Financial News Release

02/13/07

La-Z-Boy Reports Third-Quarter Operating Results

MONROE, Mich., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) today reported its operating results for its fiscal 2007 third quarter ended January 27, 2007. Net sales for the quarter were $403.9 million, down 9.6%, compared with the prior-year period. The company posted a per-share loss of $0.15, which included an after-tax $0.28 per-share loss from discontinued operations, most of which was attributable to the non-cash write- down of intangible assets of businesses held for sale. Income from continuing operations was $0.13 per share. The per-share amounts also included an after- tax restructuring charge of $0.03 per share relating to the company-owned retail operation, non-cash stock option expense of $0.01 per share after tax and income per share of $0.04 after tax related to anti-dumping duties received on bedroom furniture imported from China. In last year's third quarter, the company reported earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.19, which included an after-tax per share restructuring charge of $0.01.

For the nine months ended January 27, 2007, net sales were $1.2 billion, a decrease of 2.8% compared with the prior-year period. The company posted a per-share loss of $0.07 for the nine-month period, including an after-tax loss of $0.28 per share for discontinued operations, most of which is attributable to the write-down of intangible assets of businesses held for sale. Income from continuing operations was $0.21 per share. The per-share amounts also included an after-tax restructuring charge of $0.06 relating to the company- owned retail operation, non-cash stock option expense of $0.02 per share after tax, and income per share of $0.04 after tax related to anti-dumping duties. These results compare with last year's earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.13 per share, which included after-tax restructuring charges of $0.10 per share.

Kurt L. Darrow, President and CEO, said, "Despite the challenging sales environment pervasive throughout our industry, we were able to improve margins in our wholesale businesses while doing an excellent job managing our inventory, reducing our debt and generating cash. In our company-owned retail segment, we continued to execute against our strategy to strengthen our performance and, therefore, expect meaningful improvement in our next fiscal year. We also took a number of steps to strategically align our portfolio of companies for the future and will strive diligently towards a smooth transition for both our customers and employees of Sam Moore, Pennsylvania House and Clayton Marcus. We appreciate their dedication to the brands and their continued support as we go through this process and are in discussions with potential buyers who would be suitable long-term partners for those businesses."

Upholstery

For the fiscal 2007 third quarter, the company achieved an operating margin of 7.6% on a year-over-year sales decrease of 11.8%. Darrow stated, "On significantly lower volume, we were able to hold our margin against last year's third quarter and increase it sequentially from our fiscal 2007 second quarter. This performance continues to demonstrate the success of our cost- containment initiatives, which are focused on increased global sourcing as well as the conversion of our La-Z-Boy branded facilities to the cellular production process, which will improve our speed to market and quality while lowering costs."

During the quarter, the company signed a letter of intent to sell its Sam Moore upholstered chair operations to Hooker Furniture and results from Sam Moore are included in discontinued operations. A separate press release announcing the pending transaction was distributed simultaneously with this news release.

Darrow continued, "We are also working 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 eight new stores, relocated and/or remodeled eight and closed three, bringing the total store count to 340, of which 187 are in the New Generation format. Darrow noted, "We are on track to open, relocate or remodel approximately 45 New Generation stores in the overall network in fiscal 2007 and plan in the fiscal fourth quarter to add four new stores to the system, relocate or convert four and close eight."

System-wide, for the fourth 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 8.3% and total sales, which includes new stores, decreased 5.1%.

Casegoods

In the third quarter, casegoods sales were $63.1 million, down 14.6% from last year's third quarter. The segment's operating margin was 9.1%, versus last year's third-quarter margin of 7.9%. Darrow stated, "As a result of transitioning our business to primarily an import model with a heavily variable cost structure, we posted solid operating margins."

Darrow added, "During the quarter we continued to evaluate the various companies within our portfolio and our Board approved a plan to sell our Pennsylvania House/Clayton Marcus operation and their results are included in discontinued operations. Pennsylvania House has very strong consumer brand recognition and, together with Clayton Marcus, we will explore alternatives to maximize returns to our shareholders. Looking ahead in our casegoods business, we will maintain our focus on competitive new product introductions, with superior design and quality, while improving our service levels to our customers."

During the quarter, our petitioning casegoods companies collectively received $3.4 million in Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA) payments, net of legal expenses, in duties collected in connection with the dumping of wooden bedroom furniture imported from China and is not included in the segment's operating income.

Retail

For the quarter, retail sales were $61.1 million compared with $57.4 million in last year's third quarter. On an operating basis, the segment incurred a loss, primarily as a result of the difficult retail environment, transition costs and its high fixed-cost structure relative to current volume.

Darrow commented, "We continued to make significant changes to our company-owned retail operation this quarter. We opened four new company-owned stores, relocated one and converted two stores into the New Generation format. Our strategy for company-owned stores remains focused on the top 25 markets in North America where we can have a large enough store system in the right locations to further leverage our retail fixed cost structure. After evaluating our company-owned network of stores, we made the decision to exit the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market in order to focus on the larger markets with greater potential. We are in the process of closing four stores and a warehouse which will be completed at the end of our fourth quarter."

Darrow added, "La-Z-Boy Incorporated owns 72 stores, including 44 in the New Generation format. For the fourth quarter, the company plans to add four New Generation stores to its retail segment: two new stores and two relocations/conversions, and will close six. This would bring the total number of company-owned stores opened, remodeled and/or relocated during fiscal 2007 to 19, with the total number of stores in the new format to 48, representing 71% of the 68 stores anticipated at fiscal year end. Our retail group continues to make progress in three key areas. We are increasing sales by adding stores, converting and relocating existing stores to the new format and achieving economies of scale through better penetration in our markets. Second, we are reducing redundancies and costs by consolidating individual market operations and have already implemented a new operating system in our Northeast region which will be rolled out to our other markets with completion expected this Fall. Third, we are improving gross margins as we re-merchandise the operations acquired over the past two years.

Restructuring

During the quarter, a pre-tax restructuring charge of $2.9 million, or $0.03 after-tax per share, was recorded and principally relates to the store closings in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market and related contract termination costs for leases, severance and benefits, the write-down of certain leasehold improvements and other restructuring costs.

Balance Sheet

For the quarter, the company's debt-to-capitalization ratio stood at 25.4%, a decrease from fiscal 2006 year end's ratio of 26.5%. The company did not repurchase any shares in the third quarter and has approximately 5.4 million shares remaining in its 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 challenging retail environment persists and we believe the industry, overall, will continue to go through a difficult period. For the fiscal 2007 fourth quarter, we expect sales to be down 8% to 10% compared with last year's fourth quarter and expect earnings per share to be in the range of $0.03 to $0.07, including up to a $0.01 per share charge for stock option expense. In last year's fourth-quarter, we reported a loss per share of $0.20, which included a $0.44 write-down of intangibles."

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 fabric sets domestically or abroad; (z) the ability to sell the discontinued operations for their recorded fair value; and (aa) 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 and La-Z-Boy. 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 340 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, 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)

                                        Third Quarter Ended

                                                            Percent of Sales
                                                   % Over
                           1/27/07     1/28/06     (Under)  1/27/07  1/28/06

    Sales                 $403,874    $446,614       -9.6%   100.0%    100.0%

    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods sold   291,225     331,684      -12.2%    72.1%     74.3%

      Restructuring             --         594      100.0%      --       0.1%

      Total cost of sales  291,225     332,278      -12.4%    72.1%     74.4%

      Gross profit         112,649     114,336       -1.5%    27.9%     25.6%
    Selling, general and
     administrative        100,704      96,648        4.2%    24.9%     21.6%
    Restructuring            2,855          --        N/M      0.7%       --

      Operating income       9,090      17,688      -48.6%     2.3%      4.0%
    Interest expense         2,750       2,965       -7.3%     0.7%      0.7%
    Income from Continued
     Dumping and Subsidy
     Offset Act, net         3,430          --        N/M      0.8%       --
    Other income, net        1,998       1,390       43.7%     0.5%      0.3%

      Income from continuing
       operations before
       income taxes         11,768      16,113      -27.0%     2.9%      3.6%
    Income tax expense       4,823       6,132      -21.3%    41.0%*    38.1%*

      Income from continuing
       operations            6,945       9,981      -30.4%     1.7%      2.2%
      Income (loss) from
       discontinued operations
       (net of tax)        (14,766)        487        N/M     -3.7%      0.1%

      Net income (loss)    $(7,821)    $10,468     -174.7%    -1.9%      2.3%

    Basic average shares    51,367      51,673


    Basic income from
     continuing operations
     per share               $0.14       $0.19
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)           $(0.29)      $0.01

    Basic net income (loss)
     per share              $(0.15)      $0.20

    Diluted average shares  51,609      51,857


    Diluted income from
     continuing operations
     per share               $0.13       $0.19
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)           $(0.28)      $0.01

      Diluted net income
       (loss) per share     $(0.15)      $0.20

    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)

                                        Nine Months Ended

                                                            Percent of Sales
                                                   % Over
                           1/27/07     1/28/06     (Under)  1/27/07  1/28/06

    Sales               $1,210,353  $1,245,636      -2.8%    100.0%   100.0%

    Cost of sales
      Cost of goods sold   893,431     941,684      -5.1%     73.8%    75.6%
      Restructuring           (400)      8,411    -104.8%       --      0.7%

    Total cost of sales    893,031     950,095      -6.0%     73.8%    76.3%

      Gross profit         317,322     295,541       7.4%     26.2%    23.7%
    Selling, general and
     administrative        294,098     277,488       6.0%     24.3%    22.3%
    Restructuring            5,120          --       N/M       0.4%      --

      Operating income      18,104      18,053       0.3%      1.5%     1.4%
    Interest expense         7,890       8,796     -10.3%      0.7%     0.7%
    Income from Continued
     Dumping and Subsidy
     Offset Act, net         3,430          --       N/M       0.3%      --
    Other income, net        3,487       1,953      78.5%      0.3%     0.2%

      Income from continuing
       operations before
       income taxes         17,131      11,210      52.8%      1.4%     0.9%
    Income tax expense       6,348       4,423      43.5%     37.1%*   39.5%*

    Income from continuing
     operations             10,783       6,787      58.9%      0.9%     0.5%
      Income (loss) from
       discontinued operations
       (net of tax)        (14,355)        442       N/M      -1.2%      --

      Net income (loss)    $(3,572)    $ 7,229    -149.4%     -0.3%     0.6%


    Basic average shares    51,509      51,819


    Basic income from
     continuing operations
     per share               $0.21       $0.13
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)           $(0.28)      $0.01

    Basic net income (loss)
     per share              $(0.07)      $0.14

    Diluted average shares  51,743      51,950


    Diluted income from
     continuing operations
     per share               $0.21       $0.13
    Discontinued operations
     (net of tax)           $(0.28)      $0.01

    Diluted net income
     (loss) per share       $(0.07)      $0.14

    Dividends paid per share $0.36       $0.33

    *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)
                           1/27/07    1/28/06    Dollars    Percent   4/29/06
    Current assets
      Cash and equivalents $17,484    $20,508    $(3,024)   -14.7%    $24,089
      Receivables, net     217,103    274,001    (56,898)   -20.8%    270,578
      Inventories, net     214,151    246,547    (32,396)   -13.1%    238,826
      Deferred income taxes 31,369     29,385      1,984      6.8%     27,276
      Assets of
       discontinued
       operations           39,354         --     39,354      N/M          --
      Other current assets  24,847     24,734        113      0.5%     23,790

        Total current
         assets            544,308    595,175    (50,867)    -8.5%    584,559
    Property, plant and
     equipment, net        192,382    210,798    (18,416)    -8.7%    209,986
    Goodwill                55,409     79,770    (24,361)   -30.5%     56,926
    Trade names              9,472     18,794     (9,322)   -49.6%     18,794
    Other long-term assets  87,339     86,096      1,243      1.4%    100,909

        Total assets      $888,910   $990,633  $(101,723)   -10.3%   $971,174

    Current liabilities
      Short-term
       borrowings          $15,702    $13,718     $1,984     14.5%     $8,000
      Current portion of
       long-term debt        3,312      2,566        746     29.1%      2,844
      Accounts payable      60,236     77,479    (17,243)   -22.3%     85,561
      Liabilities of
       discontinued
       operations            5,681         --      5,681      N/M          --
      Accrued expenses and
       other current
       liabilities         105,636    129,203    (23,567)   -18.2%    128,112

        Total current
         liabilities       190,567    222,966    (32,399)   -14.5%    224,517
    Long-term debt         147,117    193,978    (46,861)   -24.2%    173,368
    Deferred income taxes    9,605      4,946      4,659     94.2%     14,548
    Other long-term
     liabilities            54,961     57,723     (2,762)    -4.8%     48,396
    Contingencies and
     commitments                --         --         --       --          --

    Shareholders' equity
      Common shares, $1
       par value            51,372     51,713       (341)    -0.7%     51,782
      Capital in excess
       of par value        207,184    211,273     (4,089)    -1.9%    210,826
      Retained earnings    222,601    261,272    (38,671)   -14.8%    246,387
      Unearned compensation     --     (3,448)     3,448    100.0%     (3,083)
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive income
       (loss)                5,503     (9,790)    15,293    156.2%      4,433

        Total shareholders'
         equity            486,660    511,020    (24,360)    -4.8%    510,345

        Total liabilities
         and shareholders'
         equity           $888,910   $990,633  $(101,723)   -10.3%   $971,174

    N/M = not meaningful



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

                                    Third Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                    1/27/07    1/28/06     1/27/07    1/28/06

    Cash flows from operating
     activities
     Net income (loss)              $(7,821)   $10,468     $(3,572)    $7,229
     Adjustments to reconcile
      net income (loss) to cash
      provided by operating
      activities
        Write-down of assets of
         businesses held for sale
         (net of tax)                13,674         --      13,674         --
        Gain on sale of discontinued
         operations (net of tax)         --         --      (1,280)        --
        Restructuring                 2,855        594       4,720      8,411
        Change in allowance for
         doubtful accounts           (1,130)       293        (263)       444
        Depreciation and
         amortization                 6,233      7,499      20,122     21,675
        Stock option and restricted
         stock expense                  479         --       3,211         --
        Change in receivables        23,847    (13,132)     22,842     15,267
        Change in inventories         2,808     20,773     (14,309)    17,411
        Change in payables           (9,849)     4,082     (19,228)    (5,822)
        Change in other assets
         and liabilities                106      4,296     (15,464)    (5,688)
        Change in deferred taxes     (2,270)    (1,791)     (9,036)    (7,049)

          Total adjustments          36,753     22,614       4,989     44,649

            Net cash provided by
             operating activities    28,932     33,082       1,417     51,878

    Cash flows from investing
     activities
     Proceeds from disposals of assets  314        905      25,276      8,625
     Proceeds from sale of
      discontinued operations            --         --      33,166         --
     Capital expenditures            (5,984)    (6,196)    (20,994)   (20,479)
     Purchases of investments        (5,069)    (6,420)    (13,461)   (21,980)
     Proceeds from sales of
      investments                     3,817      5,047      11,834      9,115
     Change in other long-term assets   539        841         343     (2,460)

          Net cash provided by
           (used for) investing
           activities                (6,383)    (5,823)     36,164    (27,179)

    Cash flows used for financing
     activities
     Proceeds from debt              12,577     14,334      91,252     86,471
     Payments on debt               (32,540)   (31,406)   (111,220)  (103,525)
     Stock issued for stock and
      employee benefit plans            567        909       1,333      2,954
     Repurchases of common stock        --          --      (6,947)   (10,889)
     Dividends paid                  (6,212)    (5,728)    (18,674)   (17,200)

          Net cash used for
           financing activities     (25,608)   (21,891)    (44,256)   (42,189)

    Effect of exchange rate changes
     on cash and equivalents             14        103          70        293

    Change in cash and equivalents   (3,045)     5,471      (6,605)   (17,197)
    Cash and equivalents at beginning
     of period                       20,529     15,037      24,089     37,705

    Cash and equivalents at end
     of period                      $17,484    $20,508     $17,484    $20,508


    Cash paid (net of refunds)
     during period  - income taxes     $558        $47     $17,655     $1,638

    Cash paid during period
     - interest                      $2,911     $3,456      $7,769     $8,766



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

                               Third Quarter Ended        Nine Months Ended

                                1/27/07    1/28/06        1/27/07    1/28/06
    Sales
      Upholstery Group         $292,738   $331,805       $890,675   $924,149
      Casegoods Group            63,127     73,926        198,317    218,299
      Retail Group               61,149     57,432        165,838    159,332
      VIEs/Eliminations         (13,140)   (16,549)       (44,477)   (56,144)

        Consolidated           $403,874   $446,614     $1,210,353 $1,245,636

    Operating income (loss)
      Upholstery Group          $22,286    $25,147        $59,344    $51,625
      Casegoods Group             5,721      5,830         15,163     12,967
      Retail Group               (6,738)    (5,987)       (23,222)   (17,469)
      Corporate and Other*       (9,324)    (6,708)       (28,461)   (20,659)
      Restructuring              (2,855)      (594)        (4,720)    (8,411)

        Consolidated             $9,090    $17,688        $18,104    $18,053



                                  Prior Quarters Ended in Fiscal 2007


                                      7/29/06              10/28/06
    Sales
      Upholstery Group               $294,325              $303,612
      Casegoods Group                  61,026                74,164
      Retail Group                     52,204                52,485
      VIEs/Eliminations               (14,704)              (16,633)

        Consolidated                 $392,851              $413,628

    Operating income (loss)
      Upholstery Group                $17,260               $19,798
      Casegoods Group                   3,242                 6,200
      Retail Group                     (7,715)               (8,769)
      Corporate and Other*             (9,920)               (9,217)
      Restructuring                        --                (1,865)

        Consolidated                   $2,867                $6,147


                              Prior Quarters Ended in Fiscal 2006


                            7/30/05    10/29/05    1/28/06    4/29/06
    Sales
      Upholstery Group     $294,071    $298,273   $331,805   $341,803
      Casegoods Group        70,617      73,756     73,926     74,254
      Retail Group           52,655      49,245     57,432     54,106
      VIEs/Eliminations     (20,648)    (18,947)   (16,549)   (20,787)

        Consolidated       $396,695    $402,327   $446,614   $449,376

    Operating income (loss)
      Upholstery Group      $14,645     $11,833    $25,147    $31,535
      Casegoods Group         3,694       3,443      5,830      4,158
      Retail Group           (5,408)     (6,074)    (5,987)    (8,537)
      Corporate and Other*   (6,168)     (7,783)    (6,708)    (7,906)
      Write-down of
       intangibles               --          --         --    (22,695)
      Restructuring              --      (7,817)      (594)       (68)

        Consolidated         $6,763     $(6,398)   $17,688    $(3,513)

    *Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") are included in corporate and other.
SOURCE  La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    -0-                             02/13/2007
    /CONTACT:  Mark Stegeman, +1-734-241-4418, or mark.stegeman@la-z-boy.com,
or Kathy Liebmann, +1-734-241-2438, or kathy.liebmann@la-z-boy.com, both of
La-Z-Boy Incorporated/
    /Web site:  http://www.la-z-boy.com/
              http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/sec_filings.aspx
        http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/investorRelations/IR_email_alerts.aspx /
    (LZB)

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

JE-MM
-- CLTU139 --
6724 02/13/2007 16:15 EST http://www.prnewswire.com