Platform (PAH, Financial) reported modestly improved underlying earnings due to strong cost synergies from its recent acquisitions, which were offset by weakness in several key end markets and an increase in corporate costs. Reported earnings were lower than the prior year due to significant headwinds from FX. Still, earnings beat expectations leading to a substantial increase in PAH’s stock price.
Platform’s organic revenue declined 1% as Ag Solutions was flat and Performance Solutions was down 2%. Ag Solutions achieved solid growth in Europe and Latin America, which was offset by market weakness in North America. Performance Solutions’ organic revenue declined primarily due to weakness in the electronics market in Asia. Although several of the company’s end markets have softened recently, Platform’s underlying results continue to outpace its competitors. Platform’s organic EBITDA was up slightly, as the benefit of cost synergies more than offset the increase in corporate costs. In Ag Solutions, organic EBITDA increased 3%, as higher cost synergies more than offset the increase in corporate expenses. In Performance Solutions, organic EBITDA declined 2%, as cost synergies were more than offset by the increase in corporate expenses. Reported EBITDA declined 6% due to the negative headwinds from FX. As a result, EPS declined nearly 30% due to the negative impact from financial leverage.
Based on its first quarter results, Platform reaffirmed its 2016 EBITDA guidance. The company also announced it would hold an investor day in September, where it will provide an update on strategy and longer-term financial outlook.
From Bill Ackman (Trades, Portfolio)'s first quarter shareholder letter.
