Ford's Operating Income Falls by Two-Thirds -- Update
February 04 2020 - 4:54PM
Dow Jones News
By Mike Colias
Ford Motor Co. said fourth-quarter operating income sank by
two-thirds, and it issued a lower-than-expected profit outlook for
2020, the latest signs of trouble for Chief Executive Jim Hackett's
turnaround plan.
Ford said operating income for the October-to-December period
was $485 million, down from $1.5 billion a year earlier. Earnings
per share adjusted for one-time items were 12 cents, well short of
analysts' estimate of 17 cents a share.
Ford pinned the shortfall in part on lower production volumes in
North America stemming from problems with launches of key models,
including the redesigned Explorer and Escape sport-utility vehicles
and its Super Duty pickup truck. It also cited higher warranty
costs and a bonus payout to United Auto Workers that totaled about
$600 million.
Ford booked a net loss of about $1.7 billion for the quarter
which it attributed to losses from higher contributions to its
pension plans overseas. Revenue fell 5%, to $39.7 billion.
The auto maker forecast earnings per share this year in the
range of 94 cents to $1.20, lower than the average estimate of
$1.30, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
"Financially, it wasn't ok," finance chief Tim Stone said of the
2019 results during a discussion with reporters at Ford's
headquarters. "Strategically...I think we made strong
progress."
Nearly three years into the top job, Mr. Hackett's strategy to
revitalize Ford -- which includes a multiyear, multibillion-dollar
restructuring -- hasn't returned the company to earnings growth or
restored profitability overseas, where Ford is closing plants and
shedding thousands of workers to cut costs. Ford's operating profit
has fallen in both full years of his tenure.
This year "will be crucial for Ford, as it must show better
results" from Mr. Hackett's revitalization plan, Credit Suisse
analyst Dan Levy wrote in an investor note Tuesday. "Ford must
start meeting/exceeding investor expectations to reinvigorate
investor interest."
Write to Mike Colias at Mike.Colias@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 04, 2020 16:39 ET (21:39 GMT)
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