Back to GetFilings.com




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Three Months   Commission File  
Ended January 28, 2005   Number: 1-3011 

THE VALSPAR CORPORATION

State of Incorporation:   IRS Employer ID No.:  
Delaware  36-2443580 

Principal Executive Offices:

1101 Third Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Telephone Number:   612/332-7371

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.     x Yes        o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     x Yes        o No

As of March 1, 2005, The Valspar Corporation had 50,881,371 shares of common stock outstanding, excluding 9,339,941 shares held in treasury. The Company had no other classes of stock outstanding.






-1-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION

Index to Form 10-Q
for the Quarter Ended January 28, 2005

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page No.
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements      
 
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – January 28, 2005, 
     January 30, 2004 and October 29, 2004   2 – 3 
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Three months  
     months ended January 28, 2005 and January 30, 2004   4 
 
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three 
     months ended January 28, 2005 and January 30, 2004   5 
 
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – 
     January 28, 2005   6 – 11 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and  
     Results of Operations  11 – 14 
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  14 
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures  14 
 
PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION 
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings  14 
 
Item 2(e).  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securites   15 
 
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K  15 
 
SIGNATURES 16 






-2-


PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

January 28,
2005

January 30,
2004

October 29,
2004

(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Note)
ASSETS                
 
CURRENT ASSETS:  
 
   Cash and cash equivalents   $ 46,018   $ 38,854   $ 54,143  
 
   Accounts receivable less allowance   
   (1/28/05 – $14,568; 1/30/04 – $17,484;   
    10/29/04 – $13,278)    425,810    390,852    411,635  
 
   Inventories:  
    Manufactured products    154,917    130,897    131,312  
    Raw materials, supplies and work-  
      in-process    93,189    77,181    79,242  



     248,106    208,078    210,554  
 
   Deferred income taxes    35,427    38,470    34,898  
 
   Prepaid expenses and other    91,622    74,216    91,085  



 
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS    846,983    750,470    802,315  
 
GOODWILL    1,009,870    1,004,445    996,562  
INTANGIBLES, NET    321,576    286,027    320,733  
OTHER ASSETS, NET    59,709    77,710    63,082  
LONG-TERM DEFERRED INCOME TAX    23,229    23,436    23,135  
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT    821,724    750,745    800,706  
  Less accumulated depreciation    (387,890 )  (328,573 )  (372,275 )



     433,834    422,172    428,431  



 
    $ 2,695,201   $ 2,564,260   $ 2,634,258  




NOTE:   The Balance Sheet at October 29, 2004 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements






-3-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

January 28,
2005

January 30,
2004

October 29,
2004

(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Note)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:  
 
   Notes payable to banks   $ 232,695   $ 76,400   $ 168,181  
   Current Portion of long-term debt    88,115    240    27  
   Trade accounts payable    241,131    188,648    234,446  
   Income taxes payable    38,011    48,000    45,254  
   Accrued liabilities    224,039    211,162    270,303  



 
     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES    823,991    524,450    718,211  
 
LONG-TERM DEBT    465,246    790,645    549,073  
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES    202,490    190,329    203,608  
 
DEFERRED LIABILITIES    166,718    161,846    163,003  
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:  
   Common Stock (Par Value – $.50;   
   Authorized – 250,000,000 shares;  
   Shares issued, including shares  
   in treasury – 60,221,312)    30,110    30,110    30,110  
 
   Additional paid-in capital    279,222    257,128    269,599  
 
   Retained earnings    804,560    706,418    803,156  
 
   Other    27,803    2,709    (60 )



     1,141,695    996,365    1,102,805  
   Less cost of Common Stock in treasury   
   (1/28/05 – 8,560,222 shares; 1/30/04 –   
    9,167,885 shares; 10/29/04 – 8,916,833 shares)    104,939    99,375    102,442  



     1,036,756    896,990    1,000,363  



 
    $ 2,695,201   $ 2,564,260   $ 2,634,258  




NOTE:   The Balance Sheet at October 29, 2004 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements






-4-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
January 28,
2005

January 30,
2004

Net sales     $ 557,144   $ 501,591  
 
  Cost of goods sold    404,334    345,239  
 

 
Gross profit    152,810    156,352  
 
  Research and development    18,734    17,275  
 
  Selling and administrative    103,381    98,825  
 

 
Income from operations    30,695    40,252  
 
  Interest expense    10,532    10,390  
 
  Other expense    1,594    207  
 

 
Income before income taxes    18,569    29,655  
 
Income taxes    6,871    11,269  
 

 
Net income   $ 11,698   $ 18,386  
 

 
Net income per common share – basic   $ 0.23   $ 0.36  
 

Net income per common share – diluted   $ 0.22   $ 0.35  
 

 
Average number of common shares outstanding – basic    51,440,090    50,874,763  
 

                                                                                       – diluted     52,632,435    52,602,010  
 

 
Dividends paid per common share   $ 0.200   $ 0.180  
 


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.






