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.
Why Is Astec Industries (ASTE) Down 3.3% Since its Last Earnings Report?
Read MoreHide Full Article
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.3% in that time frame.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is ASTE 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 drivers.
Astec's Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Beat
Astec reported adjusted earnings of 42 cents per share in fourth-quarter 2017, which declined around 20.8% year over year. Earnings also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents.
Including an income-tax benefit from the U.S. tax reform, the company posted earnings of 47 cents per share compared to 53 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
Astec’s total revenues of $312 million slipped 4.3% from $327 million reported in the year-ago quarter. However, revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $288 million.
Astec’s domestic sales dipped 7.4% year over year to $245.4 million. However, international sales increased 8.7% year over year to $67 million. Cost of sales escalated 47.6% year over year to $249.6 million. Gross profit came in at $62.8 million, marking a 2.7% decline from $64.5 million reported in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin expanded 40 basis points (bps) year over year to 20.1%.
Selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses edged down 1.4% year over year to $44.8 million. The company reported operating income of $18 million compared with $19 million recorded in the prior-year quarter.
Segment Performance
Revenues for the Infrastructure Group segment dropped 24.4% to $146.7 million from $194.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment reported an operating profit of $11.1 million, underlining a plunge of 44.8% from $20.1 million in the year-earlier quarter.
Total revenues for the Aggregate and Mining Group segment increased 17.2% year over year to $96.5 million. Profit declined 5.3% year over year to $6.4 million.
The Energy Group segment’s total revenues jumped 38% year over year to $69.2 million. The segment reported operating profit of $5.9 million, up significantly from $1 million in the year-ago quarter.
2017 Performance
Astec reported earnings per share of $1.63 in 2017, down significantly 31.5% year over year. However, earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.61.
Revenues in 2017 went up 3.3% year over year to $1.19 billion from $1.15 billion reported in the prior year. Revenues also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 billion.
Financial Position
Astec reported cash and cash equivalents of $62.3 million as of Dec 31, 2017, down from $82.4 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Receivables increased to $120 million as of Dec 31, 2017, from $110.7 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Inventories were at $391.4 million as of Dec 31, 2017, compared with $360.4 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
The company’s total backlog improved 13.7% to $411.5 million as of Dec 31, 2017, from $361.8 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Backlog improved 31.5% and 35.2% in the Aggregate and Mining Group and Energy group, respectively. Backlog in the Infrastructure Group increased 3.1%. Domestic backlog increased 12.3% year over year to $335.9 million as of Dec 31, 2017, and international backlog improved 20.5% year over year to $75.6 million at the end of the reported quarter.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been two revisions lower for the current quarter. In the past month, the consensus estimate has shifted by 16% due to these changes.
At this time, ASTE has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Based on our scores, the stock is equally suitable for value, growth, and momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, ASTE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line 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
Why Is Astec Industries (ASTE) Down 3.3% Since its Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.3% in that time frame.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is ASTE 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 drivers.
Astec's Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Beat
Astec reported adjusted earnings of 42 cents per share in fourth-quarter 2017, which declined around 20.8% year over year. Earnings also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents.
Including an income-tax benefit from the U.S. tax reform, the company posted earnings of 47 cents per share compared to 53 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
Astec’s total revenues of $312 million slipped 4.3% from $327 million reported in the year-ago quarter. However, revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $288 million.
Astec’s domestic sales dipped 7.4% year over year to $245.4 million. However, international sales increased 8.7% year over year to $67 million. Cost of sales escalated 47.6% year over year to $249.6 million. Gross profit came in at $62.8 million, marking a 2.7% decline from $64.5 million reported in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin expanded 40 basis points (bps) year over year to 20.1%.
Selling, general, administrative and engineering expenses edged down 1.4% year over year to $44.8 million. The company reported operating income of $18 million compared with $19 million recorded in the prior-year quarter.
Segment Performance
Revenues for the Infrastructure Group segment dropped 24.4% to $146.7 million from $194.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment reported an operating profit of $11.1 million, underlining a plunge of 44.8% from $20.1 million in the year-earlier quarter.
Total revenues for the Aggregate and Mining Group segment increased 17.2% year over year to $96.5 million. Profit declined 5.3% year over year to $6.4 million.
The Energy Group segment’s total revenues jumped 38% year over year to $69.2 million. The segment reported operating profit of $5.9 million, up significantly from $1 million in the year-ago quarter.
2017 Performance
Astec reported earnings per share of $1.63 in 2017, down significantly 31.5% year over year. However, earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.61.
Revenues in 2017 went up 3.3% year over year to $1.19 billion from $1.15 billion reported in the prior year. Revenues also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 billion.
Financial Position
Astec reported cash and cash equivalents of $62.3 million as of Dec 31, 2017, down from $82.4 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Receivables increased to $120 million as of Dec 31, 2017, from $110.7 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Inventories were at $391.4 million as of Dec 31, 2017, compared with $360.4 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
The company’s total backlog improved 13.7% to $411.5 million as of Dec 31, 2017, from $361.8 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Backlog improved 31.5% and 35.2% in the Aggregate and Mining Group and Energy group, respectively. Backlog in the Infrastructure Group increased 3.1%. Domestic backlog increased 12.3% year over year to $335.9 million as of Dec 31, 2017, and international backlog improved 20.5% year over year to $75.6 million at the end of the reported quarter.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There have been two revisions lower for the current quarter. In the past month, the consensus estimate has shifted by 16% due to these changes.
Astec Industries, Inc. Price and Consensus
Astec Industries, Inc. Price and Consensus | Astec Industries, Inc. Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, ASTE has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Based on our scores, the stock is equally suitable for value, growth, and momentum investors.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, ASTE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.