UFP INDUSTRIES, INC. | Universal Forest Products, Inc.: UFPI Q3 2014 earnings up 36.5 percent, sales up 9.5 percent; reports EPS of $0.96 |
News release
UFPI Q3 2014 earnings up 36.5 percent, sales up 9.5 percent; reports EPS of $0.96
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 15, 2014 - Universal Forest Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced "We experienced solid sales growth in each of our markets, and we continued to improve operational efficiencies and maintain our focus on profitability. The third quarter saw profitable growth and progress toward many of our longer-term goals," said CEO Matthew J. Missad. "Our teams are executing their plans, and their excellent performance clearly shows in the financial results. I am proud of their efforts to create value in this economy." Missad noted that the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company's dividend at its October 15, 2014 meeting. --more-- "Due to the strength of our earnings, our solid balance sheet and our optimism, we have decided to return capital to our shareholders while still pursuing our growth goals," Missad said. "Our board approved an increase in the December 2014 dividend payment, from $0.21 per share to $0.40 per share." Missad noted that the Company can support the new dividend rate while retaining ample capital for organic growth and acquisitions. He stated that, in many instances, recent acquisition multiples have been at levels that challenge the ability to create value for shareholders. He added that the Company continues to actively pursue acquisitions as well as reinvest in plants as part of its organic growth goals. Lumber prices affect the Company's selling prices, and in the third quarter of 2014, the composite lumber price was up 10.7 percent over the previous year, offset partially by an 18 percent decline in OSB prices in the third quarter of 2014. The Company estimates that higher overall lumber prices raised its selling prices and sales by six percent. By market, the Company posted the following third-quarter 2014 gross sales results: Retail: $272.5 million, an increase of 10 percent over the third quarter of 2013. Universal saw increased sales to big box and independent customers alike. Unit sales were up five percent, which was in line with expectations. The Company attributes the increased sales to a better repair-and-remodel market demand and slight increases in housing starts. Big box retailers saw increases in same-store sales during the period. Universal realized margin improvements in this market, due to better operational efficiencies and enhanced product mix with new product sales in the quarter. Industrial: $211.3 million, an increase of 13 percent over the same period of 2013. Sales to this market continued a path of sustainable growth, with increased sales to existing customers. This remains a healthy market with solid growth opportunities for the Company with both existing and new customers. Construction, $239.8 million, up six percent over the third quarter of 2013. Results in this market reflect the Company's focus on sustainable business and more selective pricing strategies. Sales to this market continued to be negatively impacted by the vertical integration of one of the Company's largest manufactured housing customers and by a drop in prices of OSB during the third quarter. The diversification of markets within UFP continues to improve as the Company becomes less dependent on housing starts for sales growth. In fact, the percent of residential construction sales to total sales has declined from its peak in 2006 of 31.6 percent to the current 12.8 percent. --more--
CONFERENCE CALL
UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets we serve, the economy and the Company itself. Words like "anticipates," "believes," "confident," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "likely," "plans," "projects," "should," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, events, or assumptions that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are the following: fluctuations in the price of lumber; adverse or unusual weather conditions; adverse economic conditions in the markets we serve; government regulations, particularly involving environmental and safety regulations; and our ability to make successful business acquisitions. Certain of these risk factors as well as other risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. # # #
UFPI Press Release Financials - Q3 2014
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