U.S. factory activity has overcome its persistent sluggishness of last year on the back of steady job creation, a stable dollar and strong overseas demand. The industrials sector has also been gaining a lot of traction lately thanks to President Trump's plan to increase infrastructure spending.
For the first quarter, industrial production – a measure of output at factories, mines and utilities – rose at an annual rate of 1.5 %. The momentum continued in the second quarter with U.S. industrial production logging growth of 1.1% in April compared with March, marking its biggest gain since Feb 2014. Industrial production remained unchanged in May compared with April.
The company delivered a positive average earnings surprise of 40.25% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2017 has gone up 28% in the past 60 days and is currently at $4.13, reflecting year-over-year growth of 20.73%. The estimate for fiscal 2018 has gone up 18% to $5.15, reflecting 24.75% year-over-year growth.
Deere & Company DE, producer of agricultural equipment and a leading manufacturer of construction, forestry, and commercial and consumer equipment flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. Deere has a long-term earnings growth rate of 9.17%.
Deere outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, generating an encouraging positive average earnings surprise of 70.41%. The estimate for fiscal 2017 climbed 32% to $6.31 in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2018 also moved north 23% to $6.82. The projected growth rate for fiscal 2017 is 31.12% and for fiscal 2018 at 8.10%.
Parker-Hannifin Corporation PH, a global diversified manufacturer of motion & control technologies and systems, sports a Zacks Rank #1. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 9.39%.
The company has a robust earnings surprise history, with consecutive earnings beats in the four trailing quarters, with an average positive earnings surprise history of 14.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2017 has gone up 5% in the past 60 days and is currently at $7.91, reflecting year-over-year growth of 22.37%. The estimate for fiscal 2018 has gone up 6% to $8.90, reflecting 12.62% year-over-year growth.
Pentair plc PNR, a diversified industrial manufacturing company, carries a Zacks Rank #2. It has an estimated earnings growth rate of 11.41%.
Pentair outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, generating an encouraging positive average earnings surprise of 5.29%. The estimate for fiscal 2017 inched up 1% to $3.52. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2018 also moved north 2% to $3.92, in the past 60 days. The projected growth rate for fiscal 2017 is 15.52% and for fiscal 2018 at 11.23%.
Colfax Corporation CFX, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, is one of the leading manufacturing and engineering companies, which specializes in products and services related to gas and fluid handling, and fabrication technology. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.83%.
The company has an average positive earnings surprise of 9.45% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2017 has gone up 3% in the past 60 days and is currently at $1.71, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 9.81%. The estimate for fiscal 2018 has gone up 5% to $2.00, reflecting 16.93% year–over-year growth.
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Caterpillar, Inc. CAT: Free Stock Analysis Report
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