Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Eagle Materials Inc. Reports a 44% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings; Third Quarter FY 2005 vs. Third Quarter FY 2004

     -  Net Earnings Increased 44% to $25.9 Million
     -  Diluted EPS Increased 47% to $1.40
     -  Gypsum Wallboard Sales Volume Highest Third Quarter Volume in Company
        History
     -  Gypsum Wallboard Average Net Sales Price Increased 26%
     -  Cement Sales Volume Highest Third Quarter Volume in Company History
     -  Cement Average Net Sales Price Increased 9%
     -  EXP Closes Purchase of J.V. Partner's Interest in Illinois Cement on
        January 11, 2005

    DALLAS, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eagle Materials Inc.
(NYSE: EXP and EXP.B) today reported financial results for the third quarter
of Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 ended December 31, 2004.  EXP produces and
distributes Cement, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Paperboard and Concrete and
Aggregates.
    For the third quarter ended December 31, 2004, revenues and net earnings
were $149.8 million and $25.9 million, respectively.  Revenues increased 23%
year-over-year and net earnings increased 44% year-over-year.  Diluted
earnings per share for the third quarter of FY 2005 were $1.40 compared with
$0.95 in the same period a year ago, a 47% increase.
    EXP remains well positioned to continue to achieve superior results given
its strong operational position supplying construction products to a robust
construction industry.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, during the first
eleven months of the calendar year, construction industry spending amounted to
$920 billion, 9% above the $844 billion for the same period in 2003.  The
increased spending across the construction industry as a whole led to record
industry gypsum wallboard shipments in calendar 2004.  Nationally, demand for
cement remains at record levels outpacing last year's consumption by over 6%
through November 2004 according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
    The general outlook for the upcoming calendar year remains very favorable.
For calendar year 2005, we expect Wallboard demand to remain strong and supply
to be tight (with greater than 90% industry capacity utilization) as a result
of continued high levels of activity in residential construction and
increasing repair/remodel and commercial construction activity.  A wallboard
price increase was implemented on January 10, 2005.  Additionally, the price
of imported cement continues to be impacted by high freight rates and
increasing consumption in world markets.  Collectively, strong demand and high
import costs continue to put upward pressure on cement pricing with price
increases of $5.00 to $8.00 per ton announced in all of EXP's markets to take
effect during the next six months.
    Based on the above factors, the Company expects to report earnings ranging
from $1.15 per diluted share to $1.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter
ending March 31, 2005, and $5.40 per diluted share to $5.65 per diluted share
for FY 2005.

    DETAILS OF FINANCIAL RESULTS
    We conduct two out of four of our cement plant operations through joint
ventures, Texas Lehigh Cement Company and Illinois Cement Company (the "Joint
Ventures").  For segment reporting purposes only, we proportionately
consolidate our 50% share of the Joint Ventures' revenues and operating
earnings, which is consistent with the way management organizes the segments
within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance.
On January 11, 2005 we completed the acquisition of the other 50% ownership
interest in Illinois Cement Company.  Beginning January 11, 2005, we will
consolidate 100% of the results of Illinois Cement Company; however, through
December 31, 2004, the results of Illinois Cement Company continued to be
accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
    In addition, for segment reporting purposes we report intersegment
revenues as a part of a segment's total revenues.  Intersegment sales are
eliminated on the income statement.  Refer to Attachment 4 for a
reconciliation of amounts referred to above.

    GYPSUM WALLBOARD
    Gypsum Wallboard revenues for the third quarter totaled $87.2 million, a
30% increase over $66.9 million for the same quarter a year ago.  Gypsum
Wallboard's third quarter operating earnings were $20.1 million, up 109% from
$9.6 million for the same quarter last year.  The revenue and earnings gain
for the quarter resulted from higher sales volume at higher sales prices
partially offset by increased production costs.  The average net sales price
for this fiscal year's third quarter was $108.95 per thousand square feet
(MSF), 26% greater than $86.41 per MSF for the same quarter last year.  Gypsum
Wallboard sales volume of 628 million square feet (MMSF) for this year's third
quarter (record third quarter shipments) was 5% above the 599 MMSF sold during
the third quarter last year.

