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Crane (CR) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Gives Promising View

Crane Co. CR kept its earnings streak alive in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the fourth consecutive quarter of better-than-expected results.The quarterly earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.6%. Sales surprise is 3.65%.

In addition to the impressive performance, the company rewarded its shareholders with a 9% hike in the quarterly dividend rate. Its projections also reflect solid growth opportunities in 2022.

Adjusted earnings were $1.25 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12. The bottom line expanded 35.9% from the year-ago quarter figure of 92 cents. Sales growth and margin expansion drove the quarterly performance.

For 2021, the company’s adjusted earnings were $6.55 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.42. Then again, the bottom line reflected an increase of 85.6% from the year-ago figure of $3.53.

The bottom line also came in above the company’s guidance of $6.35-$6.45 per share for the year.

Revenue Details

In the quarter, Crane’s net sales were $770.5 million, reflecting growth of 12.7% from the year-ago quarter. Results reflect the strength in the company’s core businesses.

The quarterly net sales surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $743.4 million.

The company reports net sales under three segments — Process Flow Technologies, Payment & Merchandising Technologies, and Aerospace & Electronics.

The segmental information is briefly discussed below:

Revenues from Process Flow Technologies (representing 38.8% of the quarter’s total revenues) were $298.7 million, reflecting growth of 15.9% from the year-ago quarter. The results benefited from a gain of 15% from organic sales and 1% from movements in foreign currencies. The segment’s order backlog was $357.9 million in the reported quarter, reflecting sequential growth of 1.8%.

Revenues from Payment & Merchandising Technologies (representing 40.7% of the quarter’s total revenues) totaled $313.7 million, increasing 11% year over year. Organic sales grew 11% from the year-ago quarter. The order backlog at the end of the reported quarter was $438 million, up 12.9% sequentially.

Revenues from the Aerospace & Electronics segment (representing 20.5% of the quarter’s total revenues) were $158.1 million, increasing 10.3% year over year. The order backlog at the end of the quarter was $459.8 million, down 3.9% sequentially.

For 2021, the company’s revenues totaled $3.18 billion, up 15.2% year over year. The top line surpassed the consensus estimate by 0.63% and came in above the management’s projection of $3.15 billion.

Margin Profile

In the fourth quarter, Crane’s cost of sales of $482.5 million reflected a 5.4% increase from the year-ago quarter. It represented 62.6% of net sales compared with 67% in the year-ago quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16.8% to $200.9 million. It represented 26.1% of net sales compared with 25.2% in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted operating income in the fourth quarter increased 33% year over year to $93.1 million, while margin expanded 190 basis points to 12.1%. Operating results gained from a favorable mix and higher volumes. Interest expenses, net, in the reported quarter were $10.9 million, down 21.6% year over year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Exiting the fourth quarter, Crane had cash and cash equivalents of $478.6 million, up 6.2% from $450.8 million at the end of the third quarter. The long-term debt balance was $842.4 million, a slight change from the previous quarter’s $842.2 million.

In 2021, the company made a $27.1-million repayment of commercial paper (maturity >90 days). Term loan repayments totaled $348.1 million.

In 2021, the company generated net cash of $466.7 million from operating activities, up 64.3% from the previous year. Capital expenditure was $51.7 million, higher than $32.9 million spent in 2020. Free cash flow increased 65.2% year over year to $415 million.

Notably, the year’s cash performances were better than Crane’s expectations of $400-$425 million for operating cash flow and $400-$425 million for free cash flow. Capital spending was below the company’s expectation of $60 million.

Shareholder-Friendly Policy

In 2021, Crane used $100.6 million for paying dividends, increasing 0.2% from the previous year. Share reacquisitions in the year amounted to $96.3 million, higher than $70 million in 2020. Exiting 2021, the company is left to repurchase $200 million worth of its shares.

Concurrent with the earnings release, the company announced that its board of directors approved an increase of 4 cents in the quarterly dividend rate. The rate now stands at 47 cents per share, above the previous 43 cents. Annually, the dividend rate is at $1.88.

The company will pay out the dividend, pertaining to first-quarter 2022, on Mar 9 to shareholders of record as of Feb 28.

Outlook

Confident of its growth opportunities, Crane projected a 10% year-over-year increase in its earnings for 2022. It also believes that strong cash generation will help fund organic investments, inorganic activities, and rewards for shareholders.

The company anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $7.00-$7.40 for the year. Sales are predicted to be $3.3 billion, with core sales growth of 4-6%. Movements in foreign currencies are expected to adversely impact the top line by 1.5%.

Corporate expenses for the year are expected to be $75 million and the adjusted tax rate will likely be 21%. The company expects operating cash flow of $410-$450 million and capital expenditure of $60 million for 2022. Free cash flow is projected to be $350-$390 million.

Crane Co. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Crane Co. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Crane Co. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Crane Co. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Crane Co. Quote

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

With a market capitalization of $5.9 billion, Crane currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are discussed below:

Danaher Corporation DHR presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company is slated to report fourth-quarter 2021 results on Jan 27, before market open.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

With earnings beat recorded on all occasions, Danaher’s earnings surprise for the last four quarters is 24.05%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DHR’s fourth-quarter earnings has been unchanged in the past 60 days.

Carlisle Companies Incorporated CSL will release fourth-quarter results on Feb 10, after market close. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The company reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 38.89%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carlisle’s fourth-quarter earnings has been revised down 0.4%.

ITT Inc. ITT is slated to release fourth-quarter results on Feb 9, after market close. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

In the last four quarters, the company recorded better-than-expected results. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of +10.63%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ITT’s fourth-quarter earnings has been unchanged in the past 60 days.


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Danaher Corporation (DHR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

ITT Inc. (ITT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Crane Co. (CR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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