Air Products Hikes Product Prices - Analyst Blog
December 02 2011 - 3:45AM
Zacks
Effective January 01, 2012,
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (APD) would
increase the prices of all electronics materials and electronic
formulated products in North America by 3.5% to 15% driven by to an
increase in production costs.
Moreover, Air Products also intends
to eliminate rental discounts on these products.
Recently, Air Products reported its
fourth-quarter 2011 EPS of $1.51 versus $1.35 in the year-earlier
quarter, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51. For
full-year 2011, the company reported EPS of $5.73, up 14% year over
year, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.73.
Net sales amounted to $2.6 billion
versus $2.4 billion in the prior-year quarter, in line with the
Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.6 billion. The improved results were
mainly driven by growth in the emerging markets and strong
performance in its Tonnage Gases business. Despite a slowing global
economy in the second half of 2011, the company won several
projects and also witnessed double-digit sales and earnings
growth.
For fiscal 2011, sales increased
12% year over year to $10,082 million driven by a 9% volume
increase, which was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Based in Pennsylvania, Air Products
benefits from a long-term take-or-pay contract, a consolidated
industry structure, a diverse customer base and sustained pricing
power. However, soaring energy and raw material costs pose a threat
to margin expansion.
In order to compensate for
escalating raw material costs, Air Products has been increasing the
price for a range of chemicals it manufactures for industrial use.
Air Products faces stiff competition from Praxair
Inc. (PX) and The Linde Group.
We currently have a Zacks #3 Rank
(short-term Hold recommendation) on the stock.
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