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Ford (F) to Post Q3 Earnings: Is a Disappointment in Store?

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Ford Motor Company (F - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2018 results on Oct 24, after the market closes.

In the last reported quarter, Ford missed estimates by 12.9%. This Detroit-based automaker surpassed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed in the other two, delivering an average positive surprise of 3.8%. Long-term earnings-per-share growth (three-five years) for the company is currently pegged at 5.3%.

In the past three months, shares of Ford have underperformed the industry it belongs to. Over this time, shares of the company have lost 18.8%, compared with the industry’s decline of 15.4%.

Ford Motor Company Price and EPS Surprise

 

Let’s see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.

Factors Influencing This Quarter

In July, Ford lowered its profit guidance for 2018, majorly due to trade tariffs and declining sales across markets. Higher costs in Europe, along with lowered pricing and unfavorable product line-up in China, impelled the automaker to trim its adjusted earnings to $1.30-$1.50 per share for 2018 compared with the prior guidance of $1.45-$1.70. Additionally, restructuring the company’s business will cost up to $11 billion in the next three to five years.

During the third-quarter, Ford agreed to pay $299.1 million to settle consumers’ economic-loss claims related to Takata-airbag recalls. In September, the company recalled roughly 2 million F-150 pickup trucks due to faulty seat belts that might lead to fire. In fact, the company’s management reported that recalls will hamper its third-quarter earnings. All expenses associated with settlement charges and repair of recalled vehicles will add to Ford’s costs, thus, hurting its profit margin.

Over the last seven days, Ford’s stock witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2018 earnings being revised 12.1% downward. Over the same period, estimates for annual earnings were revised 3% downward.

Nonetheless, Ford has been making several efforts to revive its business by launching sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and hybrid vehicle models. In August 2018, it announced to introduce “entry-level” SUV by 2019. The model will be developed with its local partner in China. Similarly, in Europe, Ford will also introduce Ford Mondeo Hybrid petrol-electric vehicles by 2019.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not conclusively predict earnings beat for Ford this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. This is not the case here, as you will see below.

Earnings ESP: Ford’s Earnings ESP is -12.28% as both the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at 25 cents and 29 cents, respectively.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Ford currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Strong Sell) going into earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions.

Stocks to Consider

Here are some stocks worth considering from the same space, with the right combination of elements to outpace earnings estimates this time around:

Cummins Inc. (CMI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.46% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will report third-quarter 2018 financial figures on Oct 30.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Meritor, Inc. has an Earnings ESP of +2.36% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 financial results are scheduled to be released on Nov 14.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AXL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.70% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company’s third-quarter 2018 financial results are scheduled to be released on Nov 2.

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