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ITT Tops Q4 Earnings Estimates, Makes Multiple Announcements
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ITT Inc. (ITT - Free Report) kept its earnings streak alive in the fourth quarter of 2018, pulling off a positive earnings surprise of 10.81%. In addition to the results and solid guidance, this conglomerate impressed the market with announcements of a 10% hike in the quarterly dividend rate, $25-million share buyback program and agreement to acquire Rheinhutte Pumpen Group.
It is worth noting here that the company’s share price increased roughly 4.1% on Feb 22, ending the trading session at $58.64.
Inside the Headlines
The company’s adjusted earnings in the reported quarter were 82 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. Further, the bottom line increased 28.1% from the year-ago tally of 64 cents on the back of improved margins, decline in net interest and other expenses, and lower income tax expenses.
For 2018, the company’s adjusted earnings were $3.23 per share, increasing 24.7% from the year-ago figure of $2.59.
Revenues Fall Y/Y
In the quarter under review, ITT’s sales were $678.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 0.8%. Organic revenues in the quarter grew 1.4% year over year on the back of strengthening industrial and transportation markets, partially offset by weakness in oil & gas, and other markets. Unfavorable movements in foreign currencies had a negative impact of $14.7 million on revenues.
Also, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $698 million by 2.74%.
Orders in the reported quarter increased 0.4% year over year to $666.8. Organically, orders grew 2.4%.
The company reports net sales under three segments. A brief discussion on those segments is provided below:
Revenues from the Motion Technologies were $291.3 million, decreasing 2.4% year over year. Organic sales increased 1%, partially offset by 3% impact of forex woes. Orders decreased 5% year over year to $283.9 million.
Revenues from the Industrial Process totaled $229.1 million, decreasing 1.5% year over year. Forex woes had 2% adverse impact and organic sales were flat in the quarter under review. Orders increased 9.6% to $212.9 million in the quarter under review.
Revenues from the Connect & Control Technologies were $158.6 million, increasing 3.5% year over year. Orders of $170.5 million decreased 0.5% year over year.
For 2018, the company’s sales totaled $2,745.1 million, increasing 6.2% year over year.
Margins Improve
In the quarter under review, ITT’s cost of sales decreased 1.6% year over year to $467.9 million. It represented 69% of sales compared with 69.6% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin increased 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 31%. Operating expenses (including general and administrative, sales and marketing, and research and development expenses) increased 1.5% year over year to $126.7 million.
Total segmental adjusted operating income in the quarter under review increased 10.5% year over year to $95.6 million. Moreover, adjusted operating margin grew 140 bps to 14.1%. Net interest and non-operating expenses in the quarter increased 35.3% year over year to $2.3 million.
Income tax expenses in the quarter were $15.3 million versus $134.3 million recorded in the year-ago comparable quarter.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the fourth quarter, ITT had cash and cash equivalents of $561.2 million, up 6.7% from $525.8 million at the end of the last reported quarter. Total non-current liabilities decreased 0.8% sequentially to $1,149.8 million.
In 2018, the company generated net cash of $371.8 million from operating activities, surging roughly 50.4% from $247.2 million generated in 2017. Capital expenditure totaled $95.5 million, decreasing 15.7% from $113.3 million spent in the previous year. Adjusted free cash flow in the year was $308.9 million, up 34.1% year over year.
During the year, the company used $47.3 million for distributing dividends and $56.1 million for repurchasing common shares.
Dividend Hike & Acquisition
Concurrent with the earnings release, ITT announced that its board of directors approved a 10% or 1.30 cents per share hike in the quarterly dividend rate, which now moved from 13.4 cents to 14.7 cents. On an annualized basis, the dividend increased to 58.8 cents per share from 53.6 cents. ITT will pay the revised dividend on Apr 1, 2019, to shareholders of record as of Mar 11.
Also, the company has authorized a $25-million share buyback program. This new program, along with a $25-million program announced in November 2018, brings the total buyback authorization to $50 million.
