Smith & Wesson Profit Edges Down On Lower Revenue, Margins - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Firearms maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (SWHC) Thursday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $25.06 million compared with $25.17 million last year. On a per share basis, net earnings were higher at $0.44 compared with $0.38 a year ago, due to a lower share count.

On a continuing operations basis, earnings for the quarter were $0.44 per share.

Revenues for the quarter were $170.4 million compared with $178.7 million in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $0.39 per share on revenues of $163.55 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

While gross margins improved, results were largely offset by an increase in operating expenses to $26.7 million from $21.6 million a year ago, the company said.

Looking ahead to the first quarter, the company expects earnings from continuing operations of $0.23 to $0.25 per share on revenues of $130 million to $135 million. Analysts expect earnings of $0.40 per share on revenues of $160.6 million.

The company noted that about one week of its annual two-week shutdown will occur in the first quarter, reducing production by about $6 million to $8 million.

For fiscal 2015, the company projects earnings from continuing operations of $1.30 to $1.40 per share and revenues of $585 million to $600 million. Analysts expect earnings of $1.45 per share on revenues of $621.9 million.