Lear Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter -

Highest Sales and Earnings Ever Reported SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (PROTEXT) - Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) today reported record sales, operating income and net income for the second quarter of 1999. Highlights for the 1999 second quarter included: * Sales up nearly 50 percent to $3.2 billion -- Highest quarterly sales ever * Earnings up nearly 15 percent to $1.10 per share -- Highest quarterly earnings ever * Completed UT Automotive transaction -- New platform for growth * Financing package completed -- Bank facility and senior notes * Motors business divested to Johnson Electric -- Raised $310 million * Integrated new electronics capabilities -- Ahead of schedule Commenting on the Company's second quarter accomplishments, Kenneth L. Way, Lear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are extremely pleased with both our record financial results as well as the other operational objectives we achieved in the quarter. Lear's financial performance continues to benefit from our asset management focus, our strategic acquisition program and our global leadership in automotive interiors. Additionally, we completed the acquisition and financing of UT Automotive, moved quickly to divest the non-strategic Motors business, significantly paid down debt and integrated our new electronics capabilities. These accomplishments continue to demonstrate Lear's ability to move quickly, create value and lead the automotive supplier industry in developing new and better ways to serve our global customers." Net income for the quarter ended July 3, 1999 was a record $74.8 million, or $1.10 per share, compared with $65.7 million, or $.96 per share, in the second quarter of 1998. Operating income for the 1999 second quarter advanced 37 percent to $190.8 million, versus $139.6 million for 1998's second quarter. For the most recent quarter, the Company had approximately five hundred thousand fewer shares outstanding on a weighted average basis. Net sales for the second quarter of 1999 rose to an all-time record of over $3.2 billion, as compared to approximately $2.2 billion in the second quarter of 1998. More than 20 percent of the second quarter sales increase was due to internally generated new business. Geographically, almost one-third of the second quarter's record sales increase was attributable to Lear's operations outside of the U.S. and Canada. For the first time ever, European sales reached the billion-dollar mark, rising 55 percent from $662 million in the year-ago period. Also for the first time ever, sales in the U.S. and Canada reached the two-billion-dollar mark, a 55 percent increase from $1.3 billion in the year ago period. Due primarily to continued softness in the South American market, second quarter sales in other world regions declined from $217 million to $197 million. Net income for the six months ended July 3, 1999 increased 11 percent to a record $125.1 million, or $1.85 per share, compared with earnings of $113.0 million, or $1.65 per share, in the comparable 1998 period. Operating income for the first six months of 1999 advanced 24 percent to $311.2 million, from $250.3 million in last year's comparable period. For the first six months of 1999, the Company had approximately seven hundred thousand fewer shares outstanding on a weighted average basis. Net sales for the six months ended July 3, 1999 rose 41 percent to a record $5.9 billion from $4.2 billion. More than 30 percent of the six-month sales increase was due to internally generated new business. Geographically, almost one-third of the sales increase for the first six months of 1999 was attributable to Lear's operations outside of the U.S. and Canada. For the first six months of 1999, European sales increased 46 percent to $1.9 billion, while sales in other world regions declined 9 percent to $365 million. U.S. and Canada sales for the first six months of 1999 increased 46 percent to $3.7 billion. Way continued, "Lear's record performance continues to reflect our ability to deliver industry-leading automotive solutions, while simultaneously maintaining our position as a flexible, low- cost supplier. Our strategy of expanding our capabilities and market position as a leading global automotive supplier should continue to drive Lear's long-term sales and earnings growth. We remain confident that our strong position in electronics will serve to further this objective." Lear Corporation, a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, is one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, with 1998 pro forma sales of more than $12 billion. The company's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by more than 100,000 employees in over 300 facilities located in 33 countries. Information about Lear and its products is available on the Internet at http://www.lear.com . This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results because of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to general economic conditions in the markets in which Lear operates, fluctuations in the production of vehicles for which the Company is a supplier, labor disputes involving the Company or its significant customers, risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements Of Income (Unaudited) (In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Second Quarter 1999 1998 Net sales $3,233.6 $2,175.0 Cost of sales 2,894.4 1,943.4 Selling, general & admin. expenses 129.1 80.5 Amortization of goodwill 19.3 11.5 Operating income 190.8 139.6 Interest expense 60.2 25.5 Other expense 7.3 5.5 Income before provision for national income taxes 123.3 108.6 Provision for national income taxes 48.5 42.9 Net income $74.8 $65.7 Basic net income per share $1.12 $0.98 Diluted net income per share $1.10 $0.96 Wtd. avg. no. of diluted shares outstanding 67.9 68.4 Depreciation and amortization $87.8 $51.6 Capital expenditures $91.0 $76.9 Six Months Ended 7/3/99 6/27/98 Net sales $5,920.8 $4,207.1 Cost of sales 5,362.9 3,775.3 Selling, general & admin. expenses 213.4 158.5 Amortization of goodwill 33.3 23.0 Operating income 311.2 250.3 Interest expense 90.3 50.2 Other expense 15.2 13.5 Income before provision for national income taxes 205.7 186.6 1 86.6 Provision for national income taxes 80.6 73.6 Net income $125.1 $113.0 Basic net income per share $1.87 $1.69 Diluted net income per share $1.85 $1.65 Wtd. avg. no. of diluted shares outstanding 67.7 68.4 Depreciation and amortization $150.1 $106.5 Capital expenditures $162.6 $125.1 Lear Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheet ($ In Millions) 7/3/99 12/31/98 (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $32.3 $30.0 Accounts receivable, net 1,968.0 1,373.9 Inventories 481.1 349.6 Other 720.5 444.5 3,201.9 2,198.0 LONG-TERM ASSETS: Property, plant and equipment, net 1,810.3 1,182.3 Goodwill, net 3,315.5 2,019.8 Other 375.7 277.2 TOTAL ASSETS $8,703.4 5,677.3 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Short-term borrowings $64.4 $82.7 Accounts payable 2,030.4 1,600.8 Accrued liabilities 1,418.9 797.5 Current portion of long-term debt 13.5 16.5 3,527.2 2,497.5 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Deferred national income taxes 95.2 39.0 Long-term debt 3,273.3 1,463.4 Other 454.1 377.4 3,822.6 1,879.8 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,353.6 1,300.0 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 8,703.4 5,677.3 ots Original Text Service: Lear Corporation Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Karen Stewart, 248-447-1651, or Analysts, Jonathan Peisner, 248-447-1624, both of Lear Corporation Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/518304.html or fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 518304 Web site: http://www.lear.com Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug "PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to be published under the "CTK" slug. 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