How SodaStream Crushed Its Q2 Earnings

Shares of SodaStream International Ltd. (NASDAQ: SODA) saw a handy gain early on Tuesday after the company completely blew out its second-quarter earnings results. SodaStream posted $0.37 in earnings per share (EPS) on $119.2 million in revenue. The Thomson Reuters consensus estimates had called for EPS of $0.21 on revenue of $105.72 million. In the same period of last year, it reported $0.17 in EPS on $101.7 million in revenue.

Currency exchange rates had no material impact in comparison with the same period in 2015.

Gross margin increased to 50.7% in the second quarter from 50.3% for the same period in 2015. This was primarily driven by the production optimization in the Lehavim plant, partially offset by higher portion of sparkling water makers in the products mix.

In terms of the geographical revenue breakdown, the company reported:

• Western Europe revenues increased 14% to $74.4 million.
• The Americas revenues increased 12% to $$26.0 million.
• Asia-Pacific revenues increased 44% to $13.0 million.
• Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa revenues increased 32% to $5.8 million.

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Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of SodaStream, commented:

There were several highlights from the second quarter that reinforce our confidence in the strategic course we have set for the Company. Our work repositioning the SodaStream brand around sparkling water and effectively communicating the compelling benefits of our home carbonation system helped drive double digit revenue growth in each of our four geographic regions. Importantly, we advanced our position as the world’s largest sparkling water brand with an all-time-record high quarter of 7.5 million gas refills. Our performance also included a sharp acceleration in sparkling water maker sales as our marketing programs aimed at increasing household penetration are resonating with consumers. Importantly, we increased profitability at an even faster pace than revenue driven by gross margin improvements and operating efficiencies gained from the consolidation of our manufacturing and logistics activities into our new state-of-the-art facility in Lehavim. While we are pleased with our recent results, our focus is firmly on the future and the continued successful execution of our long-term growth plans.

Cash and cash equivalents increased 18.6% to $40.9 million at the end of the quarter, compared to $34.5 million at the end of 2015.

Shares of SodaStream jumped around 19% to a new 52-week high $28.95 early Tuesday. The consensus analyst price target is just $22.00, and the 52-week low is $11.40.

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