SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

 X       QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998

                                                         OR

         TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ________________ to
         _______________

Commission File Number 1-475


                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION


              Delaware                                   39-0619790
     (State of Incorporation)                    (IRS Employer ID Number)

                P. O. Box 23972, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223-0972
                            Telephone: (414) 359-4000


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X No


Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 1998:  8,705,835 shares

Common Stock Outstanding as of October 31, 1998:  14,585,751 shares

                              Exhibit Index Page 15





                                      Index


                             A. O. Smith Corporation



Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings
     - Three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                 3

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
     - September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                                4

     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
     - Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997                           5

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
     - September 30, 1998                                                    6-7

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations                                                   8-12



Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings                                                     13

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                   13

Item 5. Other                                                                 13

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                      13

Signatures                                                                    14

Index to Exhibits                                                             15

                                       2






PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                              AND RETAINED EARNINGS
             Three and Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997
                     (000 omitted except for per share data)
                                   (unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 ------------ ------------ EARNINGS 1998 1997 1998 1997 - -------- ---- ---- ---- ---- Electric Motor Technologies $ 135,309 $ 94,081 $ 360,913 $ 298,779 Water Systems Technologies 71,685 68,872 220,534 211,218 Storage & Fluid Handling Technologies 36,260 43,011 111,442 117,153 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- NET SALES 243,254 205,964 692,889 627,150 Cost of products sold 196,232 167,060 552,245 496,806 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Gross profit 47,022 38,904 140,644 130,344 Selling, general and administrative expenses 26,324 25,013 80,605 82,251 Interest expense 1,974 1,913 5,191 6,602 Interest income (258) (3,010) (3,279) (6,370) Other expense - net 927 394 2,341 2,085 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- 18,055 14,594 55,786 45,776 Provision for income taxes 6,356 4,918 19,587 16,003 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Earnings before equity in loss of joint ventures 11,699 9,676 36,199 29,773 Equity in loss of joint ventures (725) (667) (2,418) (1,965) --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 10,974 9,009 33,781 27,808 EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Earnings (less related income tax provisions of $548 and $7,698) - 980 - 15,231 Gain on disposition (less related income tax provision of $58,056) - - - 94,616 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- NET EARNINGS 10,974 9,989 33,781 137,655 RETAINED EARNINGS Balance at beginning of period 483,896 446,229 466,514 325,361 Cash dividends on common shares (2,832) (2,988) (8,257) (9,786) --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD $ 492,038 $ 453,230 $ 492,038 $ 453,230 =============== ================ ================ ================ BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5) Continuing Operations $.47 $.34 $1.43 $.98 Discontinued Operations - .04 - 3.86 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- NET EARNINGS $.47 $.38 $1.43 $4.84 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5) Continuing Operations $.46 $.33 $1.39 $.96 Discontinued Operations - .04 - 3.79 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- NET EARNINGS $.46 $.37 $1.39 $4.75 --------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (note 5) $.12 $.11 $.35 $.34
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A.O. SMITH CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 (000 omitted)
(unaudited) September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents (note 2) $ 26,191 $145,896 Receivables 146,769 126,232 Inventories (note 3) 86,985 79,049 Deferred income taxes 11,487 11,849 Other current assets 12,863 2,702 ----------------- ---------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 284,295 365,728 Property, plant and equipment 488,471 450,147 Less accumulated depreciation 255,860 242,391 ----------------- ---------------- Net property, plant and equipment 232,611 207,756 Investments in and advances to joint ventures 31,253 25,605 Other assets 72,913 65,644 Goodwill 141,493 51,783 ----------------- ---------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 762,565 $ 716,516 ================= ================ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade payables $ 74,869 $ 61,299 Accrued payroll and benefits 30,639 26,397 Product warranty 8,002 7,972 Accrued income taxes 883 6,607 Long-term debt due within one year 4,629 5,590 Other current liabilities 23,478 20,017 ----------------- ---------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 142,500 127,882 Long-term debt (note 4) 126,933 100,972 Other liabilities 55,291 59,515 Deferred income taxes 44,708 28,442 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (note 5) Class A common stock, $5 par value: authorized 14,000,000 shares; issued 8,753,889 43,769 29,192 Common stock, $1 par value: authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued 23,795,473 23,795 15,861 Capital in excess of par value 51,066 72,542 Retained earnings (note 4) 492,038 466,514 Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments (1,525) (1,579) Treasury stock at cost (216,010) (182,825) ----------------- ---------------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 393,133 399,705 ----------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 762,565 $ 716,516 ================= ================
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements 4 PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A.O. SMITH CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 (000 omitted) (unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30 1998 1997 ---- ---- OPERATING ACTIVITIES CONTINUING Net earnings $ 33,781 $ 27,808 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 21,751 19,390 Equity in loss of joint ventures 2,418 1,965 Net change in current assets and liabilities (6,963) 4,679 Net change in noncurrent assets and liabilities 2,751 432 Other - net 702 1,042 --------- --------- CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 54,440 55,316 --------- --------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (20,116) (33,460) Capitalized purchased software costs (1,308) (1,094) Investment in joint ventures (8,066) (10,281) Acquisition of business (126,456) (60,918) ---------- --------- CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (155,946) (105,753) ---------- --------- CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE FINANCING ACTIVITIES (101,506) (50,437) DISCONTINUED Cash provided / (used) by discontinued operations before financing activities (2,095) 503,754 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Long-term debt incurred 30,590 - Long-term debt retired (5,590) (143,768) Purchase of common stock held in treasury (33,244) (125,168) Proceeds from common stock options exercised 232 3,455 Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 165 571 Dividends paid (8,257) (9,786) ---------- --------- CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (16,104) (274,696) ---------- --------- Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (119,705) 178,621 Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period (note 2) 145,896 6,405 ---------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 26,191 $ 185,026 ========== =========
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. 5 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. O. SMITH CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS September 30, 1998 (unaudited) 1. Basis of Presentation The financial statements presented herein are based on interim figures and are subject to audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal accruals considered necessary for fair presentation of the results of operations and of financial position have been made. The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997 is derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1998 presentation. 2. Statement of Cash Flows For purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments held primarily for cash management purposes. These investments normally mature within three months from the date of acquisition. 3. Inventories (000 omitted) September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 ------------- ------------------ ----------------- Finished products $ 52,919 $ 45,091 Work in process 16,202 19,656 Raw materials 46,690 42,870 Supplies 1,563 1,634 --------- --------- 117,374 109,251 Allowance to state inventories at LIFO cost 30,389 30,202 -------- -------- $ 86,985 $ 79,049 ======== ======== 4. Long-Term Debt On July 1, 1998 the company issued $30 million in senior notes under a loan facility with The Prudential Insurance Company of America. The notes mature in 2018 and carry an interest rate of 6.66%. 6 The company's long-term credit agreements contain certain conditions and provisions which restrict the company's payment of dividends. Under the most restrictive of these provisions, retained earnings of $63.2 million were unrestricted as of September 30, 1998 for cash dividends and treasury stock purchases. 5. Stockholders' Equity On June 9, 1998 the company's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split of the company's Class A Common Stock and Common Stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend to shareholders of record on July 31, 1998 and payable on August 17, 1998. All earnings and dividend per share calculations presented in this report include the impact of the stock split. At September 30, 1998, 31,740 and 9,228,731 shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, respectively, were held as Treasury Stock. 6. Comprehensive Earnings Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130 - "Reporting Comprehensive Income" requires the company to disclose comprehensive earnings, consisting of net earnings and all other non-owner changes in equity during the period. The company's comprehensive earnings for the third quarter 1998 and 1997 were $11,202,000 and $10,239,000, respectively. Comprehensive earnings for the first nine months of 1998 and 1997 were $33,814,000 and $136,893,000, respectively. Comprehensive earnings, for all periods presented, was comprised of net earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of any related income tax expense. 7. New Accounting Standard In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", which is required to be adopted in years beginning after June 15, 1999. Early adoption of the Statement is permitted. The Statement will require the company to recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value. The company has not yet determined what the effect of Statement No. 133 will be on earnings and the financial position of the company. 7 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1998 COMPARED TO 1997 Sales totaled $243.3 million in the third quarter of 1998, an 18 percent increase over 1997 third quarter sales of $206.0 million. Significantly higher sales at Electric Motor Technologies primarily due to the July 1, 1998 acquisition of General Electric's compressor motor facility in Scottsville, KY., coupled with modestly higher sales at Water Systems Technologies more than offset a 16 percent decline in sales at Storage & Fluid Handling Technologies. Sales for the first nine months of 1998 were $692.9 million or more than 10 percent higher than the $627.2 million of sales in the same period last year. Acquisitions contributed approximately $50 million of the nearly $66 million increase in sales. Third quarter earnings from continuing operations increased nearly 22 percent to $11.0 million compared with the $9.0 million earned in last year's third quarter. Significantly higher operating profits at Electric Motors and moderately higher profits at Water Systems more than offset lower interest income and a significant decline in operating profit at Storage & Fluid Handling. Earnings from continuing operations for the first nine months of 1998 were $33.8 million compared with $27.8 million for the first nine months of 1997. On a per share basis, third quarter diluted earnings from continuing operations increased from $0.33 in 1997 to $0.46 in 1998. Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 1998 were $1.39 compared with $0.96 in the same period last year. Earnings per share for the 1998 third quarter and nine months also benefited from the company's stock repurchase program. On June 9, 1998 the company's Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock split of the company's Class A Common Stock and Common Stock. The stock split was effected in the form of a stock dividend to stockholders of record on July 31, 1998 and was paid on August 17, 1998. All earnings and dividend per share calculations presented in this report include the impact of the stock split. The company's third quarter gross profit margin increased to 19.3 percent compared with the 18.9 percent rate generated in the third quarter of 1997, as higher motor manufacturing volumes generated improvement in operating efficiencies. The gross profit margin for the first nine months of 1998 declined to 20.3 percent from 20.8 percent in the prior year as a result of lower pricing for motors and declines in profitability in the Storage and Fluid Handling business segment. Third quarter sales of $135.3 million for the Electric Motor Technologies platform were nearly 44 percent higher than sales in the third quarter of 1997. On July 1, 1998 the company acquired the Scottsville, KY compressor motor business for $126.5 million, subject to final adjustment. The compressor motor operation manufactures 8 one-half through six horsepower motors used primarily in residential and light commercial unitary air conditioning applications. The acquisition contributed approximately $30 million to the segment's sales during the third quarter. An improvement in demand for air conditioning and subfractional horsepower motors also contributed to higher sales in the third quarter. Year-to-date sales for the electric motor segment were $360.9 million in 1998, compared with $298.8 million in 1997. The 21 percent increase in sales for the first nine months of 1998 reflects both internally generated growth as well as the company's ongoing electric motor acquisition activities. Operating profit for the Electric Motor Technologies segment improved significantly compared with the third quarter of 1997, reflecting the aforementioned volume-related improvement in operating efficiencies as well as the acquisition of the Scottsville operation. Acquisition activities also contributed to a significant increase in profits for the nine months ending September 30, 1998. Third quarter sales for Water Systems Technologies were $71.7 million or 4 percent higher than 1997's third quarter sales of $68.9 million, due primarily to improved pricing and stronger commercial unit volumes. Sales for the first nine months of 1998 were $220.5 million, compared with $211.2 million for the first nine months of 1997. Operating profits for the third quarter and first nine months of 1998 were higher than the same periods last year due to the increased volume and stronger pricing of commercial product. Third quarter sales for the Storage & Fluid Handling segment were $36.3 million, or 16 percent lower than the $43.0 million generated in the same period in 1997. Sales declined more than 30 percent in the segment's fiberglass pipe business and less than 10 percent in the storage tank operation. The decline in third quarter sales was primarily the result of lower demand for fiberglass pipe and storage tanks in the chemical, food processing and petroleum production markets. The soft demand is attributed to weak prices in the oil and chemical markets and the corresponding lower capital spending by the segment's customers. Sales for the first nine months of 1998 were $111.4 million compared with $117.2 million for the comparable period in 1997. Third quarter operating profits for the Storage & Fluid Handling business were significantly lower than the third quarter of 1997 as a result of the substantial decline in sales of fiberglass product. Operating profits were slightly lower for the nine months ending September 30, 1998, than the comparable period in 1997, as cost reduction programs partially offset the impact of the lower volumes. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter were $1.3 million higher than the third quarter of 1997, while year-to-date SG&A expenses were $1.6 million less than the first nine months of 1997. The 1998 third quarter increase was partially due to additional costs associated with the recent acquisition. The year-to-date comparison reflects the cost reduction activities taken at mid-year 1997 9 associated with the divestiture of the company's automotive business and general cost reduction programs in the company's remaining operations in the latter part of 1997. The company recognized year-to-date net interest expense of $1.9 million in 1998, compared with net interest expense of $0.2 million in the same period of 1997. The year-to-year increase in net interest expense was the result of acquisition activities as well as the company's use of funds for its stock repurchase program. The effective tax rates for the third quarter of 1998 and year to date periods for both 1997 and 1998 were approximately 35 percent, as the company continues to benefit from its foreign sales corporation and research and development tax credits. After-tax equity in losses of the company's Chinese joint ventures were $0.7 million in both the third quarter of 1998 and 1997. Losses for the nine months ending September 30, 1998 were approximately $2.4 million compared with $2.0 million in 1997 as the company experienced start up costs associated with its new manufacturing operation. The company is currently negotiating to acquire the minority interests in its two Chinese joint ventures and could complete these negotiations as early as the fourth quarter of 1998. If the buyout is completed, these entities will be fully consolidated in the company's financial statements. For 1999, the company expects the difficulties at its Storage and Fiberglass Products businesses to persist and therefore is continuing to review numerous alternatives to improve the operations of this business. The company is cautiously optimistic about the market for the products of its Water Systems business segment. The company believes the Electric Motors business will improve over 1998 as it benefits from the incremental business of the Scottsville acquisition as well as the "Tier One" supply agreement signed with York International on July 6, 1998. The company continues to aggressively pursue accretive acquisitions such as the Uppco C-Frame motor business (March 1997), and the previously discussed Scottsville compressor motor business. The company considers the pursuit of acquisitions to be a very important element in its strategy for growth. Although the company believes 1999 earnings, excluding acquisitions, will increase over 1998 levels, accretive acquisitions will be required to achieve its target of 15 percent annual growth in earnings per share. During 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", which is effective for the company for the year ended December 31, 1998. Implementation of this statement will not have any impact on A.O. Smith Corporation's results of operations, financial position or cash flows. During the first nine months of 1998, the company was a party to futures contracts for the purposes of hedging a portion of certain raw material purchases. The company was 10 also a party to forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge foreign currency transactions consistent with its committed exposures. Had these contracts not been in place, the net earnings of the company would not have been materially affected. As discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". The company has not yet determined what the effect of SFAS No. 133 will be on earnings and the financial position of the company. Liquidity & Capital Resources The company's working capital was $141.8 million at September 30, 1998 compared to $237.8 million at the end of December 1997, a decline of $96 million. The reduction was primarily a result of a decline in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $119.7 million as the company completed the acquisition of the Scottsville compressor motor business for $126.5 million during the third quarter. The majority of the increase in the remaining working capital accounts was due to the acquisition. Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 1998 were $20.1 million compared to $33.5 million through September 30, 1997. Primarily as a result of lower capital expenditures, cash flow from continuing operations for the first nine months of 1998 was $14.5 million higher than for the same period last year when adjusted for acquisitions. The company expects lower capital spending in 1998 compared with 1997, and it expects capital expenditures to be covered by 1998 cash flow. The company repurchased 1,188,450 shares of its common stock during the first nine months of 1998 under its stock repurchase program. Since the program's inception in January 1997, approximately 8.4 million shares have been repurchased. As of the end of September 1998, $24.2 million remained of the $50 million authorization granted in December 1997. At its October 6, 1998 meeting, A. O. Smith's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.12 per share on its common stock (Classes A and Common). The dividend is payable on November 16, 1998 to shareholders of record October 30, 1998. Year 2000 A.O. Smith continues the efforts begun several years ago, addressing potential problems related to the Year 2000. It has organized its activities to prepare for the Year 2000 under a company-wide plan that involves: Assessment, Modification or Replacement, and Testing. The company has completed the assessment phase which included an inventory of all information technology (IT) systems (computer hardware, operating systems, and application software); all non-information technology systems (equipment, machinery, and telephone systems); and the identification of key vendors, service providers, and business 11 partners considered to have a material relationship with the company. Risks on all IT and non-IT systems or relationships have been assessed and plans to remedy potential problems have been formulated. The testing and implementation phases for renovated Information Technology (IT) systems are underway. Implementation of Year 2000-ready systems will be completed in early 1999. Costs specifically associated with renovating software for Year 2000 readiness are funded through operating cash flows and expensed as incurred. Year 2000-related costs have not had a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company expects to incur total Year 2000-related costs of approximately $2.0 million of which remaining costs are estimated to be $750,000. The Company believes there is a high probability that all critical information and non-information technology systems and processes will be substantially Year 2000 ready and allow the Company to continue operations beyond the Year 2000 without a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Unanticipated problems, primarily external issues, may be identified, and could result in an undetermined financial risk. No contingency plans have been developed for such possibilities. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business, there can be no assurance that its financial goals will be realized. Although a significant portion of the company's sales are derived from the replacement of previously installed product and such sales are therefore less volatile, numerous factors may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. Among such numerous factors the company includes the continued growth of the worldwide heating, ventilating and air conditioning market; the weather and its impact on the heating and air conditioning market; the pricing environment for residential water heaters; capital spending trends in the oil, petrochemical, chemical, and food processing markets; the successful execution of its acquisition strategy; and the successful development of the company's business venture in China. 12 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The company is involved in various unresolved legal actions, administrative proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business involving product liability, property damage, insurance coverage, patents and environmental matters including the disposal of hazardous waste. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions or the range of possible loss or recovery, the company believes these unresolved legal actions will not have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations. There have been no material changes in the environmental matters previously reported in Part 1, Item 3 in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December, 1997 which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None. ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION On August 11, 1998 the Board of Directors elected two new directors, William F. Buehler and Robert N. Pokelwaldt. Mr. Buehler is executive vice president-business operations with Xerox Corporation in Stamford, Connecticut. Mr. Pokelwaldt is chairman and chief executive officer of York International Corporation, York, Pennsylvania. ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits (27) Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K A Form 8-K Report was filed by the corporation on July 15, 1998. The Form 8-K stated that on July 1, 1998 the corporation acquired substantially all of the assets of the General Electric Industrial Control Systems Division of General Electric Company ("GE") that related to GE's hermetic electric motors operations located in Scottsville, Kentucky. 13 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. A. O. SMITH CORPORATION November 13, 1998 ________________________ John J. Kita Vice President, Treasurer and Controller November 13, 1998 ________________________ G. R. Bomberger Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 14 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description (27) Financial Data Schedule (27.1) Restated Financial Data Schedule 15
 


5 The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed consolidated financial statements of A.O.SMITH CORPORATION as and for the period ended and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 1,000 9-MOS DEC-31-1998 SEP-30-1998 3,091 23,100 146,769 0 86,985 284,295 488,471 (255,860) 762,565 142,500 126,933 67,564 0 0 325,569 762,565 692,889 692,889 552,245 552,245 79,667 0 5,191 55,786 19,587 33,781 0 0 0 33,781 1.43 1.39
 


5 The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed consolidated financial statements of A.O.SMITH CORPORATION as and for the period ended and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 1,000 9-MOS DEC-31-1997 SEP-30-1997 3,938 181,088 130,865 0 84,366 416,739 440,407 (238,416) 768,888 150,287 100,985 45,055 0 0 385,051 768,888 627,150 627,150 496,806 496,806 77,966 0 6,602 45,776 16,003 27,808 109,847 0 0 137,644 4.84 4.75