DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover (NYSE: DOV) announced today that for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, revenue was $1.7 billion, a decrease of 5% from the prior year. The decrease in revenue was driven by an organic revenue decline of 6% and a 4% unfavorable impact from foreign exchange, offset in part by 5% growth from acquisitions. Earnings from continuing operations were $117.2 million, a decrease of 31% as compared to $170.0 million for the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $0.72, compared to $0.99 EPS in the prior year period, representing a decrease of 27%. Excluding discrete tax benefits recognized in the prior year period, EPS from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2015 decreased 26% from an adjusted EPS of $0.97 in the prior year period.

Commenting on the first quarter results, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Livingston, said, "Our businesses continued to perform well against the backdrop of significant headwinds in our energy-related markets, as well as the ongoing FX impact of the strengthening US dollar and slower than expected activity in our core refrigeration case and systems markets.  To better align our costs with anticipated demand, we incurred $24 million in restructuring charges in the quarter, primarily in Energy. These restructuring actions were in addition to $37 million in charges incurred in the fourth quarter of 2014.  We expect to pursue additional cost reduction actions as we move through the year."

"As we deal with these headwinds we will remain focused on growth investments, as well as investment in productivity initiatives, including supply chain optimization and shared infrastructure.  I am confident the combination of these actions positions us well to continue our long-term track record of strong performance."

"Looking forward, we are re-affirming our recently updated 2015 guidance. We expect full-year revenue to decline 4% to 6%.  Within our revenue forecast, organic growth is anticipated to decline 2% to 4%, completed acquisitions will provide approximately 2% growth, and FX is expected to be a 4% headwind.  In total, full year adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.20 to $4.40, inclusive of $0.15 to $0.18 of restructuring charges."

Net earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, were $209.5 million, or $1.28 EPS, which included earnings from discontinued operations of $92.3 million, or $0.57 EPS, compared to net earnings of $160.1 million, or $0.93 EPS, for the same period of 2014, which included a loss from discontinued operations of $9.9 million, or $0.06 EPS. First quarter 2015 earnings from discontinued operations included a gain of $87.4 million, or $0.53 EPS, resulting from the disposition of a business held for sale.

Dover will host a webcast of its first quarter 2015 conference call at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time (9:00 A.M. Central Time) on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The webcast can be accessed on the Dover website at www.dovercorporation.com. The conference call will also be made available for replay on the website. Additional information on Dover's first quarter results and its operating segments can also be found on the Company's website.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues approaching $7.5 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems and support services through four major operating segments: Energy, Engineered Systems, Fluids, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve.  Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for 60 years, our team of 26,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible.  Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at www.dovercorporation.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements relate to, among other things, operating and strategic plans, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, industries in which Dover businesses operate, anticipated market conditions and our positioning, global economies, and operating improvements.  Forward-looking statements may be indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "suggests," "will," "plans," "should," "would," "could," and "forecast", or the use of the future tense and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, oil and natural gas demand, production growth, and prices; changes in exploration and production spending by Dover's customers and changes in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development; economic conditions generally and changes in economic conditions globally and in markets served by Dover businesses, including well activity and U.S. industrials activity; Dover's ability to achieve expected savings from integration and other cost-control initiatives, such as lean and productivity programs as well as efforts to reduce sourcing input costs; the impact of interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the ability of Dover's businesses to expand into new geographic markets; Dover's ability to identify and successfully consummate value-adding acquisition opportunities or planned divestitures; changes in customer demand or the impact of loss of a significant customer, or loss or non-renewal of significant contracts; the ability of Dover's businesses to develop and launch new products, timing of such launches and risks relating to market acceptance by customers; the relative mix of products and services which impacts margins and operating efficiencies; increased competition and pricing pressures; the impact of loss of a single-source manufacturing facility; short-term capacity constraints; increases in the cost of raw materials; domestic and foreign governmental and public policy changes or developments, including environmental regulations, conflict minerals disclosure requirements, and tax policies; protection and validity of patent and other intellectual property rights; the impact of legal matters and legal compliance risks; conditions and events affecting domestic and global financial and capital markets; and a downgrade in Dover's credit ratings which, among other matters, could make obtaining financing more difficult and costly.  Dover refers you to the documents that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its current expectations and from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Dover undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Dover Corporation

Paul Goldberg, Vice President - Investor Relations, (212) 922-1640