Cummins reduced their guidance this evening as they expect the weakening global economy to hurt their earnings. Of course, Cummins isn’t the first economically sensitive company to reduce their guidance. FedEx and Norfolk Southern have already offered their thoughts on the expected global slow-down (see here). Here’s the comments from today’s press release:
Cummins Inc. (CMI) today lowered its full year revenue and EBIT guidance for 2012 and also announced actions to respond to the weakening global economy.
The Company lowered its full year revenue outlook for 2012 to approximately $17 billion compared to the Company’s previous guidance of $18 billion. Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) are now expected to be approximately 13.5% for the year, compared to prior guidance of 14.25% to 14.75%. Based on preliminary results and subject to normal quarterly financial statement closing procedures, third quarter revenues are expected to be approximately $4.1 billion and EBIT is expected to be approximately 12.0%. The Company does not provide quarterly revenue or earnings guidance.
“We continued to see weak economic data in a number of regions during the third quarter increasing the level of uncertainty regarding the direction of the global economy. As a result of the heightened uncertainty, end customers are delaying capital expenditures in a number of markets, lowering demand for our products,” said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We have lowered our full year revenue forecast for several markets, with the most significant changes in North America heavy duty truck and international power generation markets. Demand in China has weakened in most end markets and we have also lowered our forecast for global mining revenues. EBIT margins will also be below our previous guidance primarily due to the sharp reduction in revenues.”
Mr. Roche is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Discipline Funds.Discipline Funds is a low fee financial advisory firm with a focus on helping people be more disciplined with their finances.
He is also the author of Pragmatic Capitalism: What Every Investor Needs to Understand About Money and Finance, Understanding the Modern Monetary System and Understanding Modern Portfolio Construction.
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