Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, today reported first quarter fiscal 2017 results.

First Quarter Summary

• Bookings $615 million, up 12 percent from a year ago
• Service bookings $524 million, increased 21 percent from a year ago
• Net sales $498 million, down 5 percent from a year ago
• Loss per diluted share $0.00, compared to $(0.41) a year ago
• Adjusted loss per diluted share $(0.06), compared to $(0.23) a year ago
• Cash from operations $41 million, down $67 million from a year ago

First Quarter Operating Results

"Over the last several months we have seen further evidence of commodity markets rebalancing, which has helped improve commodity pricing," said Ted Doheny, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These pricing improvements and increased production levels have strengthened cash flows for many mining companies. This has led to increased rebuild activity in what is typically a seasonally slower fiscal first quarter. While we are encouraged by recent market developments, the level of service bookings achieved in the first quarter is not expected to repeat over the remainder of the year. The mining industry remains cautious with overall capital expenditures still projected to decline in 2017."

Consolidated bookings in the first quarter totaled $615 million, an increase of 12 percent versus the first quarter of last year. Original equipment orders decreased 23 percent while service orders increased 21 percent compared to the prior year. Current quarter bookings included a $10 million favorable impact from foreign currency exchange movements versus the year ago period, a $3 million increase for original equipment and a $7 million increase for service bookings. After adjusting for foreign currency exchange, orders were up 10 percent compared to the first quarter of last year, with original equipment orders down 25 percent and service orders up 20 percent.

Bookings for underground mining machinery increased 14 percent in comparison to the first quarter of last year. Original equipment orders decreased 28 percent compared to the prior year, with declines in Eurasia, China and Africa partially offset by increases in North America and Australia. Service orders increased 29 percent compared to the prior year, with increases in all regions except China. Orders for underground mining machinery increased by $7 million from the impact of foreign currency exchange compared to the first quarter of last year primarily due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar and South African rand relative to the U.S. dollar.

Bookings for surface mining equipment increased 12 percent in comparison to the prior year first quarter. Original equipment orders increased 19 percent compared to the prior year with increases in North America, Eurasia and China partially offset by declines in Latin America and Australia. Service orders increased 10 percent compared to the prior year, with increases in Latin America, North America and Africa partially offset by declines in Eurasia, Australia and China. Orders for surface mining equipment increased by $3 million from the impact of foreign currency exchange compared to the first quarter of last year, primarily due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar and South African rand relative to the U.S. dollar.

Backlog at the end of the first quarter was $936 million, up from $819 million at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Consolidated net sales totaled $498 million, a 5 percent decrease versus the first quarter of last year. Original equipment sales decreased 43 percent and service sales increased 5 percent compared to the prior year. Current quarter net sales included a $3 million favorable impact from foreign currency exchange movements versus the year ago period for service sales. When adjusting for foreign currency exchange, sales were down 6 percent compared to the first quarter of last year with original equipment sales down 43 percent and service sales up 4 percent.

Net sales for underground mining machinery decreased 8 percent in comparison to the first quarter of last year. Original equipment sales decreased 40 percent compared to the prior year, with decreases in all regions except Africa. Service sales increased 2 percent compared to the prior year, with increases in Africa, Eurasia and China partially offset by declines in North America and Australia. Compared to the prior year first quarter, the impact of foreign currency exchange on underground mining machinery net sales was not meaningful.

Net sales for surface mining equipment decreased 4 percent in comparison to the first quarter of last year. Original equipment sales decreased 30 percent compared to the prior year, with decreases in all regions except China. Service sales increased 3 percent compared to the prior year, with increases in all regions except Africa and Australia. Net sales for surface mining equipment increased by $3 million from the impact of foreign currency exchange compared to the first quarter of last year, primarily due to the strengthening of the Australian dollar and Chilean peso relative to the U.S. dollar.

Operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 totaled $2 million, compared to $45 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The $43 million year-over-year decrease in operating loss in the quarter was due to lower restructuring and related charges, lower manufacturing spending costs net of absorption, increased service volumes, favorable product mix and savings from the company's cost reduction programs. These items were partially offset by lower original equipment volumes, merger costs, and reduced other income. The first quarter of fiscal 2017 included an aggregate negative impact of $7 million from restructuring and related charges and merger costs compared to a net $27 million negative impact in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 for restructuring and related charges.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we continued restructuring activities to align the company's workforce and overall cost structure with current and anticipated levels of demand. The restructuring activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $4 million, inclusive of $3 million of non-cash inventory charges directly related to facility closures, primarily in China. Additional restructuring and related charges of approximately $10 million, with estimated cash costs of $6 million, are expected in the remainder of fiscal 2017 as the company continues to optimize its global manufacturing footprint.

Fully diluted loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 totaled $0.00, compared to fully diluted loss per share of $0.41 in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The first quarter of fiscal 2017 included a net positive impact of $0.06 per share for restructuring and related charges, merger costs and a net discrete tax benefit, compared to a net negative impact of $0.18 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 from restructuring and related charges and a net discrete tax benefit.

The effective income tax rate was 98 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to 30 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding restructuring charges, merger costs and a net discrete tax benefit in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the effective income tax rate was 3 percent. In the first quarter of 2017 we recognized net discrete tax benefits of $12 million, which were primarily attributable to tax benefits resulting from the company's footprint rationalization activities. The adjusted effective income tax rate for the quarter was attributable to a less beneficial geographical mix of earnings.

Liquidity

Cash provided by continuing operations was $41 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $109 million provided by continuing operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The decrease in cash provided by continuing operations during the first quarter versus the year ago period was primarily due to reduced cash from trade working capital.