-5-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

THREE MONTHS ENDED
January 28,
2005

January 30,
2004

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
   Net income   $ 11,698   $ 18,386  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided  
      by operating activities:  
       Depreciation    14,546    13,265  
       Amortization    1,193    1,123  
       Loss on asset divestiture    385    123  
           Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of effects of  
           acquired businesses:  
           (Increase)/decrease in accounts and notes receivable    (3,257 )  10,064  
           (Increase)/decrease in inventories and other current assets    (37,409 )  (1,538 )
           Increase/(decrease) in trade accounts payable and accrued
              liabilities    (46,612 )  (66,363 )
           Increase/(decrease) in income taxes payable    (7,606 )  (1,441 )
           Increase/(decrease) in other deferred liabilities    6,385    3,008  
       Other    4,182    1,614  


    Net Cash (Used In)/Provided By Operating Activities    (56,495 )  (21,759 )
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:  
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment    (13,032 )  (10,802 )
   Net assets of businesses acquired        (43,685 )


   Net Cash Used In Investing Activities    (13,032 )  (54,487 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:  
   Net proceeds from borrowings    62,592    74,990  
   Proceeds from sale of treasury stock    13,311    7,720  
   Treasury stock purchases    (4,206 )    
   Dividends paid    (10,295 )  (9,199 )


 
   Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities    61,402    73,511  
 
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents    (8,125 )  (2,735 )
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period    54,143    41,589  


 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period   $ 46,018   $ 38,854  



See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements






-6-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005

NOTE 1:   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of The Valspar Corporation (“the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter ended January 28, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending October 28, 2005.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 29, 2004 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

For further information refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in The Valspar Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2004.

NOTE 2:   ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Trade accounts payable includes $35.5 million at January 28, 2005, $40.1 million at October 29, 2004 and $33.0 million at January 30, 2004 of issued checks that had not cleared the Company’s bank accounts.

NOTE 3:   ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

In August 2004, the Company purchased selected assets of the forest products coatings business of Associated Chemists, Inc. Revenues of the acquired business for the calendar year 2003 were approximately $28 million. The net assets and operating results have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition. The pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented, as the impact on reported results is not material.

In January 2004, the Company acquired De Beer Lakfabrieken B.V., a manufacturer and distributor of automotive refinish coatings based in The Netherlands. De Beer’s revenue for calendar year 2003 was approximately 39 million EUR (approximately $50 million at time of acquisition). The net assets and operating results have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition. The pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented, as the impact on reported results is not material.






-7-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005 – CONTINUED

NOTE 4:   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the three months ended January 28, 2005 and January 30, 2004, Comprehensive Income, a component of Stockholders’ Equity, was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
January 28, 2005
January 30, 2004
Net Income     $ 11,698   $ 18,386  
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:  
   Foreign currency translation gain(loss)    26,749    4,785  
   Deferred gain(loss) on hedging activities    1,052    3,630  


Total Comprehensive Income   $ 39,499   $ 26,801  

NOTE 5:   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill for the quarter ended January 28, 2005 increased from the end of fiscal 2004 by $13.3 million to $1,009.9 million. The increase is attributable to foreign currency translation.

Total intangible amortization expense for the three months ended January 28, 2005 was $1.2 million, compared to $1.1 million for the same period last year. Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years based on the intangible assets as of January 28, 2005 is expected to be approximately $4.8 million annually.

NOTE 6:   SEGMENT INFORMATION

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 (SFAS 131), “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and based on the nature of the Company’s products, technology, manufacturing processes, customers, and regulatory environment, the Company has determined that it operates its business in two reportable segments: Paints and Coatings.

SFAS 131 requires an enterprise to report segment information in the same way that management internally organizes its business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources. The Company evaluates the performances of operating segments and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations before interest expense and taxes (EBIT).






