American Woodmark Corporation announces fourth quarter results

Net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter increased 7% to $258.7 million compared with the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Net sales for the full fiscal year increased 9% to $1,030.2 million from the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.  The Company experienced growth in all channels during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.

Net income was $17.3 million ($1.06 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year compared with $13.4 million ($0.81 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Exclusive of after-tax non-operating charges related to corporate business development expenses in fiscal 2017 and idle land disposal in fiscal 2016, the Company generated $18.6 million ($1.13 per diluted share) of net income for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year compared with $14.2 million ($0.86 per diluted share) for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Net income for the entire fiscal year 2017 was $71.2 million ($4.34 per diluted share) compared with $58.7 million ($3.57 per diluted share) for the same period of the prior fiscal year.  Exclusive of after-tax non-operating charges related to corporate business development expenses in fiscal 2017 and idle land disposal in fiscal 2016, the Company generated $72.9 million ($4.45 per diluted share) of net income for the entire current fiscal year compared with $59.5 million ($3.62 per diluted share) for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year was 22.3% of net sales compared with 20.3% in the same quarter of the prior year.  Gross profit for the entire current fiscal year was 21.8% of net sales compared with 21.1% for the same period in the prior year.  Gross profit in the current quarter and current fiscal year was favorably impacted by higher sales volume, lower labor benefit costs and improved operating efficiency.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 were 12.1% of net sales compared with 11.1% in the same quarter of the prior year.  Selling, general and administrative costs for the entire current fiscal year were 11.3% of net sales compared with 11.2% for the same period in the prior year.  The Company's expense ratio was negatively impacted in the current quarter and fiscal year by corporate business development expenses related to a potential M&A target that we ultimately decided not to pursue.

The Company generated net cash from operating activities of $77.1 million during the current fiscal year compared with $74.6 million during the same period in the prior year.  The increase in the Company's cash from operating activities was driven primarily by higher operating profitability and accrued expenses which was partially offset by higher discretionary contributions to the Company's pension plans.  Net cash used by investing activities was $53.7 million during the current fiscal year compared with $40.8 million during the same period of the prior year due to an increased net investment of $28.3 million in certificates of deposit, which was partially offset by decreased investment in property, plant and equipment.  Net cash used by financing activities of $20.8 million increased $11.9 million during the current fiscal year compared to the same period in the prior year as the company reduced long-term debt by $7.2 million and realized a $5.7 million decrease in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.  This impact was partially offset by a $3.2 million decrease in repurchases of common stock.

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 nine manufacturing facilities and seven service centers across the country.

Safe harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All forward‑looking 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.

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SOURCE American Woodmark Corporation