Philip Morris International Profit Expected to Fall

Source from:  Forbes 02/05/2015

Despite an expected dip in profit, analysts are generally optimistic about Philip Morris International as it prepares to reports its fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday, February 5, 2015. The consensus earnings per share estimate is $1.06 per share.

Over the past three months, the consensus estimate has sagged from $1.09. Analysts are projecting earnings of $5.06 per share for the fiscal year. Analysts project revenue to fall 65% year-over-year to $7.12 billion for the quarter, after being $20.39 billion a year ago. For the year, revenue is projected to roll in at $29.63 billion.

The company has seen dips in its revenue in the last two quarters. In the third quarter, revenue was $7.86 billion, 61% lower than the year-ago figure. In the quarter before that, revenue fell 2%.

Net income increased in the third quarter, snapping a two-quarter streak of falling profit. In the third quarter, net income rose 8%, while the figure dropped 13% in the second quarter and 12% in the first quarter.

The majority of analysts (54%) rate Philip Morris as a buy. This compares favorably to the analyst ratings of eight similar companies, which average 54% buys. Enditem