-8-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005 – CONTINUED

The Paints segment includes the products from the Architectural, Automotive and Specialty (AAS) product line. AAS products include interior and exterior decorative paints, primers, varnishes and specialty decorative products, such as enamels, aerosols, and faux finishes for the do-it-yourself and professional markets in North America. Other Paints products include automotive refinish paints and high performance floor paints.

The Coatings segment includes the products from the Industrial and Packaging product lines. Industrial products include a broad range of decorative and protective coatings for metal, wood, plastic and glass. Packaging products include both interior and exterior coatings used in rigid packaging containers, principally food containers and beverage cans. The products of this segment are sold throughout the world.

The Company’s remaining activities are included in All Other. These activities include specialty polymers and colorants that are used internally and sold to other coatings manufacturers, as well as composites (gelcoats and related products) and furniture protection plans. Also, included within All Other are the administrative expenses of the Company’s corporate headquarters site. The administrative expenses include interest and amortization expense, certain environmental-related expenses and other expenses not directly allocated to any other operating segment.

In the following table, sales between segments are recorded at selling prices that are below market prices, generally intended to recover internal costs. Segment EBIT includes income realized on inter-segment sales. Comparative first quarter results on this basis are as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
January 28, 2005
January 30, 2004
Net Sales:            
     Paints   $ 158,608   $ 144,935  
     Coatings    340,182    312,465  
     All Other    81,868    62,192  
     Less Intersegment sales    (23,514 )  (18,001 )


 
Total Net Sales   $ 557,144   $ 501,591  


 
EBIT  
     Paints   $ 8,340   $ 13,698  
     Coatings    25,203    36,589  
     All Other    (4,442 )  (10,242 )


 
Total EBIT   $ 29,101   $ 40,045  
 
Interest   $ 10,532   $ 10,390  


 
Income before Income Taxes   $ 18,569   $ 29,655  








-9-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005 – CONTINUED

NOTE 7:   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s involvement with derivative financial instruments is limited principally to managing well-defined interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used primarily to hedge the impact of currency fluctuations on certain inter-company transactions.

The Company also holds interest rate swaps used to manage the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. The interest rate swap contracts are reflected at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amounts to be paid or received under the contracts are accrued as interest rates change and are recognized over the life of the contracts as an adjustment to interest expense. Credit risk is only applicable to gains on derivatives.

At January 28, 2005, the Company had $100 million notional amount interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges to pay fixed rates of interest and receive variable rates of interest based on LIBOR. This contract began during fiscal 2004 and will mature during fiscal 2008. The Company also had a $100 million notional amount interest rate swap contract designated as a fair value hedge to pay floating rates of interest based on LIBOR, maturing during fiscal 2008. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps and hedged debt match, there is an assumption of no ineffectiveness for these hedges.

NOTE 8:   GUARANTEES AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Company sells extended furniture protection plans and offers warranties for certain of its products. For the furniture protection plans, revenue is deferred over the contract period, generally five years, and is recognized based on the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at program completion. For product warranties, the Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under these warranties based on historical claim data and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time revenue is recognized. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of these recorded amounts and adjusts as necessary.

Changes in the recorded amounts during the period are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Balance, October 29, 2004     $ 88,376  
 
Additional net deferred revenue/accrual made during the period    11,831  
 
Payments made during the period    (5,538 )

Balance, January 28, 2005   $ 94,669  







-10-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005 – CONTINUED

NOTE 9:   STOCK PLANS

Under the Company’s Stock Option Plans, options for the purchase of up to 10,250,000 shares of common stock may be granted to officers, employees, and non-employee directors. Options are issued at market value at the date of grant and are exercisable in full or in part over a prescribed period of time. The Company accounts for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation is reflected in income, as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

Three Months Ended
January 28, 2005
January 30, 2004
Net income, as reported     $ 11,698   $ 18,386  
Add:   Stock-based employee compensation          
expense included in reported net  
income, net of related tax effects  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee       1,385     1,555  
compensation expense determined under  
fair value based method for all awards,                
net of related tax effects  
Pro forma net income   $ 10,313   $ 16,831  


Earnings per share:  
     Basic – as reported   $ 0.23   $ 0.36  


     Basic – pro forma   $ 0.20   $ 0.33  


     Diluted – as reported   $ 0.22   $ 0.35  


     Diluted – pro forma   $ 0.20   $ 0.33  



NOTE 10:   PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The company sponsors a number of defined benefit pension plans for certain hourly, salaried and foreign employees. The benefits for these plans are generally based on stated amounts for each year of service. The Company funds the plans in amounts consistent with the limits of allowable tax deductions.






