Littelfuse
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Littelfuse beat slightly on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share shrank significantly.
Margins shrank across the board.
Revenue details
Littelfuse reported revenue of $147.2 million. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $145.1 million. Sales were 3.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $142.6 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.67. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.64 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.70 for Q4 were 20% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.88 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 36.4%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.3%, 470 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.4%, 330 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $153.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.73.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $666.4 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.77.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 91 members out of 94 rating the stock outperform, and three members rating it underperform. Among 26 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), all of them give Littelfuse a green thumbs-up.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Littelfuse is outperform, with an average price target of $55.50.
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