WestRock (WRK) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Dip Y/Y
WestRock Company WRK has reported adjusted earnings of 81 cents per share in fourth-quarter fiscal 2023, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 75 cents per share. The bottom line declined 43% year over year.
Including one-time items, the company reported earnings of 43 cents per share compared with $1.34 per share in the prior-year quarter.
WestRock’s total revenues declined 7.7% year over year to around $5 billion. The top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.1 billion.
The cost of sales was down 5.3% year over year to around $4.1 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter. The gross profit declined 17.3% year over year to $878 million. The consolidated adjusted segment EBITDA was $736 million, down 20% from the year-earlier quarter.
WestRock Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
WestRock Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | WestRock Company Quote
Segmental Performances
Sales in the Corrugated Packaging segment were up 5.8% year over year to $2,524 million in the quarter under review. The upside was driven by the sales from the Mexico Acquisition. This was offset by lower volumes and selling price/mix. The segment’s reported revenues lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,586 million. The adjusted segment EBITDA increased 13% year over year to $434 million.
The Consumer Packaging segment reported sales of $1,211 million, down 7.2% year over year. The downside was mainly due to lower volumes. The figure missed the consensus estimate of $1,214 million. The adjusted segment EBITDA dipped 7% year over year to $204 million.
Sales in the Global Paper segment slumped 29.2% year over year to $1,012 million. The revenue estimate for the Paper segment was $1,034 million. The decrease was caused by lower selling price/mix and volumes. These factors were partially offset by increased cost savings and net cost deflation. The adjusted segment EBITDA fell 56.4% year over year to $134 million.
The Distribution segment’s sales declined 16% year over year to $314 million on lower volumes. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Distribution segment’s revenues was $330 million. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA dropped 58.1% year over year to $11 million.
FY23 Performance
The company reported adjusted earnings of $3.02 per share in fiscal 2023, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of $2.98 per share. However, the bottom line declined 32% year over year. Including one-time items, the company reported a loss of $6.44 per share compared with the earnings of $3.61 per share posted in the prior year.
WestRock’s total revenues declined 4.5% year over year to $20.3 billion in fiscal 2023. The top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.4 billion.
Financial Position
WRK had cash and cash equivalents of $393 million at the end of fiscal 2023 compared with $260 million as of the end of fiscal 2022. The company reported a total debt of $8.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2023.
Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2023 was $1.83 billion, compared with $2.02 billion in the prior fiscal year. In the reported quarter, WestRock invested $1.1 billion in capital expenditure and returned $281 million to stockholders in dividend payments.
Price Performance
Shares of WestRock have gained 4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 2.1% growth.
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Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider
WestRock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks from the basic materials space are Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS, Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. USAP and The Andersons Inc. ANDE. CRS and USAP sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, and ANDE carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Carpenter Technology has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRS’ fiscal 2024 earnings is pegged at $3.57 per share. The consensus estimate for 2024 earnings has moved 3% north in the past 60 days. Its shares gained 62% in the last year.
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 44.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for USAP’s 2023 earnings is pegged at 27 cents per share. Earnings estimates have been unchanged in the past 60 days. USAP’s shares gained 89% in the last year.
Andersons has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 64.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANDE’s 2023 earnings is pegged at 52 cents per share. The consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has been unchanged in the past 60 days. Its shares gained 25% in the last year.
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