LAKE FOREST, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2016-- IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) today announced its financial results for the three- and twelve- month periods ended December 31, 2015.

2015 Highlights

• Adjusted EPS of $3.55 with adjusted operating margin of 21.0 percent, up 30 basis points
• Gross margin of 44.8 percent, up 60 basis points
• Free cash flow of $322 million, 114 percent of net income
• Repurchased 2.8 million shares of common stock for $210 million
• Deployed $200 million to acquire Novotema, Alfa Valvole and CiDRA Precision Services
• Sold the Ismatec business for a pre-tax gain of $18.1 million, or 17 cents per share

Full Year 2015

Orders of $2 billion were down 5 percent (-2 percent organic, +1 percent acquisitions and -4 percent foreign currency translation) compared with the prior year. Sales of $2 billion were down 6 percent (-4 percent organic, +2 percent acquisitions and -4 percent foreign currency translation) compared with the prior year.

Gross margin of 44.8 percent was up 60 basis points from the prior year, while adjusted operating margin of 21.0 percent was up 30 basis points from the prior year.

Adjusted net income of $277 million decreased 4 percent from the prior year, while adjusted earnings per share of $3.55 decreased 2 cents, or 1 percent, from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA of $505 million was 25 percent of sales and covered interest expense by over 12 times, while free cash flow of $322 million was 114 percent of net income.

Fourth Quarter 2015

Orders of $495 million were down 4 percent (-4 percent organic, +3 percent acquisitions and -3 percent foreign currency translation) compared with the prior year period. Sales of $500 million were down 5 percent (-4 percent organic, +2 percent acquisitions and -3 percent foreign currency translation) compared with the prior year period.

Gross margin of 44.7 percent was up 100 basis points from the prior year period, while adjusted operating margin of 21.0 percent was up 40 basis points from the prior year period.

Adjusted net income of $72 million increased 2 percent compared with the prior year period, while adjusted earnings per share of 94 cents increased 5 cents, or 6 percent, from the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA of $126 million was 25 percent of sales and covered interest expense by over 12 times, while free cash flow of $88 million was 130 percent of net income.

The Company repurchased 409 thousand shares of common stock for $31 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Fourth quarter and full year 2015 net income and earnings per share included a $2.6 million, or 3 cents per share, income tax benefit as a result of a decrease in the Italian statutory tax rate enacted in December 2015.

“In 2015 IDEX once again expanded gross margin and adjusted operating margin by 60 and 30 basis points, respectively. Our teams were well prepared to deliver productivity, despite the growth of global markets being hampered by depressed oil prices, slow North American industrial activity, and the contraction of China’s economy. In the second half of the year, we also executed a restructuring plan, which will provide approximately $12 million of savings in 2016.

Value creation through focused capital deployment is key to our 2016 success. Investments in long-term organic growth opportunities continue to be made, while shareholder dividends are funded and share repurchases continue at a balanced pace. In 2015 we deployed $200 million toward the strategic acquisitions of Alfa Valvole, Novotema and CiDRA Precision Services. With strong free cash flow, balance sheet capacity, and a healthy pipeline of opportunities, we now expect to significantly exceed this level of M&A activity in 2016.

The current contraction of global industrial economies will continue to pressure our end markets, creating an unstable 2016, resulting in roughly flat organic growth. Productivity will remain a focus allowing us to expand full year 2016 operating margins and deliver full year 2016 EPS of $3.60 to $3.70, with first quarter EPS in the range of 80 to 82 cents.”

Andrew K. Silvernail
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Fourth Quarter 2015 Segment Highlights

Fluid & Metering Technologies

• Sales of $215 million reflected a 5 percent decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 (-5 percent organic, +3 percent acquisition and -3 percent foreign currency translation).
• Adjusted operating margin of 25.3 percent represented a 40 basis point increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to productivity improvements partially offset by lower volume.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $61.7 million resulted in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.7 percent, a 90 basis point increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

Health & Science Technologies

• Sales of $187 million reflected a 1 percent decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 (-2 percent organic, +3 percent acquisitions and -2 percent foreign currency translation).
• Adjusted operating margin of 22.3 percent represented a 60 basis point decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to lower volume.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $52.5 million resulted in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.1 percent, a 40 basis point decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

