1st Quarter Results

Ford Motor Co 21 April 2004 Contact: Shareholder Media Information Media Investment Community: Inquiries: Center: Becky Bach Raj Modi 1.800.555.5259 or 1.800.665.1515 or 1.313.594.4410 1.313.323.8221 1.313.845.8540 1.313.621.0504 bbach1@ford.com fordir@ford.com stockinfo@ford.com media@ford.com FORD ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS • Net income of 94 cents per share, or $2 billion. • Earnings from continuing operations of 96 cents per share, excluding special items. • Automotive sector pre-tax profit of $1.8 billion. Financial Services sector pre-tax profit of $1.1 billion. • Full-year earnings guidance increased to a range of $1.50 to $1.60 per share from continuing operations, excluding special items. DEARBORN, Mich., Apr 21, 2004 -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported net income of 94 cents per share, or $1,952 million, for the first quarter of 2004. This compares with net income of 45 cents per share, or $896 million, in the first quarter of 2003. Ford's first-quarter earnings from continuing operations excluding special items were 96 cents per share, or $1,983 million. This result exceeds the First Call consensus estimate of analysts of 44 cents per share. Ford's total sales and revenue in the first quarter rose to $44.7 billion from $40.8 billion in the year-ago period. 'This is the best quarter we have achieved since we began our back-to- basics efforts more than two years ago, and it clearly demonstrates our plan is working and building momentum,' said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer. 'As we showed at the New York Auto Show, our product lineup continues to strengthen with new vehicles such as the Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Mustang and Land Rover LR3/Discovery.' AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR On a pre-tax basis, Ford's worldwide automotive sector reported a profit of $1,806 million during the first quarter of 2004. Excluding special items of $12 million, worldwide automotive profits in the first quarter were $1,818 million, a $1,156 million improvement over the same period a year ago. The special items included $29 million for restructuring in Ford Europe and a $17 million gain related to a prior divestiture. Worldwide automotive sales for the first quarter rose more than 13 percent, or $4.6 billion, to $38.8 billion. Worldwide vehicle-unit sales in the quarter were 1,788,000, up from 1,704,000 a year ago. Automotive cash, marketable securities, loaned securities and short-term Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) assets on March 31, 2004 were $26.5 billion, up from $25.9 billion on December 31, 2003. THE AMERICAS For the first quarter, the Americas reported a pre-tax profit of $1,977 million, up $772 million from the same period a year ago. North America: Ford's North America automotive pre-tax profit for the first quarter was $1,962 million, up from $1,236 million a year ago. The increase primarily reflected favorable cost performance, improved vehicle mix and favorable net pricing. Sales increased to $23.3 billion from $22.2 billion in the same period a year ago. South America: Ford's South America operations reported a first-quarter pre-tax profit of $15 million, a $46 million improvement from the 2003 first quarter. The improvement primarily reflected improved pricing, favorable mix and higher vehicle volumes. Sales were $650 million, up $320 million from the same period a year ago. INTERNATIONAL The 2004 first-quarter pre-tax profit for International was $107 million, excluding special items, compared with a loss of $319 million for the year-ago period, a year-over-year improvement of $426 million. Ford Europe: Ford Europe's first-quarter pre-tax profit was $5 million, excluding special items, compared with a pre-tax loss of $247 million during the 2003 period. The improvement primarily reflected favorable cost performance; stronger industry sales, particularly in Turkey; and favorable net pricing, partially offset by unfavorable exchange rates. Ford Europe's sales in the first quarter were $6.5 billion, compared with $5 billion during the first quarter of 2003. Premier Automotive Group (PAG): PAG reported a pre-tax profit of $20 million for the first quarter, compared with a pre-tax loss of $88 million for the first quarter of 2003. The improvement primarily reflected lower costs, higher volume and positive net pricing, partially offset by unfavorable exchange rates. First- quarter sales for PAG were $6.8 billion, compared with $5.4 billion a year ago. Ford Asia-Pacific: During the first quarter of 2004, Ford Asia-Pacific reported a pre-tax profit of $28 million, compared with a pre-tax loss of $25 million in the same period a year ago. The improvement primarily reflected favorable exchange rates and cost reductions. Sales rose to $1.6 billion, compared with $1.3 billion during the first quarter of 2003. FORD CREDIT Ford Motor Credit Company reported net income of $688 million in the first quarter of 2004, up $246 million from earnings of $442 million a year earlier. On a pre-tax basis from continuing operations, Ford Credit earned $1.1 billion in the first quarter, compared with $727 million in the previous year. The increase in earnings primarily reflected improved credit loss performance, higher used vehicle prices and the favorable impact of the present low interest rate environment. HERTZ Hertz reported a pre-tax loss of $7 million in the first quarter, compared with a $59 million loss during the same period a year ago. The improvement is primarily due to improved rental car demand, offset partly by unfavorable pricing. OUTLOOK 'We are very pleased with our first-quarter results across all our automotive and financial services operations,' said Don Leclair, chief financial officer. 'Our efforts to improve our quality and our business structure are continuing to pay off, and our strong pipeline of new products gives us continued confidence that we are on the right track.' For these reasons, Ford is raising its full-year earnings guidance from a range of $1.20 to $1.30 per share to a range of $1.50 to $1.60 per share from continuing operations, excluding special items, which are presently estimated to reduce earnings by about 7 cents per share. For the second quarter of 2004, Ford expects to earn 30 to 35 cents per share from continuing operations, excluding special items. Investors and media can hear a review of first quarter results by Don Leclair via conference call at 800-299-7635 (617-786-2901 for international dial-in) or on the Internet at http://www.shareholder.ford.com. Supporting presentation material will be available at the same Internet address. The presentation will begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT, April 21. Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003. Statements included herein may constitute 'forward looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, without limitation: • greater price competition resulting from currency fluctuations, industry overcapacity or other factors; • a significant decline in industry sales, particularly in the U.S. or Europe, resulting from slowing economic growth, geo-political events or other factors; • lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products; • work stoppages at key Ford or supplier facilities or other interruptions of supplies; • the discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays in new model launches, recall campaigns or increased warranty costs; • increased safety, emissions, fuel economy or other regulation resulting in higher costs and/or sales restrictions; • unusual or significant litigation or governmental investigations arising out of alleged defects in our products or otherwise; • worse-than-assumed economic and demographic experience for our post- retirement benefit plans (e.g., investment returns, interest rates, health care cost trends, benefit improvements); • currency or commodity price fluctuations; • a market shift from truck sales in the U.S.; • economic difficulties in any significant market; • reduced availability of or higher prices for fuel; • labor or other constraints on our ability to restructure our business; • a change in our requirements under long-term supply arrangements under which we are obligated to purchase minimum quantities or pay minimum amounts; • credit rating downgrades; • inability to access debt or securitization markets around the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts; • higher-than-expected credit losses; • lower-than-anticipated residual values for leased vehicles; • increased price competition in the rental car industry and/or a general decline in business or leisure travel due to terrorist attacks, acts of war, epidemic diseases or measures taken by governments in response thereto that negatively affect the travel industry; and • our inability to implement the Revitalization Plan. Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries SECTOR STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Periods Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (in millions, except per share amounts) First Quarter 2004 2003 (unaudited) AUTOMOTIVE Sales $38,844 $34,159 Costs and expenses Cost of sales 34,071 31,055 Selling, administrative and other expenses 2,748 2,298 Total costs and expenses 36,819 33,353 Operating income/(loss) 2,025 806 Interest income 117 148 Interest expense 392 313 Net interest income/(expense) (275) (165) Equity in net income/(loss) of affiliated companies 56 21 Income/(loss) before income taxes - Automotive 1,806 662 FINANCIAL SERVICES Revenues 5,847 6,656 Costs and expenses Interest expense 1,450 1,644 Depreciation 1,731 2,553 Operating and other expenses 1,212 1,188 Provision for credit and insurance losses 371 593 Total costs and expenses 4,764 5,978 Income/(loss) before income taxes - Financial Services 1,083 678 TOTAL COMPANY Income/(loss) before income taxes 2,889 1,340 Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 829 337 Income/(loss) before minority interests 2,060 1,003 Minority interests in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 85 102 Income/(loss) from continuing operations 1,975 901 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (23) (5) Net income/(loss) $1,952 $896 Income/(loss) attributable to Common and Class B Stock after Preferred Stock dividends $1,952 $896 Average number of shares of Common and Class B Stock outstanding 1,832 1,832 AMOUNTS PER SHARE OF COMMON AND CLASS B STOCK Basic income/(loss) Income/(loss) from continuing operations $1.08 $0.49 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (0.01) - Net income/(loss) $1.07 $0.49 Diluted income/(loss) Income/(loss) from continuing operations $0.95 $0.45 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (0.01) - Net income/(loss) $0.94 $0.45 Cash dividends $0.10 $0.10 Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME For the Periods Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (in millions, except per share amounts) First Quarter 2004 2003 (unaudited) Sales and revenues Automotive sales $38,844 $34,159 Financial Services revenue 5,847 6,656 Total sales and revenues 44,691 40,815 Automotive interest income 117 148 Costs and expenses Cost of sales 34,071 31,055 Selling, administrative and other expenses 5,691 6,039 Interest expense 1,842 1,957 Provision for credit and insurance losses 371 593 Total costs and expenses 41,975 39,644 Automotive equity in net income/(loss) of affiliated companies 56 21 Income/(loss) before income taxes 2,889 1,340 Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes 829 337 Income/(loss) before minority interests 2,060 1,003 Minority interests in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries 85 102 Income/(loss) from continuing operations 1,975 901 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (23) (5) Net income/(loss) $1,952 $896 Income/(loss) attributable to Common and Class B Stock after Preferred Stock dividends $1,952 $896 Average number of shares of Common and Class B Stock outstanding 1,832 1,832 AMOUNTS PER SHARE OF COMMON AND CLASS B STOCK Basic income/(loss) Income/(loss) from continuing operations $1.08 $0.49 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (0.01) - Net income/(loss) $1.07 $0.49 Diluted income/(loss) Income/(loss) from continuing operations $0.95 $0.45 Income/(loss) from discontinued/held-for-sale operations (0.01) - Net income/(loss) $0.94 $0.45 Cash dividends $0.10 $0.10 Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries SECTOR BALANCE SHEET (in millions) March 31, December 31, 2004 2003 (unaudited) ASSETS Automotive Cash and cash equivalents $4,664 $5,427 Marketable securities 8,405 10,749 Loaned securities 9,344 5,667 Total cash, marketable and loaned securities 22,413 21,843 Receivables, net 3,020 2,721 Inventories 10,193 9,181 Deferred income taxes 3,269 3,225 Other current assets 10,806 6,839 Total current assets 49,701 43,809 Equity in net assets of affiliated companies 1,990 1,930 Net property 41,168 41,993 Deferred income taxes 10,918 12,092 Goodwill and other intangible assets 6,170 6,254 Assets of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 71 68 Other assets 15,261 14,495 Total Automotive assets 125,279 120,641 Financial Services Cash and cash equivalents 13,526 16,343 Investments in securities 938 1,123 Finance receivables, net 109,867 110,893 Net investment in operating leases 31,293 31,859 Retained interest in sold receivables 13,369 13,017 Goodwill and other intangible assets 1,003 1,008 Assets of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 377 388 Other assets 14,437 17,292 Receivable from Automotive 2,820 3,356 Total Financial Services assets 187,630 195,279 Total assets $312,909 $315,920 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Automotive Trade payables $16,980 $15,289 Other payables 7,196 2,942 Accrued liabilities 32,877 32,171 Debt payable within one year 879 1,806 Current payable to Financial Services 29 124 Total current liabilities 57,961 52,332 Senior debt 13,346 13,832 Subordinated debt 5,155 5,155 Total long-term debt 18,501 18,987 Other liabilities 44,103 45,104 Deferred income taxes 1,903 2,352 Liabilities of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 109 94 Payable to Financial Services 2,791 3,232 Total Automotive liabilities 125,368 122,101 Financial Services Payables 2,369 2,189 Debt 152,066 159,011 Deferred income taxes 11,039 11,061 Other liabilities and deferred income 8,409 9,211 Liabilities of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 36 37 Total Financial Services liabilities 173,919 181,509 Minority interests 740 659 Stockholders' equity Capital stock Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (1,837 million shares issued) 18 18 Class B Stock, par value $0.01 per share (71 million shares issued) 1 1 Capital in excess of par value of stock 5,373 5,374 Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (913) (414) Treasury stock (1,787) (1,749) Earnings retained for use in business 10,190 8,421 Total stockholders' equity 12,882 11,651 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $312,909 $315,920 Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in millions) March 31, December 31, 2004 2003 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $18,190 $21,770 Marketable securities 9,343 11,872 Loaned securities 9,344 5,667 Receivables, net 3,020 2,721 Finance receivables, net 109,867 110,893 Net investment in operating leases 31,293 31,859 Retained interest in sold receivables 13,369 13,017 Inventories 10,193 9,181 Equity in net assets of affiliated companies 2,971 2,959 Net property 42,799 43,598 Deferred income taxes 4,162 7,389 Goodwill and other intangible assets 7,173 7,262 Assets of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 448 456 Other assets 37,907 35,950 Total assets $300,079 $304,594 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Payables $26,545 $20,420 Accrued liabilities 29,781 29,591 Debt 171,446 179,804 Other liabilities and deferred income 52,655 53,899 Deferred income taxes 5,885 8,439 Liabilities of discontinued/held-for-sale operations 145 131 Total liabilities 286,457 292,284 Minority interests 740 659 Stockholders' equity Capital stock Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (1,837 million shares issued) 18 18 Class B Stock, par value $0.01 per share (71 million shares issued) 1 1 Capital in excess of par value of stock 5,373 5,374 Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (913) (414) Treasury stock (1,787) (1,749) Earnings retained for use in business 10,190 8,421 Total stockholders' equity 12,882 11,651 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $300,079 $304,594 Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries CONDENSED SECTOR STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Periods Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (in millions) First Quarter First Quarter 2004 2003 Auto- Financial Auto- Financial motive Services motive Services (unaudited) (unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 $5,427 $16,343 $5,157 $7,064 Cash flows from operating activities before securities trading 2,564 5,853 2,942 4,643 Net sales/(purchases) of trading securities (1,371) (8) 230 (40) Net cash flows from operating activities 1,193 5,845 3,172 4,603 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures (1,204) (76) (1,416) (80) Acquisitions of receivables and lease investments - (15,432) - (17,584) Collections of receivables and lease investments - 11,464 - 10,749 Net acquisitions of daily rental vehicles - (1,041) - (385) Purchases of securities (1,342) (2) (566) (149) Sales and maturities of securities 1,380 196 474 207 Proceeds from sales of receivables and lease investments - 3,290 - 10,966 Proceeds from sale of businesses 100 - - 157 Repayment of debt from discontinued operations - - - 1,421 Net investing activity with Financial Services 851 - 970 - Cash paid for acquisitions - - (8) - Other 4 11 - 47 Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (211) (1,590) (546) 5,349 Cash flows from financing activities Cash dividends (183) - (183) - Net sales/(purchases) of Common Stock (60) - (22) - Changes in short-term debt (156) 4,881 (227) 2,424 Proceeds from issuance of other debt 148 4,343 90 3,862 Principal payments on other debt (1,377)(15,491) (78) (10,640) Net financing activity with Automotive - (851) - (970) Other (10) 12 (3) 20 Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (1,638) (7,106) (423) (5,304) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (12) (61) 55 78 Net transactions with Automotive/Financial Services (95) 95 (304) 304 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (763) (2,817) 1,954 5,030 Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 $4,664 $13,526 $7,111 $12,094 Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Periods Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (in millions) First Quarter 2004 2003 (unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 $21,770 $12,221 Cash flows from operating activities before securities trading 8,417 7,585 Net sales/(purchases) of trading securities (1,379) 190 Net cash flows from operating activities 7,038 7,775 Cash flows from investing activities Capital expenditures (1,280) (1,496) Acquisitions of receivables and lease investments (15,432)(17,584) Collections of receivables and lease investments 11,464 10,749 Net acquisitions of daily rental vehicles (1,041) (385) Purchases of securities (1,344) (715) Sales and maturities of securities 1,576 681 Proceeds from sales of receivables and lease investments 3,290 10,966 Proceeds from sale of businesses 100 157 Repayment of debt from discontinued operations - 1,421 Cash paid for acquisitions - (8) Other 15 47 Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities (2,652) 3,833 Cash flows from financing activities Cash dividends (183) (183) Net sales/(purchases) of Common Stock (60) (22) Changes in short-term debt 4,725 2,197 Proceeds from issuance of other debt 4,491 3,952 Principal payments on other debt (16,868)(10,718) Other 2 17 Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (7,893) (4,757) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (73) 133 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (3,580) 6,984 Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 $18,190 $19,205 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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