FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kent A. McKee
Memphis, TN—February 2, 2010
(901) 753-3208   

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC. REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2009 RESULTS

Harvey L. Karp, Chairman of Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI), announced today that Mueller recognized non-cash impairment charges that, in aggregate, decreased pre-tax income by $29.8 million, and net income by 74 cents per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009. Primarily, the impairment charges reduce the carrying value of goodwill. The impairment charges resulted in a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $17.5 million, or 47 cents per diluted share. Without the impairment charges, the Company’s net earnings for the fourth quarter would have been $10.4 million, or 28 cents per diluted share.

For the fiscal year ended December 26, 2009, Mueller earned $4.7 million, or 12 cents per diluted share.  For fiscal 2008, the Company earned $80.8 million, or $2.17 per diluted share.  Net sales for 2009 were $1.55 billion compared with $2.56 billion in 2008.

Financial and Operating Highlights

Mr. Karp said:
 
 
•
“The decrease in net sales in 2009 was primarily due to lower unit shipments as well as the lower average cost of copper, the Company’s principal raw material, which is generally passed through to customers by changes in selling prices.
 
 
•
“For the full year, our Plumbing & Refrigeration segment posted operating earnings of $27.0 million on net sales of $892.1 million, which compares with operating earnings of $106.8 million on net sales of $1.40 billion in 2008.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, non-cash impairment charges totaling $19.5 million reduced operating earnings.
 
 
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•
“Our OEM segment posted operating earnings of $28.7 million during 2009 on net sales of $664.1 million, which compares with operating earnings of $45.3 million on net sales of $1.18 billion for 2008.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, non-cash impairment charges totaling $10.3 million reduced operating earnings.
 
 
•
“Cash provided by operating activities was $77.4 million in 2009 compared with $180.9 million during 2008.  Our focus on cash flow continues to be a bedrock characteristic of our management.
 
 
•
  “Our current ratio was 4.4 to 1 and our working capital was $625.5 million, of which $346.0 million was cash on hand, equal to $9.19 per share.
 
 
•
“As of year end, our financial leverage was modest with a debt to total capitalization ratio of less than 20 percent.  Our financial position is strong.  If we repaid all outstanding indebtedness, we would still have in excess of $150 million in cash.
 
 
•
“Stockholders’ equity was $713.2 million which equates to a book value per share of $18.94.
 
 
•
“Capital expenditures during 2009 totaled $13.9 million.  Capital expenditures will likely rise in 2010.”
 
Business Outlook for 2010
 
Regarding the outlook for 2010, Mr. Karp said, “The recovery of the U.S. economy appears to be well underway.  We believe the residential construction sector has hit bottom and is moving up, after almost four years of deep declines.  We expect the recovery in residential construction to be modest due to the continuing high rates of unemployment, the impact of mounting foreclosures, the tightening of lending terms and the phase out of governmental stimulus spending.  Even so, housing starts are likely to rise more than 20 percent in 2010 to 700,000 units, up from the extraordinarily low 550,000 units started in 2009.

“The private non-residential construction sector, which includes offices, industrial and retail projects, declined by over 20 percent in 2009, and the outlook is for a further decline in 2010, with recovery commencing in 2011.  Most of the other markets Mueller sells to will likely improve in 2010, in pace with the overall economy.  We expect business conditions will strengthen and improve as the year 2010 progresses.
 
 
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“Our strategy for 2010 is to maintain and enhance our operational excellence.  We will continue to promptly adjust our operations to the on-going flow of business.  We are committed to making the capital investments that advance our strong competitive position in our marketplace.  Acquisitions have helped our Company grow over the past 20 years.  We are keenly interested in acquisitions that would expand our product lines and make us a more valuable resource for our customers.”

Mueller Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; and fabricated tubular products.  Mueller’s operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China.  Mueller’s business is importantly linked to:  (1) the construction of new homes; (2) the improvement and reconditioning of existing homes and structures; and (3) the commercial construction market which includes office buildings, factories, hotels, hospitals, etc.

†††††††††††††††††††††

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  These include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and technological factors, and the availability of financing, among others, as set forth in the Company’s SEC filings.  The words “outlook,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  The Company has no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.
 
 
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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
For the Quarter Ended
    
For the Year Ended
  
   
December 26,
    
December 27,
    
December 26,
    
December 27,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
(Unaudited)
    
(Unaudited)
  
                         
Net sales
   $ 432,977     $ 435,373     $ 1,547,225     $ 2,558,448  
                                 
Cost of goods sold
     372,247       371,648       1,327,022       2,233,123  
Depreciation and amortization
     10,292       10,828       41,568       44,345  
Selling, general, and administrative expense
     27,593       28,301       116,660       136,884  
Impairment charge
     29,755       18,000       29,755       18,000  
                                 
Operating (loss) income
     (6,910 )     6,596       32,220       126,096  
                                 
Interest expense
     (2,410 )     (3,295 )     (9,963 )     (19,050 )
Other income, net
     184       4,793       872       13,896  
                                 
(Loss) income before income taxes
     (9,136 )     8,094       23,129       120,942  
Income tax expense
     (7,996 )     (340 )     (17,792 )     (38,332 )
                                 
Consolidated net (loss) income
     (17,132 )     7,754       5,337       82,610  
                                 
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
     (395 )     20       (662 )     (1,796 )
                                 
Net (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
   $ (17,527 )   $ 7,774     $ 4,675     $ 80,814  
                                 
