Precision Castparts Corp. Sales and Earnings Show Continued Strength in the First...

Precision Castparts Corp. Sales and Earnings Show Continued Strength in the
First Quarter of FY2009

First Quarter Highlights (from Continuing Operations)

* EPS of $1.95, an increase of 21% versus Q1 of FY2008

* Sales of $1.83 billion, up 11% over Q1 of FY2008

* Consolidated segment operating income margin of 23.1%

* Total debt of $325 million and cash of $414 million
PORTLAND, Ore., July 22, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Driven by strong demand in
each of its primary end markets and continued operational improvements,
Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE:PCP) achieved record sales and earnings in the
first quarter of fiscal 2009.

First Quarter FY2009 Financial Highlights

In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, sales totaled $1.83 billion, an 11.2
percent increase over first quarter sales of $1.65 billion last year. Net income
from continuing operations also improved significantly year over year, jumping
to $274.9 million this year, compared to $224.1 million a year ago, and
generating earnings per share of $1.95 (diluted, based on 140.8 million shares
outstanding), an increase of 21.1 percent over earnings per share of $1.61
(diluted, based on 139.6 million shares outstanding) in the first quarter of
fiscal 2008.

Including discontinued operations, Precision Castparts' net income for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009 was $275.8 million, or $1.96 per share (diluted).

Business Highlights

Investment Cast Products: The segment posted record sales in the first quarter
of fiscal 2009 and achieved unprecedented operating margins through cost
reductions, improved productivity, and effective leverage. Total sales for
Investment Cast Products, propelled by solid aerospace OEM and aftermarket
shipments and significant industrial gas turbine (IGT) sales growth, were $597.7
million, a 17.3 percent improvement over last year's first quarter sales of
$509.4 million. Contractual material pass-through pricing during the quarter
accounted for approximately $27.5 million of sales, $1.3 million higher than
last year. Year over year, operating income increased by 26.3 percent, hitting a
record $151.0 million this year, or 25.3 percent of sales, compared to $119.6
million, or 23.5 percent of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The
segment's product lines are well-positioned on all aerospace production programs
going forward, and IGT volume is at an all-time high, with first quarter 2009
sales in the Company's two major IGT plants increasing 20.4 percent over last
year.

Forged Products: Forged Products' sales improved 5.6 percent year over year,
setting a record of $816.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, versus
sales of $773.5 million a year ago. Contractual material pass-through pricing
added approximately $84.1 million to first quarter fiscal 2009 sales, compared
to $77.5 million last year. Lower selling prices of external alloy sales from
the segment's three primary mills, combined with increased intercompany sales,
negatively impacted sales in the quarter by approximately $50 million versus a
year ago. Operating income for the segment increased 7.8 percent to $182.8
million, or 22.4 percent of sales, in this fiscal year's first quarter, compared
to $169.5 million, or 21.9 percent of sales last year. Steady demand for OEM and
aftermarket components on all major aerospace platforms, along with a greater
than 50 percent growth in seamless pipe sales year over year, drove Forged
Products sales. The backlog for extruded pipe now stands at more than $900
million. Sales opportunities for nickel alloy mill forms to non-aerospace
markets continue to increase as well. The results for the first quarter of
fiscal 2009 include Caledonian Alloys Group, which was acquired in July 2007.

Fastener Products: Continued strong growth of its commercial aerospace critical
fastener business fueled Fastener Products sales in the first quarter, with an
intense focus on production efficiencies and solid leverage driving the segment
to new highs in operating margins. Total segment sales in the first quarter of
fiscal 2009 were $420.7 million, a 14.5 percent improvement over sales of $367.4
million a year ago. Operating income increased 32.7 percent year over year,
achieving a record $114.9 million, or 27.3 percent of sales, this year, versus
$86.6 million, or 23.6 percent of sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Aerospace sales increased 18.5 percent year-over-year, and the demand for
critical aerospace fasteners from OEM and aftermarket customers continues to be
strong, with further market share opportunities available.

"Our aerospace business continues to see strong and steady demand across the
base OEM and aftermarket programs," said Mark Donegan, chairman and chief
executive officer of Precision Castparts Corp. "With our significant content on
the 787 and A380 platforms, we would also expect growth to accelerate as these
schedules ramp up to full production. In addition, we have further opportunities
to grow our market position, especially in our fastener business. And, as we
grow, we will continue to leverage sales through greater efficiencies and
improved performance across our operations.

"On the power front, IGT demand is putting significant pressure on our
manufacturing facilities, and that will continue for the next several quarters
until our new facilities come on line," Donegan said. "International markets are
currently driving this heightened level of activity, but North America is
expected to need additional capacity in the future. Our extruded pipe business,
which supports both coal and natural gas installations, is also operating at
historically high levels. Sales in the first quarter increased more than 50
percent over last year, while the backlog now exceeds $900 million.

"Overall, we see solid demand from our core customers for the rest of the year,"
Donegan said. "Our relentless focus on operational efficiencies will continue.
However, it is worth noting once again that our Forged Products operation will
be affected by scheduled downtime of its major forging equipment in the second
quarter, reducing sales and impacting earnings due to lost leverage.

