Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
(MCD 0.33%)
So what: Arcos Dorados beat analysts' consensus estimate with regard to revenues, but missed on earnings per share (EPS):
|
|
Achieved |
Analysts' Consensus Estimate |
|---|---|---|
|
Q4 Revenues |
$914 million |
$903 million |
|
Q4 Adjusted Earnings per Share |
$0.05 |
$0.09 |
Source: Thomson Financial Network, Arcos Dorados.
On top of that, after removing the impact of special items, which "include the impact of events that management does not consider part of the underlying performance of the business," Arcos Dorados actually recorded a loss of ($0.05) per share.
However, there is much to like about the latest announcement. With regard to guidance, for example, the company will provide longer-term forecasts for a number of metrics. As it said in its press release:
[The] medium to long-term outlook includes comparable sales growth on average, excluding Venezuela, to be in-line with the weighted inflation rate of the other 19 countries in which it operates. The Company also expects to expand its full year Adjusted EBITDA margin by at least 200 to 250 basis points over the next three years.
This is very sensible -- the entire earnings "guessing game" companies and investors play is an enormous waste of energy and a distraction from assessing the potential for long-term value creation.
On the dividend, Arcos Dorados defended the decision not to declare one in 2015 on the basis that it is "focused on increasing free cash flow generation, reducing leverage and pursuing a financially disciplined approach to capital allocation in order to significantly enhance shareholder value." Eliminating the dividend is a difficult decision, but the company appears to be willing to play the "long game" and I applaud it for it.
Now what: By Wall Street's standards, Arcos Dorados committed several cardinal sins today, but I think it is showing a high regard for investors – genuine, long-term investors, that is. Furthermore, at just 6 times cash flow, the shares do not appear expensive; in an environment that presents few bargains, they may be worth a look now.
