LA-Z-BOY INC
10-Q, 1999-02-02
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004

                                    FORM 10-Q

                   Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        FOR QUARTER ENDED January 23, 1999 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9656

                              LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 MICHIGAN                               38-0751137
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

    1284 North Telegraph Road, Monroe, Michigan         48162-3390
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

 REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (734) 241-4414

                                      None
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
 report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during  the  preceding  12  months  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

               Yes     X                                   No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each issuer's classes of common 
stock, as of the last practicable date:

           Class                                Outstanding at January 23, 1999
- ---------------------------------------         -------------------------------
   Common Shares, $1.00 par value                        52,396,805

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Part 1. Financial Information

 The Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Income required for Part 1 are contained in the
 Registrant's Financial Information Release dated February 2, 1999 and are incorporated herein by reference.

                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                               INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                                      (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)




                                                               Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                                              --------------------    --------------------
                                                               Jan 23,     Jan 24,     Jan 23,     Jan 24,
                                                                1999        1998        1999        1998
                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>            
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
     Net income ..........................................   $ 17,728    $ 11,459    $ 43,359    $ 30,007

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities
           Depreciation and amortization .................      5,709       5,140      17,062      15,208
           Change in receivables .........................     27,209      22,393       9,755      18,407
           Change in inventories .........................     (7,718)     (2,485)    (15,693)    (10,227)
           Change in other assets and liabilities ........     (3,124)     (8,607)     18,300       2,137
           Change in deferred taxes ......................        465      (2,553)     (2,277)     (4,513)

                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
              Total adjustments ..........................     22,541      13,888      27,147      21,012

                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
              Cash Provided by Operating Activities.......     40,269      25,347      70,506      51,019

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
     Proceeds from disposals of assets ...................         20       1,108         313       1,500
     Capital expenditures ................................     (6,749)     (4,218)    (14,982)    (15,561)
     Change in other investments .........................        700        (419)     (1,727)       (707)

                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
              Cash Used for Investing Activities .........     (6,029)     (3,529)    (16,396)    (14,768)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
     Retirements of debt .................................       (119)     (2,428)     (3,330)     (4,469)
     Capital lease principal payments ....................        (96)       (507)       (899)     (1,547)
     Stock for stock option plans ........................        226       2,299       4,914       5,402
     Stock for 401(k) employee plans .....................        545         417       1,382       1,103
     Purchase of La-Z-Boy stock ..........................     (8,931)     (3,086)    (27,694)    (12,483)
     Payment of cash dividends ...........................     (4,216)     (3,749)    (12,222)    (11,292)

                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
              Cash Used for Financing Activities .........    (12,591)     (7,054)    (37,849)    (23,286)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ..................       (333)       (233)       (924)       (135)

                                                              --------    --------    --------    --------
Net change in cash and equivalents .......................     21,316      14,531      15,337      12,830

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period ..............     22,721      23,681      28,700      25,382

                                                             --------    --------    --------    --------
Cash and equivalents at end of period ....................   $ 44,037    $ 38,212    $ 44,037    $ 38,212
                                                             ========    ========    ========    ========
                                                                                                                 
Cash paid during period      -Income taxes ...............   $ 10,620    $ 14,345    $ 18,498    $ 22,008
                             -Interest ...................   $  1,631    $  1,016    $  2,762    $  2,810

<FN>
                         For purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments
                         purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

                         The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
                         of these statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                 LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED AND OPERATING DIVISIONS
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   Basis of Presentation
     The financial information is prepared in conformity with generally accepted
     accounting principles and such principles are applied on a basis consistent
     with those reflected in the 1998 Annual Report filed with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission. The financial information included herein, other
     than the consolidated balance sheet as of April 25, 1998, has been prepared
     by management without audit by independent certified public accountants.
     The consolidated balance sheet as of January 23, 1999 has been prepared on
     a basis consistent with, but does not include all the disclosures contained
     in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended
     April 25, 1998. The information furnished includes all adjustments and
     accruals consisting only of normal recurring accrual adjustments which are,
     in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results
     for the interim period.

2.   Interim Results
     The foregoing interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results
     of operations for the full fiscal year ending April 24, 1999.

