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Why Is AGCO Corporation (AGCO) Up 7% Since Its Last Earnings Report?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) . Shares have added about 7% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is AGCO due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
AGCO Corp Misses on Q4 Earnings, Issues 2018 View
AGCO reported adjusted earnings of $1.10 per share in fourth-quarter 2017, up 55% from 84 cents per share recorded in fourth-quarter 2016. However, earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11.
Including restructuring and other infrequent expenses, the company reported earnings of 55 cents per share in the quarter compared to 77 cents per share reported in the prior-year quarter.
AGCO generated revenues of $2.53 billion, up 20.7% from $2.09 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter. Additionally, revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 billion. Excluding favorable currency translation impacts of approximately 5.9%, net sales climbed approximately 14.8% year over year.
Operational Update
Cost of sales went up 19% to $2 billion from the year-earlier quarter. Gross profit came in at $531 million in the quarter, jumping 26% from $420 million recorded in the year-earlier quarter. Gross margin came in at 21%, expanding 100 basis points (bps) year over year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses flared up 23% year over year to $277 million. Adjusted income from operations surged 48.3% year over year to $145 million. Consequently, operating margin advanced 100 bps year over year to 5.7%.
Segment Performance
Sales at the North America segment increased 18.9% year over year to $531.8 million in the fourth quarter. The segment reported operating income of $12 million, as against loss of $4.9 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
Sales at the South America segment climbed 2.5% year over year to $315.9 million. The segment reported operating income of $0.7 million compared to $13.6 million recorded in the year-earlier quarter.
The EAME (Europe/ Africa/ Middle East) segment’s sales came in at $1,434.6 million, up 25.9% from the year-ago quarter. EAME’s operating income climbed 34% to $163.4 million from $122 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Sales at the Asia/Pacific segment jumped 23% year over year to $245 million from $199 million recorded a year ago. The segment reported income of $25.6 million, up a whopping 126.5% from the year-ago quarter.
2017 Performance
AGCO reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.02 in 2017, up 22.3% from $2.47 per share recorded in the prior year. Earnings came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Including one-time items, the bottom line came in at $2.32, up 18% from $1.96 recorded in 2016.
Revenues were up 12% year over year to $8.3 billion from $7.4 billion recorded in 2016. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.1 billion.
Financial Update
AGCO reported cash and cash equivalents of $367.7 million at the end of fourth-quarter 2017, down from $429.7 million at 2016 end. Cash flow from operations came in at $577.6 million in 2017 compared to $369.5 million recorded last year.
Guidance
AGCO guided that its net sales for 2018 will be around $9.1 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth of 9.6%. This is backed by improved sales volumes, positive pricing, as well as acquisition and foreign currency translation impacts. AGCO expects its earnings per share in 2018 will be around $3.50. It also anticipates gross and operating margins to improve from the 2017 levels, driven by the positive impact of pricing and cost-reduction efforts, partially offset by elevated engineering expenses.
AGCO remains optimistic about industry conditions in 2018 which have been trending positively from the lower end of the agricultural equipment cycle in key markets. Further, the company will continue to make long-term investments to raise the efficiency of factories, improve service levels and strengthen product offerings. It will also remain focused on cost management which will aid margins.
AGCO projects industry tractor sales to be relatively flat in 2018 compared to the previous year, with some modest improvements in combines and hay equipment. Farm income in 2018 is expected to improve modestly, driven primarily by better dairy economics and higher 2017 wheat production. Thus, the company anticipates farmer sentiment to remain positive and 2018 demand to be relatively flat compared to the prior-year levels.
AGCO projects its industry sales will be flat to modestly up in 2018 compared to the previous year in South America. Moreover, increasing demand for commodities, driven by the growing world population, rising emerging market protein consumption and biofuel use are anticipated to support elevated farm income over the long term.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been seven revisions lower for the current quarter.
