Cummins Inc. has reported its results for the first quarter of 2018. First quarter revenues of $5.6 billion increased 21 percent from the same quarter in 2017. Strong demand for trucks, construction and mining equipment drove the majority of the revenue increase. Currency favorably impacted revenues by 2 percent, primarily due to a weaker US dollar.
Sales in North America improved by 22 percent while international revenues increased by 20 percent led by strong growth in Europe, Latin America, China and India.
"Improving demand in a number of the Company's core markets, combined with our strong global market share and the success of new products aimed at lowering emissions, resulted in sales growth of 21 percent in the first quarter," said Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger.
During the first quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $187 million for the expected costs of a product campaign. This campaign is part of a proactive plan to address the performance of an aftertreatment component in certain on-highway products produced between 2010 and 2015 in North America. The Company is in the process of finalizing the details of the campaign and, as is customary, the campaign is subject to regulatory approval.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the first quarter were $700 million, or 12.6 percent of sales, down from $705 million or 15.4 percent of sales a year ago. Excluding the impact of the campaign charge, EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 was $887 million or 15.9 percent of sales.
Net income attributable to Cummins in the first quarter was $325 million ($1.96 per diluted share), compared to $396 million ($2.36 per diluted share). First quarter results included $78 million in discrete tax charges, primarily related to U.S. tax reform. Excluding the discrete tax charges, net income attributable to Cummins in the first quarter was $403 million ($2.43 per diluted share), reflecting a 23 percent tax rate.
"Cummins delivered solid operating performance in the first quarter led by strong incremental margins in the Power Systems segment," continued Linebarger. "As a result of rising demand and continued benefits from cost reduction initiatives, we have raised our full year outlook for sales and EBITDA."
Based on the current forecast, Cummins expects full year 2018 revenues to be up 10 to 14 percent, compared to prior guidance of up 4 to 8 percent. EBITDA is projected to be in the range of 15.4 to 15.8 percent of sales, down from 15.8 to 16.2 percent of sales. Excluding the impact of the first quarter charge for the product campaign, full year EBITDA is expected to be in the range of 16.2 to 16.6 percent, reflecting strong incremental EBITDA of 28 percent at the midpoint, compared to 2017.
The Company returned $341 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter, consistent with its plan to return at least 50 percent of Operating Cash Flow in 2018.
First Quarter 2018 Highlights:
- Cummins was named one of the world's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is the 11th consecutive year Cummins has made Ethisphere's list.
- Cummins received the highest ranking possible for its environmental and social performance from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), a key source of information for institutional investors. This is the first time ISS has reviewed companies on an environmental and social basis.
- The new Cummins Westport ISX12N engine, manufactured at the Jamestown Engine Plant, became the world's first class 8 on-highway truck engine certified by the California Air Resources Board to their near-zero emissions standard.
