Cummins Inc. on Tuesday reported second quarter revenues of $6.1 billion, an increase of 21 percent from the same quarter in 2017 and a new quarterly record. Cummins states it delivered growth in most major markets as demand for trucks, construction, mining and power generation equipment all improved. Currency also favorably impacted revenues by 1 percent.
“As a result of strong customer demand for our products, solid execution from our global manufacturing and supply chain teams and continued focus on cost reduction, the Company delivered record quarterly sales and earnings per share in the second quarter,” says Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger.
“We are on track to deliver record full year sales, earnings and cash flow. The company now plans to return 75 percent of operating cash flow to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in 2018, up from our previous plan to return 50 percent.”
In Tuesday’s report, Cummins states sales in North America improved by 22 percent last quarter while international revenues increased by 18 percent — led by growth in China, Europe and Latin America.
During the second quarter, the company also finalized its plans for a previously disclosed product campaign and recorded a pre-tax charge of $181 million for the expected costs of the campaign. This campaign will address the performance of an aftertreatment component in certain on-highway products produced between 2010 and 2015 in North America. Cummins states it has reached agreement with the appropriate regulatory agencies regarding our planned actions to execute the campaign and has provided in full for the estimated costs.
Additionally, Cummins reports earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the second quarter were $897 million, or 14.6 percent of sales, up from $764 million or 15.0 percent of sales a year ago. Net income attributable to Cummins in the second quarter was $545 million ($3.32 per diluted share), compared to net income of $424 million ($2.53 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2017.
Based on the current forecast, Cummins says it expects full year 2018 revenues to be up 15 to 17 percent, compared to prior guidance of up 10 to 14 percent. EBITDA is projected to be in the range of 14.8 to 15.2 percent of sales, down from 15.4 to 15.8 percent of sales and reflects approximately $100 million of expense associated with trade tariffs and increased commodity costs in the second half of the year, the company states.
