Financial News Release

06/16/08

La-Z-Boy Reports Fiscal 2008 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

MONROE, Mich., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) today reported its operating results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended April 26, 2008.

Net sales for the quarter were $368 million, down 9.8% compared with the prior year's fourth quarter. The company reported a loss from continuing operations of $4.5 million, or a loss of $0.09 per share, compared with income from continuing operations of $8.4 million, or $0.16 per share, for the same period last year. The 2008 fourth quarter results include a $0.04 per share restructuring charge, primarily related to the pending closure of the company's Tremonton, Utah upholstery facility, and a $0.07 per share charge associated with the make-whole provision on the company's private placements, which were refinanced in February. Last year's fourth quarter included a restructuring charge of $0.08 related to the closure of several of the company's upholstery facilities and retail outlets and a $0.14 gain on the sale of properties.

For the full fiscal 2008 year, La-Z-Boy reported sales of $1.5 billion, down 10.5% compared with the prior year. The company reported a loss from continuing operations of $7.5 million, or a loss of $0.15 per share, compared with income from continuing operations of $19.8 million, or $0.38 per share, for fiscal 2007. The 2008 full-year results include income per share of $0.09 related to anti-dumping duties received on bedroom furniture imported from China, a restructuring charge of $0.10 relating to the closure of the company's Lincolnton facility, retail outlet closures and the pending closure of the company's Tremonton, Utah upholstery facility, a $0.10 per share charge for a write-down of goodwill and a $0.07 per share charge associated with the make-whole provision on the company's private placements, which were refinanced in February.

For the full fiscal 2007 year, the company's results included a $0.13 per share restructuring charge related to plant and retail outlet closures, income of $0.04 per share related to anti-dumping duties, and a $0.17 per share gain on the sale of properties. (See the attached schedule for more information on selected items included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.)

Kurt L. Darrow, La-Z-Boy's President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "In an operating environment that continues to be marked by challenges, fiscal 2008 was a transitional year for La-Z-Boy. We continued our momentum in making significant changes to our business model, including rationalizing our portfolio of operating companies, transitioning our La-Z-Boy branded manufacturing facilities to cellular production, closing several upholstery facilities, launching a new comprehensive marketing campaign, consolidating our retail warehouses and IT systems and strengthening our balance sheet by reducing our debt by 31%. We made tough decisions during tough times, and are confident our business model has the strength and stability for us to remain an industry leader going forward."

Upholstery

For the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter, sales in the company's upholstery segment decreased 8.9% to $277.5 million compared with $304.7 million in the prior year's fourth quarter; however, the segment's operating margin increased to 8.3% from 6.0% in last year's comparable quarter. Darrow stated, "The success of the conversion of our La-Z-Boy branded facilities to the cellular production process is clearly evident in our results. On lower volume, we improved our operating margin year over year and, with the implementation of cellular now substantially completed, we anticipate our performance going forward will improve. During the quarter, we announced plans to consolidate all cutting and sewing operations at our branded facilities, over a period of 18 to 24 months, and will move those operations to a new facility in Mexico. We also announced we would close our Tremonton, Utah facility this summer. The combined annual savings from these two initiatives are expected to be in excess of $25 million, with the full benefit beginning in fiscal 2011."

For the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system, which includes both company-owned and independent-licensed stores, opened two new stores, relocated and/or remodeled two and closed three, bringing the total store count to 335, of which 216 are in the New Generation format. For fiscal 2009, the network plans to open 10 New Generation format La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores (seven new and three will be store remodels or relocations) and will close six. In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the network plans to open one store, relocate or remodel two and close two.

System-wide, for the first four months of calendar 2008, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, same-store written sales, which the company tracks as an indicator of retail activity, were down 5.7%. Total written sales, which include new stores, were down 5.2%.

Casegoods

For the 2008 fourth quarter, casegoods sales were $48.8 million, down 24.3% from the prior year's fourth quarter and, as a result, the segment's quarterly operating margin decreased to 3.6%. Darrow commented, "With higher price points typically associated with casegoods collections, as compared to upholstery, our casegoods business continues to be impacted by the housing downturn, with consumers postponing purchases of larger sets of furniture for the dining room and bedroom. In the meantime, our team remains focused on new product development, with unique attributes, to appeal to a wider range of customers. Importantly, we continue to align our cost structure with the current level of business."

Retail

For the quarter, retail sales were $48.9 million, down 10.2% compared with the prior-year period. The retail group posted an operating loss for the quarter, and its operating margin was (25.7%). Approximately 6.5% of the 10.2% sales decline was the result of exiting the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market, which was operating during last year's fourth quarter. Darrow stated, "During the quarter, we completed the consolidations of both our warehouse and IT systems, eliminating the redundant costs associated with the multiple markets we acquired over the last several years. Following the consolidation of the warehouses, we were aggressive in reducing our inventory and lowered it by 15% on a 10% sales decline during the course of the quarter. We also closed three stores during the period, selling additional inventory at discounted levels, which negatively impacted our gross margin for the quarter. However, as a result of these moves, beginning in fiscal 2009, we are in-stock on our core assortment, which is improving our service position."

Darrow continued, "Although we are realizing a significant reduction in costs as a result of the consolidation process, the benefit is negated by the decline in volume across our stores coupled with increased occupancy costs associated with additional New Generation format stores. While we cannot control the impact the economy is having on the home furnishings market, we are working to improve our close ratio and average ticket with every customer. Additionally, we continue to examine every cost component of our business while experimenting with various merchandising techniques in several stores as a means to drive top-line growth."

During the fourth quarter, the company's retail segment opened two new company-owned stores, remodeled or relocated two and closed one. At the end of the fourth quarter, the company owned 70 stores, including 56 in the New Generation format, or 80% versus 70 company-owned stores last year at this time, of which 47, or 67%, were in the new format.

New Credit Facility

La-Z-Boy Incorporated entered into a new secured credit agreement in early February, giving it greater flexibility to operate its business. As part of the refinancing, the company's private placement notes were paid off and the company took a charge of $6.0 million, or $0.07 per share, in the fourth quarter as a result of a make-whole provision with the company's note holders.

Balance Sheet

During the year, La-Z-Boy reduced its debt by $47 million, of which $46 million was reduced in the fourth quarter. At the end of fiscal 2008, La-Z-Boy's debt to capitalization ratio was 18.8% compared with 23.8% at the end of fiscal 2007. Net cash provided by operating activities was $49.2 million, primarily the result of a reduction in inventory and accounts receivable.

Business Outlook

Commenting on the company's business outlook, Darrow said: "Overall macroeconomic factors continue to impact the home furnishings industry and we believe it will be some time before the environment improves. As we experienced in fiscal 2008, due to seasonality issues and the way in which our fiscal year rolls out (May through April), we anticipate the second half of our fiscal year to be stronger than the first half. We will continue to make changes to our business to positively impact both the top and bottom lines; however, we remain cautious in our outlook for the full fiscal 2009 year and anticipate a 3% to 7% decrease in sales compared with fiscal 2008 and earnings per share to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.25. Our guidance does not include restructuring charges, potential income from anti-dumping monies, or any further effect from discontinued operations or the write-down of intangible assets."

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) further changes in the housing market; (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 ability to procure fabric rolls or cut and sewn fabric sets domestically or abroad; (r) 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 and La-Z-Boy. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew/Lea, Hammary and Kincaid.

The corporation's proprietary distribution network is dedicated exclusively to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 335 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores, 57 La-Z-Boy In-Store Galleries and 333 Comfort Studios, 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
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                                         Unaudited            Unaudited
                                   For the Quarter Ended  For the Year Ended
    (Amounts in thousands,
     except per share data)        4/26/2008  4/28/2007  4/26/2008  4/28/2007
                                   (13 weeks) (13 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks)

    Sales                           $368,030   $408,078 $1,450,941 $1,621,460

    Cost of sales
       Cost of goods sold            260,777    296,053  1,051,656  1,189,734
       Restructuring                   2,610      3,771      5,057      3,371
    Total cost of sales              263,387    299,824  1,056,713  1,193,105
       Gross profit                  104,643    108,254    394,228    428,355
    Selling, general and
     administrative                  102,192     92,955    399,470    388,738
    Restructuring                        632      2,542      3,078      7,662
    Write-down of intangibles          2,617          -      8,426          -
       Operating income (loss)          (798)    12,757    (16,746)    31,955
    Interest expense                   7,534      2,316     13,899     10,206
    Income from Continued Dumping
     and Subsidy Act, net                  -          -      7,147      3,430
    Interest income                      575      1,255      3,614      3,952
    Other income (expense), net          691        173      5,393        727
       Income (loss) from continuing
        operations before income
        taxes                         (7,066)    11,869    (14,491)    29,858
    Income tax (benefit) expense      (2,595)     3,434     (6,954)    10,090
       Income (loss) from continuing
        operations                    (4,471)     8,435     (7,537)    19,768
       Income (loss) from
        discontinued operations
        (net of tax)                      50       (724)   (6,000)    (15,629)
    Net income (loss)                $(4,421)    $7,711  $(13,537)     $4,139

    Basic average shares              51,425     51,373     51,408     51,475

    Basic income (loss) from
     continuing operations per
     share                            $(0.09)     $0.16     $(0.15)     $0.38
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)                          -      (0.01)     (0.11)     (0.30)
    Basic net income (loss) per
     share                            $(0.09)     $0.15     $(0.26)     $0.08

    Diluted average shares            51,425     51,522     51,408     51,606

    Diluted income (loss) from
     continuing operations per
     share                            $(0.09)     $0.16     $(0.15)     $0.38

    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)                          -      (0.01)     (0.11)     (0.30)
    Diluted net income (loss)
     per share                        $(0.09)     $0.15     $(0.26)     $0.08

    Dividends paid per share           $0.04      $0.12      $0.40      $0.48



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                                              Unaudited
                                                                As of
     (Amounts in thousands, except par value)           4/26/2008  4/28/2007

    Current assets
       Cash and equivalents                               $14,982    $51,721
       Receivables, net of allowance of $17,942
        in 2008 and $13,635 in 2007                       200,422    230,399
       Inventories, net                                   178,361    197,790
       Deferred income taxes -- current                    12,398     17,283
       Assets of discontinued operations                        -     24,278
       Other current assets                                21,325     19,327
          Total current assets                            427,488    540,798
    Property, plant and equipment, net                    171,001    183,218
    Deferred income taxes -- long term                     26,922     15,380
    Goodwill                                               47,233     55,659
    Trade names                                             9,006      9,472
    Other long-term assets, net of allowance of
     $2,801 in 2008 and $1,942 in 2007                     87,220     74,164
          Total assets                                   $768,870   $878,691

    Current liabilities
       Current portion of long-term debt                   $4,792    $38,076
       Accounts payable                                    56,421     66,242
       Liabilities of discontinued operations                   -      3,843
       Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     102,700    118,591
          Total current liabilities                       163,913    226,752
    Long-term debt                                         99,578    113,172
    Other long-term liabilities                            54,783     53,419
    Contingencies and commitments                               -          -
    Shareholders' equity
       Preferred shares -- 5,000 authorized; none issued        -          -
       Common shares, $1 par value - 150,000
        authorized; 51,428 outstanding in 2008 and
        51,377 outstanding in 2007                         51,428     51,377
       Capital in excess of par value                     209,388    208,283
       Retained earnings                                  190,215    223,896
       Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)         (435)     1,792
          Total shareholders' equity                      450,596    485,348
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity     $768,870   $878,691



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                      Unaudited Quarter      Unaudited Year
                                           Ended                 Ended
    (Amounts in thousands)         4/26/2008  4/28/2007  4/26/2008  4/28/2007

    Cash flows from operating
     activities
       Net income (loss)             $(4,421)    $7,711   $(13,537)    $4,139
       Adjustments to reconcile
         net income (loss) to cash
         provided by (used  for)
         operating activities
       Write-down of intangibles       2,617          -      8,426          -
       Write-down of assets from
        businesses held for sale
        (net of tax)                       -      1,262      2,159     14,936
       (Gain) loss on sale of
        discontinued operations
        (net of tax)                    (198)       345      3,696       (935)
       Restructuring                   3,242      6,313      8,135     11,033
       Provision for doubtful
        accounts                       2,177        899      8,550      3,790
       Depreciation and amortization   6,190      7,082     24,696     27,204
       Stock option, restricted and
        performance based stock
        expense                        1,362        748      4,527      3,959
       Change in receivables          11,715    (14,624)    20,956      5,064
       Change in inventories           5,574     18,795     23,471      4,486
       Change in payables             (5,287)     7,621    (10,394)   (11,607)
       Change in other assets and
        liabilities                   (6,768)     3,018    (25,419)   (12,446)
       Change in deferred taxes       (3,557)    (7,354)    (6,027)   (16,390)
          Total adjustments           17,067     24,105     62,776     29,094

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                       12,646     31,816     49,239     33,233

    Cash flows from investing
     activities
       Proceeds from disposals
        of assets                      1,023     21,698      8,761     46,974
       Proceeds from sale of
        discontinued operations            -      9,493      4,169     42,659
       Capital expenditures           (6,548)    (4,817)   (27,386)   (25,811)
       Purchases of investments       (5,485)    (4,704)   (34,562)   (18,165)
       Proceeds from sales of
        investments                    5,338      5,508     35,580     17,342
       Change in other long-term
        assets                        (2,791)    (1,298)      (705)      (955)
          Net cash provided by (used
           for) investing activities  (8,463)    25,880    (14,143)    62,044

    Cash flows from financing
     activities
       Net changes in debt           (50,108)   (16,728)   (50,929)   (36,696)
       Stock issued/(canceled)
        for stock and employee
        benefit plans                   (140)         7       (269)     1,340
       Repurchases of common stock         -          -          -     (6,947)
       Dividends paid                 (2,076)    (6,212)   (20,746)   (24,886)
          Net cash used for financing
          activities                 (52,324)   (22,933)   (71,944)   (67,189)

    Effect of exchange rate changes
     on cash and equivalents             (52)      (526)       109       (456)
    Change in cash and equivalents   (48,193)    34,237    (36,739)    27,632
    Cash and equivalents at
     beginning of period              63,175     17,484     51,721     24,089
    Cash and equivalents at
     end of period                   $14,982    $51,721    $14,982    $51,721



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                             Segment Information

                                     Unaudited               Unaudited
                               For the Quarter Ended    For the Year Ended
                               4/26/2008   4/28/2007   4/26/2008   4/28/2007
    (Amounts in thousands)     (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (52 weeks)  (52 weeks)

    Sales
       Upholstery Group         $277,458    $304,674  $1,084,418  $1,198,378
       Casegoods Group            48,770      64,403     213,896     262,721
       Retail Group               48,902      54,481     190,180     220,319
       VIEs/Eliminations          (7,100)    (15,480)    (37,553)    (59,958)
          Consolidated           368,030     408,078   1,450,941   1,621,460

    Operating income (loss)
       Upholstery Group           22,961      18,286      70,332      78,724
       Casegoods Group             1,752       5,127      10,151      20,289
       Retail Group              (12,565)     (7,939)    (40,265)    (31,161)
       Corporate and Other*       (7,087)      3,596     (40,403)    (24,864)
       Restructuring              (3,242)     (6,313)     (8,135)    (11,033)
       Intangible write-down      (2,617)          -      (8,426)          -
          Consolidated             $(798)    $12,757    $(16,746)    $31,955

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



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                      Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

    (Dollar amounts in
     thousands, except per
     share data)               7/28/2007  10/27/2007   1/26/2008   4/26/2008

    Fiscal Quarter Ended       (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)

    Sales                       $344,396    $365,434    $373,081    $368,030
    Cost of sales
       Cost of goods sold        259,143     266,658     265,078     260,777
       Restructuring               2,561         518        (632)      2,610
          Total cost of sales    261,704     267,176     264,446     263,387
             Gross profit         82,692      98,258     108,635     104,643
    Selling, general and
     administrative               94,508      98,098     104,672     102,192
    Restructuring                  1,120         449         877         632
    Write-down of intangibles          -       5,809           -       2,617
       Operating income (loss)   (12,936)     (6,098)      3,086        (798)
    Interest expense               2,097       2,120       2,148       7,534
    Income from Continued
     Dumping and Subsidy Offset
     Act, net                          -           -       7,147           -
    Interest income                  882       1,023       1,134         575
    Other income, net                566         351       3,785         691
       Income (loss) from
        continuing operations
        before income taxes      (13,585)     (6,844)     13,004      (7,066)
    Income tax expense (benefit)  (5,043)     (3,192)      3,876      (2,595)
       Income (loss) from
        continuing operations     (8,542)     (3,652)      9,128      (4,471)
       Income (loss) from
        discontinued operations
        (net of tax)                (152)     (6,282)        384          50

