Black Box Corporation (BBOX), the communications infrastructure provider, has surprised on estimates 3 out of the last 4 quarters by an average of 9.03%. Analysts expect 5-year earnings growth of 10%.
Company Description
Black Box builds and maintains complex voice and data networks in the communications sector. The company resells platforms and applications from other manufacturers as well as providing its own product lines.
It serves customers in 141 countries in every major industry sector.
Black Box Surprised by 42.19%
On May 21, Black Box reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2009 results which came in ahead of analysts estimates by 27 cents per share. Adjusted earnings per share were 91 cents compared to analysts’ estimates of 64 cents. EPS was 74 cents in the year ago period.
Revenue fell by 2% to $241 million from $245 million in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2008. The company reduced the workforce during fiscal 2009 which controlled costs.
Year over year, the 6-month backlog continued to grow. It rose to $194 million as of Mar 31 compared to $159 million at the same time a year ago.
2010 First Quarter Guidance
The company is forecasting earnings per share for fiscal first quarter in the range of 63 to 68 cents with revenues between $220 million and $225 million.
Estimates Move Higher
Covering analysts have been raising both first quarter 2010 and full-year 2010 estimates. First quarter consensus estimates are up 1 cent to 60 cents per share.
2010 consensus estimates rose 13.1% to $2.85 per share in the last 30 days with 1 out of 3 covering analysts raising during that time period.
Value Fundamentals
Black Box is a Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) stock. It has a forward P/E of 12.7 and a price-to-book of 0.98. The company pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.70%.
