Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP) reported earnings on Dec. 9. Here's what you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Oct. 31 (Q1), Ferrellgas Partners crushed expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.
- Gross margins contracted, operating margins narrowed, and net margins expanded.
Ferrellgas Partners chalked up revenue of $538 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see net sales of $406 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.
EPSNon-GAAP EPS came in at -$0.42. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged -$0.30 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS were -$0.43 for Q1 against -$0.40 per share for the prior-year quarter.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.
For the quarter, gross margin was 23.9%, 880 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -1.8%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -6.1%, 80 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods.
Looking ahead
What does the future hold?
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $846 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.97. (There are two revenue estimates and six EPS estimates.)
For the full year ending 2012, the average estimate for revenue is $2.5 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.59. (There are two revenue estimates and three EPS estimates.)
Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating at Motley Fool CAPS, with 117 members out of 154 rating the stock outperform and 37 members rating it underperform. Among 48 CAPS All-Star picks, 34 give Ferrellgas Partners a green thumbs-up, and 14 give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Ferrellgas Partners is underperform, with an average price target of $19.50.
- Add Ferrellgas Partners to My Watchlist.
