Alliant Q4 Results Top Street View, But Guides Full-Year EPS Below Estimates

(RTTNews) - Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) Friday reported a rise in net earnings for the fourth quarter, helped by higher revenues that benefited from growth in the company's Sporting division. In addition, both earnings and revenues beat analysts' estimates. The company, however, issued guidance for annual earnings, below the Street view.

For the 3-month period, net earnings advanced to $96 million or $2.90 per share from $72.74 million or $2.23 per share a year ago.

Adjusted earnings were reported at $85.57 million or $2.59 per share. On average, 12 analysts polled by Thomson-Reuters estimated the company's earnings to be $2.40 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Fourth-quarter sales increased to $1.34 billion from $1.15 billion in the same period last year. Analysts expected revenues of $1.32 billion.

Sporting group sales increased by 71 percent to $558 million from $326 million a year earlier. Operating profit in this segment rose to $87 million from $42 million a year ago.

Looking ahead, the company expects earnings of $10.80 to $11.20 per share on revenues of $5.15 billion to $5.25 billion in fiscal 2015. Analysts expect earnings of $11.28 per share on revenues of $5.17 billion.