Rockwell Automation (ROK) Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates

In This Article:

Rockwell Automation Inc. ROK reported adjusted earnings of $2.14 in first-quarter fiscal 2022 (ended Dec 31, 2021), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.00. Compared with earnings of $2.38 reported in the year-ago quarter, the bottom line declined 10% year over year as gains from higher sales were partially offset by negative price/cost mix.

The prior-year quarter’s earnings per share figure of $2.38 included a non-recurring legal settlement gain of 45 cents. Excluding this impact, the company delivered an 11% year-over-year improvement in earnings.

Including other one-time items, the company’s earnings was $2.05 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared with the year-ago quarter’s $5.06.

Total revenues were $1,857 million, up 18.7% from the prior-year quarter. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,806 million. Organic sales in the quarter were up 16.8%. Acquisitions contributed 2.6% to sales growth, while currency translation had a negative impact of 0.7%. The company reported record quarterly orders of $2.5 billion, which surged 40% year over year.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Rockwell Automation, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Rockwell Automation, Inc. Quote

Operational Update

Cost of sales increased 21% year over year to around $1,108 million. Gross profit climbed 16% year over year to $749 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses flared up 19.5% year over year to $447 million.

Consolidated segment operating income totaled $355 million, up 15% from the prior-year quarter. Total segment operating margin was 19.1% in the fiscal first quarter, lower than the prior-year period’s 19.8%. Higher planned spending and negative price/cost, partially offset by higher sales, led to the contraction in margins.

Segment Results

Intelligent Devices: Net sales amounted to $900 million during the fiscal first quarter, reflecting year-over-year growth of 25%. Segment operating earnings totaled $213 million compared with the year-earlier quarter’s $140 million. Segment operating margin expanded to 23.7% in the quarter compared with the year-ago quarter’s 19.4%.

Software & Control: Net sales climbed 16.5% year over year to $514 million in the reported quarter. Segment operating earnings declined 12% year over year to $117.6 million. Segment operating margin was 22.9% compared with 30.2% in the year-earlier quarter.

Lifecycle Services: Net sales for the segment were $443 million in the reported quarter, reflecting year-over-year growth of 10%. Segment operating earnings totaled $24.5 million, indicating a decline of 32% from the prior-year quarter. Segment operating margin was 5.5% in the reported quarter compared with the year-earlier quarter’s 8.9%.