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PPG Reports Record Third Quarter Earnings

^{Published on 2010-10-21 05:16:10 - Market Wire}
 

PITTSBURGH--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) today reportedsales for the third quarter of $3.5 billion, an increase of 7 percent versus the prior yeara™s third quarter. Third quarter reported net income was $262 million, or $1.58 per share. Third quarter 2009 sales were $3.2 billion, and reported net income was $159 million, or 96 cents per share.

"In addition, our lower overall cost structure has enabled us to leverage the ongoing, gradual global industrial recovery. We achieved these record results despite persistent raw material cost inflation and anemic construction markets in the developed economies of the world."

Adjusted net income for the quarter was $1.59 per share. Third quarter 2009 adjusted net income was 97 cents per share. Both periods include an aftertax charge of 1 cent per share to reflect the net increase in the current value of the companya™s obligation under its proposed asbestos settlement, which is pending court proceedings.

aOur record third quarter earnings reflect the benefits of the strategic initiatives wea™ve undertaken to broaden our geographic footprint a" especially in high-growth emerging regions a" and the diversity of the end-use markets we serve,a said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO. aIn addition, our lower overall cost structure has enabled us to leverage the ongoing, gradual global industrial recovery. We achieved these record results despite persistent raw material cost inflation and anemic construction markets in the developed economies of the world.a

Bunch said that PPGa™s third quarter segment earnings grew by more than 35 percent versus the same period last year. aHigher industrial activity resulted in sizable gains in our Industrial Coatings and Commodity Chemicals segments, and in our fiber glass business, all of which are experiencing strong demand recovery from the recession. Also, our Performance Coatings and Optical and Specialty Materials segments delivered third quarter earnings records, once again growing by double-digit percentages. The Architectural Coatings a" EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) segment earnings fell slightly due primarily to negative currency conversion.a He said that PPGa™s overall sales volumes grew 6 percent over 2009 even with a decline in the companya™s architectural coatings businesses serving the mature regions.

aThe shift of our portfolio to focus on coatings and optical products has significantly reduced our capital intensity. As a result, we have additional cash for earnings growth opportunities and to return to shareholders. Year-to-date, we have returned nearly 80 percent of our cash from operations to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases,a Bunch said. PPG raised its quarterly dividend to 55 cents per share on July 15, and it has spent about $275 million year-to-date to acquire 4.2 million shares of PPG stock at an average per-share price of approximately $65.

Looking forward, Bunch said, aWhile we anticipate continued gradual recovery in economic conditions, the fourth quarter is traditionally a slower sales quarter for most of our businesses due to seasonality. Our focus continues to be on operational excellence as we remain committed to cost management. We are also working diligently to offset higher raw material costs.a He said that PPG is implementing price increases for many of its products, including several in the Commodity Chemicals segment.

Bunch concluded, aWe are planning to use our strong balance sheet over the next several quarters to further accelerate earnings growth through abolt-ona™ acquisitions and continued, selective share repurchases. We delivered record results despite the fact that the sales in our businesses have yet to fully recover. This, combined with our continued organic growth prospects and strong financial flexibility, give me optimism about our future earnings potential.a

The companya™s 2010 tax rate was lowered in the third quarter to 27 percent based on the geographic mix of projected full year results. When compared with the companya™s previously estimated 2010 tax rate of 28 percent, the lower rate added 6 cents to third quarter earnings per share, including a 4 cent catch-up from reducing the rate on earnings for the first six months of 2010.

Performance Coatings segment sales in the third quarter 2010 increased $28 million, or 3 percent, versus last yeara™s third quarter as a result of higher selling prices. Volumes were flat as declines in the North American architectural coatings business offset solid growth in several of PPGa™s top-performing businesses, including automotive refinish, aerospace, and protective and marine coatings, and growth in the Asia/Pacific region. The protective and marine coatings business had a record quarter for sales and earnings. Segment earnings grew $19 million, or 12 percent, to a new quarterly record of $174 million as a result of the improved business mix and lower cost structure.

Industrial Coatings segment sales for the quarter rose $103 million, or 13 percent, due to volume growth of 14 percent, especially in the automotive coatings and industrial coatings businesses and in all regions. Segment earnings for the quarter were $86 million, an increase of $28 million from the prior yeara™s third quarter. The benefit from improved volumes and reduced costs due to prior restructuring actions was partially offset by raw material inflation.

Sales for the Architectural Coatings a" EMEA segment decreased $47 million, or 8 percent, due primarily to currency conversion. Segment earnings declined $9 million to $50 million, with about one-half of the decrease associated with currency conversion. The segment sales volume trend remained modestly negative at a level consistent with prior quarters this year.

The Optical and Specialty Materials segment delivered record third quarter sales and earnings. Segment sales for the quarter increased $31 million, or 12 percent, as a result of double-digit percentage volume growth in both businesses. Segment earnings improved $15 million to $82 million as a result of the higher sales volumes, countered slightly by increased selling and advertising costs to support the sales growth.

Commodity Chemicals segment sales for the quarter increased $83 million, or 29 percent, due to higher volumes and prices. Segment earnings grew $41 million due to the improved pricing and volumes, partially offset by higher maintenance costs.

Glass segment sales increased $37 million, or 17 percent, compared with the prior year as a result of improved fiber glass volumes and price gains. Segment income was $32 million, an improvement of $38 million due to higher volumes, lower manufacturing costs, and higher equity earnings and royalty income.

About PPG

PPG Industriesa™ vision is to continue to be the worlda™s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit [ www.ppg.com ].

Additional Information

PPG will hold a conference call to review its third quarter financial performance today, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. ET. The company will provide commentary and host questions and answers. The dial-in numbers are: in the United States, 866-202-3109; international, 617-213-8844; passcode 59639492. The conference call also will be available in listen-only mode via Internet broadcast from PPGa™s Investor Center at [ www.ppg.com ] (Windows Media Player). A telephone replay will be available today, Thursday, Oct. 21, beginning at approximately 5 p.m. ET, through Thursday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. ET. The dial-in numbers for the replay are: in the United States, 888-286-8010; international, 617-801-6888; passcode 34321270. A Web replay also will be available on PPGa™s Investor Center at [ www.ppg.com ], beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET, today, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, through Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reflecting the companya™s current view with respect to future events or objectives and financial or operational performance or results. These matters involve risks and uncertainties as discussed in PPG Industriesa™ periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the companya™s forward-looking statements.

Among these factors are global economic conditions, increasing price and product competition by foreign and domestic competitors, fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials, the ability to maintain favorable supplier relationships and arrangements, the realization of anticipated cost savings from restructuring initiatives, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and achieving expected synergies therefrom, the ability to penetrate existing, developing or emerging foreign and domestic markets, and economic and political conditions in international markets, foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in such rates, the impact of future legislation, the impact of environmental regulations, unexpected business disruptions and the unpredictability of possible future litigation, including litigation that could result if the asbestos settlement discussed in PPGa™s filings with the SEC does not become effective. However, it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, while the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.

Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on PPGa™s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of their initial issuance, and PPG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Regulation G Reconciliation

PPG Industries believes investors' understanding of the company's operating performance is enhanced by the disclosure of net income and earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) adjusted for nonrecurring charges. PPG's management considers this information useful in providing insight into the companya™s ongoing operating performance because it excludes the impact of items that cannot reasonably be expected to recur on a quarterly basis. Net income and earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) adjusted for these items are not recognized financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered a substitute for net income or earnings per common share (attributable to PPG) or other financial measures as computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, adjusted net income and earnings per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures as reported by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of reported and adjusted net income and earnings per share for the third quarters of 2010 and 2009: