UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

Form 10-Q

x
Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2011

Commission File No. 0-9115

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


PENNSYLVANIA
 
25-0644320
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

TWO NORTHSHORE CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PA
 
15212-5851
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
     
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
 
(412) 442-8200

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 
Yes x
No o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 
Yes x
No o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    

 
Yes o
No x
 

As of April 30, 2011, shares of common stock outstanding were:

  Class A Common Stock  29,513,243 shares

 
1

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
March 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
             
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
        $ 60,331           $ 59,715  
Short-term investments
          1,392             1,395  
Accounts receivable, net
          150,179             151,038  
Inventories
          122,495             107,926  
Deferred income taxes
          1,663             1,666  
Other current assets
          15,254             13,915  
                             
Total current assets
          351,314             335,655  
                             
Investments
          16,069             13,642  
Property, plant and equipment: Cost
    321,157               308,630          
Less accumulated depreciation
    (189,136 )             (178,880 )        
              132,021               129,750  
Deferred income taxes
            32,467               30,555  
Other assets
            17,581               21,101  
Goodwill
            444,058               405,180  
Other intangible assets, net
            58,860               57,942  
                                 
Total assets
          $ 1,052,370             $ 993,825  
                                 
LIABILITIES
                               
Current liabilities:
                               
Long-term debt, current maturities
          $ 10,095             $ 12,073  
Accounts payable
            35,820               36,308  
Accrued compensation
            34,874               39,062  
Accrued income taxes
            11,318               12,984  
Other current liabilities
            47,568               47,686  
                                 
Total current liabilities
            139,675               148,113  
                                 
Long-term debt
            248,445               225,256  
Accrued pension
            52,094               50,276  
Postretirement benefits
            23,818               23,307  
Deferred income taxes
            16,538               15,950  
Environmental reserve
            5,749               5,961  
Other liabilities
            37,063               31,234  
Total liabilities
            523,382               500,097  
                                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                               
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
                               
Common stock
    36,334               36,334          
Additional paid-in capital
    45,341               48,294          
Retained earnings
    643,992               621,923          
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (25,156 )             (37,136 )        
Treasury stock, at cost
    (207,778 )             (207,470 )        
Total shareholders’ equity-Matthews
            492,733               461,945  
Noncontrolling interests
            36,255               31,783  
Total shareholders’ equity
            528,988               493,728  
                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
          $ 1,052,370             $ 993,825  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


 
2

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
                         
                         
Sales
  $ 220,151     $ 200,866     $ 427,495     $ 393,839  
Cost of sales
    (132,038 )     (123,085 )     (259,637 )     (242,668 )
                                 
Gross profit
    88,113       77,781       167,858       151,171  
                                 
Selling and administrative expenses
    (59,628 )     (50,663 )     (117,407 )     (101,877 )
                                 
Operating profit
    28,485       27,118       50,451       49,294  
                                 
Investment income
    498       809       1,649       2,004  
Interest expense
    (2,087 )     (1,812 )     (3,839 )     (3,751 )
Other income (deductions), net
    (697 )     (633 )     (966 )     (731 )
                                 
Income before income taxes
    26,199       25,482       47,295       46,816  
                                 
Income taxes
    (9,080 )     (9,187 )     (16,653 )     (16,865 )
                                 
Net income
    17,119       16,295       30,642       29,951  
Less: net income attributable to  noncontrolling interests
    (532 )     (364 )     (841     (1,024
                                 
Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders
  $ 16,587     $ 15,931     $ 29,801     $ 28,927  
                                 
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
                               
Basic
    $0.56       $0.53       $1.01       $0.97  
                                 
Diluted
    $0.56       $0.53       $1.01       $0.96  




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.






 
3

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
__________

   
Shareholders’ Equity - Matthews
 
                     
Accumulated
                   
         
Additional
         
Other
         
Non-
       
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
controlling
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Stock
   
interests
   
Total
 
Balance,
September 30, 2010
  $ 36,334     $ 48,294     $ 621,923     $ (37,136   $ (207,470   $ 31,783     $ 493,728  
Net income
    -       -       29,801       -       -       841       30,642  
Minimum pension liability
    -       -       -       1,606       -       -       1,606  
Translation adjustment
    -       -       -       9,508       -       1,524       11,032  
Fair value of derivatives
    -       -       -       866       -       -       866  
Total comprehensive
  income
                                                    44,146  
Stock-based compensation
    -       3,608       -       -       -       -       3,608  
Purchase of  211,890 shares of treasury stock
    -       -       -       -       (7,400     -       (7,400
Issuance of 234,562  shares  of treasury stock
    -       (6,561     -       -       7,092       -       531  
Dividends, $.16 per share
    -       -       (4,727     -       -       -       (4,727
Distributions to
   noncontrolling interests
                                            (621     (621
Arrangement-
   noncontrolling interest
                    (3,005                     2,728       (277
Balance, March 31, 2011
  $ 36,334     $ 45,341     $ 643,992     $ (25,156   $ (207,778   $ 36,255     $ 528,988  
 

 

   
Shareholders’ Equity - Matthews
 
                     
Accumulated
                   
         
Additional
         
Other
         
Non-
       
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
controlling
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Stock
   
interests
   
Total
 
Balance,
   September 30, 2009
  $ 36,334     $ 47,436     $ 559,786     $ (29,884   $ (179,454   $ 4,676     $ 438,894  
Net income
    -       -       28,927       -       -       1,024       29,951  
Minimum pension liability
    -       -       -       1,578       -       -       1,578  
Translation adjustment
    -       -       -       (14,410     -       113       (14,297
Fair value of derivatives
    -       -       -       424       -       -       424  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    17,656  
Stock-based compensation
    -       3,293       -       -       -       -       3,293  
Purchase of 272,125 shares of treasury stock
    -       -       -       -       (9,386     -       (9,386
Issuance of  30,790 shares  of treasury stock
    -       (5,843     -       -       6,633       -       790  
Dividends, $.14 per share
    -       -       (4,244     -       -       -       (4,244
Distributions to
   noncontrolling interests
                                            (234 )     (234 )
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 36,334     $ 44,886     $ 584,469     $ (42,292   $ (182,207   $ 5,579     $ 446,769  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
Six Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 30,642     $ 29,951  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    13,627       12,543  
Gain on investments
    (700 )     (601 )
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    (888 )     68  
Stock-based compensation expense
    3,608       3,293  
Change in deferred taxes
    (429 )     (2,372 )
Changes in working capital items
    (18,675 )     10,966  
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    3,520       (3,513 )
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (1,888 )     175  
Increase in pension and postretirement benefits
    4,961       5,170  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    33,778       55,680  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (7,687 )     (8,410 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    992       100  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (31,693 )     (14,606 )
Proceeds from sale of investments
    2       638  
Purchases of investments
    (1,641 )     (1,612 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (40,027 )     (23,890 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from long-term debt
    39,636       25,484  
Payments on long-term debt
    (22,979 )     (38,812 )
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock
    491       726  
Purchases of treasury stock
    (7,400 )     (9,386 )
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation arrangements
    40       64  
Dividends
    (4,727 )     (4,244 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
    (621 )     (234 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    4,440       (26,402 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    2,425       (2,186 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 616     $ 3,202  
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease
  $ 2,764     $ -  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
March 31, 2011
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 1.   Nature of Operations

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the “Company”), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials, other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking products and merchandising solutions. The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments:  Bronze, Casket, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking Products and Merchandising Solutions.  The Bronze segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials, other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States.  The Casket segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood and metal caskets.  The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment and cremation caskets primarily in North America. The Graphics Imaging segment provides brand management, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries.  The Marking Products segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, and industrial automation products for identifying, tracking and conveying various consumer and industrial products, components and packaging containers.  The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

The Company has manufacturing and marketing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Note 2.   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information for commercial and industrial companies and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.  The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


 
6

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)



Note 3.   Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three level fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs used in valuations, as defined below:

Level 1:                      Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2:                      Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:                      Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

As of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:

   
March 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                                               
Short-term
  investments
  $ 1,392       -       -     $ 1,392     $ 1,395       -       -     $ 1,395  
Trading
  securities
    14,076       -       -       14,076       11,770       -       -       11,770  
Total assets at
  fair value
  $ 15,468       -       -     $ 15,468     $ 13,165       -       -     $ 13,165  
                                                                 
Liabilities:
                                                               
Derivatives (1)
    -     $ 3,024       -     $ 3,024       -     $ 4,445       -     $ 4,445  
Total liabilities
  at fair value
    -     $ 3,024       -     $ 3,024       -     $ 4,445       -     $ 4,445  
                                                                 
(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates.
 


Note 4.   Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
             
Materials and finished goods
  $ 101,602     $ 93,737  
Labor and overhead in process
    20,893       14,189  
    $ 122,495     $ 107,926  


 
7

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 5.   Debt

In December 2010, the Company entered into a new domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under the new facility is $300,000 and borrowings under the facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The facility’s maturity is December 2015.  The new facility replaced the Company’s $225,000 Revolving Credit Facility.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $25,000) is available for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit.  Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facilities were $209,500 and $187,000 as of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings on these facilities at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 2.85% and 3.01%, respectively.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date
Amount
Fixed Interest Rate
Interest Rate Spread at March 31, 2011
 
Maturity Date
September 2007
$25,000
4.77%
1.25%
September 2012
May 2008
  30,000
3.72%
1.25%
September 2012
October 2008
  20,000
3.46%
1.25%
October 2011
November 2011
  25,000
2.13%
1.25%
November 2014
September 2012
  25,000
3.03%
1.25%
December 2015
March 2012
  25,000
2.44%
1.25%
March 2015

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all of the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized loss of $3,024 ($1,845 after tax) at March 31, 2011 that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at March 31, 2011, approximately $1,331 of the $1,845 loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.

At March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected as a liability on the balance sheets.  The following derivatives are designated as hedging instruments:

Liability Derivatives
     
Balance Sheet Location:
 
March 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
Current liabilities:
           
Other current liabilities
  $ 2,182     $ 2,623  
Long-term liabilities
               
Other liabilities
    842       1,822  
Total derivatives
  $ 3,024     $ 4,445  


 
8

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 5.  Debt (continued)

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

   
Location of
       
Derivatives in
 
Gain or (Loss)
 
Amount of
 
Amount of
Cash Flow
 
Recognized in
 
Loss Recognized
 
Loss Recognized
Hedging
 
Income (Loss) on
 
in Income (Loss)
 
in Income (Loss)
Relationships
 
Derivative
 
on Derivatives
 
on Derivatives
       
Three Months ended March 31,
 
Six Months ended March 31,
       
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
                     
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$ (701)
 
$ (946)
 
$ (1,459)
 
$ (1,893)
                     

The Company recognized the following losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“OCL”):

       
Location of
   
       
Gain or
   
       
(Loss)
   
       
Reclassified
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss)
       
from
 
Reclassified from
   
Amount of Gain or
 
Accumulated
 
Accumulated OCL into
Derivatives in
 
(Loss) Recognized in
 
OCL into
 
Income
Cash Flow
 
OCL on Derivatives
 
Income
 
(Effective Portion*)
Hedging Relationships
 
March 31,
2011
 
March 31,
2010
 
(Effective
Portion*)
 
March 31, 2011
 
March 31,
2010
                     
Interest rate swaps
 
$ (24)
 
$ (732)
 
Interest expense
 
$ (890)
 
$ (1,155)
                     
*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.


The Company, through certain of its German subsidiaries, has a credit facility with a European bank.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility was 25.0 million Euros ($35,435).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 12.0 million Euros at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 1.78% and 1.58%, respectively.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 7.3 million Euros ($10,322) and 7.9 million Euros ($10,816) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 6.37% and 5.99%, respectively.

 
9

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 5.  Debt (continued)

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 8.5 million Euros ($12,005) and 10.8 million Euros ($14,680) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 8.4 million Euros ($11,864) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 1.0 million Euros ($1,474) and 2.1 million Euros ($2,834) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 3.40% and 3.66%, respectively.

As of March 31, 2011 the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, approximated the carrying value included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  At September 30, 2010, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $225,052.


Note 6.   Share-Based Payments

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) that provides for the grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards. Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which has a ten-year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,200,000.  The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan (the “1992 Incentive Stock Plan”) that previously provided for grants of stock options, restricted shares and certain other types of stock-based awards.  There will be no further grants under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.  At March 31, 2011, there were 1,134,844 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Both plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

The option price for each stock option granted under either plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of 10%, 33% and 60% appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.  With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant.  For shares granted prior to fiscal 2011, the remaining one-half of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of 10%, 25% and 40% appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. For shares granted in fiscal 2011, the remaining one-half of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of 5%, 15% and 25% appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  Additionally, beginning in fiscal 2009, restricted shares cannot vest until the first anniversary of the grant date.  Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares.

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $1,851 and $1,684, respectively.  For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $3,608 and $3,293, respectively.  The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $721 and $656 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $1,407 and $1,284 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
10

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 6.   Share-Based Payments (continued)

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $338 and $54, respectively. For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $491 and $726, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $132 and $15 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $191 and $151 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Changes to restricted stock for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:

         
Weighted-
 
         
average
 
         
grant-date
 
   
Shares
   
fair value
 
Non-vested at September 30, 2010
    437,442     $ 36.06  
Granted
    199,960       30.79  
Vested
    (56,440     38.54  
Expired or forfeited
    (1,173     34.72  
Non-vested at March 31, 2011
    579,789       34.00  

As of March 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $6,686 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.

The transactions for shares under options for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:

               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
average
   
Aggregate
 
         
average
   
remaining
   
intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
exercise price
   
contractual term
   
value
 
Outstanding, September 30, 2010
    953,326     $ 36.32              
Granted
    -       -              
Exercised
    (22,382 )     21.91              
Expired or forfeited
    (13,481 )     36.65              
Outstanding, March 31, 2011
    917,463       36.67       4.4     $ 1,727  
Exercisable, March 31, 2011
    556,738       35.25       4.0     $ 1,839  

No shares were earned during the three-month and six-month periods ended March 31, 2011.  During the three-month and six-month periods ended March 31, 2010, the fair value of shares earned was $86 and $3,120, respectively. The intrinsic value of options (which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise) exercised during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $288 and $457, respectively.

 
11

 

 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 6.   Share-Based Payments (continued)

The transactions for non-vested options for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:

         
Weighted-average
 
         
grant-date
 
Non-vested shares
 
Shares
   
fair value
 
Non-vested at September 30, 2010
    366,179     $ 13.54  
Granted
    -       -  
Vested
    -       -  
Expired or forfeited
    (5,454 )     10.90  
Non-vested at March 31, 2011
    360,725       13.58  

As of March 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options was approximately $145. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years in accordance with the vesting periods of the options.

The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model.  The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

   
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Expected volatility
    30.0 %     30.0 %
Dividend yield
    1.0 %     .8 %
Average risk free interest rate
    1.2 %     2.3 %
Average expected term (years)
    2.0       2.2  


The risk free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividend payment and average stock price over the 12 months prior to the grant date.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price.  The expected term represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.  The option characteristics for each grant are considered separately for valuation purposes.

Under the Company’s Director Fee Plan, directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) who are not also officers of the Company each receive, as an annual retainer fee, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock equivalent to $60.  The equivalent amount paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $130. Where the annual retainer fee is provided in shares, each director may elect to be paid these shares on a current basis or have such shares credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock, with such shares to be paid to the director subsequent to leaving the Board.  The value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 26,689 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plan at March 31, 2011.  Additionally, directors who are not also officers of the Company each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares) with a value of $80.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the plan.  At March 31, 2011, 17,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 64,923 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 23,623 of which were unvested at March 31, 2011.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan.


 
12

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 7.   Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews’ Shareholders

The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders
  $ 16,587     $ 15,931     $ 29,801     $ 28,927  
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings
   allocated to participating securities
    338       249       562       398  
Net income available to
Matthews shareholders
  $ 16,249     $ 15,682     $ 29,239     $ 28,529  
                                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                               
Basic shares
    28,961       29,841       28,993       29,910  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Stock options
    19       26       18       29  
Phantom stock units
    25       25       26       25  
Diluted shares
    29,005       29,892       29,037       29,964  
                                 

Options to purchase 287,968 and 605,602 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2011, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 621,050 and 812,071 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

Note 8.   Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 
The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:

 
   
Pension
   
Other Postretirement
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 1,237     $ 1,078     $ 158     $ 173  
Interest cost
    1,867       1,853       313       346  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,843 )     (1,717 )     -       -  
Amortization:
                               
   Prior service cost
    6       (10 )     (119 )     (181 )
   Net actuarial loss
    1,338       1,338       102       130  
                                 
Net benefit cost
  $ 2,605     $ 2,542     $ 454     $ 468  


 
13

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 8.   Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (continued)
 

   
Pension
   
Other Postretirement
 
Six months ended March 31,
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 2,474     $ 2,156     $ 316     $ 346  
Interest cost
    3,734       3,706       626       692  
Expected return on plan assets
    (3,686 )     (3,434 )     -       -  
Amortization:
                               
   Prior service cost
    12       (20     (238 )     (362 )
   Net actuarial loss
    2,676       2,676       204       260  
                                 
 Net benefit cost
  $ 5,210     $ 5,084     $ 908     $ 936  

Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company’s operating funds.  Under IRS regulations, the Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal year 2011.  During the six months ended March 31, 2011, contributions of $372 and $519 were made under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement plan, respectively.  The Company currently anticipates contributing an additional $392 and $574 under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement plan, respectively, for the remainder of fiscal 2011.

Note 9.   Income Taxes

Income tax provisions for the Company’s interim periods are based on the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Company's effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was 35.2%, compared to 36.0% for the first six months of fiscal 2010. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state and foreign income taxes.

