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Hubbell Reports Higher Third Quarter Sales and Profit and Record Cash Flow

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2003--Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBA, HUBB) today reported year-over-year increases in revenue, net income, and earnings per share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Sales in the quarter were $457.3 million or a 3% increase over $445.8 million reported for the equivalent period of 2002. Each of Hubbell's three business segments -- Electrical, Power and Industrial Technology -- reported positive year over year comparisons.

Net income in the third quarter was $34.4 million an 11% increase over $31.1 million reported last year. Earnings per share, fully diluted, rose by 10% to $.57 versus $.52 for the two periods, respectively. Items affecting the comparability of these results were:

    --  Third quarter 2003 profit included a benefit of $1.8 million,
        pre-tax, resulting from a net credit associated with favorable
        estimate adjustments under the Company's on-going lighting
        restructuring program and the benefit of a favorable legal
        settlement.

    --  Third quarter 2002 profit included a benefit of $2.0 million,
        pre-tax, comprised of the finalization of a previously
        reported gain on sale of business, and the credit resulting
        from the net of expenses and a reserve reversal under a
        capacity reduction program.

"The third quarter was another solid step forward for Hubbell," said Timothy H. Powers, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite continuing softness in industrial and commercial markets, we made additional progress toward our goals for operational improvements."

"While third quarter sales increased by 3% year-over-year, operating income rose by 15% -- with gains in each of our three segments. The transformation of our business processes through lean concepts was one of the drivers," Powers added. "We're in the second year of the program with eighteen of our major facilities and 75% of these employees participating. Costs are being steadily reduced as we eliminate non-value added activities."

"Our focus on asset management brought further accomplishments during the quarter. Operating cash flow continues to be exceptionally strong with a year-to-date total of just under $190 million and a record $100 million in the third quarter. Our inventory reduction efforts played a major role. Net inventories are down by $50 million so far this year adding to the $127 million in inventory reductions achieved over the past two years and days supply at the end of the third quarter was 60 - substantially improved from 80 days at year-end 2002."

"Net debt reduction also continued during the quarter. Net debt dropped by $84 million in the third quarter and is down by $133 million year-to-date -- after payment of $59 million in cash dividends to shareholders. We expect that we will have generated cash equal to the debt used to fund the LCA acquisition by mid-2004."

"Hubbell's lighting restructuring program continues on schedule and on budget. We expect that the effect of this effort combined with the space freed up through lean initiatives across the Company will provide the opportunity for additional factory and warehouse consolidations in 2004."

Segment Review

The comments and year-over-year percentage comparisons which follow are based on results for the third quarter 2003 versus the equivalent period of the past year.

Electrical segment sales increased by 2% with operating profit rising by 13%. Hubbell's lighting business was the primary contributor to the positive comparison. Progress residential lighting showed continuing strength with strong demand from both new construction and home center retail channels. Improved performance was also reported in the commercial/industrial lighting businesses. Nonresidential construction spending continued to decline which negatively impacted rough-in and harsh/hazardous electrical products and wiring systems demand. However, sales and operating profit for the two businesses were up modestly.

Hubbell's Power segment reported a 4% increase in sales, and a 23% increase in operating profit primarily as a result of the favorable legal settlement noted earlier. Excluding that item, operating profit increased modestly. Damage caused by Hurricane Isabel was the primary contributor to the improvement as Hubbell's emergency response team shipped over $2.0 million in product for repairs in the affected region. In general, however, utility product demand remains flat. While the August black-out in the eastern U.S. demonstrated the need for upgrade of the transmission and distribution infrastructure, no immediate increase in investment is evident. Utility finances, uncertain returns on new investments, and the continuing lack of federal energy legislation is expected to result in low utility capital improvement spending well into next year.