"Our balance sheet will enable us to capture the right opportunities for
continued profitable growth as they arrive," Donegan said. "Timing and
valuation, tempered with patience and discipline, will, in the end, produce the
best long-term value for our shareholders."

Precision Castparts Corp. is hosting a conference call to discuss the financial
results above today at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The dial-in information
for audio access to (888) 601.3884 or (913)-312.0967, Access Code: 9475224. Dial
*0 for technical assistance. In order to assure the conference begins in a
timely manner, please dial in five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start
time.

Individuals interested in monitoring the webcast should paste the following
address into their browser for access to the live conference link:
http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=128406. Access can also be
gained through Precision Castparts Corp.'s corporate website:
http://www.precast.com/PCC/CorpPres.html.

Precision Castparts Corp. is a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex
metal components and products. It serves the aerospace, power generation,
automotive, and general industrial and other markets. PCC is the market leader
in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil
castings, and forged components used in jet aircraft engines and industrial gas
turbines. The Company is also a leading producer of highly engineered, critical
fasteners for aerospace, automotive, and other markets and supplies metal alloys
and other materials to the casting and forging industry.

Information included within this press release describing projected growth and
future results and events constitutes forward-looking statements, within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results
in future periods may differ materially from the forward-looking statements
because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
fluctuations in the aerospace, power generation, automotive, and other general
industrial cycles; the relative success of the Company's entry into new markets;
competitive pricing; the financial viability of the Company's significant
customers; the availability and cost of materials, energy, supplies, insurance,
and pension benefits; equipment failures; relations with the Company's
employees; the Company's ability to manage its operating costs and to integrate
acquired businesses in an effective manner; governmental regulations and
environmental matters; risks associated with international operations and world
economies; the relative stability of certain foreign currencies; and
implementation of new technologies and process improvement. Any forward-looking
statements should be considered in light of these factors. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly release any forward-looking information to
reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of
this document.

Precision Castparts Corp.'s press releases are available on the Internet at
Prime Newswire's website -- http://www.PrimeNewswire.com or PCC's home page at
http://www.precast.com.

PRECISION CASTPARTS CORP.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS(1)
(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended
-------------------
June 29, July 1,
2008 2007
-------- --------
Net sales $1,834.9 $1,650.3

Cost of goods sold 1,307.4 1,207.6

Selling and administrative expenses 103.4 90.8

Interest expense 4.9 14.4

Interest income (1.7) (1.8)
-------- --------
Income before income taxes and minority interest 420.9 339.3

Provision for income taxes 145.9 114.9

Minority interest in net earnings of consolidated
entities (0.1) (0.3)
-------- --------
Net income from continuing operations 274.9 224.1

Net income from discontinued operations 0.9 2.3
-------- --------
Net income $ 275.8 $ 226.4
======== ========

Net income per share from continuing operations
- basic $ 1.97 $ 1.63
Net income per share from discontinued operations
- basic 0.01 0.02
-------- --------
$ 1.98 $ 1.65
======== ========

Net income per share from continuing operations
- diluted $ 1.95 $ 1.61
Net income per share from discontinued operations
- diluted 0.01 0.01
-------- --------
$ 1.96 $ 1.62
======== ========
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic 139.2 137.5
Diluted 140.8 139.6

Three Months Ended
-------------------
June 29, July 1,
2008 2007
-------- --------
Sales by Segment
Investment Cast Products $ 597.7 $ 509.4

Forged Products 816.5 773.5

Fastener Products 420.7 367.4
-------- --------
Total $1,834.9 $1,650.3
======== ========

Segment Operating Income (Loss)(2)
Investment Cast Products $ 151.0 $ 119.6

Forged Products 182.8 169.5

Fastener Products 114.9 86.6

Corporate expense (24.6) (23.8)
-------- --------
Consolidated segment operating income 424.1 351.9

Interest expense 4.9 14.4

Interest income (1.7) (1.8)
-------- --------
Income before income taxes and minority interest $ 420.9 $ 339.3
======== ========

(1) Reported results for the three months ended July 1, 2007 have been
restated for discontinued operations.
(2) Operating income represents earnings before interest and income
taxes.

PRECISION CASTPARTS CORP.
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW STATISTICS
(Unaudited; in millions)

June 29, March 30,
2008 2008
---------- ----------
Cash and Debt Balances

Cash $ 413.8 $ 221.3

Total Debt $ 324.7 $ 355.0

Shareholders' Equity $ 4,351.3 $ 4,045.0

Total Debt, as % of Total Capitalization 6.9% 8.1%

Working Capital Items(1)

Receivables, Net $ 1,058.0 $ 1,027.9
Inventories 1,128.1 992.9
Accounts Payable 705.3 689.4
---------- ----------
Total $ 1,480.8 $ 1,331.4
========== ==========

Three Months Ended
-----------------------
June 29, July 1,
2008 2007
---------- ----------
Selected Cash Flow Items(1)

Depreciation and Amortization $ 35.6 $ 31.8

Capital Expenditures $ 48.1 $ 54.6

Acquisitions of Businesses $ -- $ 89.4

(1) Reported results exclude discontinued operations; prior periods
have been restated for discontinued operations.
-0-
CONTACT: Precision Castparts Corp.
Dwight Weber
(503) 417-4855