FORT WORTH, Texas – AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), a prominent North American provider of metal coating solutions, reported a notable fourth-quarter earnings beat and provided an optimistic forecast for fiscal year 2025. The company’s shares edged up by 0.85% in response to the positive financial results and future guidance that surpassed analyst expectations.
For the fourth quarter, AZZ recorded adjusted EPS of $0.93, which was $0.23 higher than the analyst consensus of $0.70. Revenue also exceeded forecasts, coming in at $366.5 million against the expected $351.67 million. This performance indicates a robust 8.9% increase in sales compared to the same quarter last year, demonstrating the company’s strong market position and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, AZZ anticipates adjusted EPS for fiscal year 2025 to range between $4.50 and $5.00, outpacing the consensus estimate of $4.31. The company’s revenue guidance for the same period is projected to be between $1.525 billion and $1.625 billion, slightly above the analyst consensus of $1.522 billion. The midpoint of the guidance range for both EPS and revenue is above the consensus estimates, signaling confidence in the company’s growth trajectory and strategic initiatives.
Tom Ferguson, President and CEO of AZZ, expressed his gratitude towards the company’s team for their exceptional performance in fiscal 2024, marking a pivotal year with record sales growth of 16.2%. He attributed the success to strong results in both the Metal Coatings and Precoat Metals segments. Ferguson also highlighted the company’s 37th consecutive year of profitability from continuing operations and expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing initiatives to drive growth and enhance shareholder value.
The company’s financial health was further evidenced by a significant reduction in debt and a strong cash flow from operations, which increased to $244.5 million from $91.4 million in the previous year. AZZ’s strategic capital allocation, including debt reduction and dividend payments, reflects its commitment to maintaining a robust balance sheet and delivering value to shareholders.
Investors reacted positively to the earnings release and forward-looking statements, with the stock experiencing a modest uptick. The company’s performance and future outlook suggest a stable and promising path ahead for AZZ Inc. as it continues to leverage its market-leading position in the metal coatings industry.
