General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) reported third-quarter 2015 results before markets opened Wednesday. The automaker posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.50 on revenues of $38.8 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.97 on revenues of $39.3 billion. Third-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $1.19 and $38.55 billion in revenues.
Source: courtesy of General Motors Co.
On a GAAP basis, GM’s EPS in the quarter were $0.84. Special items reduced GAAP EPS by $0.66 per diluted share for the quarter. Items included $900 million related to a deferred prosecution agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for matters associated with the ignition switch recall, and approximately $600 million for the settlement of certain civil actions involving 2014 product recalls, including the ignition switch recall.
The company said that the decline in revenues was “more than attributed to a negative net foreign currency exchange impact.” On a constant-currency basis, net revenues were $2.3 billion higher year over year.
North American first quarter EBIT-adjusted earnings rose to $3.3 billion from $2.5 billion in the year-ago quarter. EBIT-adjusted margins came in at 11.8%.
CEO Mary Barra said:
These results reflect our work to capitalize on our strengths in the U.S. and China, while taking decisive, proactive steps to mitigate challenges elsewhere. GM is a vastly different company today than just five years ago. We’re building a strong foundation, driving earnings growth in our core business and executing a plan to lead the future of personal mobility, all with the aim of creating shareholder value for years to come.
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The company continues to expect total EBIT-adjusted and EBIT-adjusted margin to increase in 2015, after adjusting 2014 for recall costs. The consensus estimate for the third quarter calls for EPS of $1.18 on revenues of $39.67 billion. Full-year 2015 EPS are estimated at $4.39 on revenues of $156.13 billion.
North American wholesale unit sales rose from 834,000 in the third quarter a year ago to 938,000, and European sales rose from 273,000 to 276,000. Sales in the company’s Asia division, which includes the Middle East and Africa, fell from a total of 1.06 million units to 1.01 million. Worldwide sales rose from 1.484 million last year to 1.502 million this year.
Retail sales dipped worldwide from 2.45 million in the third quarter of 2014 to 2.37 million this year. Virtually the entire decline can be attributed to its China retail sales with partner Wuling, which declined by 73,000 units year over year.
GM’s U.S. market share slipped from 17.3% to 17.1% year over year. European market share dipped from 6.5% to 6.3%, and worldwide share slipped from 11.6% to 11.2%.
Year to date through October 19, GM has returned approximately $4.6 billion of cash to shareholders through share repurchases of more than $2.9 billion and dividends of more than $1.6 billion.
GM’s shares traded up about 5.3% Wednesday morning at $35.27 in a 52-week range of $24.62 to $38.99. The consensus price target for the shares was around $40.00 before today’s report.
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