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Crown Holdings (CCK) Down 3.4% Since Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Crown Holdings, Inc. (CCK - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 3.4% in that time frame, underperforming the market.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Crown Holdings Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Declines Y/Y

Crown Holdings delivered second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of $1.12, which came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.10 but declined 6% on a year-over year basis. Earnings came within management’s guidance of $1.05–$1.15.

On a reported basis, earnings came in at $0.94 per share, down 22% from $1.21 in the prior-year quarter.

Net sales in the quarter inched up 0.9% year over year to $2,161 million. Revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,145 million. Improved global beverage can volumes and the pass through of higher material costs to customers were partially offset by negative impact of currency translation.

Cost of products sold increased 1.7% year over year to $1,719 million. On a year-over-year basis, gross profit dipped 2% to $442 million, while gross margin contracting 60 basis points (bps) to 20.5% in the quarter.

Selling and administrative expenses slipped 2% year over year to $92 million. Adjusted segment operating income increased 3% year over year to $297 million in the quarter. Operating margin improved 30 bps to 13.7% from 13.4% in the year-ago quarter.

Segment Performance

Net sales from the Americas Beverage segment were $729 million, down 1.4% from $739 million in the year-ago quarter. Segment operating profit decreased 1% to $109 million from $110 million in the year-ago quarter.

The North-America Food segment’s sales went down 0.6% year over year to $167 million. Operating earnings remained flat year over year at $22 million.

The European Beverage segment’s sales dropped 3% year over year to $402 million. Operating income declined 3% year over year to $72 million.

Revenues in the European Food segment were down 3% year over year to $459 million. Segment operating profit decreased 3% to $67 million from $69 million in the year-ago quarter.

Revenues in the Asia-Pacific segment fell 1% year over year to $287 million. Operating profit remained flat at $45 million in the reported quarter.

Financial Update

Crown Holdings had cash and cash equivalents of $301 million at the end of the second quarter compared with $370 million at the end of the prior-year quarter. Cash flow from operations was $14 million in first-half fiscal 2017 compared with $63 million in the prior-year comparable period. Adjusted free cash flow was $241 million in second-quarter 2017 with $379 million in the prior-year quarter. As of the quarter end, Crown Holdings’ total debt increased to $5.36 billion from $5.28 billion as of the prior-year quarter end.

Crown Holdings repurchased 5.1 million of shares for $277 million in first-half fiscal 2017. The company repurchases an additional 0.3 million shares for $19 million subsequent to the end of the second quarter.

Outlook

The company currently expects 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $3.90–$4.05, higher than earlier guidance range of $3.80–$4.00. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the third quarter are projected in the range of $1.35–$1.45.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

Analysts were quiet during the last one month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions.

Crown Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus

 

Crown Holdings, Inc. Price and Consensus | Crown Holdings, Inc. Quote

VGM Scores

At this time, Crown Holdings' stock has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the momentum front with a F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Based on our scores, the stock is primarily suitable for value investors while also being suitable for those looking for growth.

Outlook

Notably, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We are expecting an inline return from the stock in the next few months.


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