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Newell (NWL) Earnings and Sales Surpass Estimates in Q4
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Newell Brands Inc. (NWL - Free Report) has delivered better-than-expected earnings and sales results in fourth-quarter 2019. However, its top and bottom lines declined year over year on lost contributions from divested businesses, adverse foreign currency translations and a decline in overall core sales.
Nevertheless, management remains optimistic on the progress of its turnaround efforts along with operating cash flow remaining ahead of its plan. This is backed by the company’s commitment toward productivity, overhead cost savings, complexity reduction and working capital initiatives. As a result, it outlined its view for the first quarter and 2020.
Driven by the better-than-expected results, shares of Newell rose 2.5% in the pre-market trading session on Feb 14. However, shares of the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have declined 1.1% in the past three months against the industry’s 6% growth.
Q4 Highlights
Newell’s fourth-quarter normalized earnings per share were 42 cents, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents. However, the metric fell 36.4% from 66 cents earned in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decline was mainly attributed to the lack of contributions from its divested operations.
Newell Brands Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net sales declined 3.1% year over year to $2,623.9 million but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,577 million. The year-over-year fall resulted from foreign-currency headwinds and soft core sales, which dipped 1.5%. Notably, core sales grew at four of the company’s eight business units.
Normalized gross margin declined 70 basis points (bps) to 33.5%. However, normalized operating margin remained flat at 11.3% in the quarter under review, driven by a decline in SG&A expenses.
Segmental Performance
The Learning & Development segment (including Writing and Baby) recorded net sales of $702 million in the fourth quarter, up 0.7% from the prior-year number. The segment’s core sales increased 0.9%, offset by unfavorable foreign currency. Core sales growth was backed by improvement at the Baby and Writing divisions.
Net sales at the Home & Outdoor Living segment (including Outdoor & Recreation, Home Fragrance, and Connected Home & Security) totaled $768 million, declining 5.1% from the prior-year period. The segment’s top line was hurt by unfavorable currency, the exit of about 75 underperforming Yankee Candle retail outlets in 2019 and a 2.8% decline in core sales. Core sales benefited from growth in the Home Fragrance business unit, offset by declines in Outdoor & Recreation, and Connected Home & Security.
The Appliances & Cookware segment recorded net sales of $570 million, which fell 5.6% from the prior-year number. This resulted from a 4.6% decline in core sales and currency headwinds.
Net sales at the Food & Commercial segment were $584 million, which dipped 0.3% on adverse currency, offset by core sales growth of 0.9%. Further, it witnessed positive core sales trends at the Food business unit, partially offset by a decline in the Commercial unit.
Other Financial Details
Newell ended 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $348.6 million, long-term debt of $5,391.3 million, and shareholders’ equity of $4,963.3 million, excluding non-controlling interests of $32.7 million.
During 2019, the company generated operating cash flow of $1,044 million compared with $680 million in 2018. Moreover, its free cash flow more than doubled to $779.1 million in the year.
Furthermore, the company strengthened its balance sheet by paying down nearly $600 million of debt in the fourth quarter.
Outlook
Management provided initial guidance for the first quarter and 2020.
For 2020, the company expects net sales of $9.4-$9.55 billion and core sales of flat to down 2%. Normalized operating margin is projected to increase 10-40 bps to 10.9-11.2%. Normalized earnings per share are envisioned to be $1.46-$1.56. Further, operating cash flow is projected to be $1.0-$1.15 billion, with free cash flow productivity in excess of 100%.
For first-quarter 2020, Newell estimates net sales of $1.9-$1.95 billion and core sales decline of 3-5%. It anticipates normalized operating margin contraction of 50-90 bps to 5.2-5.6%. Normalized earnings per share are expected to be 5-8 cents for the quarter.
