Hill-Rom Holdings Q4 Profit Declines, But Revenues Rise - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (HRC) Wednesday posted lower profit for the fourth quarter, even as revenue grew year-over-year. Earnings were particularly hurt by higher selling and administrative expenses.

Net earnings were down to $24.6 million or $0.42 per share from $35.3 million or $0.59 in the prior year.

Excluding certain items, the firm earned $0.74 per share in the quarter. On average, 8 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.71 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Quarterly revenue rose to $479.8 million from $437.9 million last year, while analysts expected it to be $467.50 million.

Selling and administrative expenses stood higher at $151.6 million, compared with $134.6 million a year ago.

Looking ahead, for the first quarter in fiscal 2015, the company expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $0.44 - $0.48, on revenue growth of 14 to 16 percent. Analysts forecast earnings of $0.50, on revenues of $458.47 million.

For the fiscal 2015, the group projects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.42 - $2.48, on revenue growth of nearly 11 to 13 percent. Analysts are looking for earnings per share of $2.58, on revenues of $1.92 billion.