Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), a leading provider of irrigation systems and infrastructure products, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth quarter fiscal 2017 revenues were $131.9 million compared to revenues of $132.9 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were $6.3 million or $0.59 per diluted share compared with net earnings of $7.8 million or $0.73 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of the prior year. A higher effective income tax rate for the quarter decreased net earnings $1.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to the same prior year period.

Irrigation segment revenues for the fourth quarter were $101.9 million, an increase of two percent compared to $99.9 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. U.S. irrigation revenues were $55.6 million, a three percent decrease from the fourth quarter of the prior year, driven primarily by lower filtration and pump system revenues. Mechanized irrigation equipment revenues increased in the quarter on higher average selling prices and higher unit sales volume. International irrigation revenues were $46.3 million, an increase of nine percent compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year, driven by the continued market recovery in Brazil, increased project activity in developing markets, and a slightly favorable currency translation impact. Infrastructure segment revenues for the fourth quarter were $30.0 million, a decrease of nine percent over the prior year’s fourth quarter. Higher Road Zipper® system lease revenue and higher sales of road safety products in international markets were more than offset by lower Road Zipper® system project sales and lower sales of U.S. road safety products.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was 28.6 percent of sales compared to 30.1 percent of sales in the prior year’s fourth quarter. Margins were slightly lower in both the irrigation and infrastructure segments. Irrigation margins were impacted by a higher mix of revenue from international markets, where gross margins are typically lower. Infrastructure margins were lower in comparison to a strong fourth quarter in the prior year.

Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 were $26.3 million, a decrease of $1.7 million compared to the fourth quarter in the prior year. The decrease resulted from lower selling and administrative expenses while engineering and development costs remained stable, although at elevated levels due to ongoing testing required to qualify road safety products under new U.S. government testing standards. Operating expenses were 19.9 percent of sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared with 21.0 percent of sales in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $11.5 million, a decrease of four percent compared to $12.0 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Irrigation segment operating income increased on higher revenue and lower operating expenses while infrastructure segment operating income decreased on lower revenue and lower gross margin. Operating margin was 8.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 9.0 percent in the prior year fourth quarter.

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter were $121.6 million compared to $101.2 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. There were no share repurchases made during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. A total of $63.7 million remains available under the Company’s share repurchase program as of August 31, 2017.

The backlog of unshipped orders at August 31, 2017 was $51.8 million compared with $50.7 million at August 31, 2016. Higher order backlog in the irrigation segment was partially offset by lower order backlog in the infrastructure segment compared to the end of the prior fiscal year.

Full Year Results

Total revenues for the year ended August 31, 2017 were $518.0 million, a slight increase compared to $516.4 million in the same prior year period. Net earnings were $23.2 million or $2.17 per diluted share compared with $20.3 million or $1.85 per diluted share in the same prior year period. A higher effective income tax rate in fiscal 2017 decreased net earnings $1.5 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to the same prior year period.

Irrigation segment revenues of $418.0 million for the year ended August 31, 2017 decreased one percent from $421.6 million in the same prior year period. U.S. irrigation revenues of $242.6 million decreased seven percent while international irrigation revenues of $175.4 million increased 10 percent. Infrastructure segment revenues increased five percent to $99.9 million for the year ended August 31, 2017 compared to the same prior year period.

Outlook

Rick Parod, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “U.S. irrigation equipment revenues were improved for a second consecutive quarter, a further indication that we may have reached a level of stabilization in the domestic market. The market recovery in Brazil and increased project activity in developing markets continue to drive growth in international irrigation.”

Parod continued, “Commodity prices have stabilized, but are expected to remain under pressure as generally favorable weather conditions during the 2017 growing season are expected to result in above average crop production levels and ending stocks. The latest USDA estimate of net farm income for 2017 is projected to be 3% higher than last year, following three years of significant decline. Grower sentiment in the U.S. is showing signs of improvement and we expect modest growth in our U.S. irrigation business in the upcoming year. We also expect continued growth in international irrigation markets. In our infrastructure business, we expect continued global growth in Road Zipper system sales and leasing as well as our road safety products. The longer-term drivers for our markets of population growth, expanded food production and efficient water use, and infrastructure upgrades and expansion support our expectations for growth.”

Fourth-Quarter Conference Call

Lindsay’s fiscal 2017 fourth quarter investor conference call is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Interested investors may participate in the call by dialing (877) 317-6789 in the U.S., or (412) 317-6789 internationally, and requesting the Lindsay Corporation call. Additionally, the conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet, and can be accessed via the investor relations section of the Company's Web site, www.lindsay.com. Replays of the conference call will remain on our Web site through the next quarterly earnings release. The Company will have a slide presentation available to augment management's formal presentation, which will also be accessible via the Company's Web site.

