WINCHESTER, VA -- American Woodmark Corp. today announced results for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2012, that ended on Oct. 31, 2011.

Net sales rose by 19% to $128,418,000 compared with the second quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Net sales rose by 20% during the six-month period ended October 31, 2011 compared with the comparable period of the prior fiscal year to $259,617,000.  The Company experienced double digit sales gains in each of its sales channels during the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.

The Company generated a net loss of ($2,976,000) or ($0.21) per diluted share during the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, compared with a net loss of ($7,384,000) or ($0.52) per diluted share in the second quarter of its prior fiscal year.  The Company generated a net loss of ($5,692,000) or ($0.40) per diluted share in the six-month period ended Oct. 31, 2011, compared with a net loss of ($10,802,000) or ($0.76) per diluted share in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 was 12.5% of net sales, compared with 9.1% in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Gross profit was 13.3% of net sales during the first six months of fiscal year 2012, compared with 11.2% of net sales during the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.  The improvement in gross profit margin during the three and six month periods primarily reflected the beneficial impact of increased sales volume on direct labor and manufacturing overhead costs.  These beneficial factors were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of higher material and fuel costs during both periods and by the impact of higher sales promotional costs during the six month period.

Selling, general and administrative costs improved to 16.1% of netsales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, down from 20.3% of net sales in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Selling, general and administrative costs improved to 16.6% of net sales in the first six months of fiscal year 2012, down from 19.3% in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.  The Company's operating expense ratio was favorably impacted by cost containment efforts and a reduction in display and product launch costs compared with prior year levels.

The Company generated positive free cash flow (defined as cash provided by operating activities net of cash used for investing activities) of $1.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, compared with positive free cash flow generated in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year of $5.5 million.  The Company's free cash flow in the prior fiscal year was aided by proceeds from the sale of a closed plant and by a larger federal income tax refund than was received in the current fiscal year.

American Woodmark Corp. manufactures and distributes kitchen cabinets and vanities for the remodeling and new home construction markets.  Its products are sold on a national basis directly to home centers, major builders and through a network of independent distributors.  The Company presently operates eleven manufacturing facilities and nine service centers across the country.

Source: American Woodmark Corp.