Industrial conglomerate Honeywell International Inc. (HON) forecast strong earnings and sales growth for 2012, yet its shares fell 1.8 percent in Thursday's pre-market trading.
The Morristown, New Jersey-based company projects 2012 sales of between $37.8 and $38.9 billion, while Wall Street projects call in for sales of $38.9 billion. The sales outlook represents a 4 percent - 7 percent increase over 2011 estimated sales, it said.
Honeywell expects earnings per share of $4.25-$4.50, an increase of 6 percent -12 percent over prior year, while analysts expect $4.43 per share. It forecasts proforma earnings per share from continuing operations to increase 13 percent to 19 percent.
"While key economic indicators show slower year-over-year growth in GDP and industrial production globally, we expect to grow faster than the end markets we serve, mainly driven by our robust long-cycle backlog of almost $16 billion, strong commercial aerospace aftermarket growth, and continued contributions from our short-cycle businesses," said chief executive Dave Cote. "We feel confident that our portfolio mix and continued margin expansion will deliver strong earnings growth and free cash flow conversion in 2012."
Honeywell still expects 2011 proforma earnings per share of about $4.03, on sales of $36.5 billion. Analysts expect earnings of $4.03 per share on revenue of $36.77 billion for 2011.
HON, which has been trading in the 52-week range between $41.22 and $62.28, ended Wednesday's regular trading at $51.55.