(By Balaseshan) Tech Data Corp. (NASDAQ: TECD), a wholesale distributor of technology products, reported a 14.2% drop in quarterly earnings due to the impact on gross margin of product mix, customer mix and competitive pricing pressure. Results missed Street's expectations.
Earnings for the third quarter were $45.9 million or $1.21 per share, down from $53.5 million or $1.26 per share last year.
Sales declined 8% to $6.04 billion due to the negatively impact of the weakening of certain foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Excluding the impact of certain factors, net sales increased by about 1%.
Analysts, on average, polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a profit of $1.33 per share on revenue of $6.20 billion for the third quarter.
Net sales in the Americas fell 15% to $2.37 billion, due to change in presentation of vendor warranty services and certain fulfillment contracts. Excluding the impact of certain factors, as well as the translation effect of certain foreign currencies, the Americas' net sales decreased by about 10%.
Net sales in Europe decreased 4% to $3.67 billion, due to change in presentation of vendor warranty services and certain fulfillment contracts. Excluding the impact of this change, Europe's net sales declined by about 1% (8% increase on a euro basis).
Gross margin declined to 5.10% from 5.23%, due to competitive pricing, product mix and certain vendor programs in both regions, as well as the implementation of certain SAP modules in the U.S. during the quarter.
Looking ahead into the fourth quarter, the company expects sales growth of low single-digit, in euros, in Europe, and a low double-digits year-over-year sales decline in the Americas. The year-over-year comparisons are impacted by the fiscal 2013 change in presentation of vendor warranty services and certain fulfillment contracts, the exit of Brazil and Colombia at the end of fiscal 2012, and general market conditions.
The company expects sequential improvement in gross and operating margins and estimates the average U.S. dollar to euro currency exchange rate to be $1.28 to 1.00 euro for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
TECD closed Monday's regular session up 4.04% at $45.46. The stock has been trading between $42.25 and $59.29 for the past 52 weeks.