Group 1 - Compass Minerals International, Inc. (CMP) is implementing measures to cut selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses to enhance free cash flow and reduce debt, focusing on profitability in its core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses [1][2] - The company is phasing out its fire retardant business, Fortress North America, affecting nearly 50 positions, and will not fill certain open or budgeted roles to further manage expenses [2][3] - CMP plans to operate with a streamlined structure, concentrating on its core businesses and examining costs across operations for further reductions, with shares having lost 39.5% over the past year compared to a 16.1% decline in its industry [3] Group 2 - CMP currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while better-ranked stocks in the basic materials sector include Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS), CSW Industrials Inc. (CSWI), and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (AXTA) [4] - Carpenter Technology has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 15.7% and a share price increase of 169.6% over the past year [4] - CSW Industrials, also with a Zacks Rank of 2, has a current fiscal-year earnings estimate of $8.50 per share and has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with a share price increase of 28.4% [5] - Axalta Coating Systems, holding a Zacks Rank of 1, has consistently beaten consensus estimates with an average earnings surprise of 16.3% and a share price gain of 1.2% over the past year [6]
Compass Minerals Announces Cost Cuts to Align With Business Needs