Energizer (ENR) Surpasses Q1 Earnings Estimates, Guides Well

Energizer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ENR) reported strong fiscal first-quarter 2018 results.

Adjusted earnings of $1.55 per share easily beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.42 and increased 2.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Revenues of $573.3 million also topped the consensus mark of $566 million and increased 2.4% on a year-over-year basis.

The year-over-year revenue growth was boosted by increased organic net sales of 1.1% (including of hurricane volumes) and favorable currency impact of 1.3%. Excluding hurricane volumes, organic revenues rose 2.9% year over year, added the company.

Shares of Energizer have increased 11.7% in the past year against the industry’s loss of 10.5%.

Quarterly Details

Batteries revenues (91.5% of total revenue) grew 4.3% year over year to $524.5 million while revenues from Other segment (8.5%) fell 13.6% to $48.8 million.

In Americas, the company recorded revenues of $373.1 million, up 2.2% from last year’s quarter. Revenues from Europe, the Middle East and Africa region were $117.6 million, up 2.5%. The Asia Pacific region recorded revenue increase of 3.5% year over year to $82.6 million.

The company’s acquisition of Spectrum Brands’ Global Battery and Portable Lighting Business will help it expand in the international market and enhance its product portfolio.

Margins

Gross margin remained unchanged at 48.5% backed by improved pricing and favorable forex movement. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 16.3%, up 140 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of Dec 31, 2017, Energizer had cash and cash equivalents of $454.3 million compared with $378 million as of Sep 30, 2017. Long-term debt was $977.9 million compared with $978.5 million as of Sep 30, 2017.

Cash flow from operations in the quarter was $141 million. Free cash flow amounted to $135.5 million.

As of Dec 31, 2017, the company repurchased shares worth $50 million.

Guidance

For fiscal 2018, Energizer now expects earnings per share in the band of $3.30–$3.40 compared with $3.00–$3.10 earlier.

Organic revenues are expected to be up in low-single digits. Moreover, favorable forex movement will boost sales of the company by 1%–1.5%.

Gross margin is now expected to be up 50 bps backed by improved productivity. However, increased commodity costs remain a headwind.

Capex is still expected to be in the range of $30–$35 million. Free cash flow is now anticipated to be in the band of $240-$250 million, up from the previously expected range of $210-$220 million.

Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider

Energizer Holdings carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) , Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) and The Trade Desk Inc. (NASDAQ:TTD) , all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Long-term earnings growth rate for Micron, Lam Research and The Trade Desk is projected to be 10%, 14.85% and 25%, respectively.

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