In addition to this, the company announced that it agreed to acquire Germany-based Rheinhutte Pumpen Group for $91.5 million (to be paid in cash and borrowings under revolving credit facility). The other party to the transaction is Aliaxis Group S.A. Rheinhutte Pumpen specializes in manufacturing flow pumps (axial and centrifugal).
The acquired assets — to be integrated with ITT’s Industrial Process segment — will strengthen the company’s business opportunities in Europe. Earnings accretion is anticipated in the initial year of the completion of the buyout, which is expected in the second quarter of 2019.
Outlook
For 2019, ITT anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $3.42-$3.66, up 10% year over year. The bottom line will likely gain from operational execution, expanding market shares, and fall in functional corporate costs. However, unfavorable movements in foreign currencies and high tax rate (22.5% in 2019 versus 20.8% in 2018) will play spoilsport.
Revenues are anticipated to increase 2-4%, with organic sales expanding 3-5%. Organic growth will be driven by growth in chemical, petrochemical, global friction and rail businesses. Forex headwinds will adversely impact sales by $37 million.
Adjusted segmental operating margin is predicted to be 15.7-16.3% versus 15.1% recorded in 2018. The company perceives that favorable impacts of volume, mix, price and others will boost margin by 90-150 bps. Also, net operating productivity will add 50 bps and investments will adversely impact margins by 80 bps.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
With a market capitalization of approximately $5.1 billion, ITT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are Carlisle Companies Incorporated (CSL - Free Report) , Griffon Corporation (GFF - Free Report) and United Technologies Corporation . While both Carlisle Companies and Griffon currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), United Technologies carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for 2019 have improved for Carlisle Companies and United Technologies. Also, fiscal 2019 (ending September 2019) estimates for Griffon have been revised upward during the same time frame. Further, the earnings surprise in the last reported quarter was positive 30.58% for Carlisle Companies, 175% for Griffon and 29.14% for United Technologies.
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ITT Tops Q4 Earnings Estimates, Makes Multiple Announcements
ITT Inc. (ITT - Free Report) kept its earnings streak alive in the fourth quarter of 2018, pulling off a positive earnings surprise of 10.81%. In addition to the results and solid guidance, this conglomerate impressed the market with announcements of a 10% hike in the quarterly dividend rate, $25-million share buyback program and agreement to acquire Rheinhutte Pumpen Group.
It is worth noting here that the company’s share price increased roughly 4.1% on Feb 22, ending the trading session at $58.64.
Inside the Headlines
The company’s adjusted earnings in the reported quarter were 82 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. Further, the bottom line increased 28.1% from the year-ago tally of 64 cents on the back of improved margins, decline in net interest and other expenses, and lower income tax expenses.
For 2018, the company’s adjusted earnings were $3.23 per share, increasing 24.7% from the year-ago figure of $2.59.
Revenues Fall Y/Y
In the quarter under review, ITT’s sales were $678.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 0.8%. Organic revenues in the quarter grew 1.4% year over year on the back of strengthening industrial and transportation markets, partially offset by weakness in oil & gas, and other markets. Unfavorable movements in foreign currencies had a negative impact of $14.7 million on revenues.
Also, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $698 million by 2.74%.
Orders in the reported quarter increased 0.4% year over year to $666.8. Organically, orders grew 2.4%.
The company reports net sales under three segments. A brief discussion on those segments is provided below:
Revenues from the Motion Technologies were $291.3 million, decreasing 2.4% year over year. Organic sales increased 1%, partially offset by 3% impact of forex woes. Orders decreased 5% year over year to $283.9 million.
Revenues from the Industrial Process totaled $229.1 million, decreasing 1.5% year over year. Forex woes had 2% adverse impact and organic sales were flat in the quarter under review. Orders increased 9.6% to $212.9 million in the quarter under review.
Revenues from the Connect & Control Technologies were $158.6 million, increasing 3.5% year over year. Orders of $170.5 million decreased 0.5% year over year.
For 2018, the company’s sales totaled $2,745.1 million, increasing 6.2% year over year.
Margins Improve
In the quarter under review, ITT’s cost of sales decreased 1.6% year over year to $467.9 million. It represented 69% of sales compared with 69.6% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin increased 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 31%. Operating expenses (including general and administrative, sales and marketing, and research and development expenses) increased 1.5% year over year to $126.7 million.
Total segmental adjusted operating income in the quarter under review increased 10.5% year over year to $95.6 million. Moreover, adjusted operating margin grew 140 bps to 14.1%. Net interest and non-operating expenses in the quarter increased 35.3% year over year to $2.3 million.
Income tax expenses in the quarter were $15.3 million versus $134.3 million recorded in the year-ago comparable quarter.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the fourth quarter, ITT had cash and cash equivalents of $561.2 million, up 6.7% from $525.8 million at the end of the last reported quarter. Total non-current liabilities decreased 0.8% sequentially to $1,149.8 million.
In 2018, the company generated net cash of $371.8 million from operating activities, surging roughly 50.4% from $247.2 million generated in 2017. Capital expenditure totaled $95.5 million, decreasing 15.7% from $113.3 million spent in the previous year. Adjusted free cash flow in the year was $308.9 million, up 34.1% year over year.
During the year, the company used $47.3 million for distributing dividends and $56.1 million for repurchasing common shares.
Dividend Hike & Acquisition
Concurrent with the earnings release, ITT announced that its board of directors approved a 10% or 1.30 cents per share hike in the quarterly dividend rate, which now moved from 13.4 cents to 14.7 cents. On an annualized basis, the dividend increased to 58.8 cents per share from 53.6 cents. ITT will pay the revised dividend on Apr 1, 2019, to shareholders of record as of Mar 11.
Also, the company has authorized a $25-million share buyback program. This new program, along with a $25-million program announced in November 2018, brings the total buyback authorization to $50 million.
In addition to this, the company announced that it agreed to acquire Germany-based Rheinhutte Pumpen Group for $91.5 million (to be paid in cash and borrowings under revolving credit facility). The other party to the transaction is Aliaxis Group S.A. Rheinhutte Pumpen specializes in manufacturing flow pumps (axial and centrifugal).
The acquired assets — to be integrated with ITT’s Industrial Process segment — will strengthen the company’s business opportunities in Europe. Earnings accretion is anticipated in the initial year of the completion of the buyout, which is expected in the second quarter of 2019.
Outlook
For 2019, ITT anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $3.42-$3.66, up 10% year over year. The bottom line will likely gain from operational execution, expanding market shares, and fall in functional corporate costs. However, unfavorable movements in foreign currencies and high tax rate (22.5% in 2019 versus 20.8% in 2018) will play spoilsport.
Revenues are anticipated to increase 2-4%, with organic sales expanding 3-5%. Organic growth will be driven by growth in chemical, petrochemical, global friction and rail businesses. Forex headwinds will adversely impact sales by $37 million.
Adjusted segmental operating margin is predicted to be 15.7-16.3% versus 15.1% recorded in 2018. The company perceives that favorable impacts of volume, mix, price and others will boost margin by 90-150 bps. Also, net operating productivity will add 50 bps and investments will adversely impact margins by 80 bps.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
With a market capitalization of approximately $5.1 billion, ITT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are Carlisle Companies Incorporated (CSL - Free Report) , Griffon Corporation (GFF - Free Report) and United Technologies Corporation . While both Carlisle Companies and Griffon currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), United Technologies carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for 2019 have improved for Carlisle Companies and United Technologies. Also, fiscal 2019 (ending September 2019) estimates for Griffon have been revised upward during the same time frame. Further, the earnings surprise in the last reported quarter was positive 30.58% for Carlisle Companies, 175% for Griffon and 29.14% for United Technologies.
This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019
Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities.
These companies are changing the world – and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month.
Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >>