Magna Announces Fourth Quarter and 2011 Results

AURORA, Ontario, February 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG) (NYSE: MGA) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

On January 1, 2011, we adopted United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") as our primary basis of accounting. All financial information in this press release has been revised to reflect our results as if they had been historically reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 
                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED                    YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,                      DECEMBER 31,
                                    2011              2010              2011          2010
 
    Sales                       $  7,251          $  6,439          $ 28,748      $ 23,465
 
    Income from operations 
    before income taxes         $    291          $    224          $  1,217      $  1,197

    Net income attributable to 
    Magna International Inc.    $    312          $    219          $  1,018      $  1,003

    Diluted earnings per share  $   1.32          $   0.89          $   4.20      $   4.30

    All results are reported in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share figures, which
    are in U.S. dollars.
 

THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

We posted sales of $7.3 billion for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, an increase of 13% from the fourth quarter of 2010. The higher sales level was a result of increases in our North American, European and Rest of World production sales, and complete vehicle assembly sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 relative to the comparable quarter in 2010.

During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, vehicle production increased 15% in North America and declined 4% in Western Europe, each compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

Complete vehicle assembly sales increased 3% to $625 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $608 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, while complete vehicle assembly volumes increased 19% to approximately 30,000 units.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, income from operations before income taxes was $291 million, net income attributable to Magna International Inc. was $312 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.32, increases of $67 million, $93 million and $0.43, respectively, each compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. Excluding other expense, net recorded in the fourth quarters of 2011 and 2010 and the U.S. Valuation Allowance, income from operations before income taxes, net income attributable to Magna International Inc. and diluted earnings per share increased $69 million, $20 million and $0.13, respectively, each compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, we generated cash from operations of $474 million before changes in non-cash operating assets and liabilities, and generated $288 million in non-cash operating assets and liabilities. Total investment activities for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $685 million, including $528 million in fixed asset additions, $101 million to purchase subsidiaries, and $56 million in investments and other assets.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

We posted sales of $28.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of 23% from the year ended December 31, 2010. This higher sales level was a result of increases in our North American, European and Rest of World production sales, complete vehicle assembly sales and tooling, engineering and other sales.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, vehicle production increased 10% to 13.1 million units in North America and 3% to 13.7 million units in Western Europe, each compared to 2010.

Complete vehicle assembly sales increased 24% to $2.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $2.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010, while complete vehicle assembly volumes increased 51% to approximately 130,000 units.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, income from operations before income taxes was $1.2 billion, net income attributable to Magna International Inc. was $1 billion and diluted earnings per share were $4.20, increases of $20 million, $15 million and a decrease of $0.10, respectively, each compared to 2010. Excluding other expense, net recorded in 2011 and 2010 and the U.S. Valuation Allowance, income from operations before income taxes, net income attributable to Magna International Inc. and diluted earnings per share increased $151 million, $74 million and $0.16, respectively, each compared to 2010.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated cash from operations before changes in non-cash operating assets and liabilities of $1.8 billion, and invested $638 million in non-cash operating assets and liabilities. Total investment activities for the year of 2011 were $1.55 billion, including $1.2 billion in fixed asset additions, $196 million in investments and other assets and $120 million to purchase subsidiaries.

A more detailed discussion of our consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 is contained in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Results of Operations and Financial Position and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are attached to this Press Release.

DIVIDENDS

Our Board of Directors also declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.275 per Common share for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. This dividend is payable on March 23, 2012 to shareholders on record on March 12, 2012.

Don Walker, Magna's Chief Executive Officer commented: "Overall, we are pleased with our strong results for 2011. Improving our operating results in Europe remains a key focus point for us in 2012. We also currently have many new facilities planned or under construction around the world. Ensuring that these new facilities launch successfully is another key area of focus for us this year."

"Our top priorities include bringing all of our manufacturing facilities up to 'world class manufacturing' levels, the continued focus on innovation in order to support our customers and win new business, and the enhancement of our leadership development process to ensure that we have strong leaders to manage our growing number of operations around the world."

Vince Galifi, Magna's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer stated: "Our solid balance sheet and strong cash flow generation position us well to further invest in our business through a combination of capital spending, acquisitions and when prudent, repurchasing our Common shares. We intend to utilize our balance sheet in these areas. In addition, we will continue to return cash to our shareholders through our quarterly dividend, which is currently at a record level."

