BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Feb 22, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today reported net earnings of $11.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, on net sales of $346.9 million for its fiscal 2005 first quarter ended January 28, 2005. In its fiscal 2004 first quarter, the company reported net earnings of $9.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, on net sales of $313.6 million.

"Our strong momentum continued into the new fiscal year as our ongoing efforts to increase sales and improve profitability benefited overall performance," said Kendrick B. Melrose, The Toro Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Melrose said results for Toro's first quarter, typically the seasonally smallest sales period, were fueled by double-digit sales growth in its Professional segment as well as in international sales of both Professional and Residential products. "International net sales, commensurate with our growth strategy, increased nearly 19.0% compared with last year."

First quarter net income increased on strong revenue growth coupled with a decline in sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of sales resulting primarily from lower warranty costs and the effects of the company-wide 'No Waste' initiatives.

SEGMENT RESULTS

Segment data is provided in the table following the "Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings."

The Distribution segment results have been consolidated into the Other segment as the financial results for this reporting segment no longer meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting. Other segment results are detailed in the attached table.

Professional

Compared with the prior year, fiscal 2005 first quarter professional segment sales increased 18.1% to $245.2 million. Volume increased in nearly all product categories, reflecting Toro's leadership position in professional segment products, positive market conditions and strong retail demand. "At the recent Golf Industry Show our customers expressed increasing optimism about the golf business and many are forecasting a successful year," said Melrose. "While new course construction remains slow, investments in course renovations and improvements continue to drive demand for our equipment, services and systems. This same optimism was prevalent at other industry tradeshows during the quarter, where landscape contractors and sports turf professionals were very bullish about their business and the outlook for this season."

Earnings for the first quarter totaled $38.9 million, up 36.6% compared with $28.4 million in the prior year first quarter resulting from higher sales volume and improved leveraging of expenses.

Residential

Residential segment sales for the first quarter totaled $95.9 million, down 2.1% from last year's first quarter. A late-arriving snow season in many parts of the country helped boost retail sales for snow throwers, but not early enough to keep the expected shipments for mowers and riding products moving into the channels.

Earnings for the first quarter totaled $4.4 million, down 46.8% compared with the same period last year. The decline resulted primarily from lower than expected sales as well as steel and other commodity price increases not present in the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Gross margin for the first quarter was 35.1% compared with 35.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The decline results primarily from the impact of higher costs for steel and other commodities, which the company began to incur late in the first half of fiscal 2004. The impact on profitability of the higher materials costs has been partially offset by price increases as well as cost reductions as a result of the company's '6+8' profit improvement and growth initiatives.

SG&A expenses for the first quarter declined to 29.5% of net sales, compared with 30.6% in the same period last year. The improvement resulted from lower warranty costs reflecting improvements in product quality, as well as 'No Waste' efforts in the office environments.

Interest expense for the first quarter totaled $3.8 million compared with $3.9 million in the same period last year.

Toro also continues to benefit from improved asset utilization. Despite a 10.6% increase in consolidated net sales in the first quarter, net inventories grew only 2.0% compared with the end of fiscal 2004 first quarter and accounts receivable increased only 2.1%.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

"Thanks to our strong performance in a seasonally slow period with particularly acute weather-related volatility, we are reaffirming our earnings outlook for fiscal 2005," said Melrose. "To date, we have contained much of the impact of higher commodity costs on our profits by continuing to work at reducing costs and leveraging expenses. We are in the early stage of year two of our '6+8' profitability improvement and sales growth initiative, and we expect further benefits from our efforts in the balance of the year. We are comfortable with our field inventory levels and expect top-line growth to continue to benefit from strong new product acceptance as customers anticipate a favorable spring selling season."

After the close of the fiscal 2005 first quarter, the company completed the acquisition of Hayter Ltd., a manufacturer of high-quality consumer and commercial mowing products with strong market positions throughout the United Kingdom. "With this acquisition, we have gained a significant foothold in the municipal and high-end residential turf markets, consistent with our long-term strategy to expand our international business," said Melrose.

For fiscal 2005, the company continues to expect net earnings per diluted share to grow 12% to 15% compared with 2004. The company does not expect the Hayter acquisition to have a material effect on fiscal 2005 earnings, however the acquisition should contribute to fiscal 2005 sales, and the company is now projecting sales growth of 9% to 11% for the year.

For its fiscal 2005 second quarter, Toro expects to report net earnings per diluted share of $2.30 to $2.40.

The Toro Company is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor maintenance and beautification products for home, recreation and commercial landscapes.

The Toro Company will conduct a conference call and webcast for investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (CST) on February 22, 2005. The webcast will be available at http://www.streetevents.com or at http://www.thetorocompany.com/invest . Webcast participants will need to complete a brief registration form and should allocate extra time before the webcast begins to register and, if necessary, download and install audio software.

Safe Harbor

Statements made in this news release, which are forward-looking, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market as well as matters specific to Toro. Particular risks and uncertainties facing the company's overall financial position at the present include the threat of further terrorist acts and war, which may result in contraction of the U.S. and worldwide economies; slow growth rate in global and domestic economies, resulting in rising unemployment and weakened consumer confidence; our ability to achieve the goals for the "6+8" growth and profit improvement initiative which is intended to improve our revenue growth and after-tax return on sales; the company's ability to achieve sales and earnings per share growth in fiscal 2005; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and manage alliances; ability of management to manage around unplanned events; unforeseen product quality problems in the development and production of new and existing products; potential issues with moving production between facilities; fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, including steel and other commodities; rising cost of transportation; level of growth in the golf market; increased dependence on The Home Depot as a customer for the residential segment; reduced government spending for grounds maintenance equipment due to reduced tax revenue and tighter government budgets; increased competition; elimination of shelf space for our products at retailers; financial viability of distributors and dealers; market acceptance of existing and new products; unforeseen inventory adjustments or changes in purchasing patterns by our customers; the impact of abnormal weather patterns; and the previously disclosed pending litigation against the company and other defendants that challenges the horsepower ratings of lawnmowers, of which the company is currently unable to assess whether the litigation would have a material adverse effect on the company's consolidated operating results or financial condition. In addition to the factors set forth in this paragraph, market, economic, financial, competitive, weather, production and other factors identified in Toro's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the forward-looking statements in this press release. Toro undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements made in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement.

