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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) of the
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) 22 April 1998
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware 1-4534 23-1274455
(State of other jurisdiction (Commission file number) (IRS Identification
of incorporation) number)
7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18195-1501
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (610) 481-4911
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Item 5. Other Events.
The Registrant reported record income from operations of $121
million, or diluted earnings per share of $1.09, for the second quarter
ended March 31, 1998. This compares to $106 million, or 94 cents per
share in the year ago quarter, a per-share increase of 16 percent.
These results include the impact of currency translation effects, which
reduced earnings per share growth by 5 cents in the quarter. Sales of
$1.2 billion were up 5 percent versus last year; adjusting for the
negative effect of foreign currencies, sales increased 7 percent in the
quarter.
In summarizing the quarter's results, Air Products Chairman H.
A. Wagner said, "Broad-based volume gains in our major businesses, and
benefits from our ongoing productivity and asset management
initiatives, combined to produce record results in the quarter. We
again overcame the impact of weaker foreign currencies and demonstrated
our capability to consistently deliver on our financial commitments."
Industrial gas sales for the quarter rose 7 percent; adjusting
for the negative effect of foreign currencies, sales increased 10
percent in the quarter. Operating income increased 15 percent versus
prior year. Profits were driven by strong volume gains in both the U.S.
and Europe, benefits from ongoing productivity and asset management
initiatives, and favorable contract adjustments in Europe. These gains
were partially offset by lower average merchant selling prices in the
U.S. and Europe. Gas equity affiliate results were tempered by the
difficult business environment in Asia.
The Chemicals segment reported a 6 percent sales gain, while
operating income rose 8 percent. Volumes were strong across most
businesses, led by record sales of emulsions and amines. Margins
improved due to higher plant utilization and ongoing productivity
program benefits.
The Equipment and Services segment posted significantly higher
profits, benefiting from a favorable product mix and improved cost
performance. 1998 will be a record profit year for the segment.
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The Registrant also made progress on its previously announced
share repurchase program, acquiring $50 million of its shares in the
quarter. Since the $600 million program was announced in April 1996, a
total of 6.3 million shares have been acquired, for a total outlay of
approximately $435 million.
For the first half of fiscal 1998, Air Products reported
income from operations of $238 million, or $2.14 per share, versus $206
million, or $1.83 per share, up 17 percent on a diluted basis. Sales
rose 7 percent to $2.4 billion; adjusting for the negative effect of
foreign currencies, sales rose 9 percent for the period. These results
include the impact of currency translation effects, which reduced
earnings per share growth by 22 cents in the first half of the fiscal
year, but exclude the one-time after-tax gains recorded in the first
quarter of fiscal 1998 from the sale of the Registrant's 50 percent
interest in American Ref-Fuel Company and a cogeneration project
contract settlement.
Commenting on year-to-date results, Mr. Wagner said, "We are
pleased with the strong business results for the first half of our
fiscal year. This level of performance would be noteworthy in any year,
but especially so this year given the difficult business conditions in
Asia."
Mr. Wagner concluded, "Despite some concerns about the Asian
impact on western economies, our worldwide team is determined to
deliver premium top-line growth, double-digit earnings growth, and
improved returns on total capital invested."
NOTE: The forward-looking statements contained in this document are
based on current expectations regarding important risk factors. Actual
results may differ materially from those expressed. Important risk
factors and uncertainties include the impact of worldwide economic
growth, pricing, and other factors resulting from fluctuations in
interest rates and foreign currencies, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, continued success of productivity programs, and
the impact of tax and other legislation and other regulations in the
jurisdictions in which the Registrant and its affiliates operate.
Financial tables follow:
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except earnings per share)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
31 March 31 March
1998 1997 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales $ 1,208.6 $ 1,153.1 $ 2,443.4 $ 2,274.0
Net Income $ 120.5 $ 106.0 $ 281.0(b) $ 205.9(c)
Basic Earnings
Per Share (a) $ 1.12 $ .96 $ 2.59(b) $ 1.87(c)
Diluted Earnings
Per Share (a) $ 1.09 $ .94 $ 2.53(b) $ 1.83(c)
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</TABLE>
(a) Effective 31 December 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share."
