Whirlpool Beats on EPS But GAAP Results Lag

Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR  ) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Whirlpool missed slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped slightly and GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly.

Gross margins grew, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
Whirlpool booked revenue of $4.79 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $4.88 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.4% lower than the prior-year quarter's $4.91 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $2.29. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $2.23 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.52 for Q4 were 42% lower than the prior-year quarter's $2.62 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 16.9%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.7%, 160 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 2.5%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $4.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.81.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $18.56 billion. The average EPS estimate is $8.70.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 335 members out of 415 rating the stock outperform, and 80 members rating it underperform. Among 126 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 115 give Whirlpool a green thumbs-up, and 11 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Whirlpool is outperform, with an average price target of $106.17.

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