• • Sales increase 3% to third-quarter record level
• • Diluted EPS of $0.09 compares to $0.14 a year ago
• • Impairment and restructuring charges reduced diluted EPS by $0.05 per share
• • Full-year EPS guidance maintained at $1.54 to $1.64 per diluted share; as-adjusted guidance revised to $2.57 to $2.67 , from $2.62 to $2.72 due to impairment and restructuring charges
• • Third-quarter acquisitions add approximately $170 million in annualized revenue

MEDINA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 6, 2017-- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) today reported record sales for its fiscal 2017 third quarter ended February 28, 2017. Third-quarter net income declined versus the prior-year period primarily due to a pre-tax charge of $4.9 million for an intangible impairment on the Restore product line and a pre-tax charge of $4.2 million for the closing of a European manufacturing facility.

Third-Quarter Results

Net sales grew 3.4% to $1.0 billion in the fiscal 2017 third quarter from $988.6 million in the fiscal 2016 third quarter. Net income of $11.9 million in the fiscal 2017 third quarter decreased 35.8% from $18.6 million reported a year ago. Third-quarter earnings per share were $0.09, down 35.7% from the $0.14 reported last year. Income before income taxes (IBT) was $17.0 million, down 22.4% from year-ago IBT of $21.9 million. Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were $37.1 million, down 11.9% from year-ago EBIT of $42.1 million. The impairment and restructuring charges reduced both IBT and EBIT by $9.1 million in the quarter.

During the current quarter, certain negative trends in the Restore product line led to a loss of market share, resulting in a downward revision to its long-term forecast. This was determined to represent an impairment triggering event and, after additional testing, resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $4.9 million. Also during the quarter, as previously discussed, an unprofitable operation in Europe was closed that resulted in a pre-tax charge of $4.2 million.

"We were pleased with our consolidated sales growth during the third quarter, which is typically slow due to cold winter weather that limits outdoor repair, maintenance and construction activities. Our earnings were negatively impacted by approximately $0.05 per share due to the Restore intangible impairment charge and the charge for the closure of a European manufacturing facility, which is consistent with our strategy to close underperforming operations. On the acquisition front, we completed five transactions during the quarter, which will add approximately $170 million in annualized sales," stated Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and chief executive officer. "Costs associated with completing these acquisitions, as well as the associated impact on cost of sales resulting from the step-up in inventory, further reduced EPS by approximately $0.03 per share."

Third-Quarter Segment Sales and Earnings

Industrial segment sales increased 5.8% to $521.4 million from $492.7 million in the fiscal 2016 third quarter. Organic sales improved 2.5%, while acquisitions added 4.1%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 0.8%. IBT was $11.7 million, compared to year-ago IBT of $0.5 million. Industrial segment EBIT for the quarter of $14.6 million was up sharply from last year's EBIT of $2.0 million.

"Our businesses serving the U.S. commercial construction market again experienced solid organic growth. Most businesses in Europe were up in the low- to mid-single-digit range in local currencies and current-year acquisitions contributed nicely to the segment's overall sales growth. We were very pleased with the strong EBIT leverage achieved on solid top-line sales," stated Sullivan.

Third-quarter sales in the company's specialty segment increased 1.8% to $159.7 million from $156.9 million a year ago. Organic sales decreased 0.6% and acquisitions added 3.8%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 1.4%. IBT was $15.0 million, down 31.0% from year-ago IBT of $21.7 million. Specialty segment EBIT declined 30.8% to $14.9 million from $21.5 million in the fiscal 2016 third quarter.

"Sales were soft for nearly all of our specialty segment businesses, which cut across a broad range of industries, and earnings were negatively impacted by the European facility closure amounting to $4.2 million. In this traditionally slow quarter, the segment didn't generate enough top-line momentum to create positive leverage through its fixed operating cost structure," stated Sullivan.

Sales in RPM's consumer segment increased 0.7% to $341.4 million from $339.0 million in the fiscal 2016 third quarter. Organic sales declined 3.6%, while acquisitions added 5.1%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 0.8%. IBT was $29.8 million, down 23.2% from year-ago IBT of $38.8 million. Consumer segment EBIT declined 22.9% to $29.9 million from $38.8 million a year ago.

