Furniture Brands International Reports Second Quarter 2009 Financial Results


ST. LOUIS, Aug. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Net sales from continuing operations for the 2009 second quarter were $288.3 million, compared with $449.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. Results from continuing operations were a loss of $0.33 per diluted share in the 2009 quarter compared to a loss of $0.49 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008.

Ralph P. Scozzafava, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Global and domestic economic indicators point to continued weak consumer spending trends that offer little immediate relief from the industry's current depressed state. Furniture Brands' sales results for the quarter reflect these trends as well as management's decisions to limit the credit exposure to weak retail partners and by exiting unprofitable licensing arrangements. The long-term benefit to Furniture Brands' balance sheet from these decisions more than outweighs the short-term gains of overhead absorption that come from unprofitable sales. While we are not satisfied with our results for this seasonally weak quarter, the decisive actions that we are taking in the face of a rapidly deteriorating market have enabled us to stabilize our gross profit margin and protect our balance sheet, making us a much more resilient company."

Gross margin for the 2009 second quarter was 21.4% compared to 22.3% in the same quarter of 2008. Selling, general, and administrative costs for the 2009 second quarter totaled $76.0 million, which is a significant decrease from the $132.0 million in SG&A costs reported in the 2008 quarter. Results for both quarters include numerous selected items that are detailed in a table attached to this press release.

At June 30, 2009 the company reported cash and cash equivalents of $77.3 million and debt of $129.0 million resulting in net debt of $51.7 million. The company expects to generate positive cash flow for the year, exclusive of changes in debt balances and without the impact of tax refunds.

"Furniture Brands continues to focus on the key areas that are very much under our control: operational efficiency and effectiveness, cost control and balance sheet strength. Maintaining gross margins and lowering operating expenses during this severe industry downturn helps to strengthen our balance sheet while creating operating leverage that will benefit financial performance when industry conditions improve," Mr. Scozzafava said. "In addition, Furniture Brands is investing in product development and marketing programs that leverage the power of our brands and drive traffic to our retail partners. Several of these initiatives include new websites that enhance the on-line presence of our brands, the success of Broyhill's quick-ship upholstery program, the Lane mobile showroom national tour, and a new e-mail marketing campaign that better connects the nation's top interior designers with our high-end brands -- Henredon, Hickory Chair, Pearson, Laneventure and Maitland-Smith. At Thomasville, we're preparing for a strong Labor Day sales event featuring new products from April market and supported by national television advertising. These and other commercial initiatives underscore our commitment to helping our dealers and retail partners drive their business through this challenging period," Mr. Scozzafava said.

Upcoming Investor Event

A conference call will be held to discuss second quarter results at 7:30 a.m. (Central Time) on August 5, 2009. The call can be accessed in Upcoming Investor Events on the company's website at furniturebrands.com under "Investor Info." Access to the call and the release will be archived for one year.

About Furniture Brands

Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) is a global operating company that is one of the nation's leading designers, manufacturers, and retailers of home furnishings. It markets through a wide range of retail channels, from mass merchant stores to single-brand and independent dealers to specialized interior designers. Furniture Brands serves its customers through some of the best known and most respected brands in the furniture industry, including Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Laneventure, and Maitland-Smith.

The Furniture Brands International logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2757

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this document and in our public disclosures, whether written or oral, relating to future events or our future performance, including any discussion, express or implied, of our anticipated growth, operating results, future earnings per share, plans and objectives, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often identified by the words "will," "believe," "positioned," "estimate," "project," "target," "continue," "intend," "expect," "future," "anticipates," and similar expressions that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the execution of our strategic plan; changes in economic conditions; loss of market share due to competition; failure to forecast demand or anticipate or respond to changes in consumer tastes and fashion trends; failure to achieve projected mix of product sales; business failures of large customers; distribution and cost savings programs; manufacturing realignments; increased reliance on offshore (import) sourcing of various products; fluctuations in the cost, availability and quality of raw materials; product liability uncertainty; environmental regulations; future acquisitions; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; anti-takeover provisions which could result in a decreased valuation of our common stock; loss of funding sources; and our ability to open and operate new retail stores successfully. It is routine for internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that all forward-looking statements and the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations included in this report or other periodic reports are made only as of the date made and may change. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



                     FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL                 
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS         
                 (in thousands except per share data)                
                              (unaudited)                           
                                                                      
                                                                      
                          Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended   
                        ---------------------   --------------------- 
                         June 30,    June 30,    June 30,    June 30,
                           2009        2008        2009        2008  
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Net sales              $ 288,263   $ 449,870   $ 645,134   $ 927,070 
 Cost of sales            226,635     349,520     503,165     715,701 
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Gross profit              61,628     100,350     141,969     211,369 
 Selling, general &                                                   
  administrative                                                      
  expenses                 76,015     131,979     159,229     233,960 
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Operating loss           (14,387)    (31,629)    (17,260)    (22,591)
 Interest expense           1,512       2,802       3,300       6,945 
 Other income, net            761       1,081       1,687       3,317 
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Loss from continuing                                                 
  operations before                                                   
  income tax expense                                                  
  (benefit)               (15,138)    (33,350)    (18,873)    (26,219)
 Income tax expense                                                   
  (benefit)                   855      (9,354)      1,296      (5,971)
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Net loss from                                                        
  continuing                                                          
  operations              (15,993)    (23,996)    (20,169)    (20,248)
 Net earnings from                                                    
  discontinued                                                        
  operations                   --          52          --      29,920 
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   --------- 
 Net earnings (loss)    $ (15,993)  $ (23,944)  $ (20,169)  $   9,672 
                        =========   =========   =========   ========= 
                                                                      
 Earnings per common                                                  
  share - Basic and                                                   
  Diluted:                                                            
   Loss from                                                          
    continuing                                                        
    operations          $   (0.33)  $   (0.49)  $   (0.41)  $   (0.42)
   Earnings from                                                      
    discontinued                                                      
    operations          $      --   $    0.00   $      --   $    0.61 
   Net earnings (loss)  $   (0.33)  $   (0.49)  $   (0.41)  $    0.20 
                                                                      
 Weighted average                                                     
  common shares                                                       
  outstanding                                                         
  - Basic and Diluted      48,712      48,806      48,738      48,683


 Selected Items Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of
 Operations                                                        
                                                                      
 The following items are included in our Condensed Consolidated       
 Statements of Operations for the periods indicated and are the       
 result of our strategic initiatives and other matters.               
                                                                      
                                                                      
                          Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended  
                          --------------------   -------------------- 
                          June 30,    June 30,    June 30,    June 30,
                            2009        2008       2009        2008  
                          --------    --------   --------    --------
                            (in thousands)           (in thousands)   
 Selected items                                                       
  increasing /                                                        
  (decreasing) loss                                                   
  before income tax                                                   
  expense:                                                            
                                                                      
 Factory downtime costs   $  3,427    $  7,505   $  5,713    $  9,804 
 Restructuring severance                                              
  charges                    1,788          74      2,206          74 
 Impairment charges             --          18         --          18 
                          --------    --------   --------    -------- 
   Total cost of sales    $  5,215    $  7,597   $  7,919    $  9,896 
                          ========    ========   ========    ======== 
                                                                      
 Closed store expense     $    610    $ 11,207   $  2,005    $ 13,420 
 Gain on sale of assets       (175)         --       (175)     (1,243)
 Restructuring severance                                              
  charges                      124          --        124          -- 
 Accounts receivable                                                  
  charges                       --      11,111         --      11,111 
 Professional fees (shared                                            
  services and proxy                                                  
  advisory)                     --       6,063         --       8,161 
                          --------    --------   --------    -------- 
   Total selling,                                                     
    general and                                                       
    administrative                                                    
    expenses              $    559    $ 28,381   $  1,954    $ 31,449 
                          ========    ========   ========    ======== 
 Valuation allowance                                                  
  - tax assets                                                        
  (included in                                                        
  income tax expense                                                  
  (benefit))              $  6,104    $     --   $  7,207    $     -- 
                          ========    ========   ========    ========


