Platform Specialty (PAH) Q3 Earnings Meet, Revenues Miss

Platform Specialty Products Corporation (NYSE:PAH) recorded a loss from continuing operations of $4.3 million or 2 cents per share in the third quarter of 2018 compared with a loss of $36.9 million or 13 cents a year ago.

Adjusted earnings per share in the quarter came in at 4 cents, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Net sales of $489 million increased 2% year over year on 3% growth in organic sales. However, the figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $502 million.

The company’s Performance Solutions businesses achieved organic sales growth in all end markets amid certain challenges. The company witnessed weakness in some of its end-markets, especially in Asia. Currency fluctuations also unfavorably affected its results. Platform Specialty also faced unfavorable product mix pressure in the quarter.

Platform Specialty Products Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Financial Position

Platform Specialty ended the third quarter with $252.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, down 35.4% year over year. Long-term debt was $5,390 million, up 1%.

In the third quarter, cash used in operating activities were $13.7 million. Capital expenditures totaled $8.6 million, down from $12.7 million.

Outlook

Platform Specialty said that it has made significant progress towards closing the sale of its Agricultural Solutions segment, Arysta, and expects to complete the transaction on Dec 31, 2018. The company’s Performance Solutions segment will form the foundation of the new Element Solutions.

Platform Specialty has reaffirmed its EBITDA guidance in the range of $425-$445 million for 2018. It includes $5 million of savings that will be realized in the year associated with its reorganization into a one-company structure. Savings of $20 million related to Arysta sale are forecast to be realized on a run-rate basis in 2019. However, platform specialty is facing currency headwinds and market softness in Asia, due to which the company expects EBITDA at the lower end of its guided range for 2018. Its top priorities for the rest of the year are achieving financial and operating results and finalizing its restructuring plans.

Price Performance

Shares of Platform Specialty have gained 5.1% in a year’s time against the industry’s decline of 4.3%.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Platform Specialty currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

A few better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) , KMG Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:KMG) and The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) .

CF Industries has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 6% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company’s shares have gained 32.2% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

KMG Chemicals has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 28.5% and a Zacks Rank #1. Its shares have risen 39.2% in a year’s time.

Mosaic has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company’s shares have rallied 43.5% in the past year.

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