Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2019 and raised its full-year sales and earnings per share guidance.
"Honeywell delivered a very strong start to 2019 with first-quarter results that exceeded the high end of our sales and earnings guidance. Organic sales grew 8% led by our long-cycle businesses in commercial aerospace, defense, and warehouse and process automation, and strong demand for commercial fire and security products. Our robust sales growth, supported by winning positions in attractive end markets and the continuous improvements we are making across our supply chain, drove earnings per share of $1.92, seven cents above the high end of our first-quarter guidance and up 13%1 excluding the impact of the spin-offs." said Darius Adamczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell. "Segment margin was above 20% for the second quarter in a row with 120 basis points of segment margin expansion year-over-year driven by the favorable impact of the spin-offs, increased sales volumes, and operational improvements. We also continued to make progress on cash, generating $1.2 billion of adjusted free cash flow2, with conversion of 82%, up 14 percentage points year-over-year, while repurchasing $750 million in Honeywell shares in the quarter. We remain on a path to 95% to 100% conversion for the full year."
Adamczyk continued, "As a result of our first-quarter performance and our confidence in our ability to continue to deliver for our shareowners, we are raising our full-year earnings per share guidance to a new range of $7.90 to $8.15, and organic sales guidance to a new range of 3% to 6%." A summary of the company's full-year guidance changes can be found in Table 1.
"We are very pleased with the start to 2019. Organic sales growth was strong in all of our segments this quarter. Our long-cycle backlog increased more than 10%, and our investments in new product development and commercial excellence are delivering results, while positioning the company for short- and long-term success," Adamczyk concluded.
First-Quarter Performance
Honeywell sales for the first quarter were down 15% on a reported basis and up 8% on an organic basis. The difference between reported and organic sales primarily relates to the spin-offs of the Transportation Systems business (formerly in Aerospace) and the Homes and ADI Global Distribution business (formerly in Honeywell Building Technologies) as well as the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. First-quarter reported earnings per share was $1.92. The first-quarter financial results can be found in Tables 2 and 3.
Aerospace sales for the first quarter were up 10% on an organic basis driven by robust demand from business aviation original equipment manufacturers, continued strength in the U.S. and international defense business, and growth in the commercial aviation aftermarket. Segment margin expanded 260 basis points to 25.1%, primarily driven by commercial excellence and the favorable impact from the spin-off of the Transportation Systems business.
Honeywell Building Technologies sales for the first quarter were up 9% on an organic basis driven by strong demand for commercial fire and security offerings, and global building projects growth. Segment margin expanded 240 basis points to 19.5%, primarily driven by the favorable impact from the spin-off of the Homes and ADI Global Distribution business, partially offset by stranded cost impacts related to the spin, which the company intends to eliminate by the end of 2019 as planned, and unfavorable mix.
Performance Materials and Technologies sales for the first quarter were up 5% on an organic basis driven by broad-based growth in automation projects and maintenance and migration services in Process Solutions, as well as continued demand for fluorine products. Segment margin expanded 140 basis points to 21.9%, primarily driven by higher sales volumes and commercial excellence.
Safety and Productivity Solutions sales for the first quarter were up 10% on an organic basis driven by continued double-digit sales growth in the Intelligrated warehouse automation business, robust demand in sensing and IoT, and strong demand across China. Segment margin contracted 260 basis points to 13.4%, primarily driven by lower sales volumes in productivity products, impact of inflation, and unfavorable mix due to higher sales in Intelligrated, partially offset by commercial excellence.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