    CEMENT
    Operating earnings from Cement increased 8% to $14.5 million for the third
quarter this year from $13.5 million for the same quarter last year.  The
earnings gain was due primarily to higher net sales prices and higher sales
volume partially offset by higher costs of purchased cement and increased fuel
and power costs.  Cement revenues for the third quarter totaled $48.8 million,
9% greater than $44.7 million for the same quarter a year ago.
    Cement sales volume for the third quarter totaled 627,000 tons, 1% above
620,000 tons for the same quarter last year.  Purchased cement sales volume of
187,000 tons for the third quarter was 43,000 tons, or 30%, greater than
purchased cement sales volume for the third quarter a year ago.  Prices have
increased since the beginning of the calendar year in each of our markets
resulting in a 9% increase in our third quarter average Cement net sales price
to $71.75 per ton from $65.72 per ton for the same quarter a year ago.

    PAPERBOARD
    EXP's Paperboard operation reported third quarter revenues of
$32.0 million, up 20% from revenues of $26.6 million for last year's third
quarter.  Paperboard operating earnings of $5.9 million for the third quarter
this year were 26% above $4.7 million for last year's third quarter.  The
earnings gain resulted primarily from higher sales volume and sales prices.
    For this year's third quarter, Paperboard sales volume was 69,000 tons, up
10% from last year's sales volume of 63,000 tons.  This year's third quarter
average net sales price of $453.50 per ton was 10% above last year's third
quarter net sales price of $410.77 per ton.

    CONCRETE AND AGGREGATES
    Revenues from Concrete and Aggregates were $16.0 million for the quarter,
5% greater than $15.2 million for the third quarter a year ago.  Concrete and
Aggregates reported a $0.9 million operating profit for this year's third
quarter, down 38% from $1.5 million for the same quarter last year due to
increased cement costs and unseasonably wet weather in our western market.
    Concrete sales volume decreased slightly for the third quarter this year
to 173,000 cubic yards, 2% below 177,000 cubic yards for the same quarter last
year.  EXP's Concrete average net sales price of $54.36 per cubic yard for the
current quarter was 3% higher than $52.96 per cubic yard for the third quarter
a year ago.
    Aggregates operations reported sales volume of 1,230,000 tons for the
current quarter, 13% above sales volume of 1,092,000 tons for the third
quarter last year.  Aggregates average net sales price remained flat from the
prior year due primarily to a higher volume of lower priced road base sales in
the product mix, offset by increased sales pricing in the Northern California
market.

    CONSOLIDATED YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS
    For the nine months ended December 31, 2004, EXP's net earnings increased
56% to $79.2 million or $4.24 per diluted share from $50.8 million or $2.72
per diluted share for the same period a year ago.  Revenues for this year's
nine-month period of $463.2 million were 22% greater than $380.4 million for
the same period a year ago.

    EXP's senior management will conduct a conference call to discuss the
financial results, forward looking information and other matters at 3:00 p.m.
Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Central Time) on Wednesday, January 26, 2005.  The
conference call will be webcast simultaneously on the EXP Web site
http://www.eaglematerials.com .  A replay of the webcast and the presentation
will be archived on that site for one year.  For more information, contact EXP
at 214-432-2000.

    Forward-Looking Statements.  This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may be identified
by the context of the statement and generally arise when the Company is
discussing its beliefs, estimates or expectations.  These statements are not
historical facts or guarantees of future performance but instead represent
only the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made regarding
future events which are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and other
factors many of which are outside the Company's control.  Actual results and
outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such
forward-looking statements.  The principal risks and uncertainties that may
affect the Company's actual performance include the following: the cyclical
and seasonal nature of the Company's business; public infrastructure
expenditures; adverse weather conditions; availability of raw materials;
changes in energy costs; unexpected operational difficulties; governmental
regulation and changes in governmental and public policy; changes in economic
conditions specific to any one or more of the Company's markets; competition;
announced increases in capacity in the gypsum wallboard and cement industries;
general economic conditions; and interest rates.  For example, increases in
interest rates, decreases in demand for construction materials or increases in
the cost of energy could affect the revenues or operating earnings of our
operations.  In addition, changes in national and regional economic conditions
and levels of infrastructure and construction spending could also adversely
affect the Company's results of operations.  These and other factors are
described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2004.  This report is filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and may be obtained free of charge through the website
maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov .  All forward-looking statements
made in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that
actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed in this
press release will increase with the passage of time.  The Company undertakes
no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or
changes in the Company's expectations.

