ST. LOUIS — Emerson today announced net sales in the third quarter ended June 30, 2017 were up 10 percent, with underlying sales up 4 percent excluding unfavorable currency of 1 percent and an impact from acquisitions of 7 percent. The third quarter results reflected a return to growth for the company as both platforms delivered net and underlying sales growth and had high-single digit order rates in the quarter. Automation Solutions net and underlying sales turned positive in the quarter, driven by favorable trends in energy related, hybrid and general industrial markets. Growth in Commercial & Residential Solutions was driven by strong demand in HVAC and refrigeration markets and favorable construction markets in North America, Asia and Europe.
Pretax margin of 15.4 percent and EBIT margin of 16.3 percent decreased 240 and 280 basis points, respectively, driven by dilution from the Valves & Controls acquisition. Excluding Valves & Controls, total segment margin increased 80 basis points to 20.9 percent. Earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 7 percent to $0.63. Earnings per share were $0.68, flat compared with the prior year, excluding a ($0.04) impact from Valves & Controls first year acquisition accounting charges related to inventory and backlog amortization and a ($0.01) impact from Valves & Controls ongoing operations, including intangibles amortization and restructuring charges.
“The third quarter continued the momentum we established in the first half of the year as sales held above anticipated levels and we generated strong cash flow from continuing operations, reflecting our disciplined approach to operating the business,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David N. Farr. “Demand in the quarter was broad-based, driven by a mix of increasingly favorable global market conditions, and drove order rates and underlying sales growth across both platforms. Our teams around the world have done outstanding work in terms of serving our customers, expanding market participation and positioning Emerson for long-term success.”
Business Platform Results
Automation Solutions net sales increased 12 percent, with underlying sales up 2 percent excluding unfavorable currency of 1 percent and the impact from acquisitions of 11 percent. Favorable trends in key served markets supported strong order rates in the third quarter. Demand in power, life sciences and chemical markets was broad-based and driven by our customers' focus on optimization projects and MRO activity. North American underlying sales were up 6 percent led by energy related markets. In the U.S., the mix of business has started to shift to mid-sized projects and we anticipate larger projects booking in 2018. Growth in Canada reflected renewed activity in unconventional oil and gas, particularly in Western Canada. Asia underlying sales were up 6 percent, with China up 13 percent supported by momentum across the base business and robust demand in discrete markets. Europe was down 5 percent, Latin America was down 17 percent and Middle East/Africa was down 2 percent. Margin decreased 70 basis points to 15.5 percent. Excluding the dilutive impact of the Valves & Controls acquisition, margin increased 170 basis points to 17.9 percent. Based on continued improvement in order trends and a growing project pipeline, the business expects favorable underlying sales trends in the fourth quarter and solid momentum heading into fiscal 2018.
Commercial & Residential Solutions net and underlying sales increased 7 percent, reflecting strong demand, particularly in the Americas and Asia. Underlying sales in North America were up 6 percent, led by continued strength in air conditioning and refrigeration markets and solid demand for professional tools in oil and gas and construction related markets. Asia grew 17 percent, driven by robust growth in China's refrigeration, heating and air conditioning markets. Latin America was up 7 percent, Europe was up 1 percent and Middle East/Africa was down 6 percent. Margin decreased 50 basis points to 25.1 percent, remaining near peak levels in the cycle. Sequentially versus the second quarter, margin improved 140 basis points, reflecting strong leverage on higher sales. Market demand is expected to remain favorable moving forward and margin trends support full year expectations.
2017 Outlook
Full-year net sales are expected to be up approximately 5 percent, with underlying sales up 1 percent excluding an impact from acquisitions of 4 percent. Automation Solutions net sales are expected to be up 4 to 5 percent, with underlying sales down 1 to 2 percent excluding an impact from acquisitions of 6 percent. Commercial & Residential Solutions net and underlying sales are expected to be up 5 to 6 percent.
We are increasing our earnings per share guidance based on strong operational performance and favorable order trends. Reported (GAAP) earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be $2.48 to $2.52, including an estimated ($0.15) impact from the Valves & Controls acquisition. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be $2.58 to $2.62 including an estimated ($0.05) impact from Valves & Controls operations, but excluding ($0.10) for first year acquisition accounting charges, an increase from our prior guidance on a comparable basis of $2.50 to $2.60. Our earnings per share guidance provided last quarter was $2.55 to $2.65, which excluded the impact of the Valves & Controls acquisition due to the timing of the completion of the acquisition.
“As we enter the fourth quarter, we expect to see demand and economic conditions improve, enabling our business platforms to continue growing their industry leadership positions. We are also delivering on our promise to aggressively integrate Valves & Controls into our Final Control business. We expect to realize the benefits of the acquisition as we execute these plans and anticipate the business to be earnings accretive in 2018 and to contribute meaningfully to operating cash flow,” said Farr. “Due to our success in the first nine months of fiscal 2017, a continued focus on improving our financial performance and the opportunities we see on the horizon, we are increasing our earnings per share guidance range to $2.58 to $2.62 including the impact of Valves & Controls operations.”
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