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Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) Up 0.7% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Dun & Bradstreet (DNB - Free Report) . Shares have added about 0.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Dun & Bradstreet 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.

Dun & Bradstreet Q3 Earnings & Revenues Lag Estimates

Dun & Bradstreet reported disappointing third-quarter 2018 results, wherein both earnings and revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Adjusted EPS came in at $1.85, which lagged the consensus mark by 15 cents. However, the figure improved 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. Total revenues of $407.3 million missed the consensus mark by $26.3 million and declined 4.9% year over year, both before and after the effect of foreign exchange.

Adjusted revenues totaled $416.7 million, which declined 3.1% year over year, both before and after the effect of foreign exchange. Also, organic revenues decreased 3% on a year-over-year basis.

As of Sep 30, 2018, deferred revenues were $528.9 million, per ASC 606 standards. Deferred revenues, as of Sep 30, 2018, were $615.3 million, up 1% year over year.

On Aug 8, 2018, Dun & Bradstreet announced that it has agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of CC Capital. The transaction, valued at $6.9 billion, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Segmental Performance

Revenues at the Americas segment amounted to $336.3 million (83% of total revenues), down 4% year over year, both before and after the effect of foreign exchange. Adjusted revenues of $342.8 million declined 3% year over year.

In terms of product lines, adjusted Risk Management Solutions revenues from Americas totaled $202.9 million, flat year over year, both before and after the effect of foreign exchange. Adjusted Sales and Marketing Solutions revenues from the region came in at $139.9 million, down 7% year over year.

Revenues at the Non-Americas segment summed $71 million (17% of total revenues), which declined a respective 5% and 7% year over year before and after the effect of foreign exchange. Adjusted revenues of $73.9 million decreased 2% and 3% year over year before and after the effect of foreign exchange, respectively.

In terms of product lines, adjusted Risk Management Solutions revenues from Non-Americas were $61.9 million, up 4% year over year before the foreign exchange impact and 3% after the same. Adjusted Sales and Marketing Solutions revenues from the region amounted to $12 million, which decreased a respective 24% and 25% year over year before and after the foreign exchange impact.

Operating Results

Adjusted operating income for the third quarter was $105.8 million, down 7.2% from the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin of 25.4% declined 110 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Dun & Bradstreet exited third-quarter 2018 with cash and cash equivalents balance of $228.2 million compared with $199.5 million in the last reported quarter. Long-term debt at the end of the quarter was $1.31 billion, flat sequentially.

The company generated $72.7 million of cash from operating activities and spent $1.4 million on Capex. Free cash flow was $58.2 million.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.

VGM Scores

Currently, Dun & Bradstreet has an average Growth Score of C, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% 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.

Outlook

Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Dun & Bradstreet has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.


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