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) of $3,431 and $3,422 on March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the 2011 annual effective tax rate.  It is reasonably possible that $326 of the unrecognized tax benefits could be recognized in the next 12 months primarily due to tax examinations and the expiration of statutes related to specific tax positions.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company included $208 in interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes for the first six months of fiscal 2011. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,620 and $2,412 at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  These accruals may potentially be applicable in the event of an unfavorable outcome of uncertain tax positions.



 
14

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 9.   Income Taxes (continued)

The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitations expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of March 31, 2011, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:

United States – Federal
 
2007 and forward
United States – State
 
2007 and forward
Canada
 
2006 and forward
Europe
 
2002 and forward
United Kingdom
 
2009 and forward
Australia
 
2006 and forward
Asia
 
2004 and forward


Note 10.   Segment Information

The Company's products and operations consist of two principal businesses that are comprised of three operating segments each, as described under Nature of Operations (Note 1):  Memorialization Products (Bronze, Casket, Cremation) and Brand Solutions (Graphics Imaging, Marking Products, Merchandising Solutions).  Management evaluates segment performance based on operating profit (before income taxes) and does not allocate non-operating items such as investment income, interest expense, other income (deductions), net, and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Information about the Company's segments follows:


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Sales to external customers:
                       
Memorialization:
                       
Bronze
  $ 52,857     $ 53,719     $ 103,370     $ 102,978  
Casket
    65,878       55,249       126,122       105,913  
Cremation
    9,807       8,991       19,460       17,491  
      128,542       117,959       248,952       226,382  
Brand Solutions:
                               
Graphics Imaging
    64,834       60,335       124,861       120,141  
Marking Products
    14,521       11,867       27,442       23,433  
Merchandising Solutions
    12,254       10,705       26,240       23,883  
      91,609       82,907       178,543       167,457  
                                 
    $ 220,151     $ 200,866     $ 427,495     $ 393,839  



 
15

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 10.   Segment Information (continued)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Operating profit:
                       
Memorialization:
                       
Bronze
  $ 10,811     $ 12,200     $ 20,937     $ 22,560  
Casket
    8,944       8,740       14,791       14,548  
Cremation
    1,118       953       2,170       2,083  
      20,873       21,893       37,898       39,191  
Brand Solutions:
                               
Graphics Imaging
    5,907       4,577       9,625       8,566  
Marking Products
    1,888       1,279       2,914       1,879  
Merchandising Solutions
    (183 )     (631 )     14       (342 )
      7,612       5,225       12,553       10,103  
                                 
    $ 28,485     $ 27,118     $ 50,451     $ 49,294  


Note 11.   Acquisitions

In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc. (“IPTI”), a manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the marking products industry.

In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Freeman”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets.  The purchase price for the acquisition was $22,800, plus additional consideration up to $6,000 contingent on operating performance over the next three years.  The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company’s market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.

In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG (“Reproflex”).  The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.

Note 12.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill related to business combinations is not amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.  The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second fiscal quarter of 2011 and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets were necessary.







 
16

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 12.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)

A summary of the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment as well as the changes in such amounts are as follows:

                     
Graphics
   
Marking
   
Merchandising
       
   
Bronze
   
Casket
   
Cremation
   
Imaging
   
Products
   
Solutions
   
Consolidated
 
                                           
Goodwill
  $ 88,613     $ 140,553     $ 16,799     $ 149,161     $ 10,168     $ 9,138     $ 414,432  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (412 )     -       (5,000 )     (3,840 )     -       -       (9,252 )
Balance at
   September 30, 2010
    88,201       140,553       11,799       145,321       10,168       9,138     $ 405,180  
                                                         
Additions during period
    -       22,239       -       4,917       4,833       -       31,989  
Translation and other  adjustments
    1,199       -       152       5,420       118       -       6,889  
Goodwill
    89,812       162,792       16,951       159,498       15,119       9,138       453,310  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (412 )     -       (5,000 )     (3,840 )     -       -       (9,252 )
Balance at March 31, 2011
  $ 89,400     $ 162,792     $ 11,951     $ 155,658     $ 15,119     $ 9,138     $ 444,058  

The addition to Casket goodwill primarily represents the acquisition of Freeman; the addition to Graphics goodwill represents the acquisition of the remaining 25% interest in Reproflex; and the addition to Marking Products goodwill represents the acquisition of IPTI.