(Financial tables follow)


                      THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
           (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share data)

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                   January 28,    January 30,
                                                     2005(1)         2004(2)
    Net sales                                       $346,913       $313,573
    Gross profit                                     121,663        112,610
      Gross profit percent                             35.1%          35.9%
    Selling, general, and administrative expense     102,239         96,015
      Earnings from operations                        19,424         16,595
    Interest expense                                 (3,760)        (3,882)
    Other income, net                                  1,141          1,309
      Earnings before income taxes                    16,805         14,022
    Provision for income taxes                         5,629          4,697
      Net earnings                                   $11,176         $9,325

    Basic net earnings per share                       $0.48          $0.37

    Diluted net earnings per share                     $0.47          $0.36

    Weighted average number of shares of common
     stock outstanding - Basic                        23,068         24,926

    Weighted average number of shares of common
     stock outstanding - Dilutive                     23,879         26,129

    (1) Prepared under the accounting provisions of Statement of Financial
        Accounting Standard No. 123 (Revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment."
    (2) Prepared under the accounting provisions of Accounting Principles
        Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued
        to Employees," (APB No. 25), and related Interpretations.



                           Segment Data (Unaudited)
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                                       Three Months Ended
    Segment Net Sales                             January 28,      January 30,
                                                      2005            2004
    Professional                                    $245,230       $207,678
    Residential                                       95,876         97,887
    Other                                              5,807          8,008
      Total*                                        $346,913       $313,573


    * Includes international sales of                $89,653        $75,378


                                                        Three Months Ended
    Segment Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes    January 28,     January 30,
                                                       2005           2004
    Professional                                     $38,865        $28,449
    Residential                                        4,434          8,337
    Other                                            (26,494)       (22,764)
      Total                                          $16,805        $14,022



                      THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                                   January 28,    January 30,
                                                       2005           2004
    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                         $7,467        $17,925
    Receivables, net                                 318,063        311,451
    Inventories, net                                 276,364        271,071
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets         14,756         13,710
    Deferred income taxes                             46,106         43,253
      Total current assets                           662,756        657,410

    Property, plant, and equipment, net              160,718        160,729
    Deferred income taxes                                 39          1,181
    Goodwill and other assets, net                   101,590        100,841
      Total assets                                  $925,103       $920,161

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current portion of long-term debt                    $45           $225
    Short-term debt                                   62,162          2,308
    Accounts payable                                  90,459         84,766
    Accrued liabilities                              227,127        202,332
      Total current liabilities                      379,793        289,631

    Long-term debt, less current portion             175,035        175,080
    Long-term deferred income taxes                    3,837              -
    Deferred revenue and other long-term
     liabilities                                      13,245         11,775
    Stockholders' equity                             353,193        443,675
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                       $925,103       $920,161



                      THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                  January 28,      January 30,
                                                       2005           2004

    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net earnings                                     $11,176         $9,325
      Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
       to net cash used in operating activities:
      Non-cash asset impairment recovery                   -            (52)
      Equity losses from an investment                   201              -
      Provision for depreciation and amortization      9,429          8,560
      Gain on disposal of property, plant,
       and equipment                                    (205)          (113)
      Stock-based compensation expense                 2,498          1,730
      Increase in deferred income taxes               (1,630)          (921)
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
        Receivables, net                             (28,291)       (40,286)
        Inventories, net                             (53,832)       (39,289)
        Prepaid expenses and other assets              2,877          3,173
        Accounts payable, accrued expenses,
         and deferred revenue                          2,999         (2,127)
         Net cash used in operating activities       (54,778)       (60,000)

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Purchases of property, plant, and equipment     (7,319)       (10,015)
      Proceeds from disposal of property, plant,
       and equipment                                   2,191          1,285
      Increase in investment in affiliates                 -         (1,065)
      (Increase) decrease in other assets             (3,224)            78
      Proceeds from sale of business                     765              -
         Net cash used in investing activities        (7,587)        (9,717)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Increase in short-term debt                     61,023            104
      Repayments of long-term debt                       (11)        (3,616)
      Excess tax benefits from share-based
       arrangements                                    1,709            522
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options          2,950          1,565
      Purchases of Toro common stock                 (83,763)       (19,786)
      Dividends paid on Toro common stock             (2,793)        (1,501)
         Net cash used in financing activities       (20,885)       (22,712)

    Effect of exchange rates on cash                     (39)            67

    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents        (83,289)       (92,362)
    Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning
     of the period                                    90,756        110,287

    Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of
     the period                                       $7,467        $17,925

SOURCE The Toro Company

Investors, Stephen P. Wolfe, Vice President, CFO, +1-952-887-8076, or John Wright,
Director, Investor Relations, +1-952-887-8865, or Media, Connie Kotke, Toro Media
Relations, +1-952-887-8984, pr@toro.com , all of The Toro Company

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