American Woodmark Corporation announces second quarter results

WINCHESTER, Va., Nov 24, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- American Woodmark Corporation (Nasdaq: AMWD) today announced results for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2010, that ended on October 31, 2009.

Net sales declined 23% compared with the second quarter of the prior fiscal year to $104,068,000. Net sales declined 25% during the six-month period ended October 31, 2009, compared with the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The Company's sales declines in each of its sales channels approximated the overall rate of decline during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010.

The Company generated a net loss of ($5,279,000) or ($0.37) per diluted share during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, compared with a net loss of ($481,000) or ($0.03) per diluted share in the second quarter of its prior fiscal year. The Company generated a net loss of ($11,685,000) or ($0.83) per diluted share in the six-month period ended October 31, 2009, compared with a net loss of ($324,000) or ($0.02) per diluted share in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.

The Company previously announced several initiatives to reduce costs during the fourth quarter of its prior fiscal year, including the permanent closure of two manufacturing plants, the suspension of operations at a third plant, and a reduction-in- force of salaried personnel. The Company successfully completed these initiatives during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. In connection with these initiatives, the Company recorded net-of-tax restructuring charges of ($146,000), or ($0.01) per diluted share during its second quarter, and ($1,742,000), or ($0.12) per diluted share, during the six-month period ending October 31, 2009. Exclusive of these charges, net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 was ($5,133,000), or ($0.36) per diluted share, and ($9,943,000) or ($0.70) per diluted share for the sixmonth period ended October 31, 2009.

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 was 12.2% of net sales, compared with 14.4% in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Gross profit was 12.0% of net sales during the first six months of fiscal year 2010, compared with 15.2% of net sales during the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decline in gross profit margin during the three and six- month periods primarily reflected the unfavorable impact of inefficiencies in direct labor and manufacturing overhead costs stemming from the impact of lower sales volumes. Partly offsetting these adverse factors were favorable impacts from lower fuel and material costs, as well as reduced manufacturing overhead costs related to the plant closures.

Selling, general and administrative costs were 20.1% of net sales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, up from 15.2% of net sales in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative costs were 19.7% of net sales in the first six months of fiscal year 2010, up from 15.6% in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The Company's operating expense ratio increased during fiscal year 2010 due primarily to the reduction in sales and to the absence of a credit that occurred in the prior year relating to a terminated retiree health care plan.

The Company experienced negative free cash flow of ($2.0) million (defined as cash provided by operating activities net of cash used for investing activities) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, compared with positive free cash flow generated in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year of $2.1 million. The Company's decline in free cash flow was driven by a combination of the increased net loss and payments made to satisfy severance obligations.

The Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share to be paid on December 21, 2009, to shareholders of record on December 7, 2009.

American Woodmark Corporation manufactures and distributes kitchen cabinets and vanities for the remodeling and new home construction markets. Its products are sold on a national basis directly to home centers, major builders and through a network of independent distributors. The Company presently operates eleven manufacturing facilities and nine service centers across the country.

Safe harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All forwardlooking statements made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors that may be beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, the Company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Annual Report to Shareholders. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

AMWD-F

AMWD-E 

SOURCE American Woodmark Corporation

Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved