LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Access the Q2 earnings teleconference scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 21 by calling 719-457-2607and entering passcode 9627835, or listen on the Web at: www.airproducts.com/Invest/financialnews/Earnings_Releases/Teleconference.htm.

Highlights

• Sales of $2.5 billion, up 11% versus prior year
• Operating margin hits 17% target, up 80 basis points versus prior year*
• Raised dividend 18%; Completed $350 million share repurchase
• Full year guidance increased to $5.65 to $5.75 per share

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today reported net income of $309 million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.41, for its fiscal second quarter ended March 31, 2011. This result excludes a net after-tax cost of $4 million, or $0.02 per share, associated with the now expired tender offer for the outstanding shares of Airgas, Inc.

The discussion of second quarter results and guidance in this release is based on non-GAAP comparisons. A reconciliation can be found at the end of this release.*

Second quarter revenues of $2,501 million grew 11 percent versus prior year, primarily on higher volumes in the Electronics and Performance Materials, Merchant Gases and Tonnage Gases segments. Sequential sales were up five percent. Operating income of $425 million improved 17 percent versus prior year and five percent sequentially on increased volumes. Operating margin improved 80 basis points to 17 percent.

"For the quarter, we had strong growth with double-digit increases in both sales and earnings. This performance, along with our 18 percent dividend increase and $350 million share repurchase, reflects the strength of our business and our belief that shareholders should benefit directly from the improved operating performance of their company," said John McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Second Quarter Segment Performance

• Merchant Gases sales of $1,013 million increased 10 percent versus the prior year on improved volumes, especially in the Asia region. Operating income of $185 million rose four percent from the prior year with increased volumes being offset by higher operating, maintenance and distribution costs, and lower pricing in our European healthcare business.

• Tonnage Gases sales of $799 million increased six percent. Volumes were up 10 percent, primarily on improved hydrogen volumes to refining customers. Operating income of $121 million rose 13 percent from the prior year on higher new plant volumes and increased operating efficiencies.

• Electronics and Performance Materials sales of $576 million increased 28 percent driven by strong volumes and higher pricing. Record operating income of $92 million was up 61 percent on significantly improved volumes. Operating margin of 15.9 percent was up 330 basis points versus prior year and 280 basis points sequentially.

• Equipment and Energy sales of $114 million were down five percent on lower air separation unit sales. Operating income of $23 million increased 24 percent from the prior year on higher LNG activity.

Outlook

Looking ahead, McGlade said, "We are committed to improving our operating performance by driving increased productivity to the bottom line. This, along with continued growth in our key markets will allow us to build on this quarter's strong results."

He said, "Looking at the second half of our fiscal year, we expect to deliver on our goals of double digit earnings growth, improved return on capital and a 17 percent margin. We are also raising our full year guidance to $5.65 to $5.75 per share."

Air Products now expects third quarter EPS to be between $1.42 and $1.47 per share.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, AirProducts has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

Note: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including earnings guidance, projections and targets. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date this release is issued regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including, without limitation, slowing of global economic recovery; renewed deterioration in economic and business conditions; weakening demand for the Company's products; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served by the Company; unanticipated contract terminations or customer cancellations or postponement of projects and sales; the success of commercial negotiations; asset impairments due to economic conditions or specific product or customer events; the impact of competitive products and pricing; interruption in ordinary sources of supply of raw materials; the ability to recover unanticipated increased energy and raw material costs from customers; costs and outcomes of litigation or regulatory activities; successful development and market acceptance of new products and applications, the ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel in all regions of the world where the Company operates; consequences of acts of war or terrorism impacting the United States and other markets; the effects of a natural disaster; the success of cost reduction and productivity programs and achieving anticipated acquisition synergies; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or divestitures; significant fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies from that currently anticipated; the continued availability of capital funding sources in all of the Company's foreign operations; the impact of environmental, healthcare, tax or other legislation and regulations in jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate; the impact of new or changed financial accounting guidance; the timing and rate at which tax credits can be utilized and other risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in the Company's assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

* The presentation of non-GAAP measures is intended to enhance the usefulness of financial information by providing measures which our management uses internally to evaluate our baseline performance on a comparable basis. Presented below are reconciliations of the reported GAAP results to the non-GAAP measures.

AIRGAS TRANSACTION

In February 2010, we commenced a tender offer to acquire all the outstanding common stock of Airgas, Inc. (Airgas), including the associated preferred stock purchase rights, for $60.00 per share in cash, less any required withholding tax. The offer was subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated 11 February 2010, as amended, including Airgas' redemption of the preferred stock purchase rights or such rights otherwise being inapplicable to our purchase of Airgas stock. Airgas, a Delaware company, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hard goods. On 9 December 2010, we increased the value of our tender offer to $70.00 per share. At this price, the total value of the transaction would have been approximately $7.8 billion, including $6.1 billion of equity and $1.7 billion of assumed debt. Based on a decision by the Delaware Chancery Court to uphold the decision of Airgas' board of directors to retain the preferred stock purchase rights, we withdrew our offer on 15 February 2011.

In connection with the tender offer, we had secured committed financing in the form of a $6.7 billion term loan credit facility. On 3 February 2011, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement providing for an amended $6.7 billion term loan credit facility with a maturity date of 4 June 2011. No additional underwriting fees were incurred in relation to the amended agreement. On 16 February 2011, in connection with the termination of the offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Airgas, the credit facility was terminated. No early termination penalties were incurred and all fees previously accrued and due under the credit facility were paid as of the date of termination.

Prior to the tender offer, we purchased approximately 1.5 million shares of Airgas stock for a total cost of $69.6. This amount was recorded as an available-for-sale investment within other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet. On 16 February 2011, we sold the 1.5 million shares of Airgas stock for total proceeds of $94.7 and recognized a gain of $25.1 ($15.9 after-tax, or $.07 per share).

For the three and six months ended 31 March 2011, a net loss of $5.0 ($4.4 after-tax, or $.02 per share) and $48.5 ($31.6 after-tax, or $.14 per share), respectively, was recognized related to this transaction. These amounts are reflected separately on the consolidated income statement within "Net loss on Airgas transaction" and include amortization of the fees related to the term loan credit facility, the gain on the sale of Airgas stock and other acquisition-related costs. For the six months ended 31 March 2011 and 2010, cash payments for the acquisition-related costs were $153.8 and $2.4, respectively. These payments are classified as operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

We utilize a non-GAAP measure in the computation of capital expenditures and include spending associated with facilities accounted for as capital leases. Certain contracts associated with facilities that are built to provide product to a specific customer are required to be accounted for as leases, and such spending is reflected as a use of cash within cash provided by operating activities. The presentation of this non-GAAP measure is intended to enhance the usefulness of information by providing a measure which our management uses internally to evaluate and manage our expenditures.

Below is a reconciliation of capital expenditures on a GAAP basis to a non-GAAP measure.

SOURCE Air Products