Last year's results have been restated to reflect the mergers with AMP Incorporated and U.S. Surgical, which were accounted for as poolings of interests, and are before acquisition and other non-recurring charges and an extraordinary item. Tyco's merger with AMP was completed on April 2, 1999. For fiscal 1999, the results for the periods prior to the merger have been restated to include the results of AMP. Tyco originally reported fiscal 1998 revenue of $12.31 billion, earnings before extraordinary item of $1.18 billion and diluted earnings per share of $2.02.
"Tyco has delivered another record quarter," said L. Dennis Kozlowski, Tyco's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Each of the four business segments demonstrated solid earnings and corresponding cash flow. The Company had record free cash flow (operating cash, which is after cash spent on restructuring items, less capital expenditures and dividends) in excess of $900 million for the quarter. We remain confident in the strong fundamentals which are driving our core revenue, earnings and cash flow growth - explosive demand fueled by the internet for undersea fiber optic cable installation and maintenance for our telecommunications business; the increased use of electronics in all levels of telecommunications, industrial and consumer products for our electronics group; new customer accounts and recurring revenue in the fire and security industries; demographics and long-term contracts in the healthcare area; and, the focus on the service component of our flow control business.
"With backlog at record levels for the Company, we believe that this level of growth is sustainable for Tyco in its upcoming fiscal year. We remain committed to creating shareholder value through increased high quality earnings and cash flow," he continued.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS
At Tyco's Telecommunications and Electronics group, quarterly earnings reached $522.0 million, compared to the $225.9 million reported in the same quarter last year. Sales rose to $2.28 billion compared with $1.87 billion a year earlier. Tyco Electronics showed high single digit revenue growth at AMP and included the results of Raychem, which was purchased in August 1999. Cost savings have been achieved earlier than originally forecast and were greater than initially estimated, which lead to higher margins. We expect this margin expansion to continue in fiscal 2000 as manufacturing consolidations are implemented. Tyco Telecommunications continued its strong performance this quarter as demand for undersea telecommunications cable capacity remains robust, and the Company received contracts for new systems, upgrades for existing systems and for long-term maintenance agreements. Positive reaction to Tyco Submarine Systems' new full-service, on-demand maintenance programs has resulted in the awarding of several multi-year agreements.
Full year earnings in the Telecommunications and Electronics segment were $1.43 billion, a 57% increase over last year's $913.0 million. Sales for the year were $7.92 billion compared with $7.31 billion last year.
FIRE AND SECURITY SERVICES
At Tyco's Fire and Security Services group, earnings for the quarter increased 34 percent to $258.6 million versus $193.2 million last year. Sales reached $1.65 billion compared to $1.35 billion last year. Tyco's ADT security division continues to add record levels of new accounts per month, which provide high incremental margins. Revenues and earnings are strong across all geographic regions of the business in both fire and security. Backlog has increased for this segment over the prior year.
Earnings for the fiscal year were $940.4 million, 44 percent higher than last year's $654.9 million. Sales increased to $6.04 billion compared to $4.74 billion last year.
HEALTHCARE AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Earnings for the fourth quarter at Tyco's Healthcare and Specialty Products group grew to $355.9 million, compared to the loss of $141.5 million reached a year earlier. Sales grew to $1.56 billion versus last year's $1.25 billion. Earnings increased as a result of increased volume and margins in each area of this segment - Healthcare, Plastics and Specialty Products. Plant consolidations, cost cutting programs and improvements in productivity are ongoing in each of these areas.
Full year earnings in the Healthcare and Specialty Products segment were $1.31 billion. Sales for the year were $5.74 billion compared with $4.67 billion last year.
FLOW CONTROL
Fourth quarter earnings at the Tyco Flow Control group increased 15 percent to $106.4 million from $92.3 million last year. Sales were $735.1 million compared to the prior year's $638.7 million. Worldwide demand for our diverse offering of flow control products is solid. Backlog continues to increase in our valve businesses across the United States and Europe, and at our Earth Tech business where we have entered into a number of contracts related to the design and operation of water treatment facilities.
Earnings for the fiscal year were $403.9 million, 24% higher than last year's $325.9 million. Sales for the year increased to $2.79 billion, compared to $2.34 billion last year.
STOCK SPLIT
A two-for-one stock split on Tyco's common shares is payable today. The split will be in the form of a 100 percent stock distribution.
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Tyco International Ltd., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is the world's largest manufacturer and servicer of electrical and electronic components and undersea telecommunications systems, the world's largest manufacturer, installer, and provider of fire protection systems and electronic security services, has strong leadership positions in disposable medical products, plastics, and adhesives, and is the largest manufacturer of flow control valves. The Company operates in more than 80 countries around the world and has expected fiscal 2000 revenues in excess of $25 billion.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Comments in this earnings release concerning expected fiscal 2000 revenues, revenue growth, earnings growth, cost savings and margin expansion are forward-looking statements, which are based on management's good faith expectations and belief concerning future developments. Actual results may materially differ from these expectations as a result of many factors, relevant examples of which are set forth in the "Management Discussion and Analysis" section of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders and the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.