Quaker Chemical Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results
o Record full year net sales and earnings in 2011 due to higher volumes and acquisitions
o Fourth quarter sales up 22% vs. 2010
o Operating cash flow of $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2011
Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) today announced net sales of $173.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, up 22% compared to fourth quarter 2010 net sales of $142.1 million, and earnings per diluted share of $0.75 for the fourth quarter of 2011, up 27% compared to fourth quarter 2010 earnings per diluted share of $0.59. Full year net sales were $683.2 million for 2011, up 26% compared to prior year net sales of $544.1 million, and earnings per diluted share were $3.47 for 2011, up 25% compared to prior year earnings per diluted share of $2.77.
Michael F. Barry, Chairman, Chief Executive Office and President, commented, "Our fourth quarter bottom-line results were in line with our expectations. We saw softer volumes due to seasonality and customer actions to decrease inventory levels in the supply chain. We also experienced approximately $2.1 million of higher compensation costs in Q4 vs. Q3 primarily due to the appreciation of our stock price impacting the accrual for our long-term incentive plan and the timing of accruals for the annual incentive plan. In addition, we incurred approximately $0.6 million of acquisition related costs in the fourth quarter. On the positive side, we are continuing to gain new business and are making sequential progress in improving our gross margins. In addition, we had a lower tax rate and we are pleased with the contributions from our recent acquisitions."
Michael F. Barry, further stated, "2011 was a record year in terms of net sales and earnings for Quaker in a very challenging global environment. We overcame record levels of raw material increases and increased our volumes and market share, even excluding acquisitions. Our recent acquisitions have positioned us well for further product line and geographic expansion, and the equity offering completed earlier in 2011 further strengthened our balance sheet and provides us with the financial flexibility to take advantage of additional acquisitions and other growth opportunities as they arise."
Mr. Barry continued, "As we look to 2012, we see a mix of factors which could impact our results. The negatives include a sluggish global economy, especially in Europe, a lower rate of growth in China, escalating SG&A costs in emerging markets, and a stronger U.S. dollar. Offsetting these negatives are the continued recovery of manufacturing in North America, the full-year impact of acquisitions, as well as growth due to our investment in strategic initiatives. Overall, despite the challenging environment, our expectation for 2012 is for net income to surpass our 2011 net income of $40.9 million, which excludes the non-cash gain related to our Mexico acquisition, discussed below. In summary, I am confident in our future and expect 2012 will be another strong year for Quaker. "
Fourth Quarter Summary
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were approximately $173.3 million, an increase of $31.2 million, or 22% from the fourth quarter of 2010. Product volumes were approximately 14% higher, including acquisitions. Selling prices and mix increased revenues by approximately 9%, reflecting the Company's price increases during 2011 to help offset higher raw material costs. Foreign exchange rates decreased revenues by approximately 1%. On a sequential basis, volumes in North America, South America and Europe were seasonally lower than the third quarter.
Gross profit increased by approximately $8.8 million, or 18%, from the fourth quarter of 2010, but gross margin decreased from 33.7% to 32.7%. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by higher raw material costs compared to the prior year. Gross margin was slightly higher than the third quarter of 2011 as the Company experienced the full impact of recent pricing actions and some stabilization in raw material costs. However, this benefit was partially offset by mix and other factors.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") increased approximately $9.6 million compared to the fourth quarter 2010. SG&A expenses of the recent acquisitions and acquisition-related costs represented approximately 35% of the increase versus the fourth quarter of 2010 while higher incentive compensation costs accounted for more than 30%. While overall incentive compensation expense is lower in the full year 2011 compared to 2010, a higher percentage of incentive compensation costs were accrued earlier in the year in 2010 based on improved business performance. Higher selling costs related to increased business activity and inflationary and other costs accounted for the remainder of the increase.
Included in the results for the fourth quarter of 2010 is a non-income tax contingency charge of approximately $0.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.
Other income for the fourth quarter of 2011 includes a pre-tax $0.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, gain related to a fair value adjustment to a contingent consideration liability.
Equity in net income of associated companies in 2010 includes an out-of-period charge of $0.05 per diluted share.
Full Year Summary
Net sales for 2011 were approximately $683.2 million, an increase of $139.2 million, or 26%, from 2010. Product volumes were approximately 13% higher, including acquisitions. Selling prices and mix increased revenues by approximately 10%, as the Company increased prices to help offset higher raw material costs. Foreign exchange rates increased revenues by approximately 3%.
Gross profit increased by approximately $29.9 million, or 15%, from 2010, but gross margin decreased from 35.4% in 2010 to 32.6% as raw material costs continued to escalate.
SG&A increased approximately $25.5 million, or 18%, compared to 2010. Higher selling, inflationary and other costs as a result of increased business activity and investment in growth, acquisition-related activity and foreign exchange rate translation accounted for the majority of the increase while overall incentive compensation costs were lower. SG&A as a percentage of sales decreased from 25.6% in 2010 to 24.1% in 2011.
Included in the 2010 results is a non-income tax contingency charge of approximately $4.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, and a final charge related to the Company's former CEO's supplemental retirement plan of approximately $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share.
Other income for 2011 includes a pre-tax $0.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, gain related to a fair value adjustment to a contingent consideration liability and a $2.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, non-cash gain representing the revaluation of the Company's previously held ownership interest in its Mexican equity affiliate to its fair value related to the July 2011 purchase of the remaining interest in this entity.
Interest expense decreased due to lower average borrowings. Equity in net income of associated companies in 2010 reflects the equity affiliate charge noted above, as well as a $0.03 per diluted share charge related to the first quarter 2010 devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items
Operating cash flow increased by $15.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 on strong earnings and improvements in working capital. In addition, the Company completed the acquisition of G.W. Smith & Sons, Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $14.5 million. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed an equity offering of approximately 1.3 million shares, resulting in approximately $48.1 million of net cash proceeds, which were used to repay a portion of its revolving credit line. The fourth quarter 2011 and full year 2011 earnings per diluted share of $0.75 and $3.47, respectively, reflect an approximate $0.07 and $0.20 dilutive effect, respectively, as a result of the equity offering.
Non-GAAP Measures
Included in this public release is a non-GAAP financial measure of net income excluding a non-cash gain on the revaluation of a previously held ownership interest in a Mexican affiliate. The Company believes this non-GAAP measure enhances a reader's understanding of the financial performance of the Company, is more indicative of the future performance of the Company and facilitates a better comparison among fiscal periods. Non-GAAP results are presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation between the non-GAAP (unaudited) financial measure of net income excluding a non-cash gain on the revaluation of a previously held ownership interest in a Mexican affiliate to its most comparable GAAP measure (in thousands):
Three Months Ended Twelve Months EndedConference Call
December 31, December 31,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Net income attributable to
Quaker Chemical Corporation $ 9,770 $ 6,895 $ 43,569 $ 31,807
Non-cash gain on the revaluation of
a previously held ownership interest
in a Mexican affiliate - - (2,718) -
Net income excluding a non-cash gain
on the revaluation of a previously
held ownership interest in
a Mexican affiliate $ 9,770 $ 6,895 $ 40,851 $ 31,807
As previously announced, Quaker Chemical's investor conference call to discuss fourth quarter results is scheduled for March 8, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (ET). A live webcast of the conference call, together with supplemental information, can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations Web site at www.quakerchem.com. You can also access the conference call by dialing 877-269-7756.
About Quaker
Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process chemicals, chemical specialties, services, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries - including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings and construction materials. Our products, technical solutions and chemical management services enhance our customers' processes, improve their product quality and lower their costs. Quaker's headquarters is located near Philadelphia in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation
