Free Research Report as Rockwell’s Sales Jumped 6.2% and Adjusted EPS Surged 22%

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / May 11, 2018 / If you want access to our free earnings report on Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) ("Rockwell"), all you need to do is sign up now by clicking the following link www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=ROK. The Company reported its second quarter fiscal 2018 operating and financial results on April 25, 2018. The industrial equipment and software maker beat earnings expectations. Additionally, the Company raised its earnings guidance for FY18. Register today and get access to over 1,000 Free Research Reports by joining our site below:

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Active-Investors.com is focused on giving you timely information and the inside line on companies that matter to you. This morning, Rockwell Automation most recent news is on our radar and our team decided to put out a fantastic report on the company that is now available for free below:

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Earnings Highlights and Summary

For the second quarter of the fiscal year 2018, Rockwell reported sales of $1.65 billion, up 6.2% from $1.55 billion in Q2 FY17. The Company's organic sales grew 3.5% on a y-o-y basis, while currency translation increased sales by 3.9%, and the prior year's divestiture reduced sales by 1.2%. Rockwell's revenue numbers matched analysts' estimates of $1.65 billion.

For Q2 FY18, Rockwell's pre-tax margin was 18.1% compared to 14.8% in Q2 FY17. The Company's total segment operating margin was 20.9% in the reported quarter compared to 19.0% in the prior year's same quarter. The growth in pre-tax margin and total segment operating margin for the reported quarter were primarily due to higher sales. Rockwell's total segment operating earnings were $345.1 million in Q2 FY18, up 17% from $296.0 million in Q2 FY17.

During Q2 FY18, Rockwell's net income was $227.4 million, or $1.77 per share, compared to $189.5 million, or $1.45 per share, in Q2 FY17. The Company's adjusted earnings surged 22% to $1.89 per share in the reported quarter versus $1.55 per share in the prior year's comparable quarter. Rockwell's earnings surpassed Wall Street's estimates of $1.80 per share.

Segment Results

During Q2 FY18, Rockwell's Architecture & Software segment's quarterly sales rose 6.9% to $768.4 million compared to $719.0 million in Q2 FY17. The segment's organic sales grew 2.5%, and currency translation increased sales by 4.4%. During the reported quarter, the segment's operating earnings were $218.2 million, reflecting a growth of 14% compared to $190.6 million in the prior year's corresponding quarter, and its operating margin increased to 28.4% from 26.5% in Q2 FY17.

For Q2 FY18, Rockwell's Control Products & Solutions segment's quarterly sales gained 5.7% to $882.8 million compared to $835.3 million in Q2 FY17. The segment's organic sales rose 4.4%; currency translation increased sales by 3.6%, and the prior year's divestiture reduced sales by 2.3%. During the reported quarter, the segment's operating earnings were $126.9 million, up 20% compared to $105.4 million in the year earlier same quarter, while its operating margin increased to 14.4% in Q2 FY18 from 12.6% in Q2 FY17.

Cash Matters

For Q2 FY18, Rockwell's cash flow provided by operating activities was $381.4 million and free cash flow was $359.3 million. The Company's return on invested capital was 43.6% in the reported quarter.

During Q2 FY18, Rockwell repurchased 2.5 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $465.0 million. At March 31, 2018, the remaining balance available under the January 15, 2018, share repurchase authorization was $934.8 million. The Company's Board of Directors raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.92 per share, on the Company's common stock, payable on June 11, 2018, to shareowners of record at the close of business on May 14, 2018.

Outlook

For the full fiscal year 2018, Rockwell is forecasting reported sales growth to be in the range of 4.5% to 7.5%, and organic sales growth to be in the band of 3.5% to 6.5%. The Company raised its adjusted earnings per share guidance range to $7.70 - $8.00.

Stock Performance Snapshot

May 10, 2018 - At Thursday's closing bell, Rockwell Automation's stock marginally climbed 0.46%, ending the trading session at $178.02.

Volume traded for the day: 711.75 thousand shares.

Stock performance in the last month – up 3.58%; and past twelve-month period – up 12.93%

After yesterday's close, Rockwell Automation's market cap was at $21.95 billion.

Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 25.42.

The stock has a dividend yield of 2.07%.

The stock is part of the Industrial Goods sector, categorized under the Diversified Machinery industry. This sector was up 0.4% at the end of the session.

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