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Canadian Pacific Q3 & 2018 View Upbeat, Goals Set for '18-'20

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Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP - Free Report) has provided an update on its upcoming third-quarter financial results (to be released on Oct 18) and full-year outlook. Simultaneously, it has outlined a few of its financial objectives for the period 2018-2020.

Bullish Q3 View

Third-quarter revenues are anticipated to register an all-time high figure of $1.9 billion, reflecting a 19% increase. Third-quarter 2017 revenues were $1.6 billion. Additionally, adjusted earnings per share are estimated to be approximately $4.10, also a record high. The comparable figure in the year-ago quarter was $2.90. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings stands at $2.81 per share. Meanwhile, the company expects the operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of revenues) to be sub-58.5%. The metric was 56.7% during the third quarter of 2017.

2018 EPS Guidance Up

Canadian Pacific has raised its forecast for full-year earnings per share in anticipation of a strong third-quarter as well as a solid outlook for the remainder of the year. The company predicts adjusted earnings per share to rise more than 20% in the year from the previously projected improvement in low-double digits. Adjusted earnings per share were $11.39 last year. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the company expects nearly $50 million in gains from land sales.


Targets for 2018-2020 Period

The company aims to achieve a double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in adjusted earnings per share while volumes, measured in Revenue Ton-Miles, are targeted to expand at a CAGR of mid-single digits. Additionally, capital expenditures are targeted to be approximately $1.6 billion during each year of the given period. The goal for the period has been set based on certain assumptions including an annualized effective tax rate of around 25% (excluding gains from foreign-exchange or losses on U.S. dollar-denominated debt and effects of tax rate changes).

Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks

Canadian Pacific carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other top-ranked stocks in the broader Transportation sector include Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN - Free Report) , CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) and Union Pacific Corporation (UNP - Free Report) . While Trinity sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), CSX and Union Pacific hold a Zacks Rank of 2.  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Shares of Trinity, CSX and Union Pacific have rallied more than 13%, 41% and 43%, respectively, in a year.

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