Fire & Safety/Diversified Products

• Sales of $98 million reflected a 10 percent decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 (-6 percent organic and -4 percent foreign currency translation).
• Adjusted operating margin of 25.3 percent represented a 280 basis point increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to favorable mix within the Dispensing platform along with productivity improvements across the entire segment, partially offset by lower volume.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $26.7 million resulted in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 27.2 percent, a 290 basis point increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, Fluid & Metering Technologies contributed 43 percent of sales, 44 percent of operating income and 43 percent of EBITDA; Health & Science Technologies accounted for 37 percent of sales, 35 percent of operating income and 38 percent of EBITDA; and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products represented 20 percent of sales, 21 percent of operating income and 19 percent of EBITDA.

Non-U.S. GAAP Measures of Financial Performance

The Company supplements certain U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics with non-U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics in order to provide investors with better insight and increased transparency while also allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the financial information used by management in its decision making. Reconciliations of non-U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics to their most comparable U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics are defined and presented below and in no way are considered a substitute for, nor superior to, the financial data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There were no adjustments to U.S. GAAP financial performance metrics other than the items noted below.

• Adjusted operating income is calculated as operating income plus restructuring expenses less the gain on sale of a business.
• Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by net sales.
• Adjusted net income is calculated as net income plus restructuring expenses less the gain on sale of a business, net of the statutory tax expense/benefit.
• Consolidated EBITDA is calculated as net income plus interest expense plus provision for income taxes plus depreciation and amortization; while segment EBITDA is calculated as operating income plus or minus other income (expense) plus depreciation and amortization.
• Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as EBITDA plus restructuring expenses less the gain on sale of a business.
• Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures plus the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation.

Table 1: Reconciliations of Reported-to-Adjusted Operating Income and Margin (dollars in thousands)

		For the Three Months Ended December 31,
		2015																2014
		FMT				HST				FSDP				IDEX				FMT				HST				FSDP				IDEX
Reported operating income		$	49,841			$	40,060			$	24,565			$	98,259			$	50,065			$	38,419			$	23,506			$	94,454
Restructuring expenses			4,585				1,634				297				6,516				6,413				4,912				1,034				13,672
Adjusted operating income		$	54,426			$	41,694			$	24,862			$	104,775			$	56,478			$	43,331			$	24,540			$	108,126
Net sales		$	215,150			$	186,578			$	98,343			$	499,798			$	226,869			$	189,122			$	108,970			$	523,899
Operating margin			23.2	%			21.5	%			25.0	%			19.7	%			22.1	%			20.3	%			21.6	%			18.0	%
Adjusted operating margin			25.3	%			22.3	%			25.3	%			21.0	%			24.9	%			22.9	%			22.5	%			20.6	%
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2015																2014
		FMT				HST				FSDP				IDEX				FMT				HST				FSDP				IDEX
Reported operating income		$	204,506			$	157,948			$	115,745			$	431,738			$	216,886			$	152,999			$	130,494			$	431,224
Restructuring expenses			7,090				3,408				576				11,239				6,413				4,912				1,034				13,672
Gain on sale of business			-				-				-				(18,070	)			-				-				-				-
Adjusted operating income		$	211,596			$	161,356			$	116,321			$	424,907			$	223,299			$	157,911			$	131,528			$	444,896
Net sales		$	860,792			$	738,996			$	423,915			$	2,020,668			$	899,588			$	752,021			$	502,749			$	2,147,767
Operating margin			23.8	%			21.4	%			27.3	%			21.4	%			24.1	%			20.3	%			26.0	%			20.1	%
Adjusted operating margin			24.6	%			21.8	%			27.4	%			21.0	%			24.8	%			21.0	%			26.2	%			20.7	%

Table 2: Reconciliations of Reported-to-Adjusted Net Income and EPS (in thousands, except EPS)

		For the Three Months						For the Year
		Ended December 31,						Ended December 31,
		2015			2014			2015				2014
Reported net income		$	67,763		$	61,620		$	282,807			$	279,386
Restructuring expenses, net of tax			4,574			9,437			7,653				9,437
Gain on sale of business, net of tax			-			-			(13,231	)			-
Adjusted net income		$	72,337		$	71,057		$	277,229			$	288,823
Reported EPS		$	0.88		$	0.77		$	3.62			$	3.45
Restructuring expenses, net of tax			0.06			0.12			0.10				0.12
Gain on sale of business, net of tax			-			-			(0.17	)			-
Adjusted EPS		$	0.94		$	0.89		$	3.55			$	3.57
Diluted weighted average shares			77,091			79,632			77,972				80,728

