CALHOUN, Georgia, Aug. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/. Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced 2016 second quarter record net earnings of $255 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.42, a 35% increase versus prior year. Excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges, net earnings were $259 million and EPS was $3.47, a 29% increase over last year's second quarter adjusted EPS. Net sales for the second quarter of 2016 were $2.3 billion, up 13.2% versus the prior year's second quarter or approximately 12.1% increase on a constant days and currency exchange rate basis. For the second quarter of 2015, net sales were $2.0 billion, net earnings were $186 million and EPS was $2.53; excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges, net earnings were $199 million and EPS was $2.69.
For the six months ending July 2, 2016, net earnings and EPS were $427 million and $5.73, respectively. Net earnings excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges were $436 million and EPS was $5.85, an increase of 33% over the six-month period adjusted EPS result in 2015. For the six month period, net sales were $4.5 billion, an increase of 14% versus prior year as reported or 15% on a constant currency basis. For the six-month period ending July 4, 2015, net sales were $3.9 billion, net earnings were $209 million and EPS was $2.83; excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges, net earnings and EPS were $324 million and $4.39.
Commenting on Mohawk Industries' second quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We delivered our highest sales for any quarter in the company's history, and our earnings per share set an all-time record for the company, marking the ninth consecutive quarter that Mohawk has delivered a year over year record quarterly adjusted EPS. Our operating margin rose to a second quarter record of 15.2%, an increase of 270 basis points, or 15.4% on an adjusted basis, an increase of 160 basis points, as a result of productivity, sales volume, acquisitions and lower inputs, partially offset by investments in SG&A and unfavorable price-mix.
"Our innovations in products and processes, investments in efficiencies and integration of our acquisitions enhanced our performance during the quarter and provide a foundation for long-term growth. Our recent acquisitions are progressing as we broaden their strategies, leverage their distribution and provide additional resources. Across the enterprise, we are investing in marketing to support our product introductions and expand our distribution and sales.
"To optimize growth, we have initiated many capital projects that will enhance our performance this year and beyond by expanding our capacity and improving our efficiencies. We are in the final stages of the start-up of our new U.S. ceramic, LVT and outdoor rug operations as well as our European LVT plant. We have begun additional expansion projects to support growth across our product categories: LVT and premium laminate in the U.S. and Europe; ceramic tile in Mexico, Europe and Russia; and Continuum polyester carpet, engineered wood and utility mats in the U.S. This year, we anticipate our capital expenditures will exceed $600 million and will lead to higher future sales and profits.
"For the quarter, our Global Ceramic Segment sales were up 5% as reported; on a constant days and currency basis legacy sales were up 4%. Operating income for the segment rose approximately 16% to an operating margin of 17%, which benefited from higher volume, productivity and mix. Our North American ceramic business continued to grow as we increased sales personnel and distribution points. Our new Tennessee ceramic plant is ahead of schedule with the last line becoming operational in the third quarter. We are manufacturing higher value products at the facility, including 48-inch wood planks and color body porcelain tiles. We are focusing each of our North American plants on specific products to optimize productivity and increase their efficiency and quality. All of our Mexican ceramic capacity is being utilized, and we will double the capacity of our Salamanca plant by fall of next year. Our European ceramic sales continue to improve with expanded margins and improved mix. We have initiated the final phase of our Italian asset modernization, which will be completed during the first half of next year. We are enhancing our Bulgarian product offering, improving efficiencies and supplying product to Western European and U.S. markets. Despite the decline of the Russian economy and ceramic industry, our sales rose on a local currency basis with improvements in volume, price and mix.
"During the quarter, our Flooring North America Segment's sales were up 7% as reported; the legacy sales were up 1% on a constant days basis. Operating income grew 25% to a margin of 12% as reported and grew 16% excluding restructuring charges to a margin of 13%, versus prior year. The segment's profitability improved, as we increased investments in sales personnel, retail merchandising and samples. Residential carpet margins expanded as a result of our differentiated products, process innovations and investments that lowered our cost structure. We continue to strengthen our manufacturing performance with many process advances, higher yields and material enhancements. Commercial carpet sales increased as we strengthened our product offering and expanded our sales in all channels. New innovations in laminate are differentiating our products and expanding our market share. Our European operations are providing product to support our laminate growth until our new U.S. capacity is operational in the second half of next year. By the end of this year, we will install more engineered wood production to satisfy greater demand and produce higher value products. Our vinyl business continues to expand as we increase the product assortment and distribution of our LVT and sheet vinyl. By the end of next year, we will double our U.S. LVT capacity and enhance our capabilities in this fast growing category.
"For the quarter, our Flooring Rest of the World segment's sales were up 51% as reported; on a constant days and currency basis legacy sales were up 5%. Operating income grew 91% as reported to a margin of 20% and grew 67% on a constant currency basis, excluding restructuring and integration charges, to a margin of 21%. Our flooring business continued to improve significantly, led by growth in premium laminate and LVT. Our laminate mix benefited from higher sales of our innovative new collections featuring more realistic visuals and water resistance. We are adding laminate capacity in Europe to support the next generation of this unique technology. We are expanding sheet vinyl sales in commercial channels to improve our mix. LVT sales and margins increased as our mix and efficiencies improved. To satisfy our anticipated LVT growth, a new production line should be operational by the end of next year. During the period, our panel sales and margins expanded, and the integration of Xtratherm has enhanced our results.
"We are optimistic about our future performance as a result of our ongoing investments in people, products and assets. Our current booking trends have improved, and we anticipate that third quarter sales growth will be higher on a local basis. We expect continued margin expansion in all of our segments due to process improvements, operational innovations and greater efficiencies. Across the business, we are introducing differentiated new products and leveraging customer relationships to increase our market position. We are making significant investments to expand our capacity and grow sales in all of our products and geographies. Our LVT sales growth is accelerating, and our new plants are making gains in capacity, productivity and efficiency. Taking these factors into account, our third quarter EPS guidance is $3.40 to $3.49, excluding any restructuring charges.
"From 2013 through 2016, we will have invested about $2 billion in new assets to drive Mohawk's profitability. We have substantially integrated our recent acquisitions, and with our strong organization and balance sheet we can exploit additional opportunities. In every region, our differentiated product collections, operational excellence and extensive customer relationships give us advantages so we can deliver strong results."
ABOUT MOHAWK INDUSTRIES
Mohawk Industries is the leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Bigelow, Daltile, Durkan, IVC, Karastan, Lees, Marazzi, Mohawk, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world's largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.
Certain of the statements in the immediately preceding paragraphs, particularly anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters and those that include the words "could," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and "estimates," or similar expressions constitute "forward-looking statements." For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation and deflation in raw material prices and other input costs; inflation and deflation in consumer markets; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company's products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; tax, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk's SEC reports and public announcements.
Conference call Friday, August 5, 2016, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
The telephone number is 1-800-603-9255 for US/Canada and 1-706-634-2294 for International/Local. Conference ID # 47343802. A replay will be available until Friday, September 2, 2016, by dialing 855-859-2056 for US/local calls and 404-537-3406 for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 47343802.