Still-Weak European Paper Demand Weighed on UPM’s 1Q Results

Despite relatively steady performance from the energy and pulp segments, UPM’s quarterly EBITDA contracted 20% year over year; EBITDA from the paper business was nearly halved over the same period. As the world’s largest producer of graphic paper, UPM remains highly dependent on its paper business, where volume continues to decline–European magazine papers fell 6%, newsprint fell 3%, and fine papers fell 6%–and present significant … Continue reading Still-Weak European Paper Demand Weighed on UPM’s 1Q Results

Idexx Labs’ Salesforce Integration Highlights Solid Quarter

Idexx Laboratories posted solid third-quarter results that fell squarely within expectations. The firm has made progress in its remodeling of its salesforce structure to a new configuration that makes it easier for customers to interact with a single point of access at Idexx, and we expect this reorganization should manifest itself in further growth over the next few quarters. We are keeping our narrow-moat rating … Continue reading Idexx Labs’ Salesforce Integration Highlights Solid Quarter

Steel Dynamics Delivers Strong Sequential Growth in Quarter

In the third quarter of 2013, Steel Dynamics delivered improved sequential operating results. Companywide operating income increased 64% to $113 million in the third quarter from a base of $69 million in the second quarter. While shipment volume increased across nearly every product line, steel operating income per ton increased to $94, which amounts to the company’s best result since the third quarter of 2011. … Continue reading Steel Dynamics Delivers Strong Sequential Growth in Quarter

Blackstone Reports Net Income Increase in Third Quarter

Despite facing difficult year-over-year comparisons, narrow-moat rated Blackstone reported positive results for the third quarter, with economic net income, or ENI, rising 3% on a 1% increase in revenue. Total assets under management, or AUM, reached a record $248 billion, up 21% when compared with third quarter 2012, with double-digit gains reported in each of its investment operations. Fee-earning AUM rose just 12% year over … Continue reading Blackstone Reports Net Income Increase in Third Quarter

Dupont Meets Expectations but Chemicals Business Struggles

On Tuesday, DuPont reported third-quarter results that generally matched our expectations. DuPont experienced year-over-year operating earnings improvement in all of its segments except performance chemicals. We’re raising our fair value estimate to $57 per share from $55 to account for slight modifications to our forecast and the effect of the time value of money since our last update. We are maintaining our narrow moat rating … Continue reading Dupont Meets Expectations but Chemicals Business Struggles

Amphenol Delivers Strong Q2 Results

Amphenol delivered solid results that were within our range of expectations.  Sales grew to $1.15 billion in the third quarter, a 5% increase year over year. Revenue rose across the board relative to the year-ago quarter through a combination of organic and inorganic growth. On the operating front, gross margins expanded by 40 basis points, to 31.6%, from the year-ago quarter, and operating margins came in … Continue reading Amphenol Delivers Strong Q2 Results