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (HAIN - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 7% in the last four quarters. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. (LW - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 8.8%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
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Newell (NWL) Earnings and Sales Surpass Estimates in Q4
Newell Brands Inc. (NWL - Free Report) has delivered better-than-expected earnings and sales results in fourth-quarter 2019. However, its top and bottom lines declined year over year on lost contributions from divested businesses, adverse foreign currency translations and a decline in overall core sales.
Nevertheless, management remains optimistic on the progress of its turnaround efforts along with operating cash flow remaining ahead of its plan. This is backed by the company’s commitment toward productivity, overhead cost savings, complexity reduction and working capital initiatives. As a result, it outlined its view for the first quarter and 2020.
Driven by the better-than-expected results, shares of Newell rose 2.5% in the pre-market trading session on Feb 14. However, shares of the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have declined 1.1% in the past three months against the industry’s 6% growth.
Q4 Highlights
Newell’s fourth-quarter normalized earnings per share were 42 cents, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents. However, the metric fell 36.4% from 66 cents earned in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decline was mainly attributed to the lack of contributions from its divested operations.
Newell Brands Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Newell Brands Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Newell Brands Inc. Quote
Net sales declined 3.1% year over year to $2,623.9 million but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,577 million. The year-over-year fall resulted from foreign-currency headwinds and soft core sales, which dipped 1.5%. Notably, core sales grew at four of the company’s eight business units.
Normalized gross margin declined 70 basis points (bps) to 33.5%. However, normalized operating margin remained flat at 11.3% in the quarter under review, driven by a decline in SG&A expenses.
Segmental Performance
The Learning & Development segment (including Writing and Baby) recorded net sales of $702 million in the fourth quarter, up 0.7% from the prior-year number. The segment’s core sales increased 0.9%, offset by unfavorable foreign currency. Core sales growth was backed by improvement at the Baby and Writing divisions.
Net sales at the Home & Outdoor Living segment (including Outdoor & Recreation, Home Fragrance, and Connected Home & Security) totaled $768 million, declining 5.1% from the prior-year period. The segment’s top line was hurt by unfavorable currency, the exit of about 75 underperforming Yankee Candle retail outlets in 2019 and a 2.8% decline in core sales. Core sales benefited from growth in the Home Fragrance business unit, offset by declines in Outdoor & Recreation, and Connected Home & Security.
The Appliances & Cookware segment recorded net sales of $570 million, which fell 5.6% from the prior-year number. This resulted from a 4.6% decline in core sales and currency headwinds.
Net sales at the Food & Commercial segment were $584 million, which dipped 0.3% on adverse currency, offset by core sales growth of 0.9%. Further, it witnessed positive core sales trends at the Food business unit, partially offset by a decline in the Commercial unit.
Other Financial Details
Newell ended 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $348.6 million, long-term debt of $5,391.3 million, and shareholders’ equity of $4,963.3 million, excluding non-controlling interests of $32.7 million.
During 2019, the company generated operating cash flow of $1,044 million compared with $680 million in 2018. Moreover, its free cash flow more than doubled to $779.1 million in the year.
Furthermore, the company strengthened its balance sheet by paying down nearly $600 million of debt in the fourth quarter.
Outlook
Management provided initial guidance for the first quarter and 2020.
For 2020, the company expects net sales of $9.4-$9.55 billion and core sales of flat to down 2%. Normalized operating margin is projected to increase 10-40 bps to 10.9-11.2%. Normalized earnings per share are envisioned to be $1.46-$1.56. Further, operating cash flow is projected to be $1.0-$1.15 billion, with free cash flow productivity in excess of 100%.
For first-quarter 2020, Newell estimates net sales of $1.9-$1.95 billion and core sales decline of 3-5%. It anticipates normalized operating margin contraction of 50-90 bps to 5.2-5.6%. Normalized earnings per share are expected to be 5-8 cents for the quarter.
Some Better-Ranked Consumer Staples Stocks
US Foods Holding Corp (USFD - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7.5%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (HAIN - Free Report) delivered average positive earnings surprise of 7% in the last four quarters. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. (LW - Free Report) has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 8.8%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>