Can Clorox's (CLX) Strategic Efforts Help It Regain Momentum?

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is proceeding with the implementation of its 2020 Strategy, aimed at improvement of categories and driving overall market share. This, in turn, is likely to boost the company's performance. Notably, the strategy is anticipated to be achieved through key accelerators like investment in brands, development of e-commerce, technological advancements, enhancement of growth culture and focus on the 3Ds — desire, decision and delight.

Furthermore, the company’s diversified brand portfolio and commitment toward investing in product and brand differentiation to safeguard value proposition bode well. Not only this, it also remains focused on boosting digital capabilities, which has resulted in strong e-commerce growth lately.

These efforts have aided Clorox to deliver fifth straight quarter of earnings beat in second-quarter fiscal 2018. However, shares of the company have lost 2.5% in the last three months, narrower than the industry’s decline of 4.7%.

Let’s see whether the company’s solid quarterly earnings and robust strategies will boost its share price performance.

Solid Q2 Earnings Push Estimates Higher

Results in the fiscal second quarter gained from solid sales and lower tax rate. Though sales missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate after two consecutive beat, it improved year over year driven by strength in the International, Lifestyle and Cleaning segments on higher prices.

For fiscal 2018, the company raised its earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $6.17-$6.37 from $5.47-$5.67 guided earlier. It expects earnings per share to include 70-75 cents gain from the new tax reform, partly offset by lower gross margin. (Read: Clorox Beats on Q2 Earnings, Raises FY18 EPS View)

Consequently, Clorox has witnessed solid upward earnings estimate revisions in the last 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 has moved up 53 cents and 35 cents, respectively, to $6.23 and $6.55 in the said time period.

What’s Ahead?

Clorox remains keen on using the benefits from the tax reform to support long-term business growth as well as enhance shareholders’ returns. Apparently, it raised its quarterly dividend by nearly 14% to 96 cents per share from 84 cents, payable on May 11, 2018, to shareholders on record as of Apr 25.

In addition, the company anticipates the new tax reform to boost its earnings and cash flows going forward. This was well reflected in the aforementioned guidance raise for fiscal 2018 earnings. Clorox also raised its long-term free cash flow target, under the 2020 Strategy. It now expects to generate free cash flow, as a percentage of sales, in the range of 11-13% (on a yearly basis) compared with 10-12% projected earlier.

We believe Clorox is well placed for long-term growth backed by its 2020 Strategy, robust e-commerce and brand management initiatives, and maximizing shareholder’s value. These initiatives are likely to drive this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company’s shares as well.

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