| BENTON HARBOR, MI -- Whirlpool Corporation announced that its third-quarter 2009 earnings declined 47 percent to $87 million, on sales of $4.5 billion. The company said much of the third-quarter results were attributable to aggressive cost cutting. It also issued an improved outlook for future earnings.
"Our improved outlook reflects our success in restructuring our business to aggressively align our capacity and resources to lower demand levels," said Fettig. "While we continue to see uncertain and volatile demand levels in many markets, we are well-positioned to deliver higher 2009 earnings and free cash flow compared with our previous expectations."
Here is a region-by-region performance breakdown:
Whirlpool North America
Third-quarter sales of $2.5 billion declined 9 percent from the prior year. Excluding the effects of currency, sales declined approximately 7 percent from the prior year. U.S. industry unit shipments of major appliances declined 6 percent during the third quarter.
The North America region reported operating profit of $140 million compared to $74 million in the previous year. The improvement was primarily the result of cost reduction and productivity initiatives. These factors were partially offset by lower unit production volume, unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations and lower product price/mix.
Based on the current economic outlook, the company expects full-year 2009 U.S. industry unit shipments to decline approximately 10 percent compared with its prior expectation of a decline between 10 percent and 12 percent.
Whirlpool Europe
Whirlpool Europe reported third-quarter sales of $899 million, a 17 percent decrease from the prior year. Excluding the effects of currency, sales declined approximately 11 percent. Overall industry unit demand during the quarter declined approximately 10 percent from the prior year.
The region reported an operating profit of $14 million during the third quarter compared with $52 million reported in the previous year. Results were negatively impacted by substantially lower volumes and the non-recurrence of an asset sale and insurance settlement recorded in the previous year. These factors were partially offset by cost reduction and productivity initiatives.
The company continues to expect full-year 2009 industry unit shipments to decline approximately 13 percent from 2008 levels.
Whirlpool Latin America
Third-quarter net sales totaled $992 million compared to $989 million in the prior year. Excluding currency translation, sales increased approximately 12 percent. The sales increase was driven by a strong increase in Brazilian appliance demand. During the quarter, the company's Brazilian appliance sales increased 40 percent in local currency and the company continued to strengthen its leadership position in the marketplace.
Operating profit totaled $93 million in the third quarter compared with $116 million in the prior year. The lower profitability is primarily related to significantly lower monetization levels of certain tax credits and unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations. These items were partially offset by cost reduction and productivity initiatives and an overall increase in unit shipments.
The company currently anticipates full-year 2009 Brazilian appliance shipments will increase more than 15 percent compared to the previous expectation of more than 10 percent.
Whirlpool Asia
Whirlpool Asia reported third-quarter sales of $162 million, increasing 18 percent from the prior year. Excluding the impact of currency, sales increased 26 percent. Operating profit during the quarter totaled $8 million, an increase of $8 million from the prior year. The year-over-year increase in operating profit resulted from higher unit volume, higher productivity and cost reductions, and a $3 million asset sale gain. These favorable items were partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix.
The company anticipates full-year 2009 industry unit shipments in Asia to be up 10 percent compared to the previous expectation of unit shipments of flat-to-up 5 percent from 2008 levels.
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