RPM International Inc. RPM reported second-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 52 cents in the quarter, missing the consensus mark of 66 cents by 21.2%. Also, the reported figure declined 8.8% from the year-ago figure of 57 cents.
Net sales of $1.36 billion in the quarter lagged the consensus mark of $1.39 billion by 2.2%. Nevertheless, the reported figure increased 3.6% year over year, mainly attributable to strong organic growth of 3% along with acquisition growth of 2.6%.
RPM International Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
However, strong sales growth continues to be offset by rising raw material costs. In addition, freight, labor and energy costs, along with the adverse effect of transactional foreign exchange added to the woes. Consequently, the company provided tepid view for its fiscal third-quarter earnings.
Following unimpressive second-quarter performance and dismal fiscal third-quarter earnings guidance, RPM’s shares declined 4.8% on Friday’s trading session.
Operating Highlights
Gross margin of 39.5% decreased 240 basis points (bps) year over year in the fiscal second quarter, owing to higher raw material and freight costs.
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in the reported quarter came in at $126 million. Adjusted EBIT margin of 9.2% also declined 80 bps year over year.
Segment Details
The company has three reportable segments — Industrial, Specialty and Consumer.
Industrial segment (contributing 52.7% to net sales): Sales in the segment increased 2.1% to $718 million, given strong performance across the businesses providing corrosion control coatings, as well as concrete admixture and repair products. However, second wettest autumn in the United States partially offset the positives, primarily in the commercial roofing business.
Organic sales growth contributed 3.3%, while acquisitions added 1.5%. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 2.7%.
Consumer segment (31.7%): Sales improved 4.1% to $432.6 million during the quarter, owing to 2.8% organic sales growth. Acquisitions contributed 2.9%, whereas foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales by 1.6%. Organic growth was primarily driven by higher pricing, along with new product introductions in sealants and adhesives business. However, extremely wet weather negatively affected the segment’s performance during the reported quarter.
Specialty segment (15.6%): Sales increased 7.6% to $212 million on the back of 2.3% organic sales growth and 6.1% acquisition growth during the said quarter. However, foreign currency translation impacted sales by 0.8%. The segment gained from wood coatings, powdered coatings and fluorescent colorants businesses, along with the benefits from the acquisition of Nudura in September 2018.
Balance Sheet
As of Nov 30, 2018, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $226.9 million compared with $244.4 million at fiscal 2018-end.
Long-term debt (excluding current maturities) at the end of fiscal second quarter was $1.92 billion compared with $2.18 billion at fiscal 2018-end.
In the first half of fiscal 2019, the company had cash from operations of $148.3 million compared with $115.2 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2018.
Third Quarter of Fiscal 2019 View
The company expects revenues to grow in low-to mid-single-digit range during the fiscal third quarter.
Moreover, it anticipates lower earnings for the fiscal third quarter due to raw material cost challenges and three non-operating items. To be more precise, the company projects tax rate of approximately 26%, a negative impact from unrealized gains and losses on equity securities of $5-$6 million, and the absence of long-term incentive compensation during the said quarter. Resultantly, for the fiscal third quarter, its earnings are expected in the range of 10-12 cents per share, lower than the year ago level of 30 cents.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
RPM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the Zacks Construction sector are Gibraltar Industries, Inc. ROCK, PGT Innovations, Inc. PGTI and The Sherwin-Williams Company SHW. While Gibraltar and PGT Innovations sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Sherwin-Williams carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Gibraltar, PGT Innovations and Sherwin-Williams’ 2018 earnings are expected to grow 21.1%, 91.8% and 33.9%, respectively.
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