Dentsply Continues to Face Strong Headwinds in Europe

Although Dentsply’s revenue growth continues to fall slightly short our expectations, management’s ability to offset the medical device tax combined with the integration of Astra Tech kept total earnings growth near analyst’s forecasts. Excluding precious metals, Dentsply’s revenue increased 3.4%, or 2.7% on a constant currency basis, which is slightly below last year’s internal growth but on par with the second quarter. While sales growth … Continue reading Dentsply Continues to Face Strong Headwinds in Europe

Lithia Motors Posts Record Results in Q3

Lithia Motors reported all-time record results of $1.13 per share for adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. This mark beat consensus by $0.03, and another healthy mid-digit percentage increase in same-store revenue year over year also enabled the company to beat on revenue. Despite what we see as a very strong quarter, management’s comments on more growth coming from acquisitions and the introduction … Continue reading Lithia Motors Posts Record Results in Q3

Sonoco Results Driven by Higher Pricing and Demand

Sonoco Products announced solid third-quarter results on Thursday, driven primarily by higher overall pricing and improving demand in the Paper & Industrial Converted Products and Display Packaging segments. Management increased its full-year free cash flow (excluding dividend payments of about $129 million) target to $190 million from $150 million and tightened full-year guidance to $2.27-$2.32 per share from $2.26-$2.32 per share; we expect to leave … Continue reading Sonoco Results Driven by Higher Pricing and Demand

Silgan Posts Dismal Quarter; Lowers Full Year Guidance

After reviewing Silgan’s disappointing third-quarter results, we are maintaining our $42 per share fair value estimate as well as our narrow economic moat rating. We are, however, reducing our full-year EPS estimate to $2.78 after management lowered guidance to $2.75-$2.85 from $3.00-$3.15. Our longer-term thesis on Silgan is that, while the company currently possesses a meaningful low-cost manufacturing advantage in its metal food can segment, … Continue reading Silgan Posts Dismal Quarter; Lowers Full Year Guidance

Total System Services Sees Profits Soar in Q3

Total System Services, or TSYS, delivered a 38% year-on-year increase in adjusted third-quarter profits, reflecting the completion of a recent acquisition. On a GAAP basis, earnings rose 7% to $64.4 million, or $0.34 per share, from $60.3 million, or $0.32 per share, in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding acquisition-related intangible amortization, stock compensation and merger expenses, TSYS earned $92.8 million, up from $67.2 million a year … Continue reading Total System Services Sees Profits Soar in Q3

Lower Copper and Gold Prices Weigh on Freeport-McMoRan’s Quarter

Stronger-than-expected oil and gas volume highlighted Freeport-McMoRan’s third quarter on the operating front. However, lower copper and gold prices pressured cash flow and net debt rose in the quarter. We expect still-lower prices and continue to doubt Freeport can meaningfully deleverage unless it undertakes significant asset sales and cuts its dividend. Production and cost figures were solid. Strong output in the Eagle Ford and Gulf … Continue reading Lower Copper and Gold Prices Weigh on Freeport-McMoRan’s Quarter