Mueller Industries, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2009 Results

By Mueller Industries Inc., PRNE
Monday, February 1, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, February 2 - Harvey L. Karp, Chairman of Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MLI),
announced today that Mueller recognized non-cash impairment charges that, in
aggregate, decreased pre-tax income by US$29.8 million, and net income by 74
cents
per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009. Primarily, the
impairment charges reduce the carrying value of goodwill. The impairment
charges resulted in a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 of US$17.5
million
, or 47 cents per diluted share. Without the impairment charges, the
Company's net earnings for the fourth quarter would have been US$10.4
million
, or 28 cents per diluted share.

For the fiscal year ended December 26, 2009, Mueller earned US$4.7
million
, or 12 cents per diluted share. For fiscal 2008, the Company earned
US$80.8 million, or US$2.17 per diluted share. Net sales for 2009 were
US$1.55 billion compared with US$2.56 billion in 2008.

Financial and Operating Highlights

Mr. Karp said:

    - "The decrease in net sales in 2009 was primarily due to lower unit
      shipments as well as the lower average cost of copper, the Company's
      principal raw material, which is generally passed through to customers
      by changes in selling prices.

    - "For the full year, our Plumbing & Refrigeration segment posted
      operating earnings of US$27.0 million on net sales of US$892.1 million,
      which compares with operating earnings of US$106.8 million on net sales
      of US$1.40 billion in 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2009, non-cash
      impairment charges totaling US$19.5 million reduced operating earnings.

    - "Our OEM segment posted operating earnings of US$28.7 million during
      2009 on net sales of US$664.1 million, which compares with operating
      earnings of US$45.3 million on net sales of US$1.18 billion for 2008.
      During the fourth quarter of 2009, non-cash impairment charges
      totalling US$10.3 million reduced operating earnings.

    - "Cash provided by operating activities was US$77.4 million in 2009
      compared with US$180.9 million during 2008. Our focus on cash flow
      continues to be a bedrock characteristic of our management.

    - "Our current ratio was 4.4 to 1 and our working capital was US$625.5
      million, of which US$346.0 million was cash on hand, equal to US$9.19
      per share.

    - "As of year end, our financial leverage was modest with a debt to total
      capitalization ratio of less than 20 percent. Our financial position is
      strong. If we repaid all outstanding indebtedness, we would still have
      in excess of US$150 million in cash.

    - "Stockholders' equity was US$713.2 million which equates to a book
      value per share of US$18.94.

    - "Capital expenditures during 2009 totaled US$13.9 million. Capital
      expenditures will likely rise in 2010."

Business Outlook for 2010

Regarding the outlook for 2010, Mr. Karp said, "The recovery of the U.S.
economy appears to be well underway. We believe the residential construction
sector has hit bottom and is moving up, after almost four years of deep
declines. We expect the recovery in residential construction to be modest due
to the continuing high rates of unemployment, the impact of mounting
foreclosures, the tightening of lending terms and the phase out of
governmental stimulus spending. Even so, housing starts are likely to rise
more than 20 percent in 2010 to 700,000 units, up from the extraordinarily
low 550,000 units started in 2009.

"The private non-residential construction sector, which includes offices,
industrial and retail projects, declined by over 20 percent in 2009, and the
outlook is for a further decline in 2010, with recovery commencing in 2011.
Most of the other markets Mueller sells to will likely improve in 2010, in
pace with the overall economy. We expect business conditions will strengthen
and improve as the year 2010 progresses.

"Our strategy for 2010 is to maintain and enhance our operational
excellence. We will continue to promptly adjust our operations to the
on-going flow of business. We are committed to making the capital investments
that advance our strong competitive position in our marketplace. Acquisitions
have helped our Company grow over the past 20 years. We are keenly interested
in acquisitions that would expand our product lines and make us a more
valuable resource for our customers."

Mueller Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of copper tube and
fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar and shapes; aluminum and brass
forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic fittings and valves;
refrigeration valves and fittings; and fabricated tubular products. Mueller's
operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico,
Great Britain, and China. Mueller's business is importantly linked to: (1)
the construction of new homes; (2) the improvement and reconditioning of
existing homes and structures; and (3) the commercial construction market
which includes office buildings, factories, hotels, hospitals, etc.

                            * * * * * * * * * *

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be
"forward-looking" statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These
include economic and currency conditions, continued availability of raw
materials and energy, market demand, pricing, competitive and technological
factors, and the availability of financing, among others, as set forth in the
Company's SEC filings. The words "outlook," "estimate," "project," "intend,"
"expect," "believe," "target," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of
this report. The Company has no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this report.

    (All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.)

                              MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                       (In thousands, except per share data)                  

                         For the Quarter Ended         For the Year Ended
                         ---------------------         ------------------
                       December 26,  December 27,  December 26,  December 27,
                           2009          2008          2009            2008
                           ----          ----          ----            ----
                              (Unaudited)                  (Unaudited)         

    Net sales            $432,977      $435,373    $1,547,225      $2,558,448 

    Cost of goods sold    372,247       371,648     1,327,022       2,233,123
    Depreciation and
     amortization          10,292        10,828        41,568          44,345
    Selling, general, and
     administrative
     expense               27,593        28,301       116,660         136,884
    Impairment charge      29,755        18,000        29,755          18,000
                           ------        ------        ------          ------ 

    Operating (loss)
     income                (6,910)        6,596        32,220         126,096 

    Interest expense       (2,410)       (3,295)       (9,963)       (19,050)
    Other income, net         184         4,793           872          13,896
                              ---         -----           ---          ------ 

    (Loss) income before
     income taxes          (9,136)        8,094        23,129         120,942
    Income tax expense     (7,996)         (340)      (17,792)       (38,332)
                           ------          ----       -------         ------- 

    Consolidated net
     (loss) income        (17,132)        7,754         5,337          82,610 

    Less: net (income)
     loss attributable to
     noncontrolling
     interest                (395)           20          (662)        (1,796)
                             ----            --          ----          ------ 

    Net (loss) income
     attributable to
     Mueller Industries,
     Inc.                $(17,527)       $7,774        $4,675         $80,814
                         ========        ======        ======         ======= 

    Weighted average shares
     for basic (loss)
     earnings per share    37,584        37,142        37,336          37,123
    Effect of dilutive
     stock options              -            28            88             186
                              ---           ---           ---             --- 

    Adjusted weighted
     average shares for
     diluted (loss)
     earnings per share    37,584        37,170        37,424          37,309
                           ------        ------        ------          ------ 

    Basic (loss) earnings
     per share             $(0.47)        $0.21         $0.13           $2.18
                           ======         =====         =====           ===== 

    Diluted (loss)
     earnings per share    $(0.47)        $0.21         $0.12           $2.17
                           ======         =====         =====           ===== 

    Dividends per share     $0.10         $0.10         $0.40           $0.40
                            =====         =====         =====           ===== 

    Summary Segment Data:
    ---------------------
    Net sales:
      Plumbing &
       Refrigeration
       segment           $231,036      $241,069      $892,071      $1,400,682
      OEM segment         204,190       197,227       664,088       1,176,892
      Elimination of
       intersegment sales  (2,249)       (2,923)       (8,934)       (19,126)
                           ------        ------        ------         ------- 

    Net sales            $432,977      $435,373    $1,547,225      $2,558,448
                         ========      ========    ==========      ========== 

    Operating (loss) income:
      Plumbing &
       Refrigeration
       segment           $(11,156)      $20,882       $27,043        $106,785
      OEM segment          10,410        (9,902)       28,725          45,278
      Unallocated
       expenses            (6,164)       (4,384)      (23,548)       (25,967)
                           ------        ------       -------         ------- 

    Operating
     (loss) income        $(6,910)       $6,596       $32,220        $126,096
                          =======        ======       =======        ========

                         MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (In thousands)                         

                                             December 26, December 27,
                                                 2009         2008
                                                 ----         ----
                                                    (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents                  $346,001     $278,860
    Accounts receivable, net                    228,739      219,035
    Inventories                                 191,262      210,609
    Other current assets                         42,841       46,322
                                                 ------       ------
        Total current assets                    808,843      754,826

    Property, plant, and equipment, net         250,395      276,927
    Other assets                                120,903      151,160
                                                -------      -------

                                             $1,180,141   $1,182,913
                                             ==========   ==========

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current portion of long-term debt           $24,325      $24,184
    Accounts payable                             73,837       63,732
    Other current liabilities                    85,208      113,668
                                                 ------      -------
        Total current liabilities               183,370      201,584

    Long-term debt                              158,226      158,726
    Pension and postretirement liabilities       44,320       38,452
    Environmental reserves                       23,268       23,248
    Deferred income taxes                        31,128       33,940
    Other noncurrent liabilities                    887        1,698
                                                    ---        -----

