Will These Numbers From Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings Be Good Enough for You?
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYS: LH) is expected to report Q2 earnings around July 19. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings's revenues will grow 2.6% and EPS will increase 15.1%.
The average estimate for revenue is $1.44 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.75.
Revenue details
Last quarter, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings booked revenue of $1.42 billion. GAAP reported sales were 4.0% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.37 billion.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
EPS details
Last quarter, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.61. GAAP EPS of $1.63 for Q1 were 33% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 40.5%, 100 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 19.9%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 11.4%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
The full year's average estimate for revenue is $5.72 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.93.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 677 members out of 695 rating the stock outperform, and 18 members rating it underperform. Among 213 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 212 give Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings a green thumbs-up, and one gives it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings is hold, with an average price target of $96.17.
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The article Will These Numbers From Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings Be Good Enough for You? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor ofMotley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Laboratory Corp of America Holdings. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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