Crane Co. Reports Third Quarter Results

Third quarter 2013 results included transaction-related costs of $4.1 million, or $0.07 per share, related to the pending acquisition of MEI Conlux Holdings. Third quarter 2012 results included a $0.02 per share gain associated with divestitures, offset by $0.02 per share of repositioning charges. Excluding Special Items in both years, third quarter 2013 earnings per diluted share increased 5% to $1.04, compared to $0.99 in the third quarter of 2012.

Third quarter 2013 sales of $637.5 million decreased $8.5 million, or 1.3%, compared to $646.0 million in the third quarter of 2012, resulting from a core sales decline of $6.2 million, or 1.0%, and unfavorable foreign exchange of $2.3 million, or 0.3%.

Operating profit in the third quarter increased 2.8% to $89.0 million, compared to $86.6 million in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding Special Items, third quarter operating profit increased 4.5% to $91.9 million, compared to $87.9 million in the third quarter of 2012, and operating profit margin increased to 14.4%, compared to 13.6% in the third quarter of 2012.

"In spite of a difficult revenue growth environment, we are pleased to report third quarter EPS of $1.04 per share, excluding the MEI transaction costs," said Crane Co. chief executive officer, Eric C. Fast. "On a 1% decline in revenues, total Company operating margins grew to 14.4%, with solid performance in our Fluid Handling, Payment Solutions and Engineered Materials businesses. In connection with the pending acquisition of MEI, we are actively engaged in satisfying the remedies required by the European Commission and expect to close the acquisition late in the fourth quarter."

Updated 2013 Guidance

2013 EPS is now expected to be in a range of $4.10 to $4.20 per share, excluding Special Items, compared to the Company s previous guidance range of $4.10 to $4.25 per share, reflecting lower than anticipated revenue growth. The 2013 guidance does not include potential impacts from the pending acquisition of MEI. Full year 2013 free cash flow is now expected to be in a range of $190 to $210 million, compared to the Company s previous guidance of $190 to $220 million, reflecting the impact of the lower sales and transaction costs associated with the pending acquisition of MEI.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

Cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2013 was $80.5 million, compared to $63.2 million in the third quarter of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, cash provided by operating activities was $91.0 million, compared to $79.3 million in 2012. Free cash flow (cash provided by operating activities less capital spending) for the third quarter of 2013 was $73.5 million, compared to $57.0 million in the third quarter of 2012. The Company s cash position was $403.4 million at September 30, 2013, compared to $423.9 million at December 31, 2012, and $280.5 million at September 30, 2012. During the quarter, the Company repaid its $200 million 5.50% notes, which came due in September 2013.

Segment Results

All comparisons detailed in this section refer to operating results for the third quarter 2013 versus the third quarter 2012. Beginning in the first quarter 2013, the operating results of the former Controls segment have been included in the Fluid Handling segment. Prior period amounts have been restated for comparative purposes.

Aerospace & Electronics

Third quarter 2013 sales decreased $1.6 million, or 0.9%, reflecting a $0.8 million increase (0.9%) in Aerospace Group sales and a decline of $2.4 million (-3.7%) in Electronics Group sales. The Aerospace Group sales increase reflected stronger OEM sales partially offset by weaker aftermarket sales, primarily related to a military upgrade program that was completed in 2012. The decline in Electronics Group sales was primarily due to continued delays in defense-related programs. Segment operating profit declined modestly, reflecting lower operating profits in the Aerospace Group due to the less favorable OEM / aftermarket mix. Aerospace & Electronics order backlog was $382 million at September 30, 2013, compared to $378 million at December 31, 2012 and $393 million at September 30, 2012.

Engineered Materials

Segment sales of $62 million were 8.8% higher than the third quarter of 2012, driven by higher sales to recreational vehicle equipment manufacturers. Excluding Special Items, operating profit increased 29% to $10.8 million, and margins increased from 14.7% to 17.4%, reflecting the impact of higher sales, savings associated with repositioning actions taken in 2012 and strong productivity.

Merchandising Systems

Merchandising Systems sales of $83.6 million decreased $8.9 million, or 9.6%, with slightly higher sales in Payment Solutions, more than offset by a decline in Vending Solutions. The decline in Vending Solutions sales and operating profit was the result of lower capital spending by certain bottler customers and, to a lesser extent, continued weakness in Europe. Operating profit and margins increased in Payment Solutions, reflecting the impact of higher sales and continued productivity gains.

Fluid Handling

Third quarter 2013 sales decreased $3 million, or 0.9%, which included a core sales decline of $1.3 million (-0.4%), and unfavorable foreign exchange of $1.7 million (-0.5%). While order momentum and backlog were positive in the Chemical, Power, and Refining markets, quarterly sales were modestly lower due to project delays and modestly lower book / ship revenues. Excluding Special Items, segment operating margin increased from 14.1% to 14.5%, reflecting continued strong execution, productivity gains and savings associated with the repositioning actions taken in 2012. Fluid Handling order backlog was $355 million at September 30, 2013, compared to $343 million at December 31, 2012 and $348 million at September 30, 2012.