Airgas Expects $6.8 Bln Sales In 2018

(RTTNews) - Airgas Inc ( ARG) on Thursday is expected to discuss strategies to drive growth. At an analyst meeting, the company is expected to set goals, including achieving fiscal 2018 sales of about $6.8 billion on compounded annual growth rates of about 7% and 1.5% for organic and acquired sales, respectively, from the trailing twelve months ended September 2014.

The company's fiscal 2018 goals also includes increasing operating margin to at least 15%, representing 270 basis points of expansion, and increasing return on capital to at least 16%, representing 390 basis points of expansion, over that same three-and-a-half year period."

"We have a long history of creating value for our shareholders through a disciplined approach to growing our business and strong, steady cash flow," said Airgas Executive Chairman Peter McCausland.

"During the past several years, we have continued to invest to position Airgas to capitalize on what we expect will be favorable long-term trends in key U.S. end markets, including manufacturing, energy, chemicals, and non-residential construction. With a lot of heavy lifting behind us and the favorable long-term outlook for the U.S. industrial economy, Airgas is in a great position to deliver strong results."

In the twelve month period ended September 2014, the company generated sales of $5.2 billion, operating margin of 12.3%, and return on capital of 12.1%.