Financial News Release

11/13/07

La-Z-Boy Reports Fiscal 2008 Second-Quarter Results

MONROE, Mich., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) today reported its operating results for the second fiscal quarter ended October 27, 2007. Net sales for the quarter were $365.4 million, down 12% compared with the prior-year period. The company posted an after-tax loss of $9.9 million, or $0.19 per share, which included a $0.07 per-share charge for a write-down of goodwill, a $0.12 per-share charge from discontinued operations, a large portion of which was attributable to intangible assets and liquidating inventory of businesses held for sale, and a $0.01 restructuring charge. La-Z-Boy posted an after-tax loss of $3.7 million from continuing operations, or a loss of $0.07 per share, which included the $0.01 per share restructuring charge and the $0.07 per share for the goodwill write-down.

Kurt L. Darrow, La-Z-Boy's President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "While we are disappointed that, due to industry headwinds, the improvements we have made in our business model are not clearly evident in our results, we posted reasonable operating margins in each of our wholesale businesses on significantly lower volume. In the midst of what continues to be a challenging environment across the furniture sector, we are executing against our strategy and making the necessary changes to our business model to ensure we remain both a leading and competitive manufacturer, distributor and retailer. During the quarter, we sold our two remaining businesses held for sale and are pleased to have the announced portfolio rationalization process behind us. Going forward, we will continue to address our manufacturing processes, structure our retail operation to run as an integrated entity with increased efficiencies and remain committed to working on the areas of the business we can control and improve given this environment."

Upholstery

For the fiscal 2008 second quarter, sales in the company's upholstery segment decreased 11.4% to $269.7 million compared with $304.6 million in the prior year's second quarter while the segment's operating margin increased to 7.1% from 6.6% in the year-ago period. Darrow stated, "Our operating margin results this quarter reflect increased capacity utilization at our remaining facilities as well as the benefit we are attaining through the conversion of our La-Z-Boy branded facilities to the cellular production process, which will be completed by the end of this fiscal year. We are confident that when retail conditions improve, the lower operating cost structure we have achieved across our enterprise will position us to improve our financial results."

For the quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system, which includes both company-owned and independent-licensed stores, opened 6 new stores, relocated and/or remodeled 4 and closed 1, bringing the total store count to 338, of which 205 are in the New Generation format. For the third quarter 2008, the network plans to open 10 New Generation format La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores, of which 3 will be new stores and 7 will be store remodels or relocations, and will close 3.

System-wide, for the third calendar quarter, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, same-store written sales, which the company tracks as an indicator of retail activity, were down 9.1%. Total written sales, which includes new stores, were down 9.6%.

Casegoods

For the 2008 second quarter, casegoods sales were $58.9 million, down 20.6% from the prior year's second quarter and, as a result, the segment's quarterly operating margin decreased to 6.1% from 8.4% in last year's comparable period.

Darrow commented, "The high variable cost structure associated with our casegoods business, which has transitioned to primarily an import model, allowed us to post a 6.1% operating margin on a significant decrease in sales year over year. Furthermore, we moved and downsized the office facilities for our casegoods operations at the end of the quarter, which will further reduce our fixed costs. Going forward, we are focused on increasing revenues in the segment and are pleased our casegoods companies received positive reviews for their new product introductions at the recent High Point Market."

Retail

For the quarter, retail sales were $46.2 million, down 12% compared with the prior-year period. The retail group posted an operating loss for the quarter and its operating margin was (19.8%). A portion of the sales decline was the result of exiting the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Rochester, New York markets in the second half of fiscal 2007. Additionally, the retail segment did not achieve the anticipated sales increases from opening 10 stores over the past twelve months in its ongoing markets. With the slowing economy and its effect on the home furnishings market, the company continues to experience negative same store sales comparisons across all of its markets. As a result of the decreased volume, the company's operating results were impacted as it was more difficult to absorb fixed costs, particularly the higher occupancy costs associated with the company's new stores.

Given the continued depressed housing market in southeastern Florida and its impact on La-Z-Boy's retail operations, the company has delayed its new store plans for the near term. The downturn in business and the company's decision to delay its expansion has triggered a significant change in its valuation of the southeastern Florida market, resulting in a $0.07 per share write-down on the goodwill associated with that market.

