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Will Improving End-Markets Aid Caterpillar's Q4 Earnings?
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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT - Free Report) is slated to report fourth-quarter 2017 results on Jan 25 before the opening bell. Notably, the company has outpaced earnings and revenue estimates in all the three quarters of 2017. After suffering a 36% drop in earnings in fiscal 2016 due to weak end-user demand in most of the industries it serves, Caterpillar has delivered continuous improvement over the course of 2017. This turnaround can be attributed to a continued improvement in the construction sector, pickup in Resource Industries as well as its disciplined cost-control efforts. Consequently, investors are keen to know whether Caterpillar will deliver fourth consecutive quarter of both top and bottom-line growth in the to-be-reported quarter.
Given impressive results, Caterpillar’s share price has outperformed the industry in the past year. The shares gained 80.4%, ahead of the industry’s growth of 78.3%. An earnings beat will help the company sustain the price momentum.
Looking at the upbeat estimates for the both earnings and revenues for the fourth quarter, it seems likely that the company will deliver improved year-over-year earnings on both metrics. This is also supported by strong fourth-quarter projections for its segments — Machinery, Energy & Transportation which garners a major chunk of revenues and earnings. Notably, performance will be driven by both the Construction and Resource Industries segments.
Let’s delve deeper and take a look at factors that might influence the fourth-quarter results.
Segments Poised to Deliver Top-Line Growth
Per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the Machinery, Energy & Transportation segment, which contributed approximately 94% of total revenues in third-quarter 2017, is expected to log year-over-year growth of 26% to $11.2 billion in the fourth quarter. We believe the company will witness growth in all its segments — Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Energy & Transportation.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total sales of $12.01 billion for the fourth quarter indicates 25.5% growth from the prior-year quarter.
The construction sector has been on an uptrend lately as evident from its leading indicators. The U.S. Architecture Billings Index (ABI), an economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to 12 month glimpse into the future of non-residential construction spending activity, has been at 50 or better recently, signaling robust conditions for the construction industry. Construction sales in Asia Pacific have shown resilience primarily owing to increased infrastructure and residential investment in China.
Caterpillar’s Resource Industries’ performance has also picked up lately. Sales are being driven by continued strong demand for aftermarket parts. Further, increased capital investments by mining customers also bode well. Per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, Resource Industries is also anticipated to witness expansion in the third quarter with 47% projected growth to $2.1 billion.
The Engine & Transportation is gaining on the back of higher sales across all applications. New engines and aftermarket sales for various industrial applications have also increased across the board. Strength in onshore North America oil and gas will drive results. Transportation is expected to grow, as higher rail traffic has propped up demand for rail services. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for the segment’s revenues is at $4.5 billion, projecting 16% year-over-year growth.
Cost Control to Sustain the Bottom Line
In September 2015, Caterpillar set upon significant restructuring and cost reduction initiative, with actions expected through 2018. Once fully implemented, the plan would lower annual operating costs by about $1.5 billion. In fourth-quarter 2017, revenue growth along with cost reduction will lead to an improved bottom-line as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Profit before Taxes for the Machinery, Energy & Transportation segment is pegged at $1.2 billion, a reversal from its year ago loss of $1.5 billion.
This will be driven by an impressive 164% rise in the Construction segment’s operating profit. Further, the Resource Industries segment will report an operating profit of $194 million in contrast to the operating loss of $711 million reported in fourth-quarter 2016. The Energy & Transportation segment is expected to report operating profit of $842 million, a 32% rise from the prior-year quarter.
Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings of $1.77 for the fourth quarter reflects an improvement of 113.3% on a year-over-year basis.
Here is what our quantitative model predicts:
Caterpillar has the right combination of two main ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or higher — which shows that it is likely to beat earnings in the to-be-reported quarter.
Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP for Caterpillar is +6.22%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate of $1.88 is above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.77. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Caterpillar carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which combined with a positive ESP makes us reasonably confident of a positive earnings surprise.
Other Stocks Worth a Look
Here are a few industrial products stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
The Earnings ESP for Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI - Free Report) is +9.09%. It carries a Zacks Rank #2. Shares of Donaldson Company have gone up 25% in a year’s time.
iRobot Corporation (IRBT - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +20.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. Its shares have gone up 49% in a year’s time.
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Will Improving End-Markets Aid Caterpillar's Q4 Earnings?
Caterpillar, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Caterpillar, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Caterpillar, Inc. Quote
The construction sector has been on an uptrend lately as evident from its leading indicators. The U.S. Architecture Billings Index (ABI), an economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to 12 month glimpse into the future of non-residential construction spending activity, has been at 50 or better recently, signaling robust conditions for the construction industry. Construction sales in Asia Pacific have shown resilience primarily owing to increased infrastructure and residential investment in China.
Caterpillar’s Resource Industries’ performance has also picked up lately. Sales are being driven by continued strong demand for aftermarket parts. Further, increased capital investments by mining customers also bode well. Per the Zacks Consensus Estimate, Resource Industries is also anticipated to witness expansion in the third quarter with 47% projected growth to $2.1 billion.
The Engine & Transportation is gaining on the back of higher sales across all applications. New engines and aftermarket sales for various industrial applications have also increased across the board. Strength in onshore North America oil and gas will drive results. Transportation is expected to grow, as higher rail traffic has propped up demand for rail services. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for the segment’s revenues is at $4.5 billion, projecting 16% year-over-year growth.
Cost Control to Sustain the Bottom Line