General Motors Company
(
GM
) posted a rise in profits to $0.8 billion or 48 cents per share
in the fourth quarter of 2012, missing the Zacks Consensus
Estimate by a penny, compared with $0.7 billion or 39 cents in
the same quarter of 2011. The results excluded net gain from
special items of $0.1 billion or 6 cents in the 2012-quarter and
net loss from special items of $0.2 billion, or 11 cents in the
2011-quarter.
Revenues in the quarter scaled up 3.4% to $39.3 billion, which
was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $38.6 billion.
Unit sales escalated 4.2% to 2.3 million vehicles. The automaker
occupied a market share of 11.5% during the quarter, down from
11.6% in the year-ago quarter.
Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) was $1.2 billion
in the quarter compared with $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter
of 2011. Adjusted EBIT included the impact of restructuring
charges of $(0.2) billion.
Segment Results
GM North America (GMNA) generated revenues of $24.2 billion
during the quarter, a 4.6% rise from the year-ago level. Adjusted
EBIT decreased to $1.4 billion from $1.5 billion in the fourth
quarter of 2010.
GM Europe (GME) had revenues of $5.6 billion, an 11.1% decrease
from the previous year quarter. The segment reported a higher
adjusted loss of $0.7 billion in the quarter, compared with $0.6
billion a year ago.
GM International Operations (GMIO) generated revenues of $7.9
billion, up 12.9% from the prior year. Adjusted EBIT was $0.5
billion in the quarter compared with $0.4 billion in the
comparable quarter of 2011.
GM South America (GMSA) had revenues of $4.5 billion, a 6.9%
increase from the prior-year quarter. The segment had an adjusted
EBIT of $0.1 billion in the quarter compared with an adjusted
loss of $0.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Meanwhile, GM Financial reported an impressive 34.3% rise in
revenues to $529 million during the quarter. The segment recorded
a lower adjusted EBIT of $0.1 billion compared with $0.2 billion
in the 2011-quarter.
Annual Results
For full year 2012, GM posted a 15.6% fall in profits to $5.4
billion or $3.24 per share, from $6.4 billion or $3.88 in 2011.
It was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The results
excluded unfavorable impact of $0.5 billion or 32 cents in 2012
and a favorable impact $1.2 billion or 70 cents in 2011.
Revenue increased marginally by 1.3% to $152.3 billion from
$150.3 billion in 2011. It was higher than the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of $151.1 billion. Unit sales escalated 2.9% to 9.3
million vehicles from 9.0 million vehicles in 2011.
Adjusted EBIT in the year went down to $7.9 billion from $8.3
billion in 2011. The automaker's global market share during the
year deteriorated to 11.5% from 11.9% in 2011.
Financial Position
GM had cash and cash equivalents of $18.4 billion as of Dec 31,
2012, up from $16.1 billion at the end of 2011. Total debt
increased to $16.0 billion as of Dec 31, 2012 from $13.8 billion
as of Dec 31, 2011. This led to higher debt-to-capitalization
ratio of 30.7% as of Dec 31, 2012 compared with 26.6% as of Dec
31, 2011.
In 2012, the company had cash flow of $9.6 billion from operating
activities, up from $7.4 billion a year ago. Meanwhile, capital
expenditures rose to $8.1 billion from $6.2 billion in 2011. This
translated into free cash flow of $1.6 billion in 2012, up from
$1.2 billion in 2011.
Outlook
GM expects to boost its top-line in 2013 with the help of new
vehicle launches. At the same time, the company believes cost
control measures will boost its bottom line growth. It expects
2013 capital expenditures to be at the 2012-level.
Our Take
GM is a leading global automotive company. The company has
presence in almost 120 countries and has facilities located in 30
countries. It currently retains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Few stocks that are performing well in the industry where GM
operates include
Oshkosh Corporation
(
OSK
) and
Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.
(
CVGI
), and
Strattec Security
(
STRT
). They carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
COMML VEHICLE (CVGI): Free Stock Analysis
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GENERAL MOTORS (GM): Free Stock Analysis
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