Companies and Brands

Why Philip Morris Earnings Went Up in Smoke

Thinkstock

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) reported first-quarter 2017 results before markets opened on Thursday. The tobacco products firm posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.98 on revenue of $6.06 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.98 on $6.08 billion in revenues. Reported revenue is net of excise taxes. Consensus estimates called for EPS of $1.03 and revenue of $6.47 billion.

Total product shipments dropped by 9.4% in the quarter and cigarette volume dropped 11.5% year over year in the quarter.

Currency translation effects cost the company $120 million in first-quarter revenues. Adjusted operating income totaled $2.49 billion, down 2.2% year over year.

The company raised its 2017 diluted EPS guidance to a range of $4.84 to $4.99, which excludes foreign exchange effects and a favorable tax item of $0.04 per share recorded in the first quarter.

The consensus estimate had called for full-year EPS of $4.88 on revenues of $28.52 billion. For the second quarter, analysts forecast EPS of $1.23 and revenues of $7.05 billion.

CEO André Calantzopoulos said:

Our results were in line with our previously communicated expectation of a relatively weak first quarter, due to lower cigarette volume — primarily related to low-price brands in specific markets where the impact on our profitability was limited — and certain timing factors. … We anticipate a combined cigarette and heated tobacco unit volume decline of 3% to 4% for the full year. It is extremely encouraging that already today, despite persistent capacity constraints, 1.8 million consumers have effectively stopped smoking and have switched to our heat-not-burn alternative, IQOS.

Philip Morris paid its regular dividend of $1.04 for the quarter. That translates to a dividend yield of 3.63% at Wednesday’s closing price. The company did not report any share repurchases for the first quarter.

The company’s shares traded down about 2.1% at $111.50 early Thursday morning. The stock’s 52-week range is $86.78 to $115.63. The 12-month consensus price target was $115.53 before this report.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.