Industrials

Margin Growth Boosts Honeywell Earnings Following Divestment

Honeywell Logo
Honeywell International Inc.
Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) reported second-quarter 2015 results before markets opened Friday. The conglomerate posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.51 on revenues of $9.78 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $1.38 on revenues of $10.25 billion. Second-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.49 and $9.74 billion in revenues.

The company also revised its fiscal 2015 EPS guidance. Adjusted EPS is now forecast to rise by 9% to 11% to a new range of $6.05 to $6.15, raising the lower end of the prior range from $6.00 while maintaining the top end of the range. The sales projection remains in a range of $39.0 billion to $39.6 billion. Honeywell raised guidance on its operating income margin from a prior range of 17.4% to 17.7% to a new range of 17.5% to 17.7%.

The company’s CEO said:

Honeywell had a terrific second quarter capping off a strong first half of 2015. We delivered 3% core organic sales growth and had another quarter of double-digit earnings growth when normalized for tax. We saw growth acceleration in both the short- and long-cycle businesses within Aerospace, continued growth in our commercial and industrial businesses within ACS, and higher volume across our Advanced Materials portfolio, particularly in Fluorine Products. We saw margin expansion in each segment, with a significant portion from gross margin, as our new products, process focus, disciplined cost management, and restructuring continue to distinguish Honeywell’s performance.

ALSO READ: 5 Fresh Dividend Hikes Too Important to Ignore

On a GAAP basis, sales in the quarter were down 5% due to the divestiture of the company’s friction materials business and foreign currency translation effects. Segment margin rose 170 basis points, operating income margin rose 220 basis points and cash flow rose 5% to $1.41 billion. Free cash flow also rose 5% to $1.17 billion.

Honeywell’s shares traded up about 2.4% at $106.05 in premarket trading Friday, having closed at $103.84 Thursday in a 52-week range of $82.89 to $107.10. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of $114.55 before the report.

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

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