Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) reported better-than-expected results for third-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended March 2018).
Earnings and Revenues
Quarterly adjusted earnings came in at $1.05 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents. The bottom line also came in higher than the year-ago tally of 75 cents per share.
Net sales during the quarter came in at nearly $828 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $715 million. In addition, the top line came in higher than the prior-year figure of $679.3 million. The upswing stemmed from elevated acquisition-related volume and favorable foreign currency-translation impact.
The company’s quarterly organic sales improved 6.7% year over year.
Segmental Details
Revenues of the Service Center Based Distribution segment came in at $601 million, up 4.8% year over year. Also, aggregate sales of the Fluid Power Businesses segment were $227 million, up 114.6% year over year.
Costs and Margins
Cost of sales in the reported quarter was $588.1 million, up 20.4% year over year. Gross profit margin came in at 28.9%, expanding 80 basis points (bps) year over year.
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses (including depreciation) totaled $183.1 million compared to $145.1 million incurred in the year-earlier period. Operating margin in the fiscal third quarter came in at 6.8%, higher by 10 bps year over year.
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
Exiting the reported quarter, Applied Industrial had cash and cash equivalents of $43.5 million compared with $105.1 million recorded at the end of fiscal 2017. The company’s long-term debt was $1,017.3 million, higher than $686.8 million recorded as of Jun 30, 2017.
In the first nine months of the fiscal, the company generated $47.9 million cash from operating activities compared to $78.5 million cash generated in the year-ago quarter. The company purchased property worth $17.9 million, higher than $11.8 million procured in the comparable period last year.
Outlook
Applied Industrial believes its revenues and profitability in the upcoming quarters will improve on the back of tailwinds prevailing in the industrial end-markets. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company also raised its earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2018 (ending June 2018) from the $3.40-$3.50 per share range to the $3.51-$3.61 per share range.
Moreover, Applied Industrial anticipates to bolster its sales by 17.5-18.5%, higher than the prior guidance of 6-7%.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are listed below:
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (OTC:KWHIY) sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). The company’s earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be up 21.6% in the next three to five years. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Tennant Company (NYSE:TNC) flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. The company’s EPS is estimated to rise 10%, over the next three to five years.
IDEX Corporation (NYSE:IEX) holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s EPS will likely be up 11% during the same time frame.
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>>
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KWHIY): Free Stock Analysis Report
IDEX Corporation (IEX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Tennant Company (TNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post