(b) Includes an after-tax gain of $35.1 million, or $.32 per share from the
sale of the Company's 50% interest in American Ref-Fuel Company and a
gain of $7.6 million, or $.07 per share from a cogeneration project
contract settlement. Excluding the impact of these special items, basic
earnings per share was $2.20 and diluted earnings per share was $2.14.
(c) Includes an after-tax gain of $5.9 million, or $.05 per share from the
sale of the landfill gas business and an after-tax impairment loss of
$6.0 million, or $.05 per share.
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In millions, except per share)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
31 March 31 March
1998 1997 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES AND OTHER INCOME
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales $ 1,208.6 $ 1,153.1 $ 2,443.4 $ 2,274.0
Other income 3.7 10.4 (1.6) 19.8
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1,212.3 1,163.5 2,441.8 2,293.8
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COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales 701.9 686.3 1,422.6 1,379.0
Selling, distribution and
administrative 277.3 264.7 547.2 506.2
Research and development 27.0 28.5 53.3 55.2
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OPERATING INCOME 206.1 184.0 418.7 353.4
Income from equity affiliates,
net of related expenses 7.9 13.5 13.6 32.2
Gain on Ref-Fuel Sale
and Contract Settlement -- -- 75.2 --
Interest expense 39.0 42.5 79.2 82.4
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INCOME BEFORE TAXES 175.0 155.0 428.3 303.2
Income taxes 54.5 49.0 147.3 97.3
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NET INCOME $ 120.5 $ 106.0 $ 281.0 $ 205.9
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BASIC EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE $ 1.12 $ .96 $ 2.59 $ 1.87
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DILUTED EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE* $ 1.09 $ .94 $ 2.53 $ 1.83
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES (in millions) 107.9 109.9 108.6 110.2
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT
SHARES (in millions) 110.4 112.4 110.9 112.5
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DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER
COMMON SHARE - Cash $ .30 $ .275 $ .60 $ .55
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Diluted earnings per common share is due mainly to the impact of unexercised
stock options.
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
31 March 31 March
ASSETS 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash items $ 85.0 $ 111.8
Trade receivables, less allowances for
doubtful accounts 865.3 814.0
Inventories 407.5 398.0
Contracts in progress, less progress billings 86.1 167.5
Other current assets 166.2 173.1
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TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,610.1 1,664.4
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INVESTMENTS 354.3 596.8
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost 8,996.4 8,537.3
Less - Accumulated depreciation 4,460.9 4,167.8
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PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net 4,535.5 4,369.5
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GOODWILL 277.2 265.8
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 382.7 317.9
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TOTAL ASSETS $ 7,159.8 $ 7,214.4
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Payables, trade and other $ 543.9 $ 607.4
Accrued liabilities 278.5 275.4
Accrued income taxes 84.9 50.7
Short-term borrowings 88.5 395.5
Current portion of long-term debt 124.3 57.3
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TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,120.1 1,386.3
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LONG-TERM DEBT 2,254.2 2,211.6
DEFERRED INCOME & OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 510.4 403.7
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 674.4 655.2
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TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,559.1 4,656.8
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value $1 per share 124.7 124.7
Capital in excess of par value 453.4 454.6
Retained earnings 3,206.4 2,832.5
Unrealized gain on investments 8.7 15.6
Cumulative translation adjustments (266.8) (142.3)
Treasury Stock, at cost (492.0) (275.4)
Shares in trust (433.7) (452.1)
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TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,600.7 2,557.6
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 7,159.8 $ 7,214.4
================================================================================
</TABLE>
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In December 1997, the Company sold its 50% interest in American
Ref-Fuel Company, its former waste-to-energy joint venture with Browning-Ferris
Industries, Inc.(BFI), to Duke Energy Power Services and United American Energy
Corporation. This transaction provides for the sale of Air Products' interest in
American Ref-Fuel's five waste-to-energy facilities for $237 million, and the
assumption of various parental support agreements by Duke Energy Capital
Corporation, the parent company of Duke Energy Power Services. The income
statement for the six months ended 31 March 1998 includes a gain of $62.6
million from this sale ($35.1 million after tax or $.32 per share). Air Products
retained a limited partnership interest in one project which is undergoing a
power agreement restructuring. The restructuring is expected to be completed
within one year. Fiscal 1997 results included equity affiliates' income related
to American Ref-Fuel of $21.4 million before taxes of which $2.3, $.8, $9.6 and
$8.7 million was included in the first through fourth quarters respectively.
