Zoetis (ZTS) Tops Q1 Earnings & Revenues, Updates Outlook

Zoetis Inc.’s (NYSE:ZTS) first-quarter 2016 earnings of 48 cents per share came in ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents. Earnings also increased 17% from the year-ago period.

Total revenue increased 5% year over year to $1.162 billion in the first quarter of 2016. Revenues were also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.092 billion. Foreign currency movements impacted revenues negatively by 7%.

Quarterly Details

Zoetis manages its business across two regional operating segments: the U.S. and International. Within these segments, the company delivers a diverse portfolio of products for livestock and companion animals. These segment results include six additional calendar days, as the first quarter of 2016 had six additional calendar days compared with the first quarter of 2015.

In the reported quarter, sales of livestock products accounted for 58.8% of the total revenue. Approximately 40.1% of revenues in the quarter came from the sale of companion animal products, while the remaining came from contract manufacturing.

Revenues in the U.S. segment increased 12% from the year-ago period to $582 million. Sales of companion animal products grew 32% reflecting increased sales of Apoquel, initial sales of other products into expanded distribution relationships, and the addition of products acquired from Abbott Laboratories’ (NYSE:ABT) Animal Health business. Livestock revenue declined 4% due to decreased sales of cattle and swine products.

Sales at the International segment were, however, down 1% to $567 million (up 13% operationally). While sales of companion animal products increased 11% (up 23% operationally), sales of livestock products were down 5% (up 9% operationally) in the reported quarter.

Outlook Updated

Zoetis updated its guidance for 2016 to reflect the impact of foreign exchange rates as of April and current views of its operations. For 2016, the company expects earnings in the range of $1.83 to $1.90 per share (old guidance: $1.71 to $1.81 per share) on revenues of $4.775 billion and $4.875 billion (old guidance: $4.65 billion and $4.775 billion). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $1.79 per share on revenues of $4.748 billion.

The company also updated its outlook for 2017. In 2017, the company expects earnings in the range of $2.24 to $2.38 per share (old guidance: $2.18 to $2.32 per share) on revenues of $5.075 billion and $5.275 billion (old guidance: $4.95 billion and $5.15 billion). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $2.26 per share on revenues of $5.069 billion.

Our Take

Zoetis’ first-quarter results were better than expected with the company beating on both top- and bottom-line estimates. However, unfavourable currency movement continued to hurt the top line. Nevertheless, we are positive on the Nov 2015 Pharmaq acquisition. We expect to see more of such acquisitions/deals at the company in the near future, as it continues to focus on its strategy of acquiring complementary businesses and products.

Zoetis carries a Zack Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the health care sector are ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIP) and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMED) , both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).