UPDATED 2012 OUTLOOK

 
    Light Vehicle Production (Units)
             North America                           13.8 million
            Western Europe                           13.0 million
 
    Production Sales
              North America             $13.4 billion - $13.9 billion
                Europe                    $8.4 billion - $8.7 billion
              Rest of World               $2.0 billion - $2.3 billion
                                           
    Total Production Sales              $23.8 billion - $24.9 billion
 
    Complete Vehicle Assembly Sales       $2.3 billion - $2.6 billion
 
    Total Sales                         $28.0 billion - $29.5 billion
 
    Operating Margin*                            Approximately 5%
 
    Income Tax Rate*                            Approximately 26%
 
    Capital Spending                      $1.3 billion - $1.5 billion
 
    * Excluding other expense, net (unusual items)
 

In this 2012 outlook, in addition to 2012 light vehicle production, we have assumed no material acquisitions or divestitures. In addition, we have assumed that foreign exchange rates for the most common currencies in which we conduct business relative to our U.S. dollar reporting currency will approximate current rates.

ABOUT MAGNA

We are the most diversified global automotive supplier. We design, develop and manufacture technologically advanced automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineer and assemble complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") of cars and light trucks. Our capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; hybrid and electric vehicles/systems; as well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.

We have approximately 108,000 employees in 286 manufacturing operations and 88 product development, engineering and sales centres in 26 countries.

We will hold a conference call for interested analysts and shareholders to discuss our fourth quarter results on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. EST. The conference call will be chaired by Don Walker, Chief Executive Officer. The number to use for this call is 1-800-909-4195. The number for overseas callers is 1-212-231-2931. Please call in at least 10 minutes prior to the call. We will also webcast the conference call at http://www.magna.com. The slide presentation accompanying the conference call will be available on our website Thursday afternoon prior to the call.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The previous discussion contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements relating to: future dividend growth; Magna's expected production sales, based on expected light vehicle production in North America and Western Europe; Magna's expected production sales in the North America, Europe and Rest of World segments; complete vehicle assembly sales; consolidated operating margin; effective income tax rate; and fixed asset expenditures. The forward-looking information in this MD&A is presented for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding our future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, and other statements that are not recitations of historical fact. We use words such as "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "outlook", "project", "estimate" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us, and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and the effects of which can be difficult to predict, including, without limitation: the potential for a deterioration of economic conditions or an extended period of economic uncertainty; declines in consumer confidence and the impact on production volume levels; risks arising from uncertain economic conditions in Europe; restructuring, downsizing and/or other significant non-recurring costs; continued underperformance of one or more of our operating divisions; our ability to successfully launch material new or takeover business; liquidity risks; risks arising due to the failure of a major financial institution; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer or supplier; a prolonged disruption in the supply of components to us from our suppliers; shutdown of our or our customers' or sub-suppliers' production facilities due to a labour disruption; our ability to successfully compete with other automotive suppliers; a reduction in outsourcing by our customers or the loss of a material production or assembly program; the termination or non-renewal by our customers of any material production purchase order; a shift away from technologies in which we are investing; impairment charges related to goodwill, long-lived assets and deferred tax assets; shifts in market share away from our top customers; shifts in market shares among vehicles or vehicle segments, or shifts away from vehicles on which we have significant content; risks of conducting business in foreign markets, including China, India, Brazil, Russia and other non-traditional markets for us; exposure to, and ability to offset, volatile commodities prices; fluctuations in relative currency values; our ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions or achieve anticipated synergies; ongoing pricing pressures, including our ability to offset price concessions demanded by our customers; warranty and recall costs; our ability to understand and compete successfully in non-automotive businesses in which we pursue opportunities; risks related to natural disasters and potential production disruptions; factors that could cause an increase in our pension funding obligations; changes in our mix of earnings between jurisdictions with lower tax rates and those with higher tax rates, as well as our ability to fully benefit tax losses; other potential tax exposures; legal claims and/or regulatory actions against us; the unpredictability of, and fluctuation in, the trading price of our Common Shares; work stoppages and labour relations disputes; changes in credit ratings assigned to us; changes in laws and governmental regulations; costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations; our non-controlling interest in Magna E-Car Systems; our ability to recover our initial or any potential subsequent investment(s) in Magna E-Car Systems; risks related to the electric vehicle industry itself; and other factors set out in our Annual Information Form filed with securities commissions in Canada and our annual report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and subsequent filings. In evaluating forward-looking statements, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and readers should specifically consider the various factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we do not intend, nor do we undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information, events, results or circumstances or otherwise.

For further information about Magna, please see our website at http://www.magna.com. Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at http://www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov

For further information, please contact Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations at +1-905-726-7035.

For teleconferencing questions, please contact Karin Kaminski at +1-905-726-7103.