American Woodmark's fiscal Q4 net income rises to US$5.6M from US$5.2M a year earlier, on net sales up 10% to US$188.9M; company highlights growth in remodeling, new construction channels, reports 15% increase in full-year net sales to US$726.5M

Wendy Lisney

WINCHESTER, Virginia , June 3, 2014 (press release) – American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD) today announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2014.

Net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter increased 10% to $188.9 million compared with the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. The Company experienced growth in both the remodeling and new construction channels during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, with new construction growth exceeding 25%. Net sales for the full fiscal year of $726.5 million increased 15% from the prior fiscal year.

Net income was $5.6 million ($0.36 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year compared with $5.2 million ($0.35 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. Exclusive of after-tax restructuring charges, the Company generated $5.4 million ($0.34 per diluted share) of net income for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year compared with $5.1 million ($0.34 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Net income for the entire fiscal year 2014 was $20.5 million ($1.31 per diluted share) compared with $9.8 million ($0.66 per diluted share) for fiscal year 2013. Exclusive of after-tax restructuring charges and insurance proceeds, the Company generated $20.3 million ($1.29 per diluted share) of net income for the current fiscal year compared with $10.0 million ($0.68 per diluted share) for the prior fiscal year.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year was 17.0% of net sales compared with 18.9% in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit in the current quarter was favorably impacted by higher sales volume and improved labor efficiency that was more than offset by material inflation and costs associated with crewing and infrastructure to support higher levels of sales and installation activity. Gross profit for the entire current fiscal year was 17.1% of net sales compared with 16.3% for the same period in the prior year. Gross profit in the twelve month period was favorably impacted by higher sales volume and improved labor efficiency. This favorability was partially offset by higher material costs.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year were 12.3% of net sales compared with 13.7% in the same quarter of the prior year. Selling, general and administrative costs for the current fiscal year were 12.5% of net sales compared with 13.5% for the same period in the prior year. The improvement in the Company's operating expense ratio in both periods was driven by favorable leverage from increased sales and on-going expense control.

The Company generated net cash from operating activities of $40.5 million during fiscal year 2014 compared with $24.5 million during the same period in the prior year. The improvement in the Company's cash from operating activities was driven primarily by higher operating profitability, lower increases in inventory levels to support higher sales, and lower pension contributions. Net cash used by investing activities increased to $9.6 million during the current fiscal year compared with $6.1 million during the same period of the prior year due primarily to higher proceeds from asset sales in the prior year. Net cash used by financing activities increased $6.0 million during the fiscal fourth quarter as the company repurchased 100,000 shares of common stock at a cost of $3.1 million and completed the sale of its Hazard County facility and retired associated debt of $3.2 million.

American Woodmark Corporation manufactures and distributes kitchen cabinets and vanities for the remodeling and new home construction markets. Its products are sold on a national basis directly to home centers, major builders and through a network of independent distributors. The Company presently operates nine manufacturing facilities and nine service centers across the country.

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