FMC Tech Hamstrung by Project Costs - Analyst Blog
February 15 2012 - 8:07AM
Zacks
Oil drilling equipment maker FMC Technologies
Inc. (FTI) reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per
share of 41 cents, well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51
cents. The weaker-than-expected results were mainly due to lower
subsea margins owing to higher project costs and expenses.
However, compared with the year-ago period, FMC’s earnings per
share improved by a handsome 20.6% (from 34 cents to 41 cents) on
the back of strength in surface systems orders. The fourth quarter
2010 results have been adjusted for one-time items.
Revenues at $1,500.5 million were up 36.1% year over year and
were also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,432.0
million.
For its fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, FMC reported profit
of $1.64 per share on revenues of $5,099.0 million.
Segmental Analysis
Subsea Technologies: FMC is particularly well
positioned in the subsea technologies market, where it competes
with larger rival Cameron International Corp.
(CAM). The segment revenue for the most recent quarter was $963.9
million, an increase of 38.2% from the fourth quarter of 2010,
buoyed by a rise in sales of subsea systems.
Operating profit came in at $69.8 million, down 18.7% year over
year. The negative comparison reflects charges associated with
project delays, as well as costs and inefficiencies related to the
expansion of headcount to support growth.
Surface Technologies: Segment revenues were up
37.8% year-over-year to $373.7 million. The main reasons for the
improved performance can be attributed to the sales ramp-ups in the
fluid control and surface wellhead businesses, both of which had
record quarters.
Segment operating profit, at $76.4 million, increased 61.2% from
the year-ago period, driven by higher volume in fluid control and
surface wellhead on the back of strong North American shale
activity.
Energy Infrastructure: The segment revenue for
the October-December period was $151.1 million, 21.0% above the
fourth quarter 2010 level. This reflects measurement solutions'
record sales in the quarter.
Operating profit came in at $20.2 million, compared with $15.8
million earned a year ago, pumped up by higher volume in
measurement solutions.
Backlog
As of December 31, 2011, FMC’s total backlog (after accounting
for intercompany eliminations) was $4,876.4 million, compared to
$4,171.5 million at December 31, 2010. Of this, backlog for Subsea
Technologies was $4,090.0 million, while Surface Technologies and
Energy Infrastructure backlog finished the quarter at $577.7
million and $226.9 million, respectively.
Balance Sheet
During the quarter, FMC spent $87.0 million on capital programs,
while the full-year outlay came to $274.0 million. As of December
31, 2011, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $344.0
million and debt of $623.6 million, with a debt-to-capitalization
ratio of 30.5%.
Guidance
Management guided towards 2012 earnings per share in the $2.10 –
$2.25 range.
Rating & Recommendation
FMC shares currently retain a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates
into a short-term Hold rating. We are also maintaining our
long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
CAMERON INTL (CAM): Free Stock Analysis Report
FMC TECH INC (FTI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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