8-K

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES INC (MHK)

8-K 2020-02-13 For: 2020-02-13
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Added on April 09, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 13, 2020

Commission File Number 01-13697

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 52-1604305
(State or other jurisdiction of<br>incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer<br>Identification No.)
160 S. Industrial Blvd., Calhoun, Georgia 30701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (706) 629-7721

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐  Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act CFR 240.17R 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value MHK New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2020 New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Notes due 2021 New York Stock Exchange
2.000% Senior Notes due 2022 New York Stock Exchange

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The following information, including the Exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

On February 13, 2020, Mohawk Industries Inc., issued a press release to report the Company’s earnings for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2019, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press release dated February 13, 2020.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Date: February 13, 2020 By: /s/ James F. Brunk
James F. Brunk
Senior V.P. & Corporate Controller

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
99.1 Press release datedFebruarya2019q4pressreleaseand.htm13, 2020

Document

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

For Release:  Immediately

Contact:   Glenn Landau, Chief Financial Officer (706) 624-2025

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES REPORTS Q4 RESULTS

Calhoun, Georgia, February 13, 2020 - Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MHK) today announced 2019 fourth quarter net earnings of $265 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.68, including a one-time tax benefit of $136 million. Adjusted net earnings were $162 million, and EPS was $2.25, excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $2.4 billion, down 1.0% as reported and 1.7% on a constant currency and days basis. For the fourth quarter of 2018, net sales were $2.45 billion, net earnings were $229 million and EPS was $3.05, adjusted net earnings were $188 million, and EPS was $2.53, excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges.

For the twelve months ending December 31, 2019, net earnings and EPS were $744 million and $10.30, including the one-time fourth quarter tax benefit. Net earnings excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges were $725 million and EPS was $10.04. For the year, net sales were approximately $10 billion, flat versus prior year as reported or an increase of 2% on a constant currency and days basis. For the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2018, net sales were approximately $10 billion, net earnings were $862 million and EPS was $11.47; excluding restructuring, acquisition and other charges, net earnings and EPS were $922 million and $12.33.

Commenting on Mohawk Industries’ fourth quarter performance, Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, Chairman and CEO, stated, “Our fourth quarter results were as we expected, with sales flat to last year and very strong cash generation. Operating and free cash flow for the quarter were $440 million and $300 million, respectively. For the full year, operating and free cash flow were about $1.4 billion and $870 million, respectively. Our leverage is approaching historical lows, which provides us with the flexibility to pursue additional opportunities. Under our stock repurchase program, we bought approximately $23 million in the fourth quarter, for a total of about $375 million since the inception of the buyback program.

“As we anticipated, our businesses remained challenged by soft demand, greater competition and reduced production volume. In the U.S., markets continued to be influenced by the strong dollar, the impact of LVT on other products and positive trends in housing that should be a tailwind. Competition has increased in our global markets, impacting our pricing and mix as we leverage investments in sales and marketing to drive growth. Many countries where we operate are stimulating their economies with lower interest rates to encourage greater consumer spending and economic growth this year. In the near term we still anticipate that most of our markets will have continued pressure in our product categories.

“Throughout the period, we implemented changes to increase sales and reduce costs. We have enhanced our LVT manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe and realigned our U.S. carpet operations. We have decreased our ceramic production and inventories and are taking out wood flooring plants in the U.S. and Europe. We are reducing the complexity of our operations, enhancing processes to reduce costs and increasing automation to improve efficiencies. We continue to improve the productivity and volume of our new LVT, U.S. countertop, Russian sheet vinyl and European carpet tile investments. Our acquisitions in Australia and Brazil are installing state-of-the-art equipment that will expand their product portfolios. We are introducing new design and performance innovations to enhance our market positions and broaden our customer base. To promote both new and existing products, we are making higher levels of sales and marketing investments.

“For the quarter, our Global Ceramic Segment sales were flat as reported and decreased 1.5% on a constant currency and days basis. The segment’s operating margin was 6% as reported, declining year over year primarily due to inflation and lower production rates partially offset by productivity. Most of the segment’s markets faced soft demand and excess industry capacity, that is compressing market prices and margins. Our U.S. ceramic business remained under pressure from LVT taking share and high industry inventories from ceramic purchases ahead of tariffs. To align our own inventory levels, we meaningfully reduced production in our North American ceramic plants, which increased our costs. To improve sales, we are rolling out multiple new products and adding sales representatives and design consultants in major markets. We have begun manufacturing our proprietary new click tile in multiple sizes and designs, and we have already received commitments from major customers. Our quartz countertop sales increased as we ramped up productivity at our new plant. In Mexico, we continued to gain market share by expanding our brands, distribution and product offering with larger sizes, porcelain products and a more

comprehensive wall tile collection. In Brazil, we had good sales growth in the period and initiated a new porcelain line to create larger sizes for our premium collections. The southern European economies remain slow, impacting our primary ceramic markets and industry pricing. In Europe, we increased our volume and are expanding our activities in the commercial and outdoor channels. In Russia, we grew our sales in a soft market, and we are starting up additional porcelain production to make super large sizes as well as a new plant to produce coordinated premium sanitary ware.

“During the quarter, our Flooring North America Segment’s sales decreased 4% as reported and 5% on a constant days basis with an operating margin of 3% as reported and 7% excluding restructuring and other charges. Operating income for the segment declined primarily due to lower volume, price and mix. We have executed many initiatives to align the business with the present conditions, including closing three plants, consolidating high cost operations and reducing wood manufacturing. The effects of these actions will increase and flow through inventory with full cost benefit in the third quarter of 2020. In the quarter, our residential carpet sales performed best in the new home construction and multi-family channels. We are leveraging our strengths in design and fiber technology to deliver differentiated new collections in both premium and value carpet categories. To create greater value for our commercial customers and improve our cost, we invested in new design capabilities, proprietary carpet tile backings and material manufacturing. We have increased the production and speeds of our LVT operations, and ongoing initiatives will further improve formulations and throughput. During the period, U.S. tariffs on click LVT were removed, and the market has adjusted pricing to reflect this change. To expand our price points and highlight our unique visuals and features, we are introducing new rigid and flexible LVT collections for both residential and commercial markets. The virus in China is postponing the start-up of some production and could potentially disrupt some LVT service, depending on when product shipments resume. Sales of our water-proof laminate products are expanding, and we anticipate continued growth due to their realistic appearance, durability and ease of installation. To support higher laminate sales, we are upgrading our HDF board production to expand capacity and improve our costs.

“For the quarter, our Flooring Rest of the World Segment’s sales increased 3% as reported and 4% on a constant currency and days basis. The segment’s operating margin was 13% as reported and 14% excluding restructuring and other charges, due to volume growth, reduced start-up cost and lower inflation partially offset by price and mix. Across the segment, our investments in product innovation, cost

improvements, acquisitions and new businesses strengthened our results. We are outperforming the European laminate market, and sales of our new Signature collection are ramping up quickly due to an enhanced level of sophistication. We announced the consolidation of wood manufacturing to our facility in Malaysia, which will improve our costs and increase our flexibility to better satisfy our customers. Our LVT sales grew as our manufacturing productivity significantly improved. Our new rigid collections are being well received and our next generation of flexible LVT provides our most realistic wood and stone visuals. Our panels and insulation businesses had good results in a more competitive environment. In Australia and New Zealand, our soft and hard surface sales grew in a difficult environment and we are launching many new carpet collections to enhance our offering.

“Market conditions remain challenging across most of our businesses and geographies. In response, we are adjusting our business strategies, enhancing our product offering and restructuring operations. We are increasing our investments in sales and marketing, expanding our commercial participation and enhancing both our premium and value collections. To broaden our distribution into new channels and geographies, we are bringing many new product innovations and categories to market. Our new LVT, countertop, sheet vinyl and carpet tile plants are improving their productivity as we invest to expand our customer base and sales volume. As our LVT manufacturing capacity grows with higher speeds and efficiencies, we are enhancing design and features and increasing sales of our rigid and flexible offerings. We are limiting the traditional inventory build that we typically do in the first quarter, as we manage our production with market demand. Taking all of this into account, our EPS guidance for the first quarter of 2020 is $1.90 to $2.00, excluding any one-time charges.

“LVT growth in the U.S., exchange rates and excess global capacity continue as headwinds for our businesses. We are executing specific initiatives to adapt to shifting consumer preferences, changing markets and competitive pressures. For the full year of 2020, we expect that our actions to increase sales and distribution, reduce costs and enhance utilization of our new plants will deliver improved year-over-year results, with our performance accelerating during the second half of the year. Our balance sheet should continue to improve with ongoing strong cash generation, and we remain focused on delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

ABOUT MOHAWK INDUSTRIES

Mohawk Industries is the leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk’s vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Daltile, Durkan, Eliane, Feltex, Godfrey Hirst, IVC, Karastan, Marazzi, Mohawk, Mohawk Group, Pergo, Quick-Step and Unilin. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

Certain of the statements in the immediately preceding paragraphs, particularly anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters and those that include the words “could,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” and “estimates,” or similar expressions constitute “forward-looking statements.” For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation and deflation in raw material prices and other input costs; inflation and deflation in consumer markets; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company’s products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; taxes and tax reform, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk’s SEC reports and public announcements.

Conference call Friday, February 14, 2020, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time

The telephone number is 1-800-603-9255 for US/Canada and 1-706-634-2294 for International/Local. Conference ID # 3678629. A replay will be available until March 14, 2020, by dialing

1-855-859-2056 for US/local calls and 1-404-537-3406 for International/Local calls and entering Conference ID # 3678629.

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Data Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales $ 2,424,512 2,448,618 9,970,672 9,983,634
Cost of sales 1,801,705 1,802,228 7,294,629 7,145,564
Gross profit 622,807 646,390 2,676,043 2,838,070
Selling, general and administrative expenses 467,993 433,014 1,848,819 1,742,744
Operating income 154,814 213,376 827,224 1,095,326
Interest expense 10,962 14,411 41,272 38,827
Other (income) expense, net (9,522) 504 36,407 7,298
Earnings before income taxes 153,374 198,461 749,545 1,049,201
Income tax expense (111,299) (31,582) 4,974 184,346
Net earnings including noncontrolling interest 264,673 230,043 744,571 864,855
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 6 704 360 3,151
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. $ 264,667 229,339 744,211 861,704
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. $ 3.69 3.07 10.34 11.53
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic 71,640 73,856 71,986 74,413
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. $ 3.68 3.05 10.30 11.47
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted 71,954 74,183 72,264 74,773
Other Financial Information
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 440,675 286,859 1,418,761 1,181,344
Depreciation and amortization $ 153,759 139,092 576,452 521,765
Capital expenditures $ 139,849 151,161 545,462 794,110
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 134,785 119,050
Receivables, net 1,526,619 1,606,159
Inventories 2,282,328 2,287,615
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 485,725 496,472
Total current assets 4,429,457 4,509,296
Property, plant and equipment, net 4,698,917 4,699,902
Right of use operating lease assets 323,003
Goodwill 2,570,027 2,520,966
Intangible assets, net 928,879 961,810
Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets 436,397 407,149
Total assets $ 13,386,680 13,099,123
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and commercial paper $ 1,051,498 1,742,373
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,559,140 1,523,866
Current operating lease liabilities 101,945
Total current liabilities 2,712,583 3,266,239
Long-term debt, less current portion 1,518,388 1,515,601
Non-current operating lease liabilities 228,155
Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities 801,106 877,224
Total liabilities 5,260,232 5,659,064
Total stockholders' equity 8,126,448 7,440,059
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 13,386,680 13,099,123
Segment Information Three Months Ended As of or for the Twelve Months Ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales:
Global Ceramic $ 858,337 861,238 3,631,142 3,552,856
Flooring NA 936,387 973,680 3,843,714 4,029,148
Flooring ROW 629,788 613,700 2,495,816 2,401,630
Intersegment sales
Consolidated net sales $ 2,424,512 2,448,618 9,970,672 9,983,634
Operating income (loss):
Global Ceramic $ 53,172 76,005 340,058 442,898
Flooring NA 27,011 79,158 167,385 347,937
Flooring ROW 83,036 72,467 359,428 345,801
Corporate and intersegment eliminations (8,405) (14,254) (39,647) (41,310)
Consolidated operating income $ 154,814 213,376 827,224 1,095,326
Assets:
Global Ceramic $ 5,419,896 5,194,030
Flooring NA 3,823,654 3,938,639
Flooring ROW 3,925,246 3,666,617
Corporate and intersegment eliminations 217,884 299,837
Consolidated assets $ 13,386,680 13,099,123
Reconciliation of Net Earnings Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. to Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. $ 264,667 229,339 744,211 861,704
Adjusting items:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 49,802 20,412 99,679 78,449
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 222 6,721 3,938 15,359
Acquisition interest expense 4,322 4322
Deferred loan cost write off 601 601
Impairment of net investment in a manufacturer and distributor of Ceramic tile in China ^(1)^ (5,226) 59,946
Release of indemnification asset 603 2,857 (57) 4,606
Income taxes - reversal of uncertain tax position (603) (2,857) 56 (4606)
European tax restructuring ^(2)^ (136,194) (136,194)
Income taxes (12,183) (73,282) (46,842) (37,817)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. 161,689 187,512 725,338 922,017
Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. $ 2.25 2.53 10.04 12.33
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted 71,954 74,183 72,264 74,773

^(1)^ In September, the US commerce department imposed a 104% countervailing duty on top of the 25% general tariffs on all ceramic produced in China. As a consequence, ceramic purchases from China will dramatically decline and Mohawk took a $60 million write off to our investment in a Chinese manufacturer and distributor, of which $5 million was recovered in Q4 2019.

^(2)^ The Company implemented select operational, administrative and financial restructurings that centralized certain business processes and intangible assets in various European jurisdictions into a new entity. The restructurings resulted in a current tax liability of $136 million, calculated by measuring the fair value of intangible assets transferred. The Company offset the tax liability with the utilization of $136 million of deferred tax assets from accumulated net operating loss carry forwards. The restructurings also resulted in the Company recording a $136 million deferred tax asset, and a corresponding deferred tax benefit, related to the tax basis of the intangible assets transferred.

Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt
(Amounts in thousands)
December 31, 2019
Current portion of long-term debt and commercial paper $ 1,051,498
Long-term debt, less current portion 1,518,388
Less: Cash and cash equivalents 134,785
Net Debt $ 2,435,101
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands) Trailing Twelve
Three Months Ended Months Ended
March 30, 2019 June 29, 2019 September 28, 2019 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2019
Operating income $ 165,330 266,860 240,220 154,814 827,224
Other (expense)/income 3,736 3,048 (52,713) 9,522 (36,407)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 10 (213) (151) (6) (360)
Depreciation and amortization 137,291 140,482 144,920 153,759 576,452
EBITDA 306,367 410,177 332,276 318,089 1,366,909
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 39,495 8,840 1,542 49,802 99,679
Impairment of net investment in a manufacturer and distributor of Ceramic tile in China 65,172 (5,226) 59,946
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 2,552 1,164 222 3,938
Release of indemnification asset (659) 603 (56)
Adjusted EBITDA $ 348,414 420,181 398,331 363,490 1,530,416
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 1.6
Reconciliation of Net Sales to Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate and on Constant Shipping Days Excluding Acquisition Volume
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales $ 2,424,512 2,448,618 9,970,672 9,983,634
Adjustment to net sales on constant shipping days (36,469) 713
Adjustment to net sales on a constant exchange rate 18,721 178,290
Net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days 2,406,764 2,448,618 10,149,675 9,983,634
Less: impact of acquisition volume (34,597) (359,949)
Net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days excluding acquisition volume $ 2,372,167 2,448,618 9,789,726 9,983,634
Reconciliation of Segment Net Sales to Segment Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate and on Constant Shipping Days Excluding Acquisition Volume
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Global Ceramic December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales $ 858,337 861,238 3,631,142 3,552,856
Adjustment to net sales on constant shipping days (11,889) 13,050
Adjustment to segment net sales on a constant exchange rate 1,969 52,478
Segment net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days 848,417 861,238 3,696,670 3,552,856
Less: impact of acquisition volume (20,728) (162,087)
Segment net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days excluding acquisition volume $ 827,689 861,238 3,534,583 3,552,856
Reconciliation of Segment Net Sales to Segment Net Sales on Constant Shipping Days
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Flooring NA December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales $ 936,387 973,680
Adjustment to net sales on constant shipping days (14,631)
Segment net sales on constant shipping days $ 921,756 973,680
Reconciliation of Segment Net Sales to Segment Net Sales on a Constant Exchange Rate and on Constant Shipping Days Excluding Acquisition Volume
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Flooring ROW December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net sales $ 629,788 613,700 2,495,816 2,401,630
Adjustment to net sales on constant shipping days (9,948) 9,497
Adjustment to segment net sales on a constant exchange rate 16,752 107,092
Segment net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days 636,592 613,700 2,612,405 2,401,630
Less: impact of acquisition volume (13,869) (163,265)
Segment net sales on a constant exchange rate and constant shipping days excluding acquisition volume $ 622,723 613,700 2,449,140 2,401,630
Adjusted gross profit $ 630,493 663,313
--- --- --- ---
Reconciliation of Selling, General and Administrative Expenses to Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 467,993 433,014
