BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Toro Co. (NYSE: TTC) reports net earnings of $53.3 million, or $0.94 per share, on a net sales increase of 7.4%  to $609.6 million for its fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2015. In the comparable fiscal 2014 period, the company delivered net earnings of $50 million, or $0.87 per share, on net sales of $567.5 million.

“Favorable summer growing conditions, particularly in our domestic markets, coupled with the success of new product introductions drove increased retail sales for the quarter,” said Michael J. Hoffman, Toro’s chairman and chief executive officer. “On behalf of our global team, we are pleased to deliver record third quarter results as we benefit from the growth provided by the recent acquisition of the BOSS line of snow and ice management products as well as ongoing demand for our Toro and Exmark branded landscape contractor equipment. We also saw strong growth in our specialty construction business and consistent performance in our residential segment, driven by solid world-wide demand for zero-turn riding mowers and domestic demand for walk power mowers,” said Hoffman.

For the first nine months, Toro reported net earnings of $178 million, or $3.13 per share, on a net sales increase of 8.6% to $1.910 billion. In the comparable fiscal 2014 period, the company posted net earnings of $163 million, or $2.82 per share, on net sales of $1.759 billion.

“Now in our fourth quarter, we are encouraged by the strong retail sales results we are seeing across our businesses. We will manage the impacts of unfavorable foreign currency rate conditions, which are expected to continue, as well as the extended drought like conditions in certain regions of the country. We are seeing solid fourth quarter demand for residential and professional snow and ice management products on the heels of a strong snow season in North America in fiscal 2014. We believe that we are well-positioned with our portfolio of innovative products to drive market share, grow revenue and deliver strong full-year results.”

The company has raised its full-year earnings outlook to about $3.50. Similarly, expected full-year revenue for fiscal 2015 has been refined to about 10%, a change from the previous expectation of about 8-10%.

SEGMENT RESULTS

Professional

·       Professional segment net sales for the third quarter totaled $422 million, up 9.7% from $384.7 million in the same period last year. Incremental sales of our recently acquired BOSS snow and ice management products, as well as solid demand for new landscape contractor products, and rental and specialty construction equipment contributed to the growth for the quarter. For the first nine months, professional segment net sales were $1,314.5 million, up 8.8% from the comparable fiscal 2014 period. Year-to-date, increased sales were attributed to the addition of the BOSS snow and ice management products to our professional portfolio, as well as new product introductions in our landscape contractor business. Somewhat offsetting the sales growth in both periods were unfavorable currency exchange rates, as well as impactful weather conditions in certain regions adversely affecting irrigation product sales.

·       Professional segment earnings for the third quarter totaled $82.3 million, up 9.9% from $74.8 million in the same period last year. For the first nine months, professional segment earnings were $258.7 million, up 5.7% from the comparable fiscal 2014 period.

Residential

·       Residential segment net sales for the third quarter were $176 million, up 0.1% from $175.7 million in the same period last year. The relatively flat comparison is due to quarter-end timing of new snow product introductions for preseason shipments, the benefit of which is an anticipated increase in fourth quarter shipments. Lack of snowfall in Europe for the last two seasons has also contributed to the flat preseason activity for that region. For the first nine months, residential segment net sales were $578.6 million, up 8.4% from the comparable fiscal 2014 period. Increased world-wide sales of zero-turn riding mowers and domestic walk power mowers, as well as expanded retail placement contributed to the growth in both periods. Somewhat offsetting growth in both the quarter and year-to-date periods were continued unfavorable currency exchange rates.

·       Residential segment earnings for the third quarter were $20.6 million, up 10.0% from $18.7 million from the same period last year. For the first nine months, residential segment earnings were $69.1 million, up 14.0% from the comparable fiscal 2014 period.

OPERATING RESULTS

Gross margin as a percent of sales for the third quarter was 35.5%, a decrease of 10 basis points from the same period last year. The decrease is primarily due to unfavorable currency exchange rates, somewhat offset by favorable segment mix. For the first nine months, gross margin as a percent of sales was 34.9%, a decrease of 90 basis points from the same period last year, also primarily due to unfavorable currency exchange rates.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percent of sales for the third quarter was 22.5%, a decrease of 40 basis points from the same period last year. For the first nine months, SG&A expense as a percent of sales was 21.2%, a decrease of 80 basis points from the same period last year. For both periods, the decreases were primarily due to the leveraging of expenses over higher sales volumes.

Operating earnings as a percent of sales for the third quarter was 13.0%, an increase of 30 basis points from the same period last year. Operating earnings as a percent of sales for the first nine months was 13.7%, a slight decrease of 10 basis points from the same period last year.

Interest expense for the third quarter was up $1 million from the same period last year, and interest expense for the first nine months was up $3 million from the same period last year. For both periods, the increases were primarily due to the additional long-term debt issued in connection with the BOSS® acquisition.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 31.3%, compared to 29.4 percent in the same period last year. For the first nine months, the effective tax rate was 30.4%, compared to 31.7% in the same period last year, primarily due to the benefit realized in our first quarter from the retroactive reenactment of the domestic research tax credit for calendar year 2014.

Accounts receivable at the end of the third quarter totaled $227.8 million, up 5.7% compared to the same period last year. Net inventories were $350.2 million, up 19.2% compared to the same period last year. Trade payables were $169.9 million, up 0.6% compared to the same period last year.

View the complete financial tables.