Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ: BCPC) continues to see success in its strategy of acquiring and expanding offerings to human and animal health and nutrition markets. In addition, the drag that industrial products has had on the business the last few years has turned around completely.
Here's a look at the overall results and how each segment is performing.
Balchem Corporation: The raw numbers
Data source: Balchem Corporation Q4 2017 earnings release.
What happened with Balchem Corporation this quarter?
The sharp jump in net income is deceptive because it stems from a one-time event like we've seen time and again this earnings season due to tax reform. But even without that one-time event, results were very strong.
- Net income was helped by a $24.9 million benefit from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December. Without the tax gain, net income would have been $21.9 million, a 2.4% increase from adjusted earnings a year ago, or $0.68 per share.
- Cash flow from operations rose from $27.8 million a year ago to $31.2 million in the fourth quarter.
- Human nutrition and health segment sales rose 9.8% to $83.3 million and earnings from operations were up 17.2% to $12.1 million.
- Animal nutrition and health sales were up 4.7% to $44.6 million and earnings from operations were "slightly higher" at $8.1 million.
- Specialty products revenue rose 2.1% to $16.5 million, but earnings from operations fell $0.5 million to $4.8 million as mix and higher raw materials costs hurt margins.
- Industrial products segment sales were up 141.8% to $14.9 million as more shale drilling increased choline and choline derivatives sales . Earnings from operations increased 116.8% to $2.0 million.
What management had to say
Balchem's two largest segments in human and animal health and nutrition continue to be the growth drivers management is investing in. In the fourth-quarter earnings release, CEO Ted Harris said:
Given the strength in both markets , the focus could drive continued growth well beyond 2018.
Looking forward
The industrial and specialty products businesses are starting to turn around for Balchem, but the strength continues to be animal and human products. I don't see that trend changing anytime soon as today's consumers are clearly focusing on their health and wellness and that of their pets.
10 stocks we like better than Balchem
When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor , has tripled the market.*
David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Balchem wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.
Click here to learn about these picks!
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 5, 2018
Travis Hoium has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Balchem. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
