Air Products and Chemicals Inc.(APD Quick QuoteAPD - Free Report) will highlight industrial gas and equipment solutions range at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, MA from Mar 11-13. These solutions have been geared to help seafood processors improve the yield, reduce the spoilage and save money. 

 

Representatives from the company will speak about food processing challenges at the event. The company offers a host of gas solutions for wastewater treatment, aquaculture, modified atmosphere packaging and inerting, as well as freezing and chilling equipment using nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

 

The products to be highlighted at the event includeFreshline IQ Tunnel Freezer and Freshline MP Tunnel Freezer. The formeroffers seafood processors continuous high throughput for a broad range of products with easy clean-up and minimal up-front capital investment. Besides being efficient and hygienic, Freshline MP Tunnel Freezeruses unmatched heat transfer capability to achieve cryogenic temperatures throughout the entire length of the tunnel. Additionally, seafood processors can also learn about the remote monitoring capability of freezers, featuring Air Products' Process Intelligence.

 

Air Products’ shares have lost 1% in the last three months, outperforming the industry’s 2.7% decline.

 

 

 

In first-quarter fiscal 2018, the company reported adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share, up 22% from the year-ago quarter. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66. Meanwhile, revenues were $2,216.6 million, up around 18% year over year. The top line outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,159.2 million.

 

For fiscal 2018, the company anticipates adjusted earnings in the range of $7.15-$7.35 per share, up 13-16% from the prior year. The guidance includes an expected benefit of 20-25 cents per share from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For the fiscal second quarter, Air Products expects the same in the band of $1.65 to $1.70 per share. Also, it projects capital expenditure of $1.2-$1.4 billion for the current year.

 

Air Products has built a strong project backlog. These projects are anticipated to be accretive to earnings and cash flow over the next few years. In addition, strategic investments in high-return projects, new business deals and acquisitions are expected to drive results in fiscal 2018. The company also remains on track with its cost-reduction programs, which is likely to support margins.

 

 

Air Products carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

 

Some other top-ranked companies in the basic materials space are Olympic Steel, Inc. (ZEUS Quick QuoteZEUS - Free Report) , Methanex Corporation (MEOH Quick QuoteMEOH - Free Report) and LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB Quick QuoteLYB - Free Report) , all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 

Olympic Steel has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7.5%. Its shares rallied 34% over the past six months. 

 

Methanex has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. Its shares have gained roughly 22% over the past six months.

 

LyondellBasell has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 9%. Its shares have rallied around 23% over the past six months.

 

 

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