Adjustments to selling, general and administrative expenses:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs (4,651) (10,268)
Release of indemnification asset (2)
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses $ 463,340 422,746
Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Operating income $ 154,814 213,376 827,224 1,095,326
Adjustments to operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 49,802 20,613 106,954 78,650
Release of indemnification asset 2 247
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 222 6,721 3,938 15,359
Adjusted operating income $ 204,840 240,710 938,363 1,189,335
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Adjusted Segment Operating Income
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Global Ceramic December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Operating income $ 53,172 76,005
Adjustments to segment operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 1,204 4,162
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 6,721
Adjusted segment operating income $ 54,376 86,888
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Adjusted Segment Operating Income
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Flooring NA December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Operating income $ 27,011 79,158
Adjustments to segment operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 42,149 7,159
Adjusted segment operating income $ 69,160 86,317
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Adjusted Segment Operating Income
--- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Flooring ROW December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Operating income $ 83,036 72,467
Adjustments to segment operating income:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 6,235 5,949
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 222
Adjusted segment operating income $ 89,493 78,416
Reconciliation of Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests Before Income Taxes to Adjusted Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests Before Income Taxes
--- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Earnings before income taxes $ 153,374 198,461 749,545 1,049,201
Noncontrolling interests (6) (704) (360) (3,151)
Adjustments to earnings including noncontrolling interests before income taxes:
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs 49,802 20,412 99,679 78,449
Acquisitions purchase accounting, including inventory step-up 222 6,721 3,938 15,359
Impairment of net investment in a manufacturer and distributor of Ceramic tile in China (5,226) 59,946
Release of indemnification asset 603 2,857 (57) 4,606
Acquisition interest expense 4,322 4,322
Deferred loan cost write off 601 601
Adjusted earnings including noncontrolling interests before income taxes $ 199,370 232,069 913,292 1,148,786
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense to Adjusted Income Tax Expense
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Income tax expense $ (111,299) (31,582) 4,974 184,346
European tax restructuring 136,194 136,194
Income taxes - reversal of uncertain tax position 603 2,857 (56) 4,606
Income tax effect of adjusting items 12,183 73,282 46,842 37,817
Adjusted income tax expense $ 37,681 44,557 187,954 226,769
Adjusted income tax rate 18.9 % 19.2 % 20.6 % 19.7 %

The Company supplements its condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with US GAAP, with certain non-GAAP financial measures. As required by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the tables above present a reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable US GAAP measure. Each of the non-GAAP measures set forth above should be considered in addition to the comparable US GAAP measure, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  The Company believes these non-GAAP measures, when reconciled to the corresponding US GAAP measure, help its investors as follows: Non-GAAP revenue measures that assist in identifying growth trends and in comparisons of revenue with prior and future periods and non-GAAP profitability measures that assist in understanding the long-term profitability trends of the Company's business and in comparisons of its profits with prior and future periods.

The Company excludes certain items from its non-GAAP revenue measures because these items can vary dramatically between periods and can obscure underlying business trends. Items excluded from the Company’s non-GAAP revenue measures include: foreign currency transactions and translation and the impact of acquisitions.

The Company excludes certain items from its non-GAAP profitability measures because these items may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, the Company’s core operating performance. Items excluded from the Company’s non-GAAP profitability measures include: restructuring, acquisition and integration-related and other costs, acquisition purchase accounting, including inventory step-up, release of indemnification assets and the reversal of uncertain tax positions.