3.   Forward-Looking Information
     Any forward-looking statements contained in this report represent
     management's current expectations based on present information and current
     assumptions. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-
     looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "should", or 
     "anticipates".  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks
     and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those which
     are anticipated or projected due to a number of factors. These factors
     include, but are not limited to, anticipated growth in sales; success of
     product introductions; fluctuations of interest rates, changes in consumer
     confidence/demand and other risks and factors identified from time to time
     in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

4.   Earnings per Share
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per 
     Share" requires both basic and diluted earnings per share to be presented. 
     Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of
     shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share uses the 
     weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the 
     additional common shares that would be outstanding if the dilutive 
     potential common shares were issued.  This includes employee stock options.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                  --------------------     -------------------
                                  Jan. 23,    Jan. 24,     Jan. 23,   Jan. 24,   
(Amounts in thousands)              1999        1998         1999       1998  
- ----------------------             ------      ------       ------     ------
<S>                               <C>         <C>          <C>        <C> 
Weighted average common 
   shares outstanding (basic)      52,680      53,630       53,061     53,716      
Effect of options                     245         425          270        344
                                   ------      ------       ------     ------
Weighted average common
   shares outstanding (diluted)    52,925      54,055       53,331     54,060 
                                   ======      ======       ======     ======

</TABLE>


            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Due to the cyclical nature of the Company's business, comparison of operations
between the most recently completed quarter and the immediate preceding quarter
would not be meaningful and could be misleading to the reader of these financial
statements.

For further Management Discussion, see attached Exhibit 99.(a)

Financial Position
The Company's strong financial position is reflected in the debt to capital
percentage of 15% and a current ratio of 3.3 to 1 at the end of the third
quarter. At April 25, 1998, the debt to capital percentage was 16% and the
current ratio was 3.5 to 1. At the end of the preceding year's third quarter,
the debt to capital percentage was 13% and the current ratio was 3.3 to 1. As of
January 23, 1999, there was $116 million of unused lines of credit available
under several credit arrangements.

Stock Repurchase Program
Approximately 14% of the 12 million shares of Company stock authorized for
purchase on the open market are still available for purchase by the Company. The
Company plans to be in the market for its shares as changes in its stock price
and other factors present appropriate opportunities. Through the nine months
ended January 23, 1999, the Company purchased $27.7 million, which is over
double the $12.5 million in the prior year.

Year 2000
The Year 2000 issue arises from the use of two-digit date fields used in
computer programs which may cause problems as the year changes from 1999 to
2000. These problems could cause disruptions of operations or processing of
transactions.

To address the Year 2000 challenge, the Company established a Year 2000 Program
Office guided by a steering committee consisting of senior executive management.
This office serves as the central coordination point for all Year 2000
compliance efforts of the Company. The Company has included IT (Information
Technologies) systems and non-IT systems as well as third party readiness in the
scope of its Year 2000 project. The Company is on schedule with regards to its
internal plan. Management believes that the Company is taking the steps
necessary to minimize the impact of the Year 2000 challenge.

The challenges the Company faces with regards to its IT systems include
upgrading of operating systems, hardware and software, and modifying order entry
and invoicing programs. For the IT challenges, the Company has substantially
completed the inventory, assessment and remediation phases. The Company expects
to have its critical IT systems compliant and compatible, with the appropriate
testing completed, by September, 1999.

The primary challenges the Company faces with regards to its non-IT systems
include plant floor machinery and facility related items. For these systems, the
inventory and assessment phases have been completed. The Company believes these
systems to be compliant and compatible. The Company is presently in the testing
phase of its non-IT project with expected completion by September, 1999.

With respect to third party readiness, the Company continues to work with
customers, suppliers, and service providers in order to prevent disruption of
business activities. Multiple approaches are being used to determine compliance
based on the priority assigned to the third party. Based on communications with
these third parties, the Company believes that all material third parties will
be sufficiently prepared for the Year 2000. For critical third parties, testing
will be performed as deemed necessary.

While the Company believes that it is preparing adequately for all Year 2000
concerns, there is no guarantee against internal or external systems failures.
Such failures could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations, liquidity and financial condition. The Company anticipates
initiating an independent verification and assessment of the possible risks. The
Company believes that its most likely worst case scenario would be business
interruptions caused by third party failures. The Company expects to have
contingency plans in place prior to the Year 2000 for IT and non-IT systems, as
well as for areas of concern with relation to third parties.

At the present time, the total Year 2000 related costs are estimated to be $12
to $16 million. To date, the Company has spent approximately $7.5 million.
Included in the total estimated expenditures are both remediation and, in some
cases, enhancement or improvement related costs that cannot easily be separated
from remediation costs. Some of these enhancements or improvements were
previously planned and were merely accelerated as a means to address Year 2000
challenges.


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
        (a) (27) Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR only).

        (99) News Releases and Financial Information Release: re Actual third 
             quarter results and Management Discussion dated February 2, 1999.







                                   SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended January 23, 1999 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.

