Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD Quick QuoteAPD - Free Report) makes industrial gases as well as a variety of polymer and performance chemicals. It also supplies processing equipment. The company serves technology, energy, industrial and health care customers globally.

 

Air Products benefits from a diverse customer base, sustained pricing power and cost-reduction measures.

 

Let’s have a quick look at the company’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2017 release.

 

Estimate Trend & Surprise History

Investors should note that the earnings estimate for Air Products for the fiscal fourth-quarter has remained stable over the last month. Air Products has beaten estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing one, with an average positive surprise of 1.8%.

 

Air Products logged adjusted earnings of $1.76 per share for the fiscal fourth-quarter, up 18% year over year. Earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.69.

 

 

Air Products posted net sales of $2.2 billion for the quarter, up 13% year over year. It also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.09 billion.

 

Key Stats/Developments to Note
 

Air Products expects adjusted earnings per share of $1.60-$1.70 for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, up 9-16% from the year ago quarter. For fiscal 2018, Air Products expects adjusted earnings per share of $6.85-$7.05, up 9-12% year over year. 

 

Capital expenditure for fiscal 2018 is expected to be in the range of $1-$1.2 billion

 

 

Currently, Air Products has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

 

 

Air Products’ shares remains inactive in pre-market trading. It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to the results during the trading session today.

 

Check back later for our full write up on Air Products’ earnings report!

 

 

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