Belden reports Q4 EPS $1.46, consensus $1.13

Reports Q4 revenue $551.2M, consensus $521.96M…Adjusted EBITDA was $88M decreasing $27M, down 23%, compared to $115M in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 16.0%, down 140 bps, compared to 17.4% in the year-ago period. Adjusted EPS was $1.46, decreasing 17% compared to $1.75 in the year-ago period. Relative to our prior guidance, Adjusted EPS benefited in the fourth quarter by $0.15 from a lower-than-expected tax rate.”Given recent industry-wide demand challenges, our team performed well as we wrapped up another transformational year for Belden,” said Ashish Chand, President and CEO of Belden Inc. “For the fourth quarter, our revenues and EPS both exceeded expectations as our solutions transformation continues to drive incremental demand and margin expansion. Revenues for the year were down 4%, driven by broad customer destocking and other temporary headwinds. Despite lower volumes, our profitability continues to improve with gross profit margins increasing by 270 basis points to 38.5% and EBITDA margins increasing by 40 basis points to 17.4%. Our solid execution led to EPS increasing 7% for the full year to $6.83.”