(By Balaseshan) Ingersoll-Rand Plc (NYSE: IR) reported a jump in earnings for the third quarter due to an asset impairment charge related to Hussmann sale in the last year. Yet, the company's revenue fell and it guided fourth quarter results below consensus.
Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations on an adjusted basis jumped 32.1 percent to $1.07 from $0.81. Reported EPS were $1.03 versus $0.25 in the year-ago period, which included 53 cents of impairment costs related to the sale of Hussmann refrigeration business.
Revenue declined 8 percent to $3.593 billion. Total revenues, excluding the results of Hussmann, were down 1 percent (up 1 percent excluding currency).
Analysts, on average, polled by Thomson Reuters had expected earnings of $0.98 per share on revenue of $3.65 billion for the third quarter.
Operating margin improved to 12.5 percent from 4.6 percent (11.4 percent excluding Hussmann's results and impairment costs) in the year-ago quarter, on higher prices and productivity partially offset by inflation, unfavorable product mix, currency translation and increased investments.
Ingersoll Rand's major end markets showed an uneven and choppy demand pattern in the third quarter of 2012 with moderate organic growth rates in the United States and Latin America, and declining activity in Western Europe and in Asia. Based on current order rates, the company expects fourth quarter revenues to be flat compared with last year.
For the fourth quarter, IR forecasts EPS from continuing operations in the range of $0.64 to $0.70 and revenue of $3.4 billion to $3.5 billion. Analysts expect EPS of $0.79 on revenue of $3.51 billion.
For the full year, the company narrowed its EPS from continuing operations guidance to range of $3.17 to $3.23 from previous forecast of $3.15 to $3.25. The company widened its revenue outlook to range of $13.95 billion to $14.05 billion from prior expectations of $14.0 billion to $14.2 billion. Analysts expect EPS of $3.23 on revenue of $14.12 billion.
"I believe the combination of our strategy and a sound use of capital will drive strong earnings growth in the coming years, even if economies do not improve. We will remain focused on organic revenue growth, expansion of operating margins and a balanced, disciplined capital allocation strategy in the face of expected economic headwinds," said Michael Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll-Rand.
IR shares, which have been trading in the 52-week range between $26.62 and $47.71, ended Thursday's regular trading at $45.66.