The Industrial Technology segment reported a 5% increase in sales and a 20% increase in operating profit. Specialty communications products from the GAI-Tronics unit again provided most of the positive year over year results due to an increased focus on security and safety in a wide range of applications from tunnels in Belgium to new installations in U.S. airports. Other businesses in this segment which primarily serve industrial and high voltage markets continue to contend with low but steady demand.

Summary and Outlook

"Our served markets are little changed from the overall slow pace of prior quarters," said Powers. "Consumer spending, residential construction, and some specialty markets remain healthy, but industrial activity, the declining commercial sector, and utility product markets remain very weak. We expect no substantial recovery through the remainder of this year and into 2004."

"Some macroeconomic indicators hold promise for nascent improvement in these markets. Factory activity increased somewhat during the quarter and channel inventories remain low. But overall order input remains close to the pace of last year reflecting the continuing low level of plant capacity utilization, an overbuilt commercial real estate market, and no measurable change in utility infrastructure investment."

"Nonetheless, as our most recent results demonstrated, Hubbell's results are improving," Powers said. "We have a wealth of opportunities -- in productivity improvement, new product development, customer service enhancements, and further asset reductions to name only a few -- with focused initiatives to take advantage of them. As the economic environment improves, we expect an increasingly more agile, more profitable Hubbell will emerge."

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "may," "targeted," "goals," "expect," "hold promise," "probably," "should," and others. Such forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual and future performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: achieving sales levels to fulfill revenue expectations; unexpected costs or charges, certain of which may be outside the control of the Company; general economic and business conditions; and competition.

Hubbell Incorporated is an international manufacturer of quality electrical and electronic products for commercial, industrial, residential, utility, and telecommunications markets. With 2002 revenues of $1.6 billion, Hubbell Incorporated operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, participates in a joint venture in Taiwan, and maintains sales offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, People's Republic of China, and the Middle East. The corporate headquarters is located in Orange, CT.

                         HUBBELL INCORPORATED
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
            (in millions, except per share data) unaudited


                             THREE MONTHS ENDED    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                SEPTEMBER 30          SEPTEMBER 30
                           --------------------- ---------------------
                              2003       2002       2003       2002
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Net Sales                  $   457.3  $   445.8  $ 1,326.1  $ 1,161.6
Cost of goods sold             329.1      330.4      972.4      863.7
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Gross Profit                   128.2      115.4      353.7      297.9

Selling & administrative
 expenses                       77.5       73.1      227.3      193.2
Special charges (credits),
 net                            (0.2)      (0.4)       5.8        1.3
Gain on sale of business           -       (1.6)         -       (3.0)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Total Operating Income          50.9       44.3      120.6      106.4

Investment income                0.8        1.3        2.8        3.9
Interest expense                (5.2)      (5.8)     (15.5)     (12.3)
Other income, net                  -        0.6        0.7        1.2
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Total Other Income
 (Expense)                      (4.4)      (3.9)     (12.0)      (7.2)

Income Before Income Taxes
and Accounting Change           46.5       40.4      108.6       99.2

Provision for income taxes      12.1        9.3       28.2       17.8
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Income Before Effect
of Accounting Change            34.4       31.1       80.4       81.4
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Effect of Accounting Change
Net of Tax (SFAS 142)              -          -          -      (25.4)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

NET INCOME                 $    34.4  $    31.1  $    80.4  $    56.0
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Earnings per share before
 accounting change -
 diluted                   $    0.57  $    0.52  $    1.33  $    1.36

Earnings per share after
 accounting change -
 diluted                   $    0.57  $    0.52  $    1.33  $    0.93


Average Shares Outstanding
 - Diluted                      60.7       59.6       60.2       59.6
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
                         HUBBELL INCORPORATED
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
            (in millions, except per share data) unaudited


                             THREE MONTHS ENDED    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                SEPTEMBER 30          SEPTEMBER 30
                           --------------------- ---------------------
                              2003       2002       2003       2002
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net Sales
  Electrical               $   339.6  $   333.0  $   982.7  $   826.1
  Power                         86.1       82.6      249.9      247.2
  Industrial Technology         31.6       30.2       93.5       88.3

                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
       Total Net Sales     $   457.3  $   445.8  $ 1,326.1  $ 1,161.6
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========


Operating Income
  Electrical               $    37.4  $    31.6  $    95.0  $    78.3
  Special (charges)
   credits, net                  0.2        0.2       (5.8)      (0.6)
  Gain on sale of business         -        1.6          -        3.0
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total Electrical           37.6       33.4       89.2       80.7

  Power                         10.3        8.1       24.1       24.3
  Special (charges)
   credits, net                    -        0.3          -       (0.3)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total Power                10.3        8.4       24.1       24.0

  Industrial Technology          3.0        2.6        7.3        2.1
  Special (charges)
   credits, net                    -       (0.1)         -       (0.4)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total Industrial
      Technology                 3.0        2.5        7.3        1.7
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
       Total Operating
        Income                  50.9       44.3      120.6      106.4
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------


Other income (expense),
 net                            (4.4)      (3.9)     (12.0)      (7.2)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Income Before Income Taxes
and Accounting Change           46.5       40.4      108.6       99.2

Provision for income taxes      12.1        9.3       28.2       17.8
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Income Before Effect
of Accounting Change            34.4       31.1       80.4       81.4
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Effect of Accounting
 Change
Net of Tax (SFAS 142)              -          -          -      (25.4)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

NET INCOME                 $    34.4  $    31.1  $    80.4  $    56.0
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Earnings per share before
 accounting change -
 diluted                   $    0.57  $    0.52  $    1.33  $    1.36

Earnings per share after
 accounting change -
 diluted                   $    0.57  $    0.52  $    1.33  $    0.93

Average Shares Outstanding
 - Diluted                      60.7       59.6       60.2       59.6
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
                         HUBBELL INCORPORATED
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            (in millions)

                                 (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
                                  SEPTEMBER      JUNE       DECEMBER
                                    2003         2003         2002
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
 ASSETS

 Cash and temporary cash
  investments                   $     175.4  $      90.0  $      40.0
 Short-term investments                15.0         15.0         15.0
 Accounts receivable (net)            255.5        252.1        221.2
 Inventories                          211.3        228.1        258.0
 Deferred taxes and other              50.9         56.3         62.1
                                ------------ ------------ ------------

 CURRENT ASSETS                       708.1        641.5        596.3

 Property, plant and equipment
  (net)                               297.7        305.0        320.6
 Investments                           74.7         76.0         76.5
 Goodwill                             318.6        319.2        314.6
 Intangible assets and other           90.8         95.0        102.3
                                ------------ ------------ ------------

 TOTAL ASSETS                   $   1,489.9  $   1,436.7  $   1,410.3
                                ============ ============ ============

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
  EQUITY

 Commercial paper and notes     $         -  $         -  $         -
 Accounts payable                      96.6         88.3         86.2
 Accrued salaries, wages and
  employee benefits                    51.3         44.5         39.8
 Accrued income taxes                  33.6         33.5         25.5
 Dividends payable                     19.7         19.6         19.5
 Other accrued liabilities             87.6         77.1         83.7
                                ------------ ------------ ------------

 CURRENT LIABILITIES                  288.8        263.0        254.7

 Long-term debt                       298.8        298.7        298.7
 Other non-current liabilities        119.6        112.9        112.7
                                ------------ ------------ ------------

 TOTAL LIABILITIES                    707.2        674.6        666.1

 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                 782.7        762.1        744.2
                                ------------ ------------ ------------

 TOTAL LIABILITIES &
  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          $   1,489.9  $   1,436.7  $   1,410.3
                                ============ ============ ============

    CONTACT: Hubbell Incorporated, Orange
             Thomas R. Conlin, 203-799-4100

    SOURCE: Hubbell Incorporated