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Itron's (ITRI) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Miss
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Itron, Inc. (ITRI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2018 non-GAAP earnings of 88 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents.
However, the figure decreased 22.1% on a sequential basis and 12.9% year over year.
Total revenues came in at $587 million, which grew 7% from the year-ago quarter but decreased 1.5% sequentially. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $596.4 million.
The year-over-year revenue growth was driven by strengthening product portfolio and improving demand for the company’s products. Further, the Networked Solutions segment and buyout of Silver Spring Network contributed significantly to top-line growth.
Top-Line Details
Product revenues of $516.7 million (accounting for 88% of its total revenues) increased 4.8% and service revenues of $70.3 million (contributing the remaining 12%) grew 21.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Itron’s bookings were $786 million, up 32.5% year over year. The company’s backlog came in at $3.2 billion, increasing a whopping 81% on a year-over-year basis. Further, its 12-month backlog came in at $1.35 billion, up 45% from the year-ago quarter.
Operating Details
Itron’s gross margin in the fourth quarter was 30.1%, which contracted 170 basis points (bps) from the prior-year period. This was due to higher special warranty costs.
Non-GAAP operating margin came in at 9.5%, contracting 180 bps from the year-ago quarter.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $127.9million, up 7.4% year over year. This increase was due to the inclusion of departmental expenses related to acquisitions.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
At the end of the fourth quarter, cash and cash equivalents totaled $120.2 million compared with $109 million at the end of the third quarter. Accounts receivables were nearly $437.2 million, decreasing from $449.6 million in the third quarter.
Itron generated $42 million cash from operations compared with $51 million in the third quarter.
Moreover, the company generated free cash flow of $25 million, down from $37 million in the third quarter.
Guidance
For 2019, Itron expects revenues within $2.35-$2.45 billion and non-GAAP earnings in the range of $2.35-2.75 per share.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Expedia, AMETEK and Inphi is projected to be 13.4%, 9.6% and 18.5%, respectively.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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Itron's (ITRI) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Miss
Itron, Inc. (ITRI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2018 non-GAAP earnings of 88 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents.
However, the figure decreased 22.1% on a sequential basis and 12.9% year over year.
Total revenues came in at $587 million, which grew 7% from the year-ago quarter but decreased 1.5% sequentially. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $596.4 million.
The year-over-year revenue growth was driven by strengthening product portfolio and improving demand for the company’s products. Further, the Networked Solutions segment and buyout of Silver Spring Network contributed significantly to top-line growth.
Top-Line Details
Product revenues of $516.7 million (accounting for 88% of its total revenues) increased 4.8% and service revenues of $70.3 million (contributing the remaining 12%) grew 21.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Itron’s bookings were $786 million, up 32.5% year over year. The company’s backlog came in at $3.2 billion, increasing a whopping 81% on a year-over-year basis. Further, its 12-month backlog came in at $1.35 billion, up 45% from the year-ago quarter.
Operating Details
Itron’s gross margin in the fourth quarter was 30.1%, which contracted 170 basis points (bps) from the prior-year period. This was due to higher special warranty costs.
Non-GAAP operating margin came in at 9.5%, contracting 180 bps from the year-ago quarter.
Non-GAAP operating expenses were $127.9million, up 7.4% year over year. This increase was due to the inclusion of departmental expenses related to acquisitions.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
At the end of the fourth quarter, cash and cash equivalents totaled $120.2 million compared with $109 million at the end of the third quarter. Accounts receivables were nearly $437.2 million, decreasing from $449.6 million in the third quarter.
Itron generated $42 million cash from operations compared with $51 million in the third quarter.
Moreover, the company generated free cash flow of $25 million, down from $37 million in the third quarter.
Guidance
For 2019, Itron expects revenues within $2.35-$2.45 billion and non-GAAP earnings in the range of $2.35-2.75 per share.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Itron currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE - Free Report) , AMETEK, Inc. (AME - Free Report) and Inphi Corporation , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Expedia, AMETEK and Inphi is projected to be 13.4%, 9.6% and 18.5%, respectively.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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