Financial News Release

11/14/06

La-Z-Boy Reports Second-Quarter Operating Results

MONROE, Mich., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB; PCX) today reported its operating results for the 2007 second fiscal quarter ended October 28, 2006. Net sales for the quarter were $440.5 million, up 2%, compared with the prior-year period. Net income for the quarter was $2.0 million, or $0.04 per share, versus a loss of $6.4 million, or a $0.12 loss per share, in last year's second quarter. Results for the fiscal 2007 second quarter included a $0.01 per share charge for stock option expense and $0.02 per share in restructuring charges. Last year's second quarter included an after-tax restructuring charge of $0.10 per share related to the closure of the company's Waterloo, Ontario upholstery facility and $0.01 per share in income from discontinued operations.

Kurt L. Darrow, President and CEO, said, "We were challenged with sales volume this quarter which was reflective of recent trends in furniture demand throughout the broader industry. We continue, however, to be encouraged by our ability to improve wholesale margins on essentially flat volume during what continues to be a difficult period. Our focus remains on our efforts to improve the performance of our company-owned proprietary store system and, this quarter, we took a number of the necessary steps to move in that direction. Additionally, we are working to leverage the unparalleled strength of the La-Z-Boy brand and strategically position ourselves for the future.

Upholstery

For the fiscal 2007 second quarter, upholstery sales increased 0.8% compared with the prior-year period while the operating margin improved year over year from 3.9% to 6.3%. Darrow stated, "We continue to improve our cost structure through increased global sourcing, cost containment and the conversion of our facilities to the cellular production process. A substantial part of our operating margin improvement this quarter demonstrates the success of these initiatives. Paramount to our service and value proposition is the ability to deliver custom furniture quickly and, today, approximately 45% of our orders flow through our system within a three-week timeframe and our objective is to deliver 100% of custom orders in four weeks or less. Going forward, in addition to a focus on customization and speed, we will work to broaden our distribution and further strengthen the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system."

For the quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) store system, which includes both company-owned and independent-licensed stores, opened four new stores, relocated and/or remodeled eight and closed three, bringing the total store count to 335, of which 171 are in the New Generation format. Darrow noted, "We are on track to open, relocate or remodel approximately 50 New Generation stores in the overall network in fiscal 2007 and plan to add eight new stores to the system in the third quarter, relocate or convert nine and close two."

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 3.2% and total sales, which includes new stores, decreased 0.8%.

Casegoods

In the second quarter, casegoods sales were $92.1 million, down 1.0% from last year's second quarter. The segment's operating margin was 4.8%, up from last year's margin of 1.8%. Darrow stated, "We saw a rebound in sales from this year's first quarter. Compared with last year's second quarter, on slightly lower volume, we improved our operating profit by $2.7 million as a result of the successful conversion to primarily an import model where we have a much greater variable cost structure. Looking ahead, we will maintain our focus on the continued improvement of our cost structure and service levels to customers."

Retail

For the quarter, retail sales were $52.5 million compared with $49.2 million in last year's second quarter. On an operating basis, the segment incurred a loss, primarily the result of the sluggish retail environment, inefficiencies related to transitional issues and the current fixed cost structure relative to volume.

Darrow commented, "We made numerous changes to our retail operation this quarter. We opened three new stores, relocated two and exited the Rochester, New York market, by closing two stores. We also consolidated six warehouses into two large regional distribution centers. Additionally, in the Northeast region, we rolled out an enhanced operating system which will enable us to better manage our business while reducing redundancies and costs. Although there were various one-time expenses associated with these moves, we are confident they will drive meaningful improvement in our operating efficiency."

Darrow added, "Our emphasis will continue to be on improving our cost structure, particularly in the markets we acquired over the past 18 months. We also have the ability to strengthen our gross margin performance now that we are through a number of closing and clearance sales at the older stores. And, we are focused on increasing the system's volume through greater penetration of the markets in which we operate -- both through additional stores and the relocation and conversion to stores in the New Generation format. In fiscal 2007, we plan to open, remodel and/or relocate 20 company- owned stores, bringing the total number of stores in the new format to 49, representing 70% of the 70 stores we plan to have in our system at year end.

La-Z-Boy Incorporated owns 68 stores, including 37 in the New Generation format. For the third quarter, the company plans to add seven New Generation stores to its retail segment: four brand new stores and three relocations/conversions.

