AKRON, Ohio, July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today reported record earnings for the second quarter of 2013.

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"Our outstanding second quarter earnings demonstrate the disciplined execution of our strategies by Goodyear associates around the globe as our operations become more efficient, reliable and integrated," said Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are leveraging this increased integration along with our product innovation to deliver sustainable earnings improvement through the cycle.

"We achieved significantly higher earnings, with record operating income in North America and Asia Pacific," he said. "Our objective remains to focus on profitable targeted market segments where we can capture the value of our brands and prepare ourselves to take advantage of the market recovery when it comes."

All four of Goodyear's regional businesses achieved higher operating income in the second quarter compared to the year-ago period. Three businesses posted higher tire unit volumes than last year.

Commenting on Goodyear's performance in Europe, Kramer said the company is seeing signs of volumes stabilizing and is achieving success in the summer tire market with industry-leading label-graded tires that have won numerous magazine tests versus competitors.

"Our strong first-half performance gives us confidence in our full-year outlook for global segment operating income, which we now expect to be about $1.5 billion, at the high end of our previously announced range of $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, and the highest ever achieved by the company," Kramer said. "Additionally, we continue to target positive cash flow in 2013, excluding pension pre-funding."

Goodyear's second quarter 2013 sales were $4.9 billion, compared to $5.2 billion a year ago. Second quarter 2013 sales reflect $35 million in higher tire unit volumes, more than offset by $131 million in lower sales in other tire-related businesses, most notably third party chemical sales in North America; $75 million in lower price/mix, despite continued favorable mix; and $60 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation. Tire unit volumes totaled 39.5 million, up 1 percent from 2012.

The company reported record segment operating income of $428 million in the second quarter of 2013. This was up 27 percent from the year-ago quarter, reflecting favorable price/mix net of raw materials of $92 million, cost savings net of inflation of $38 million (including raw material cost savings of $53 million) and $11 million in higher tire unit volumes, partially offset by unabsorbed overhead of $47 million resulting from lower production and $12 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation. See the note at the end of this release for further explanation and a segment operating income reconciliation table.

Goodyear's second quarter 2013 net income available to common shareholders was $181 million (67 cents per share), a second quarter record and up $96 million from $85 million (33 cents per share) in the 2012 quarter. All per share amounts are diluted.

The 2013 second quarter included total charges of $13 million (5 cents per share) due to rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation; $7 million (3 cents per share) due to discrete tax charges; and $5 million (2 cents per share) in charges relating to labor claims with respect to a previously closed facility in Europe; and a gain of $4 million (1 cent per share) on asset sales. All amounts are after taxes and minority interest.

See the table at the end of this release for a list of significant items impacting the 2013 and 2012 quarters.

North America's second quarter 2013 sales decreased 10 percent from last year to $2.2 billion. Sales reflect a 3 percent decrease in tire unit volume, lower price/mix and lower third party chemical sales. Original equipment unit volume was flat. Replacement tire shipments were down 5 percent, reflecting weaker industry demand and decreased sales of lower-value consumer tires. 

Second quarter 2013 segment operating income of $204 million was a 9 percent improvement over the prior year and a record for any quarter. Segment operating income was positively impacted by favorable price/mix net of raw materials of $36 million and $10 million in lower SAG expenses. This was partially offset by $10 million in lower tire unit volumes and $18 million of higher conversion costs due to unabsorbed overhead resulting from lower production exceeding lower employee benefit costs.

Europe, Middle East and Africa's second quarter sales decreased 1 percent from last year to $1.6 billion. Sales reflect a 2 percent increase in tire unit volume, which was more than offset by lower price/mix. Original equipment unit volume was up 7 percent. Replacement tire shipments were up 1 percent. 

Second quarter 2013 segment operating income of $51 million was $32 million above the prior year. Favorable price/mix net of raw materials of $34 million, $19 million in lower SAG expenses and higher tire unit volumes of $8 million more than offset the $16 million impact of higher conversion costs primarily due to unabsorbed overhead resulting from lower production and $11 million in lower earnings in other tire-related businesses.

Latin America's second quarter sales increased 6 percent from last year to $531 million. Sales reflect a 4 percent increase in tire unit volume and improved price/mix, partially offset by $50 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation and $26 million related to the sale of the bias truck tire business in certain countries. Original equipment unit volume was flat. Replacement tire shipments were up 9 percent. 

Second quarter segment operating income of $82 million was up 41 percent from a year ago. Price/mix improvements of $52 million positively impacted segment operating income and lower raw material costs added $12 million. Segment operating income was negatively impacted by higher conversion costs of $22 million, $9 million in unfavorable currency translation and $8 million in higher SAG expenses.

Asia Pacific's second quarter sales decreased $15 million from last year to $585 million. Sales reflect a 5 percent increase in tire unit volume, offset by reduced price/mix, $12 million in lower sales in other tire-related businesses and $10 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation. Original equipment unit volume was up 4 percent. Replacement tire shipments were up 6 percent.

Second quarter segment operating income of $91 million was up 28 percent from last year and a record for any quarter. Segment operating income was positively impacted by favorable price/mix net of raw materials of $11 million, lower factory start-up costs of $9 million and $7 million in higher tire unit volumes, which more than offset $5 million in higher conversion costs and $4 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation.

Year-to-Date Results
Goodyear's sales for the first six months of 2013 were $9.7 billion, down 9 percent from the 2012 period. Sales reflect $329 million in lower tire unit volumes; $309 million in lower sales in other tire-related businesses, most notably third party chemical sales in North America, and $175 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation. Tire unit volumes totaled 79 million, down 4 percent from 2012.

The company's first half segment operating income of $730 million was up 16 percent from last year and a record. Compared to the prior year, year-to-date segment operating income reflects favorable price/mix net of raw materials of $250 million and cost savings net of inflation of $73 million (including raw material cost savings of $110 million), which more than offset $174 million in higher conversion costs, primarily driven by unabsorbed overhead resulting from lower production; $49 million in lower tire volume; and $29 million in unfavorable foreign currency translation. 

Goodyear's year-to-date net income available to common shareholders of $206 million (79 cents per share) is up from $73 million (30 cents per share) in 2012's first half. All per share amounts are diluted.

Outlook
Goodyear's outlook continues to reflect 2013 tire unit volumes essentially at 2012 levels.

"We anticipate volume growth in the second half of 2013 compared to last year, with a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in the third quarter driven by continued improvement in emerging markets and slow but steady recovery in mature markets," Kramer said.

For the full year of 2013 in North America, Goodyear's industry outlook is unchanged. It expects consumer replacement as well as commercial replacement and commercial original equipment markets to be at essentially 2012 levels. It expects consumer original equipment volumes to be up approximately 5 percent.

For the full year in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Goodyear's industry outlook is unchanged. It expects consumer replacement to be at essentially 2012 levels.  It expects consumer original equipment volumes to be down approximately 5 percent and commercial original equipment to be flat to up 5 percent. Commercial replacement is expected to be up about 5 percent. 

Conference Call
Goodyear will hold an investor conference call at 9 a.m. today. Approximately 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the call, the company will post the financial and other related information that will be presented on its investor relations Web site: http://investor.goodyear.com.  

Participating in the conference call will be Richard J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer, and Darren R. Wells, executive vice president and chief financial officer. 

Investors, members of the media and other interested persons can access the conference call on the Web site or via telephone by calling either (800) 895-1085 or (785) 424-1055 before 8:55 a.m. and providing the Conference ID "Goodyear." A taped replay will be available by calling (800) 283-4593 or (402) 220-0872. The replay will also remain available on the Web site.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 52 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.  GT-FN

Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to implement successfully strategic initiatives; pension plan funding obligations; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; a labor strike, work stoppage or other similar event; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; work stoppages, financial difficulties or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

(financial statements follow)

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release presents total segment operating income and free cash flow from operations, on a historical basis, which are important financial measures for the company but are not financial measures defined by U.S. GAAP.

Total segment operating income is the sum of the individual strategic business units' segment operating income as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management believes that total segment operating income is useful because it represents the aggregate value of income created by the company's SBUs and excludes items not directly related to the SBUs for performance evaluation purposes. 

Free cash flow from operations is the company's cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP before pension contributions and direct payments and rationalization payments, less capital expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow from operations is useful because it represents the cash generating capability of the company's ongoing operations, after taking into consideration capital expenditures necessary to maintain its business and pursue growth opportunities.

See the tables below for reconciliations of historical total segment operating income and free cash flow from operations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. This earnings release also presents total segment operating income on a forward-looking basis. The company is unable to reconcile forward-looking total segment operating income without unreasonable efforts because management cannot predict, with sufficient certainty, the various elements necessary to provide such a reconciliation.

Total Segment Operating Income Reconciliation Table

Free Cash Flow from Operations Reconciliation Table

Amounts are calculated from the consolidated Statements of Cash Flows except for pension expense, which is the total defined benefit pension cost (before curtailments, settlements and termination benefits) as reported in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

(1) Working Capital represents total changes in accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable – trade.

(2) Other includes amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs, net rationalization charges, net (gains) losses on asset sales, Venezuela currency devaluation, customer prepayments and government grants, insurance proceeds, compensation and benefits less the total defined benefit pension cost (before curtailments, settlements and termination benefits) reported in the pension-related note in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, other current liabilities, and other assets and liabilities.

Second Quarter Significant Items (after tax and minority interest)

2013

• Rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation, $13 million (5 cents per share)
• Discrete tax charges, $7 million (3 cents per share)
• Charges relating to labor claims with respect to a previously closed facility in Europe, $5 million (2 cents per share)
• Gain from asset sales, $4 million (1 cent per share)

2012

• Rationalizations, asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation, $25 million (9 cents per share)
• Debt financing fees related to the refinancing of $3.2 billion in credit facilities, $24 million (9 cents per share)
• Charges relating to labor claims with respect to a previously closed facility in Europe, $20 million (7 cents per share)
• Discrete tax charges, $2 million (1 cent per share)
• Costs related to tornado damage in 2011 at a manufacturing facility, $2 million (1 cent per share)
• Gain from asset sales, $10 million (3 cents per share)

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company