Moody’s Earned $2.02 per Share

This morning, Moody’s (MCO) reported Q1 earnings of $2.02 per share. Revenue rose 16% to $1.1 billion. The company also reaffirmed full-year earnings of $7.65 to $7.85 per share.

Moody’s record first quarter revenue reflects a strong contribution from Bureau van Dijk and solid organic growth from Moody’s Analytics, as well as strength in rated structured finance volumes in Moody’s Investors Service,” said Raymond McDaniel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s. “Our business remains well-positioned to benefit from continued global economic expansion in 2018, and as such we are affirming our full year 2018 guidance of $7.20 to $7.40 for diluted EPS and $7.65 to $7.85 for adjusted diluted EPS.

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Operating expenses totaled $635.9 million, up 20% from the prior-year period, including 12 percentage points attributable to Bureau van Dijk operating expenses, amortization of acquired intangible assets, as well as non-recurring acquisition and integration expenses associated with the Bureau van Dijk acquisition (“Acquisition-Related Expenses”).

Operating income was $490.8 million, up 10% from the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted operating income, which excludes depreciation and amortization, as well as Acquisition-Related Expenses, was $540.7 million, up 13% from the prior-year period. Operating margin for the first quarter was 43.6% and the adjusted operating margin was 48.0%.

Diluted EPS of $1.92 was up 8% from the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted diluted EPS of $2.02 was up 35%. First quarter 2018 adjusted diluted EPS excludes $0.10 per share related to amortization of acquired intangible assets and Acquisition-Related Expenses. First quarter 2017 adjusted diluted EPS primarily excludes a $0.31 per share non-cash, non-taxable gain from a strategic realignment and expansion involving Moody’s China affiliate China Cheng Xin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd. (“CCXI Gain”). Both first quarter 2018 diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS include a $0.15 per share tax benefit related to the adoption of accounting standard update ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” compared to a $0.10 per share tax benefit in the first quarter of 2017.

Posted by on April 27th, 2018 at 12:00 pm


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