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Howmet (HWM) Q4 Earnings Meet, Surge Y/Y on Higher Revenues

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Howmet Aerospace Inc.’s (HWM - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings (excluding 12 cents from non-recurring items) of 38 cents per share matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line improved 26.7% year over year.

Total revenues of $1,513 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,471.7 million. The top line increased 17.7% from the year-ago quarter. The increase was backed by an improved commercial aerospace market and pricing actions.

Segmental Details

Engine Products’ revenues totaled $732 million, representing 48.4% of net revenues in the quarter under review. On a year-over-year basis, the segment’s revenues increased 21%, driven by strength in commercial aerospace, defense aerospace and oil and gas markets and pricing actions.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Howmet Aerospace Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Howmet Aerospace Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Howmet Aerospace Inc. Quote


The Fastening Systems segment generated revenues of $285 million, accounting for 18.8% of net revenues in the reported quarter. Revenues increased 11% year over year, driven by strength in commercial aerospace and narrow body recovery as well as pricing actions.

The Engineered Structures segment’s revenues, representing 15.2% of net revenues, increased 21% year over year to $230 million. The results benefited from narrow body commercial aerospace market and pricing actions partly offset by Boeing 787 production declines.

Forged Wheels revenues totaled $266 million, representing 17.6% of net revenues in the quarter under review. On a year-over-year basis, the segment’s revenues increased 14%, driven by pricing actions and an increase in volumes, partially offset by forex woes.

Margin Profile

In the reported quarter, Howmet’s cost of goods sold increased 18.3% year over year to $1,110 million. Selling, general, administrative and other expenses increased 3.3% year over year to $63 million. Research and development expenses were $9 million in the quarter.

EBITDA, excluding special items, in the reported quarter was $336 million, up 14% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased approximately 80 basis points (bps) year over year to 22.2%. Operating income increased 49.7% year over year to $220 million. Operating income margin increased approximately 310 bps year over year to 14.5% in the reported quarter. Net interest expenses in the quarter totaled $57 million, down 1.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Exiting the fourth quarter of 2022, Howmet had cash and cash equivalents of $791 million compared with $720 million at the end of the year-ago period. Long-term debt (less amount due within one year) was $4,162 million compared with $4,227 million in the year-ago period.

In 2022, Howmet generated net cash of $733 million from operating activities compared with $449 million generated in the year-ago period. Capital spending totaled $193 million compared with $199 million a year ago. Free cash flow was $540 million in the period.

Howmet paid out dividends of $44 million in 2022 compared with $19 million in the year-ago period. Also, it repurchased shares worth $400 million in the year compared with the $430 million buyback made a year ago.

Q1 Outlook

For the first quarter of 2023, Howmet expects revenues of $1.475-$1.525 billion. The mid-point of the guided range — $1.500 billion — lies above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $325 and $345 million, while the margin is anticipated to be 22-22.6%. Adjusted earnings per share are estimated to be 35-39 cents in the first quarter. The mid-point of the guided range — 37 cents — lies above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents.

2023 Outlook

For 2023, Howmet predicts revenues of $6.000-$6.200 billion. The mid-point of the guided range — $6.10 billion — lies below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.14 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be $1.335-$1.415 billion, while the margin is projected to be 22.3-22.8%. Adjusted earnings per share are forecasted in the band of $1.53-$1.67. The mid-point of the guided range — $1.60 — lies below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72. Free cash flow is expected to be $580-$650 million for 2023.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Howmet currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks within the broader Construction sector are as follows:

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2023 earnings has been revised upward by 2.4% in the past 60 days. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks.

Sterling Infrastructure has an estimated earnings growth rate of approximately 10% for 2023. The stock has rallied 40.9% in the past six months.

Fluor (FLR - Free Report) presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2023 earnings has been revised upward by 2.8% in the past 60 days.

Fluor has an estimated earnings growth rate of 108% for 2023. The stock has gained 36% in the past six months.


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