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.
McCormick (MKC) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales up
Read MoreHide Full Article
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) posted robust second-quarter fiscal 2020 results, with the top and the bottom line surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Moreover, earnings and sales increased on a year-over-year basis. Given the current situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and its unpredictable impact on consumer demand globally, the company refrained from providing fiscal 2020 guidance.
McCormick Company, Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Adjusted earnings of $1.47 per share increased 26.7% on a year-over-year basis, on the back of higher adjusted operating income along with reduced interest expense. Moreover, the metric surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 per share.
This global leader of flavors and spices generated sales of $1,401.1 million, up 7.6% year over year and including currency headwinds of 2%. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, sales increased 9.6%. Sales in the quarter were driven by major growth in the consumer segment. Also, sales in the quarter surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,381 million.
Gross margin expanded 230 basis points (bps) to 41.4% on favorable product mix as well as savings from the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program.
Adjusted operating income rallied 21% to $260 million and 23% at cc. Further, the adjusted operating margin expanded210 bps to 18.6%.
Segment Details
Consumer Business: Sales increased 26% to $962.6 million on the back of strength in the Americas and EMEA regions. Sales in the Americas surged 36% due to broad based growth across its portfolio as well as favorable pricing action. In the EMEA region, sales increased 22%. However, sales in the Asia-Pacific region declined 18% due to adverse impact from the COVID-19 outbreak in China.
Flavor Solutions: Sales in the segment fell 18% from the prior-year quarter’s figure to $438.5 million, thanks to weakness across all regions. Sales in the Americas declined 15% due to major decline in sales to branded foodservice consumers as well as quick service restaurant customers. Sales in the EMEA region dropped 34% year over year. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region declined 11% due to coronavirus-induced restrictions across countries other than China.
Financial Update
McCormick exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $185 million, long-term debt of $4,113.6 million and total shareholders’ equity of $3,662.3 million. For six months ended May 31, net cash provided by operating activities was $355.5 million.
Outlook
In the consumer segment, the company is anticipating an overall increase in consumer demand during periods of greater cooking at home. For its flavor segment, McCormick expects demand from packaged food companies to same as the pre COVID-19 levels. Moreover, the company is expecting demand from restaurant and other foodservice customers to gradually recover as coronavirus induced bans are being lifted in the second half of fiscal 2020. Also, the McCormick’s long-term financial objectives as well as capital allocation plans remain the same.
Price Performance
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has gained 16.1% in a year compared with the industry’s growth of 3.1%.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.1%.
The Clorox Company (CLX - Free Report) , which sports Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.8%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Image: Bigstock
McCormick (MKC) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales up
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC - Free Report) posted robust second-quarter fiscal 2020 results, with the top and the bottom line surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Moreover, earnings and sales increased on a year-over-year basis. Given the current situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and its unpredictable impact on consumer demand globally, the company refrained from providing fiscal 2020 guidance.
McCormick Company, Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
McCormick Company, Incorporated price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | McCormick Company, Incorporated Quote
Quarter in Detail
Adjusted earnings of $1.47 per share increased 26.7% on a year-over-year basis, on the back of higher adjusted operating income along with reduced interest expense. Moreover, the metric surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 per share.
This global leader of flavors and spices generated sales of $1,401.1 million, up 7.6% year over year and including currency headwinds of 2%. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, sales increased 9.6%. Sales in the quarter were driven by major growth in the consumer segment. Also, sales in the quarter surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,381 million.
Gross margin expanded 230 basis points (bps) to 41.4% on favorable product mix as well as savings from the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement (CCI) program.
Adjusted operating income rallied 21% to $260 million and 23% at cc. Further, the adjusted operating margin expanded210 bps to 18.6%.
Segment Details
Consumer Business: Sales increased 26% to $962.6 million on the back of strength in the Americas and EMEA regions. Sales in the Americas surged 36% due to broad based growth across its portfolio as well as favorable pricing action. In the EMEA region, sales increased 22%. However, sales in the Asia-Pacific region declined 18% due to adverse impact from the COVID-19 outbreak in China.
Flavor Solutions: Sales in the segment fell 18% from the prior-year quarter’s figure to $438.5 million, thanks to weakness across all regions. Sales in the Americas declined 15% due to major decline in sales to branded foodservice consumers as well as quick service restaurant customers. Sales in the EMEA region dropped 34% year over year. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region declined 11% due to coronavirus-induced restrictions across countries other than China.
Financial Update
McCormick exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $185 million, long-term debt of $4,113.6 million and total shareholders’ equity of $3,662.3 million. For six months ended May 31, net cash provided by operating activities was $355.5 million.
Outlook
In the consumer segment, the company is anticipating an overall increase in consumer demand during periods of greater cooking at home. For its flavor segment, McCormick expects demand from packaged food companies to same as the pre COVID-19 levels. Moreover, the company is expecting demand from restaurant and other foodservice customers to gradually recover as coronavirus induced bans are being lifted in the second half of fiscal 2020. Also, the McCormick’s long-term financial objectives as well as capital allocation plans remain the same.
Price Performance
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has gained 16.1% in a year compared with the industry’s growth of 3.1%.
Some Solid Consumer Staple Picks
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +11.59% and sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB - Free Report) which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.1%.
The Clorox Company (CLX - Free Report) , which sports Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.8%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>