LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct 21, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Access the Q4 earnings teleconference scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October21 by calling (719) 325-2370 and entering passcode 3343911 or listen on the Web at www.airproducts.com/Invest/financialnews/Earnings_Releases/Teleconference.htm.

Fourth Quarter Highlights Versus Prior Year

• Sales increased 10% on 8% volume growth
• Operating margin of 17.1%, up 170 basis points*
• EPS of $1.35, up 18%*

Full Year Highlights

• Operating margin of 16.5%, up 220 basis points*
• Fiscal 2010 EPS of $5.02, up 24%*
• Fiscal 2011 EPS guidance of $5.50 to $5.70*

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today reported income from continuing operations of $294million, or diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.35, for its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter versus $246 million and $1.14, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. This result excludes an after-tax charge of $22 million, or $0.10per share, for costs associated with the tender offer for the outstanding shares of Airgas,Inc.

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

Fourth quarter revenues of $2,351 million increased 10 percent versus prior year and four percent sequentially. Underlying revenues were up eight percent and three percent respectively. Operating income of $402 million rose 22 percent versus prior year and seven percent sequentially on higher volumes across all segments.

For fiscal 2010, sales of $9,026 million increased nine percent on higher volumes. Operating income of $1,485 million was up 25 percent, and diluted EPS of $5.02 increased 24 percent from the prior year.

John McGlade, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "We are very pleased by the excellent results and progress we made this year. In 2010, we emerged from the recession and delivered strong growth and productivity, which generated significant improvements in operating margin and return on capital. With this performance, we are well positioned to achieve our 2011 goals. I want to thank our entire team for their hard work to deliver these results."

Fourth Quarter Segment Performance

• Merchant Gases sales of $948 million increased two percent from the prior year on five percent higher volumes across all regions, notably Asia. This was partially offset by unfavorable currency effects of three percent. Sequentially, sales increased four percent on three percent higher volumes from improved demand in most geographies. Operating income of $185 million improved 12 percent from the prior year on better volumes and improved cost performance, which was partially offset by unfavorable currency.

• Tonnage Gases sales of $752 million were up 17 percent from the prior year on improved volumes from new plant onstreams and higher energy and raw material cost pass-throughs. Sales were up four percent sequentially with higher volumes, and energy and raw material cost pass-throughs both contributing two percent. Operating income of $117 million rose 11 percent from the prior year on better volumes from new plant onstreams.

• Electronics and Performance Materials sales of $523 million increased 20percent, primarily on higher volumes. Sales improved five percent sequentially. Operating income of $84 million increased 71 percent from the prior year on better volumes. Sequentially, operating income rose 35 percent on higher volumes and improved cost performance.

• Equipment and Energy sales of $128 million rose five percent from the prior year. Operating income of $20 million improved significantly on increased LNG activity.

Outlook

Looking ahead, McGlade said, "We expect a continued, gradual global economic recovery in 2011. Our focus will be on loading our existing assets, winning new business and continuing to lower our costs. We remain committed to delivering our 2011 targets of double-digit earnings growth, improving return on capital and achieving a 17 percent operating margin."

The company today announced initial guidance for fiscal year 2011 EPS in the range of $5.50 to $5.70 per share, representing year-over-year earnings growth of 10 to 14 percent. For the first quarter of fiscal 2011 ending December31, 2010, EPS is expected to be between $1.31 and $1.35 per share.

The company also announced that it expects capital spending in fiscal 2011 to be between $1.5 and $1.7 billion.

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 Report is filed 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, 2009. 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 the Company's management uses internally to evaluate the Company's baseline performance. Presented below are reconciliations of reported GAAP results to non-GAAP measures. Amounts below are in millions of dollars, except for share data. Income from continuing operations and diluted EPS data are attributable to Air Products.

Capital Expenditures

The Company utilizes a non-GAAP measure in the computation of capital expenditures and includes spending associated with facilities accounted for as capital leases. Certain facilities that are built to provide product to a specific customer are required to be accounted for as capital leases and such spending is reflected as a use of cash within cash provided by operating activities.

(Millions of dollars, except for share data)

AIRGAS TRANSACTION

In February 2010, the Company 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. Airgas, a Delaware company, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, specialty gases, and hardgoods. On 6 September 2010, the Company increased the value of its tender offer to $65.50 per share. The total value of the transaction would be approximately $7.4 billion, including $5.7 billion of equity and $1.7 billion of assumed debt. The offer and withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire on 29October 2010, unless further extended.

In connection with this tender offer, the Company has secured committed financing in the form of a $6.7 billion term loan credit facility. Fees incurred to secure this credit facility have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the arrangement.

For the three and twelve months ended 30 September 2010, $34.7 ($21.8 after-tax, or $.10 per share) and $96.0 ($60.1 after-tax, or $.28 per share), respectively, in expense was recognized related to this transaction and is included within acquisition-related costs on the consolidated income statement. This includes amortization of the fees related to the term loan credit facility and other acquisition-related costs.

The Company utilizes a non-GAAP measure in the computation of capital expenditures and includes spending associated with facilities accounted for as capital leases and purchases of noncontrolling interests. 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. Additionally, the purchase of noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction and will be reflected as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows.

The presentation of this non-GAAP measure is intended to enhance the usefulness of information by providing a measure which the Company's management uses internally to evaluate and manage the Company's expenditures.

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

SOURCE Air Products