Rockwell Automation Inc. announced consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported total sales of $1,489.2 million compared with $1,473.9 million for the same period a year ago. Income before income taxes was $217.2 million compared with $242.9 million for the same period a year ago. Net income was $161.4 million or $1.14 per diluted share and $1.23 per adjusted share compared with $183.3 million or $1.27 per diluted share and $1.31 per adjusted share for the same period a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities was $167.3 million compared with cash used in operating activities of $189.0 million for the same period a year ago. Capital expenditures was $21.6 million compared with $31.6 million for the same period a year ago.

The company reaffirmed earnings guidance for the fiscal year 2013. For the year, the company expected sales to be in the range of $6.35 to $6.65 billion, with corresponding adjusted EPS of $5.35 to $5.75. Diluted EPS from continuing operations was expected to be in the range of $5.00 to $5.40. The company now expects the full-year adjusted effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 to be in the range of 25% to 26%, which includes the impact of the extension of the research and development credit for years 2012 and 2013 under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. That's down slightly from previous guidance of 26%. The reduction is primarily due to the extension of the R&D tax credit for 2012 and 2013 and the recent American Taxpayer Relief Act. The company expects to have about $100 million to $750 million of free cash flow.