It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Emerson Electric (EMR - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 6% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Emerson Electric due for a breakout? 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 catalysts.
Emerson's Q4 Earnings and Revenues Miss Estimates
Emerson reported weaker-than-expected results for fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended September 2018).
Earnings/Revenues
Adjusted earnings came in at 89 cents per share, higher than the year-ago figure of 83 cents. Favorable global market conditions and strong top-line growth boosted the bottom line, which was offset by high cost of sales and interest expenses. However, the bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents.
For fiscal 2018, the company’s adjusted earnings came in at $3.38.
Revenues in the reported quarter were $4,888 million, up from the year-ago figure of $4,435 million. This upside stemmed from strong demand from mature and emerging markets as well as acquisition benefits, partially offset by negative foreign currency-translation impact. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,940 million.
For fiscal 2018, net sales came in at $17.4 billion, up 13.7% year over year, indicating strengthening industrial and emerging market demand.
Segmental Break-Up
Quarterly sales of Automation Solutions segment were $3,228 million, up 11.5% year over year. Underlying sales also grew 9% as favorable trends in key served markets supported operations. Underlying sales in North America rose 11% led by continued favorable trends across most key markets. Asia underlying sales were up 11%, while Europe was up 2%. Latin America and Middle East/Africa were up 12% and 7%, respectively.
The Commercial & Residential Solutions platform witnessed a 7% increase in net sales and 5% growth in underlying sales, with net sales coming in at $1,655 million. The top line was supported by robust demand in North American commercial and residential air conditioning markets along with solid demand in global professional tools and cold chain markets. North America was up an impressive 8% on account of robust demand across all key end markets. Asia witnessed growth of 3% year over year, while Europe was up 4%. Latin America recorded an increase of 5%, while the Middle East/Africa was down 16%.
Under the platform, the Climate Technologies business grew 5.4% year over year to $1,168 million, while the Tools & Home Products unit jumped 12% to $487 million.
Costs/Margins
Cost of sales in the reported quarter was $2,823 million, up 7.3% year over year. Gross profit margin expanded 150 bps to 42.2%. The upside stemmed from stronger revenues and benefits of the restructuring actions undertaken.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the reported quarter were $1,180 million, up from $997 million reported a year ago. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes margin was 16%, down 30 bps year over year.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
Exiting the fiscal year, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,093 million, with long-term debt of $3,137 million. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2018 grew 51.3% from the prior fiscal year to $2,892 million.
Outlook
For fiscal 2019, Emerson expects net sales for the year to increase 6-9%, with underlying sales to be up 4-7%.
The company projects GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2019 to be in the range of $3.55-$3.70.
Emerson projects Automation Solutions net sales to be up 5-8%, while Commercial & Residential Solutions net sales is anticipated to jump 3-5%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -7.25% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Emerson Electric has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Emerson Electric has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Emerson Electric (EMR - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 6% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Emerson Electric due for a breakout? 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 catalysts.
Emerson's Q4 Earnings and Revenues Miss Estimates
Emerson reported weaker-than-expected results for fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended September 2018).
Earnings/Revenues
Adjusted earnings came in at 89 cents per share, higher than the year-ago figure of 83 cents. Favorable global market conditions and strong top-line growth boosted the bottom line, which was offset by high cost of sales and interest expenses. However, the bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92 cents.
For fiscal 2018, the company’s adjusted earnings came in at $3.38.
Revenues in the reported quarter were $4,888 million, up from the year-ago figure of $4,435 million. This upside stemmed from strong demand from mature and emerging markets as well as acquisition benefits, partially offset by negative foreign currency-translation impact. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,940 million.
For fiscal 2018, net sales came in at $17.4 billion, up 13.7% year over year, indicating strengthening industrial and emerging market demand.
Segmental Break-Up
Quarterly sales of Automation Solutions segment were $3,228 million, up 11.5% year over year. Underlying sales also grew 9% as favorable trends in key served markets supported operations. Underlying sales in North America rose 11% led by continued favorable trends across most key markets. Asia underlying sales were up 11%, while Europe was up 2%. Latin America and Middle East/Africa were up 12% and 7%, respectively.
The Commercial & Residential Solutions platform witnessed a 7% increase in net sales and 5% growth in underlying sales, with net sales coming in at $1,655 million. The top line was supported by robust demand in North American commercial and residential air conditioning markets along with solid demand in global professional tools and cold chain markets. North America was up an impressive 8% on account of robust demand across all key end markets. Asia witnessed growth of 3% year over year, while Europe was up 4%. Latin America recorded an increase of 5%, while the Middle East/Africa was down 16%.
Under the platform, the Climate Technologies business grew 5.4% year over year to $1,168 million, while the Tools & Home Products unit jumped 12% to $487 million.
Costs/Margins
Cost of sales in the reported quarter was $2,823 million, up 7.3% year over year. Gross profit margin expanded 150 bps to 42.2%. The upside stemmed from stronger revenues and benefits of the restructuring actions undertaken.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the reported quarter were $1,180 million, up from $997 million reported a year ago. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes margin was 16%, down 30 bps year over year.
Liquidity & Cash Flow
Exiting the fiscal year, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,093 million, with long-term debt of $3,137 million. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2018 grew 51.3% from the prior fiscal year to $2,892 million.
Outlook
For fiscal 2019, Emerson expects net sales for the year to increase 6-9%, with underlying sales to be up 4-7%.
The company projects GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2019 to be in the range of $3.55-$3.70.
Emerson projects Automation Solutions net sales to be up 5-8%, while Commercial & Residential Solutions net sales is anticipated to jump 3-5%.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -7.25% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
Currently, Emerson Electric has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Emerson Electric has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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