Before the opening bell on Friday, a number of big name, dividend paying companies announced their quarterly earnings. Below, we look at these earnings reports and break down the important points for investors.
Ingersoll-Rand Beats Q4 Estimates
Ingersoll-Rand (IR ) reported fourth quarter revenues of $3.24 billion, up from last year’s Q4 revenues of $3.1 billion. Analysts were expecting revenues of $3.19 billion. Net earnings for the quarter came in at $255.5 million, or 95 cents per share, compared to last year’s Q4 net earnings of $47.7 million, or 16 cents per share. On an adjusted basis, IR’s EPS came in at 82 cents, which is up 34% over last year’s EPS. Analysts were expecting EPS of 70 cents. For FY2015, Ingersoll-Rand expects EPS in the range of $3.66-$3.81, while analysts expect $3.86.
Legg Mason Beats Q3 Estimates
Legg Mason (LM ) reported third quarter net income of $77 million, or 67 cents per share, compared to last year’s Q3 net income of $81.7 million, or 67 cents per diluted share. Total revenues for the quarter came from $719 million, which is essentially flat with last year’s $720.1 million. LM beat analysts’ estimates of 66 cents on revenues of $714.34 million.
Tyson Foods Tops EPS and Revenue Estimates
Tyson Foods (TSN ) reported first quarter sales of $10.82 billion, which are up significantly over last year’s Q1 sales of $8.76 million. Adjusted operating income for the quarter came in at $564 million, or 77 cents per share, compared to last year’s Q1 results of $412 million, or 72 cents per share. TSN beat analysts’ estimates of 73 cents EPS on revenues of $10.29 billion.
Xerox Beats EPS Estimates; Raises Dividend
Xerox (XRX ) reported fourth quarter revenues of $5.03 billion, down 3% from last year’s Q4 revenues of $5.2 billion. Net income came in at $156 million, or 13 cents per diluted share, compared to last year’s Q4 net income of $306 million, or 24 cents per diluted share. On an adjusted basis, EPS came in at 31 cents, compared to last year’s adjusted EPS of 23 cents. XRX beat analysts’ estimates of 29 cents EPS, while revenues just missed the $5.07 billion expectation.
Looking ahead, XRX sees FY2015 EPS in the range of $1.00-$1.06, which is down from its previous guidance of $1.05-$1.11, and below analysts’ expectations of $1.09. XRX raised its dividend 12% to 7 cents per quarter, or 28 cents annually. The dividend will be payable on April 30 to stockholders of record on March 31. The stock goes ex-dividend on March 27.
