DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover (NYSE: DOV) announced today that for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, revenue was $2.1 billion, an increase of 8% over the prior year. The revenue increase was driven by organic growth of 4% and an increase of 4% from acquisitions, with a negligible impact from foreign exchange. Earnings from continuing operations were $232.8 million, or $1.38 diluted earnings per share ("EPS"), compared to $226.2 million, or $1.31 EPS, in the prior year period, representing increases of 3% and 5%, respectively.  EPS from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, included discrete tax benefits of $0.03, while the quarter ended September 30, 2013, included discrete tax benefits of $0.04 and other one-time gains of $0.02. Excluding these items, adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2014 was $1.35, an increase of 8% over an adjusted EPS of $1.25 in the prior year period.

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $6.0 billion, an increase of 7% over the prior year, reflecting organic growth of 4% and a 3% increase from acquisitions. Foreign exchange had a negligible impact. Earnings from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $626.6 million, or $3.69 EPS, compared to $651.5 million, or $3.75 EPS in the prior year period, representing decreases of 4% and 2%, respectively.  EPS from continuing operations during this period includes discrete tax benefits of $0.04 EPS compared to $0.42 EPS in the prior year, as well as $0.02 of other one-time gains recognized in the prior year. Excluding these items, adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $3.65, an increase of 10% over an adjusted EPS of $3.31 in the prior year.

Commenting on the third quarter results, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Livingston, said, "I was pleased with our strong finish to the third quarter, during which business activity significantly improved in September after softness in July and August. The result for the quarter was revenue and bookings growth at all segments. Most notably, Fluids delivered 17% growth, while Energy and Engineered Systems each grew 8%.  In all, we generated revenue growth of 8%, grew bookings 10%, and saw our backlog increase 14%."

"Over the past three quarters, we have made great strides in enhancing our businesses.  We have completed a number of productivity initiatives across the organization and have strengthened several of our businesses with acquisitions, including our recently completed Accelerated transaction. In total, we have invested roughly $800 million on acquisitions year to date.  As a result, we have broadened our product offerings in Artificial Lift, expanded our global footprint in Fluid Transfer, and opened new markets for Printing and Identification.  In addition, we have used our cash flow and balance sheet to grow our annual dividend for the 59^th consecutive year, as well as fund nearly $400 million in share repurchases."

"Looking at the full year, we expect total revenue growth of about 8%.  Organic growth is anticipated to be around 4%.  Completed acquisitions will now provide approximately 4% growth, representing a 1% increase from our prior forecast, principally driven by our recently completed acquisitions. While these deals will have a dilutive impact in 2014, they should be solidly accretive in 2015. In total, we now expect full year adjusted EPS to be in the range of $4.75 to $4.80, a $0.05 reduction to the high end of our prior guidance, largely reflecting the impact of recent acquisitions."

Net earnings for the third quarter of 2014 were $231.8 million, or $1.38 EPS, which included a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.0 million, or $0.01 EPS compared to net earnings of $269.1 million, or $1.56 EPS, for the same period of 2013, which included earnings from discontinued operations of $42.9 million, or $0.25 EPS.

Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $605.9 million, or $3.57 EPS, compared to net earnings of $809.2 million, or $4.65 EPS, for the same period of 2013. 2014 results reflected a net loss from discontinued operations of $20.7 million, or $0.12 EPS, which included $27.1 million in spin-off costs. 2013 results reflected earnings from discontinued operations of $157.7 million or $0.91 EPS, which included spin-off costs of $14.0 million.

Dover will host a webcast of its third quarter 2014 conference call at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time (9:00 A.M. Central Time) on Thursday, October 16, 2014. The webcast can be accessed on the Dover website at www.dovercorporation.com. The conference call will also be made available for replay on the website. Additional information on Dover's third quarter results and its operating segments can also be found on the Company's website.

About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues of $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems and support services through four major operating segments: Energy, Engineered Systems, Fluids, and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve.  Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for nearly 60 years, our team of 28,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible.  Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at www.dovercorporation.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements relate to, among other things, operating and strategic plans, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, industries in which Dover businesses operate, and operating improvements.  Forward-looking statements may be indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "indicates," "suggests," "will," "plans," "supports," "projects," "should," "would," "could," "forecast" and "management is of the opinion," or the use of the future tense and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, the ability of Dover's businesses to expand into new geographic markets, particularly outside of North America and Europe; Dover's ability to identify and successfully consummate value-adding acquisition opportunities; Dover's ability to achieve expected savings from integration and synergies from existing businesses and future acquisitions, and other cost-control initiatives, such as lean and productivity programs; changes in customer demand or the impact of loss of a significant customer, or loss or non-renewal of significant contracts; the ability of Dover's businesses to develop and launch new products, timing of such launches and risks relating to market acceptance by customers; the relative mix of products and services which impacts margins and operating efficiencies;  economic conditions generally and changes in economic conditions globally and in markets served by Dover businesses, including well activity, U.S. industrials activity and the status of economic recovery in Europe; the impact of natural disasters and their effect on global supply chains and energy markets; instability in countries where Dover conducts business; increased competition and pricing pressures in the markets served by Dover's businesses; the impact of loss of a single-source manufacturing facility on our businesses that use the facility; short-term capacity constraints; increases in the cost of raw materials; domestic and foreign governmental and public policy changes or developments, including environmental regulations, conflict minerals disclosure requirements, and tax policies (including domestic and international export subsidy programs, R&E credits and other similar programs); protection and validity of patent and other intellectual property rights; the impact of regulation and regulatory and legal matters and legal compliance risks; the impact of interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; conditions and events affecting domestic and global financial and capital markets; possible future terrorist threats and their effect on the worldwide economy; and a downgrade in Dover's credit ratings which, among other matters, could make obtaining financing more difficult and costly.  Dover refers you to the documents that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its current expectations and from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Dover undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.