Andrew Beck
Analyst · Ann Duignan with JPMorgan
Thank you, Martin, and good morning to everyone. AGCO's regional net sales performance for the second quarter and first half of 2011 is outlined on Slide 6. Currency translation had a positive impact of nearly 13% on AGCO's consolidated net sales in the second quarter 2011. Acquisitions added approximately 5% of sales in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010. Europe/Africa/Middle East segment reported a net sales increase of approximately 40% excluding the impact of currency translation during the second quarter 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010. Sales increased in nearly every major market across Europe in the second quarter compared to the second quarter of 2010. The most significant improvements occurred in Germany, France and central Europe. Recall that in the first half of 2010, we managed through weaker market conditions in the U.S. and Western Europe, and were focused on inventory reduction. This year, we operated our factories at normal seasonal levels during both the first and second quarters. Last year, market demand recovered in the back half of the year. So we will face tougher comparables as we move forward into the final 2 quarters of 2011. North American net sales increased approximately 5% excluding currency translation impacts during the second quarter 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, with our dealer inventory de-stocking efforts complete, sales of sprayers, high horsepower tractors and combines all showed improvement in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010. AGCO's second quarter 2011 net sales in South America were flat from comparable 2010 levels excluding currency translation. Trade disruptions in Argentina and lighter demand in Brazil for small tractors, resulted in sales declines in those markets for AGCO during the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Strong growth in the smaller South American markets offset the decline in Brazil and Argentina. Net sales in our Rest of the World segment increased approximately 52% in the second quarter compared to 2010, excluding the impact of currency. Sales growth in Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Russia produced the increase. Part sales were $363 million and $635 million for the second quarter and first half of 2011, an increase of approximately 23% for the quarter and 26% for the first half compared to the same periods in 2010 excluding currency. Slide 7 details AGCO's sales and margin performance. Adjusted operating margins were up nearly 300 basis points in the second quarter 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010. The benefit of increased production volumes, material cost control, pricing and leverage over operating expenses, resulted in the improvement. As Martin mentioned earlier, second quarter 2011 operating margins in AGCO's Europe, Africa, Middle East region were 12.5%, up significantly on a year-over-year basis. Margins were improved in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 due to higher sales and production volumes, better pricing and a richer mix of products. In South America region, operating margins declined in the second quarter of 2011 compared to 2010. A weaker geographic mix, lower levels of production, increased material costs and higher operating expenses contributed to the decline. In the second quarter of 2011, operating margins improved significantly in North America due to higher sales and production along with cost control initiatives as you can see on the next slide. Slide 8 looks at North America profitability in more detail. Margins in this region have been one of our main focus areas for the last few years. You can see from the graph on the slide that we have made significant progress. In the second quarter of 2011, our margins improved over 500 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2008 on lower sales. We Introduced profitable new products, reorganized our sales organization, lowered our logistics cost and improved the efficiency of our factories. Second quarter of 2011 operating margins also benefited from higher levels of production, pricing and improved leverage over operating costs compared to the second quarter of 2010. Slide 9 addresses AGCO's free cash flow, which represents cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Our balance sheet and liquidity position at the end of the second quarter remains very strong. AGCO's second quarter cash flow of $193 million, which generated from elevated sales levels and improved margins and covered a $76 million-increase in capital expenditures. We plan to continue investing for future growth in the form of engineering expense and additional investments in our plants and new products. Even after covering the increased spending on these strategic investments, we are targeting positive free cash flow for 2011. At the end of June 2011, our North America dealer month supply on a trailing 12-month basis was as follows: Tractors were at 4.9 months, 4 months for combine and 8 months for hay equipment. Other working capital details are as follows: Losses on sales or receivables, which is included in both interest expense net and other expense net were approximately $5.2 million and $8.8 million for the second quarter and the first 6 months of 2011 compared to $4.3 million and $7.5 million for the same period of 2010. During the second quarter, we redeemed our EUR 200 million 6 and 7/8 notes due April 15, 2004. This early redemption was funded with a new of EUR 200 million senior unsecured term loan. The new term loan is due May 2, 2016, and bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.5%. We recorded expenses of approximately $4.3 million. With an interest expense in the second quarter in connection with the redemption. Interest savings from the lower rate on the new loan is expected to completely offset this loss by the end of 2011. Slide 10 looks at our depreciation and capital expenditure trends. In 2011, we expect to increase our capital expenditures as we work to meet Tier 4 emissions requirements, refresh and expand our product line, improve our factory productivity in Germany and make investments in China and Russia. Through the first 6 months of 2011, our capital investments totaled $112 million and will accelerate through the rest of the year. Our outlook for 2011 for our regional market is captured on Slide 11. We anticipate modest growth in North America as the strong financial position of row crop farmers and the projection of farm income above historical averages is expected to support strong demand. We expect the South American market to remain strong but be down 5% to 10%. Higher prices for grain and dairy farmers in Western Europe and improved farmer sentiment are expected to generate market growth of about 15% compared to weak levels in 2010. Slide 12 lists our view of selected 2011 financial goal. We are projecting 2011 sales to range from $8.5 billion to $8.7 billion. Forecasted pricing benefits, market share improvements, the positive impact of currency and acquisition impacts are all expected to contribute to the growth. Including significant investments in product development and market development, we expect 2011 earnings to be improved from 2010 levels. We are raising our target for 2011 earnings per share to $4 per share. We expect to increase capital expenditures to be in the $250 million to $350 million range and our free cash flow to remain positive and exceed $150 million after funding the expected increase in capital expenditures. In the third quarter of 2011, earnings per share are expected to be flat with the $0.66 reported in the third quarter of 2010. Compared to the third quarter of last year, we expect higher sales and gross margin improvement to be offset by increases in engineering and market development expenses as well as a more normal tax rate. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we expect strong sales and earnings growth compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. Operator, that concludes our prepared remarks we are now ready to open up the conference for questions.