Wednesday, March 14, 2012

MTS Systems Outruns Estimates Again

MTS Systems (Nasdaq: MTSC  ) reported earnings on Feb. 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q1), MTS Systems beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

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

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

Revenue details
MTS Systems booked revenue of $133.7 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $124.0 million. Sales were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $105.9 million.

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Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.98. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.80 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.98 for Q1 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.86 per share.

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Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 43.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.6%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.6%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $124.1 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.83.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $516.7 million. The average EPS estimate is $3.67.

In vestor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 73 members out of 80 rating the stock outperform, and seven members rating it underperform. Among 33 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 32 give MTS Systems a green thumbs-up, and one give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on MTS Systems is outperform, with an average price target of $53.33.

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