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Eagle Materials Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter Results

  Highest Quarterly Net Earnings ($43.3 Million) and Diluted EPS ($2.41) in
             Company History and Raises Annual Earnings Guidance

    DALLAS, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eagle Materials Inc.
(NYSE: EXP and EXP.B) today reported financial results for the second quarter
of fiscal 2006 ended September 30, 2005 and raised its annual earnings
guidance.  Eagle produces and distributes Gypsum Wallboard, Cement, Recycled
Paperboard and Concrete and Aggregates.  The following are highlights of our
second quarter results:

     *  HIGHEST QUARTERLY OPERATING EARNINGS IN WALLBOARD AND CEMENT IN
        COMPANY HISTORY
     *  RECORD HIGH QUARTERLY SALES VOLUME IN WALLBOARD
     *  GYPSUM WALLBOARD AVERAGE NET SALES PRICE INCREASED 21% FROM LAST
        YEAR'S SECOND QUARTER
     *  RECORD HIGH SECOND QUARTER SALES VOLUME IN CEMENT
     *  HIGHEST QUARTERLY CEMENT AVERAGE NET SALES PRICE IN OUR HISTORY --
        INCREASED 18% FROM LAST YEAR'S SECOND QUARTER

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, revenues and net earnings were
$222 million and $43 million, respectively.  Revenues increased 36% over the
prior year second quarter and net earnings increased 44% over the same period
last year.  Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2006
were $2.41 compared with $1.62 in the same period a year ago, a 49% increase.
    The Company also raised its earnings guidance for fiscal 2006 to a range
of $7.60 to $7.90 per diluted share, and expects to report earnings ranging
from $1.80 to $2.00 per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2006
ending December 31, 2005.
    Eagle remains well positioned to continue to achieve outstanding results
given our strong operations, which enable us to supply building materials to a
vibrant construction industry.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, total
construction spending during August 2005 was estimated at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of $1.11 trillion, 6% above the August 2004 estimate.
The Gypsum Association reported approximately 27.1 billion square feet of
wallboard were shipped in the first nine months of calendar 2005, a 5.5%
increase over the same period in the prior record year.  For calendar year
2005, we expect Wallboard demand to remain strong and supply to be tight (with
95%+ industry capacity utilization) as a result of continued high levels of
activity in residential construction and increasing repair/remodel and
commercial construction activity.  Wallboard pricing remains strong and a $12
per thousand square feet (MSF) price increase was implemented on
September 19, 2005 in all of our wallboard markets.  Also, national demand for
cement remains at record levels outpacing last year's consumption by
approximately 5.8% through August 2005 according to the U.S. Geological Survey
with imports projected to fulfill over 25% of the U.S. construction industry
demand this year.  Low inventories and strong demand continue to put upward
pressure on cement pricing.  We implemented price increases ranging from $3 to
$5 per ton between July 1st and October 1st, in most of our cement markets.

    GYPSUM WALLBOARD
    Gypsum Wallboard revenues for the second quarter totaled $117 million, a
28% increase over the $92 million for the same quarter a year ago.  Gypsum
Wallboard's second quarter operating earnings were $37 million, up 62% from
the $23 million for the same quarter last year.  The revenue and earnings gain
for the quarter resulted from higher sales prices and record sales volume.
The average net sales price for this fiscal year's second quarter was $132 per
MSF, 21% greater than the $110 per MSF for the same quarter last year.  Gypsum
Wallboard sales volume of 712 million square feet (MMSF) for the quarter
increased 7% from the prior year's second quarter.

    CEMENT
    Operating earnings from Cement increased 35% to $23 million for the second
quarter this year from $17 million for the same quarter last year.  The
earnings gain was due primarily to a record high average net sales price,
record high sales volumes and the positive impact of the Illinois Cement
acquisition.  Cement revenues for the second quarter totaled $78 million, 38%
greater than the $56 million for the same quarter a year ago.  $9 million of
the revenue gain is attributable to the acquisition of our partner's 50%
interest in Illinois Cement Company, which closed in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2005.  Cement sales volume for the second quarter totaled 887,000 tons,
20% above the 742,000 tons for the same quarter last year.  To meet these
strong market requirements, Eagle increased its lower margin purchased cement
sales volumes to approximately 260,000 tons for the quarter.

    PAPERBOARD
    EXP's Paperboard operation reported second quarter revenues (including
sales to EXP's Wallboard operations -- see Attachment 4 for a detail of
intersegment revenues) of $33 million which is even with last year's second
quarter.  Paperboard operating earnings of $7 million for the second quarter
this year were nearly flat with last year's second quarter operating earnings.
For this year's second quarter, Paperboard sales volume was 69,000 tons, down
1% from last year's sales volume of 70,000 tons.  This year's second quarter
average net sales price of $471 per ton was a quarterly record and was 3%
above last year's second quarter average net sales price of $459 per ton.