Restructuring

During the quarter, a pre-tax restructuring charge of $2.3 million, or $0.03 per share, was recorded stemming from the consolidation of retail warehouses, store closings and related contract termination costs for leases on these facilities, severance and benefits and the write-down of certain leasehold improvements in addition to other relocation costs.

Balance Sheet

Darrow noted, "For the quarter, our debt-to-capitalization ratio stood at 27.2%, a slight increase from fiscal 2006 year end's ratio of 26.5%. We repurchased approximately 250,000 shares during the quarter at an average price of $12.98, leaving us with approximately 5.4 million shares remaining in our program."

Business Outlook

Commenting on the company's business outlook, Darrow noted: "Although we have made strides in our wholesale divisions from a margin perspective, the volatility of the retail climate continues to concern us. For the fiscal 2007 third quarter, we expect sales to be down in the mid-single-digit range compared with last year's third quarter sales of $477 million and we expect earnings per share to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.10, including up to a $0.01 per share charge for stock option expense. In last year's third- quarter, we reported earnings per share of $0.20, which included $0.01 per share in restructuring charges and $0.01 per share of 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) the potential disruptions from Chinese imports; (i) inventory supply price fluctuations; (j) the impact of imports as it relates to continued domestic production; (k) changes in currency exchange rates; (l) competitive factors; (m) operating factors, such as supply, labor, or distribution disruptions including changes in operating conditions or costs; (n) effects of restructuring actions; (o) changes in the domestic or international regulatory environment; (p) not fully realizing cost reductions through restructurings; (q) ability to implement global sourcing organization strategies; (r) the impact of new manufacturing technologies; (s) the future financial performance and condition of independently operated dealers that we are required to consolidate into our financial statements or changes requiring us to consolidate additional independently operated dealers; (t) fair value changes to our intangible assets due to actual results differing from projected; (u) the impact of adopting new accounting principles; (v) the impact from natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes; (w) the ability to turn around under- performing retail stores; (x) the impact of retail store relocation costs, the success of new stores or the timing of converting stores to the New Generation format; (y) the ability to procure fabric rolls or cut-and-sewn sets domestically or abroad; and (z) 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, Centurion, England, La-Z-Boy, and Sam Moore. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid, Lea, Clayton Marcus, and Pennsylvania House.

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 and 307 La-Z-Boy In- Store Galleries, in addition to in-store gallery programs at the company's Kincaid, Pennsylvania House, Clayton Marcus, 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 per share data)

                                         Second Quarter Ended

                                                   % Over   Percent of Sales
                           10/28/06    10/29/05    (Under) 10/28/06  10/29/05


    Sales                  $440,538    $433,367       1.7%   100.0%    100.0%

    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods sold    329,242     336,263      -2.1%    74.7%     77.6%
      Restructuring            (400)      7,817    -105.1%    -0.1%      1.8%

    Total cost of sales     328,842     344,080      -4.4%    74.6%     79.4%

      Gross profit          111,696      89,287      25.1%    25.4%     20.6%
    Selling, general and
     administrative         105,315      97,264       8.3%    23.9%     22.4%
    Restructuring             2,265          --     N/M        0.5%       --
      Operating income
       (loss)                 4,116      (7,977)    151.6%     0.9%     -1.8%
    Interest expense          2,614       3,090     -15.4%     0.6%      0.7%
    Other income, net         1,649         294     460.9%     0.4%      0.1%

      Income (loss) from
       continuing operations
       before income taxes    3,151     (10,773)    129.2%     0.7%     -2.5%
    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                1,197      (3,862)    131.0%    38.0%*    35.8%*

      Income (loss) from
       continuing operations  1,954      (6,911)    128.3%     0.4%     -1.6%
    Income from discontinued
     operations (net of tax)     --         464    -100.0%      --       0.1%

      Net income (loss)      $1,954     $(6,447)    130.3%     0.4%     -1.5%


    Basic average shares     51,373      51,655

    Basic income (loss)
     from continuing
     operations per share     $0.04      $(0.13)
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)               $--       $0.01

    Basic net income (loss)
     per share                $0.04      $(0.12)

    Diluted average shares   51,639      51,655

    Diluted income (loss)
     from continuing
     operations per share     $0.04      $(0.13)
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)               $--       $0.01

      Diluted net income
       (loss) per share       $0.04      $(0.12)

    Dividends paid per share  $0.12       $0.11

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


                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
           (Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                             Six Months Ended

                                                   % Over   Percent of Sales
                           10/28/06    10/29/05    (Under) 10/28/06  10/29/05

    Sales                  $859,403    $862,242      -0.3%   100.0%    100.0%
    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods sold    646,152     662,613      -2.5%    75.2%     76.8%
      Restructuring            (400)      7,817    -105.1%      --       0.9%

    Total cost of sales     645,752     670,430      -3.7%    75.1%     77.8%

      Gross profit          213,651     191,812      11.4%    24.9%     22.2%
    Selling, general and
     administrative         204,440     193,080       5.9%    23.8%     22.4%
    Restructuring             2,265          --       N/M      0.3%       --

      Operating income
       (loss)                 6,946      (1,268)    647.8%     0.8%     -0.1%
    Interest expense          5,140       5,831     -11.9%     0.6%      0.7%
    Other income, net         2,267         303     648.2%     0.3%       --

      Income (loss) from
       continuing operations
       before income taxes    4,073      (6,796)    159.9%     0.5%     -0.8%
    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                1,077      (2,362)    145.6%    26.4%*    34.8%*

    Income (loss) from
     continuing operations    2,996      (4,434)    167.6%     0.3%     -0.5%
    Income from discontinued
     operations (net of tax)  1,253       1,195       4.9%     0.1%      0.1%

      Net income (loss)      $4,249     $(3,239)    231.2%     0.5%     -0.4%


    Basic average shares     51,580      51,892

    Basic income(loss) from
     continuing operations
     per share                $0.06      $(0.08)
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)             $0.02       $0.02

    Basic net income (loss)
     per share                $0.08      $(0.06)

    Diluted average shares   51,806      51,892

    Diluted income (loss)
     from continuing
     operations per share     $0.06      $(0.08)
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)             $0.02       $0.02

      Diluted net income
       (loss) per share       $0.08      $(0.06)

    Dividends paid per share  $0.24       $0.22

    * 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)

                             10/28/06   10/29/05   Dollars  Percent   4/29/06
    Current assets
      Cash and equivalents    $20,529    $15,037    $5,492   36.5%    $24,089
      Receivables, net        253,519    258,518    (4,999)  -1.9%    270,578
      Inventories, net        237,885    267,320   (29,435) -11.0%    238,826
      Deferred income taxes    32,339     27,247     5,092   18.7%     27,276
      Other current assets     29,076     30,676    (1,600)  -5.2%     23,790

        Total current assets  573,348    598,798   (25,450)  -4.3%    584,559
    Property, plant and
     equipment, net           204,904    214,552    (9,648)  -4.5%    209,986
    Goodwill                   62,736     79,770   (17,034) -21.4%     56,926
    Trade names                18,794     18,794        --     --      18,794
    Other long-term assets     80,166     84,214    (4,048)  -4.8%    100,909

        Total assets         $939,948   $996,128  $(56,180)  -5.6%   $971,174

    Current liabilities
      Short-term borrowings   $35,000    $30,835    $4,165   13.5%     $8,000
      Current portion of
       long-term debt           3,295      1,965     1,330   67.7%      2,844
      Accounts payable         72,308     73,397    (1,089)  -1.5%     85,561
      Accrued expenses and
       other current
       liabilities            114,762    130,154   (15,392) -11.8%    128,112

        Total current
         liabilities          225,365    236,351   (10,986)  -4.6%    224,517
    Long-term debt            147,799    194,533   (46,734) -24.0%    173,368
    Deferred income taxes      12,845      4,599     8,246  179.3%     14,548
    Other long-term
     liabilities               54,920     56,361    (1,441)  -2.6%     48,396
    Contingencies and
     commitments                   --         --        --     --          --
    Shareholders' equity
      Common shares, $1
       par value               51,364     51,637      (273)  -0.5%     51,782
      Capital in excess
       of par value           206,145    211,838    (5,693)  -2.7%    210,826
      Retained earnings       236,635    254,855   (18,220)  -7.1%    246,387
      Unearned compensation        --     (3,534)    3,534  100.0%     (3,083)
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive income
       (loss)                   4,875    (10,512)   15,387  146.4%      4,433

      Total shareholders'
       equity                 499,019    504,284    (5,265)  -1.0%    510,345

        Total liabilities and
         shareholders'
         equity              $939,948   $996,128  $(56,180)  -5.6%   $971,174



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                      (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

                                        Second Quarter Ended  Six Months Ended
                                          10/28/06 10/29/05  10/28/06 10/29/05
    Cash flows from operating activities
      Net income (loss)                     $1,954  $(6,447)  $4,249  $(3,239)
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       (loss) to cash provided by (used for)
       operating activities
        Gain on sale of discontinued
         operations (net of tax)                --       --   (1,280)      --
        Restructuring                        1,865    7,817    1,865    7,817
        Change in allowance for doubtful
         accounts                              592  (1,589)      867     (740)
        Depreciation and amortization        6,809    7,178   13,889   14,176
        Stock option and restricted
         stock expense                       1,861       --    2,732       --
        Change in receivables              (23,177)  (4,703)  (1,005)  29,290
        Change in inventories                  873   (2,581) (17,117)  (3,362)
        Change in payables                  (2,060)   4,055   (9,379)  (9,904)
        Change in other assets
         and liabilities                    (8,623)  (2,683) (15,570)  (9,984)
        Change in deferred taxes            (3,110)  (2,020)  (6,766)  (5,258)

          Total adjustments                (24,970)   5,474  (31,764)  22,035

            Net cash provided by (used for)
             operating activities          (23,016)    (973) (27,515)  18,796

    Cash flows from investing activities
      Proceeds from disposals of assets      3,633    7,718   24,962    7,720
      Proceeds from sale of
       discontinued operations               3,184       --   33,166       --
      Capital expenditures                  (5,767)  (7,570) (15,010) (14,283)
      Purchases of investments              (2,760)  (3,622)  (8,392) (15,560)
      Proceeds from sale of investments      2,320    1,925    8,017    4,068
      Change in other long-term assets        (701)  (1,236)    (196)  (3,301)

            Net cash provided by (used for)
             investing activities              (91)  (2,785)  42,547  (21,356)

    Cash flows provided by (used for)
     financing activities
      Proceeds from debt                    56,276   26,058   78,675   72,137
      Payments on debt                     (31,266) (18,214) (78,680) (72,119)
      Stock issued for stock option
       and employee benefits plans            (342)   1,045      766    2,045
      Repurchase of common stock            (3,261)  (3,642)  (6,947) (10,889)
      Dividends paid                        (6,213)  (5,714) (12,462) (11,472)

            Net cash provided by (used for)
             financing activities           15,194     (467) (18,648) (20,298)
    Effect of exchange rate changes on
     cash and equivalents                       49      251       56      190

    Change in cash and equivalents          (7,864)  (3,974)  (3,560) (22,668)
    Cash and equivalents at beginning
     of period                              28,393   19,011   24,089   37,705

    Cash and equivalents at end
     of period                             $20,529  $15,037  $20,529  $15,037

    Cash paid (net of refunds) during
     period - income taxes                 $16,889   $7,224  $17,097   $1,591

    Cash paid during period - interest      $1,748   $2,088   $4,660   $5,310



                            LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
                             Segment Information
                      (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

                            Second Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended
                            10/28/06   10/29/05       10/28/06    10/29/05
    Sales
      Upholstery Group      $312,575   $310,013       $615,658    $614,084
      Casegoods Group         92,111     93,057        170,393     185,853
      Retail Group            52,485     49,245        104,689     101,900
      VIEs/Eliminations      (16,633)   (18,948)       (31,337)    (39,595)

      Consolidated          $440,538   $433,367       $859,403    $862,242


    Operating income (loss)
      Upholstery Group       $19,676    $12,115        $37,322     $26,884
      Casegoods Group          4,412      1,703          7,351       5,340
      Retail Group            (8,769)    (6,074)       (16,484)    (11,482)
      Corporate and other*    (9,338)    (7,904)       (19,378)    (14,193)
      Restructuring           (1,865)    (7,817)        (1,865)     (7,817)

      Consolidated            $4,116    $(7,977)        $6,946     $(1,268)

    * Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") are included in corporate and other.
SOURCE  La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    -0-                             11/14/2006
    /CONTACT:  Mark Stegeman of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, +1-734-241-4418,
mark.stegeman@la-z-boy.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.la-z-boy.com
         http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/IR_email_alerts.aspx
         http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/sec_filings.aspx /
    (LZB)

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

MB-CS
-- DETU018 --
1531 11/14/2006 16:42 EST http://www.prnewswire.com