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Westport (WPRT) Q1 Loss Wider Than Expected, Revenues Down

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Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (WPRT - Free Report) reported loss per share of 11 cents in first-quarter 2020, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 5 cents. The figure also comes in wider than the year-ago quarter’s loss of 2 cents a share. Lower revenues in the OEM, IAM and CWI segments resulted in this underperformance.

Net loss from continuing operations in the reported quarter was $15.3 million, as against the net loss of $3 million posted in first-quarter 2019.

Westport logged consolidated revenues of $67.2 million in the first quarter, down 8% year over year. However, revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $59 million.

During the first quarter, consolidated gross margin decreased to $4.3 million from the prior year’s $17.2 million. Pretax loss amounted to $3.6 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s pretax profit of $7.3 million.

Westport Fuel Systems Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Operational Results

Original Equipment Manufacturer Segment (OEM): Net sales of the segment decreased 12.3% year over year to $34.2 million in the reported quarter mainly due to the coronavirus crisis-related shutdowns, contractual price reductions to its HPDI launch partner, and lower light-duty OEM sales to Russian and German OEMs. The segment’s operating loss flared upto $14.2 million from the loss of $2.7 million incurred in first-quarter 2019.

Independent Aftermarket Segment (IAM): Net sales of the segment decreased 3.5% year over year to $34.2 million in the reported quarter on the pandemic-induced supply-chain disruptions. The segment’s operating income rose to $4.8 million from the prior-year quarter’s $2.2 million.

CWI Joint Venture (50%): This segment’s revenues totaled $38.3million, down from the year-ago quarter’s $46.1 million on higher sales volume. Operating income was $6.7 million, down from the first-quarter 2019 level of $9.9 million primarily due to lower revenues.

Corporate Business Segment: Operating loss of the segment amounted to $10.2 million, wider than the operating loss of $8.3 million incurred in year-earlier period. The segment’s depreciation and amortization expenses came in at $0.1million, flat year over year.

Financial Position

Westport had cash and cash equivalents of $39 million as of Mar 31, 2020, down from $46 million as of Dec 31, 2019. Total debt rose to $50 million in the reported quarter from $49 million as of Dec 31, 2019.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Westport currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).Shares of the company have depreciated 40.9%, year to date, compared with the industry’s decline of 9.9%.

Some better-ranked stocks in the same sector are Tesla, Inc. (TSLA - Free Report) , Niu Technologies (NIU - Free Report) and Halfords Group Plc (HLFDY - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Shares of Tesla have appreciated 106.6%, year to date, compared with its industry’s rise of 30.3%.

Shares of Niu have gained 37.7%, year to date, as against the industry’s decline of 9.9%.

Shares of Halfords have rallied 44.2%, year to date, as against its industry’s decline of 9.9%.

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