Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported quarterly earnings of $.67 per share, which is unchanged versus the same quarter last year. As expected, EPS benefitted from a lower tax rate related to the new accounting standard for stock-based compensation ($.04). This was offset by a reduced benefit from commodity deflation, and lower sales. EBIT margin was 13.7%, a 30 basis point decrease versus third quarter last year.

The company's commercial products division includes:

Third quarter sales from continuing operations decreased 6% versus third quarter 2015, to $949 million, with 4% of the decline due to four small divestitures completed during the prior twelve months. In addition, same location sales declined by 2% due to slightly lower unit volume, raw material-related price decreases, and currency impact.

President and CEO Karl G. Glassman commented, "Third quarter earnings and EBIT margin were stronger than we forecast, despite softer than expected sales. In July, we assumed that the second quarter's steel inflation would hold through the remainder of the year. Instead, market prices for steel began to deflate as the third quarter progressed. Given third quarter results and lower current commodity costs, we have increased our 2016 EPS guidance on lower sales. For the full year, we continue to anticipate record EPS from continuing operations, strong EBIT margin, and significant improvement in operating cash flow.

"Cash flow from operations, at $386 million for the first three quarters of the year, was $129 million, or 50%, greater than the same period last year, in part due to $28 million of after-tax litigation settlement proceeds. For the full year, we expect cash from operations to exceed $525 million.

"At our recent Investor Day in September, we recommitted to our long-standing goal of achieving Total Shareholder Return (TSR[1]) that ranks in the top third of the S&P 500 over rolling three-year periods. Over the long term, we expect 6-9% annual revenue growth and a strong dividend yield to be the main drivers of our TSR. EBIT margin increases and stock buybacks will also contribute to TSR, but at lower levels due to significant increases in margin and stock price achieved over the last few years. For the three-year period that began January 1, 2014, we have over the last 34 months generated TSR of 17% annually; that performance places us within the top 14% of the S&P 500.

"Regarding our long-term growth expectations, we believe the macro environment will support modest revenue growth in our end markets over the next few years. Within those markets, we will concentrate on extending our record of content gains and new program awards across our businesses, thereby growing organically faster than our markets. In addition, strategic acquisitions are expected to supplement the organic growth we achieve.

"We are committed to maintaining our strong financial base. At quarter end, the company's debt was 1.7 times our trailing 12-month adjusted[2] EBITDA, and net debt to net capital2 was 36%, comfortably within our 30% - 40% target range. We ended the quarter with over $450 million available through our commercial paper program."

Dividends, and Stock Repurchases

In August, Leggett & Platt's Board of Directors declared a $.34 third quarter dividend, a two cent, or 6%, increase versus last year's third quarter dividend. Thus, 2016 marks the 45th consecutive annual dividend increase for the company. Leggett & Platt is proud of its dividend record and plans to continue it.

At yesterday's closing share price of $44.84, the indicated annual dividend of $1.36 per share generates a dividend yield of 3.0%, one of the higher dividend yields among the 50 stocks of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.

During the third quarter the company purchased 0.5 million shares of its stock at an average price of $52.77, and issued 0.8 million shares, primarily via employee stock option exercises. Year-to-date, the company has purchased 4.2 million shares at an average price of $46.47, and issued 2.2 million. At quarter end, shares outstanding were 133.7 million, a 1.8% reduction over the prior 12 months.

Increasing 2016 Continuing Operations EPS Guidance: $2.55 - $2.62

With strong third quarter earnings and lower commodity costs, the company is increasing its EPS guidance from its prior range of $2.45-2.60, and now expects 2016 EPS from continuing operations of $2.55 to $2.62. This guidance continues to assume a full-year effective tax rate of 25%, which incorporates the new accounting standard for stock-based compensation. Discontinued operations EPS for 2016 is forecast at $.15, reflecting the second quarter's litigation settlement proceeds.

Full-year sales are now estimated at approximately $3.75 billion, a 4% decrease versus 2015. This guidance assumes 2016 unit volume growth of approximately 2%, offset by a 3% reduction from commodity deflation and currency impacts, and a 3% decrease from recent divestitures (net of small acquisitions). The $150 million reduction versus prior sales guidance (of $3.9 billion) reflects lower-than-anticipated sales in the third quarter, and an expectation that demand and commodity pricing continue at similar levels for the fourth quarter. Based on this guidance, the 2016 EBIT margin should exceed 13%.

Cash from operations is expected to exceed $525 million in 2016. Capital expenditures are estimated to be $125 million, and dividend payments should approximate $175 million. The company's target for dividend payout is 50‑60% of net earnings. Actual payout was higher until 2015, but with recent growth in annual earnings, the company is now within its target payout range.

The company's top priorities for use of cash are organic growth, dividends, and strategic acquisitions. After funding those priorities, if cash is available, the company generally intends to repurchase its stock (rather than repay debt early or stockpile cash). Management has standing authorization from the Board of Directors to buy up to 10 million shares each year; however, no specific repurchase commitment or timetable has been established.

LIFO

All of Leggett's operating segments use the first-in, first out (FIFO) method for valuing inventory. An adjustment is made at the corporate level (i.e., outside the segments) to convert about 50% of the inventories to the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. These are primarily the company's domestic, steel-related inventories. Commodity costs have been volatile in 2016, and despite recent decreases, are still higher than at the start of the year. Accordingly, the company now expects full year LIFO expense of $4 million, of which $3 million was recognized through the first three quarters of the year. In contrast, during 2015 the company experienced significant commodity deflation, which resulted in a full-year LIFO benefit of $46 million.

SEGMENT RESULTS – Third Quarter 2016 (versus the same period in 2015)

Residential Furnishings – Total sales decreased $40 million, or 8%, with unit volume down 6%, and raw material-related price decreases and currency impact reducing sales by 2%. EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) decreased $3 million, with the impact from reduced sales largely offset by pricing discipline.

Commercial Products – Total sales decreased $7 million, or 4%, with growth in Work Furniture more than offset by lower sales in Adjustable Bed. EBIT decreased $1 million due to lower sales.

Industrial Materials – Total sales decreased $47 million, or 24%, largely due to divestitures. Additionally, same location sales decreased 8% from a combination of steel-related price decreases and lower unit volume in Drawn Wire. EBIT decreased $2 million due to lower volume.

Specialized Products – Total sales increased $8 million, or 3%. Same location sales increased 6% from continued strength in Automotive. EBIT increased $5 million, reflecting higher unit volume and currency benefits.