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Boston Beer (SAM) Up 11% Since Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM - Free Report) . Shares have added about 11% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is SAM due for a pullback? 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 catalysts.
Boston Beer Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat, 2018 View Intact
Boston Beer reported a solid first-quarter 2017 with both the top and bottom lines surpassing estimates. Notably, this marked its fifth earnings beat in the last six quarters and the third positive sales surprise in the trailing four quarters.
Q1 Highlights
Boston Beer’s first-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of 55 cents topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents and moved up significantly from 17 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. The increase mainly stemmed from an improvement in net revenues as well as higher gross margin, somewhat negated by rise in advertising, promotion and selling expenses.
On a GAAP basis, earnings were 78 cents per share compared with 45 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Net revenues advanced nearly 17.8% year over year to $190.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $172 million. Excluding excise taxes, the top line rose 17.1% year over year to $201.8 million, primarily driven by improved shipments volumes, which increased 15%. Additionally, depletions grew 8%.
In the reported quarter, depletion primarily gained from increases in Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Angry Orchard brands, partially offset by the fall in the Samuel Adams brand. Depletions for the year-to-date period through the 15-weeks period, ended Apr 14, 2018, are estimated to have grown nearly 8% from the comparable year-ago period.
Costs & Margins
Gross profit improved 26% year over year to $96.1 million while gross margin expanded 330 basis points to 50.5% in the quarter. The improvement can be attributed to better pricing, product and package mix, and favorable fixed-cost absorption along with cost-savings gains from the company-owned breweries. These were partly mitigated by increased ingredients and packaging expenses.
Furthermore, advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased 25.5% to $67.5 million, mainly owing to higher investments in media, point-of-sale and local marketing as well as increased freight to distributors on escalated rates and volumes.
General and administrative expenses grew 3.8% to $19.3 million, driven by higher salaries and benefit costs.
Financials
As of Mar 31, 2018, Boston Beer had cash and cash equivalents of $46.6 million and total stockholders’ equity of $436.9 million.
In the first quarter and the period between Apr 1 and Apr 20, Boston Beer bought back about 119,000 shares worth roughly $22.6 million. With this, it had nearly $156.1 million remaining under its $931-million share buyback authorization as of Apr 20, 2018.
Growth Plan
Management remains committed toward three-point growth plan. Firstly, it plans to revive the Samuel Adams brand through packaging, innovation, promotion and brand communication initiatives. Further, it remains keen on retaining Angry Orchard and Twisted Tea’s momentum while ensuring Truly Spiked & Sparkling's leadership position in the hard sparkling-water category. Efforts to improve trends at Samuel Adams comprise its latest 'Fill Your Glass' integrated marketing campaign alongside sales execution of its Samuel Adams initiative, Sam ’76. Additionally, the company is focused on making more investments in Angry Orchard media in the second quarter.
Second, the company is focused on accelerated cost savings and efficiency projects with savings directed for further brand development. Depending upon the opportunities in 2018, management has reiterated its gross margin expansion target, which is likely to grow on an average of one percentage point every year, through 2019.
Thirdly, management remains committed to long-term product innovations and maximizing the shareholder value. Boston Beer also remains optimistic about the craft beer and cider categories, going forward.
Guidance
Management reiterated its outlook for 2018. For the year, earnings per share are envisioned between $6.30 and $7.30. This guidance is based on certain assumptions, including depletions and shipments in the range of flat-to-up 6%, price increases of 0-2% and gross margin expansion of 52-54%, owing to the progress on cost savings.
Moreover, investment in advertising, promotional and selling expenses is envisioned to increase $15-$25 million. Management anticipates general and administrative expenses to grow $10-$20 million, attributable to organizational investments and stock-compensation expenses.
Adjusted effective tax rate guidance is anticipated to be roughly 28%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09. Capital spending is still envisioned to be $55-$65 million for 2018, comprising of increased investments in breweries and tap rooms.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. There has been one revision higher for the current quarter compared to one lower.
At this time, SAM has a poor Growth Score of F. Its Momentum is doing a lot better with a B. However, the stock was also allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable solely for momentum based on our styles scores.