                                        LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED  
                                        (Registrant)


Date   February 2, 1999                                                    
                                               /s/Gene M. Hardy
                                             ----------------------
                                             Gene M. Hardy
                                             Secretary and Treasurer
                                             (Principal Accounting Officer)




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                          5
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
        
<S>                             <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>        APR-24-1999
<PERIOD-END>             JAN-23-1999
<CASH>                        44,037
<SECURITIES>                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                228,820
<ALLOWANCES>                       0
<INVENTORY>                  107,597
<CURRENT-ASSETS>             404,062
<PP&E>                       121,135
<DEPRECIATION>               192,184
<TOTAL-ASSETS>               601,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>        123,527
<BONDS>                            0
              0
                        0
<COMMON>                      52,397
<OTHER-SE>                   344,420
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 601,837
<SALES>                      921,816
<TOTAL-REVENUES>             921,816
<CGS>                        681,416
<TOTAL-COSTS>                681,416
<OTHER-EXPENSES>             169,556
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>             3,461
<INCOME-PRETAX>               71,043
<INCOME-TAX>                  27,684
<INCOME-CONTINUING>           43,359
<DISCONTINUED>                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                    0
<CHANGES>                          0
<NET-INCOME>                  43,359
<EPS-PRIMARY>                   0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                   0.81
        

</TABLE>




                                  News Release
                     LA-Z-BOY REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER


NYSE & PCX: LZB                            Contact:  Gene Hardy  (734) 241-4306

    MONROE, MI.,  February 2, 1999:  La-Z-Boy Incorporated, one of the world's 
largest producers of furniture, continued reaching record levels of quarterly 
sales and profit.


Financial Details
    For the third quarter ended 1/23/99 of La-Z-Boy's 1999 fiscal year, sales 
reached $318.1 million, up 13% from last year's third quarter of $280.5 million.
Net income was up 55% to $17.7 million vs. $11.5 million.  Diluted EPS (Earnings
Per Share) increased 57% to $0.33 vs. $0.21.

    For the nine months ended 1/23/99 of La-Z-Boy's 1999 fiscal year, sales 
reached $921.8 million, up 17% from last year's $786.1 million.  Net income was 
up 44% to $43.4 million vs. $30.0 million.  Diluted EPS was up 45% to $0.81 vs. 
$0.56.


President Comments
    La-Z-Boy President and Chief Operating Officer, Gerald L. Kiser said, "An 
improvement in gross margin over last year's third quarter resulted from more 
efficient plant operations as well as higher sales volume.  With plant 
productivity rising, current capacity can meet forecasted demand, at least for 
the near-term.  However, we are expanding our Residential division and 
England/Corsair plants in Tennessee, and installing a new finishing facility at 
the Sam Moore division in Virginia.

    "We don't expect the exceptional 13% third quarter sales growth rate to 
continue into the fourth quarter.  La-Z-Boy's fourth quarter sales could rise 
4% to 6% above last year's record-setting final quarter."

Marketing 
    This month, the Residential division launches its third "Instant Win" 
Sweepstakes in Parade and USA Weekend magazines.  We expect to reach 57 million 
readers.  This "Picture Yourself in America's Favorite Recliner" campaign 
features a special 800 phone number to help consumers locate their most 
convenient La-Z-Boy participating dealers.  Over 4,000 La-Z-Boy locations are
taking part in this sweepstakes, marking the highest level of dealer support 
ever for this type of program.

    The La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries program continues to expand with recent 
openings in Madrid, Spain and two new Canadian stores in Burlington and Ottawa, 
Ontario.

    Time Magazine recognized La-Z-Boy chairs and our founders in a special 
edition commemorating the 100 most influential inventions of the 20th century.  
And the La-Z-Boy Maxim massage chair was featured in Parade magazine, 
demonstrated by the cast of the popular Drew Carey Show and in the January 
issue of House Beautiful, in an article by the editor of the magazine.


Company Overview
    La-Z-Boy manufactures quality upholstered and casegoods home furniture as
well as office furniture.  In addition to the La-Z-Boy brand name, which is the 
most recognized home furniture brand name in North America, four other major 
brands are part of La-Z-Boy Incorporated: Kincaid, England/Corsair, Hammary and 
Sam Moore.


More Information
    La-Z-Boy Incorporated's third quarter 10-Q filing including an income 
statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and additional management 
discussion is available now at the Company's internet site (www.lazboy.com).  
This press release is just one part of La-Z-Boy Incorporated's disclosures and 
should be read in conjunction with all other 10-Q information.  About 48 hours 
after this release, this third quarter 10-Q information should be available on 
the SEC's internet site (www.sec.gov).




