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Stanley Black & Decker's (SWK) Q3 Earnings Beat, Up Y/Y

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Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (SWK - Free Report) reported mixed results for third-quarter 2018, wherein earnings beat estimates but revenues missed the same.

Earnings, excluding acquisition-related charges and other one-time impacts, were $2.08 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.02. Also, the bottom line increased 6.7% from the year-ago tally of $1.95 on the back of healthy segmental results. These positives offset the adverse impacts of commodity inflation.

Revenues Improve on Segmental Strength

In the reported quarter, Stanley Black & Decker’s net sales were $3,494.8 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 4%. The improvement was primarily driven by 3% volume gains, 1% positive-price impact and 2% gain from acquired assets, partially offset by 2% negative-currency impact.

However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,587 million.

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Quote

Stanley Black & Decker reports revenues under three market segments. A brief discussion of the quarterly results is provided below:

Tools & Storage’s revenues totaled $2,448 million, representing 70% of net revenues in the quarter. On a year-over-year basis, the segment’s revenues grew 3% on the back of 5% gain from volume growth, 1% from favorable pricing, partially offset by 3% negative-currency impact.

The Industrial segment generated revenues of $562 million, accounting for roughly 16.1% of net revenues in the reported quarter. Sales grew 10% year over year, primarily driven by 11% gain from acquired assets, partially offset by 1% negative impact from currency movements.

Revenues from Security segment, roughly 13.8% of net revenues, increased 1% year over year to $485 million. Price gain of 1% and acquisition gains of 3% were partially offset by 2% negative-currency impact.

Margin Details

Stanley Black & Decker’s cost of sales in the third quarter increased 7.1% year over year to $2,256.4 million. Cost of sales was 64.5% of the quarter’s net sales compared with 62.7% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin slipped 190 basis points (bps) to 35.4% as commodity inflation, foreign exchange and tariffs negated positive impacts of volume growth, favorable pricing and improved productivity.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3.9% to $798.9 million. It represented 22.9% of net sales in the quarter, stable year over year. Operating margin decreased 180 bps to 12.6%.

The tax rate in the quarter under review was 19.5%, down from 23% in the year-ago quarter.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

Exiting the third quarter, Stanley Black & Decker had cash and cash equivalents of $368.7 million, down from $385.8 million in the previous quarter. Long-term debt (net of current portions) was marginally up to $2,830.6 million.

In the reported quarter, the company generated net cash of $191.5 million from its operating activities, roughly 65.6% higher than $115.6 million generated a year ago. Capital spending totaled $109.4 million versus $91 million in the year-ago quarter.

Shareholder-Friendly Initiatives

During the third quarter, Stanley Black & Decker paid cash dividends of approximately $97.4 million and repurchased shares worth $301.8 million.

Outlook

For 2018, the company revised down its adjusted earnings guidance from the range of $8.30-$8.50 per share to $8.10-$8.20. Also, GAAP earnings forecast has been lowered from $7.00-$7.20 to $5.90-$6.00 per share.

Free cash flow conversion is predicted to be roughly 90%.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Stanley Black & Decker currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are Altra Industrial Motion Corp. , Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) and Kadant Inc (KAI - Free Report) . While Altra Industrial Motion sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Dover and Kadant carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Altra Industrial Motion surpassed estimates thrice in the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 4.01%.

Dover exceeded estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 6.04%.

Kadant surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average beat of 13.95%.

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