EX-99.1 2 l26687aexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
 

Exhibit 99.1
AMERICAN GREETINGS ANNOUNCES IMPROVED FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
CLEVELAND (June 21, 2007) — American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced its first quarter results for the fiscal quarter ended May 25, 2007.
First Quarter Results
For the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company reported net sales of $418.0 million, pre-tax income from continuing operations of $54.9 million, and income from continuing operations of $30.6 million or 55 cents per share (all per-share amounts assume dilution). For the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company reported net sales of $404.2 million, pre-tax income from continuing operations of $19.4 million, and income from continuing operations of $16.6 million or 26 cents per share.
Management Comments and Outlook
Chief Executive Officer Zev Weiss said, “I am pleased with our performance this quarter as it was ahead of our expectations. We had improved performance of everyday cards within North America. Our first quarter results suggest that the improved performance is the result of the actions we have taken over the past year.”
Weiss also reaffirmed the Corporation’s previously announced estimate of earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $1.35 to $1.55 per share. “While I am happy with our first quarter results, it is still early in the year and as such, we remain comfortable with our earnings guidance for the full year,” added Weiss.
Financing Activities
The Company purchased 135,000 shares of its common stock, under its $100 million share repurchase program, for $3.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Since February 2005, the Company has repurchased 21.5 million of its shares for approximately $500 million.
The Company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet June 22, 2007 at which time it will review the Company’s quarterly cash dividend. The Board of Directors is expected to maintain the Company’s dividend policy. After the Board has met, a press release will be issued regarding the status of the dividend.
Conference Call on the Web
American Greetings will broadcast its conference call live on the Internet at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time today. The conference call will be accessible through the Investor Relations section of the American Greetings Web site at http://investors.americangreetings.com. A replay of the call will be available on the site.

 


 

About American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, stationery, calendars, ornaments and electronic greetings. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $1.7 billion. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.
###
CONTACT:
Gregory M. Steinberg
Treasurer and Director of Investor Relations
American Greetings Corporation
216-252-4864
investor.relations@amgreetings.com
Certain statements in this release, including those under “Management Comments and Outlook” and “Financing Activities” may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company’s operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company’s future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:
    retail consolidations, acquisitions and bankruptcies, including the possibility of resulting adverse changes to retail contract terms;
    the Company’s ability to successfully implement its strategy to invest in its core greeting card business;
    the timing and impact of investments in new retail or product strategies as well as new product introductions and achieving the desired benefits from those investments;
    the ability to execute share repurchase programs or the ability to achieve the desired accretive effect from such repurchases;
    the Company’s ability to successfully complete, or achieve the desired benefits associated with, dispositions;
    a weak retail environment;
    consumer acceptance of products as priced and marketed;
    the impact of technology on core product sales;
    competitive terms of sale offered to customers;

 


 

    successful implementation of supply chain improvements and achievement of projected cost savings from those improvements;
    increases in the cost of material, energy, freight, and other production costs;
    the Company’s ability to comply with its debt covenants;
    fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates, including the U.S. Dollar, Euro, U.K. Pound Sterling, and Canadian Dollar;
    escalation in the cost of providing employee health care;
    successful integration of acquisitions; and
    the outcome of any legal claims known or unknown.
Risks pertaining specifically to AG Interactive include the viability of online advertising, subscriptions as revenue generators and the public’s acceptance of online greetings and other social expression products.
In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management’s best analysis as of the date of this release. American Greetings does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007.

 


 

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008
(In thousands of dollars except share and per share amounts)
                 
    (Unaudited)  
    Three Months Ended  
    May 25, 2007     May 26, 2006  
 
               
Net sales
  $ 418,013     $ 404,170  
 
               
Costs and expenses:
               
Material, labor and other production costs
    161,128       175,237  
Selling, distribution and marketing
    140,691       142,580  
Administrative and general
    61,871       61,348  
Interest expense
    4,757       12,464  
Other income — net
    (5,347 )     (6,860 )
 
           
 
    363,100       384,769  
 
           
 
               
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
    54,913       19,401  
Income tax expense
    24,291       2,851  
 
           
 
               
Income from continuing operations
    30,622       16,550  
 
               
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (572 )     (1,158 )
 
           
 
               
Net income
  $ 30,050     $ 15,392  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share — basic:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.55     $ 0.28  
Loss from discontinued operations
    (0.01 )     (0.02 )
 
           
Net income
  $ 0.54     $ 0.26  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share — assuming dilution:
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 0.55     $ 0.26  
Loss from discontinued operations
    (0.01 )     (0.02 )
 
           
Net income
  $ 0.54     $ 0.24  
 
           
 
               
Average number of common shares outstanding
    55,262,716       58,137,230  
 
               
Average number of common shares outstanding — assuming dilution
    55,650,033       71,077,312  
 
               
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.08  

 


 

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008
(In thousands of dollars)
                 
    (Unaudited)  
    May 25, 2007     May 26, 2006  
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 132,582     $ 205,468  
Short-term investments
    28,325       83,100  
Trade accounts receivable, net
    119,145       119,729  
Inventories
    192,399       233,155  
Deferred and refundable income taxes
    76,892       163,051  
Assets of businesses held for sale
    2,507       23,621  
Prepaid expenses and other
    215,867       211,354  
 