At this time, AGCO has a subpar Growth Score of D. Its Momentum is doing a lot better with an A. The stock was allocated 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 C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate that the stock is more suitable for momentum investors than value investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, AGCO has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is AGCO Corporation (AGCO) Up 7% Since Its Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) . Shares have added about 7% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is AGCO due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
AGCO Corp Misses on Q4 Earnings, Issues 2018 View
AGCO reported adjusted earnings of $1.10 per share in fourth-quarter 2017, up 55% from 84 cents per share recorded in fourth-quarter 2016. However, earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11.
Including restructuring and other infrequent expenses, the company reported earnings of 55 cents per share in the quarter compared to 77 cents per share reported in the prior-year quarter.
AGCO generated revenues of $2.53 billion, up 20.7% from $2.09 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter. Additionally, revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 billion. Excluding favorable currency translation impacts of approximately 5.9%, net sales climbed approximately 14.8% year over year.
Operational Update
Cost of sales went up 19% to $2 billion from the year-earlier quarter. Gross profit came in at $531 million in the quarter, jumping 26% from $420 million recorded in the year-earlier quarter. Gross margin came in at 21%, expanding 100 basis points (bps) year over year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses flared up 23% year over year to $277 million. Adjusted income from operations surged 48.3% year over year to $145 million. Consequently, operating margin advanced 100 bps year over year to 5.7%.
Segment Performance
Sales at the North America segment increased 18.9% year over year to $531.8 million in the fourth quarter. The segment reported operating income of $12 million, as against loss of $4.9 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
Sales at the South America segment climbed 2.5% year over year to $315.9 million. The segment reported operating income of $0.7 million compared to $13.6 million recorded in the year-earlier quarter.
The EAME (Europe/ Africa/ Middle East) segment’s sales came in at $1,434.6 million, up 25.9% from the year-ago quarter. EAME’s operating income climbed 34% to $163.4 million from $122 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Sales at the Asia/Pacific segment jumped 23% year over year to $245 million from $199 million recorded a year ago. The segment reported income of $25.6 million, up a whopping 126.5% from the year-ago quarter.
2017 Performance
AGCO reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.02 in 2017, up 22.3% from $2.47 per share recorded in the prior year. Earnings came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Including one-time items, the bottom line came in at $2.32, up 18% from $1.96 recorded in 2016.
Revenues were up 12% year over year to $8.3 billion from $7.4 billion recorded in 2016. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.1 billion.
Financial Update
AGCO reported cash and cash equivalents of $367.7 million at the end of fourth-quarter 2017, down from $429.7 million at 2016 end. Cash flow from operations came in at $577.6 million in 2017 compared to $369.5 million recorded last year.
Guidance
AGCO guided that its net sales for 2018 will be around $9.1 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth of 9.6%. This is backed by improved sales volumes, positive pricing, as well as acquisition and foreign currency translation impacts. AGCO expects its earnings per share in 2018 will be around $3.50. It also anticipates gross and operating margins to improve from the 2017 levels, driven by the positive impact of pricing and cost-reduction efforts, partially offset by elevated engineering expenses.
AGCO remains optimistic about industry conditions in 2018 which have been trending positively from the lower end of the agricultural equipment cycle in key markets. Further, the company will continue to make long-term investments to raise the efficiency of factories, improve service levels and strengthen product offerings. It will also remain focused on cost management which will aid margins.
AGCO projects industry tractor sales to be relatively flat in 2018 compared to the previous year, with some modest improvements in combines and hay equipment. Farm income in 2018 is expected to improve modestly, driven primarily by better dairy economics and higher 2017 wheat production. Thus, the company anticipates farmer sentiment to remain positive and 2018 demand to be relatively flat compared to the prior-year levels.
AGCO projects its industry sales will be flat to modestly up in 2018 compared to the previous year in South America. Moreover, increasing demand for commodities, driven by the growing world population, rising emerging market protein consumption and biofuel use are anticipated to support elevated farm income over the long term.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been seven revisions lower for the current quarter.
AGCO Corporation Price and Consensus
AGCO Corporation Price and Consensus | AGCO Corporation Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, AGCO has a subpar Growth Score of D. Its Momentum is doing a lot better with an A. The stock was allocated 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 C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Our style scores indicate that the stock is more suitable for momentum investors than value investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, AGCO has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.