Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE: EXP) reported its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2024. Despite facing some challenges, the company achieved notable milestones in revenue and profitability, underscoring its resilience and strategic focus.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, Eagle Materials reported revenue of $476.7 million, reflecting a 1% increase compared to the same period last year.
However, net earnings for the quarter were $77.1 million, marking a 23% decline. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter stood at $2.24, down 20%. The quarter’s adjusted EBITDA was $154.4 million, a decrease of 10% from the previous year. The company attributed these declines to adverse weather conditions and increased maintenance costs in its Cement, concrete, and Aggregates segments.
For the full fiscal year 2024, Eagle Materials achieved record revenue of $2.3 billion, up 5% from the prior year. Net earnings for the year were also a record, reaching $477.6 million, a 3% increase. The company reported record diluted EPS of $13.61, up 9%, and adjusted EBITDA of $834.5 million, up 7%. The company also repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $343 million, demonstrating its commitment to returning value to shareholders.
Eagle Materials Falls Short of EPS and Revenue Expectations in Q1
When comparing the current performance against expectations, Eagle Materials’ fourth-quarter results fell short of analysts’ estimates. The expected EPS for the quarter was $2.67, whereas the actual EPS was $2.24, a significant shortfall.
Similarly, the anticipated revenue was $482.29 million, but the company reported $476.7 million, missing the mark by a narrow margin. The lower-than-expected performance can be attributed to the adverse weather conditions and increased maintenance costs, which impacted the company’s Cement and Concrete and Aggregates segments.
Despite these challenges, the full-year performance of Eagle Materials was more aligned with expectations. The company achieved record revenue and earnings, demonstrating its ability to navigate a challenging economic environment. The strategic investments and operational efficiencies implemented throughout the year contributed significantly to this strong performance.
Eagle Materials Cautiously Optimistic on Fiscal 2025 Guidance
Eagle Materials has provided guidance that reflects cautious optimism. The company expects the underlying fundamentals in its markets to remain solid during fiscal 2025, supported by large-scale infrastructure spending and domestic manufacturing projects.
Additionally, the company anticipates increased residential construction activity as mortgage rates stabilize and the housing supply shortage continues. These factors are expected to drive strong demand for cement, a key product for Eagle Materials.
The company has also announced several growth initiatives, including the start-up of a slag-cement facility in Houston and a $430 million investment to modernize and expand its Mountain Cement facility in Wyoming. These projects are expected to enhance the company’s production capacity, reduce manufacturing costs, and lower the carbon intensity of its operations. The slag-cement facility, set to begin operations this summer, will have a manufacturing capacity of 500,000 tons, catering to the increasing demand in the Texas market.
Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article.
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