Earnings Preview: Rockwell Automation sentiment positive ahead of Q4 report

Rockwell Automation (ROK) is expected to report Q4 earnings before the market open on Monday, November 5 with a conference call scheduled for 8:30 am ET. Analysts are looking for EPS of $1.32 on revenue of $1.62B. The consensus range is $1.28-$1.36 for EPS, and $1.59B-$1.66B for revenue, according to First Call. The company reported mixed results in Q3, beating EPS but missing revenue estimates. On its Q3 earnings report, it lowered its FY12 EPS view to $5.00-$5.20 from $5.10-$5.40, consensus $5.21. It also lowered its FY12 revenue view to $6.2B from $6.25B-$6.45B, consensus $6.41B. Sentiment on the Street has been positive over the past three months. On October 12, Deutsche Bank initiated the shares with a Buy rating and an $82 target. On November 2, JP Morgan upgraded the stock to overweight from Neutral and raised its target to $91 from $75. The firm cited valuation and potential re-acceleration in demand. The stock has traded approximately 20% higher since Q3 results were released in late July, despite the lowered FY12 guidance.