Summary
Rockwell Automation, Inc.'s (ROK) Q1 FY17 report for the period ending December 31, 2016, shows solid top-line growth with a 4.5% increase in sales to $1.49 billion, driven by a 3.8% organic sales increase. Both of its segments, Architecture & Software and Control Products & Solutions, contributed to this growth. The company also demonstrated improved profitability, with net income rising to $214.7 million, a 15.7% increase year-over-year, and diluted EPS growing to $1.65. This performance was bolstered by strong operating margin expansion in the Architecture & Software segment.
Financial Highlights
49 data pointsBeta
Financial Statements
Beta
| Revenue | $1.49B |
| Cost of Revenue | $848.00M |
| Gross Profit | $642.30M |
| SG&A Expenses | $370.00M |
| Interest Expense | $18.70M |
| Net Income | $214.70M |
| EPS (Basic) | $1.67 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $1.65 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 128.30M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 129.70M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total sales increased by 4.5% to $1.49 billion, with organic sales up 3.8% year-over-year, indicating underlying business growth.
- 2Net income grew by 15.7% to $214.7 million, and diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) rose to $1.65 from $1.40 in the prior year's comparable quarter.
- 3The Architecture & Software segment showed robust performance with sales up 8.3% and operating margin expanding significantly to 30.0% from 27.4%.
- 4Operating earnings for the Control Products & Solutions segment saw a decrease of 10% due to higher incentive compensation, despite a slight increase in sales.
- 5Cash provided by operating activities surged by 68.2% to $310.8 million, leading to a substantial increase in free cash flow to $271.4 million from $145.3 million.
- 6The company repurchased approximately $80.8 million of its common stock during the quarter, underscoring a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
- 7The effective tax rate decreased to 16.7% from 21.7% in the prior year, primarily due to favorable discrete tax items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sales increased by 4.5% to $1.49 billion, driven primarily by a 3.8% organic sales increase. This growth was supported by favorable currency translation effects and contributions from acquisitions. The Architecture & Software segment was a strong performer, with notable growth across most regions, while the Control Products & Solutions segment experienced more moderate growth.
Profitability improved significantly. Net income increased by 15.7% to $214.7 million, and diluted EPS rose to $1.65 from $1.40 in the same period last year. This improvement was supported by higher sales and a lower effective tax rate, which benefited from discrete tax items.
The Architecture & Software segment is showing strong momentum with double-digit percentage growth in segment operating earnings and an expanding operating margin. The Control Products & Solutions segment, while still growing sales, experienced a decrease in operating earnings, mainly attributed to higher incentive compensation costs. This suggests a divergence in performance, with the software-focused segment leading profitability gains.
The company demonstrated strong operating cash flow generation, with cash provided by operating activities increasing by 68.2% to $310.8 million, leading to a substantial increase in free cash flow to $271.4 million. Rockwell Automation also continued its share repurchase program, buying back approximately $80.8 million of its common stock, indicating a focus on returning value to shareholders and managing its capital structure.