Amphenol Corporation Announces Record Fourth Quarter 2012 Results and New Stock Repurchase Program

Amphenol Corporation Announces Record Fourth Quarter 2012 Results and New Stock Repurchase Program

WALLINGFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amphenol Corporation (NYSE-APH) reported today fourth quarter 2012 record diluted earnings per share, before one-time charges, of $.94 compared to $.73 per share for the comparable 2011 period. On an as reported basis, diluted earnings per share were $.86 and $.69 for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such per share amount for the 2012 period includes one-time charges of $.08 per share comprised of acquisition related transaction costs (Acquisition Costs) of $2 million ($2 million after tax) or $.01 per share relating to 2012 acquisitions; and income tax costs of $11 million or $.07 per share resulting from the delay, by the U. S. government, in the reinstatement of certain federal income tax provisions for the year 2012 relating primarily to research and development credits and certain U.S. taxes on foreign income. Such tax provisions were reinstated on January 2, 2013 with retroactive effect to 2012. Under U.S. GAAP, the related benefit to the Company of $11 million or $.07 per share relating to the 2012 tax year will be recorded as a one-time benefit in the first quarter of 2013 at the date of reinstatement; as such, between the two quarters, there is no net impact on the Company from an income statement perspective. Such per share amount for the 2011 period included one-time charges of $.04 comprised of $9 million ($5 million after tax), or a $.03 per share charge relating to the previously reported flood damage at the Company's Sidney, New York facility (Flood Loss), and a $2 million ($2 million after tax), or $.01 per share charge for Acquisition Costs. Sales for the fourth quarter 2012 were a record $1.146 billion compared to $949 million for the 2011 period. Currency translation had the effect of decreasing sales by approximately $6 million in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to the 2011 period.

For the full year ended December 31, 2012, diluted earnings per share excluding one-time charges was $3.47 compared to $3.05 for the 2011 period. On an as reported basis, 2012 diluted earnings per share of $3.39 includes one-time charges of $.08 per share described above and 2011 diluted earnings per share of $3.05 includes the following one-time items: (1) a $21 million ($13 million after tax), or $.08 per share charge relating to the Flood Loss, (2) a $2 million ($2 million after tax) or $.01 per share charge for Acquisition Costs, (3) a $.03 per share ($4 million) benefit relating to a reduction in international tax expense due to reserve adjustments and refunds from the favorable settlement of certain tax positions and (4) a gain of $18 million ($11 million after tax), or $.06 per share benefit, related to the adjustment of a contingent purchase obligation for a 2010 acquisition. Sales for the full year ended December 31, 2012 were $4.292 billion compared to $3.940 billion for the 2011 period. Currency translation had the effect of decreasing sales by approximately $48 million for the full year 2012 period compared to the 2011 period.

Amphenol President and Chief Executive Officer, R. Adam Norwitt, stated "We are pleased to report new records of performance in the fourth quarter of 2012 with sales of $1.146 billion and EPS before one-time items of $.94. Sales increased by approximately 21% year-over-year and 4% sequentially. On a year-over-year basis, we experienced growth in all markets with particular strength in the mobile devices, wireless infrastructure, commercial aerospace and broadband markets. Our strong growth is once again confirmation of the significant benefits of the Company's diversification, as well as our management team's ability to react quickly in a dynamic environment, especially given the still high levels of uncertainty in most of the world's economies. In addition, it is extremely rewarding that the Company's unique entrepreneurial culture continues to drive an unwavering focus on profitability resulting in another strong operating margin performance of 19.5%, (excluding one-time items) up 100 basis points from the prior year quarter. Operating cash flow in the quarter was $207 million, an excellent performance and confirmation of the quality of the Company's earnings. I am very proud of our organization as we continue to execute well."

"We close 2012 having achieved revenues for the year in excess of $4 billion, a major milestone in the progress of Amphenol. Our ongoing strategy of market and geographic diversification combined with our strong commitment to developing enabling technologies for our customers in all markets, both through organic product development and through our acquisition program, continues to expand the Company's growth opportunities. Consistent with this strategy, in the fourth quarter, the Company completed the acquisition of the interconnect assembly business of Tel-Ad Electronics Ltd., a leading Israeli supplier of value-added interconnect products for the communications, industrial and medical markets with annual sales of approximately $60 million. The acquisition significantly enhances the Company's presence in this strategic technology development location, and expands our value-add capabilities in these significant end markets. In addition to our successful acquisition program, the Company continues to deploy its financial strength in a variety of other ways to increase shareholder value. These include the purchase in this quarter of 2.5 million shares of the Company's stock completing the buyback authorized under the Company's January 2011 20 million share stock repurchase plan. As such, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized a new two year open market stock repurchase plan for up to 10 million shares of the Company's common stock effective January 21, 2013."

"The overall economic environment continues to be characterized by a high level of market uncertainty. Considering such environment and assuming current currency exchange rates, we expect first quarter 2013 revenues in the range of $1.055 billion to $1.080 billion and diluted EPS (excluding one-time items) in the range of $.84 to $.87. For the full year 2013, we expect to achieve revenues and diluted EPS (excluding one-time items) in the range of $4.555 billion to $4.655 billion and $3.72 to $3.84, respectively, an increase in revenues of 6% to 8% and in diluted EPS (excluding one-time items), of 7% to 11% over 2012. Despite the many uncertainties in the global economy, we believe we can perform well in the dynamic electronics marketplace due to our leading technology, increasing positions with our customers in diverse markets, worldwide presence, lean cost structure, and agile, experienced and entrepreneurial management team."

"As we head into 2013, it is clear that the electronics revolution is continuing, with new applications and higher performance requirements driving increased demand for our leading interconnect technologies in all of our end markets. This creates a significant, long-term growth opportunity for Amphenol, as we continue to focus on enabling the electronics revolution across the many diverse end markets we serve.Importantly, our ongoing actions to enhance our competitive advantages and build sustained financial strength have created a solid base for future performance. I amconfident in the ability of our outstanding management team to dynamically adjust to a constantly changing market environment, to continue to generate strong profitability and to further capitalize on the many opportunities to expand our market position."

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter results at 1:00 PM (EST) January 17, 2013. The toll free dial-in number to participate in this call is 888-395-9624; International dial-in number is 517-623-4547; Passcode: Reardon. There will be a replay available until 11:59 P.M. (EST) on January 20, 2013. The replay numbers are toll free 800-756-6235; International toll number is 402-998-0454 Passcode: 5137.

A live broadcast as well as a replay will also be available on the Internet at http://www.amphenol.com/investors/webcasts.php.

Amphenol Corporation is one of the world's leading producers of electronic and fiber optic connectors, cable and interconnect systems. Amphenol products are engineered and manufactured in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa and sold by a worldwide sales and marketing organization. Amphenol has a diversified presence as a leader in high growth areas of the interconnect market including: Military, Commercial Aerospace, Automotive, Broadband Communications, Industrial, Telecommunications and Data Communications, Wireless Devices and Wireless Infrastructure.

Statements in this press release which are other than historical facts are intended to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other related laws. While the Company believes such statements are reasonable, the actual results and effects could differ materially from those currently anticipated. Please refer to Part I, Item 1Aof the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for some factors that could cause the actual results to differ from estimates. In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.