Crane Co. Reports Second Quarter Results

Second quarter 2015 sales were $711 million, a decrease of 5% compared to $750 million in the second quarter of 2014. The sales decline was comprised of a $39 million, or 5%, impact from unfavorable foreign exchange; and a divestiture impact of $4 million, or 1%; partially offset by positive core sales growth of $5 million, or 1%.

Operating profit in the second quarter was $90 million, down 8% compared to the second quarter of 2014. Excluding Special Items, second quarter operating profit was $99 million, down 10% compared to the second quarter of 2014.

"While overall second quarter sales and margins were largely as expected, orders in Fluid Handling were weaker than we anticipated," said Max Mitchell, Crane Co. President and Chief Executive Officer. "Order rates improved sequentially during the first quarter, but that trend did not continue into the second quarter. We now expect Fluid Handling sales to remain depressed for the balance of the year given an environment of continued project delays and soft end market conditions. Consequently, we are reducing the midpoint of our EPS guidance range by $0.20. We are taking appropriate cost actions in response to the current market weakness."

Mr. Mitchell continued, "We were pleased with another quarter of improved organic growth and margin expansion at Payment & Merchandising Technologies. Aerospace & Electronics performed as expected during the quarter, and both sales and margins are on track to improve in the second half."

Segment Results

All comparisons detailed in this section refer to operating results for the second quarter 2015 versus the second quarter 2014, excluding Special Items.

Fluid Handling

Sales decreased $33 million, driven by $25 million, or 8%, of unfavorable foreign exchange, a $5 million, or 2%, core sales decline, and a $2 million, or 1%, divestiture impact. Adjusted operating margins declined to 12.9%, primarily reflecting the impact of lower volumes, unfavorable product mix, unfavorable foreign exchange, and to a lesser extent, competitive pricing. Fluid Handling order backlog was $287 million at June 30, 2015, compared to $311 million at December 31, 2014 and $370 million at June 30, 2014.

Payment & Merchandising Technologies

Sales increased $2 million driven by core sales growth of $17 million, or 9%, partially offset by $13 million, or 7%, of unfavorable foreign exchange and a $2 million, or 1%, divestiture impact. Adjusted operating margins expanded 340 basis points to 15.0%, driven primarily by higher volume, acquisition synergies and productivity initiatives.

Aerospace & Electronics

Sales decreased $11 million, driven primarily by a 5% decline in core sales, with a slight negative impact from foreign exchange. The core sales decline reflects continued softness in defense related sales, along with timing of aftermarket shipments. Adjusted operating margin declined to 19.4%, primarily reflecting lower volumes and unfavorable product mix. Aerospace & Electronics order backlog was $448 million at June 30, 2015, compared to $422 million at December 31, 2014 and $397 million at June 30, 2014.

Engineered Materials

Sales increased $2 million, driven by higher sales to recreational vehicle manufacturers, as well as the building products and transportation markets. Operating margin increased to 18.5%, primarily reflecting strong productivity, leverage on the higher sales, and to a lesser degree, lower material costs.

Updating 2015 Guidance

The Company reduced its 2015 earnings per share guidance, excluding Special Items, to a range of $4.10-$4.30, from the prior range of $4.30-$4.50. Management now expects 2015 core sales in a range of down 1% to up 1%, compared to its prior range of flat to up 2%. On a GAAP basis, EPS is now expected to be $3.90-$4.10 versus a prior range of $4.17-$4.37, which includes an incremental $7 million of restructuring charges, primarily in Fluid Handling. Full year 2015 free cash flow (cash provided by operating activities less capital spending) is now expected to be in a range of $190 to $220 million versus prior guidance of $200 to $230 million.

Non-GAAP Items

Special Items in the second quarter of 2015 included $5 million in after-tax charges, or $0.09 per share, related to repositioning activities, and $1 million, or $0.02 per share, of after-tax restructuring and integration-related charges associated with the MEI acquisition. Special Items in the second quarter of 2014 consisted of the following after-tax charges: $3 million, or $0.04 per share, related to the acquisition of MEI; $1 million, or $0.02 per share, related to repositioning activities; $4 million, or $0.07 per share, related to the settlement of environmental lawsuits; and $1 million, or $0.02 per share, related to a divestiture.