Danaher (DHR) Q1 Earnings & Revenues Top Estimates, Up Y/Y

Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) posted adjusted earnings of 99 cents per share in first-quarter 2018, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents by 6.5%. The reported figure also improved 16.5% on a year-over-year basis.

The upside in the company’s bottom line can primarily be attributed to its effective Danaher Business System (DBS), which focuses on three critical areas — quality, delivery, and cost & innovation. Moreover, a decent top-line performance supplemented earnings growth.

Inside the Headlines

Danaher reported total sales of $4,695.4 million, reflecting an increase of 11.6% year over year. The top line also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,547 million. In addition, core businesses grew 5.5% year over year.

Revenues at the Life Sciences segment were up 12.8% year over year to $1,476 million. Operating margin for the quarter expanded 220 basis points (bps) to 18.4% owing to an improvement in sales volumes. The Diagnostics segment’s revenues improved 14.5% year over year to $1,519.7 million. Also, operating margin at the segment increased 470 bps year over year to 16.3%.

Revenues at the Dental segment rose 2.6% year over year to $672.6 million. However, operating margin contracted 600 bps to 7.6%. The Environmental & Applied Solutions segment witnessed revenue growth of 12.3% year over year to $1,027.1 million. Nevertheless, operating margin declined 60 bps to 22.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Meanwhile, operating profit margin increased 110 bps to 15.8% year over year.

Liquidity

Danaher exited the first quarter of 2018 with free cash flow of $691.4 million compared with the year-ago tally of $402.3 million.

Guidance

Concurrent with the earnings release, the company issued its guidance for second-quarter 2018. Adjusted earnings per share is envisioned in the range of $1.07–$1.10.

Danaher also raised its full-year 2018 adjusted earnings guidance. The company expects adjusted net earnings per share to lie in the range of $4.38-$4.45 compared with $4.25-$4.35 guided earlier.

Our Take

Danaher has successfully repositioned itself as a healthcare company, thus broadening its presence in the healthcare and dental markets. Notably, these markets are expected to benefit from the rise in the aging population and increased spending on healthcare and fitness. Additionally, lucrative prospects in pharma and clinical end-markets bode well for the company.

Moreover, the company’s focus on introduction of products has enabled it to penetrate new markets and gain competitive edge over its peers. Of late, Danaher is also witnessing compelling secular market drivers across each of its platforms and believes that rapid market traction of the newly launched products should continue supplementing sales performance in the coming quarters as well.

Danaher carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Other Stocks to Consider

Some other top-ranked stocks worth considering in the same space include Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE:FSS) , Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) and Crane Company (NYSE:CR) . While Federal Signal sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Raven Industries and Crane carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Federal Signal has an excellent earnings surprise history. The company surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 16.5%.

Raven Industries has a modest earnings surprise history. The company exceeding estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 20.2%.

Crane has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company outpaced estimates in the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 2.6%.

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