ST. LOUIS — Emerson today reported results for its first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021 and updated its full year outlook for fiscal 2022.
December Trailing Three-Month Underlying Orders were up 17 percent, as demand continued to be strong across all world areas and major end markets. First quarter Net Sales and Underlying Sales were up 8 percent. By geography, the Americas grew 11 percent, Europe grew 3 percent, and Asia, Middle East & Africa grew 6 percent. China grew 12 percent.
First quarter Pretax Margin of 26.3 percent was up 1280 basis points. Adjusted EBITA Margin, which excludes restructuring, first year purchase accounting charges and transaction fees, intangibles amortization expense and a gain from our Vertiv subordinated interest, was 19.6 percent, up 140 basis points.
Earnings Per Share, which includes a $0.60 gain from our Vertiv subordinated interest, were $1.50 for the quarter, up 103 percent. Adjusted Earnings Per Share, which excludes restructuring, first year purchase accounting charges and transaction fees, intangibles amortization expense and a gain from our Vertiv subordinated interest, were $1.05, up 13 percent. Earnings in the quarter were ahead of management expectations and benefited from better leverage, continued savings from effective cost management and favorable mix despite the ongoing supply chain headwinds.
Operating Cash Flow was $523 million for the quarter, down 35 percent, and Free Cash Flow was $407 million, down 41 percent. Cash flow results reflected higher inventory due to supply chain constraints but are on track to meet full year guidance expectations shared in November.
“We are pleased with our first quarter results. Strong demand continued in both the Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions platforms with ongoing growth in residential, discrete and hybrid end markets, as well as strong recovery in our commercial and process automation end markets. Much like the rest of the industry, labor shortages, inflation and supply chain challenges remain a hurdle, but a strong focus on operational excellence and a steadfast commitment to our cost reset targets have proven valuable in offsetting these headwinds,” said Emerson President and Chief Executive Officer Lal Karsanbhai. “Given our first quarter results and the strength in both platforms, we have increased our 2022 full year outlook.
“We feel energized as our teams cultivate a world-class culture and we continue our portfolio evolution while maintaining our long-standing commitment to operational execution and financial results,” Karsanbhai continued. “I speak for the worldwide Emerson team when I say we’re ready to face the challenges of 2022 head on.”
Business Platform Results
Automation Solutions December trailing three-month underlying orders were up 19 percent driven by strong demand in all business groups and world areas. Backlog increased $500 million compared to the prior quarter to $6.0 billion.
Net sales increased 4 percent in the quarter, with underlying sales up 5 percent. The Americas were up 7 percent, Europe was flat, and Asia, Middle East & Africa was up 7 percent. China was up 17 percent.
Segment EBIT margin increased 530 basis points to 18.7 percent and Adjusted Segment EBITA margin, which excludes restructuring and intangibles amortization expense, increased 320 basis points to 21.5 percent. Favorable profitability was driven by increased volume, leverage, cost management and mix.
Commercial & Residential Solutions December trailing three-month underlying orders were up 13 percent driven by continued strength in both the residential and commercial businesses. Backlog increased $150 million compared to the prior quarter to $1.3 billion.
Net and underlying sales increased 13 percent. The Americas were up 17 percent, Europe was up 13 percent, and Asia, Middle East & Africa was up 4 percent. China was flat.
Segment EBIT margin decreased 310 basis points to 17.9 percent and Adjusted Segment EBITA margin (as defined above) decreased 320 basis points to 18.9 percent. Continued headwinds related to price-cost impacted profitability in the quarter but are expected to improve in the second half of the year.
2022 Updated Outlook
Despite ongoing supply chain constraints and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see strong demand in both of our platforms resulting in increased sales and updated earnings expectations for the year. Net and Underlying Sales guidance is increased by 1 percent to 6 to 8 percent and 7 to 9 percent, respectively. Earnings Per Share guidance of $4.71 to $4.86 have been updated to reflect the operational impact of increased sales guidance and now includes the impact of estimated AspenTech transaction fees and interest expense on $3 billion of debt already issued to fund the transaction. Adjusted Earnings Per Share have been increased to $4.90 to $5.05.
The following tables summarize the updated fiscal year 2022 and second quarter 2022 guidance framework. The tables below do not include the operational impact of the impending transaction with AspenTech, which is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2022.