The results for the six months ended 31 March 1998 also include a gain of $12.6
million from a cogeneration project contract settlement ($7.6 million after tax
or $.07 per share).
The Company completed the sale of the landfill gas recovery business, GSF Energy
Inc., during the three months ended 31 December 1996. A gain of $9.5 million
($5.9 million after tax, or $.05 per share) was recorded.
During the three months ended 31 December 1996, an impairment loss of $9.3
million ($6.0 million after tax, or $.05 per share) was recorded in the
chemicals segment. The write-down was related to production assets in the
performance chemicals division and the related goodwill.
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
SUMMARY BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS
(In millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
31 March 31 March
1998 1997 1998 1997
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Sales:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Industrial Gases $ 715.3 $ 671.0 $1,442.3 $1,285.5
Chemicals 378.4 358.5 759.3 704.7
Equipment/Services 114.9 123.6 241.8 282.6
Corporate/Other -- -- -- 1.2
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CONSOLIDATED $1,208.6 $1,153.1 $2,443.4 $2,274.0
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Operating Income:
Industrial Gases $ 144.7 $ 125.5 $ 291.9 $ 243.8
Chemicals 57.6 53.4 126.0 97.9
Equipment/Services 17.4 10.5 30.0 16.1 (d)
Corporate/Other (13.6) (5.4)(a) (29.2) (4.4)(a)(c)
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CONSOLIDATED $ 206.1 $ 184.0 $ 418.7 $ 353.4
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Equity Affiliates' Income:
Industrial Gases $ 2.8 $ 8.5 $ 3.2 $ 20.5
Chemicals 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.2
Equipment/Services 3.9 3.5 8.3 7.0
Corporate/Other .8 1.4(b) 1.7 4.5(b)
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CONSOLIDATED $ 7.9 $ 13.5 $ 13.6 $ 32.2
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</TABLE>
(a) Operating income for the three and six month periods ended 31 March
1997 includes a pre-tax gain of $7.3 million on the sale of 19% of a
cost based investment.
(b) Equity affiliates' income for the three and six month periods ended 31
March 1997 includes a pre-tax charge of $4.8 million from the
refinancing of a joint venture bond offering.
(c) Operating income for the six month period ended 31 March 1997 includes
a $9.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the landfill gas recovery
business.
(d) Operating income for the six month period ended 31 March 1997 includes
a $9.3 million impairment loss.
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AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and Subsidiaries
SUMMARY BY GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS
(In millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
31 March 31 March
1998 1997 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United States $ 836.7 $ 806.4 $1,712.7 $1,598.5
Europe 315.7 305.2 615.1 590.9
Canada/Latin America 52.4 38.6 103.7 78.2
Other 3.8 2.9 11.9 6.4
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CONSOLIDATED $1,208.6 $1,153.1 $2,443.4 $2,274.0
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Operating Income:
United States $ 159.1 $ 140.4 $ 328.2 $ 284.6
Europe 44.8 39.5 85.8 59.6
Canada/Latin America 3.5 4.2 7.0 9.6
Other (1.3) (0.1) (2.3) (0.4)
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CONSOLIDATED $ 206.1 $ 184.0 $ 418.7 $ 353.4
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Equity Affiliates' Income:
United States $ 4.2 $ 4.8 $ 9.7 $ 11.0
Europe 2.3 1.9 5.0 9.0
Canada/Latin America 2.7 2.7 5.6 5.4
Other (1.3) 4.1 (6.7) 6.8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED $ 7.9 $ 13.5 $ 13.6 $ 32.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For the six months ended 31 March 1997, operating income of the United States
includes a gain of $9.5 million from the sale of the landfill gas recovery
business and operating income of Europe includes an impairment loss of $9.3
million.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
(Registrant)
Dated: 22 April 1998 By: /s/ Arnold H. Kaplan
---------------------------
Arnold H. Kaplan
Senior Vice President - Finance
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