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Motorola (MSI) Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher Sales
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Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI - Free Report) reported healthy third-quarter 2018 results on the back of strength in both segments primarily led by North America, resulting in year-over-year growth in sales and profitability.
Net Earnings
On GAAP basis, net earnings for the reported quarter were $247 million or $1.43 per share compared with $212 million or 1.25 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter. The year-over-year improvement was primarily attributable to top-line growth.
Non-GAAP earnings per share were $1.94 compared with $1.53 in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22 cents.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Quarterly total net sales were $1,862 million compared with $1,645 million in the year-ago quarter, primarily driven by growth in the Americas and EMEA, acquisitions and adoption of accounting standard ASC 606. The top line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,863 million.
Segmental Performance
Net sales from Products and Systems Integration segment were $1,288 million compared with $1,174 million in the prior-year quarter driven by acquisitions and organic growth in North America. The segment’s backlog increased $277 million year over year.
Net sales from Services and Software segment came in at $574 million compared with $471 million a year ago, with growth in every region. The segment’s backlog increased $295 million year over year.
Other Quarter Details
GAAP operating earnings decreased to $294 million from $347 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses, and higher cost of sales. Non-GAAP operating earnings were $452 million compared with $412 million in the prior-year quarter.
GAAP operating margin declined to 15.8% of sales from 21.1% in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher operating expenses related to acquisitions and increase to an existing environmental reserve related to a legacy business. Non-GAAP operating margin was 24.3% of sales compared with 25% in the year-ago quarter due to higher operating expenses related to acquisitions.
Non-GAAP operating earnings for Products and Systems Integration were $276 million, down 3% year over year. The fall was primarily due to higher OpEx related to acquisitions and lower gross margins associated with systems integration on a few large projects for non-GAAP operating margin of 21.4% of sales, down from 24.3% in the prior-year quarter.
Non-GAAP operating earnings for Services and Software were $176 million, up 39% year over year driven by higher sales and favorable gross margin mix for non-GAAP operating margin of 30.7% of sales, up from 27%.
Cash Flow and Liquidity
For the first nine months of 2018, Motorola generated $263 million of cash from operating activities compared with $585 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow for the first three quarters of the year totaled $135 million compared with $379 million in the year-ago period.
As of Sep 29, 2018, the company had $851 million of total cash and cash equivalents with $5,095 million of long-term debt.
2018 Outlook Raised
Owing to solid quarterly revenue and earnings growth, management has raised guidance for 2018. Full-year non-GAAP earnings are currently anticipated to lie within the $7-$7.05 per share range on revenue growth of approximately14.5%, up from the previous guidance of $6.79-$6.89. It assumes current foreign exchange rates, approximately 172 million shares and 22.5% effective tax rate. The guidance reflects an expectation of minimal impacts from tariffs, given the company’s very limited exposure to China.
Fourth-quarter 2018 non-GAAP earnings are expected to be in the $2.50-$2.55 per share range on revenue growth of 13.5%, assuming current foreign exchange rates, approximately 173 million shares and 25% effective tax rate.
Going Forward
Motorola remains poised to gain from robust organic growth, disciplined capital deployment and a favorable global macroeconomic environment. The company expects to see strong demand across land mobile radio products, services and software going forward, while the Avigilon acquisition is likely to continue to outperform expectations. Furthermore, Motorola’s competitive position along with attractive portfolio for large addressable markets and healthy balance sheet augur well for future growth.
Harris has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 6%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average positive surprise of 7.1%.
Juniper has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 5.3%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average positive surprise of 11%.
Nokia has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9.2%. It surpassed earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 5%.
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It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
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Motorola (MSI) Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher Sales
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI - Free Report) reported healthy third-quarter 2018 results on the back of strength in both segments primarily led by North America, resulting in year-over-year growth in sales and profitability.
Net Earnings
On GAAP basis, net earnings for the reported quarter were $247 million or $1.43 per share compared with $212 million or 1.25 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter. The year-over-year improvement was primarily attributable to top-line growth.
Non-GAAP earnings per share were $1.94 compared with $1.53 in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22 cents.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Motorola Solutions, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Motorola Solutions, Inc. Quote
Revenues
Quarterly total net sales were $1,862 million compared with $1,645 million in the year-ago quarter, primarily driven by growth in the Americas and EMEA, acquisitions and adoption of accounting standard ASC 606. The top line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,863 million.
Segmental Performance
Net sales from Products and Systems Integration segment were $1,288 million compared with $1,174 million in the prior-year quarter driven by acquisitions and organic growth in North America. The segment’s backlog increased $277 million year over year.
Net sales from Services and Software segment came in at $574 million compared with $471 million a year ago, with growth in every region. The segment’s backlog increased $295 million year over year.
Other Quarter Details
GAAP operating earnings decreased to $294 million from $347 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses, and higher cost of sales. Non-GAAP operating earnings were $452 million compared with $412 million in the prior-year quarter.
GAAP operating margin declined to 15.8% of sales from 21.1% in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher operating expenses related to acquisitions and increase to an existing environmental reserve related to a legacy business. Non-GAAP operating margin was 24.3% of sales compared with 25% in the year-ago quarter due to higher operating expenses related to acquisitions.
Non-GAAP operating earnings for Products and Systems Integration were $276 million, down 3% year over year. The fall was primarily due to higher OpEx related to acquisitions and lower gross margins associated with systems integration on a few large projects for non-GAAP operating margin of 21.4% of sales, down from 24.3% in the prior-year quarter.
Non-GAAP operating earnings for Services and Software were $176 million, up 39% year over year driven by higher sales and favorable gross margin mix for non-GAAP operating margin of 30.7% of sales, up from 27%.
Cash Flow and Liquidity
For the first nine months of 2018, Motorola generated $263 million of cash from operating activities compared with $585 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow for the first three quarters of the year totaled $135 million compared with $379 million in the year-ago period.
As of Sep 29, 2018, the company had $851 million of total cash and cash equivalents with $5,095 million of long-term debt.
2018 Outlook Raised
Owing to solid quarterly revenue and earnings growth, management has raised guidance for 2018. Full-year non-GAAP earnings are currently anticipated to lie within the $7-$7.05 per share range on revenue growth of approximately14.5%, up from the previous guidance of $6.79-$6.89. It assumes current foreign exchange rates, approximately 172 million shares and 22.5% effective tax rate. The guidance reflects an expectation of minimal impacts from tariffs, given the company’s very limited exposure to China.
Fourth-quarter 2018 non-GAAP earnings are expected to be in the $2.50-$2.55 per share range on revenue growth of 13.5%, assuming current foreign exchange rates, approximately 173 million shares and 25% effective tax rate.
Going Forward
Motorola remains poised to gain from robust organic growth, disciplined capital deployment and a favorable global macroeconomic environment. The company expects to see strong demand across land mobile radio products, services and software going forward, while the Avigilon acquisition is likely to continue to outperform expectations. Furthermore, Motorola’s competitive position along with attractive portfolio for large addressable markets and healthy balance sheet augur well for future growth.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Motorola currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the industry include Harris Corporation , Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR - Free Report) , Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Harris has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 6%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average positive surprise of 7.1%.
Juniper has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 5.3%. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average positive surprise of 11%.
Nokia has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9.2%. It surpassed earnings estimates twice in the trailing four quarters, the average positive surprise being 5%.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>