     (1)  Summary of Consolidated Earnings
     (2)  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business (Quarter)
     (3)  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business (Nine months)
     (4)  Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Cement Revenues
     (5)  Consolidated Balance Sheets



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 1

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                       Summary of Consolidated Earnings
                (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                  Quarter Ended December 31,
                                                 2004         2003     Change

    Revenues                                  $  149,802   $  121,319   +23%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes              $   37,935   $   27,481   +38%
    Net Earnings                              $   25,867   $   18,003   +44%
    Earnings Per Share:
                                - Basic       $     1.41   $     0.96   +47%
                                - Diluted     $     1.40   $     0.95   +47%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
                                - Basic       18,314,248   18,670,273    -2%
                                - Diluted     18,529,155   18,848,490    -2%


                                               Nine Months Ended December 31,
                                                 2004         2003     Change

    Revenues                                  $  463,205   $  380,358   +22%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes              $  119,346   $   77,530   +54%
    Net Earnings                              $   79,199   $   50,790   +56%
    Earnings Per Share:
                                - Basic       $     4.29   $     2.74   +57%
                                - Diluted     $     4.24   $     2.72   +56%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
                                - Basic       18,450,206   18,513,417     0%
                                - Diluted     18,660,612   18,655,265     0%



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 2

                             Eagle Materials Inc.
                  Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business
                            (dollars in thousands)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                 Quarter Ended December 31,
                                                2004         2003    Change
    Revenues*

        Cement (Wholly Owned)                $  27,891    $  24,011    +16%
                                                    19%          20%
        Gypsum Wallboard                        87,199       66,924    +30%
                                                    58%          55%
        Paperboard                              18,885        14,485   +30%
                                                    13%          12%
        Concrete & Aggregates                   15,827       14,962     +6%
                                                    10%          12%
        Other, net                                 ---          937   -100%
                                                     0%           1%
            Total                            $ 149,802    $ 121,319    +23%
                                                   100%         100%

    Operating Earnings

        Cement:
            Wholly Owned                     $   6,788    $   6,255     +9%
            Joint Venture                        7,708        7,213     +7%
                                                14,496       13,468     +8%
                                                    35%          45%
        Gypsum Wallboard                        20,121        9,622   +109%
                                                    49%          32%
        Paperboard                               5,903        4,683    +26%
                                                    14%          15%
        Concrete & Aggregates                      937        1,516    -38%
                                                     2%           5%
        Other, net                                (137)         937   -115%
                                                     0%           3%
            Total Operating Earnings            41,320       30,226    +37%
                                                   100%         100%

        Corporate General Expenses              (2,810)      (2,053)
        Interest Expense, net                     (575)        (692)

            Earnings Before Income Taxes     $  37,935    $  27,481    +38%

     * Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 3

                               Eagle Materials Inc.
                    Revenues and Earnings by Lines of Business
                              (dollars in thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

                                              Nine Months Ended December 31,
                                              2004          2003     Change
    Revenues*

        Cement (Wholly Owned)             $   92,247    $   83,969     +10%
                                                  20%           22%
        Gypsum Wallboard                     261,295       197,275     +32%
                                                  56%           52%
        Paperboard                            55,753        47,336     +18%
                                                  12%           12%
        Concrete & Aggregates                 53,717        49,812      +8%
                                                  12%           13%
        Other, net                               193         1,966     -90%
                                                   0%            1%
            Total                         $  463,205    $  380,358     +22%
                                                 100%          100%
    Operating Earnings

        Cement:
            Wholly Owned                  $   22,885    $   22,419      +2%
            Joint Venture                     21,421        18,909     +13%
                                              44,306        41,328      +7%
                                                  34%           48%
        Gypsum Wallboard                      59,983        22,441    +167%
                                                  47%           26%
        Paperboard                            19,845        15,355     +29%
                                                  16%           18%
        Concrete & Aggregates                  5,550         5,568       0%
                                                   4%            6%
        Other, net                              (776)        1,966    -139%
                                                  -1%            2%
            Total Operating Earnings         128,908        86,658     +49%
                                                 100%          100%

        Corporate General Expenses            (7,408)       (5,989)
        Interest Expense, net                 (2,154)       (3,139)

            Earnings Before Income Taxes  $  119,346    $   77,530     +54%

     * Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 4

                               Eagle Materials Inc.
       Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Cement Revenues
                                   (unaudited)

                                                   Sales Volume
                                        Quarter Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                         December 31,          December 31,
                                     2004   2003  Change  2004    2003  Change

    Cement (M Tons):
      Wholly Owned                   340     314    8%   1,151   1,095    5%
      Joint Venture                  287     306   -6%     976     919    6%
                                     627     620    1%   2,127   2,014    6%