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


  2/2/99                                                            Page 1 of 3
                             La-Z-Boy Incorporated Financial Information Release
                                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                             (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                         THIRD QUARTER ENDED (UNAUDITED)
                           ------------------------------------------------------
                           January 23,   January 24,    % Over   Percent of Sales
                                                                 ----------------
                               1999         1998        (Under)    1999     1998
                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------   ------

<S>                           <C>           <C>            <C>   <C>      <C>   
Sales                         $318,105      $280,520        13%   100.0%   100.0%
Cost of sales                  230,923       211,688         9%    72.6%    75.5%
                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------   ------
     Gross profit               87,182        68,832        27%    27.4%    24.5%

S, G & A                        58,758        50,189        17%    18.5%    17.9%

                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------   ------
     Operating profit           28,424        18,643        52%     8.9%     6.6%

Interest expense                 1,110         1,048         6%     0.3%     0.4%
Interest income                    430           568       -24%     0.1%     0.2%
Other income                       962           240       301%     0.3%     0.2%

                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------   ------
     Pretax income              28,706        18,403        56%     9.0%     6.6%
                                            
Income tax expense              10,978         6,944        58%    38.2% *  37.7% *

                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------   ------
     Net income                $17,728       $11,459        55%     5.6%     4.1%
                           ===========   ===========    =======   ======   ======


  Diluted average shares        52,925        54,055        -2%

  Diluted EPS                    $0.33         $0.21        57%

  Basic EPS                      $0.34         $0.22        55%

  Dividends per share            $0.08         $0.07        14%


<CAPTION>


                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED (UNAUDITED)
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           January 23,   January 24,    % Over   Percent of Sales
                                                                 ----------------
                               1999          1998       (Under)    1999    1998
                           -----------   -----------    -------   ------  ------

<S>                           <C>           <C>             <C>  <C>     <C>   
Sales                         $921,816      $786,054         17%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of sales                  681,416       591,242         15%   73.9%   75.2%
                           -----------   -----------    --------  ------  ------
     Gross profit              240,400       194,812         23%   26.1%   24.8%

S, G & A                       169,556       145,946         16%   18.4%   18.6%

                           -----------   -----------    --------  ------  ------
     Operating profit           70,844        48,866         45%    7.7%    6.2%

Interest expense                 3,461         3,099         12%    0.4%    0.4%
Interest income                  1,478         1,562         -5%    0.2%    0.2%
Other income                     2,182         1,517         44%    0.2%    0.2%

                           -----------   -----------    --------  ------  ------
     Pretax income              71,043        48,846         45%    7.7%    6.2%

Income tax expense              27,684        18,839         47%   39.0% * 38.6% *

                           -----------   -----------    --------  ------  ------
     Net income                $43,359       $30,007         44%    4.7%    3.8%
                           ===========   ===========    ========  ======  ======


  Diluted average shares        53,331        54,060         -1%

  Diluted EPS                    $0.81         $0.56         45%

  Basic EPS                      $0.82         $0.56         46%

  Dividends per share            $0.23         $0.21         10%


<FN>

  *    As a percent of pretax income, not sales.

</FN>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     2/2/99                                                                             Page 2 of 3
                              La-Z-Boy Incorporated Financial Information Release
                                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (Amounts in thousands, except par value)


                                             Unaudited                  Increase           Audited
                                      ------------------------
                                      January 23,  January 24,         (Decrease)          Apr. 25,
                                                                 ---------------------
                                          1999        1998        Dollars      Percent       1998
                                       ---------    ---------    ---------     -------    ---------

<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>     <C>      
Current assets
   Cash & equivalents .............    $  44,037    $  38,473    $   5,564           14%   $  28,700
    Receivables ....................     228,820      196,879       31,941           16%     238,260
                                                                                                   
    Inventories
        Raw materials ..............      52,122       44,478        7,644           17%      43,883
        Work-in-process ............      41,271       37,726        3,545            9%      40,640
        Finished goods .............      36,984       30,511        6,473           21%      30,193

                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
            FIFO inventories .......     130,377      112,715       17,662           16%     114,716
            Excess of FIFO over LIFO     (22,780)     (21,550)      (1,230)          -6%     (22,812)

                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                 Total inventories .     107,597       91,165       16,432           18%      91,904

    Deferred income taxes ..........      18,936       24,761       (5,825)         -24%      16,679
    Income taxes ...................        --           --            N/M         N/M           936
    Other current assets ...........       4,672        4,086          586           14%       6,549

