UPS Returns to Revenue and Profit Growth
October 25, 2024
Image: UPS’ shares have been under pressure the past couple years. By Brian Nelson, CFA UPS (UPS) reported better than expected results October 24 with both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share coming in higher than the consensus forecast. Consolidated revenue of $22.2 billion in the quarter reflected a 5.6% increase from the same period last year. Consolidated operating profit of $2.0 billion was up 47.8% compared to the third quarter of last year, while the measure advanced 22.8% on a non-GAAP adjusted basis. Diluted earnings per share was $1.80 for the quarter, while non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $1.76, a 12.1% increase from the same period a year ago and above the consensus forecast of
IBM Targeting $12+ Billion in 2024 Free Cash Flow
October 25, 2024
Image: Shares of IBM are flirting with record highs. By Brian Nelson, CFA IBM (IBM) reported mixed third quarter results October 23 with revenue coming in lower than expectations, while non-GAAP earnings per share topped the consensus forecast. Revenue advanced 1% (2% on a constant currency basis) in the period, with software revenue up 9.6%, consulting revenue down 0.5%, and infrastructure revenue down 7%. In the third quarter, operating gross profit came in at $8.6 billion, up 5% from the same period a year ago thanks in part to 2.1 percentage points of operating gross profit margin improvement. Operating pre-tax income came in at $2.5 billion, up 8%, thanks to a 1 percentage point improvement in operating pre-tax income margin.
Coca-Cola’s Organic Growth Shines in Third Quarter
October 24, 2024
Image: Coca-Cola’s shares have done quite well the past couple years. By Brian Nelson, CFA Coca-Cola (KO) reported better than expected third quarter results October 23. Net revenue fell 1% in the quarter, but organic sales on a non-GAAP basis grew 9%. Comparable currency neutral operating income grew 14% in the quarter, as its comparable non-GAAP operating margin advanced 1 percentage point, to 30.7%. Reported earnings per share declined 7%, but comparable non-GAAP earnings per share increased 5%, to $0.77. On a consolidated basis, concentrate sales dropped 2%, while the company benefited from a 10% gain in price/mix in the third quarter. Organic revenue was particularly strong in Latin America (+24%) and North America (+12%) in the quarter, and the
Honeywell Adjusts Full Year 2024 Guidance
October 24, 2024
Image: Honeywell’s shares have traded sideways the past couple years. By Brian Nelson, CFA Honeywell (HON) reported mixed third quarter results October 24 with revenue coming in a bit light relative to the consensus forecast and non-GAAP earnings per share beating what the Street was looking for. Sales came in at $9.7 billion in the quarter, up 6%, while organic sales advanced 3%. Its operating margin was 19.1%, down from 20.9% in the prior year period due mostly to an impairment related to classifying its personal protective equipment (PPE) business as assets held for sale. The company’s segment profit increased 6% in the quarter, and its segment margin came in at 23.6%–above the high end of prior guidance by 30
Clean Energy Idea GE Vernova Reaffirms 2024 Guidance
October 24, 2024
Image: GE Vernova shares have powered higher as of late. By Brian Nelson, CFA GE Vernova (GEV) reported mixed third quarter results on October 23 with revenue beating expectations, but GAAP earnings per share coming in lower than expected. Total revenue increased 8% (10% organically) in the third quarter with growth in both equipment and services. Total orders came in at $9.4 billion, up 17% organically, with particular strength in services (+28% organically). Adjusted EBITDA came in at $243 million on an adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.7%, up from $205 million and 2.5% in the same period a year ago. Management was positive in the press release: GE Vernova had a solid third quarter, delivering double-digit orders and continued revenue
Tesla’s Margins, Free Cash Flow Swell in Third Quarter
October 23, 2024
Image: Tesla has returned to a free cash flow rich entity. By Brian Nelson, CFA Tesla (TSLA) reported solid third quarter earnings on October 23. Total revenues increased 8%, while gross profit increased 20% in the quarter, as gross margins expanded nearly 200 basis points. Income from operations was up 54% thanks to more than a 320 basis-point improvement in its operating margin. Adjusted EBITDA advanced 24% in the quarter on a year-over-year basis thanks to a 240 basis-point improvement in its EBITDA margin. Non-GAAP net income increased 8% year-over-year, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 9% year-over-year. Tesla’s total production was 469,796 in the quarter, up 9%, while total deliveries increased 6%, both on a year-over-year basis. Management
NextEra Energy Reaffirms Outlook
October 23, 2024
Image: NextEra Energy’s shares have bounced back nicely from their October 2023 lows. By Brian Nelson, CFA On October 23, NexEra Energy (NEE) reported solid third-quarter results with net income attributable to NextEra Energy on a GAAP basis of $1.852 billion, or $0.90 per share, which compares to $1.219 billion, or $0.60 per share, for the third quarter of last year. On an adjusted basis, third quarter earnings came in at $2.127 billion, or $1.03 per share, compared to $1.92 billion, or $0.94 per share, in the third quarter of last year. Management had a lot to say in the press release: NextEra Energy delivered strong third-quarter results, increasing adjusted earnings per share by approximately 10% year-over-year, reflecting continued solid
Boeing Burning Through Cash
October 23, 2024
Image: Boeing’s shares have seen better days. By Brian Nelson, CFA Aerospace giant Boeing (BA) reported disappointing third quarter results on October 23, with revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share coming in lower than expected. Revenue fell 1% in the quarter, while the firm posted large operating and net losses, which reflected impacts from the IAM strike and previously announced charges on its commercial (777X, 767) and defense (T-7A, KC-46A Tanker, Commercial Crew, and MQ-25) programs. GAAP loss per share was $9.97, while core non-GAAP loss per share came in at $10.44. These numbers aren’t reflective of Boeing’s long-term earnings power, but they showcase the challenges the firm continues to face. Management acknowledged that the path ahead will be
Starbucks Posts Lower Than Expected Performance, Turnaround Will Take Time””
October 23, 2024
Image: Starbucks’ shares have been volatile the past couple years. By Brian Nelson, CFA Starbucks (SBUX) is in the midst of transition, and new CEO Brian Niccol will have his hands full getting the company back on track. On October 22, Starbucks announced preliminary results for its fiscal fourth quarter, and the outlook wasn’t rosy. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, Starbucks’ global comparable store sales fell 7%, while consolidated net revenues declined 3%, to $9.1 billion. GAAP earnings per share came in at $0.80, down 25% on a year-over-year basis. Non-GAAP earnings per share fell 24% in the quarter. Here is a summary of its fiscal fourth quarter results: The company’s results were primarily driven by softness in
Lockheed Martin Raises 2024 Guidance, F-35 Program in Focus
October 23, 2024
Image: Lockheed Martin’s shares have done well of late. By Brian Nelson, CFA On October 22, Lockheed Martin (LMT) reported mixed third quarter results with revenue coming up short relative to the consensus forecast but non-GAAP earnings per share beating what the market had been expecting. Net sales advanced 1% on a year-over-year basis, while net earnings of $1.6 billion fell from $1.7 billion in the third quarter of last year. Net earnings per share came in at $6.80, up from $6.73 per share in the year-ago period. Cash flow from operations was $2.4 billion, down from $2.9 billion in the same period last year, while free cash flow was $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024, down from
