Advertisement
Canada markets closed
  • S&P/TSX

    22,167.03
    +59.95 (+0.27%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • DOW

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7380
    -0.0006 (-0.09%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    95,334.67
    +780.49 (+0.83%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,124.55
    +10.20 (+0.48%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • NASDAQ

    16,379.46
    -20.06 (-0.12%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    13.01
    +0.23 (+1.80%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,357.60
    +189.53 (+0.47%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6845
    +0.0002 (+0.03%)
     

Clorox (CLX) Beats Earnings & Sales Estimates in Q1 (revised)

The Clorox Company CLX reported first-quarter fiscal 2020 results this morning, wherein earnings beat estimates, though declined 3 cents per share year over year. Further, the company reiterated its recently lowered view for fiscal 2020, based on revised assumptions for currency rates.

Shares of the Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company has declined 2.2% year to date against the industry’s 22% growth.

 


Q1 Highlights

Quarterly earnings from continuing operations of $1.59 per share outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.54. The bottom-line beat was was partially compensated by gains from cost savings and price increases.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Clorox Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

The Clorox Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Clorox Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

The Clorox Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | The Clorox Company Quote

Net sales of $1,506 million declined nearly 4% year over year and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,512 million. Further, sales declined 2% on an organic basis. The soft top-line result was caused by higher trade promotion spending and unfavorable mix as well as effects of unfavorable currency. This was partially offset by gains from price increases. Currency headwinds hurt sales by nearly 2 percentage points.

Driven by the recent price increases and cost savings, Clorox witnessed gross margin expansion of 60 bps to 44% in the fiscal first quarter. However, the aforementioned gains were partly negated by elevated trade spending, and manufacturing and logistics expenses.

Segmental Discussion

Sales of the Cleaning segment dipped 2% to $562 million on declines in Laundry and Home Care businesses along with an unfavorable mix that resulted from sturdy growth in non-tracked channels. However, strength in the Professional Products business partly cushioned the decline.

The Household segment’s sales declined 14% to $381 million mainly due to declines in Charcoal, and Bags and Wraps businesses. Bags and Wraps sales were impacted by larger price gaps compared with the year-ago quarter as well as distribution losses. Further, the Charcoal business delivered soft sales due to increased trade promotional spending to manage inventory levels before the 2020 grilling season.

Sales at the Lifestyle segment rose 4% to $322 million. Results were aided by growth in the Natural Personal Care business, driven by innovation in Lip Care and Face Care categories.

At the International segment, sales remained flat with the year-ago quarter at $241 million. Organic sales for the segment rose 8%, driven by strong gains in Latin America and Asia, partly offset by adverse currency rates.

Financials

Clorox ended the fiscal first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $150 million, and long-term debt of $2,287 million. In first-quarter fiscal 2020, the company generated $271 million of net cash from continuing operations.

Fiscal 2020 Guidance

Clorox reiterated its outlook for fiscal 2020, which was lowered on revised assumptions of foreign currency rates on Oct 2. The company projects sales between low-single digits decline and up 1% in fiscal 2020, reflecting about 2 percentage points of currency headwinds. However, it continues to estimate organic sales growth of 1-3%. The company’s organic sales view is backed by its robust innovation program and previously stated expectation of returning Charcoal, and Bags and Wraps businesses to growth in the second half of fiscal 2020.

Gross margin is estimated to be slightly down in fiscal 2020. Advertising and sales promotion spending is anticipated to be roughly 10% of sales. Selling and administrative expenses are projected to be nearly 14% of sales. The company envisions effective tax rate of 22-23% for fiscal 2020. Consequently, management anticipates earnings per share of $6.05-$6.25 for fiscal 2020.

3 Better-Ranked Stocks to Watch

The Procter & Gamble Company PG has a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.2%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc CHD presently has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.8% and a Zacks Rank #2.

Helen of Troy Limited HELE currently has a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.6% and a Zacks Rank #2.

(NOTE: We are reissuing this article to correct an inaccurate analysis. The original article, published earlier today, October 31, 2019, is no longer to be relied upon.)


Free: Zacks’ Single Best Stock Set to Double

Today you are invited to download our just-released Special Report that reveals 5 stocks with the most potential to gain +100% or more in 2020. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This pioneering tech ticker had soared to all-time highs and then subsided to a price that is irresistible. Now a pending acquisition could super-charge the company’s drive past competitors in the development of true Artificial Intelligence. The earlier you get in to this stock, the greater your potential gain.

Download Free Report Now >>


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Procter & Gamble Company (The) (PG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Clorox Company (CLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research