    CONCRETE AND AGGREGATES
    Revenues from Concrete and Aggregates were $25 million for this year's
second quarter, 16% greater than the $21 million for the second quarter a year
ago.  Concrete and Aggregates reported a $3.2 million operating profit for
this year's second quarter, up 30% from the $2.5 million operating profit for
the same quarter last year, due to increased pricing in both of our markets
and increased concrete volumes.
    Concrete sales volume increased 5% for the second quarter this year to
240,000 cubic yards from 229,000 cubic yards for the same quarter last year.
Our Concrete quarterly average net sales price of $62 per cubic yard for the
second quarter of fiscal 2006 was a record and was 15% higher than the $54 per
cubic yard for the second quarter a year ago.  Our Aggregates operation
reported sales volume of 1.6 million tons for the current quarter, 3% less
than the 1.7 million tons reported in the second quarter last year.  Our
Aggregates quarterly average net sales price was a record high $5.89 during
the second quarter and was 15% above last year's second quarter Aggregates
average net sales price.

    DETAILS OF FINANCIAL RESULTS
    We conduct one of our cement plant operations through a 50/50 joint
venture, Texas Lehigh Cement Company LP (the "Joint Venture").  We utilize the
equity method of accounting for our 50% interest in the Joint Venture.  For
segment reporting purposes only, we proportionately consolidate our 50% share
of the Joint Venture's revenues and operating earnings, which is consistent
with the way management organizes the segments within the Company for making
operating decisions and assessing performance.
    Our results for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 include 100% of Illinois
Cement Company.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, Illinois Cement
Company was a 50% owned joint venture and was accounted for utilizing 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 the amounts referred to above.

    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, November 2, 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 including without limitation increases in the cost of
natural gas; changes in the cost and availability of transportation;
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 (including natural gas) or transportation 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, 2005.  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 (Six 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 September 30,
                                     2005            2004           Change

    Revenues                       $221,784        $163,112           36%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes    $65,729         $45,977           43%
    Net Earnings                    $43,322         $30,119           44%
    Earnings Per Share:
      - Basic                         $2.44           $1.64           49%
      - Diluted                       $2.41           $1.62           49%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
      - Basic                    17,749,065      18,406,628           -4%
      - Diluted                  18,001,934      18,615,388           -3%


                                        Six Months Ended September 30,
                                     2005            2004           Change

    Revenues                       $426,583        $313,403           36%
    Earnings Before Income Taxes   $115,911         $81,411           42%
    Net Earnings                    $78,230         $53,332           47%
    Earnings Per Share:
      - Basic                         $4.36           $2.88           51%
      - Diluted                       $4.31           $2.85           51%
    Average Shares Outstanding:
      - Basic                    17,926,216      18,518,556           -3%
      - Diluted                  18,161,900      18,726,654           -3%



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 2

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

                                          Quarter Ended September 30,
                                     2005            2004           Change

    Revenues*

      Gypsum Wallboard             $117,105         $91,840           28%
                                         53%             56%
      Cement (Wholly Owned) **       60,459          31,400           93%
                                         27%             19%
      Paperboard                     18,908          18,743            1%
                                          9%             12%
      Concrete & Aggregates          24,157          20,936           15%
                                         10%             13%
      Other, net                      1,155             193          498%
                                          1%            ---%
        Total                      $221,784        $163,112           36%
                                        100%            100%

    Operating Earnings

      Gypsum Wallboard              $37,075         $22,862           62%
                                         52%             46%
      Cement:
        Wholly Owned **              15,759           8,025           96%
        Joint Venture **              6,883           8,789          -22%
                                     22,642          16,814           35%
                                         32%             34%
      Paperboard                      7,088           7,216           -2%
                                         10%             15%
      Concrete & Aggregates           3,226           2,482           30%
                                          4%              5%
      Other, net                      1,155             193          498%
                                          2%            ---%
        Total Operating Earnings     71,186          49,567           44%
                                        100%            100%

      Corporate General Expenses     (3,963)         (2,719)
      Interest Expense, net          (1,494)           (871)

        Earnings Before Income
         Taxes                      $65,729         $45,977           43%

     *  Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.
     ** Reflects purchase of the other 50% interest in Illinois Cement
        Company.



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 3

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

                                         Six Months Ended September 30,
                                     2005            2004           Change

    Revenues*

      Gypsum Wallboard             $221,944        $174,096           27%
                                         52%             56%
      Cement (Wholly Owned) **      117,794          64,356           83%
                                         27%             20%
      Paperboard                     37,997          36,868            3%
                                          9%             12%
      Concrete & Aggregates          46,569          37,890           23%
                                         11%             12%
      Other, net                      2,279             193        1,081%
                                          1%            ---%
        Total                      $426,583        $313,403           36%
                                        100%            100%

    Operating Earnings

      Gypsum Wallboard              $64,926         $39,862           63%
                                         51%             46%
      Cement:
        Wholly Owned **              26,261          16,097           63%
        Joint Venture **             12,410          13,713          -10%
                                     38,671          29,810           30%
                                         31%             34%
      Paperboard                     13,252          13,942           -5%
                                         11%             16%
      Concrete & Aggregates           6,678           4,613           45%
                                          5%              5%
      Other, net                      2,279            (639)         457%
                                          2%             -1%
        Total Operating Earnings    125,806          87,588           44%
                                        100%            100%

      Corporate General Expenses     (7,065)         (4,598)
      Interest Expense, net          (2,830)         (1,579)

        Earnings Before Income
         Taxes                     $115,911         $81,411           42%

     *  Net of Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenues listed on Attachment 4.
     ** Reflects purchase of the other 50% interest in Illinois Cement
        Company.