        Total liabilities                       441,199      457,648

    Total Mueller Industries, Inc.
     stockholders' equity                       713,167      700,683
    Noncontrolling interest                      25,775       24,582
                                                 ------       ------

        Total equity                            738,942      725,265
                                                -------      -------

                                             $1,180,141   $1,182,913
                                             ==========   ==========

                           MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In thousands)                            

                                                   For the Year Ended
                                                   ------------------
                                                  December 26,  December 27,
                                                      2009          2008
                                                      ----          ----
                                                         (Unaudited)
    Operating activities:
    Net income attributable to Mueller
     Industries, Inc.                                $4,675       $80,814
    Reconciliation of net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                41,758        44,884
        Gain on early retirement of debt               (128)      (21,575)
        Deferred income taxes                        (2,554)       (4,465)
        Stock-based compensation expense              2,633         2,915
        Loss on disposal of properties                  683           598
        Net income attributable to
         noncontrolling interest                        662         1,796
        Income tax benefit from exercise of
         stock options                                 (203)          (92)
        Impairment charge                            29,755        18,000
        Changes in assets and liabilities
          Receivables                                (6,482)       91,705
          Inventories                                22,699        44,591
          Other assets                                 (505)       (7,855)
          Current liabilities                       (13,823)      (84,584)
          Other liabilities                          (1,808)       12,741
          Other, net                                     26         1,459
                                                         --         ----- 

    Net cash provided by operating activities        77,388       180,932
                                                     ------       ------- 

    Investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                            (13,942)      (22,261)
    Proceeds from sales of properties                   611            81
    Net withdrawals from (deposits into)
     restricted cash balances                         7,013        (6,117)
                                                      -----        ------ 

    Net cash used in investing activities            (6,318)      (28,297)
                                                     ------       ------- 

    Financing activities:
    Repayments of long-term debt                       (370)     (126,877)
    Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller
     Industries, Inc.                               (14,944)      (14,847)
    Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest        (1,449)            -
    Issuance of shares under incentive stock
     option plans from treasury                       9,145         1,167
    Issuance (repayment) of debt by joint
     venture, net                                       131       (25,564)
    Acquisition of treasury stock                      (870)          (32)
    Income tax benefit from exercise of stock
     options                                            203            92
                                                        ---            -- 

    Net cash used in financing activities            (8,154)     (166,061)
                                                     ------      -------- 

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash           4,225       (16,332)
                                                      -----       ------- 

    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
     equivalents                                     67,141       (29,758)
    Cash and cash equivalents at the
     beginning of the year                          278,860       308,618
                                                    -------       ------- 

    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
     the year                                      $346,001      $278,860
                                                   ========      ========

                          MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
               RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME AS REPORTED
                   TO NET INCOME BEFORE IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
                    (In thousands, except per share data)               

    Earnings without impairment charges is a measurement not derived in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
    Excluding non-cash impairment charges is useful as it measures the
    operating results that are the outcome of daily operating decisions
    made in the normal course of business.  Impairments reflect the impact
    of long-term decisions and investments that were made in prior periods.
    Reconciliation of earnings without impairment charges to net loss as
    reported is as follows: 

                                   For the Quarter Ended December 26, 2009
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                              Pro forma
                                                 Impact of     Without
                                         As      Impairment  Impairment
                                      Reported  Charges (A)    Charges
                                      --------  -----------    -------
                                                 (Unaudited)            

    Operating (loss) income            $(6,910)     $29,755     $22,845 

    Interest expense                    (2,410)           -      (2,410)
    Other income, net                      184            -         184
                                           ---          ---         --- 

    (Loss) income before income taxes   (9,136)      29,755      20,619
    Income tax expense                  (7,996)      (1,807)     (9,803)
                                        ------       ------      ------ 

    Consolidated net (loss) income     (17,132)      27,948      10,816 

    Less: net income attributable to
     noncontrolling interest              (395)           -        (395)
                                          ----          ---        ---- 

    Net (loss) income attributable
     to Mueller Industries, Inc.      $(17,527)     $27,948     $10,421
                                      ========      =======     ======= 

    Diluted (loss) earnings per share   $(0.47)       $0.74       $0.28
                                        ======        =====       ===== 

    (A) The impairment charges, primarily goodwill, are estimates that
        will be adjusted, if necessary, after certain valuation procedures
        are completed as required by GAAP.

Kent A. McKee of Mueller Industries, +1-901-753-3208

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