           
Total current assets
    767,717       1,039,478  
 
               
GOODWILL
    225,318       206,137  
OTHER ASSETS
    397,567       527,630  
DEFERRED AND REFUNDABLE INCOME TAXES
    102,060        
 
               
Property, plant and equipment — at cost
    947,156       965,588  
Less accumulated depreciation
    666,651       661,383  
 
           
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — NET
    280,505       304,205  
 
           
 
  $ 1,773,167     $ 2,077,450  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Debt due within one year
  $     $ 159,122  
Accounts payable
    100,914       124,789  
Accrued liabilities
    77,837       72,781  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    43,656       45,056  
Income taxes
    29,878       25,228  
Liabilities of businesses held for sale
    1,253       3,697  
Other current liabilities
    84,622       94,324  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    338,160       524,997  
 
               
LONG-TERM DEBT
    223,800       239,838  
OTHER LIABILITIES
    146,384       98,729  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND NONCURRENT INCOME TAXES PAYABLE
    27,184       25,041  
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common shares — Class A
    51,148       53,386  
Common shares — Class B
    4,340       4,225  
Capital in excess of par value
    424,201       401,644  
Treasury stock
    (712,147 )     (732,890 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    6,030       23,952  
Retained earnings
    1,264,067       1,438,528  
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,037,639       1,188,845  
 
           
 
  $ 1,773,167     $ 2,077,450  
 
           

 


 

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008
(In thousands of dollars)
                 
    (Unaudited)  
    Three Months Ended  
    May 25, 2007     May 26, 2006  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 30,050     $ 15,392  
Loss from discontinued operations
    572       1,158  
 
           
Income from continuing operations
    30,622       16,550  
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Net gain on disposal of fixed assets
    (116 )     (79 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
          4,963  
Depreciation and amortization
    11,989       11,764  
Deferred income taxes
    4,466       (1,934 )
Other non-cash charges
    1,979       3,926  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
               
(Increase) decrease in trade accounts receivable
    (14,750 )     22,579  
Increase in inventories
    (7,389 )     (17,313 )
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
    646       (8,708 )
Decrease in deferred costs — net
    11,691       12,722  
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities
    (21,753 )     (24,245 )
Other — net
    4,236       5,575  
 
           
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    21,621       25,800  
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
    134,900       448,320  
Purchases of short-term investments
    (163,225 )     (322,680 )
Property, plant and equipment additions
    (5,875 )     (9,591 )
Cash payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (6,056 )      
Cash receipts related to discontinued operations
    2,344        
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    890       182  
 
           
Cash (Used) Provided by Investing Activities
    (37,022 )     116,231  
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Increase in long-term debt
          200,000  
Reduction of long-term debt
          (281,363 )
Sale of stock under benefit plans
    9,358       1,052  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (3,568 )     (59,529 )
Dividends to shareholders
    (5,536 )     (4,605 )
Debt issuance costs
          (7,276 )
 
           
Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities
    254       (151,721 )
 
               
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
               
Cash used by operating activities from discontinued operations
    (542 )     (2,540 )
Cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations
          1,644  
 
           
Cash Used by Discontinued Operations
    (542 )     (896 )
 
               
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    3,558       2,441  
 
           
 
               
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (12,131 )     (8,145 )
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    144,713       213,613  
 
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 132,582     $ 205,468  
 
           

 


 

AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008
(In thousands of dollars)
                 
    (Unaudited)  
    Three Months Ended  
    May 25, 2007     May 26, 2006  
Net Sales:
               
North American Social Expression Products
  $ 297,066     $ 292,950  
Intersegment items
    (8,167 )     (17,548 )
Exchange rate adjustment
    5       (63 )
 
           
Net
    288,904       275,339  
 
               
International Social Expression Products
    59,145       63,865  
Exchange rate adjustment
    4,057       (2,251 )
 
           
Net
    63,202       61,614  
 
               
Retail Operations
    38,924       43,501  
Exchange rate adjustment
    4       (62 )
 
           
Net
    38,928       43,439  
 
               
AG Interactive
    19,894       19,960  
Exchange rate adjustment
    3       5  
 
           
Net
    19,897       19,965  
 
               
Non-reportable segments
    7,082       3,813  
 
               
 
           
Consolidated
  $ 418,013     $ 404,170  
 
           
 
               
Segment Earnings (Loss):
               
North American Social Expression Products
  $ 86,940     $ 68,161  
Intersegment items
    (6,255 )     (12,910 )
Exchange rate adjustment
    5       (33 )
 
           
Net
    80,690       55,218  
 
               
International Social Expression Products
    40       497  
Exchange rate adjustment
    147       46  
 
           
Net
    187       543  
 
               
Retail Operations
    (2,781 )     (7,301 )
Exchange rate adjustment
          2  
 
           
Net
    (2,781 )     (7,299 )
 
               
AG Interactive
    3,296       2,041  
Exchange rate adjustment
    (9 )     (1 )
 
           
Net
    3,287       2,040  
 
               
Non-reportable segments
    927       (2,095 )
 
               
Unallocated
    (27,393 )     (28,906 )
Exchange rate adjustment
    (4 )     (100 )
 
           
Net
    (27,397 )     (29,006 )
 
               
 
           
Consolidated
  $ 54,913     $ 19,401