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 4

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

                                          Sales Volume
                              Quarter Ended           Six Months Ended
                               September 30,            September 30,
                          2005      2004   Change   2005      2004     Change

    Gypsum Wallboard
     (MMSF's)              712       664      7%    1,409     1,305      8%

    Cement (M Tons):
      Wholly Owned         681       393     73%    1,352       811     67%
      Joint Venture        206       349    -41%      433       689    -37%
                           887       742     20%    1,785     1,500     19%
    Paperboard (M Tons):
      Internal              29        28      4%       58        56      4%
      External              40        42     -5%       84        84    ---%
                            69        70     -1%      142       140      1%

    Concrete (M Cubic
     Yards)                240       229      5%      473       417     13%

    Aggregates (M Tons)  1,616     1,673     -3%    3,188     2,884     11%


                                        Average Net Sales Price*
                                Quarter Ended           Six Months Ended
                                 September 30,            September 30,
                            2005      2004   Change   2005      2004   Change

    Gypsum Wallboard
     (MSF)                 $132.35   $109.65    21%  $125.83   $105.60    19%
    Cement (Ton)            $82.55    $70.05    18%   $80.54    $69.18    16%
    Paperboard (Ton)       $471.39   $458.88     3%  $464.39   $452.20     3%
    Concrete (Cubic Yard)   $61.58    $53.51    15%   $60.00    $54.12    11%
    Aggregates (Ton)         $5.89     $5.14    15%    $5.79     $5.32     9%

     *Net of freight and delivery costs billed to customers.


                                     Intersegment and Cement Revenues
                                 Quarter Ended           Six Months Ended
                                 September 30,             September 30,
                               2005         2004         2005         2004

    Intersegment Revenues:
      Cement                   $1,679         $997       $3,277       $1,778
      Paperboard               14,538       14,018       29,400       27,686
      Concrete and Aggregates     411          323          858          622
                              $16,628      $15,338      $33,535      $30,086

    Cement Revenues:
      Wholly Owned            $60,459      $31,400     $117,794      $64,356
      Joint Venture            15,970       24,050       32,826       46,780
                              $76,429      $55,450     $150,620     $111,136



     Eagle Materials Inc.
     Attachment 5

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

                                            September 30,           March 31,
                                        2005            2004          2005*

    ASSETS
    Current Assets -
      Cash and Cash Equivalents        $11,045          $6,383        $7,221
      Accounts and Notes Receivable,
       net                              92,053          62,321        70,952
      Inventories                       60,927          44,388        63,482
        Total Current Assets           164,025         113,092       141,655
    Property, Plant and Equipment -    825,708         723,670       788,447
      Less: Accumulated Depreciation  (282,004)       (250,031)     (264,088)
        Property, Plant and
         Equipment, net                543,704         473,639       524,359
    Investments in Joint Ventures       26,340          49,265        28,181
    Goodwill                            68,552          40,290        66,960
    Other Assets                        16,191          14,914        18,846
                                      $818,812        $691,200      $780,001

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S
     EQUITY
    Current Liabilities -
      Note Payable                     $48,200         $30,800       $30,800
      Accounts Payable and Accrued
       Liabilities                      98,721          83,443        91,069
      Current Portion of Long-term
       Debt                                ---              80           ---
        Total Current Liabilities      146,921         114,323       121,869
    Long-term Debt                      45,000          19,000        54,000
    Deferred Income Taxes              115,468         105,199       118,764
    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
       9,517,959, 9,667,907 and
       9,726,009 Shares, respectively.
       Class B Common Stock, Par Value
       $0.01; Authorized 50,000,000
       Shares; Issued and Outstanding,
       8,225,584, 8,655,769 and
       8,499,269 Shares, respectively.     177             183           182

    Capital in Excess of Par Value         ---             ---           ---
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive
     Losses                             (1,842)         (1,877)       (1,842)
    Unamortized Restricted Stock          (506)           (573)         (557)
    Retained Earnings                  513,594         454,945       487,585
      Total Stockholders' Equity       511,423         452,678       485,368
                                      $818,812        $691,200      $780,001

     *From audited financial statements.


SOURCE Eagle Materials Inc.




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  • http://www.eaglematerials.com
    CONTACT:
    Steven R. Rowley, President and Chief
    Executive Officer, or Arthur R. Zunker, Jr., Senior Vice
    President and Chief Financial Officer, both of Eagle Materials
    Inc., +1-214-432-2000