Tempur-Pedic International Inc announced earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007. In addition, the Company increased full year 2007 earnings per share guidance.
First Quarter 2007 Financial Summary: Earnings per share (EPS) increased 21% to $0.35 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to $0.29 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2006.
Net sales rose 16% to $266.0 million in the first quarter of 2007 from $228.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. Retail sales increased 19% worldwide. Domestic retail sales increased 20% and international retail sales increased 19%. Sales in the U.S. furniture and bedding retail channel, a component of Domestic retail, were especially strong, up 25%.
The Company achieved growth across all products and geographic segments. Worldwide mattress revenue increased 16%. Domestic mattress revenue increased 16% driven by 13% unit volume growth. Pillow sales rose 23% worldwide driven by unit volume growth of 20%.
For the first quarter of 2007, the Company reported net income of $29.8 million as compared to $26.9 million in the first quarter of 2006. Net income results include stock-based compensation expense, which increased 127% to $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2007. First quarter results also include non- recurring charges of $1.8 million for payroll taxes associated with the exercise of certain executive stock options.
In addition, subsequent to quarter end, the Company was notified of a bankruptcy filing by a U.S. customer and has recorded bad debt expense of $1.3 million in the first quarter related to this matter.