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Hain Celestial (HAIN) Up 3.8% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Hain Celestial (HAIN). Shares have added about 3.8% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Hain Celestial due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Hain Celestial Beats Q3 Earnings, Raises Guidance

Hain Celestial reported robust earnings and sales in third-quarter fiscal 2020. Both the top and the bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and improved year over year, thanks to transformational efforts.

For the fiscal year, management now projects all profit metrics to remain higher than the earlier-issued guidance ranges. This is due to the ongoing execution of its transformation plan and increased food-at-home consumption with respect to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, management raised adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share view for the current fiscal year, assuming minimal supply chain disruption.

Quarter in Detail

The company posted adjusted earnings of 28 cents a share that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents and increased 47.4% year over year. This marked the company’s third consecutive beat. Higher sales and margins fueled the bottom line.

Net sales were $553.3 million, which outshined the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $535 million. The metric also increased 1% on reported and 2% on constant-currency basis. The top line was backed by higher sales at the company’s North America and the International segments. On adjusting for currency fluctuations, buyouts, divestitures and various other items like SKU rationalization, net sales edged up 6%.

Net sales at the North America segment increased 2% year over year to $320.4 million. On adjusting for divestitures and SKU rationalization, net sales grew 9%. Segment adjusted operating income rose a solid 44% to $38.1 million.

International net sales were flat year over year at $232.9 million. On adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations, divestitures and SKU rationalization, net sales rose 2%. Segment adjusted operating income jumped 11% to $23.2 million.

Margins

Adjusted gross margin expanded 282 basis points (bps) to 24.3%, thanks to its productivity efforts that resulted in lower supply-chain expenses. However, foreign currency fluctuations impacted gross profit to the tune of $1 million in the quarter.

Adjusted operating income was $45.7 million in the quarter, up 34.4% from $34 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating margin rose 120 bps to 5.8%. Adjusted EBITDA grew 23.6% to $60.7 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 199 bps to 11%. The expansion was fueled by higher gross margin and supply-chain efficiencies.

Other Financials

The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $41.5 million, long-term debt (excluding current portion) of $363.5 million and total shareholders’ equity of $1,439 million. Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations totaled $46.9 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The company’s operating free cash flow from continuing operations was $29.3 million for the same period. Capital expenditures were around $18 million in the fiscal third quarter.

For fiscal 2020, cash flow from operations is now anticipated at $110 million. Further, capital expenditures are expected to be roughly $65 million.

In March, management bought back 2.4 million shares for $57.4 million, excluding commissions. As of Mar 31, 2020, it had $192.6 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

Other Developments & Guidance

Effective May 1, 2020, Hain Celestial concluded the sale of the Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery TM and Rudi's Organic Bakery brands to an affiliate of the Promise Gluten Free. However, details of the transaction remain under wraps.

Hain Celestial now expects adjusted EBITDA growth of 15-21% to $190-$200 million compared with the earlier projection of 7-16% growth to $177-$192 million. At constant currency, adjusted EBITDA is likely to improve 18-24% to $195-$205 million. Management had earlier guided adjusted EBITDA of $179-$194 million at constant currency.

Additionally, Hain Celestial now envisions adjusted earnings per share of 75-82 cents, which suggests growth of 25-37% from fiscal 2019. Previously, management projected earnings per share of 62-72 cents, which suggested growth of 3-20%. At constant currency, adjusted earnings per share are likely to improve 30-42% to 78-85 cents.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

Fresh estimates followed an upward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted 11.57% due to these changes.

VGM Scores

Currently, Hain Celestial has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Hain Celestial has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.


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