Johnson Controls International Plc quarterly report, Q2 FY2016

Business context and reporting period

This is Tyco International plc’s Form 10-Q for the quarter and six months ended March 25, 2016 (fiscal Q2 2016). The filing is by Tyco, not Johnson Controls International plc; the proposed merger with Johnson Controls had been announced but was not yet completed. Tyco provides fire, security and life-safety products and services through North America Integrated Solutions & Services, Rest of World Integrated Solutions & Services, and Global Products.

Financial performance

Amounts are in U.S. dollars; financial results below compare with the corresponding 2015 periods.

MetricQuarterSix months
Net revenue$2.331bn, down 4.1%; organic decline 1.0%$4.707bn, down 4.1%; organic decline 0.4%
Operating income / margin$225m / 9.7%, versus $221m / 9.1%$518m / 11.0%, versus $420m / 8.6%
Net income attributable to Tyco shareholders$146m, versus $167m$222m, versus $329m
Diluted EPS$0.34, versus $0.39$0.52, versus $0.77
Cash from operationsNot separately reported in the supplied filing text$313m, versus $262m
Capital expendituresNot separately reported in the supplied filing text$143m, versus $123m

Six-month operating cash flow less capital expenditures was approximately $170m, versus $139m. Cash and cash equivalents fell to $345m from $1.401bn at fiscal year-end. Total debt was $2.559bn, including $400m of commercial paper; long-term debt was $2.159bn. Net debt was approximately $2.214bn. Tyco reported $1.5bn available under its existing revolving facility, with no amounts drawn.

Material changes versus prior period

  • Quarterly revenue declines reflected adverse foreign exchange ($101m) and divestitures ($65m), partly offset by acquisitions ($90m). For the six months, foreign exchange reduced revenue by $253m, divestitures by $88m, while acquisitions added $161m.
  • North America revenue was broadly stable and organic growth was positive. ROW revenue fell 9.3% for the quarter, with currency and divestitures significant factors; Global Products revenue fell 3.6%, including a 3.0% organic decline.
  • Quarter operating income rose modestly despite lower revenue, helped by lower restructuring/repositioning charges and legacy legal gains, partly offset by $26m of merger costs and currency headwinds. Six-month operating income benefited from a $111m gain on remeasurement of Tyco’s previously held UAE joint-venture interest and lower restructuring/repositioning charges.
  • Six-month continuing income was lower year over year despite higher operating income, reflecting $168m of debt-extinguishment loss and higher income tax expense. The effective tax rate was 31.4%, versus 9.7%.
  • Tyco completed the sale of its Australian fire protection business, recording a $75m pretax loss for the six months. It also acquired ShopperTrak for approximately $176m and increased its Tyco UAE investment, consolidating the joint venture.

Outlook, risks and unusual items

  • Management expected fiscal 2016 restructuring charges of $35m–$50m, excluding repositioning; combined restructuring and repositioning charges were expected to be $70m–$85m. Expected capital expenditures and dealer investments were approximately 3%–3.5% of annual revenue. Management said available cash, operating cash flow, commercial paper and credit facilities should meet foreseeable needs.
  • Management expected continued weakness in the high-hazard, heavy-industrial market during fiscal 2016, citing reduced customer spending associated with oil-price volatility. A strong U.S. dollar was also weighing on revenue and operating income.
  • The proposed Johnson Controls merger contemplated approximately $3.9bn aggregate cash consideration, financed in part by a conditional $4bn term loan; closing depended on shareholder, regulatory and other approvals. A shareholder lawsuit sought to enjoin the transaction. The merger agreement included potential termination fees and the transaction could fail or be delayed.
  • A tentative IRS settlement remained contingent on further IRS processes. If finalized, the total payment was expected to be $475m–$525m, shared among Tyco, Covidien and TE Connectivity; Tyco made $122m of related payments in the quarter. The company said existing reserves were sufficient, but ultimate resolution remained uncertain.
  • Other exposures include asbestos claims (approximately 3,100 pending claims; $24m recorded net liability against $500m of liabilities and $476m of related assets) and environmental remediation (best estimate $31m; estimated range $21m–$70m). Actual costs or insurance recoveries could differ materially.
  • The filing reported effective disclosure controls and no material change in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter.

Important facts for investors to verify

  1. Confirm the reporting entity and merger status: this filing is Tyco’s, and the Johnson Controls combination was still proposed as of March 25, 2016.
  2. Assess the quality and repeatability of earnings: isolate the $111m UAE investment gain, $168m debt-extinguishment loss, divestiture losses, legal gains and merger costs.
  3. Review cash and near-term liquidity after the substantial decline in cash, alongside commercial-paper borrowings, debt maturities and merger-dependent financing.
  4. Track the IRS settlement’s final terms and Tyco’s allocated share, including implications under the tax-sharing agreements.
  5. Evaluate merger closing conditions, litigation, potential termination fees, financing availability and integration risks.
  6. Monitor currency exposure, industrial-market weakness, restructuring execution, asbestos liabilities and environmental remediation estimates.