Hexcel Smashes Q4 EPS Estimate

Shares of Hexcel

are trading lower in the after-hours following the release of the company's Q4 earnings results. Currently, shares are lower by 0.35%, trading at $25.86; they ended the regular session higher by 1.41%, at $25.95. Hexcel reported Q4 EPS of $0.39 on revenues of $355.3 million; the Street was looking for $0.30 per share. Revenues increased 14.2% year over year. Mr. Berges, CEO, commented, "This was another strong quarter that completed a very good year for Hexcel. For the quarter, our adjusted diluted EPS of $0.33 was 65% higher than last year on a 14.4% increase in constant currency sales, while for the year our adjusted diluted EPS of $1.24 was 59% higher on a 17.1% increase in constant currency sales. Revenues from the commercial aerospace market, now nearly 60% of our total sales, grew 21% this quarter compared to the prior year.” “Solid gross margins coupled with continued cost controls allowed us to achieve fourth quarter operating margins of 13.9% versus 10.0% in 2010. The quarter was consistent with the strong execution displayed throughout 2011, enabling us to improve our adjusted operating margin for the year to 13.6%, as compared to 11.4% in 2010." Hexcel Corporation is a composites company. The company develops, manufactures and markets composites, including carbon fibers, reinforcements, prepregs, honeycomb, matrix systems, adhesives and composite structures, for use in Commercial Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Industrial Applications.