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
       
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Net
 
March 31, 2011:
                 
Trade names
  $ 24,443     $ - *   $ 24,443  
Trade names
    1,748       (997 )     751  
Customer relationships
    42,933       (12,218 )     30,715  
Copyrights/patents/other
    9,633       (6,682 )     2,951  
    $ 78,757     $ (19,897 )   $ 58,860  
                         
September 30, 2010:
                       
Trade names
  $ 24,314     $ - *   $ 24,314  
Trade names
    1,689       (780 )     909  
Customer relationships
    40,607       (10,674 )     29,933  
Copyrights/patents/other
    8,984       (6,198 )     2,786  
    $ 75,594     $ (17,652 )   $ 57,942  
* Not subject to amortization
                 

The net change in intangible assets during the six months ended March 31, 2011 included the acquisition of intangibles in connection with the Freeman acquisition, in addition to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations during the period and additional amortization.

 
17

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 12.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $1,151 and $937 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, amortization expense was $2,214 and $1,787, respectively. The remaining amortization expense is estimated to be $1,680 in 2011, $3,183 in 2012, $2,863 in 2013, $2,702 in 2014 and $2,540 in 2015.

Note 13.   Subsequent Events:

In connection with its May 2008 acquisition of a 78% interest in Saueressig, the Company entered into an option agreement related to the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig.  The option agreement contained certain put and call provisions for the purchase of the remaining 22% interest in future years at a price to be determined by a specified formula based on future operating results of Saueressig.  In April 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the  remaining 22% interest in Saueressig for 19.3 million Euros.




 
18

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Cautionary Statement:

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) and related notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.  Any forward-looking statements contained herein are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct.  Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s products, changes in death rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions, and technological factors beyond the Company's control.  In addition, although the Company does not have any customers that would be considered individually significant to consolidated sales, changes in the distribution of the Company’s products or the potential loss of one or more of the Company’s larger customers are also considered risk factors.


Results of Operations:

The following table sets forth certain income statement data of the Company expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.

   
Six months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Gross profit
    39.3 %     38.4 %
Operating profit
    11.8 %     12.5 %
Net income attributable to Matthews’ shareholders
    7.0 %     7.3 %


Sales for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were $427.5 million, compared to $393.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Higher sales were reported in all of the Company’s business segments.  The increase primarily reflected the impact of recent acquisitions and higher sales volume in the Brand Solutions businesses, partially offset by an unfavorable impact of approximately $3.4 million from changes in foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar.

In the Memorialization businesses, Bronze segment sales for the first six months of fiscal 2011 were $103.4 million compared to $103.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010.  The increase primarily reflected sales of granite products resulting from the acquisition of United Memorial Products (“UMP”) in December 2009, partially offset by a decline in bronze product revenues.  The decline in bronze product revenues reflected higher unit volume, offset by an unfavorable change in product mix. Sales for the Casket segment were $126.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011 compared to $105.9 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.  The increase resulted principally from recent acquisitions.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions, sales for the segment were slightly higher than a year ago, reflecting higher unit sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

 
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Sales for the Cremation segment were $19.5 million for the first half of fiscal 2011 compared to $17.5 million for the same period a year ago. The increase principally reflected the acquisition of a cremation equipment manufacturer in the U.K. in March 2010 and higher sales of cremation equipment in Europe, partially offset by lower sales of cremation equipment in the U.S. market.  The decline in U.S. equipment sales primarily resulted from delays related to customer financing and required permits. In the Company’s Brand Solutions businesses, sales for the Graphics Imaging segment in the first six months of fiscal 2011 were $124.9 million, compared to $120.1 million for the same period a year ago.  The increase resulted from higher sales in the European, U.S. and Asian markets, partially offset by an approximately $4.0 million impact from unfavorable changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar.  Marking Products segment sales for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were $27.4 million, compared to $23.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher unit volumes of equipment and consumables in the U.S. and China, and a small U.S. acquisition in March 2011.  Sales for the Merchandising Solutions segment were $26.2 million for the first half of fiscal 2011, compared to $23.9 million for the same period a year ago.  The increase principally reflected higher project volume for several global customers.
 
 
Gross profit for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was $167.9 million, compared to $151.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Consolidated gross profit as a percent of sales for the first half of fiscal 2011 increased to 39.3% from 38.4% for the first half of fiscal 2010.  The increase in consolidated gross profit and gross profit percentage primarily reflected higher sales in the Brand Solutions businesses and the benefits from cost structure initiatives.  The increases were partially offset by higher commodity costs in the Bronze and Casket segments.

Selling and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were $117.4 million, compared to $101.9 million for the first half of fiscal 2010.  Consolidated selling and administrative expenses as a percent of sales were 27.5% for the six months ended March 31, 2011, compared to 25.9% for the same period last year.  The increase in selling and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to recent acquisitions.

Operating profit for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was $50.5 million, compared to $49.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Bronze segment operating profit for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was $20.9 million, compared to $22.6 million for the first half of fiscal 2010.  The decrease primarily reflected an unfavorable shift in mix of bronze product sales and higher bronze material cost.  Casket segment operating profit was $14.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011, compared to $14.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.  Casket segment operating profit for the current quarter reflected the benefit of acquisitions and higher unit sales in the fiscal 2011 second quarter compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2010, offset partially by higher steel and fuel costs.  Cremation segment operating profit for the first half of fiscal 2011 was $2.2 million, compared to $2.1 million for the same period in the prior year.  The increase principally reflected higher sales, partially offset by the impact of a change in mix of equipment sales, with a higher level of European sales, which generally have lower margins than sales in the U.S.  Graphics Imaging segment operating profit for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was $9.6 million, compared to $8.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2010.  The increase reflected higher sales and improvements in the segment’s U.S. cost structure, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar.  Operating profit for the Marking Products segment for the first half of fiscal 2011 was $2.9 million, compared to $1.9 million for the same period a year ago.  The increase primarily resulted from higher sales.  Merchandising Solutions segment operating profit was $14,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011, compared to an operating loss of $342,000 for the same period in fiscal 2010.  The increase primarily reflected higher sales in fiscal 2011.

Investment income was $1.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $2.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  The decrease primarily resulted from lower average levels of invested funds.  Interest expense was approximately $3.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2011 and 2010. Other income (deductions), net for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was a reduction of income of $966,000, compared to $731,000 for the same period last year.


 
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The Company's effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was 35.2%, compared to 36.0% for the same period last year.  The Company’s effective tax rate for the fiscal 2010 full year was 35.8%, excluding the impact of unusual items.  The fiscal 2011 tax rate reflects the favorable impact from implementation of European operating structure initiatives in fiscal 2011.  The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset partially by lower foreign income taxes.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the first six months of fiscal 2011 was $841,000, compared to $1.0 million in the first six months of fiscal 2010.  The decrease related principally to the Company’s acquisition of the remaining 25% interest in one of its less than wholly-owned German graphics businesses effective October 1, 2010.
 
Goodwill:

Goodwill related to business combinations is not amortized, but is subject to annual review for impairment.  In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary at March 31, 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $55.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 2010. Operating cash flow for both periods reflected net income adjusted for depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense and pension expense, partially offset by decreases in deferred taxes. Changes in working capital items, principally increases in inventory and fiscal year-end compensation related payments, were the principal factors in the year-over-year decline.

Cash used in investing activities was $40.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $23.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Investing activities for the first half of fiscal 2011 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $7.7 million, payments (net of cash acquired) of $31.7 million for acquisitions, net purchases of investments of $1.6 million and proceeds from the sale of assets of $1.0 million.  Investing activities for the first half of fiscal 2010 reflected capital expenditures of $8.4 million, payments (net of cash acquired) of $14.6 million for acquisitions and net purchases of investments of $1.6 million.

Capital expenditures reflected reinvestment in the Company's business segments and were made primarily for the purchase of new manufacturing machinery, equipment and facilities designed to improve product quality, increase manufacturing efficiency, lower production costs and meet regulatory requirements.  Capital expenditures for the last three fiscal years were primarily financed through operating cash.  Capital spending for property, plant and equipment has averaged $17.6 million for the last three fiscal years.  Capital spending for fiscal 2011 is expected to be in the range of $20.0 to $25.0 million.  The Company expects to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund all anticipated capital spending projects.

Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2011 was $4.4 million, primarily reflecting long-term debt proceeds, net of repayments, of $16.7 million, proceeds of $491,000 from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises), treasury stock purchases of $7.4 million, dividends of $4.7 million to the Company's shareholders and distributions to noncontrolling interests of $621,000.  Cash used in financing activities for the first half of 2010 was $26.4 million, primarily reflecting long-term repayments, net of proceeds, of $13.3 million, treasury stock purchases of $9.4 million, dividends of $4.2 million to the Company's shareholders, distributions to noncontrolling interests of $234,000 and proceeds of $726,000 from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises).

In December 2010, the Company entered into a new domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under the new facility is $300.0 million and borrowings under the facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.

