Autoliv (ALV) Q1 Earnings Beat on Seatbelts Unit Strength
Autoliv, Inc. ALV reported first-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39. Higher-than-anticipated revenues from the Seatbelts and Associated Products segment led to the outperformance. The bottom line was also higher than 88 cents per share recorded in the year-ago quarter. Robust demand of Autoliv’s products and cost-cut efforts resulted in improved year-over-year performance.
The company reported net sales of $2,242 million for the quarter, up from the prior-year figure of $1,846 million. Moreover, the figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,177 million.
Autoliv reported adjusted operating income of $237 million, up 74% year over year. Adjusted operating margin from continuing operations was 10.6% for the reported quarter, higher than 7.4% in the corresponding period of 2020.
Autoliv, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Autoliv, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Autoliv, Inc. Quote
Segmental Performance
Sales in the Airbags and Associated Products segment totaled $1,463 million, in line with Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure was 21.7% higher on a year-over-year basis. While knee airbags witnessed the highest sales growth rate on a year-over-year basis, revenues from steering wheels and inflatable curtains also rose sharply.
Sales in the Seatbelts and Associated Products segment totaled $779 million, up 21.1% from the prior-year quarter. Further, the figure topped the consensus mark of $722 million. Higher revenues from China, Europe, India and ASEAN aided the results.
Financial Position
Autoliv had cash and cash equivalents of $1,254 million as of Mar 31, 2021. Long-term debt totaled $2,039 million, decreasing from $2,209 million as of Mar 31, 2020. Net capital expenditure decreased to $93 million from the year-ago figure of $88 million.
Road Ahead
The firm expects semiconductor shortage to result in LVP production decline at least till the fourth-quarter 2021, which may in turn result in lost revenues for Autoliv. It expects full-year 2021 net sales to rise 23% year over year versus the prior guidance of 25% growth. Adjusted operating margin is expected to be 10%. Operating cash flow for 2021 is envisioned to be on par with 2020 levels.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Autoliv currently holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked stocks from the auto space include BRP Inc. DOOO, Gentherm Inc. THRM and The Shyft Group, Inc. SHYF, each flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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