Pentair Reports First Quarter 2016 Results

Adjusted first quarter 2016 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations ("EPS") were $0.76, equal to the first quarter of last year. On a GAAP basis, the company reported EPS of $0.59 compared to $0.65 in the first quarter of 2015. Segment income, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS are described in the attached schedules.

First quarter 2016 segment income was $210 million, up 5 percent compared to segment income for first quarter 2015, and return on sales ("ROS") was 13.3 percent, a decrease of 20 basis points when compared to the first quarter in 2015. On a GAAP basis, the company reported operating income of $171 million for the quarter.

Free cash flow usage was $47 million for the quarter, reflecting normal seasonality and timing of cash flows. Free cash flow in the first quarter improved over $100 million compared to the first quarter in 2015. The company expects to deliver full year free cash flow of approximately 100 percent of adjusted net income.

Pentair paid dividends of $0.33 per share in the first quarter of 2016. Pentair previously announced on December 8, 2015 that its Board of Directors approved a 5 percent increase in the company s regular annual cash dividend rate for 2016 to $1.34 from $1.28. 2016 will mark the 40th consecutive year that Pentair has increased its dividend.

"We delivered first quarter results that exceeded our previously communicated expectations as a result of strong execution across the board," said Randall J. Hogan, Pentair Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Residential & Commercial businesses remain strong, and we have begun to see signs of stabilization in our Industrial businesses. The integration of ERICO is on track and we remain committed to delivering full year synergies of greater than $10 million. We have a new leader in place in our Valves & Controls business, and we are confident that we will realize our previously announced cost-out benefits in this segment. Free cash flow is anticipated to be approximately $750 million or greater for the year as we remain focused on cash and execution as evidenced by our stronger than expected performance in the first quarter."

First Quarter Business Highlights

All references to changes in core sales exclude the impact of FX and acquisitions. See attached reconciliations of these Non-GAAP measures.

Water Quality Systems delivered first quarter 2016 sales of $332 million, up 8 percent versus the prior year quarter. Core sales grew 9 percent in the first quarter and FX was negative 1 percent.

Core sales in the Aquatic & Environmental Systems Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 60 percent of Water Quality Systems revenue in the quarter, increased 13 percent.
• Core sales in the Water Filtration Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 40 percent of Water Quality Systems revenue in the quarter, increased 5 percent.

Water Quality Systems first quarter segment income of $62 million represented a 19 percent increase as compared to $52 million in the same quarter last year. First quarter 2016 ROS increased 170 basis points to 18.6 percent.

Flow & Filtration Solutions delivered first quarter sales of $338 million, down 4 percent versus the prior year quarter. Core sales declined 2 percent in the first quarter and FX was negative 2 percent.

• Core sales in the Water Technologies Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 60 percent of Flow & Filtration Solutions revenue in the quarter, decreased 1 percent.

• Core sales in the Fluid Solutions Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 25 percent of Flow & Filtration Solutions revenue in the quarter, decreased 5 percent.

• Core sales in the Process Filtration Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 15 percent of Flow & Filtration Solutions revenue in the quarter, increased 4 percent.

Flow & Filtration Solutions delivered first quarter segment income of $40 million, up 9 percent compared to $36 million in the same quarter last year. First quarter 2016 ROS increased 130 basis points to 11.7 percent.

Technical Solutions delivered first quarter 2016 sales of $525 million, up 33 percent versus the prior year quarter. Core sales grew 5 percent in the first quarter, ERICO added 30 percent and FX was a negative 2 percent.

• Core sales in the Enclosures Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 45 percent of Technical Solutions revenue in the quarter, decreased 5 percent.

• Core sales in the Thermal Management Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 35 percent of Technical Solutions revenue in the quarter, increased 22 percent.

  Technical Solutions delivered first quarter segment income of $113 million, up 45 percent compared to $78 million in the same quarter last year. First quarter 2016 ROS increased 190 basis points to 21.5 percent.

  Valves & Controls delivered first quarter 2016 sales of $387 million, down 10 percent versus the prior year quarter. Core sales declined 7 percent in the first quarter and FX was negative 3 percent. Backlog declined 2 percent to $1.1 billion compared to the end of fourth quarter 2015.

  • Core sales in the Aftermarket/MRO Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 50 percent of Valves & Controls revenue in the quarter, decreased 9 percent.

  • Core sales in the Engineered Projects Strategic Business Group, which accounted for approximately 50 percent of Valves & Controls revenue in the quarter, decreased 4 percent.

Valves & Controls delivered first quarter segment income of $25 million, down 54 percent compared to $55 million in the same quarter last year. First quarter 2016 ROS decreased 640 basis points to 6.5 percent.

Outlook

The company reiterated its full year 2016 adjusted EPS outlook of $4.05 - $4.25. The company anticipates full year 2016 sales of $6.7 billion, or up approximately 3 percent on a reported basis and down approximately 1 percent on a core sales basis. The company expects to deliver full year free cash flow of approximately 100 percent of adjusted net income.

In addition, the company introduced second quarter 2016 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.08 - $1.11, up approximately 2 percent on an adjusted basis versus the same quarter last year s adjusted EPS. The company expects second quarter revenue to be approximately $1.7 billion, which would be up approximately 4 percent on a reported basis and down approximately 3 percent on a core basis compared to second quarter 2015 revenue.

Source: Pentair plc.