"Excluding our Kirker nail enamel business, the consumer segment produced modest sales growth, primarily driven by acquisitions. The decline in organic sales was driven by the timing of orders from our retail customers during the quarter. Impacting segment earnings for the quarter was the Restore impairment charge, along with acquisition-related expenses and the impact on cost of sales relating to the step-up in inventory. Looking ahead, we are encouraged by housing market activity, retail customer results and the acceptance of recently introduced new products," stated Sullivan.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

For the first nine months of fiscal 2017, cash from operations was $173.5 million, compared to $223.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Capital expenditures during the current nine-month period of $80.1 million compare to $54.8 million over the same time in fiscal 2016. Cash invested in acquisitions totaled $247 million. Total debt at the end of the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was $1.98 billion, compared to $1.74 billion a year ago and $1.64 billion at the end of fiscal 2016. RPM's net (of cash) debt-to-total capitalization ratio was 58.0%, compared to 55.1% at February 29, 2016 and 50.0% at May 31, 2016.

"At February 28, 2017, RPM's total liquidity, including cash and long-term committed available credit, was $620.0 million. Building upon this year's strong pace of acquisitions, we continue our search for entrepreneurial acquisition candidates and to invest in our internal growth initiatives. In March 2017, we issued $450 million in bonds to pay down existing balances and free up available borrowings on our revolving credit facility," stated Sullivan.

Nine-Month Results

Nine-month net sales grew 2.3% to $3.47 billion from $3.39 billion a year ago. Net income of $53.8 million declined 73.4% from net income of $201.8 million in the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share declined 72.7% to $0.41 from $1.50 in the first nine months of fiscal 2016. IBT was $58.6 million, down 79.4% from year-ago IBT of $284.4 million. Consolidated EBIT was $118.2 million, down 65.7% from year-ago EBIT of $344.4 million.

The fiscal 2017 nine month results included a $188.3 million Kirker impairment charge and a $12.3 million charge related to the decision to exit Flowcrete Middle East, while the fiscal 2016 nine-month results included a $14.5 million reversal of Kirker's final earnout accrual into income. Excluding these items, earnings per diluted share increased from $1.43 per share to $1.44 per share, while consolidated EBIT was $318.8 million, down 3.4% from year-ago EBIT of $329.9 million.

Nine-Month Segment Sales and Earnings

Sales for RPM's industrial segment increased 2.1%, to $1.83 billion from $1.79 billion in the fiscal 2016 first nine months. Organic sales increased 1.9%, while acquisitions added 2.3%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 2.1%. IBT was $151.3 million, up 1.5% from year-ago IBT of $149.0 million. Industrial segment EBIT of $158.0 million was up 2.9% from EBIT of $153.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Excluding the current-year Flowcrete Middle East charge, EBIT was $170.2 million, up 10.9% from year-ago EBIT of $153.5 million.

Specialty segment sales increased 3.8% to $519.6 million from $500.4 million in the first nine months a year ago. Organic sales increased 2.5% and acquisitions added 3.0%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 1.7%. IBT was $76.7 million, up 0.2% from year-ago IBT of $76.5 million. Specialty segment EBIT improved 0.5% to $76.3 million from $75.8 million in the same period a year ago.

In the consumer segment, nine-month sales were up 2.0% to $1.12 billion from $1.09 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2016. Organic sales improved 1.4%, while acquisitions added 2.1%. Foreign currency negatively impacted sales by 1.5%. Loss before income taxes was $40.7 million, compared to year-ago IBT of $170.3 million. Consumer segment EBIT was a negative $40.6 million compared to EBIT of $170.2 million in the first nine months a year ago. Excluding the current-year Kirker impairment charge and the prior year's Kirker earnout reversal, EBIT was $147.7 million, down 5.1% from year-ago EBIT of $155.7 million.

Business Outlook

"As we look ahead, we expect that recent expense-reduction initiatives, along with the $220 million in revenue added via nine acquisitions this fiscal year, have RPM well positioned for solid performance in the fourth quarter and into fiscal 2018," Sullivan stated.

"In our industrial segment, we expect mid-single-digit sales growth during the fourth quarter. This is predicated on continued strength in our businesses serving U.S. commercial construction markets and steady progress in Europe. Also, contributing to growth will be approximately $80 million in annualized sales from six industrial acquisitions completed this fiscal year," stated Sullivan.

"The specialty segment is expected to grow in the low- to mid-single-digit range during the fourth quarter, driven by a balance between organic and acquisition growth," Sullivan stated.

"Our consumer segment's fourth-quarter sales should increase in the mid-single-digit range. Third-quarter acquisitions in the segment will help balance out underperformance at our Kirker business, which remains challenged," Sullivan stated.

"As-reported EPS guidance for the full fiscal year of $1.54 to $1.64 remains unchanged. In January, we provided full-year as-adjusted EPS guidance of $2.62 to $2.72. As-adjusted EPS guidance is being reduced by $0.05 per share to $2.57 to $2.67 for the combined third quarter charges for the Restore intangible impairment and the European facility closure," stated Sullivan.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT today. The call can be accessed by dialing 888-771-4371 or 847-585-4405 for international callers. Participants are asked to call the assigned number approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The call, which will last approximately one hour, will be open to the public, but only financial analysts will be permitted to ask questions. The media and all other participants will be in a listen-only mode.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available from approximately 12:30 p.m. EDT today until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 13, 2017. The replay can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 or 630-652-3042 for international callers. The access code is 43815401. The call also will be available both live and for replay, and as a written transcript, via the RPM web site at www.rpminc.com.

About RPM

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services across three segments. RPM's industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion control coatings, flooring coatings and other construction chemicals. Industrial companies include Stonhard, Tremco, illbruck, Carboline, Flowcrete, Euclid Chemical and RPM Belgium Vandex. RPM's consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement and by hobbyists. Consumer brands include Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane and Testors. RPM's specialty products include industrial cleaners, colorants, exterior finishes, specialty OEM coatings, edible coatings, restoration services equipment and specialty glazes for the pharmaceutical and food industries. Specialty segment companies include Day-Glo, Dryvit, RPM Wood Finishes, Mantrose-Haeuser, Legend Brands, Kop-Coat and TCI. Additional details can be found at www.RPMinc.com and by following RPM on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RPMintl.

For more information, contact Barry M. Slifstein, vice president – investor relations, at 330-273-5090 or bslifstein@rpminc.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement the financial information presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States ("GAAP") in this earnings release, we use EBIT, a non-GAAP financial measure. EBIT is defined as earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. We evaluate the profit performance of our segments based on income before income taxes, but also look to EBIT as a performance evaluation measure because interest expense is essentially related to acquisitions, as opposed to segment operations. For that reason, we believe EBIT is also useful to investors as a metric in their investment decisions. EBIT should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, income before income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, since EBIT omits the impact of interest in determining operating performance, which represent items necessary to our continued operations, given our level of indebtedness. Nonetheless, EBIT is a key measure expected by and useful to our fixed income investors, rating agencies and the banking community all of whom believe, and we concur, that this measure is critical to the capital markets' analysis of our segments' core operating performance. We also evaluate EBIT because it is clear that movements in EBIT impact our ability to attract financing. Our underwriters and bankers consistently require inclusion of this measure in offering memoranda in conjunction with any debt underwriting or bank financing. EBIT may not be indicative of our historical operating results, nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. See the last page of this earnings release for a reconciliation of EBIT to income before income taxes.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to our business. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us, and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) global markets and general economic conditions, including uncertainties surrounding the volatility in financial markets, the availability of capital and the effect of changes in interest rates, and the viability of banks and other financial institutions; (b) the prices, supply and capacity of raw materials, including assorted pigments, resins, solvents and other natural gas- and oil-based materials; packaging, including plastic containers; and transportation services, including fuel surcharges; (c) continued growth in demand for our products; (d) legal, environmental and litigation risks inherent in our construction and chemicals businesses and risks related to the adequacy of our insurance coverage for such matters; (e) the effect of changes in interest rates; (f) the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates upon our foreign operations; (g) the effect of non-currency risks of investing in and conducting operations in foreign countries, including those relating to domestic and international political, social, economic and regulatory factors; (h) risks and uncertainties associated with our ongoing acquisition and divestiture activities; (i) risks related to the adequacy of our contingent liability reserves; and (j) other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2016, as the same may be updated from time to time. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

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Source: RPM International Inc.

RPM International Inc.
Barry M. Slifstein, 330-273-5090
Vice President – Investor Relations
bslifstein@rpminc.com