About the Company

Lindsay manufactures and markets irrigation equipment primarily used in agricultural markets which increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy, and labor. The Company also manufactures and markets infrastructure and road safety products under the Lindsay Transportation Solutions trade name. At August 31, 2017, Lindsay had approximately 10.7 million shares outstanding, which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNN.

For more information regarding Lindsay Corporation, see the Company’s Web site at www.lindsay.com.

Concerning Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and which reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. You can find a discussion of many of these risks and uncertainties in the annual, quarterly and current reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations and planned financing of the Company and those statements preceded by, followed by or including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” "expect," "outlook," "could," "may," "should," “will,” or similar expressions. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release.

               
 
Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended August 31, Years ended August 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)     2017     2016 2017     2016
 
Operating revenues $ 131,937 $ 132,897 $ 517,985 $ 516,411
Cost of operating revenues   94,146         92,951     372,973         367,798  
Gross profit   37,791         39,946     145,012         148,613  
 
Operating expenses:
Selling expense 10,140 11,012 40,705 41,973
General and administrative expense 11,681 12,494 46,959 56,419
Engineering and research expense   4,440         4,444     17,147         15,846  
Total operating expenses   26,261         27,950     104,811         114,238  
 
Operating income 11,530 11,996 40,201 34,375
 
Interest expense (1,191 ) (1,175 ) (4,757 ) (4,751 )
Interest income 297 125 1,178 645
Other (expense) income, net   (89 )       74     (907 )       (981 )
 
Earnings before income taxes 10,547 11,020 35,715 29,288
 
Income tax expense   4,205         3,212     12,536         9,021  
 
Net earnings $ 6,342       $ 7,808   $ 23,179       $ 20,267  
 
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.59 $ 0.73 $ 2.17 $ 1.86
Diluted $ 0.59 $ 0.73 $ 2.17 $ 1.85
 
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic 10,692 10,709 10,666 10,906
Diluted 10,729 10,740 10,694 10,930
 
Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.30 $ 0.29 $ 1.17 $ 1.13
       
 
Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
August 31, August 31,
(in thousands, except par values) 2017 2016
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 121,620 $ 101,246
Restricted cash - 2,030
Receivables, net 73,850 80,610
Inventories, net 86,155 74,750
Prepaid expenses 4,384 3,671
Other current assets   6,925     14,468  
Total current assets 292,934 276,775
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 74,498 77,627
Intangible assets, net 42,808 47,200
Goodwill 77,131 76,803
Deferred income tax assets 5,311 4,225
Other noncurrent assets   13,350     4,885  
Total assets $ 506,032   $ 487,515  
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 36,717 $ 32,268
Current portion of long-term debt 201 197
Other current liabilities   55,119     55,395  
Total current liabilities 92,037 87,860
 
Pension benefits liabilities 6,295 6,869
Long-term debt 116,775 116,976
Deferred income taxes 1,191 1,223
Other noncurrent liabilities   19,679     23,020  
Total liabilities   235,977     235,948  
 
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - -
Common stock 18,780 18,713
Capital in excess of stated value 63,006 57,338
Retained earnings 477,615 466,926
Less treasury stock (277,238 ) (277,238 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net   (12,108 )   (14,172 )
Total shareholders' equity   270,055     251,567  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 506,032   $ 487,515  
       
 
Lindsay Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
(in thousands) Years Ended August 31,
2017 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $ 23,179 $ 20,267
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 16,678 16,881
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable (574 ) (843 )
Deferred income taxes (903 ) (5,755 )
Share-based compensation expense 3,598 3,060
Other, net 626 89
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables 7,959 (4,730 )
Inventories (10,092 ) 1,330
Other current assets 4,581 (1,047 )
Accounts payable 4,076 (7,101 )
Other current liabilities (717 ) (230 )
Current taxes payable (3,104 ) (813 )
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities   (5,858 )   12,017  
Net cash provided by operating activities   39,449     33,125  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (8,863 ) (11,496 )
Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedges 2,117 3,381
Payments for settlement of net investment hedges (3,466 ) (2,924 )
Other investing activities, net   233     1,141  
Net cash used in investing activities   (9,979 )   (9,898 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,020 113
Common stock withheld for payroll tax obligations (635 ) (712 )
Principal payments on long-term debt (197 ) (193 )
Repurchase of common shares - (48,335 )
Dividends paid   (12,490 )   (12,244 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (10,302 )   (61,371 )
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   1,206     297  
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 20,374 (37,847 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   101,246     139,093  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 121,620   $ 101,246