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Why Is Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) Down 10.2% Since Last Earnings Report?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Louisiana-Pacific (LPX - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 10.2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Louisiana-Pacific due for a breakout? 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.
Louisiana-Pacific Q3 Earnings Top, Sales Lag, Up Y/Y
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation reported mixed third-quarter 2018 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues missed the same.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 83 cents in the quarter, beating the consensus mark of 66 cents by 25.8%. Earnings also improved from the year-ago figure of 70 cents. The upside can be attributed to strong operational execution across business, coupled with ongoing focus on its value-add, as well as high-margin siding and specialty products. However, headwinds related to oriented strand board (“OSB”) pricing and higher transportation expenses pose a concern.
Net sales of $736.8 million in the quarter lagged the consensus mark of $748 million but grew 3% year over year.
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations came in at $193 million in the quarter, down from $194 million in the prior-year quarter.
Segmental Analysis
OSB: Sales at the OSB segment decreased 0.5% year over year to $349 million. Sales volumes in commodity OSB were down 4% in the quarter, while that of its value-add products were up 8% from a year ago. Meanwhile, pricing for OSB was down 4% year over year in commodity while 3% higher in value-add products. The decrease in OSB pricing impacted operating results by $4 million. In addition to the reduced sales price, the company recorded an increase in raw material costs, primarily resin.
In the quarter, adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.7% from the third quarter of 2017.
Siding Segment: This segment’s sales were up 6.5% to $240.8 million. Within this segment, SmartSide strand average sales prices increased 5% due to changes in the product mix and higher price realization. Meanwhile, sales volumes were up 10% from a year ago. In SmartSide fiber, sales prices were up 11% while volumes were down 5%. Additionally, prices of CanExel (representing 6% of its total sales) decreased 5% and were flat in Canadian dollars as majority of these sales are made in Canada. Again, volume dropped 42% in the quarter primarily due to customers rebalancing their inventories.
In the quarter under review, the Siding segment recorded an adjusted EBITDA of $68 million, reflecting an increase of $7 million from the third quarter of 2017.
Engineered Wood Products (EWP): EWP sales grew 7.1% year over year to $105 million in the quarter. LSL volumes were up 30%, while LVL volumes were down 10% in the quarter. I-Joist volumes were up 4% from the year-ago quarter. Pricing was up 13% in LSL, 9% in LDL and 5% in I-Joist.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $1 million from the prior-year quarter.
South America: This segment comprises facilities in Chile, Brazil, as well as sales offices in Peru and Argentina. The segment sales were down 9.9% year over year to $34.5 million.
Adjusted EBITDA was $9 million compared with $12 million in third-quarter 2017.
Other: Net sales were $7.6 million in the quarter compared with $6.5 million a year ago.
Financials
Louisiana-Pacific ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $986.7 million as of Sep 30, 2018 compared with $928 million on Dec 31, 2017. Long-term debt (excluding current portion) was $348.6 million, down from $350.8 million at the end of 2017.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -12.28% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Louisiana-Pacific has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) Down 10.2% Since Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Louisiana-Pacific (LPX - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 10.2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Louisiana-Pacific due for a breakout? 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.
Louisiana-Pacific Q3 Earnings Top, Sales Lag, Up Y/Y
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation reported mixed third-quarter 2018 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues missed the same.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 83 cents in the quarter, beating the consensus mark of 66 cents by 25.8%. Earnings also improved from the year-ago figure of 70 cents. The upside can be attributed to strong operational execution across business, coupled with ongoing focus on its value-add, as well as high-margin siding and specialty products. However, headwinds related to oriented strand board (“OSB”) pricing and higher transportation expenses pose a concern.
Net sales of $736.8 million in the quarter lagged the consensus mark of $748 million but grew 3% year over year.
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations came in at $193 million in the quarter, down from $194 million in the prior-year quarter.
Segmental Analysis
OSB: Sales at the OSB segment decreased 0.5% year over year to $349 million. Sales volumes in commodity OSB were down 4% in the quarter, while that of its value-add products were up 8% from a year ago. Meanwhile, pricing for OSB was down 4% year over year in commodity while 3% higher in value-add products. The decrease in OSB pricing impacted operating results by $4 million. In addition to the reduced sales price, the company recorded an increase in raw material costs, primarily resin.
In the quarter, adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.7% from the third quarter of 2017.
Siding Segment: This segment’s sales were up 6.5% to $240.8 million. Within this segment, SmartSide strand average sales prices increased 5% due to changes in the product mix and higher price realization. Meanwhile, sales volumes were up 10% from a year ago. In SmartSide fiber, sales prices were up 11% while volumes were down 5%. Additionally, prices of CanExel (representing 6% of its total sales) decreased 5% and were flat in Canadian dollars as majority of these sales are made in Canada. Again, volume dropped 42% in the quarter primarily due to customers rebalancing their inventories.
In the quarter under review, the Siding segment recorded an adjusted EBITDA of $68 million, reflecting an increase of $7 million from the third quarter of 2017.
Engineered Wood Products (EWP): EWP sales grew 7.1% year over year to $105 million in the quarter. LSL volumes were up 30%, while LVL volumes were down 10% in the quarter. I-Joist volumes were up 4% from the year-ago quarter. Pricing was up 13% in LSL, 9% in LDL and 5% in I-Joist.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $1 million from the prior-year quarter.
South America: This segment comprises facilities in Chile, Brazil, as well as sales offices in Peru and Argentina. The segment sales were down 9.9% year over year to $34.5 million.
Adjusted EBITDA was $9 million compared with $12 million in third-quarter 2017.
Other: Net sales were $7.6 million in the quarter compared with $6.5 million a year ago.
Financials
Louisiana-Pacific ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $986.7 million as of Sep 30, 2018 compared with $928 million on Dec 31, 2017. Long-term debt (excluding current portion) was $348.6 million, down from $350.8 million at the end of 2017.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -12.28% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Louisiana-Pacific has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Louisiana-Pacific has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.