                                       --------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
        Total current assets .......     404,062      355,364       48,698           14%     383,028

Property, plant & equipment ........     121,135      117,627        3,508            3%     121,762

Goodwill ...........................      47,501       40,974        6,527           16%      49,413

Other long-term assets .............      29,139       29,953         (814)         -3%       26,148
                                       
                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
            Total assets ...........   $ 601,837    $ 543,918    $  57,919           11%   $ 580,351
                                       =========    =========    =========    =========    =========



Current liabilities
    Current portion - l/t debt .....   $   4,647    $   5,107    ($    460)          -9%   $   4,822
    Current portion - capital leases       1,099        1,561         (462)         -30%       1,383
    Accounts payable ...............      48,952       38,714       10,238           26%      36,703
    Payroll/other comp .............      39,316       33,315        6,001           18%      39,617
    Income taxes ...................       4,596        4,469          127            3%        --
    Other current liabilities ......      24,917       23,858        1,059            4%      25,764
                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

        Total current liabilities ..     123,527      107,024       16,503           15%     108,289

Long-term debt .....................      63,279       49,723       13,556           27%      66,434

Capital leases .....................         204        1,111         (907)         -82%         819
                                                                                           
Deferred income taxes ..............       5,459        5,627         (168)          -3%       5,478

Other long-term liabilities ........      12,551       10,468        2,083           20%      11,122

Commitments & contingencies ........        --           --            N/M          N/M         --

Shareholders' equity
    Common shares, $1 par * ........      52,397       53,569       (1,172)          -2%      53,551
    Capital in excess of par .......      30,441       28,239        2,202            8%      29,262
    Retained earnings * ............     316,158      289,425       26,733            9%     306,445
    Currency translation ...........      (2,179)      (1,268)        (911)         -72%      (1,049)

                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
        Total shareholders' equity .     396,817      369,965       26,852            7%     388,209

            Total liabilities and
                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
            shareholders' equity ...   $ 601,837    $ 543,918    $  57,919           11%   $ 580,351
                                       =========    =========    =========    =========    =========

<FN>
     *  Restated to reflect three-for-one stock split, in the form of a 200% stock dividend effective September 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>



2/2/99                                                           Page 3 of 3
               La-Z-Boy Incorporated Financial Information Release
                              COMMENTS AND ANALYSIS


Overall:
     Refer to today's press release for additional information.

Gross profit margins:
     The gross profit margin increased to 27.4% of sales from 24.5% of sales in 
last year's third quarter on a 13% increase in sales and a 9% increase in unit 
volume.  The absence of production disruptions associated with hardwood and 
plywood part delivery problems, costs associated with casegood manufacturing 
consolidations, and inclement weather conditions all favorably affected the 
gross profit margin.  In addition, similar to the second quarter, favorable 
volume related cost reductions and unfavorable Canadian currency exchange 
effects were also realized.

     Sales in the fourth quarter is expected to increase roughly 4% to 6% over 
the prior year's fourth quarter, and the gross profit margin as a percentage of 
sales is expected to approximate last year.

Inventories:
     Finished goods inventories were up 21% over the same period last year 
primarily as a result of two new casegood product line introductions increasing 
stock inventory levels, and increased daily production volume resulting in more 
finished product being staged for shipment.  The stock inventory build-up for 
the larger of the two product line introductions is expected to be short-term. 
Finished goods inventory levels at the end of the upcoming fourth quarter are 
expected to be higher than the prior year, but not as high as at the end of the 
third quarter.

S,G & A:
     Third quarter S, G & A increased to 18.5% of sales vs. 17.9% last year.  
The largest cause was due to an increase in Information Technology (IT) 
expenses relating to Year 2000 projects. As expected, performance bonus related 
expenses increased due to higher sales and profits.  La-Z-Boy held many other 
S, G & A expenses at a growth rate consistent with or lower than the sales 
growth rate, thus somewhat offsetting the higher IT related and performance 
bonus increases.  For the fourth quarter, IT expenses are expected to be 
slightly higher than last year.  Higher bonus related expenses are expected to
continue through the fourth quarter.

Other income:
      Other income is volatile by nature and fluctuates from one period to 
another.  Last year's fourth quarter included an income item related to tax 
refund claims.  Looking forward, this is not expected to occur in this year's 
fourth quarter.

Income tax expense:
      The third quarter tax rate increased to 38.2% of pretax income from 37.7% 
last year.  This is due in part to Canadian division profit impacts creating 
unfavorable tax impacts.  This is somewhat offset by several favorable items.  
This trend is expected to continue for the fourth quarter.




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