    Gypsum Wallboard (MMSF's)        628     599    5%   1,933   1,805    7%

    Paperboard (M Tons):
      Internal                        27      27    0%      83      79    5%
      External                        42      36   17%     126     120    5%
                                      69      63   10%     209     199    5%

    Concrete (M Cubic Yards)         173     177   -2%     590     610   -3%

    Aggregates (M Tons)            1,230   1,092   13%   4,114   3,426   20%


                                           Average Net Sales Price*
                                     Quarter Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                      December 31,            December 31,
                                2004      2003  Change   2004      2003 Change

    Cement (Ton)              $ 71.75   $ 65.72   9%   $ 69.94   $ 66.33   5%
    Gypsum Wallboard (MSF)    $108.95   $ 86.41  26%   $106.68   $ 84.27  27%
    Paperboard (Ton)          $453.50   $410.77  10%   $452.64   $409.50  11%
    Concrete (Cubic Yard)     $ 54.36   $ 52.96   3%   $ 54.19   $ 52.59   3%
    Aggregates (Ton)          $  5.19   $  5.18   0%   $  5.28   $  5.23   1%

     * Net of freight and delivery costs billed to customers.


                                      Intersegment and Cement Revenues
                                           (dollars in thousands)
                                     Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                      December 31,            December 31,
                                    2004       2003         2004       2003
    Intersegment Revenues:
        Cement                    $    791   $    705     $  2,569   $  2,652
        Paperboard                  13,133     12,085       40,819     35,771
        Concrete and Aggregates        210        246          832        842
                                  $ 14,134   $ 13,036     $ 44,220   $ 39,265

    Cement Revenues:
        Wholly Owned              $ 27,891   $ 24,011     $ 92,247   $ 83,969
        Joint Venture               20,147     19,974       66,927     59,822
                                  $ 48,038   $ 43,985     $159,174   $143,791



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 5

                               Eagle Materials Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              (dollars in thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                December 31,         March 31,
                                             2004         2003         2004*
    ASSETS
    Current Assets -
       Cash and Cash Equivalents         $  18,539    $  29,376    $   3,536
       Accounts and Notes
        Receivable, net                     59,164       42,460       54,352
       Inventories                          46,609       44,049       48,890
         Total Current Assets              124,312      115,885      106,778
    Property, Plant and Equipment -        725,694      713,600      715,734
       Less: Accumulated Depreciation     (255,555)    (227,936)    (234,929)
         Property, Plant
          and Equipment, net               470,139      485,664      480,805
    Investments in Joint Ventures           47,323       50,150       51,503
    Goodwill                                40,290       40,290       40,290
    Other Assets                            15,599       12,810       13,599
                                         $ 697,663    $ 704,799    $ 692,975

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities -
       Note Payable                      $  30,100    $     ---    $  24,100
       Accounts Payable
        and Accrued Liabilities             86,654       64,966       69,991
       Current Portion of Long-term Debt        80           80           80
         Total Current Liabilities         116,834       65,046       94,171
    Long-term Debt                             ---           80       58,700
    Deferred Income Taxes                  107,228       96,001      101,082
    Stockholders' Equity -
       Preferred Stock,
        Par Value $0.01;
        Authorized 5,000,000
        Shares None Issued                     ---          ---          ---
       Common Stock, Par Value $0.01;
        Authorized 50,000,000 Shares;
        Issued and Outstanding 9,680,124,
        18,798,289 and 9,607,029 Shares,
        respectively.  Class B Common Stock,
        Par Value $0.01; Authorized
        50,000,000 Shares; Issued and
        Outstanding, 8,655,769, None and
        9,161,459 Shares, respectively.        183          188          188

    Capital in Excess of Par Value             143       30,351       28,223
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses  (1,877)      (1,703)      (1,877)
    Unamortized Restricted Stock              (565)        (650)        (591)
    Retained Earnings                      475,717      515,486      413,079
       Total Stockholders' Equity          473,601      543,672      439,022
                                        $  697,663   $  704,799   $  692,975

     * From audited financial statements.


SOURCE Eagle Materials Inc.




Back to Topback to top

Related links:
  • http://www.eaglematerials.com
    CONTACT:
    Steven R. Rowley, President & CEO, or Arthur
    R. Zunker, Jr., Senior Vice President & CFO, both of Eagle
    Materials Inc., +1-214-432-2000