-11-


THE VALSPAR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
JANUARY 28, 2005 – CONTINUED

The cost of the pension benefits is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
Net periodic benefit cost January 28, 2005
January 30, 2004
Service cost     $ 684   $ 509  
Interest cost    2,741    2,565  
Expected return on plan assets    (3,171 )  (3,001 )
Amortization of transition asset    (30 )  (30 )
Amortization of prior service cost    199    216  
Recognized actuarial (gain)/loss    863    535  


Net periodic benefit cost   $ 1,286   $ 794  

NOTE 11:   RECLASSIFICATION

Certain amounts in the 2004 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.

NOTE 12:   NEW PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123R, Shareholder Based Payment on December 16, 2004. This statement requires companies to measure and recognize compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in a company’s financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Statement No. 123R covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. The Company is required to adopt Statement No. 123R on its first interim period that begins after June 15, 2005 or the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this statement on its financial position and results of operations.

ITEM 2:   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview:   In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, our sales increased compared to the prior year as a result of strength in all of our businesses and the impact of recent acquisitions. However, we experienced sharp increases in the cost of raw materials used in the manufacture of coatings due to issues of availability and unprecedented increases in the price of raw material feedstocks, continuing the trend of raw material cost increases in the second half of fiscal 2004. This factor reduced our gross margin and profitability in the first quarter from the 2004 levels. In February 2005, we announced that we will raise prices throughout the second quarter. Our near-term ability to return to historical levels of gross margins depends on our ability to implement these price increases and to pass through to our customers future increases in raw material costs.






-12-


ITEM 2:   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CONTINUED

Critical Accounting Policies:   There were no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies during the first quarter ended January 28, 2005.

Operations:   Consolidated net sales increased 11.1% for the quarter to $557.1 million from $501.6 million in the prior year. Excluding the positive effect of foreign currency exchange and acquisitions, net sales increased 6.0%.

Net sales for the Paints segment increased 9.4% to $158.6 million in the quarter compared to the prior year. The increase in sales was largely attributable to the De Beer Lakfabrieken B.V. acquisition. Before acquisitions and excluding the positive effect of foreign currency exchange, core sales growth in Paints was 1.0%. Net sales of the Coatings segment increased 8.9% to $340.2 million in the quarter compared to the prior year. Before acquisitions and excluding the positive effect of foreign currency exchange, core sales growth in Coatings was 4.9%. Coatings core sales growth was driven primarily by higher selling prices to customers. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, sales for the first quarter are not necessarily indicative of sales for the full year.

In the first quarter of 2005, consolidated gross profit decreased $3.5 million from the prior year to $152.8 million. As a percent of consolidated net sales, consolidated gross profit during the first quarter of 2005 decreased to 27.4% from 31.2%. The decrease in gross margin was caused by significant increases in raw material costs, partially offset by price increases.

Consolidated operating expenses (research and development, selling and administrative) increased 5.2% to $122.1 million (21.9% of consolidated net sales) in the quarter compared to $116.1 million (23.1% of consolidated net sales) in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in operating expenses during the first quarter was primarily due to expenses associated with the De Beer Lakfabrieken B.V and Associated Chemists, Inc. acquisitions.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) decreased $10.9 million or 27.3% from the prior year first quarter. Foreign currency exchange fluctuation had an immaterial effect on EBIT. EBIT in the Paints segment decreased to $8.3 million from $13.7 million in the prior year. As a percent of net sales for the Paints segment, EBIT decreased to 5.3% from 9.5%. The decrease was largely attributable to higher raw material costs. EBIT in the Coatings segment decreased to $25.2 million from $36.6 million in the quarter compared to last year. As a percent of net sales for the Coatings segment, EBIT decreased to 7.4% from 11.7%. The decrease was primarily due to higher raw materials costs, partially offset by higher prices to customers. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, EBIT for the first quarter is not necessarily indicative of EBIT for subsequent quarters or for the full year.

Interest expense increased to $10.5 million in the first quarter of 2005 from $10.4 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily driven by the acceleration of amortization fees related to the reduction in our revolving bank line of credit from $1 billion to $500 million and by higher interest on non-USD borrowings due to foreign exchange fluctuations. These increases were partly offset by lower debt levels.






-13-


ITEM 2:   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CONTINUED

The effective tax rate decreased from 38% to 37% as a result of increased income in lower tax jurisdictions.

