Rockwell Automation Q2 Profit Rises, Backs 2015 EPS Outlook

(RTTNews) - Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) reported that second-quarter net income increased to $206.0 million or $1.51 per share from $180.3 million or $1.28 per share in the prior-year quarter.

Excluding items, adjusted net income for the quarter was $1.59 per share, compared to last year's $1.35 per share. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $1.42 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Sales for the quarter declined 3.1 percent to $1.55 billion from $1.60 billion in the same quarter last year, while 17 analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $1.56 billion. Organic sales grew 2.7 percent. Currency translation reduced sales by 6.0 percent.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2015, the company said it continues to expect adjusted earnings in a range of $6.50 to $6.80 per share, but now projects sales of about $6.4 billion and lowered its organic sales growth by 1 point.

Earlier, the company expected sales of about $6.6 billion and organic sales growth of 2.5 percent to 5.5 percent.

Street now expects full-year 2015 earnings of $6.52 per share and sales of $6.52 billion.