Table 3: Reconciliations of Consolidated EBITDA and Free Cash Flow (in thousands)

		For the Three Months Ended													For the Year Ended
		December 31,									Sept 30,				December 31,
		2015				2014					2015				2015				2014
Net income		$	67,763			$	61,620				$	79,505			$	282,807			$	279,386
Interest expense			10,226				10,572					10,229				41,636				41,895
Provision for income taxes			20,924				23,722					32,772				109,538				113,054
Depreciation and amortization			20,146				18,625					20,377				78,120				76,907
EBITDA			119,059				114,539					142,883				512,101				511,242
Restructuring expenses			6,516				13,672					4,723				11,239				13,672
Gain on sale of business			-				-					(18,070	)			(18,070	)			-
Adjusted EBITDA		$	125,575			$	128,211				$	129,536			$	505,270			$	524,914
Cash flow from operating activities		$	98,540			$	101,378				$	113,353			$	360,321			$	367,961
Capital expenditures			(11,165	)			(14,177	)				(8,785	)			(43,776	)			(47,997	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation			915				915					267				5,265				6,275
Free cash flow		$	88,290			$	88,116				$	104,835			$	321,810			$	326,239

Table 4: Reconciliations of Segment EBITDA (dollars in thousands)

		For the Three Months Ended December 31,
		2015												2014
		FMT				HST				FSDP				FMT				HST				FSDP
Operating income		$	49,841			$	40,060			$	24,565			$	50,065			$	38,419			$	23,506
Other income (expense)			(54	)			(169	)			362				189				518				346
Depreciation and amortization			7,341				10,953				1,477				6,431				10,074				1,634
EBITDA			57,128				50,844				26,404				56,685				49,011				25,486
Restructuring expenses			4,585				1,634				297				6,413				4,912				1,034
Adjusted EBITDA		$	61,713			$	52,478			$	26,701			$	63,098			$	53,923			$	26,520
Net sales		$	215,150			$	186,578			$	98,343			$	226,869			$	189,122			$	108,970
EBITDA margin			26.6	%			27.3	%			26.8	%			25.0	%			25.9	%			23.4	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			28.7	%			28.1	%			27.2	%			27.8	%			28.5	%			24.3	%
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2015												2014
		FMT				HST				FSDP				FMT				HST				FSDP
Operating income		$	204,506			$	157,948			$	115,745			$	216,886			$	152,999			$	130,494
Other income (expense)			840				178				1,453				560				542				990
Depreciation and amortization			27,662				42,827				6,051				26,453				42,478				6,583
EBITDA			233,008				200,953				123,249				243,899				196,019				138,067
Restructuring expenses			7,090				3,408				576				6,413				4,912				1,034
Adjusted EBITDA		$	240,098			$	204,361			$	123,825			$	250,312			$	200,931			$	139,101
Net sales		$	860,792			$	738,996			$	423,915			$	899,588			$	752,021			$	502,749
EBITDA margin			27.1	%			27.2	%			29.1	%			27.1	%			26.1	%			27.5	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			27.9	%			27.7	%			29.2	%			27.8	%			26.7	%			27.7	%

Conference Call to be Broadcast over the Internet

IDEX will broadcast its fourth quarter earnings conference call over the Internet on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. CT. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Heath Mitts will discuss the Company’s recent financial performance and respond to questions from the financial analyst community. IDEX invites interested investors to listen to the call and view the accompanying slide presentation, which will be carried live on its website at www.idexcorp.com. Those who wish to participate should log on several minutes before the discussion begins. After clicking on the presentation icon, investors should follow the instructions to ensure their systems are set up to hear the event and view the presentation slides, or download the correct applications at no charge. Investors will also be able to hear a replay of the call by dialing 877.660.6853 (or 201.612.7415 for international participants) using the ID #13620002.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements may relate to, among other things, capital expenditures, acquisitions, cost reductions, cash flow, revenues, earnings, market conditions, global economies and operating improvements, and are indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “management believes,” “the company believes,” “the company intends,” and similar words or phrases. These statements are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the date of this news release. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: economic and political consequences resulting from terrorist attacks and wars; levels of industrial activity and economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries around the world; pricing pressures and other competitive factors, and levels of capital spending in certain industries – all of which could have a material impact on order rates and IDEX’s results, particularly in light of the low levels of order backlogs it typically maintains; its ability to make acquisitions and to integrate and operate acquired businesses on a profitable basis; the relationship of the U.S. dollar to other currencies and its impact on pricing and cost competitiveness; political and economic conditions in foreign countries in which the company operates; interest rates; capacity utilization and the effect this has on costs; labor markets; market conditions and material costs; and developments with respect to contingencies, such as litigation and environmental matters. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section included in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and the other risks discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included here are only made as of the date of this news release, and management undertakes no obligation to publicly update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented here.

About IDEX

IDEX Corporation is an applied solutions company specializing in fluid and metering technologies, health and science technologies, and fire, safety and other diversified products built to its customers’ exacting specifications. Its products are sold in niche markets to a wide range of industries throughout the world. IDEX shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “IEX”.

For further information on IDEX Corporation and its business units, visit the company’s website at www.idexcorp.com.

(Financial reports follow)

IDEX CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Net sales		$	499,798			$	523,899			$	2,020,668			$	2,147,767
Cost of sales			276,399				294,782				1,116,353				1,198,452
Gross profit			223,399				229,117				904,315				949,315
Selling, general and administrative expenses			118,624				120,991				479,408				504,419
Restructuring expenses			6,516				13,672				11,239				13,672
Gain on sale of business			-				-				(18,070	)			-
Operating income			98,259				94,454				431,738				431,224
Other (income) expense - net			(654	)			(1,460	)			(2,243	)			(3,111	)
Interest expense			10,226				10,572				41,636				41,895
Income before income taxes			88,687				85,342				392,345				392,440
Provision for income taxes			20,924				23,722				109,538				113,054
Net income		$	67,763			$	61,620			$	282,807			$	279,386
Earnings per Common Share (a):
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.89			$	0.78			$	3.65			$	3.48
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.88			$	0.77			$	3.62			$	3.45
Share Data:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			76,211				78,669				77,126				79,715
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			77,091				79,632				77,972				80,728
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
										December 31,				December 31,
										2015				2014
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents										$	328,018			$	509,137
Receivables - net											260,000				256,040
Inventories											239,124				237,631
Other current assets											35,542				72,983
Total current assets											862,684				1,075,791
Property, plant and equipment - net											240,945				219,543
Goodwill and intangible assets											1,684,366				1,592,441
Other noncurrent assets (b)											17,448				15,688
Total assets										$	2,805,443			$	2,903,463
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable										$	128,911			$	127,462
Accrued expenses											153,672				163,409
Short-term borrowings											1,087				98,946
Dividends payable											25,927				22,151
Total current liabilities											309,597				411,968
Long-term borrowings (b)											839,707				760,399
Other noncurrent liabilities											212,848				244,645
Total liabilities											1,362,152				1,417,012
Shareholders' equity											1,443,291				1,486,451
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity										$	2,805,443			$	2,903,463

IDEX CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2015				2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	282,807			$	279,386
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of fixed assets		(114	)			(351	)
Gain on sale of business		(18,070	)			-
Asset impairments		795				2,473
Depreciation and amortization		35,694				33,720
Amortization of intangible assets		42,426				43,187
Amortization of debt issuance costs		1,612				1,723
Share-based compensation expense		20,048				20,717
Deferred income taxes		(1,892	)			(8,593	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		(5,265	)			(6,275	)
Non-cash interest expense associated with forward starting swaps		7,030				7,223
Changes in (net of the effect from acquisitions and dispositions):
Receivables		8,832				(11,110	)
Inventories		4,557				(7,821	)
Other current assets		(2,728	)			(5,201	)
Trade accounts payable		(2,828	)			(2,466	)
Accrued expenses		(12,878	)			23,760
Other — net		295				(2,411	)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities		360,321				367,961
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(43,776	)			(47,997	)
Proceeds from sale of business		27,677				-
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(195,013	)			(25,443	)
Proceeds from fixed asset disposals		894				1,460
Other — net		(273	)			(280	)
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(210,491	)			(72,260	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under revolving facilities		414,032				165,014
Payments under revolving facilities		(333,630	)			(61,951	)
Payment of 2.58% Senior Euro Notes		(88,420	)			-
Debt issuance costs		(1,739	)			-
Dividends paid		(96,172	)			(85,726	)
Proceeds from stock option exercises		19,217				17,161
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation		5,265				6,275
Purchase of common stock		(210,822	)			(219,893	)
Unvested shares surrendered for tax withholding		(3,259	)			(4,952	)
Net cash flows used in financing activities		(295,528	)			(184,072	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(35,421	)			(42,121	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		(181,119	)			69,508
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		509,137				439,629
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	328,018			$	509,137

