We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Amtek (AME) Up 6.2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
Read MoreHide Full Article
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Amtek (AME - Free Report) . Shares have added about 6.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Amtek due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
AMETEK's Earnings and Revenues Beat Q4 Estimates
AMETEK reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of 86 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents and also exceeded management’s guidance of 82-84 cents. Further, the figure increased 23% from the year-ago quarter.
Net sales increased 11% on a year-over-year basis to $1.27 billion in the quarter. The figure topped the consensus estimate of $1.25 billion. Robust organic growth and strong segmental performance drove the top line.
For the full year of 2018, the company recorded revenues of $4.8 billion, 13% higher than prior year. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.29, up 26%.
AMETEK recorded organic sales growth of 5% for the reported quarter, and 7% in the full year. Improved operational activities and positive contributions from acquisitions aided the results.
Top Line Details
AMETEK reports sales in two organized segments — Electronic Instruments Group (“EIG”) and Electromechanical Group (“EMG”).
EIG (65% of total sales): The company generated sales of $826 million from this segment, which reflected growth of 11% from the year-ago quarter. Further, organic sales for the quarter were also solid.
For the full year, the EIG recorded $3 billion in sales, up 11% year over year.
EMG (35% of sales): The segment generated $445.3 million in the fourth quarter, which increased 11% on year-over-year basis. The upside can primarily be attributed to solid organic sales growth and positive contributions from the FMH Aerospace buyout.
Operating Details
For the fourth quarter, operating margin was 22.2%, expanding 50 basis points (bps) from the prior-year quarter but contracting 10 bps on a sequential basis.
The rise can primarily be attributed to the solid performance in EMG segment, which recorded operating margin expansion of 110 bps year over year. However, the operating margin declined slightly for the EIG segment at 26%, contracting 20 bps. Further, operational efficiency in the reported quarter was a major positive.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.1%, as percentage of sales, contracting 70 bps from the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $354 million, down from $518.7 million as of Sep 30, 2018.
Long-term debt was $2.27 billion, up from $1.83 billion in the previous quarter.
Guidance
For first-quarter 2019, AMETEK expects sales to reflect growth of high single digits on a year-over-year basis.
Earnings are anticipated to lie in the range of 95-97 cents per share, reflecting year-over-year growth of 9-11%.
For 2019, the company anticipates total sales to grow by high-single digits and organic sales by 3-5%. The total sales growth will reflect positive contributions from the acquisitions undertaken recently.
Further, AMETEK provided guidance for adjusted earnings per share for 2019 of $3.95-$4.05, reflecting growth of 8-11% from 2018.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted 11.44% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Amtek has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% 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.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise Amtek has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Amtek (AME) Up 6.2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Amtek (AME - Free Report) . Shares have added about 6.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Amtek due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
AMETEK's Earnings and Revenues Beat Q4 Estimates
AMETEK reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of 86 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents and also exceeded management’s guidance of 82-84 cents. Further, the figure increased 23% from the year-ago quarter.
Net sales increased 11% on a year-over-year basis to $1.27 billion in the quarter. The figure topped the consensus estimate of $1.25 billion. Robust organic growth and strong segmental performance drove the top line.
For the full year of 2018, the company recorded revenues of $4.8 billion, 13% higher than prior year. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.29, up 26%.
AMETEK recorded organic sales growth of 5% for the reported quarter, and 7% in the full year. Improved operational activities and positive contributions from acquisitions aided the results.
Top Line Details
AMETEK reports sales in two organized segments — Electronic Instruments Group (“EIG”) and Electromechanical Group (“EMG”).
EIG (65% of total sales): The company generated sales of $826 million from this segment, which reflected growth of 11% from the year-ago quarter. Further, organic sales for the quarter were also solid.
For the full year, the EIG recorded $3 billion in sales, up 11% year over year.
EMG (35% of sales): The segment generated $445.3 million in the fourth quarter, which increased 11% on year-over-year basis. The upside can primarily be attributed to solid organic sales growth and positive contributions from the FMH Aerospace buyout.
Operating Details
For the fourth quarter, operating margin was 22.2%, expanding 50 basis points (bps) from the prior-year quarter but contracting 10 bps on a sequential basis.
The rise can primarily be attributed to the solid performance in EMG segment, which recorded operating margin expansion of 110 bps year over year. However, the operating margin declined slightly for the EIG segment at 26%, contracting 20 bps. Further, operational efficiency in the reported quarter was a major positive.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were 12.1%, as percentage of sales, contracting 70 bps from the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents were $354 million, down from $518.7 million as of Sep 30, 2018.
Long-term debt was $2.27 billion, up from $1.83 billion in the previous quarter.
Guidance
For first-quarter 2019, AMETEK expects sales to reflect growth of high single digits on a year-over-year basis.
Earnings are anticipated to lie in the range of 95-97 cents per share, reflecting year-over-year growth of 9-11%.
For 2019, the company anticipates total sales to grow by high-single digits and organic sales by 3-5%. The total sales growth will reflect positive contributions from the acquisitions undertaken recently.
Further, AMETEK provided guidance for adjusted earnings per share for 2019 of $3.95-$4.05, reflecting growth of 8-11% from 2018.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted 11.44% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Amtek has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% 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.
Outlook
Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise Amtek has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.