The Valspar Corporation (VAL) reported second-quarter fiscal 2012 adjusted (excluding restructuring expenses) earnings of 84 cents per share, up from 64 cents recorded in the year-ago quarter. The results beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents. Including one-time items, earnings per share came in at 80 cents compared with 58 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues
Sales in the quarter jumped 4% year over year to $1,032.6 million from $992.7 million in the year-ago quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,075 million. Sales in Valspar’s Coatings segment increased 6.2% to $540.8 million and sales in the Paints segment inched up 1.9% to $426.3 million.
Margins and expenses
Gross margin increased to 34.4% in the reported quarter from 31.8% in the comparable year-ago quarter. Margins benefited from carryover pricing actions, which help to offset raw material cost increases. Margins also increased due to productivity improvements, prior restructuring actions and strong incremental margins on new business.
Research and Development expenses inched down 2.1% year-over-year to $29.4 million in the quarter while Selling, General and Administrative expenses increased 5.1% to $185.9 million in the reported quarter.
Financial Review
Cash and cash equivalents, as of April 27, 2012, were $208.5 million compared with $120.1 million as of April 29, 2011. Long-term debt came in at $1,061.9 million as of April 27, 2012, compared with $903 million as of April 29, 2011.
Outlook
For fiscal 2012, the company raised its guidance for adjusted earnings to $3.20 to $3.30 per share from its previous expectation of $2.92 to $3.12. Valsparexpects increased volumes and its new initiatives to boost earnings.
Our Take
Valspar’s solid results and robust margin gains in the past few quarters stem from its cost reduction efforts, increasing product prices along with productivity gains. We are optimistic on Valspar’s long-term performance, which is likely to be driven by volume increases in both the Paint and Coatings categories.
The company faces stiff competition from Sherwin Williams Company (SHW) and PPG Industries Inc. (PPG). Currently, Valspar retains a Zacks #2 Rank, reflecting a short-term (1 to 3 months) Buy rating. Also, we have a long-term (more than 6 months) Outperform recommendation on the stock.
Read the Full Research Report on PPG
Read the Full Research Report on VAL
Read the Full Research Report on SHW
More From Zacks.com