 
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The facility’s maturity is December 2015.  The new facility replaced the Company’s $225.0 million Revolving Credit Facility.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.   The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $25.0 million) is available for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit.  Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010 were $209.5 million and $187.0 million, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities was 2.85% and 3.01% at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date
Date
Amount
Fixed Interest Rate
Interest Rate Spread at March 31, 2011
 
Maturity Date
September 2007
September 2007
$25 million
4.77%
1.25%
September 2012
May 2008
May 2008
  30 million
3.72%
1.25%
September 2012
October 2008
October 2008
  20 million
3.46%
1.25%
October 2011
November 2011
February 2011
  25 million
2.13%
1.25%
November 2014
September 2012
February 2011
  25 million
3.03%
1.25%
December 2015
March 2012
March 2011
  25 million
2.44%
1.25%
March 2015

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized loss of $3.0 million ($1.8 million after tax) at March 31, 2011 that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at March 31, 2011, approximately $1.3 million of the $1.8 million loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be recognized in earnings as interest expense over the next twelve months.

The Company, through certain of its German subsidiaries, has a credit facility with a European bank.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility was 25.0 million Euros ($35.4 million).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 12.0 million Euros at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 1.78% and 1.58%, respectively.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 7.3 million Euros ($10.3 million) and 7.9 million Euros ($10.8 million) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 6.37% and 5.99%, respectively.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 8.5 million Euros ($12.0 million) and 10.8 million Euros ($14.7 million) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has four lines of credit totaling 8.4 million Euros ($11.9 million) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 1.0 million Euros ($1.5 million) and 2.1 million Euros ($2.8 million) at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 3.40% and 3.66%, respectively.

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  Under the current authorization, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,061,985 shares had been repurchased as of March 31, 2011.

 
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The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share.  Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

Consolidated working capital of the Company was $211.6 million at March 31, 2011, compared to $187.5 million at September 30, 2010.  Cash and cash equivalents were $60.3 million at March 31, 2011, compared to $59.7 million at September 30, 2010. The Company's current ratio was 2.5 at March 31, 2011, compared to 2.3 at September 30, 2010.

Environmental Matters:

The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment.  These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations.  As such, the Company has developed environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

The Company is party to various environmental matters.  These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.  In addition, prior to its acquisition, The York Group, Inc. (“York”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania.  At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

At March 31, 2011, an accrual of approximately $6.6 million had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $827,000 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.  Changes in the accrued environmental remediation obligation from the prior fiscal year reflect payments charged against the accrual.

While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Acquisitions:

In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems. The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the marking products industry.

In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies, a manufacturer and distributor of caskets.  The purchase price for the acquisition was $22.8 million, plus additional consideration up to $6.0 million contingent on operating performance over the next three years.  The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company’s market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.

In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG (“Reproflex”).  The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.


 
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Forward-Looking Information:

Matthews has a three-pronged strategy to attain annual growth in earnings per share. This strategy consists of the following:  internal growth (which includes organic growth, productivity improvements, new product development and the expansion into new markets with existing products), acquisitions and share repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources"). For the past ten fiscal years, the Company has achieved an average annual increase in earnings per share of 11.9%.

The Company continues to expect that certain market conditions could have a significant influence on expectations for the remainder of fiscal 2011.  Rising commodity costs and the ongoing trend in the casketed death rate are important considerations for the Bronze and Casket segments.  In addition, competitive pricing conditions and shifting product mix for memorial products remain challenges. However, recent volume growth in the Casket segment and Brand Solutions businesses, in addition to an increase in the Company’s U.S. cremation equipment order backlog, were encouraging.

On this basis, the Company is maintaining its estimate for fiscal 2011 earnings per share to grow in the mid-to-high single digit percentage range over fiscal 2010 (excluding unusual charges in both years).

Critical Accounting Policies:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment based on various assumptions and other factors such as historical experience, economic conditions, and in some cases, actuarial techniques.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  A discussion of market risks affecting the Company can be found in "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies are included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in the critical accounting policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.  Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables the Company to provide useful and reliable financial information about the company's operating results and financial condition.

LONG-TERM CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at March 31, 2011, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

   
Payments due in fiscal year:
 
         
Remainder
               
After
 
   
Total
   
2011
   
2012 to 2013
   
2014 to 2015
   
2015
 
Contractual Cash Obligations:
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Revolving credit facilities
  $ 226,509     $ -     $ 17,009     $ -     $ 209,500  
Notes payable to banks
    25,255       3,015       10,405       8,633       3,202  
Short-term borrowings
    1,474       1,474       -       -       -  
Capital lease obligations
    5,498       1,672