Net income in the first quarter of 2005 decreased 36.4% to $11.7 million or $.22 per diluted share.

Financial Condition:   The net cash used by the Company’s operations was $56.5 million for the first three months of 2005, compared with net cash used by operations of $21.8 million for the first three months of 2004. During the same period, $75.9 million in proceeds from bank borrowings and sale of treasury stock were used to fund $48.4 million in working capital needs, $13.0 million in capital expenditures, $10.3 million in dividend payments, and $4.2 million in treasury stock purchases.

The use of cash for operations was related to a reduction in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and an increase in inventory. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $46.6 million largely as a result of accrued liability disbursements. Inventory increased $37.4 million due to higher raw material costs and accelerated purchases from suppliers due to availability.

Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment were $13.0 million in the first three months of 2005, compared with $10.8 million in the first three months of 2004. The Company expects capital spending in 2005 to be in the range of $60 to $65 million.

The ratio of total debt to capital increased to 43.1% at the end of first quarter of 2005 compared to 41.8% at the close of fiscal 2004. The total debt to capital ratio as of January 30, 2004 was 49.2%. The Company believes its cash flow from operations, existing lines of credit, access to credit facilities and access to debt and capital markets will be sufficient to meet its current and projected needs for financing.

There were no material changes in the Company’s fixed cash obligations during the three months ended January 28, 2005.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing:   The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Forward Looking Statements:   This discussion contains certain “forward-looking” statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties and other factors include dependence of internal earnings growth on economic conditions and growth in the domestic and international coatings industry; risks related to any future significant acquisitions, including risks of adverse changes in the results of acquired businesses, risks of disruptions in business resulting from the Company’s relationships with customers and suppliers; unusual weather conditions that might adversely affect sales; changes in raw materials pricing and availability; changes in governmental regulation, including more stringent environmental, health, and safety regulations; the nature, cost,






-14-


ITEM 2:   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CONTINUED

and outcome of pending and future litigation and other legal proceedings; the outbreak of war and other significant national and international events; and other risks and uncertainties. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and the Company disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

ITEM 3:   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s foreign sales and results of operations are subject to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company has not hedged its exposure to translation gains and losses; however, it has reduced its exposure by borrowing funds in local currencies. A 10% adverse change in foreign currency rates would not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

The Company is also subject to interest rate risk. At January 28, 2005, approximately 43% of the Company’s total debt consisted of floating rate debt. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of either its variable or fixed rate debt. Assuming the current level of borrowings, a 10% increase in interest rates from those in effect at the end of the first quarter would increase the Company’s interest expense for the second quarter of 2005 by approximately $0.2 million.

ITEM 4:   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There have been no significant changes (including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses) in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation referenced above.

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1:   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the period covered by this report, there were no legal proceedings instituted that are reportable, and there were no material developments in any of the legal proceedings that were previously reported on the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2004.






-15-


ITEM 2(e):   ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Period Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number
of Shares
that May Yet
be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs

10/30/04 – 11/26/04     90,500     46.44632     90,500     1,873,300    

11/27/04 – 12/24/04            0                 0            0   1,873,300  

12/25/04 – 01/28/05            0                 0            0   1,873,300  

ITEM 6:   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  (a)   Exhibits
    10(a)   Richard M. Rompala Separation Agreement and Release
    10(b)   The Valspar Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Richard M. Rompala (Restated January 1, 2005)
    10(c)   The Valspar Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Richard M. Rompala (Restated January 1, 2005)
    10(d)   Arrangements with New President and Chief Executive Officer
    10(e)   Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement between registrant and William L. Mansfield
    31.1   Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
    31.2   Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
    32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  (b)   During the three months ended January 28, 2005, a report on Form 8-K, dated November 1, 2004, was filed on November 3, 2004, under Item 1.01 – Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement; a report on Form 8-K, dated November 22, 2004, was filed on November 22, 2004, under Item 2.02 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition; a report on Form 8-K, dated December 8, 2004, was filed on December 10, 2004, under Item 5.02 – Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; a report on Form 8-K dated January 14, 2005, was filed on January 14, 2005, under Item 1.01 – Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.






-16-


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

           
    THE VALSPAR CORPORATION


Date:   March 9, 2005


By  
 

/s/   Rolf Engh
 
 
Rolf Engh
Secretary
 


Date:   March 9, 2005


By  
 

/s/   Paul C. Reyelts
 
 
Paul C. Reyelts
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer