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ManpowerGroup (MAN) Beats Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

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ManpowerGroup Inc. (MAN - Free Report) reported strong fourth-quarter 2017 results with healthy year-over-year increase in earnings and revenues on the back of diligent execution of operational plans. GAAP earnings were $216.3 million or $3.22 per share compared with $127.4 million or $1.87 per share in the year-earlier quarter. Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $2.12 per share and comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.05. The year-over-year improvement was attributable to significant top-line growth and favorable foreign currency movements. Moreover, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in the fourth quarter also gave earnings a healthy boost. For full-year 2017, GAAP earnings were $545.4 million or $8.04 per share compared with $443.7 million or $6.27 per share in the prior year.

Revenues in the reported quarter came in at $5,637.5 million compared with $4,956.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Quarterly sales exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,550 million.

For 2017, the company generated total revenues of $21,034.3 million compared with $19,654.1 million in 2016.

ManpowerGroup Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
 

Segmental Details for Q4

Revenues generated from America were $1,071.8 million compared with $1062.9 million in the prior-year quarter.

Revenues from Southern Europe were $2,399 million compared with $1912.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

Aggregate quarterly revenues from Northern Europe, APME, Right Management were $1418.1 million, $695.2 million and $53.4 million compared with $1292.8 million, $629.6 million and $58.6 million in the year-ago quarter, respectively.

Margins

Operating profit for the reported quarter was $238.7 million compared with $212 million in the year-ago period. The increase in operating profit, despite rise in operating expenses, is due to significant top-line growth.

Operating profit for America increased to $57.7 million from $53.3 million of the prior-year quarter. Also, operating profit for South Europe and APME increased to $133.1 million and $28.1 million from $101.9 million and $21.7 million, respectively. However, operating profit for Northern Europe and Right Management decreased to $47.1 million and $10.6 million from $48.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

ManpowerGroup exited 2017 with cash and cash equivalents of $689 million compared with $598.5 million in the previous year. Long-term debt was $478.1 million compared with $785.6 million in 2016.

For 2017, the company generated net cash of $400.9 million from its operating activities, down from $600 million recorded a year ago.

Outlook

ManpowerGroup is poised to grow on the back of a productive workforce and sound restructuring initiatives. Moreover, its strong global network also provides the company with a competitive advantage over its peers. Backed by these positives, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has given bullish first quarter earnings guidance. For first-quarter 2018, GAAP EPS is anticipated to lie within the $1.60-$1.68 per share range.

Other Stocks to Consider

Other stocks worth considering in the industry include Robert Half International Inc. (RHI - Free Report) , On Assignment, Inc. (ASGN - Free Report) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP - Free Report) each carrying a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Robert Half International has exceeded estimates twice in the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 1.8%.

On Assignment has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. It exceeded estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 5.4%.

Automatic Data Processing has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 11%. It exceeded estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 5.5%.

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