Allison (ALSN) Q1 Earnings & Sales Top Estimates, Decline Y/Y

Allison Transmission Holdings Inc.’s ALSN first-quarter 2020 earnings were $1.20 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 94 cents. It delivered better-than-expected results on the back of higher-than-anticipated revenues from the North America On-Highway, North America Off-Highway, Defense, Outside North America Off-Highway, and Service Parts, Support Equipment & Other end markets. The reported figure, however, was lower than the year-ago quarter’s $1.32 per share.

Net income in the first quarter was $139 million compared with $167 million recorded in the year-ago quarter. The downside primarily resulted from lower gross profit and elevated product-initiative spending.

In the reported quarter, net sales declined 6% year over year to $637 million due to lower demand in the North America On-Highway and Outside North America On-Highway end markets. The figure, however, outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $597 million. Gross profit decreased 9% year over year to $326 million. Gross margin was 51.2% compared with the prior-year quarter’s 53.2%. The downside primarily stemmed from lower net sales and unfavorable mix, partially offset by favorable material costs.

Oshkosh Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Oshkosh Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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Quarter in Detail

Allison segregates its revenues by the end markets served, which are as follows:

Net sales in the North America On-Highway end market decreased 7% year over year to $352 million due to lower demand for rugged duty series models. The reported figure, however, beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $317 million.

Net sales in the North America Off-Highway end market tanked 43% year over year to $8 million. Fluctuations in the demand for hydraulic fracturing applications resulted in the decline. However, the sales figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.45 million.

Net sales in the Defense end market climbed 25% to $40 million, owing to higher tracked vehicle demand. The figure also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $39 million.

The Outside North America On-Highway end market’s net sales slid 23% to $72 million, thanks to the bleak demand in Europe and Asia. The metric also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $84 million.

Net sales in the Outside North America Off-Highway end market was flat at $27 million with the same period in 2019, driven by higher demand in the energy sector, offset by lower demand in the mining and construction sectors. However, the reported figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.26 million.

Net sales in the Service Parts, Support Equipment &Other end market rose 5% to $138 million, driven by aluminum die casting component volume associated with the Walker Die Casting acquisition. It also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $130 million.

Financial Position

Allison had cash and cash equivalents of $114 million as of Mar 31, 2020, compared with $192 million as of Dec 31, 2019. As of Mar 31, 2020, long-term debt stood at $2,512 million, unchanged from Dec 31, 2019. The long-term debt-to-capital ratio stands at 78.4%.

In the March-end quarter, the company’s net cash provided by operating activities was $148 million compared with the year-ago quarter’s $194 million. Adjusted free cash flow in the reported quarter was $127 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s $175 million.

During the quarter under review, the company bought back $180 million shares and increased the quarterly dividend payment to 17 cents per share.

2020 Outlook

Allison scrapped the previously issued 2020 guidance as it expects that the coronavirus pandemic’s impacts to strain its operations in the days to come.

For 2020, the company lowered the capital expenditure target by approximately 35% from that reported in 2019.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Allison currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the same sector are Veoneer, Inc. VNE, Unique Fabricating, Inc. UFAB and Modine Manufacturing Company MOD, each carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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