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Emerson Electric (EMR) Down 1.5% Since Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?
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About a month has gone by since the last earnings report for Emerson Electric Company (EMR - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 1.5% in the past month.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Emerson Q3 Earnings in Line, Guidance Raised Again
Emerson reported third-quarter fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings of 68 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure was flat year over year.
Favorable global market conditions and strong top-line growth boosted the bottom line, which was offset by high cost of sales and administrative expenses.
Inside the Headlines
The fiscal third quarter saw the company return to growth, as both the Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions platforms delivered net and underlying sales growth and boasted high-single digit order rates in the quarter. Net sales grew 9.9% year over year to $4,039 million. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,975 million. Underlying sales growth for the quarter was 4% and acquisitions contributed 7% to growth, while currency translation affected the top line adversely by 1%. Consistent improvement in key end markets and growth in the U.S., and Asia drove sales.
The company’s Automation Solutions platform reported an impressive 12% year-over-year growth in net sales to $2,440 million. Underlying sales also grew 2%, as favorable trends in key served markets supported operations. Robust, broad-based demand in power, life sciences and chemical markets was driven by higher optimization projects and MRO activity. Underlying sales in North America rose 6%, led by energy-related markets, while Asia was also up 6%. Europe was down 5%, while Latin America and Middle East/Africa were also down 17% and 2% respectively.
Margins contracted 70 basis points to 15.5%. However, excluding the dilutive impact of the Valves & Controls acquisition, margins actually expanded 170 basis points to 17.9%.
MRO activity levels in energy-related markets are gathering momentum, particularly in North America, driven by shale and downstream customers. Power and life sciences markets also remained favorable. Continued improvement in order trends and an expanding project line indicate favorable momentum for the segment in the fiscal fourth quarter.
The Commercial & Residential Solutions platform witnessed a 7% increase in net and underlying sales, with net sales coming in at $1,602 million, supported by robust demand in global HVAC and refrigeration markets, and encouraging conditions in construction related markets. Asia witnessed particularly strong growth once again, as it rose 17% year over year, driven by robust growth in China, which is enjoying major demand acceleration in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning markets. Europe was up 1%, while North America grew 6%, led by consistent strength in the air conditioning & refrigeration markets, and strong demand for professional tools in the oil and gas, and construction-related markets.Latin America went up 7%, while Middle East/Africa was down 6%.
Under the platform, the Climate Technologies business grew 7.8% year over year to $1,187 million, while Tools & Home Products unit grew 3.8% year over year at $415 million.
Margins contracted 50 basis points to 25.1%.
Other Developments
During the fiscal second quarter, the company had completed the acquisition of Pentair Valves & Controls, a business unit of Pentair plc, for $3.15 billion.Integrating Pentair’s Valves & Controls business will enable Emerson to fortify its automation portfolio, and help it in offering complete valve solutions portfolio and sturdy service network, thereby elevating the company’s brand value.The company is now aggressively working on integrating the Valves & Controls business. It expects the acquisition to be earnings accretive in fiscal 2018 and contribute meaningfully to operating cash flow.
Emerson also expanded its global capabilities in fresh food monitoring, on the back of the Locus Traxx and PakSense buyouts. These two companies will assist Emerson in facilitating steady and safe control of food, and other temperature-sensitive goods.
As part of its restructuring, Emerson had announced agreements to sell its Network Power, Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques businesses in fiscal 2016. The deals are part of the company’s portfolio-repositioning strategy, as it seeks to enhance focus on its core Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions businesses. The restructuring will help Emerson leverage on its growth platforms and drive profitable growth.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
Exiting the quarter, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $3.14 billion, with long-term debt of $3.8 billion. Net cash provided by operating activities in the quarter rose 23% from the prior-year quarter to $774 million.
Outlook
In light of the recent optimistic order trends and recovering end markets, Emerson raised its outlook for fiscal 2017 for the third consecutive time. It now expects net sales for the year to grow about 5%,with underlying sales to be up about 1%. This is comparable to the prior projections of net sales to be approximately flat,with underlying sales to be up about 1% (excluding unfavorable currency translation of approximately 1%).
Further, in light of strong operational performance and positive order trends, Emerson now projects earnings per share for fiscal 2017 to be in the range of $2.58–$2.62 (earlier guidance: $2.50–$2.60).
Emerson now expects Automation Solutions net sales to be up 4–5% (earlier projection: down 3–4%), while Commercial & Residential Solutions net sales are anticipated to be up 5–6% (in line with earlier projections).
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. There have been three revisions higher for the current quarter compared to one lower. While looking back an additional 30 days, we can see even more upward momentum. There have been six moves up in the last two months.
At this time, Emerson Electric's stock has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum is doing a lot better with a C. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated also a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is suitable for value and momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock. The magnitude of these revisions also looks promising. Notably, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We are expecting an inline return from the stock in the next few months.
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Emerson Electric (EMR) Down 1.5% Since Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?
About a month has gone by since the last earnings report for Emerson Electric Company (EMR - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 1.5% in the past month.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Emerson Q3 Earnings in Line, Guidance Raised Again
Emerson reported third-quarter fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings of 68 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure was flat year over year.
Favorable global market conditions and strong top-line growth boosted the bottom line, which was offset by high cost of sales and administrative expenses.
Inside the Headlines
The fiscal third quarter saw the company return to growth, as both the Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions platforms delivered net and underlying sales growth and boasted high-single digit order rates in the quarter. Net sales grew 9.9% year over year to $4,039 million. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,975 million. Underlying sales growth for the quarter was 4% and acquisitions contributed 7% to growth, while currency translation affected the top line adversely by 1%. Consistent improvement in key end markets and growth in the U.S., and Asia drove sales.
The company’s Automation Solutions platform reported an impressive 12% year-over-year growth in net sales to $2,440 million. Underlying sales also grew 2%, as favorable trends in key served markets supported operations. Robust, broad-based demand in power, life sciences and chemical markets was driven by higher optimization projects and MRO activity. Underlying sales in North America rose 6%, led by energy-related markets, while Asia was also up 6%. Europe was down 5%, while Latin America and Middle East/Africa were also down 17% and 2% respectively.
Margins contracted 70 basis points to 15.5%. However, excluding the dilutive impact of the Valves & Controls acquisition, margins actually expanded 170 basis points to 17.9%.
MRO activity levels in energy-related markets are gathering momentum, particularly in North America, driven by shale and downstream customers. Power and life sciences markets also remained favorable. Continued improvement in order trends and an expanding project line indicate favorable momentum for the segment in the fiscal fourth quarter.
The Commercial & Residential Solutions platform witnessed a 7% increase in net and underlying sales, with net sales coming in at $1,602 million, supported by robust demand in global HVAC and refrigeration markets, and encouraging conditions in construction related markets. Asia witnessed particularly strong growth once again, as it rose 17% year over year, driven by robust growth in China, which is enjoying major demand acceleration in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning markets. Europe was up 1%, while North America grew 6%, led by consistent strength in the air conditioning & refrigeration markets, and strong demand for professional tools in the oil and gas, and construction-related markets.Latin America went up 7%, while Middle East/Africa was down 6%.
Under the platform, the Climate Technologies business grew 7.8% year over year to $1,187 million, while Tools & Home Products unit grew 3.8% year over year at $415 million.
Margins contracted 50 basis points to 25.1%.
Other Developments
During the fiscal second quarter, the company had completed the acquisition of Pentair Valves & Controls, a business unit of Pentair plc, for $3.15 billion.Integrating Pentair’s Valves & Controls business will enable Emerson to fortify its automation portfolio, and help it in offering complete valve solutions portfolio and sturdy service network, thereby elevating the company’s brand value.The company is now aggressively working on integrating the Valves & Controls business. It expects the acquisition to be earnings accretive in fiscal 2018 and contribute meaningfully to operating cash flow.
Emerson also expanded its global capabilities in fresh food monitoring, on the back of the Locus Traxx and PakSense buyouts. These two companies will assist Emerson in facilitating steady and safe control of food, and other temperature-sensitive goods.
As part of its restructuring, Emerson had announced agreements to sell its Network Power, Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques businesses in fiscal 2016. The deals are part of the company’s portfolio-repositioning strategy, as it seeks to enhance focus on its core Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions businesses. The restructuring will help Emerson leverage on its growth platforms and drive profitable growth.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
Exiting the quarter, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $3.14 billion, with long-term debt of $3.8 billion. Net cash provided by operating activities in the quarter rose 23% from the prior-year quarter to $774 million.
Outlook
In light of the recent optimistic order trends and recovering end markets, Emerson raised its outlook for fiscal 2017 for the third consecutive time. It now expects net sales for the year to grow about 5%,with underlying sales to be up about 1%. This is comparable to the prior projections of net sales to be approximately flat,with underlying sales to be up about 1% (excluding unfavorable currency translation of approximately 1%).
Further, in light of strong operational performance and positive order trends, Emerson now projects earnings per share for fiscal 2017 to be in the range of $2.58–$2.62 (earlier guidance: $2.50–$2.60).
Emerson now expects Automation Solutions net sales to be up 4–5% (earlier projection: down 3–4%), while Commercial & Residential Solutions net sales are anticipated to be up 5–6% (in line with earlier projections).
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. There have been three revisions higher for the current quarter compared to one lower. While looking back an additional 30 days, we can see even more upward momentum. There have been six moves up in the last two months.
Emerson Electric Company Price and Consensus
Emerson Electric Company Price and Consensus | Emerson Electric Company Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, Emerson Electric's stock has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum is doing a lot better with a C. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated also a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is suitable for value and momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock. The magnitude of these revisions also looks promising. Notably, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We are expecting an inline return from the stock in the next few months.