Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Increases Sales but Misses Estimates on Earnings

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings (NYSE: SPR  ) reported earnings on Feb. 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

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

Margins contracted across the board.

Revenue details
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings chalked up revenue of $1.43 billion. The 14 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $1.37 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 17% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.22 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 $0.43. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.50 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.43 for Q4 were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.42 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 12.3%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.9%, 170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.3%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.43 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.50.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $6.01 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.13.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 311 members out of 327 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 96 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 93 give Spirit AeroSystems Holdings a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Spirit AeroSystems Holdings is outperform, with an average price target of $20.59.

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