Outlook
SAM has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
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Boston Beer (SAM) Up 11% Since Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM - Free Report) . Shares have added about 11% in that time frame.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is SAM due for a pullback? 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 catalysts.
Boston Beer Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat, 2018 View Intact
Boston Beer reported a solid first-quarter 2017 with both the top and bottom lines surpassing estimates. Notably, this marked its fifth earnings beat in the last six quarters and the third positive sales surprise in the trailing four quarters.
Q1 Highlights
Boston Beer’s first-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of 55 cents topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents and moved up significantly from 17 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. The increase mainly stemmed from an improvement in net revenues as well as higher gross margin, somewhat negated by rise in advertising, promotion and selling expenses.
On a GAAP basis, earnings were 78 cents per share compared with 45 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Net revenues advanced nearly 17.8% year over year to $190.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $172 million. Excluding excise taxes, the top line rose 17.1% year over year to $201.8 million, primarily driven by improved shipments volumes, which increased 15%. Additionally, depletions grew 8%.
In the reported quarter, depletion primarily gained from increases in Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Angry Orchard brands, partially offset by the fall in the Samuel Adams brand. Depletions for the year-to-date period through the 15-weeks period, ended Apr 14, 2018, are estimated to have grown nearly 8% from the comparable year-ago period.
Costs & Margins
Gross profit improved 26% year over year to $96.1 million while gross margin expanded 330 basis points to 50.5% in the quarter. The improvement can be attributed to better pricing, product and package mix, and favorable fixed-cost absorption along with cost-savings gains from the company-owned breweries. These were partly mitigated by increased ingredients and packaging expenses.
Furthermore, advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased 25.5% to $67.5 million, mainly owing to higher investments in media, point-of-sale and local marketing as well as increased freight to distributors on escalated rates and volumes.
General and administrative expenses grew 3.8% to $19.3 million, driven by higher salaries and benefit costs.
Financials
As of Mar 31, 2018, Boston Beer had cash and cash equivalents of $46.6 million and total stockholders’ equity of $436.9 million.
In the first quarter and the period between Apr 1 and Apr 20, Boston Beer bought back about 119,000 shares worth roughly $22.6 million. With this, it had nearly $156.1 million remaining under its $931-million share buyback authorization as of Apr 20, 2018.
Growth Plan
Management remains committed toward three-point growth plan. Firstly, it plans to revive the Samuel Adams brand through packaging, innovation, promotion and brand communication initiatives. Further, it remains keen on retaining Angry Orchard and Twisted Tea’s momentum while ensuring Truly Spiked & Sparkling's leadership position in the hard sparkling-water category. Efforts to improve trends at Samuel Adams comprise its latest 'Fill Your Glass' integrated marketing campaign alongside sales execution of its Samuel Adams initiative, Sam ’76. Additionally, the company is focused on making more investments in Angry Orchard media in the second quarter.
Second, the company is focused on accelerated cost savings and efficiency projects with savings directed for further brand development. Depending upon the opportunities in 2018, management has reiterated its gross margin expansion target, which is likely to grow on an average of one percentage point every year, through 2019.
Thirdly, management remains committed to long-term product innovations and maximizing the shareholder value. Boston Beer also remains optimistic about the craft beer and cider categories, going forward.
Guidance
Management reiterated its outlook for 2018. For the year, earnings per share are envisioned between $6.30 and $7.30. This guidance is based on certain assumptions, including depletions and shipments in the range of flat-to-up 6%, price increases of 0-2% and gross margin expansion of 52-54%, owing to the progress on cost savings.
Moreover, investment in advertising, promotional and selling expenses is envisioned to increase $15-$25 million. Management anticipates general and administrative expenses to grow $10-$20 million, attributable to organizational investments and stock-compensation expenses.
Adjusted effective tax rate guidance is anticipated to be roughly 28%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09. Capital spending is still envisioned to be $55-$65 million for 2018, comprising of increased investments in breweries and tap rooms.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. There has been one revision higher for the current quarter compared to one lower.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Price and Consensus
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Price and Consensus | The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, SAM has a poor Growth Score of F. Its Momentum is doing a lot better with a B. However, the stock was also allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable solely for momentum based on our styles scores.
Outlook
SAM has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.