Form 6-K
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of August 2005

 

Commission File Number: 2-58155

 

KUBOTA CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

2-47, Shikitsuhigashi 1-chome, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Japan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F :

 

Form 20-F  x    Form 40-F  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) :  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) :  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 :

 

Yes  ¨    No  x

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b) : 82-                    

 



Table of Contents

Information furnished on this form:

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number

 

1. Results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 (Thursday, August 4, 2005)


Table of Contents
    

Contact:

IR Group

Kubota Corporation

2-47, Shikitsuhigashi 1-chome,

Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-8601, Japan

Phone      : +81-6-6648-2645

Facsimile : +81-6-6648-2632

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2005)

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

JUNE 30, 2005 REPORTED BY KUBOTA CORPORATION

 

OSAKA, JAPAN, August 4, 2005 —Kubota Corporation reported its consolidated results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 today.

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Results of operations

  

(In millions of yen and thousands of U.S. dollars except per

American Depositary Share (“ADS”) amounts)

 

     Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2005


    %
(*)


   Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2004


   %
(*)


   Year ended
Mar. 31, 2005


Net sales

   ¥219,493     11.9      ¥196,207    6.0    ¥983,226
     [$1,977,414 ]                     

Operating income

   ¥29,116     27.5      ¥22,833    146.1    ¥92,299
     [$262,306 ]                     

Income before income taxes, minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries, and equity in net income of affiliated companies

   ¥32,091     24.4      ¥25,790    123.7    ¥161,561
     [$289,108 ]                     

Net income

   ¥19,050     36.2      ¥13,985    294.8    ¥117,901
     [$171,622 ]                     

Net income per ADS (five common shares)

                           

Basic

   ¥73            ¥52         ¥446
     [$0.66 ]                     

Diluted

   ¥72            ¥51         ¥434
     [$0.65 ]                     

 

Notes.1 :   (*) represents percentage change from the corresponding previous period.
2 :   The United States dollar amounts included herein represent translations using the approximate exchange rate on June 30, 2005, of ¥111 =US$1, solely for convenience.

 

(2) Financial position

   (In millions of yen and thousands of U.S. dollars
except per ADS amounts)
 
 
     Jun. 30, 2005

    Jun. 30, 2004

    Mar. 31, 2005

 

Total assets

   ¥1,193,030     ¥1,108,019     ¥1,193,056  
     [$10,748,018 ]            

Shareholders’ equity

   ¥496,762     ¥400,146     ¥481,019  
     [ $4,475,333 ]            

Ratio of shareholders’ equity to total assets

   41.6 %   36.1 %   40.3 %

Shareholders’ equity per ADS

   ¥1,910     ¥1,493     ¥1,850  
     [ $17.21 ]            

 

Notes. 1 :

   The United States dollar amounts included herein represent translations using the approximate exchange rate on June 30, 2005, of ¥111 =US$1, solely for convenience.

 

-1-


Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

(3)     122 subsidiaries are consolidated, and 27 affiliated companies are accounted for under the equity method.

    

(4)     The number of newly consolidated companies during the period

  

: 3

The number of companies newly excluded from consolidated subsidiaries during the period

  

: 2

The number of newly affiliated companies during the period

  

: 1

The number of companies newly excluded from affiliated companies during the period

  

: 3

 

(5) Financial forecast

 

Anticipated results of operations for the six months ending September 30, 2005 and the year ending March 31, 2006.(unchanged)

 

(Consolidation)

   (In millions of yen )

 

     Six months ending
September 30, 2005


  

Year ending

March 31, 2006


Net sales

   ¥ 485,000    ¥ 996,000

Income before income taxes, minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries, and equity in net income of affiliated companies

   ¥ 53,000    ¥ 102,000

Net income

   ¥ 30,000    ¥ 58,000

 

Basic net income per ADS for the year ending March 31, 2006 is anticipated to be ¥223.

 

-2-


Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

<Results of Operations>

 

During the three months under review, net sales were ¥219.5 billion, an 11.9 % increase from the corresponding period in the prior year, resulting from favorable sales in the domestic and overseas markets.

 

In the domestic market sales of tractor and other agricultural machinery increased due to aggressive sales campaigns. In addition, sales of engines and construction machinery expanded sharply. Domestic sales in Pipes, Valves, and Industrial Castings increased owing to increased sales of plastic pipe and industrial castings. Increased sales of plastic pipe is attributable to the launch of Kubota-C.I. Co., Ltd., which was jointly established by the Company and C.I. Kasei Company Limited on April 1, 2005. Domestic sales in Environmental Engineering increased due to sales of Water and Sewage Engineering Division, and domestic sales in “Other” segment slightly increased as increase in sales of vending machine compensated the decrease in sales of the building materials business. As a result, total domestic sales increased 8.9 %, to ¥119.5 billion from the corresponding period in the prior year.

 

Overseas sales increased 15.7 % to ¥100.0 billion from the corresponding period in the prior year. Sales of engines and construction machinery continued rapid expansion in the U.S. and EU markets and sales of other products of the Internal Combustion Engine and Machinery segment increased steadily.

 

Operating income was ¥29.1 billion, a 27.5 % increase from the corresponding period in the prior year. While price increases in raw materials and appreciation of yen negatively affected operating income, increased sales, centering on Internal Combustion Engine and Machinery, a decrease in pension costs, and profit on sale of properties contributed to the large increase in operating income.

 

Income before income taxes, minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries, and equity in net income of affiliated companies was ¥32.1 billion, a 24.4 % increase from the corresponding period in the prior year, due to an increase in operating income. As a result, after income taxes, minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries and equity in net loss of affiliated companies, net income was ¥19.1 billion, a 36.2 % increase from the corresponding period in the prior year.

 

As for the matter related to the health hazard of asbestos, which became an object of public concern in Japan, the Company declared its intention to act seriously and faithfully for various issues of the health hazard of asbestos in its press release “Notice on the Company’s action for the health hazard of asbestos” dated June 30, 2005. The Company, which previously manufactured asbestos-containing products for a long time, has decided to take the actions from the view point of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The Company has not recorded any accrual of loss contingencies so far, because it is difficult for the Company to reasonably estimate the amount of the expenses related to this matter.

 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

<Financial Position>

 

(Comparison with the end of corresponding period in the prior year)

 

Total assets at the end of the period under review amounted to ¥1,193.0 billion, ¥85.0 billion more than the corresponding period in the prior year, due mainly to increase in notes and accounts receivable, short-term finance receivables, inventories, and investments and long-term finance receivable, which are resulted from business expansion of Internal Combustion Engine and Machinery. On the other hand, other assets decreased because of the decrease in deferred tax assets, which is in connection with the transfer of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligation and related plan assets to the Japanese government. As for liabilities, current liabilities increased due to increases of short-term borrowings, and notes and accounts payable. However, long-term liabilities sharply decreased due to major decline in accrued retirement and pension costs because of the transfer of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligation and related plan assets to the Japanese government. Shareholder’s equity increased due to recorded large amount of net income.

 

(Comparison with the end of the prior year)

 

Total assets were almost even level comparing with the balance sheet at the end of the prior year. As for assets, the Company had large amounts of notes and accounts receivable from government agencies because of rush of shipment at the year-end. Through the collection of such receivables during this period, the balance fell sharply. On the other hand, inventories and other current assets increased. As for liabilities, the balance of interest-bearing debt was ¥297.5 billion, a decrease of ¥6.7 billion from the end of the prior year, while the balance deducting the debt related to the sales financing programs declined by ¥33.0 billion, to ¥125.2 billion. Shareholders’ equity increased ¥15.7 billion, and the ratio of shareholders’ equity to total liabilities and shareholders’ equity improved 1.3 percentage points, to 41.6 %. Additionally, the Company retired 39.0 million shares of treasury stock on June 30, 2005, according to resolution of the Board of Directors Meeting on May 13, 2005.

 

<Prospect for the Fiscal Year>

 

The forecasts of the results of operations for the year ending March 31, 2006, and for the six months ending September 30, 2005, which were announced on May 13, 2005, are unchanged.

 


< Cautionary Statements with Respect to Forward-Looking Statements >

 

This document may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: general economic conditions in the Company’s markets, particularly government agricultural policies, levels of capital expenditures, both in public and private sectors, foreign currency exchange rates, continued competitive pricing pressures in the marketplace, as well as the Company’s ability to continue to gain acceptance of its products.


 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of yen)

 

     Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2005


    Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2004


    Change

    Year ended
Mar. 31, 2005


 
     Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

 

Net sales

   219,493     100.0     196,207     100.0     23,286     6.0     983,226     100.0  

Cost of sales

   153,098     69.7     137,878     70.3     15,220     1.4     713,312     72.5  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

   38,248     17.4     36,432     18.6     1,816     (12.9 )   181,727     18.5  

Gain from disposal and impairment of businesses and fixed assets

   (969 )   (0.4 )   (936 )   (0.5 )   (33 )   (48.1 )   (4,112 )   (0.4 )
    

       

       

       

     

Operating income

   29,116     13.3     22,833     11.6     6,283     146.1     92,299     9.4  

Other income (expenses):

                                                

Interest and dividend income

   3,747           2,550           1,197           9,488        

Interest expense

   (1,405 )         (963 )         (442 )         (4,699 )      

Gain on sales of securities-net

   120           497           (377 )         1,604        

Foreign exchange gain-net

   211           943           (732 )         3,597        

Subsidy from the government

   —             —             —             58,571        

Other-net

   302           (70 )         372           4,298        
    

       

       

       

     

Other income (expenses), net

   2,975           2,957           18           69,262        

Income before income taxes, minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries, and equity in net income of affiliated companies

   32,091     14.6     25,790     13.1     6,301     123.7     161,561     16.4  

Income taxes

   12,349           10,683           1,666           42,542        

Minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries

   1,280           944           336           3,442        

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies

   588           (178 )         766           2,324        

Net income

   19,050     8.7     13,985     7.1     5,065     294.8     117,901     12.0  
                                         (In yen)  

Basic earnings per ADS (five common shares):

   73           52                       446        

Diluted earnings per ADS (five common shares):

   72           51                       434        

 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

Assets

  (In millions of yen)

 

     Jun. 30, 2005

   Jun. 30, 2004

   Change

    Mar. 31, 2005

     Amount

   %

   Amount

   %

   Amount

    Amount

   %

Current assets:

                                   

Cash and cash equivalents

   75,446         80,686         (5,240 )   74,563     

Notes and accounts receivable

   265,065         345,908         (80,843 )   318,598     

Short-term finance receivables-net

   52,281         —           52,281     50,921     

Inventories

   173,561         150,474         23,087     155,146     

Other current assets

   105,083         94,191         10,892     76,143     
    
       
       

 
    

Total current assets

   671,436    56.3    671,259    60.6    177     675,371    56.6

Investments and long term finance receivables

   242,642    20.3    159,980    14.4    82,662     239,512    20.1

Property, plant, and equipment

   219,407    18.4    219,373    19.8    34     219,750    18.4

Other assets

   59,545    5.0    57,407    5.2    2,138     58,423    4.9
    
  
  
  
  

 
  

Total

   1,193,030    100.0    1,108,019    100.0    85,011     1,193,056    100.0

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

  (In millions of yen)

 

     Jun. 30, 2005

   Jun. 30, 2004

   Change

    Mar. 31, 2005

     Amount

    %

   Amount

    %

   Amount

    Amount

    %

Current liabilities:

                                      

Short-term borrowings

   111,710          75,145          36,565     119,802      

Notes and accounts payable

   208,255          173,851          34,404     217,042      

Other current liabilities

   99,313          89,843          9,470     100,324      

Current portion of long-term debt

   57,896          46,515          11,381     66,877      
    

      

      

 

   

Total current liabilities

   477,174     40.0    385,354     34.8    91,820     504,045     42.3

Long-term liabilities:

                                      

Long-term debt

   127,885          151,545          (23,660 )   117,488      

Accrued retirement and pension costs

   63,317          140,440          (77,123 )   65,836      

Other long-term liabilities

   2,733          14,027          (11,294 )   3,093      
    

      

      

 

   

Total long-term liabilities

   193,935     16.3    306,012     27.6    (112,077 )   186,417     15.6

Minority interest

   25,159     2.1    16,507     1.5    8,652     21,575     1.8

Shareholders’ equity:

                                      

Common stock

   78,156          78,156          —       78,156      

Additional paid-in capital

   87,263          87,263          —       87,263      

Legal reserve

   19,539          19,539          —       19,539      

Retained earnings

   281,786          190,238          91,548     290,187      

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   30,703          25,182          5,521     27,507      

Treasury stock

   (685 )        (232 )        (453 )   (21,633 )    
    

      

      

 

   

Total shareholders’ equity

   496,762     41.6    400,146     36.1    96,616     481,019     40.3
    

 
  

 
  

 

 

Total

   1,193,030     100.0    1,108,019     100.0    85,011     1,193,056     100.0

 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Segment Information by Industry Segment

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended Jun. 30, 2005

   (In millions of yen)

 

     Internal
Combustion
Engine &
Machinery


   Pipes, Valves
& Industrial
Castings


   Environmental
Engineering


    Other

   Total

   Corporate
&
Eliminations


    Consolidated

Net sales

                                    

Unaffiliated customers

   156,977    36,170    7,329     19,017    219,493    —       219,493

Intersegment

   17    127    11     3,449    3,604    (3,604 )   —  
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

Total

   156,994    36,297    7,340     22,466    223,097    (3,604 )   219,493

Cost of sales and operating expenses

   129,411    34,999    7,465     21,559    193,434    (3,057 )   190,377

Operating income (loss)

   27,583    1,298    (125 )   907    29,663    (547 )   29,116

Three months ended Jun. 30, 2004

   (In millions of yen)
     Internal
Combustion
Engine &
Machinery


   Pipes, Valves
& Industrial
Castings


   Environmental
Engineering


    Other

   Total

   Corporate
&
Eliminations


    Consolidated

Net sales

                                    

Unaffiliated customers

   140,231    30,828    6,367     18,781    196,207    —       196,207

Intersegment

   5    1,521    56     2,817    4,399    (4,399 )   —  
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

Total

   140,236    32,349    6,423     21,598    200,606    (4,399 )   196,207

Cost of sales and operating expenses

   116,746    31,236    7,319     20,902    176,203    (2,829 )   173,374

Operating income (loss)

   23,490    1,113    (896 )   696    24,403    (1,570 )   22,833

Year ended Mar. 31, 2005

   (In millions of yen)
     Internal
Combustion
Engine &
Machinery


   Pipes, Valves
& Industrial
Castings


   Environmental
Engineering


    Other

   Total

   Corporate
&
Eliminations


    Consolidated

Net sales

                                    

Unaffiliated customers

   582,664    170,629    117,633     112,300    983,226    —       983,226

Intersegment

   88    8,237    249     14,956    23,530    (23,530 )   —  
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

Total

   582,752    178,866    117,882     127,256    1,006,756    (23,530 )   983,226

Cost of sales and operating expenses

   503,596    167,391    112,167     117,848    901,002    (10,075 )   890,927

Operating income

   79,156    11,475    5,715     9,408    105,754    (13,455 )   92,299

 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Notes:

 

1. The United States dollar amounts included herein represent translations using the approximate exchange rate on June 30, 2005, of ¥111 = US$1, solely for convenience.

 

2. Each American Depositary Share (“ADS”) represents five common shares.

 

3. 122 subsidiaries are consolidated.

 

Major consolidated subsidiaries:    Domestic    Kubota-C.I. Co., Ltd.
          Kubota Construction Co., Ltd.
          Kubota Credit Co., Ltd.
          Kubota Maison Co., Ltd.
          Kubota Environmental Service Co., Ltd.
     Overseas    Kubota Tractor Corporation
          Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.
          Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation
          Kubota Engine America Corporation
          Kubota Metal Corporation
          Kubota Baumaschinen GmbH
          Kubota Europe S.A.S.

 

4. 27 affiliated companies are accounted for under the equity method.

 

Major affiliated companies :    Domestic    18 sales companies of farm equipment,
          Kubota Matsushitadenko Exterior Works, Ltd.

 

5. Summary of accounting policies

 

  (1) The accompanying consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America except for the presentation for segment information described in (2).

 

  (2) The consolidated segment information is prepared in accordance with a requirement of the Japanese Securities and Exchange regulations. This disclosure is not consistent with SFAS No.131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”.

 

6. Presentation of retail finance receivables in the consolidated balance sheet

 

Retail finance receivables due from end users of the Company’s products, which are provided by financial subsidiaries, were previously classified into “Notes and accounts receivable” in the consolidated balance sheet. However, from the end of prior fiscal year, the Company classified such receivables related to the sales by Company-owned dealers which are expected to be collected over one year after the balance sheet date into “Other assets” and such receivables related to the sales by independent dealers of the Company’s products into “Short-term finance receivables” and “Long-term finance receivables.” Thus, the presentation of balance sheet at the end of first quarter of the prior year was changed in conformity with the presentation used for the period under review.

 

7. Reclassification

 

The consolidated financial reports for the year ended March 31, 2005 and the three months ended June 30, 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the three months ended June 30, 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

Kubota Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Net Sales by Product Group

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of yen)

 

     Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2005


   Three months ended
Jun. 30, 2004


   Change

   

Year ended

Mar. 31, 2005


     Amount

   %

   Amount

   %

   Amount

    %

    Amount

   %

Farm Equipment and Engines

   139,810    63.7    126,351    64.4    13,459     10.7     519,428    52.8

Domestic

   56,532         53,509         3,023           232,074     

Overseas

   83,278         72,842         10,436           287,354     

Construction Machinery

   17,167    7.8    13,880    7.1    3,287     23.7     63,236    6.5

Domestic

   5,428         4,903         525           24,923     

Overseas

   11,739         8,977         2,762           38,313     
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Internal Combustion Engine & Machinery

   156,977    71.5    140,231    71.5    16,746     11.9     582,664    59.3

Domestic

   61,960    28.2    58,412    29.8    3,548     6.1     256,997    26.2

Overseas

   95,017    43.3    81,819    41.7    13,198     16.1     325,667    33.1
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Pipes and Valves

   25,672    11.7    23,499    12.0    2,173     9.2     136,622    13.9

Domestic

   24,471         22,252         2,219           132,755     

Overseas

   1,201         1,247         (46 )         3,867     

Industrial Castings

   10,498    4.8    7,329    3.7    3,169     43.2     34,007    3.4

Domestic

   7,200         4,348         2,852           22,723     

Overseas

   3,298         2,981         317           11,284     
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Pipes, Valves & Industrial Castings

   36,170    16.5    30,828    15.7    5,342     17.3     170,629    17.3

Domestic

   31,671    14.4    26,600    13.6    5,071     19.1     155,478    15.8

Overseas

   4,499    2.1    4,228    2.2    271     6.4     15,151    1.5
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Environmental Engineering

   7,329    3.3    6,367    3.2    962     15.1     117,633    12.0

Domestic

   6,964    3.2    6,181    3.2    783     12.7     113,875    11.6

Overseas

   365    0.1    186    0.1    179     96.2     3,758    0.4
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Building Materials & Housing

   2,673    1.2    4,282    2.2    (1,609 )   (37.6 )   24,874    2.5

Domestic

   2,673         4,282         (1,609 )         24,874     

Other

   16,344    7.5    14,499    7.4    1,845     12.7     87,426    8.9

Domestic

   16,258         14,309         1,949           86,678     

Overseas

   86         190         (104 )         748     
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Other

   19,017    8.7    18,781    9.6    236     1.3     112,300    11.4

Domestic

   18,931    8.7    18,591    9.5    340     1.8     111,552    11.3

Overseas

   86    0.0    190    0.1    (104 )   (54.7 )   748    0.1
    
  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Total

   219,493    100.0    196,207    100.0    23,286     11.9     983,226    100.0

Domestic

   119,526    54.5    109,784    56.0    9,742     8.9     637,902    64.9

Overseas

   99,967    45.5    86,423    44.0    13,544     15.7     345,324    35.1

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

        KUBOTA CORPORATION
Date: September 1, 2005      

By:

  /s/    SHIGERU KIMURA        
           

Name:

  Shigeru Kimura
           

Title:

 

General Manager

Finance & Accounting Department