Oracle Earnings Review: EPS Strengthens, Revenues Weaken, Outlook Stable

Due to Oracle’s (ORCL) very cyclical quarterly results, the year over year (YoY) results are the way of keeping score. The score is mixed from this latest quarterly report.

The GAAP earnings per share of $0.41 was an encouraging +13.89% YoY, compared to +11.29% YoY last quarter, which was a 9-quarter low. The downtrend was reversed. The problem is the GAAP EPS outlook for next QE November 2012 of $0.45 to $0.49 or +4.65% YoY to +13.95% YoY. The downtrend will either redevelop or Oracle treads water in a best case scenario. However, the Fed’s quantitative easing might just save the day when earnings are reported in December on a weaker US Dollar.

Total revenues were a disappointment, down -2.30% YoY and projected for QE November 2012 at +0% to +5% QoQ.

Strengthening US Dollar: Oracle should benefit next quarter from the Federal Reserve’s infinite quantitative easing. For the QE August 2012, “Without the impact of the US dollar strengthening compared to foreign currencies, Oracle’s reported Q1 GAAP earnings per share would have been $0.03 higher at $0.44, up 24%, and Q1 non-GAAP earnings per share would have been $0.03 higher at $0.56, up 17%. Both GAAP and non-GAAP total revenues also would have been up 3%, GAAP new software licenses and cloud software subscriptions revenues would have been up 10%, non-GAAP new software licenses and cloud software subscriptions revenues would have been up 11% and both GAAP and non-GAAP hardware systems products revenues would have been down 21%.”

The long-term trend is clearly upwards as evidenced by the GAAP EPS chart below. However, the strength of the uptrend is weakening. The biggest performance concern is the flat to decreasing YoY growth rates in total revenues and perhaps a resumption of slowing YoY growth rates in earnings per share.

The biggest financial position negative has been the debt. This is now 19% of total assets and at a multi-year low, down from a peak of 26% for the QE August 2010. Financial position continues acceptable with adequate capital, moderate debt, strong liquidity, and an increasing return on assets. Stock repurchasing and dividends are a plus.

GAAP Quarterly Financial Result, QoQ Change, YoY Change
Total Assets: $76.56 billion, -2%, +4%
Revenues: $8.18 billion, -25%, -2%
Net Income: $2.03 billion, -41%, +11%
Earnings per Share: $0.41, -41%, +14%
Cash Flow per Share $1.15
1-Year Return on Assets +13.53%

Oracle Outlook QE November 2012
GAAP and Non-GAAP Total Revenues +0% to +4% QoQ
Non-GAAP EPS of $0.59 to $0.63 = $0.61 avg = +15% QoQ, +13% YoY
GAAP EPS $0.45 to $0.49 = $0.47 avg = +15% QoQ, +9% YoY












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