NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE: SMP), an automotive replacement parts manufacturer and distributor, reported today its consolidated financial results for the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2017.

Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $281.1 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $300.8 million during the comparable quarter in 2016. Earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2017 were $17.1 million or 74 cents per diluted share, compared to $21.1 million or 91 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of 2016. Excluding non-operational gains and losses identified on the attached reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures, earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2017 were $17.2 million or 74 cents per diluted share, compared to $21.3 million or 92 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of 2016.

Consolidated net sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, were $876.2 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $828.7 million during the comparable period in 2016. Earnings from continuing operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, were $51.7 million or $2.22 per diluted share, compared to $53.6 million or $2.32 per diluted share in the comparable period of 2016. Excluding non-operational gains and losses identified on the attached reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures, earnings from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016 were $53.2 million or $2.28 per diluted share and $54.1 million or $2.35 per diluted share, respectively.

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, in the third quarter of 2017 was $4 million compared to $425 thousand in the comparable period last year. The discontinued operation relates to asbestos-related indemnity claims and legal expenses from a brake business divested in 1998. Annually, in the third quarter, the Company engages an independent actuary to assess the Company's asbestos-related liability exposure. The actuary has estimated that the Company's gross undiscounted potential exposure for indemnity claims from September 2017 through 2060 will range from $35.2 million to $54 million, and legal expenses will range from $44.3 million to $79.6 million. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a non-cash $6 million provision, $3.6 million net of taxes, to increase the asbestos-related indemnity liability to $35.2 million. Legal expenses are expensed as incurred.

Mr. Eric P. Sills, Standard Motor Products' Chief Executive Officer and President stated, "There were two basic reasons for the shortfall in sales and profits in the third quarter, both of which are short-term in nature. First was the decline in Temperature Control sales, which was the result of a cool summer following a very warm 2016; second was a reduction in Engine Management gross margin, which was largely due to the temporary costs of plant moves, which, when complete, will make us a much stronger company.

"First, Temperature Control sales. 2016, you will recall, was a very warm summer, and our customers reported sales increases in our line of 9%. As a result, their pre-season orders this year were very strong, and our first half Temperature Control sales were up 9%.

"2017 has proven to be a cool summer, and our customers have focused on reducing their Temperature Control inventories during the third quarter. Our sales were down 16% in the third quarter, but year-to-date they are down only 1%. This is still slightly better than our customers' reported year-to-date sales decrease of 5%, and as a result we are anticipating a potential further decline in their purchases in the fourth quarter, as they continue to bring their inventories into line.

"However, despite the decline in sales, we were able to improve Temperature Control gross margin to 26.8% in the third quarter and 26.2% year-to-date, both ahead of 2016 figures. This is primarily the result of the relocation of production from Grapevine, TX, to our low-cost plant in Reynosa, Mexico, which will be complete by the end of 2017, and continuous improvement in our joint venture in Foshan, China.

"Our Engine Management sales decreased in the third quarter by 2% as compared to 2016. Year-to-date, Engine Management sales are up 8.8%; however, adjusting for the General Cable ignition wire business, acquired in May of 2016, our year-to-date Engine Management sales are ahead of the prior year by 2.2%. This increase is within our stated expectations of low single-digit organic growth.

"Our Engine Management gross margins continue to be impacted by the multiple facility moves that began in 2016. Two moves - ignition coils from Greenville, SC, to Poland, and diesel products from Grapevine, TX, to Greenville - are physically complete, with the receiving locations doing well but still working towards achieving run-rate efficiencies.

"Two moves are still underway. The largest is the consolidation of the General Cable wire assembly operation from Nogales, Mexico, to Reynosa, a move involving 500 people. We have also begun the relocation of our electronics plant in Orlando, Florida, to our Independence, Kansas, facility. These moves are on schedule and due to be complete by mid-2018. Until then, as we have discussed, we are incurring substantial temporary costs relating to ramp-up inefficiencies, duplication of overhead, and the hiring and training of hundreds of employees. These costs, temporary in nature, are the primary reason for the decline in Engine Management gross margin.

"These moves have been a major effort for our company, involving many of our locations and many of our people. When complete, they will result in the closing of three facilities - Grapevine, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Nogales, Mexico. Once the receiving locations achieve run-rate efficiencies, we anticipate annualized corporate-wide savings of $16-18 million from today's costs.

"During the third quarter, despite the drop in volume, we were able to reduce SG&A expenses nearly a full point, from 20.4% to 19.5%. A major component was the integration of General Cable distribution and sales function into SMP as well as overall management of controllable costs and reduced incentive compensation expenses.

"In conclusion, while we are not satisfied with our third quarter results, we believe that the causes are relatively short-term in nature, and that the steps we have taken will lead to substantial improvements in future years. We wish to thank all our employees as we strive to deliver our value proposition to our customers as the best full-line, full service supplier of premium Engine Management and Temperature Control Products."

The Board of Directors has approved payment of a quarterly dividend of nineteen cents per share on the common stock outstanding. The dividend will be paid on December 1, 2017 to stockholders of record on November 15, 2017.

Standard Motor Products, Inc. will hold a conference call at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time, on Thursday, October 26, 2017. The dial-in number is 866-952-8559 (domestic) or 785-424-1881 (international). The playback number is 800-839-6803 (domestic) or 402-220-6056 (international). The conference ID # is STANDARD.

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Standard Motor Products cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the company, including those that may be made in this press release, are based on management's expectations at the time they are made, but they are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those risks and uncertainties discussed in this press release are those detailed from time-to-time in prior press releases and in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. By making these forward-looking statements, Standard Motor Products undertakes no obligation or intention to update these statements after the date of this release.



                                                                     STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

                                                                 Consolidated Statements of Operations



    (In thousands, except per share amounts)



                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED

                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,                                           SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                                                2017                         2016                         2017       2016
                                                                                ----                         ----                         ----       ----

                                                             (Unaudited)                                             (Unaudited)

    NET SALES                                                               $281,058                     $300,795                     $876,165   $828,683


    COST OF SALES                                                            198,523                      205,151                      618,854    572,967
                                                                             -------                      -------                      -------    -------


    GROSS PROFIT                                                              82,535                       95,644                      257,311    255,716


    SELLING, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES                                54,800                       61,277                      172,236    169,033

    RESTRUCTURING AND INTEGRATION EXPENSES                                     1,132                        1,115                        3,914      2,127

    OTHER INCOME , NET                                                           316                          322                          946        881
                                                                                 ---                          ---                          ---        ---


    OPERATING INCOME                                                          26,919                       33,574                       82,107     85,437


    OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME, NET                                              319                          208                        1,882        806


    INTEREST EXPENSE                                                             595                          501                        1,785      1,206
                                                                                 ---                          ---                        -----      -----


    EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES                          26,643                       33,281                       82,204     85,037


    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                                 9,535                       12,226                       30,468     31,464
                                                                               -----                       ------                       ------     ------


    EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                       17,108                       21,055                       51,736     53,573


    LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATION, NET OF INCOME TAXES                    (3,983)                       (425)                     (5,113)   (1,495)
                                                                              ------                         ----                       ------     ------


    NET EARNINGS                                                             $13,125                      $20,630                      $46,623    $52,078
                                                                             =======                      =======                      =======    =======







    NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:


       BASIC EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                               $0.75                        $0.93                        $2.27      $2.36

       DISCONTINUED OPERATION                                                 (0.17)                      (0.02)                      (0.22)    (0.06)

       NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC                                   $0.58                        $0.91                        $2.05      $2.30
                                                                               =====                        =====                        =====      =====



       DILUTED EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                             $0.74                        $0.91                        $2.22      $2.32

       DISCONTINUED OPERATION                                                 (0.17)                      (0.02)                      (0.22)    (0.06)

       NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED                                 $0.57                        $0.89                        $2.00      $2.26
                                                                               =====                        =====                        =====      =====



    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES                              22,660,157                   22,716,279                   22,774,927 22,688,071

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND DILUTIVE SHARES                 23,174,700                   23,097,699                   23,287,052 23,044,604

                                                                             STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

                                                                         Segment Revenues and Operating Income



    (In thousands)



                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED                               NINE MONTHS ENDED

                                         SEPTEMBER 30,                                   SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                             2017                                               2016               2017                 2016
                                                             ----                                               ----               ----                 ----

                                          (Unaudited)                                     (Unaudited)

    Revenues
    --------

    Engine Management                                    $196,776                                           $200,782           $631,439             $580,311

    Temperature Control                                    81,160                                             96,819            238,841              241,088

    All Other                                               3,122                                              3,194              5,885                7,284
                                                                                                                                -----                -----

                                                         $281,058                                           $300,795           $876,165             $828,683
                                                         ========                                           ========           ========             ========