                  FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL                      
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                  
                          (in thousands)                              
                            (unaudited)                               
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                   June 30,  Dec. 31,
                                                     2009      2008  
                                                   --------  -------- 
 ASSETS                                                               
                                                                      
 Current assets:                                                      
   Cash and cash equivalents                       $ 77,263  $106,580 
   Receivables, less allowances of $26,853                            
     ($34,372 at December 31, 2008)                 136,849   178,590 
   Income tax refund receivable                       2,282    38,090 
   Inventories                                      306,844   350,026 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets         13,452    12,592 
                                                   --------  -------- 
     Total current assets                           536,690   685,878 
                                                                      
 Property, plant and equipment, net                 144,680   150,864 
 Trade names                                        127,300   127,300 
 Other assets                                        34,827    35,476 
                                                   --------  -------- 
                                                   $843,497  $999,518 
                                                   ========  ======== 
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                 
                                                                      
 Current liabilities:                                                 
   Current maturities of long-term debt            $ 19,000  $ 30,000 
   Accounts payable                                  58,725    85,206 
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    76,439   112,296 
                                                   --------  -------- 
     Total current liabilities                      154,164   227,502 
                                                                      
 Long-term debt                                     110,000   160,000 
 Deferred income taxes                               28,542    27,917 
 Pension liability                                  134,780   137,199 
 Other long-term liabilities                         68,696    80,406 
                                                                      
 Shareholders' equity                               347,315   366,494 
                                                   --------  -------- 
                                                   $843,497  $999,518 
                                                   ========  ========


                    FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL                  
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW         
                            (in thousands)                          
                             (unaudited)                            
                                                                      
                                                   Six Months Ended   
                                               ----------------------
                                                June 30,     June 30,
                                                  2009         2008  
                                               ---------    --------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities:                                
   Net earnings (loss)                         $ (20,169)   $   9,672 
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings                              
    (loss) to net cash provided by operating                          
     activities:                                                      
     Depreciation                                 10,834       13,022 
     Compensation expense (credit) related                            
       to stock option grants and restricted                          
       stock awards                               (1,414)       2,024 
     Provision (benefit) for deferred income                          
      taxes                                          717       (6,134)
     Gain on sale of discontinued operations          --      (48,109)
     Other, net                                   (1,639)      (2,349)
     Changes in operating assets and                                  
      liabilities:                                                    
       Accounts receivable                        40,947       42,038 
       Income tax refund receivable               35,808        4,173 
       Inventories                                45,069       17,843 
       Prepaid expenses and other assets            (686)         316 
       Accounts payable and other accrued                             
        expenses                                 (62,771)      10,325 
       Other long-term liabilities               (11,159)      (3,206)
                                               ---------    --------- 
   Net cash provided by operating activities      35,537       39,615 
                                               ---------    --------- 
                                                                      
 Cash flows from investing activities:                                
   Acquisition of stores, net of cash acquired        --       (9,505)
   Proceeds from the sale of business, net                            
    of cash sold                                      --       73,359 
   Proceeds from the disposal of assets            2,159        3,297 
   Additions to property, plant and equipment     (6,003)      (9,025)
                                               ---------    --------- 
   Net cash provided (used) by investing                              
    activities                                    (3,844)      58,126 
                                               ---------    --------- 
                                                                      
 Cash flows from financing activities:                                
   Payments of long-term debt                    (61,000)    (100,800)
   Restricted cash used for the payment                               
    of long-term debt                                 --       20,000 
   Payments of cash dividends                         --       (3,892)
   Other                                             (10)          (8)
                                               ---------    --------- 
   Net cash used by financing activities         (61,010)     (84,700)
                                               ---------    --------- 
                                                                      
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash                             
  equivalents                                    (29,317)      13,041 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning                               
  of period                                      106,580      118,764 
                                               ---------    --------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period    $  77,263    $ 131,805 
                                               =========    ========= 
                                                                      
 Supplemental disclosure:                                             
   Cash payments (refunds) for income                                 
    taxes, net                                 $ (35,224)   $   7,269 
                                               =========    ========= 
                                                                      
   Cash payments for interest expense          $   3,686    $   8,539 
                                               =========    =========


            

Coordonnées