Capital expenditures were $7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to $8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Non-core asset sales in the current quarter of $5 million included the sale of certain assets associated with one of our electrical facilities. This compared to non-core asset sales of $9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily related to the sale of certain assets within the underground segment.

As of the end of the fiscal first quarter 2017, we had $725 million available for borrowings under our credit agreement. In December 2015, the credit agreement was amended to increase the maximum consolidated leverage ratio starting in the second quarter of 2016 and continuing through to the first quarter of 2018, with a maximum ratio of 4.5x for the fourth quarter of 2016 through the second quarter of 2017. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreement as of the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Market Outlook

The global economy has maintained the momentum that started during the calendar fourth quarter of 2016, as January macroeconomic indicators suggested growth nearing a two-year high. Improved economic sentiment, along with continued evidence of commodity markets rebalancing, have led to most commodity prices improving since early November. Across the markets served by the company, commodity prices have increased on average 7 percent since November, although seaborne coal markets have contracted from their November highs.

After seeing U.S. coal production decline 27 percent since 2014, production was up nearly 16 percent through the first six weeks of 2017 with total production for the year expected to reach 750 million tons, an increase of 3 percent from 2016. The primary drivers behind this production improvement were elevated natural gas prices, which are expected to average over $3.30/mmBtu this year, along with a U.S. coal industry that is leaner and more efficient.

In a similar manner, copper prices have increased nearly 22 percent since November as expectations of stronger global demand have driven prices higher. Recently, copper markets have also seen a number of supply disruptions that have contributed to the rise in copper prices. The combination of an increasingly optimistic demand outlook, along with potentially higher than normal supply disruptions are expected to result in copper prices averaging approximately $2.50 per pound over the course of 2017.

Seaborne metallurgical coal and thermal coal markets remain largely tied to Chinese domestic production policy. After peaking in November at over $300 per tonne, met coal prices have fallen towards $160 per tonne as the 276-day Chinese production policy, aimed at cutting domestic production by nearly 20 percent, was lifted over the last several months. At the same time, weaker seasonal demand contributed to falling prices. However, the beginning of construction season, various global infrastructure programs, and the potential for the reinstatement of the 276-day production limit in China is expected to stabilize the met coal market over the near term.

Although iron ore prices have averaged nearly $80 per tonne since November, they are expected to pull back over the course of 2017 averaging $58 per tonne for the year. While the demand profile looks stable given the global steel production outlook, new low-cost supply coming online over the course of the year will likely put downward pressure on prices. Given the concentration of global suppliers, the ability to manage new supply will be the key determinant of iron ore prices going forward.

Company Outlook

"As global economic activity continues to improve, there is increasing sentiment that the mining industry is nearing a bottom. While there is evidence the deferred maintenance cycle on installed equipment is coming to an end, investment in new capacity remains slow. Only projects that deliver a step change in productivity are proceeding," continued Doheny. "Despite this hurdle, our teams remain focused on advancing our strategic growth and operational excellence initiatives to position the company for success as the mining industry recovers.

"The Company currently expects the Komatsu transaction to close by mid-2017, or earlier, depending on the progress of the remaining regulatory clearances. We are confident that through this transaction our customers and other business partners will benefit from a broader offering of products, systems and solutions across a wider scope of mining and construction applications."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We include non-GAAP financial measures in this press release, including adjusted net sales, adjusted operating loss from continuing operations, adjusted net loss from continuing operations and adjusted diluted loss per share from continuing operations, adjusted loss from continuing operations before income taxes and adjusted effective income tax rate. These measures remove the effect of certain items and are provided to present consistency to aid investors in comparing our operating results across periods. These measures are not purported to be alternatives to net sales, operating income (loss) from continuing operations, net income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations or effective income tax rate as presented in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the Company's comparable GAAP financial measures for the periods presented are set forth in this press release.

Pending Merger with Komatsu America Corp.

On July 21, 2016, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Komatsu America, Pine Solutions Inc. (“Merger Sub”) and (solely for the purposes specified in the merger agreement) Komatsu Ltd., providing for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Joy Global, with Joy Global surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Komatsu America (the "Merger"). At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding share of our common stock (other than dissenting shares and shares owned by certain Merger parties) will be canceled and converted into the right to receive $28.30 per share in cash, without interest.

The consummation of the Merger is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including among other things, the receipt of stockholder approval and the expiration or termination of any waiting period applicable to the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Acts of 1976 (the "HSR Act") and similar regulatory clearances in certain other jurisdictions. On October 12, 2016, the transaction received early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act and on October 19, 2016, the company's stockholders approved the Merger.

The Company currently expects the transaction to close by mid-2017, or earlier, depending on the progress of the remaining regulatory clearances.

In light of the pending merger, the company will not hold a conference call following issuance of its fiscal 2017 first quarter earnings release. For more information related to the merger, please refer to the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Joy Global

Joy Global Inc. is a worldwide leader in mining equipment and services for surface and underground mining.

Additional Information and Where to Find it

Joy Global previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a definitive proxy statement relating to the stockholders’ meeting at which the Komatsu transaction was approved by the company’s stockholders. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as "anticipate," "around," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "indicate," "intend," "may be," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will be," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information. We cannot assure you the projected events will be achieved. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, they are subject to change at any time. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties associated with the satisfaction of the remaining conditions to closing with respect to our pending merger with Komatsu America as well as other uncertainties and cautionary statements set forth in our public filings with the SEC.

JOY-F

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC

Note - For complete information, including footnote disclosures, please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q filing with the SEC.

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