Johnson Controls Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2013
Johnson Controls Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2013 Financial Results
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) today reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Highlights include:
Net sales of $10.4 billion, level with the 2012 first quarter.
Income from business segments of $541 million vs. $621 million, down 13 percent.
Net income of $354 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared with net income of $424 million, or $0.62 per diluted share in the 2012 first quarter.
"Our first quarter results were in-line with the expectations we announced during our earnings release last October. Global demand in our markets was softer than a year ago, but we benefitted from the strong backlog of business we had entering the fiscal year," said Stephen A. Roell, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Controls. "European demand continued to soften and we began restructuring initiatives in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2012 to improve our performance in the region. We expect to realize the benefits of those actions in the second half of the year."
Business results
Building Efficiency sales in the fiscal first quarter of 2013 were $3.5 billion, comparable to the 2012 first quarter as higher sales in Asia and Global Workplace Solutions were offset by lower demand in Europe and North America. Backlog was level compared to the first quarter of last year at $5.1 billion, with higher demand in Asia offset by softness in North America. Orders were lower, with a double-digit increase in China more than offset by other geographic regions.
Segment income of $172 million was up 19 percent compared with last year, consistent with the company's expectations, as the company continued to implement cost reduction and pricing initiatives.
Automotive Experience revenues in the fiscal first quarter of 2013 were $5.2 billion, comparable to the 2012 quarter, as higher automotive production in North America and Asia was offset by lower production in Europe. Automotive industry production in the quarter increased 11 percent in North America and 3 percent in Asia versus a decline of 9 percent in Europe. Seating and Interiors sales were equal to last year while Electronics revenues declined due to lower auto production rates in Europe where the company has a higher level of electronics content. Revenues in China, which are primarily related to seating and generated through non-consolidated joint ventures, increased 21 percent to $1.4 billion. Johnson Controls has 29 joint ventures in China operating 56 manufacturing plants and expects to open 10 additional facilities in the next 18 months.
Automotive Experience segment income was $101 million, 50 percent lower than in the first quarter of 2012. The decrease was a result of improvements in North America being more than offset by higher engineering and product development costs, the impact of lower volumes in Europe, as well as operational inefficiencies the company is taking steps to address. Profitability improved in the Interiors segment as a result of the company's cost reduction initiatives.
At its North American auto show exhibit in Detroit this week, Johnson Controls showcased more than 30 innovative seating, interior and electronics technologies designed to help automakers differentiate future vehicle models.
Power Solutions sales in the first quarter of 2013 increased 4 percent to $1.7 billion led by a double-digit increase in unit shipments in Asia as well as higher demand in Europe. Original equipment battery shipments in North America were higher year-over-year, while aftermarket unit shipments were lower. Power Solutions segment income was $268 million, down 3 percent versus $275 million in the first quarter of 2012.
The company said that the ramp up of its recycling facility in South Carolina and construction of its second Chinese battery plant are proceeding on schedule. At the North American auto show, Johnson Controls introduced a unique lithium ion / lead acid battery module for the micro-hybrid vehicles that automakers are expected to launch later in the decade.
2013 Outlook
"Uncertainties remain in our global markets, and we expect earnings in the first half of fiscal 2013 to be significantly lower than 2012, consistent with our earlier forecast. We continue to have confidence in our full-year guidance for higher revenues and earnings in fiscal 2013," said Mr. Roell. "The long-term growth opportunities for our businesses are intact. We believe we have the right strategies and investments in place to outperform in our industries as the markets improve."
Johnson Controls expects earnings per share of $0.40 - $0.42 in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The forecast reflects the current European automotive production environment and short-term delays in flexing labor in the region as well as a high level of launch activity. The company also reaffirmed its guidance for the full fiscal year.