    Gross Margin
    ------------

    Engine Management                                     $57,808  29.4%                                     $66,849   33.3%   $187,531    29.7%    $187,956     32.4%

    Temperature Control                                    21,721  26.8%                                      25,773   26.6%     62,539    26.2%      60,447     25.1%

    All Other                                               3,006                                              3,022              7,241                7,313
                                                                                                                                -----                -----

                                                          $82,535  29.4%                                     $95,644   31.8%   $257,311    29.4%    $255,716     30.9%
                                                          =======                                            =======           ========             ========


    Selling, General & Administrative
    ---------------------------------

    Engine Management                                     $34,289  17.4%                                     $36,659   18.3%   $108,497    17.2%    $102,908     17.7%

    Temperature Control                                    13,665  16.8%                                      15,827   16.3%     41,215    17.3%      41,778     17.3%

    All Other                                               6,846                                              8,791             22,524               24,347
                                                                                                                               ------               ------

                                                          $54,800  19.5%                                     $61,277   20.4%   $172,236    19.7%    $169,033     20.4%
                                                          =======                                            =======           ========             ========



    Operating Income
    ----------------

    Engine Management                                     $23,519  12.0%                                     $30,190   15.0%    $79,034    12.5%     $85,048     14.7%

    Temperature Control                                     8,056   9.9%                                       9,946   10.3%     21,324     8.9%      18,669      7.7%

    All Other                                             (3,840)                                           (5,769)          (15,283)            (17,034)
                                                           ------                                             ------            -------              -------

                                                           27,735   9.9%                                      34,367   11.4%     85,075     9.7%      86,683     10.5%

    Restructuring & Integration                           (1,132) -0.4%                                     (1,115)  -0.4%    (3,914)   -0.4%     (2,127)    -0.3%

    Other Income, Net                                         316   0.1%                                         322    0.1%        946     0.1%         881      0.1%

                                                          $26,919   9.6%                                     $33,574   11.2%    $82,107     9.4%     $85,437     10.3%
                                                          =======                                            =======            =======              =======

                                                                                                                                                      STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

                                                                                                                                               Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures





    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                                                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED                             NINE MONTHS ENDED

                                                                                                                                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,                                  SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                                                                                                                                                                    2017                2016                        2017      2016
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ----                ----                        ----      ----

                                                                                                                                                                                 (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)

    EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    -----------------------------------


    GAAP EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                                     $17,108             $21,055                     $51,736   $53,573


    RESTRUCTURING AND INTEGRATION EXPENSES                                                                                                                                                         1,132               1,115                       3,914     2,127

    CERTAIN TAX CREDITS AND PRODUCTION DEDUCTIONS FINALIZED IN PERIOD                                                                                                                              (463)              (235)                      (463)    (235)

    GAIN FROM SALE OF BUILDINGS                                                                                                                                                                    (262)              (262)                      (786)    (786)

    INCOME TAX EFFECT RELATED TO RECONCILING ITEMS                                                                                                                                                 (348)              (340)                    (1,251)    (536)
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ----                ----                      ------      ----

    NON-GAAP EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                                 $17,167             $21,333                     $53,150   $54,143
                                                                                                                                                                                                 =======             =======                     =======   =======



    DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    -----------------------------------------------------


    GAAP DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                     $0.74               $0.91                       $2.22     $2.32


    RESTRUCTURING AND INTEGRATION EXPENSES                                                                                                                                                          0.05                0.05                        0.16      0.09

    CERTAIN TAX CREDITS AND PRODUCTION DEDUCTIONS FINALIZED IN PERIOD                                                                                                                             (0.02)             (0.01)                     (0.02)   (0.01)

    GAIN FROM SALE OF BUILDINGS                                                                                                                                                                   (0.01)             (0.01)                     (0.03)   (0.03)

    INCOME TAX EFFECT RELATED TO RECONCILING ITEMS                                                                                                                                                (0.02)             (0.02)                     (0.05)   (0.02)
                                                                                                                                                                                                   -----               -----                       -----     -----


    NON-GAAP DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                 $0.74               $0.92                       $2.28     $2.35
                                                                                                                                                                                                   =====               =====                       =====     =====



    OPERATING INCOME
    ----------------


    GAAP OPERATING INCOME                                                                                                                                                                        $26,919             $33,574                     $82,107   $85,437


    RESTRUCTURING AND INTEGRATION EXPENSES                                                                                                                                                         1,132               1,115                       3,914     2,127