Darrow stated, "We continue to make substantial changes to our retail model and are reducing costs through the consolidation of systems and operations. These changes did, indeed, improve our cost structure and overall competitiveness; however, that improvement is not clearly demonstrable in an environment of significantly lower volume."

During the second quarter, the company's retail segment opened 2 new company-owned stores and closed 1. At the end of the second quarter, the company owned 70 stores, including 50 in the New Generation format, or about 71% versus 68 company-owned stores last year at this time, of which 37, or 54%, were in the new format.

Restructuring

During the quarter, a pre-tax restructuring charge of approximately $1 million was recorded. The charge is primarily related to transition costs associated with the closure of the company's Lincolnton plant as well as charges in the company's retail operation. These charges were partially offset by a gain from the sale of a small manufacturing facility.

Businesses Held for Sale

In the second quarter, the company completed the sales of its Clayton- Marcus and Pennsylvania House operations. The company recorded a $5.8 million pre-tax loss in relation to the sale of Clayton-Marcus, a $0.6 million pre-tax loss for the sale of the Pennsylvania House trade name and wrote down an additional $3.0 million to mark its remaining Pennsylvania House inventory to market.

Balance Sheet

At the end of the fiscal 2008 second quarter, the company's debt to capitalization ratio was 24.7%. Inventories decreased to $191.0 million at the end of the second quarter. Cash generated from operations was $14.3 million, primarily the result of a reduction in working capital.

The company received an amendment from its bank group for a one-quarter adjustment to its fixed charge coverage ratio requirements, but was in compliance with its covenants for its private placement notes. The company is working to finalize an arrangement to renegotiate its bank agreements, refinancing its debt with an asset-based lending arrangement. Darrow stated, "There are a number of moves we are making to improve our business model, including the consolidations in our retail business, our store build out program and the conversion to cellular production at our branded facilities. Our proposed new arrangement, with longer term financing options, will give us the additional flexibility we need to make the necessary adjustments to our business in the short term."

Business Outlook

Commenting on the company's business outlook, Darrow said: "With the continued weak demand at retail for furniture, the decline in consumer confidence and the overall uncertain economic environment, our previously reported annual guidance will not be attainable. Since there are a number of unusual items in the first half of the year, the company feels that updated guidance for the second half of the year would be more prudent at this time and would give investors better perspective for the remainder of the year. At this point, we expect sales for the second half of fiscal year 2008 to be down 4% to 8% and earnings per share to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.14 per share compared with $0.30 per share from continuing operations in the second half of 2007, which included an $0.11 per share charge for restructuring, a $0.14 per share gain on property sales and $0.04 per share in income from anti-dumping monies. The 2008 estimate does not include restructuring charges, potential income from anti-dumping monies, or any further effect from discontinued operations."

Forward-looking Information

Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current information and assumptions and represent management's best judgment at the present time. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or projected due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: (a) changes in consumer confidence; (b) changes in demographics; (c) changes in housing sales; (d) the impact of terrorism or war; (e) continued energy price changes; (f) the impact of logistics on imports; (g) the impact of interest rate changes; (h) changes in currency exchange rates; (i) competitive factors; (j) operating factors, such as supply, labor or distribution disruptions including changes in operating conditions or costs; (k) effects of restructuring actions; (l) changes in the domestic or international regulatory environment; (m) ability to implement global sourcing organization strategies; (n) fair value changes to our intangible assets due to actual results differing from projected; (o) the impact of adopting new accounting principles; (p) the impact from natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes; (q) the impact of retail store relocation costs, the success of new stores or the timing of converting stores to the New Generation format; (r) the ability to procure fabric rolls or cut and sewn fabric sets domestically or abroad; (s) the ability to sell the remaining assets of our discontinued operations for their recorded fair value; (t) those matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report of Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and factors relating to acquisitions and other factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason.

Additional Information

This news release is just one part of La-Z-Boy's financial disclosures and should be read in conjunction with other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/sec_filings.aspx. Investors and others wishing to be notified of future La-Z-Boy news releases, SEC filings and quarterly investor conference calls may sign up at: http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/IR_email_alerts.aspx.

Background Information

La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group companies are Bauhaus, England, La-Z-Boy and La-Z-Boy, U.K. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid and Lea.

The corporation's proprietary distribution network is dedicated exclusively to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 338 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores and 215 La-Z-Boy In- Store Galleries, in addition to in-store gallery programs at the company's Kincaid, England and Lea operating units. According to industry trade publication In Furniture, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries retail network is North America's largest single-brand furniture retailer. Additional information is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/ .


                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    (Unaudited, amounts
      in thousands, except            Second Quarter Ended
      per share data)                                    Percent of Sales
                    10/27/07     10/28/06       % Over   10/27/07    10/28/06
                                                (Under)
    Sales           $365,434     $414,614       -11.9%      100.0%     100.0%
    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods
       sold          266,658      306,351       -13.0%       73.0%      73.9%
      Restructuring      518         (400)     -229.5%        0.1%      -0.1%
    Total cost of
     sales           267,176      305,951       -12.7%       73.1%      73.8%
      Gross profit    98,258      108,663        -9.6%       26.9%      26.2%
    Selling,
     general and
     administrative   98,098       99,887        -1.8%       26.8%      24.1%
    Write-down of
     intangibles       5,809           --         N/M         1.6%        --
    Restructuring        449        2,265       -80.2%        0.1%       0.5%
      Operating income
       (loss)         (6,098)       6,511      -193.7%       -1.7%       1.6%
    Interest expense   2,120        2,614       -18.9%        0.6%       0.6%
    Other income, net  1,374        1,348         1.9%        0.4%       0.3%
      Income (loss)
       from continuing
       operations before
       income taxes   (6,844)       5,245      -230.5%       -1.9%       1.3%
    Income tax expense
     (benefit)        (3,192)       1,949      -263.8%       46.6%*     37.2%*
      Income (loss)
       from continuing
       operations     (3,652)       3,296      -210.8%       -1.0%       0.8%
      Loss from
       discontinued
       operations
       (net of tax)   (6,282)      (1,342)     -368.1%       -1.7%      -0.3%
      Net income
      (loss)         $(9,934)      $1,954      -608.4%       -2.7%       0.5%

    Basic average
     shares           51,410       51,373
    Basic income
    (loss) from
     continuing
     operations
     per share        $(0.07)       $0.06
    Discontinued
     operations
     per share
     (net of tax)     $(0.12)      $(0.02)
    Basic net income
     (loss) per share $(0.19)       $0.04

    Diluted average
     shares           51,410       51,639
    Diluted income
     (loss) from
     continuing
     operations
     per share        $(0.07)       $0.06
    Discontinued
     operations per
     share
     (net of tax)     $(0.12)      $(0.02)
    Diluted net income
     (loss) per share $(0.19)       $0.04
    Dividends paid
     per share         $0.12        $0.12

    *As a percent of pretax income, not sales.
    N/M = not meaningful



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    (Unaudited, amounts
     in thousands,                        Six Months Ended
     except per                                            Percent of Sales
     share data)    10/27/07     10/28/06      % Over    10/27/07    10/28/06
                                               (Under)
    Sales           $709,830     $808,537       -12.2%      100.0%     100.0%
    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods
       sold          525,801      602,359       -12.7%       74.1%      74.5%
      Restructuring    3,079         (400)     -869.8%        0.4%        --
    Total cost
     of sales        528,880      601,959       -12.1%       74.5%      74.5%
      Gross profit   180,950      206,578       -12.4%       25.5%      25.5%
    Selling, general
     and
     administrative  192,606      194,570        -1.0%       27.1%      24.1%
    Write-down
     of intangibles    5,809           --         N/M         0.8%        --
    Restructuring      1,569        2,265       -30.7%        0.2%       0.3%
      Operating income
       (loss)        (19,034)       9,743      -295.4%       -2.7%       1.2%
    Interest expense   4,217        5,140       -18.0%        0.6%       0.6%
    Other income, net  2,822        1,618        74.4%        0.4%       0.2%
      Income (loss)
       from continuing
       operations
       before income
       taxes         (20,429)       6,221      -428.4%       -2.9%       0.8%
    Income tax
     expense
     (benefit)        (8,235)       1,833      -549.3%       40.3%*     29.5%*
      Income (loss)
       from continuing
       operations    (12,194)       4,388      -377.9%       -1.7%       0.5%
      Loss from
       discontinued
       operations
       (net of tax)   (6,434)        (139)        N/M%       -0.9%        --
      Net income
       (loss)       $(18,628)      $4,249      -538.4%       -2.6%       0.5%

    Basic average
     shares           51,395       51,580
    Basic income
     (loss) from
     continuing
     operations
     per share        $(0.24)       $0.08
    Discontinued
     operations
     per share
     (net of tax)     $(0.12)          --
    Basic net
     income (loss)
     per share        $(0.36)       $0.08

    Diluted average
     shares           51,395       51,806

    Diluted income
     (loss) from
     continuing
     operations
     per share        $(0.24)       $0.08
    Discontinued
     operations per
     share
     (net of tax)     $(0.12)          --
    Diluted net
     income (loss)
     per share        $(0.36)       $0.08
    Dividends paid
     per share         $0.24        $0.24

    *As a percent of pretax income, not sales.
    N/M = not meaningful



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    (Unaudited, amounts
     in thousands)                             Increase/(Decrease)
                   10/27/07     10/28/06      Dollars     Percent     4/28/07
    Current assets
      Cash and
       equivalents  $32,692      $20,529      $12,163       59.2%     $51,721
      Receivables,
       net          215,275      253,519      (38,244)     -15.1%     230,399
      Inventories,
       net          190,985      237,885      (46,900)     -19.7%     197,790
      Deferred
       income taxes--
       current       14,337       16,043       (1,706)     -10.6%      17,283
      Assets of
       discontinued
       operations     3,634           --        3,634        N/M       24,278
      Other current
       assets        27,073       29,076       (2,003)      -6.9%      19,327
        Total current
         assets     483,996      557,052      (73,056)     -13.1%     540,798
    Property,
     plant and
     equipment,
     net            180,912      204,904      (23,992)     -11.7%     183,218
    Deferred income
     taxes --
     long term       25,608        3,451       22,157        N/M       15,380
    Goodwill         49,850       62,736      (12,886)     -20.5%      55,659
    Trade names       9,006       18,794       (9,788)     -52.1%       9,472
    Other long-term
     assets          76,545       80,166       (3,621)      -4.5%      74,164
      Total assets $825,917     $927,103    $(101,186)     -10.9%    $878,691

    Current liabilities
      Short-term
       borrowings       $--      $35,000     $(35,000)    -100.0%         $--
      Current portion
       of long-term
       debt          38,353        3,295       35,058        N/M       37,688
      Accounts
       payable       54,194       72,308      (18,114)     -25.1%      68,089
      Liabilities of
       discontinued
       operations     1,664           --        1,664        N/M        3,843
      Accrued expenses
       and other
       current
       liabilities  103,130      114,762      (11,632)     -10.1%     118,590
        Total current
         liabil-
         ities      197,341      225,365      (28,024)     -12.4%     228,210
    Long-term
     debt           110,774      147,799      (37,025)     -25.1%     111,714
    Income taxes
     payable --
     long term        7,084           --        7,084        N/M           --
    Other long-term
     liabilities     56,474       54,920        1,554        2.8%      53,419
    Contingencies
     and commitments     --           --           --         --           --
    Shareholders' equity
      Common shares,
       $1 par value  51,416       51,364           52        0.1%      51,377
      Capital in
       excess of
       par value    206,636      206,145          491        0.2%     208,283
      Retained
       earnings     193,681      236,635      (42,954)     -18.2%     223,896
    Accumulated
     other
     comprehensive
     income           2,511        4,875       (2,364)     -48.5%       1,792
      Total
       shareholders'
       equity       454,244      499,019      (44,775)      -9.0%     485,348
    Total
       liabilities
       and shareholders'
       equity      $825,917     $927,103    $(101,186)     -10.9%    $878,691



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


    (Unaudited, amounts      Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
     in thousands)         10/27/07      10/28/06     10/27/07      10/28/06
    Cash flows from
     operating activities
      Net income (loss)     $(9,934)       $1,954     $(18,628)       $4,249
      Adjustments to
       reconcile net income
       (loss) to cash used
       for operating activities
      Loss (gain) on sale
       of discontinued
       operations
       (net of tax)           3,990            --        3,990        (1,280)
      Write-down of
       businesses
       held for sale
       (net of tax)           2,159            --        2,159            --
      Write-down of
       intangibles
       (net of tax)           3,689            --        3,689            --
      Restructuring             967         1,865        4,648         1,865
      Provision for
       doubtful accounts      1,505         1,643        3,619         2,807
      Depreciation and
       amortization           6,093         6,809       12,313        13,889
      Stock-based
       compensation expense   1,001         1,861        1,862         2,732
      Change in
       receivables          (13,409)      (24,228)       9,188        (2,945)
      Change in inventories  15,323           873        9,252       (17,117)
      Change in payables      1,000        (2,060)     (14,414)       (9,379)
      Change in other assets
       and liabilities        6,568        (8,623)     (16,678)      (15,570)
      Change in deferred
       taxes                 (4,671)       (3,110)      (6,146)       (6,766)
        Total adjustments    24,215       (24,970)      13,482       (31,764)
    Net cash provided by
     (used for) operating
     activities              14,281       (23,016)      (5,146)      (27,515)

    Cash flows from
     investing activities

      Proceeds from disposals
       of assets                867         3,633        7,282        24,962
      Proceeds from sale
       of discontinued
       operations             4,019         3,184        4,019        33,166
      Capital expenditures   (5,970)       (5,767)     (15,599)      (15,010)
      Purchases of
       investments           (6,648)       (2,760)     (13,270)       (8,392)
      Proceeds from sales of
       investments            7,801         2,320       14,593         8,017
      Change in other
       long-term assets         365          (701)         385          (196)
        Net cash provided by
         (used for) investing
         activities             434           (91)      (2,590)       42,547

    Cash flows from financing
     activities
      Proceeds from debt        171        56,276          817        78,675

      Payments on debt         (192)      (31,266)      (1,092)      (78,680)
      Stock issued for stock
       and employee benefit
       plans                    (94)         (342)        (116)          766
      Repurchases of common
       stock                     --        (3,261)          --        (6,947)
      Dividends paid         (6,232)       (6,213)     (12,441)      (12,462)
        Net cash provided by
        (used for) financing
         activities          (6,347)       15,194      (12,832)      (18,648)

    Effect of exchange
     rate changes on
     cash and equivalents       538            49        1,539            56
    Change in cash and
     equivalents              8,906        (7,864)     (19,029)       (3,560)
    Cash and equivalents at
     beginning of period     23,786        28,393       51,721        24,089
    Cash and equivalents
     at end of period       $32,692       $20,529      $32,692       $20,529

    Cash paid
     (net of refunds)
     during period -                   -
     income taxes              $758       $16,889       $3,893       $17,097
    Cash paid during
     period -- interest      $1,495        $1,748       $3,405        $4,660



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                             SEGMENT INFORMATION

    (Amounts in             Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
     thousands)             10/27/07     10/28/06     10/27/07     10/28/06
                           (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)   (26 weeks)   (26 weeks)

    Sales
      Upholstery Group      $269,749     $304,598     $524,506     $599,995
      Casegoods Group         58,892       74,164      112,466      135,190
      Retail Group            46,163       52,485       91,394      104,689
      VIEs/Eliminations       (9,370)     (16,633)     (18,536)     (31,337)
        Consolidated        $365,434     $414,614     $709,830     $808,537

    Operating income (loss)
      Upholstery Group       $19,036      $20,162      $27,903      $37,787
      Casegoods Group          3,577        6,200        6,177        9,442
      Retail Group            (9,119)      (8,769)     (19,193)     (16,484)
      Corporate and Other*   (12,816)      (9,217)     (23,464)     (19,137)
      Intangible write-down   (5,809)          --       (5,809)          --
      Restructuring             (967)      (1,865)      (4,648)      (1,865)
                             $(6,098)      $6,511     $(19,034)       $9,743


    *Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") are included in corporate and other.

SOURCE  La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    -0-                             11/13/2007
    /CONTACT:  Kathy Liebmann of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, +1-734-241-2438,
kathy.liebmann@la-z-boy.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.la-z-boy.com/
    (LZB)

CO:  La-Z-Boy Incorporated
ST:  Michigan
IN:  HOU REA
SU:  ERN ERP

CB-JK
-- CLTU115 --
9933 11/13/2007 16:14 EST http://www.prnewswire.com