Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV) reported third-quarter 2019 earnings of 87 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure increased 17.6% from the year-ago quarter but decreased 3.3% on a sequential basis.
Revenues also increased 16.2% year over year to $1.86 billion. In addition, core revenues grew 2.1% from the year-ago quarter. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.22%.
The company stated that the integration of Advanced Sterilization Products is on track and will likely contribute to top-line growth in the near term.
Fortive Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Top Line in Detail
Fortive operates under the following two organized segments.
Professional Instrumentation: The segment generated revenues of $1.1 billion (60% of total third-quarter revenues), which increased 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. The increase was driven by contributions from acquisitions.
Industrial Technologies: This segment generated revenues of $743.8 million (40% of total revenues), which improved 5.2% from the prior-year quarter.
Operating Details
In the third quarter, gross margin came in at 49.9%, which contracted 170 basis points (bps) year over year.
Total operating expenses were $685.6 million, reflecting a 26% year-over-year increase. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses increased from the year-ago quarter, while research & development costs decreased slightly.
Operating margin was 13%, which contracted 460 bps on a year-over-year basis.
Segment wise, operating margin from Professional Instrumentation came in at 10.6%, which contracted 730 bps year over year.
Industrial Technologies operating margins came in at 19.6%, which contracted 40 bps from the year-ago quarter.
Guidance
For fourth-quarter 2019, management expects adjusted net earnings in the range of 96 cents to $1.01 per share. The corresponding Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at $1.02per share.
For 2019, Fortive expects adjusted net earnings in the range of $3.42-$3.47 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $3.47 per share.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Currently, Fortive carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) , Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) and Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMBA) . While Itron sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Booking Holdings and Ambarella carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth for Itron, Booking Holdings and Ambarella is currently projected at 25%, 13.08% and 11.18%, respectively.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Fortive Corporation (FTV): Free Stock Analysis Report
Itron, Inc. (ITRI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research