    OTHER INCOME, NET                                                                                                                                                                              (316)              (322)                      (946)    (881)
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ----                ----                        ----      ----


    NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME                                                                                                                                                                    $27,735             $34,367                     $85,075   $86,683
                                                                                                                                                                                                 =======             =======                     =======   =======




    MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THAT EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, AND OPERATING INCOME,

    EACH OF WHICH ARE NON-GAAP MEASUREMENTS AND ARE ADJUSTED FOR SPECIAL ITEMS, ARE MEANINGFUL TO INVESTORS BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE A VIEW OF THE

    COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO ONGOING OPERATING RESULTS. SPECIAL ITEMS REPRESENT SIGNIFICANT CHARGES OR CREDITS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO AN

    UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPANY'S OVERALL OPERATING RESULTS IN THE PERIODS PRESENTED. SUCH NON-GAAP MEASUREMENTS ARE NOT RECOGNIZED IN

    ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GAAP MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE.

                                                       STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

                                                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets




    (In thousands)



                                                                                         September 30,          December 31,

                                                                                                           2017                  2016
                                                                                                           ----                  ----

                                                                                          (Unaudited)


                                                               ASSETS
                                                               ------


    CASH                                                                                                $25,398               $19,796


    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, GROSS                                                                          168,639               139,055

    ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS                                                                       5,464                 4,425
                                                                                                          -----                 -----

    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET                                                                            163,175               134,630


    INVENTORIES                                                                                         332,601               312,477

    OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                 12,703                 7,318


    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                533,877               474,221
                                                                                                        -------               -------


    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET                                                                   86,738                78,499

    GOODWILL                                                                                             67,451                67,231

    OTHER INTANGIBLES, NET                                                                               58,204                64,056

    DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                                                50,575                51,127

    OTHER ASSETS                                                                                         34,840                33,563


    TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                       $831,685              $768,697
                                                                                                       ========              ========



                                                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                                ------------------------------------



    NOTES PAYABLE                                                                                       $73,000               $54,812

    CURRENT PORTION OF LONG TERM DEBT                                                                        47                    43

    ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                                                                                     86,278                83,878

    ACCRUED CUSTOMER RETURNS                                                                             45,074                40,176

    OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                           110,166               104,932


    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                           314,565               283,841
                                                                                                        -------               -------


    LONG-TERM DEBT                                                                                           90                   120

    ACCRUED ASBESTOS LIABILITIES                                                                         33,629                31,328

    OTHER LIABILITIES                                                                                    13,881                12,380


     TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                                  362,165               327,669
                                                                                                        -------               -------


     TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                         469,520               441,028


     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                        $831,685              $768,697
                                                                                                       ========              ========

                                                   STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

                                          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows




     (In thousands)



                                                                         NINE MONTHS ENDED

                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30,

                                                                                         2017      2016
                                                                                         ----      ----

                                                                            (Unaudited)


     CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
     ------------------------------------


     NET EARNINGS                                                                     $46,623   $52,078

     ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET EARNINGS TO NET CASH

     PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION                                                     17,439    14,829

     OTHER                                                                             14,065    10,581

     CHANGE IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

     ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE                                                             (27,753) (35,192)

     INVENTORY                                                                       (18,746)  (7,422)

     ACCOUNTS PAYABLE                                                                      90     9,900

     PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                                        (4,805)    5,426

     SUNDRY PAYABLES AND ACCRUED EXPENSES                                               8,728    31,016

     OTHER                                                                              1,120     1,752

     NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                         36,761    82,968
                                                                                       ------    ------



     CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     ------------------------------------


     ACQUISITIONS OF AND INVESTMENTS IN BUSINESSES                                          - (67,289)

     CAPITAL EXPENDITURES                                                            (17,710) (15,194)

     OTHER INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                             6       191

     NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                           (17,704) (82,292)
                                                                                      -------   -------



     CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     ------------------------------------


     NET CHANGE IN DEBT                                                                18,153    22,672

     PURCHASE OF TREASURY STOCK                                                      (20,000)    (377)

     DIVIDENDS PAID                                                                  (12,990) (11,566)

     OTHER FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                           658       736

     NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                             (14,179)   11,465
                                                                                      -------    ------



     EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                              724     (404)
                                                                                          ---      ----

     NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                          5,602    11,737

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of Period                                  19,796    18,800

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of Period                                       $25,398   $30,537
                                                                                      =======   =======

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SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc.