Rockwell Automation Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Dip Y/Y

Core Insights - Rockwell Automation Inc. reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.47 for Q4 fiscal 2024, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of$ 2.40, but down 32% year over year due to lower sales volume [1][8] - Total revenues for Q4 were $2.04 billion, a decline of 20.6% from the prior year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of$ 2.07 billion [2][9] - The company expects adjusted EPS for fiscal 2025 to be in the range of $8.60 to$ 9.80, indicating a potential year-over-year dip of 5% at the midpoint [12] Financial Performance - The cost of sales decreased by 16.1% year over year to $1.26 billion, while gross profit fell 27% to$ 771 million [3] - Consolidated segment operating income totaled $409 million, down 28.5% from the prior year, with a total segment operating margin of 20.1% [4] - For fiscal 2024, adjusted EPS was$ 9.71, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.65, but down 20% year over year [8] Segment Analysis - Intelligent Devices segment reported net sales of$ 946 million, down 19.2% year over year, with operating earnings of $195 million [5] - Software & Control segment saw net sales fall 38.9% to$ 502 million, with operating earnings plunging 59.3% to $112 million [6] - Lifecycle Services segment reported net sales of$ 588 million, up 3% year over year, with operating earnings of $102 million [7] Cash Position and Share Repurchase - At the end of fiscal 2024, cash and cash equivalents were$ 0.47 billion, down from $1.07 billion at the end of fiscal 2023 [10] - The company repurchased 2.2 million shares for$ 594 million during fiscal 2024, with $1.3 billion remaining under the existing share-repurchase authorization [11] Market Performance - Over the past year, Rockwell Automation shares gained 16.5%, contrasting with a 7% decline in the industry [13]