After a dismal third quarter, Roper Industries Inc. (ROP) bounced back strongly in the fourth quarter of 2013. Earnings jumped 14.5% year over year to $1.65 per share and also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a nickel.
Quarter Details
Revenues increased 9.8% year over year of $889.2 million, which was slightly better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $882.0 million. Net orders surged 15.5% year over year to $900.0 million.
The strong year-over-year growth in revenues was driven by better-than-expected sales growth in Medical & Scientific Imaging and RF Technology.
Revenues from Medical & Scientific Imaging (28.9% of revenues) soared 17.9% year over year to $256.5 million, while RF Technology revenues (26.7% of revenues) jumped 12.9% from the year-ago quarter to $237.6 million.
Energy Systems & Controls revenues (22.0% of total revenue) increased 6.1% year over year to $195.9 million. Revenues from Industrial Technology (22.4% of total revenue) increased a modest 1.0% from the year-ago quarter to $199.1 million.
Gross margin increased 240 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter to 60.0%, driven by a higher revenue base.
Segment-wise, Medical & Scientific Imaging margin expanded 790 bps to 71.8%, while RF Technology margin increased 130 bps to 54.4%. Energy Systems & Controls segment margin increased 90 bps in the quarter. However, this growth was partially offset by 270 bps decline in Industrial Technology margin.
Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense increased 110 bps from the year-ago quarter to 30.9%. Higher revenues and gross margin expansion drove operating margin in the quarter.
Segment operating margin improved 160 bps on a year-over-year basis to 31.8%. Medical & Scientific Imaging margin expanded 610 bps to 34.6%, while RF Technology margin increased 230 bps to 29.3%. Energy Systems & Controls segment margin increased 20 bps, but Industrial Technology margin declined 320 bps in the quarter.
Net income margin expanded 90 bps from the year-ago quarter to 18.6% in the reported quarter.
Roper ended the fourth quarter with $459.7 million in cash and equivalents and $2.45 billion in total debt. Free cash flow in the quarter was $227.0 million.
Guidance
For fiscal 2014, Roper expects earnings in the range of $6.05 to $6.25 per share. Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2014 is pegged at $6.25, which is in line with the higher-end of the company’s guided range.
Recommendation
We believe that a strong backlog coupled with robust organic growth will drive earnings growth. Moreover, accretive acquisitions will expand the company’s product portfolio, providing a significant competitive edge over its peers.
However, macroeconomic concerns, integration issues due to acquisitions and competition from Danaher Corp. (DHR), Dover Corp (DOV) and Ingersoll-Rand plc (IR) are significant headwinds. Moreover, higher debt level is a major concern, going forward.
Currently, Roper has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
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