Clorox Beats Up on Analysts Yet Again

Clorox (NYSE: CLX  ) reported earnings on Feb. 3. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q2), Clorox beat slightly on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP earnings per share expanded significantly.

Gross margins contracted, operating margins grew, and net margins grew.

Revenue details
Clorox booked revenue of $1.22 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $1.20 billion. Sales were 3.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.18 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.79. The 16 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.69 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.79 for Q2 were 394% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.16 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 41.5%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.7%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 8.6%, 680 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.33 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.03.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.36 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.06.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 815 members rating the stock outperform, and 39 members rating it underperform. Among 282 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 276 give Clorox a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Clorox is hold, with an average price target of $68.15.

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