IDEX (IEX) Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Down Y/Y
IDEX Corporation’s IEX fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings of $1.83 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of adjusted earnings of $1.78. On a year-over-year basis, the bottom line decreased approximately 9% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of earnings of $2.01 per share due to the higher effective tax rate. It also exceeded management’s projection of $1.74-$1.79 per share.
Revenue Details
In the quarter under review, IDEX’s net sales of $788.9 million outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $769 million. However, the top line decreased 3% year over year. Organic sales in the quarter decreased 6% year over year, lower than the 8-9% decline expected by the company. Acquisitions/divestitures boosted sales by 3%.
IEX reports net sales under three business segments, the results of which are discussed below:
Revenues from the Fluid & Metering Technologies segment totaled $299.1 million, increasing 3.9% year over year. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $282.2 million. Organic sales were up 3%. Foreign currency translation left a positive impact of 1%.
Revenues from the Health & Science Technologies segment totaled $312.7 million, indicating a year-over-year decline of 11%. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $309.8 million. Organic sales in the quarter declined 19% year over year, while acquired assets boosted sales by 7%. Foreign currency translation left a positive impact of 1%.
Revenues from the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products segment totaled $179 million, rising 5% year over year. Our estimate for segmental revenues was $175.2 million. The results were aided by a 3% increase in organic sales. Foreign currency translation left a positive impact of 2%.
IDEX Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
IDEX Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | IDEX Corporation Quote
Margin Profile
In the quarter under review, IDEX’s cost of sales decreased 2.8% year over year to $452.1 million. The gross profit was $336.8 million, down 2.6% year over year, while the gross margin was 42.7% compared with 42.6% reported in the year-ago quarter.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2.7% year over year to $173.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter under review decreased 7% year over year to $203.6 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 120 bps year over year to 25.8%.
The operating income was $160.5 million, down 8.3% year over year, whereas the margin was 20.3%, down 130 bps year over year. Interest expenses in the quarter decreased 4.1% year over year to $11.6 million.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
While exiting the fourth quarter, IDEX’s cash and cash equivalents were $534.3 million compared with $430.2 million recorded at the end of fourth-quarter 2022. Long-term borrowings were $1.33 billion compared with $1.47 billion recorded at the end of fourth-quarter 2022.
In 2023, IDEX generated net cash of $716.7 million from operating activities, increasing 28.6% from the year-ago period. Capital used for purchasing property, plant and equipment was $89.9 million compared with $68 million in 2022. In 2023, free cash flow was $626.8 million, up 28% year over year.
IEX paid out dividends totaling $190.7 million in 2023, up 7.5% year over year. The company repurchased common stock worth $24.2 million in the quarter.
It spent $311.8 million on acquisitions in 2023.
Outlook
For first-quarter 2024, IDEX anticipates adjusted earnings to be $1.70-$1.75 per share.
On a GAAP basis, IEX predicts earnings to be $1.45-$1.50 per share and a 6-7% decline in organic sales from the respective year-ago readings.
For 2024, IDEX anticipates adjusted earnings to be $8.15-$8.45 per share. The figure represents an increase from $8.22 per share reported in 2023. On a GAAP basis, earnings are predicted to be $7.15-$7.45 per share.
Organic sales are predicted to decline 0-2% in 2024.
Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider
IDEX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
A few other top-ranked companies from the same space are discussed below:
Parker-Hannifin Corporation PH presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
PH delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 14.4%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2023 earnings has increased 2.7%.
Flowserve Corporation FLS presently has a Zacks Rank of 2. FLS delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 27.3%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flowserve’s 2023 earnings has remained steady.
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. AIT presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.4%. The Zacks
Consensus Estimate for AIT’s fiscal 2024 (ending June 2024) earnings remained steady in the past 60 days.
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IDEX Corporation (IEX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
