compensation -- (3,448) 3,448 100.0% (3,083) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 5,503 (9,790) 15,293 156.2% 4,433 Total shareholders' equity 486,660 511,020 (24,360) -4.8% 510,345 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $888,910 $990,633 $(101,723) -10.3% $971,174 N/M = not meaningful LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited, amounts in thousands) Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended 1/27/07 1/28/06 1/27/07 1/28/06 Cash flows from operating activities Net income (loss) $(7,821) $10,468 $(3,572) $7,229 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities Write-down of assets of businesses held for sale (net of tax) 13,674 -- 13,674 -- Gain on sale of discontinued operations (net of tax) -- -- (1,280) -- Restructuring 2,855 594 4,720 8,411 Change in allowance for doubtful accounts (1,130) 293 (263) 444 Depreciation and amortization 6,233 7,499 20,122 21,675 Stock option and restricted stock expense 479 -- 3,211 -- Change in receivables 23,847 (13,132) 22,842 15,267 Change in inventories 2,808 20,773 (14,309) 17,411 Change in payables (9,849) 4,082 (19,228) (5,822) Change in other assets and liabilities 106 4,296 (15,464) (5,688) Change in deferred taxes (2,270) (1,791) (9,036) (7,049) Total adjustments 36,753 22,614 4,989 44,649 Net cash provided by operating activities 28,932 33,082 1,417 51,878 Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from disposals of assets 314 905 25,276 8,625 Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations -- -- 33,166 -- Capital expenditures (5,984) (6,196) (20,994) (20,479) Purchases of investments (5,069) (6,420) (13,461) (21,980) Proceeds from sales of investments 3,817 5,047 11,834 9,115 Change in other long-term assets 539 841 343 (2,460) Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (6,383) (5,823) 36,164 (27,179) Cash flows used for financing activities Proceeds from debt 12,577 14,334 91,252 86,471 Payments on debt (32,540) (31,406) (111,220) (103,525) Stock issued for stock and employee benefit plans 567 909 1,333 2,954 Repurchases of common stock -- -- (6,947) (10,889) Dividends paid (6,212) (5,728) (18,674) (17,200) Net cash used for financing activities (25,608) (21,891) (44,256) (42,189) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents 14 103 70 293 Change in cash and equivalents (3,045) 5,471 (6,605) (17,197) Cash and equivalents at beginning of period 20,529 15,037 24,089 37,705 Cash and equivalents at end of period $17,484 $20,508 $17,484 $20,508 Cash paid (net of refunds) during period - income taxes $558 $47 $17,655 $1,638 Cash paid during period - interest $2,911 $3,456 $7,769 $8,766 LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED Segment Information (Unaudited, amounts in thousands) Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended 1/27/07 1/28/06 1/27/07 1/28/06 Sales Upholstery Group $292,738 $331,805 $890,675 $924,149 Casegoods Group 63,127 73,926 198,317 218,299 Retail Group 61,149 57,432 165,838 159,332 VIEs/Eliminations (13,140) (16,549) (44,477) (56,144) Consolidated $403,874 $446,614 $1,210,353 $1,245,636 Operating income (loss) Upholstery Group $22,286 $25,147 $59,344 $51,625 Casegoods Group 5,721 5,830 15,163 12,967 Retail Group (6,738) (5,987) (23,222) (17,469) Corporate and Other* (9,324) (6,708) (28,461) (20,659) Restructuring (2,855) (594) (4,720) (8,411) Consolidated $9,090 $17,688 $18,104 $18,053 Prior Quarters Ended in Fiscal 2007 7/29/06 10/28/06 Sales Upholstery Group $294,325 $303,612 Casegoods Group 61,026 74,164 Retail Group 52,204 52,485 VIEs/Eliminations (14,704) (16,633) Consolidated $392,851 $413,628 Operating income (loss) Upholstery Group $17,260 $19,798 Casegoods Group 3,242 6,200 Retail Group (7,715) (8,769) Corporate and Other* (9,920) (9,217) Restructuring -- (1,865) Consolidated $2,867 $6,147 Prior Quarters Ended in Fiscal 2006 7/30/05 10/29/05 1/28/06 4/29/06 Sales Upholstery Group $294,071 $298,273 $331,805 $341,803 Casegoods Group 70,617 73,756 73,926 74,254 Retail Group 52,655 49,245 57,432 54,106 VIEs/Eliminations (20,648) (18,947) (16,549) (20,787) Consolidated $396,695 $402,327 $446,614 $449,376 Operating income (loss) Upholstery Group $14,645 $11,833 $25,147 $31,535 Casegoods Group 3,694 3,443 5,830 4,158 Retail Group (5,408) (6,074) (5,987) (8,537) Corporate and Other* (6,168) (7,783) (6,708) (7,906) Write-down of intangibles -- -- -- (22,695) Restructuring -- (7,817) (594) (68) Consolidated $6,763 $(6,398) $17,688 $(3,513) *Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") are included in corporate and other. DATASOURCE: La-Z-Boy Incorporated CONTACT: Mark Stegeman, +1-734-241-4418, or , or Kathy Liebmann, +1-734-241-2438, or , both of La-Z-Boy Incorporated Web site: http://www.la-z-boy.com/

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