Monday, August 11, 2014
Graco has reported record sales and earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 27, 2014.
Sales for the quarter increased 13 percent, including increases of 15 percent in the Americas, 12 percent in EMEA (8 percent at consistent translation rates) and 7 percent in Asia Pacific. Year-to-date sales increased 10 percent, including increases of 15 percent in the Americas and 10 percent in EMEA (6 percent at consistent translation rates). Sales were flat in Asia Pacific. Sales from operations acquired in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014 with sum total of $10 million for the quarter (contributing 4 percentage points of growth) and $17 million year-to-date (3 percentage points of growth).
Gross profit margin, expressed as a percentage of sales, was 55 percent for both the quarter and year-to-date, down less than one percentage point from the comparable periods last year. Changes in product mix and lower margins in acquired operations contributed to the decrease in both the quarter and year-to-date. Non-recurring inventory-related purchase accounting effects of $1 millionand lower margins in acquired operations accounted for nearly half of the year-to-date decrease.
Total operating expenses for the quarter were $7½ million (9 percent) higher than second quarter last year. Year-to-date operating expenses were $13 million (8 percent) higher than last year. Expenses of acquired operations and spending on regional and product growth initiatives accounted for more than half of the increase for both the quarter and year-to-date. As a percentage of sales, total operating expenses for the quarter were 28 percent, down 1 percentage point from the second quarter last year and year-to-date operating expenses were down by one-half percentage point.
Other expense (income) included dividends received from the Liquid Finishing businesses that are held separate from the Company’s other businesses. Such dividends totaled $11 million for the quarter and $15 million year-to-date, consistent with the comparable periods of last year.
