Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) today reported fiscal 2016 second quarter sales of $1,440.3 million, down 7.1 percent from $1,550.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Organic sales declined 3.6 percent, and currency translation reduced sales by 3.5 percent.

Fiscal 2016 second quarter Adjusted EPS was $1.37, down 14 percent compared to $1.59 in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Total segment operating earnings were $277.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, down 17 percent from $334.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2015. Total segment operating margin was 19.3 percent compared to 21.6 percent a year ago, primarily due to lower sales, unfavorable mix and currency effects.

On a GAAP basis, fiscal 2016 second quarter net income was $168.0 million or $1.28 per share, compared to $206.0 million or $1.51 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Pre-tax margin decreased to 15.1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 from 17.8 percent in the same period last year.

Commenting on the results, Keith D. Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Organic sales were in line with our expectations. Challenging heavy industry end markets, particularly oil and gas, outweighed modest growth in the consumer and automotive verticals.

“Segment operating margins were slightly below expectations, however I am pleased to see Control Products & Solutions able to continue to maintain margins despite lower sales. Cash generation was also strong in the quarter.”

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook, Nosbusch added, “Since we provided guidance in January, oil and commodity prices seem to have stabilized, and the most recent projections for economic growth, including Industrial Production, continue to indicate modest improvement in the balance of our fiscal year.

“Based on these factors, we continue to expect fiscal 2016 sales of about $5.9 billion, which includes a currency headwind of about 3 percent, and an organic sales decline in the range of 1.5 to 4.5 percent. We are also narrowing the EPS guidance range to $5.75 to $6.15.

“We are committed to delivering attractive financial returns, balancing short-term financial performance with investments in innovation and long-term profitable growth.

"I would like to thank our employees, partners and suppliers for their continued commitment in serving our customers.”

Following is a discussion of fiscal 2016 second quarter results for both segments.

Architecture & Software

Architecture & Software quarterly sales were $629.5 million, a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to $674.3 million in the same period last year. Organic sales decreased 3.3 percent, and currency translation reduced sales by 3.3 percent. Segment operating earnings were $154.6 million compared to $200.8 million in the same period last year. Segment operating margin decreased to 24.6 percent from 29.8 percent a year ago, primarily due to lower sales, unfavorable mix and currency effects, and increased spending.

Control Products & Solutions

Control Products & Solutions quarterly sales were $810.8 million, a decrease of 7.5 percent compared to $876.5 million in the same period last year. Organic sales decreased 3.9 percent, and currency translation reduced sales by 3.6 percent. Segment operating earnings were $122.9 million compared to $133.4 million in the same period last year. Segment operating margin was 15.2 percent, unchanged from the prior year.

Other Information

In the second quarter of fiscal 2016 free cash flow was $202.6 million and cash flow provided by operating activities was $214.5 million. Return on invested capital was 32.0 percent.

Fiscal 2016 second quarter general corporate-net expense was $19.5 million compared to $21.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

The Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was 23.7 percent compared to 26.0 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. On a GAAP basis, the effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was 22.6 percent compared to 25.5 percent a year ago. The decreases in the effective tax rate and the Adjusted Effective Tax Rate were primarily due to a favorable discrete tax item in the current quarter. The Company still expects a full-year Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for fiscal 2016 of approximately 25 percent.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $126.5 million. At March 31, 2016, $196.9 million remained available under the June 4, 2014 share repurchase authorization. On April 6, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to expend up to an additional $1.0 billion to repurchase shares of its common stock.

Organic sales, total segment operating earnings, total segment operating margin, Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, free cash flow and return on invested capital are non-GAAP measures that are reconciled to GAAP measures in the attachments to this release.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss our financial results will take place at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The call and related financial charts will be webcast and accessible via the Rockwell Automation website (http://www.rockwellautomation.com/investors/).

This news release contains statements (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe”, “estimate”, “project”, “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:

  • macroeconomic factors, including global and regional business conditions, the availability and cost of capital, commodity prices, the cyclical nature of our customers’ capital spending, sovereign debt concerns and currency exchange rates;
  • laws, regulations and governmental policies affecting our activities in the countries where we do business;
  • the successful development of advanced technologies and demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products;
  • the availability, effectiveness and security of our information technology systems;
  • competitive products, solutions and services and pricing pressures, and our ability to provide high quality products, solutions and services;
  • a disruption of our business due to natural disasters, pandemics, acts of war, strikes, terrorism, social unrest or other causes;
  • our ability to manage and mitigate the risk related to security vulnerabilities and breaches of our products, solutions and services;
  • intellectual property infringement claims by others and the ability to protect our intellectual property;
  • the uncertainty of claims by taxing authorities in the various jurisdictions where we do business;
  • our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
  • our ability to manage costs related to employee retirement and health care benefits;
  • the uncertainties of litigation, including liabilities related to the safety and security of the products, solutions and services we sell;
  • our ability to manage and mitigate the risks associated with our solutions and services businesses;
  • a disruption of our distribution channels;
  • the availability and price of components and materials;
  • the successful integration and management of acquired businesses;
  • the successful execution of our cost productivity and globalization initiatives; and
  • other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.

These forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs as of the date of filing this release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs approximately 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

 
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
SALES AND EARNINGS INFORMATION
(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2016   2015 2016   2015
Sales
Architecture & Software (a) $ 629.5 $ 674.3 $ 1,272.4 $ 1,382.1
Control Products & Solutions (b) 810.8   876.5   1,594.5   1,743.1  
Total sales (c) $ 1,440.3   $ 1,550.8   $ 2,866.9   $ 3,125.2  
 
Segment operating earnings
Architecture & Software (d) $ 154.6 $ 200.8 $ 330.8 $ 422.2
Control Products & Solutions (e) 122.9   133.4   242.6   258.8  
Total segment operating earnings1 (f) 277.5 334.2 573.4 681.0
 
Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization (4.5 ) (5.2 ) (9.2 ) (10.6 )
General corporate—net (19.5 ) (21.4 ) (37.5 ) (44.2 )
Non-operating pension costs (18.9 ) (15.4 ) (37.8 ) (31.6 )
Interest expense (17.6 ) (15.7 ) (35.0 ) (30.6 )
Income before income taxes (g) 217.0 276.5 453.9 564.0
Income tax provision (49.0 ) (70.5 ) (100.4 ) (143.8 )
Net income $ 168.0   $ 206.0   $ 353.5   $ 420.2  
 
Diluted EPS $ 1.28   $ 1.51   $ 2.68   $ 3.08  
 
Adjusted EPS2 $ 1.37   $ 1.59   $ 2.86   $ 3.23  
 
Average diluted shares 131.3   136.0   132.0   136.5  
 
Segment operating margin
Architecture & Software (d/a) 24.6 % 29.8 % 26.0 % 30.5 %
Control Products & Solutions (e/b) 15.2 % 15.2 % 15.2 % 14.8 %
Total segment operating margin1 (f/c) 19.3 % 21.6 % 20.0 % 21.8 %
 
Pre-tax margin (g/c) 15.1 % 17.8 % 15.8 % 18.0 %

1Total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin are non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude purchase accounting depreciation and amortization, general corporate – net, non-operating pension costs, interest expense and income tax provision because we do not consider these costs to be directly related to the operating performance of our segments. We believe that these measures are useful to investors as measures of operating performance. We use these measures to monitor and evaluate the profitability of our Company. Our measures of total segment operating earnings and total segment operating margin may be different from those used by other companies.

2Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP earnings measure that excludes the non-operating pension costs and their related income tax effects. See "Other Supplemental Information - Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate" section for more information regarding non-operating pension costs and a reconciliation to GAAP measures.

 
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in millions)
 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2016   2015 2016   2015
Sales $ 1,440.3 $ 1,550.8 $ 2,866.9 $ 3,125.2
Cost of sales (846.2 ) (877.6 ) (1,660.1 ) (1,764.5 )
Gross profit 594.1 673.2 1,206.8 1,360.7
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (358.7 ) (382.4 ) (718.6 ) (769.3 )
Other (expense) income (0.8 ) 1.4 0.7 3.2
Interest expense (17.6 ) (15.7 ) (35.0 ) (30.6 )
Income before income taxes 217.0 276.5 453.9 564.0
Income tax provision (49.0 ) (70.5 ) (100.4 ) (143.8 )
 
Net income $ 168.0   $ 206.0   $ 353.5   $ 420.2  
 
ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(in millions)
 
    March 31,     September 30,
2016 2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,396.3 $ 1,427.3
Short-term investments 913.6 721.9
Receivables 1,028.0 1,041.0
Inventories 569.7 535.6
Property, net 571.6 605.6
Goodwill and intangibles 1,241.5 1,258.3
Other assets 818.9   815.0
Total $ 6,539.6   $ 6,404.7
 
Liabilities and Shareowners’ Equity
Short-term debt $ 277.6 $
Accounts payable 500.3 521.7
Long-term debt 1,513.2 1,500.9
Other liabilities 2,032.9 2,125.3
Shareowners’ equity 2,215.6   2,256.8
Total $ 6,539.6   $ 6,404.7
 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
CONDENSED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(in millions)
 
    Six Months Ended
March 31,
2016     2015
Operating activities:
Income from continuing operations $ 353.5 $ 420.2
Depreciation and amortization 86.4 79.7
Retirement benefits expense 78.2 71.3
Pension contributions (21.2 ) (21.3 )
Receivables/inventories/payables (17.0 ) 73.3
Advanced payments from customers and deferred revenue 26.5 24.6
Compensation and benefits (73.7 ) (70.3 )
Income taxes (58.0 ) (14.0 )
Other 24.6   (10.1 )
Cash provided by operating activities 399.3   553.4  
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures (52.6 ) (58.0 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (21.1 ) (21.2 )
Purchases of short-term investments (590.6 ) (338.0 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 397.6 323.8
Proceeds from sale of property 0.2   0.2  
Cash used for investing activities (266.5 ) (93.2 )
Financing activities:
Net issuance (repayment) of short-term debt 277.6 (325.0 )
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs 594.3
Cash dividends (190.4 ) (175.9 )
Purchases of treasury stock (257.4 ) (293.0 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 12.8 22.7
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation 1.2 6.6
Other financing activities   (1.6 )
Cash used for financing activities (156.2 ) (171.9 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (7.6 ) (76.7 )
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents $ (31.0 ) $ 211.6  
 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(in millions)

Organic Sales

Our press release contains information regarding organic sales, which we define as sales excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates and acquisitions. We believe this non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors because it reflects regional and operating segment performance from our activities without the effect of changes in currency exchange rates and/or acquisitions. We use organic sales as one measure to monitor and evaluate our regional and operating segment performance. We determine the effect of changes in currency exchange rates by translating the respective period’s sales using the currency exchange rates that were in effect during the prior year. When we acquire businesses, we exclude sales in the current year for which there are no comparable sales in the prior period. Organic sales growth is calculated by comparing organic sales to reported sales in the prior year. Sales are attributed to the geographic regions based on the country of destination.

The following is a reconciliation of reported sales to organic sales for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 compared to sales for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015:

    Three Months Ended March 31,
2016   2015
    Sales    
Excluding
Effect of Effect of
Changes in Changes in Effect of Organic
Sales Currency Currency Acquisitions Sales Sales
United States $ 804.8 $ 0.5 $ 805.3 $ $ 805.3 $ 863.2
Canada 76.2 8.0 84.2 84.2 85.8
Europe, Middle East, Africa 274.6 9.4 284.0 284.0 285.9
Asia Pacific 179.4 10.5 189.9 (0.1 ) 189.8 199.4
Latin America 105.3   26.2   131.5     131.5   116.5
Total $ 1,440.3   $ 54.6   $ 1,494.9   $ (0.1 ) $ 1,494.8   $ 1,550.8
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
2016 2015
Sales
Excluding
Effect of Effect of
Changes in Changes in Effect of Organic
Sales Currency Currency Acquisitions Sales Sales
United States $ 1,592.1 $ 1.3 $ 1,593.4 $ (0.3 ) $ 1,593.1 $ 1,700.0
Canada 154.9 21.4 176.3 176.3 185.8
Europe, Middle East, Africa 548.8 49.3 598.1 598.1 582.8
Asia Pacific 352.4 22.3 374.7 (0.1 ) 374.6 406.6
Latin America 218.7   56.4   275.1     275.1   250.0
Total $ 2,866.9   $ 150.7   $ 3,017.6   $ (0.4 ) $ 3,017.2   $ 3,125.2
 

The following is a reconciliation of reported sales to organic sales for our operating segments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 compared to sales for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015:

    Three Months Ended March 31,
2016   2015
    Sales    
Excluding
Effect of Effect of
Changes in Changes in Effect of Organic
Sales Currency Currency Acquisitions Sales Sales
Architecture & Software $ 629.5 $ 22.9 $ 652.4 $ (0.1 ) $ 652.3 $ 674.3
Control Products & Solutions 810.8   31.7   842.5     842.5   876.5
Total $ 1,440.3   $ 54.6   $ 1,494.9   $ (0.1 ) $ 1,494.8   $ 1,550.8
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
2016 2015
Sales
Excluding
Effect of Effect of
Changes in Changes in Effect of Organic
Sales Currency Currency Acquisitions Sales Sales
Architecture & Software $ 1,272.4 $ 68.8 $ 1,341.2 $ (0.1 ) $ 1,341.1 $ 1,382.1
Control Products & Solutions 1,594.5   81.9   1,676.4   (0.3 ) 1,676.1   1,743.1
Total $ 2,866.9   $ 150.7   $ 3,017.6   $ (0.4 ) $ 3,017.2   $ 3,125.2
 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)

Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Our press release contains financial information and earnings guidance regarding Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, which are non-GAAP earnings measures that exclude non-operating pension costs and their related income tax effects. We define non-operating pension costs as defined benefit plan interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of actuarial gains and losses and the impact of any plan curtailments or settlements. These components of net periodic benefit cost primarily relate to changes in pension assets and liabilities that are a result of market performance; we consider these costs to be unrelated to the operating performance of our business. We believe that Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate provide useful information to our investors about our operating performance and allow management and investors to compare our operating performance period over period. Our measures of Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate may be different from measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for income from continuing operations, diluted EPS and effective tax rate.

The following are the components of operating and non-operating pension costs for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2016   2015 2016   2015
Service cost $ 21.8 $ 21.5 $ 43.9 $ 43.2
Amortization of prior service credit (0.7 ) (0.6 ) (1.4 ) (1.3 )
Operating pension costs 21.1   20.9   42.5   41.9  
 
Interest cost 42.2 41.6 84.7 83.9
Expected return on plan assets (54.4 ) (55.8 ) (109.1 ) (111.9 )
Amortization of net actuarial loss 31.1   29.6   62.2   59.6  
Non-operating pension costs 18.9   15.4   37.8   31.6  
       
Net periodic pension cost $ 40.0   $ 36.3   $ 80.3   $ 73.5  
 

The following are reconciliations of income from continuing operations, diluted EPS from continuing operations, and effective tax rate to Adjusted Income, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2016   2015 2016   2015
Income from continuing operations $ 168.0 $ 206.0 $ 353.5 $ 420.2
Non-operating pension costs 18.9 15.4 37.8 31.6
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs (6.9 ) (5.4 ) (13.7 ) (11.0 )
Adjusted Income $ 180.0   $ 216.0   $ 377.6   $ 440.8  
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations $ 1.28 $ 1.51 $ 2.68 $ 3.08
Non-operating pension costs per diluted share 0.14 0.12 0.29 0.23
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs per diluted share (0.05 ) (0.04 ) (0.11 ) (0.08 )
Adjusted EPS $ 1.37   $ 1.59   $ 2.86   $ 3.23  
 
Effective tax rate 22.6 % 25.5 % 22.1 % 25.5 %
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs 1.1 % 0.5 % 1.1 % 0.5 %
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate 23.7 % 26.0 % 23.2 % 26.0 %
 
           

Fiscal 2016
Guidance

   

Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Diluted EPS from continuing operations $5.38 - $5.78 $ 6.09
Non-operating pension costs per diluted share 0.58 0.46
Tax effect of non-operating pension costs per diluted share (0.21) (0.15 )
Adjusted EPS $5.75 - $6.15 $ 6.40  
 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(in millions, except percentages)

Free Cash Flow

Our definition of free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, takes into consideration capital investments required to maintain the operations of our businesses and execute our strategy. We account for share-based compensation under U.S. GAAP, which requires that we report the excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation as a financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash flow. We have added this benefit back to our calculation of free cash flow in order to generally classify cash flows arising from income taxes as operating cash flows.

In our opinion, free cash flow provides useful information to investors regarding our ability to generate cash from business operations that is available for acquisitions and other investments, service of debt principal, dividends and share repurchases. We use free cash flow, as defined, as one measure to monitor and evaluate performance. Our definition of free cash flow may be different from definitions used by other companies.

The following table summarizes free cash flow by quarter:

    Quarter Ended
Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,   Jun. 30,   Sep. 30,   Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,
2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016
Cash provided by continuing operating activities $ 268.2 $ 285.2 $ 286.3 $ 348.0 $ 184.8 $ 214.5
Capital expenditures (40.0 ) (18.0 ) (25.2 ) (39.7 ) (40.2 ) (12.4 )
Excess income tax benefit from share-based compensation 4.4   2.2   5.6   0.2   0.7   0.5  
Free cash flow $ 232.6   $ 269.4   $ 266.7   $ 308.5   $ 145.3   $ 202.6  
 

Return On Invested Capital

Our press release contains information regarding Return On Invested Capital (ROIC), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that ROIC is useful to investors as a measure of performance and of the effectiveness of the use of capital in our operations. We use ROIC as one measure to monitor and evaluate performance. Our measure of ROIC may be different from that used by other companies. We define ROIC as the percentage resulting from the following calculation:

(a)   Income from continuing operations, before interest expense, income tax provision, and purchase accounting depreciation and amortization, for the most recent twelve months; divided by
 
(b) average invested capital for the year, calculated as a five quarter rolling average using the sum of short-term debt, long-term debt, shareowners’ equity, and accumulated amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets, minus cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments; multiplied by
 
(c) one minus the effective tax rate for the twelve-month period.

ROIC is calculated as follows:

    Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
2016     2015
(a) Return
Income from continuing operations $ 760.9 $ 868.6
Interest expense 68.1 60.0
Income tax provision 256.5 308.4
Purchase accounting depreciation and amortization 19.6   21.8  
Return 1,105.1   1,258.8  
(b) Average invested capital
Short-term debt 87.7 291.1
Long-term debt 1,500.9 1,025.5
Shareowners’ equity 2,366.3 2,654.6
Accumulated amortization of goodwill and intangibles 802.2 783.2
Cash and cash equivalents (1,448.6 ) (1,260.2 )
Short-term investments (726.3 ) (588.8 )
Average invested capital 2,582.2   2,905.4  
(c) Effective tax rate
Income tax provision 256.5 308.4
Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,017.4   $ 1,177.0  
Effective tax rate 25.2 % 26.2 %
(a) / (b) * (1-c) Return On Invested Capital 32.0 % 32.0 %