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Why Is Dolby Laboratories (DLB) Up 3.9% Since Last Earnings Report?

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Dolby Laboratories (DLB - Free Report) . Shares have added about 3.9% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Dolby Laboratories 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 drivers.

Dolby Q3 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Up Y/Y

Dolby reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 adjusted earnings of 92 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents.

The company’s GAAP earnings came in at 78 cents per share compared with 73 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Inside the Headlines

Dolby’s total revenues of $317.4 million came within the company’s projected range of $310-$320 million. Also, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $317.3 million and improved 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. Healthy increase in revenues across Licensing and Products segments contributed to the decent rise in the top line.

The company’s Licensing revenues came in at $286.3 million, up 2.9% year over year. Consumer electronics and Mobile devices sales drove the segment’s growth. While higher revenues in DMAs drove Consumer Electronic sales, Mobile devices grew on the back of higher adoption of the company’s technologies into more devices. Licensing in other markets was up about 3% year over year, driven by higher revenues in Dolby Cinema, Dolby Voice and gaming.

Product revenues came in at $26.3 million, up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. This improvement was driven by growth in Cinema products and Dolby Voice. Revenues at the Services segment decreased 2.7% to $4.8 million.

In the fiscal third quarter, Dolby’s operating margin contracted 140 basis points year over year to 29.9%.

Liquidity

As of Jun 29, 2018, Dolby had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $829.6 million, up from $592.6 million as of Jun 30, 2017.

As of Jun 29, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities came in at $240.5 million compared with $297.4 million a year ago.

Guidance

Concurrent with the market scenario, Dolby issued guidance for fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 earnings and revenues. The company envisions non-GAAP earnings in the range of 40-46 cents, while revenues are expected to lie within $265-$275 million.

While non-GAAP gross margin is projected to be about 87%, non-GAAP operating expenses are expected between $176 million and $180 million.

Dolby also provided guidance for fiscal 2018. Total revenues are anticipated in the range of $1.17-$1.18 billion. Revenue streams such as mobile revenues, Consumer Electronics and other licensing category are expected to drive top-line growth.

Further, non-GAAP operating expenses for fiscal 2018 are projected between $670 million and $674 million.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, fresh estimate flatlined during the past month.

VGM Scores

Currently, Dolby Laboratories has an average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum is doing a lot better with an A. The stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

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

Our style scores indicate that the stock is more suitable for momentum investors than growth investors.

Outlook

Dolby Laboratories has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.


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