Weighted average shares for basic (loss) earnings per share
     37,584       37,142       37,336       37,123  
Effect of dilutive stock options
     -       28       88       186  
                                 
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted (loss) earnings per share
     37,584       37,170       37,424       37,309  
                                 
Basic (loss) earnings per share
   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.21     $ 0.13     $ 2.18  
                                 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.21     $ 0.12     $ 2.17  
                                 
Dividends per share
   $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.40     $ 0.40  
                                 
Summary Segment Data:
                                
Net sales:
                                
Plumbing & Refrigeration segment
   $ 231,036     $ 241,069     $ 892,071     $ 1,400,682  
OEM segment
     204,190       197,227       664,088       1,176,892  
Elimination of intersegment sales
     (2,249 )     (2,923 )     (8,934 )     (19,126 )
                                 
Net sales
   $ 432,977     $ 435,373     $ 1,547,225     $ 2,558,448  
                                 
Operating (loss) income:
                                
Plumbing & Refrigeration segment
   $ (11,156 )   $ 20,882     $ 27,043     $ 106,785  
OEM segment
     10,410       (9,902 )     28,725       45,278  
Unallocated expenses
     (6,164 )     (4,384 )     (23,548 )     (25,967 )
                                 
Operating (loss) income
   $ (6,910 )   $ 6,596     $ 32,220     $ 126,096  
 
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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

   
December 26,
    
December 27,
  
   
2009
    
2008
  
   
(Unaudited)
  
ASSETS
            
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 346,001     $ 278,860  
Accounts receivable, net
     228,739       219,035  
Inventories
     191,262       210,609  
Other current assets
     42,841       46,322  
Total current assets
     808,843       754,826  
                 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
     250,395       276,927  
Other assets
     120,903       151,160  
                 
    $ 1,180,141     $ 1,182,913  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                
Current portion of long-term debt
   $ 24,325     $ 24,184  
Accounts payable
     73,837       63,732  
Other current liabilities
     85,208       113,668  
Total current liabilities
     183,370       201,584  
                 
Long-term debt
     158,226       158,726  
Pension and postretirement liabilities
     44,320       38,452  
Environmental reserves
     23,268       23,248  
Deferred income taxes
     31,128       33,940  
Other noncurrent liabilities
     887       1,698  
                 
Total liabilities
     441,199       457,648  
                 
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity
     713,167       700,683  
Noncontrolling interest
     25,775       24,582  
                 
Total equity
     738,942       725,265  
                 
    $ 1,180,141     $ 1,182,913  
 
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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

   
For the Year Ended
  
   
December 26,
    
December 27,
  
   
2009
    
2008
  
   
(Unaudited)
  
Operating activities:
            
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
   $ 4,675     $ 80,814  
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                
Depreciation and amortization
     41,758       44,884  
Gain on early retirement of debt
     (128 )     (21,575 )
Deferred income taxes
     (2,554 )     (4,465 )
Stock-based compensation expense
     2,633       2,915  
Loss on disposal of properties
     683       598  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
     662       1,796  
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
     (203 )     (92 )
Impairment charge
     29,755       18,000  
Changes in assets and liabilities
                
Receivables
     (6,482 )     91,705  
Inventories
     22,699       44,591  
Other assets
     (505 )     (7,855 )
Current liabilities
     (13,823 )     (84,584 )
Other liabilities
     (1,808 )     12,741  
Other, net
     26       1,459  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
     77,388       180,932  
                 
Investing activities:
                
Capital expenditures
     (13,942 )     (22,261 )
Proceeds from sales of properties
     611       81  
Net withdrawals from (deposits into) restricted cash balances
     7,013       (6,117 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
     (6,318 )     (28,297 )
                 
Financing activities:
                
Repayments of long-term debt
     (370 )     (126,877 )
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.
     (14,944 )     (14,847 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
     (1,449 )     -  
Issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans from treasury
     9,145       1,167  
Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint venture, net
     131       (25,564 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
     (870 )     (32 )
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
     203       92  
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
     (8,154 )     (166,061 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
     4,225       (16,332 )
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
     67,141       (29,758 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
     278,860       308,618  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
   $ 346,001     $ 278,860  
 
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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME AS REPORTED
TO NET INCOME BEFORE IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
(In thousands, except per share data)

Earnings without impairment charges is a measurement not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Excluding non-cash impairment charges is useful as it measures the operating results that are the outcome of daily operating decisions made in the normal course of business.  Impairments reflect the impact of long-term decisions and investments that were made in prior periods.  Reconciliation of earnings without impairment charges to net loss as reported is as follows:

   
For the Quarter Ended December 26, 2009
  
               
Pro forma
  
         
Impact of
    
Without
  
   
As
    
Impairment
    
Impairment
  
   
Reported
    
Charges (A)
    
Charges
  
   
(Unaudited)
  
                   
Operating (loss) income
   $ (6,910 )   $ 29,755     $ 22,845  
                         
Interest expense
     (2,410 )     -       (2,410 )
Other income, net
     184       -       184  
                         
(Loss) income before income taxes
     (9,136 )     29,755       20,619  
Income tax expense
     (7,996 )     (1,807 )     (9,803 )
                         
Consolidated net (loss) income
     (17,132 )     27,948       10,816  
                         
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
     (395 )     -       (395 )
                         
Net (loss) income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.
   $ (17,527 )   $ 27,948     $ 10,421  
                         
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.74     $ 0.28  

(A)
The impairment charges, primarily goodwill, are estimates that will be adjusted, if necessary, after certain valuation procedures are completed as required by GAAP.
 
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