       Net income (loss)         $(8,694)    $(9,934)     $9,512     $(4,421)

    Diluted weighted average
     shares outstanding           51,380      51,410      51,590      51,425

    Diluted income (loss) from
     continuing operations
     per share                    $(0.17)     $(0.07)      $0.18      $(0.09)
    Diluted net income (loss)
     per share                    $(0.17)     $(0.19)      $0.18      $(0.09)



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                      Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

    (Dollar amounts in thousands,
     except per share data)    7/29/2006  10/28/2006   1/27/2007   4/28/2007
    Fiscal Quarter Ended       (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)

    Sales                       $393,923    $414,614    $404,845    $408,078
       Cost of sales
       Cost of goods sold        296,008     306,351     291,322     296,053
       Restructuring                   -        (400)          -       3,771
          Total cost of sales    296,008     305,951     291,322     299,824
          Gross profit            97,915     108,663     113,523     108,254
    Selling, general and
     administrative               94,683      99,887     101,213      92,955
    Restructuring                      -       2,265       2,855       2,542
       Operating income            3,232       6,511       9,455      12,757
    Interest expense               2,526       2,614       2,750       2,316
    Income from Continued
     Dumping and Subsidy
     Offset Act, net                   -           -       3,430           -
    Interest income                  815         773       1,109       1,255
    Other income (expense), net     (545)        575         524         173
       Pre-tax income                976       5,245      11,768      11,869
    Income tax expense (benefit)    (116)      1,949       4,823       3,434
       Income from continuing
        operations                 1,092       3,296       6,945       8,435
       Income (loss) from
        discontinued operations
         (net of tax)              1,203      (1,342)    (14,766)       (724)
          Net income (loss)       $2,295      $1,954     $(7,821)     $7,711

    Diluted weighted average
     shares outstanding           51,971      51,639      51,609      51,522

    Diluted income from
     continuing operations
     per share                     $0.02       $0.06       $0.13       $0.16

    Diluted net income (loss)
     per share                     $0.04       $0.04      $(0.15)      $0.15



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
     Selected Items Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations

                                     Unaudited               Unaudited
                               For the Quarter Ended     For the Year Ended
                               4/26/2008   4/28/2007   4/26/2008   4/28/2007
    (Amounts in millions)      (13 weeks)  (13 weeks)  (52 weeks)  (52 weeks)

    Writedown of Intangible
     Assets(1)                      $2.7          $-        $8.4          $-
    Restructuring (2)                3.2         6.3         8.1        11.0
    Make Whole on Private
     Placements (3)                  6.0           -         6.0           -
    (Gain)/Loss on Property
     Sales(4)                        0.3       (11.5)        0.3       (14.1)
    Litigation Settlement(5)        (2.6)          -        (2.6)          -
    (Gain)/Loss on Sales of
     Investments(6)                 (0.3)       (0.2)       (3.9)       (0.7)
    Income from CDSOA(7)               -           -        (7.1)       (3.4)
    Selected Items included in
     Income from Continuing
     Operations                     $9.3       $(5.4)       $9.2       $(7.2)

    (1) Write-down of a portion of the goodwill of one of our VIEs in the
        fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Full year includes the write-down of
        goodwill for our South Florida market.
    (2) Severance, benefits, write-down of assets, contract terminations costs
        and other costs related to our plant and retail store closures.
    (3) Make whole premium on the repayment of our private placement notes.
    (4) Gains and losses on property sales which were not previously
        written-down as part of a restructuring plan. FY07 includes the sale
        of our plant in the U.K. in addition to several other properties
        during the year.
    (5) Settlement related to one of our VIEs who was in litigation with the
        former independent dealer of the VIE's market.
    (6) Gains and losses on various investments.
    (7) Income received under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act.

SOURCE  La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    -0-                             06/16/2008
    /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

JT-EE
-- CLM117 --
3755 06/16/2008 19:02 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com