IDEX CORPORATION
Company and Segment Financial Information
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
			Three Months Ended								Year Ended
			December 31, (c)								December 31, (c)
			2015				2014				2015				2014
	Fluid & Metering Technologies
	Net sales		$	215,150			$	226,869			$	860,792			$	899,588
	Adjusted operating income (d)			54,426				56,478				211,596				223,299
	Adjusted operating margin			25.3	%			24.9	%			24.6	%			24.8	%
	Adjusted EBITDA		$	61,713			$	63,098			$	240,098			$	250,312
	Adjusted EBITDA margin			28.7	%			27.8	%			27.9	%			27.8	%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	7,341			$	6,431			$	27,662			$	26,453
	Capital expenditures			4,997				7,060				22,846				18,215
	Health & Science Technologies
	Net sales		$	186,578			$	189,122			$	738,996			$	752,021
	Adjusted operating income (d)			41,694				43,331				161,356				157,911
	Adjusted operating margin			22.3	%			22.9	%			21.8	%			21.0	%
	Adjusted EBITDA		$	52,478			$	53,923			$	204,361			$	200,931
	Adjusted EBITDA margin			28.1	%			28.5	%			27.7	%			26.7	%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	10,953			$	10,074			$	42,827			$	42,478
	Capital expenditures			4,349				5,170				13,104				19,161
	Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
	Net sales		$	98,343			$	108,970			$	423,915			$	502,749
	Adjusted operating income (d)			24,862				24,540				116,321				131,528
	Adjusted operating margin			25.3	%			22.5	%			27.4	%			26.2	%
	Adjusted EBITDA		$	26,701			$	26,520			$	123,825			$	139,101
	Adjusted EBITDA margin			27.2	%			24.3	%			29.2	%			27.7	%
	Depreciation and amortization		$	1,477			$	1,634			$	6,051			$	6,583
	Capital expenditures			1,676				1,244				5,804				6,761
	Company
	Net sales		$	499,798			$	523,899			$	2,020,668			$	2,147,767
	Adjusted operating income (d)			104,775				108,126				424,907				444,896
	Adjusted operating margin			21.0	%			20.6	%			21.0	%			20.7	%
	Adjusted EBITDA		$	125,575			$	128,211			$	505,270			$	524,914
	Adjusted EBITDA margin			25.1	%			24.5	%			25.0	%			24.4	%
	Depreciation and amortization (e)		$	20,146			$	18,625			$	78,120			$	76,907
	Capital expenditures			11,165				14,177				43,776				47,997
(a)	Calculated by applying the two-class method of allocating earnings to common stock and participating securities as required by ASC 260, Earnings Per Share.
(b)	Certain amounts in the prior year's balance sheet have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation due to the adoption of ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.
(c)	Three and twelve month data includes acquisition of Aegis (April 2014) and Alfa Valvole (June 2015) in the Fluid & Metering Technologies segment and Novotema (June 2015) and CiDRA Precision Services (July 2015) in the Health & Science Technologies segment from the date of acquisition. Twelve month data for 2015 includes the results of Ismatec through the date of disposition in July 2015.
(d)	Segment adjusted operating income excludes unallocated corporate operating expenses.
(e)	Depreciation and amortization excludes amortization of debt issuance costs.

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Source: IDEX Corporation

IDEX Corporation
Investor Contact:
Heath Mitts
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(847) 498-7070