Watsco Reports Record 2006 Results

February 13, 2007 at 7:31 AM EST

Annual EPS Increases 17% to a Record $2.96; Operating Cash Flow a

Record $69 Million; Fourth Quarter EPS of 42 Cents

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2007--Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO), the largest distributor of air conditioning and heating products, announced operating results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2006.

Earnings per share for the year increased 17% to a record $2.96 per diluted share on record net income of $82.4 million. Revenues increased 7% to a record $1.8 billion (6% on a same-store basis). Gross profit margin expanded 60 basis-points to a record 25.7%. Operating income increased 16% to $136 million, with operating margins expanding 60 basis-points to 7.5%.

Fourth quarter earnings per share was 42 cents per diluted share on net income of $11.5 million. Revenues were $388 million and operating income $19.2 million during the quarter. The 2006 fourth quarter follows a blockbuster 2005 comparison of 50 cents per share, which included unusually strong sales volume of products in advance of the 13 SEER transition and stronger market conditions for the sale of seasonal heating products as well as products related to residential new construction.

Operating cash flow during the year was a record $69 million compared to $36 million last year. The Company's debt-to-total capitalization ratio improved to 7% from 10% a year ago. During 2006, dividends paid per share increased 53% to 95 cents per share. Additionally, the Company repurchased $15.3 million of its common stock during the year.

Mr. Albert H. Nahmad, Watsco's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "2006 was another record year of performance and one of enormous change as virtually half the products we sell were transitioned to new families of higher-efficiency products. We expect these new products to provide a unique and sustainable sales opportunity for us given consumers' high degree of sensitivity and focus on energy costs."

The Watsco network expanded by 28 locations during 2006, including locations opened to enhance local service and locations acquired adding new customers, products and market share. The investment from network expansion activities totaled $14 million at December 31, 2006. Revenues contributed by new locations were approximately $30 million for the year and results were slightly dilutive to earnings. Additional revenue and earnings contributions are expected from these locations during 2007.

Mr. Nahmad added, "We are also pleased with the strength of our financial position. We have significant capacity to invest further in our network, and plan to actively seek acquisitions, open new locations and develop additional product opportunities with our OEM partners. We remain a work in process as our approximate 7.4% share of the $26 billion U.S. HVAC market remains relatively small."

Watsco will be holding its investor conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Shareholders interested in participating may call 877-391-0532. Internet users can listen to a live webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of Watsco's website at http://www.watsco.com.

Watsco is the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts and supplies in the HVAC industry, currently operating 380 locations serving over 40,000 customers in 32 states. The Company's goal is to build a national network of locations that provide the finest service and product availability for HVAC contractors, assisting and supporting them as they serve the country's homeowners and businesses. Additional information about Watsco may be found on the Internet at http://www.watsco.com.

This document includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in economic, business, competitive market, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco's industry, seasonal nature of sales of Watsco's products, insurance coverage risks and final GAAP adjustments. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. Watsco assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that Watsco files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

                             WATSCO, INC.
                  Consolidated Results of Operations
                (In thousands, except per share data)


                            Quarter Ended            Year Ended
                            December 31,            December 31,
                       ----------------------- -----------------------
                          2006        2005        2006        2005
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Revenues               $  387,565  $  416,189  $1,800,759  $1,682,724
Cost of sales             290,446     312,227   1,337,859   1,259,694
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Gross profit               97,119     103,962     462,900     423,030
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Gross profit margin       25.1%       25.0%       25.7%       25.1%
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
SG&A expenses              77,889      80,583     327,297     306,572
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Operating income           19,230      23,379     135,603     116,458
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Operating margin           5.0%        5.6%        7.5%        6.9%
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Interest expense, net         800         571       3,820       3,342
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income before income
 taxes                     18,430      22,808     131,783     113,116
Income tax expense          6,911       8,690      49,419      43,097
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net income          $   11,519  $   14,118  $   82,364  $   70,019
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

Basic earnings per
 share                 $     0.44  $     0.54  $     3.15  $     2.69
Diluted earnings per
 share                 $     0.42  $     0.50  $     2.96  $     2.52

Weighted average shares
 and equivalent shares
 used to calculate:
Basic earnings per
 share                     26,156      26,187      26,150      26,049
Diluted earnings per
 share                     27,756      27,969      27,829      27,769


(Note: Information in the attached press release referring to "same-
 store basis" excludes the effects of locations acquired or locations
 opened or closed during the prior twelve months.)




         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands)



                                 December 31,     December 31,
                                     2006             2005
                                ---------------  ---------------

Cash and cash equivalents       $       34,340   $       27,650
Accounts receivable, net               180,968          191,747
Inventories                            291,024          266,543
Other                                   11,476            8,051
                                 --------------   --------------
  Total current assets                 517,808          493,991
Property and equipment, net             21,476           17,244
Other                                  172,087          167,496
                                 --------------   --------------
  Total assets                  $      711,371   $      678,731
                                 ==============   ==============

Accounts payable and accrued
 liabilities                    $      146,107   $      169,219
Current portion of long-term
 obligations                            10,084           10,079
                                 --------------   --------------
  Total current liabilities            156,191          179,298

Borrowings under revolving
 credit agreement                       30,000           30,000
Long-term notes, net of current
 portion                                     -           10,000
Other long-term obligations              8,794            8,783
                                 --------------   --------------
  Total liabilities                    194,985          228,081
Shareholders' equity                   516,386          450,650
                                 --------------   --------------
Total liabilities and
 shareholders' equity           $      711,371   $      678,731
                                 ==============   ==============

CONTACT: Watsco, Inc., Coconut Grove
Barry S. Logan, Senior Vice President, 305-714-4102
blogan@watsco.com

SOURCE: Watsco, Inc.