General Motors has reported third quarter 2015 earnings, posting net income of $1.4 billion, or $0.81 per fully diluted share, on net revenue of $38.8 billion. The automaker says that improvements in operating performance during the quarter were offset by a net loss from special items.
Net income to common stockholders includes a net loss from special items of $1.5 billion before tax, or $0.66 per diluted share for the quarter. Special items included $0.9 billion related to a Deferred Prosecution Agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for matters associated with the ignition switch recall, and approximately $0.6 billion for the settlement of certain civil actions involving 2014 product recalls, including the ignition switch recall.
During the quarter, earnings per share adjusted for special items was $1.50, up 55 percent compared to the third quarter of 2014. Year-to-date through the third quarter, adjusted earnings per share was $3.63, up 96 percent compared to the prior year.
Third quarter earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted was $3.1 billion and EBIT-adjusted margin was 8.0 percent, setting records for any quarter. These compare to EBIT-adjusted of $2.3 billion and an EBIT-adjusted margin of 5.8 percent in the third quarter of 2014.
“These results reflect our work to capitalize on our strengths in the U.S. and China, while taking decisive, proactive steps to mitigate challenges elsewhere,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “GM is a vastly different company today than just five years ago. We’re building a strong foundation, driving earnings growth in our core business and executing a plan to lead the future of personal mobility, all with the aim of creating shareholder value for years to come.”
Net revenue during the quarter was $38.8 billion compared to $39.3 billion in the third quarter of 2014. The change in net revenue is more than attributed to a negative net foreign currency exchange impact. Holding exchange rates constant, net revenue was $2.3 billion higher than the third quarter of 2014.
| METRIC | Q3 2015 | Q3 2014 | Q3 2015 - Q3 2014 | % CHANGE Q3 2015 / Q3 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE | $38.80 | $39.30 | -0.50 | -1.27% |
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS | $1.40 | $1.40 | 0.00 | 0% |
| EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) DILUTED | $0.84 | $0.81 | +0.03 | +3.7% |
| IMPACT OF SPECIAL ITEMS ON EPS DILUTED | $(0.66) | $(0.16) | -0.50 | -312.5% |
| EPS DILUTED - ADJUSTED | $1.50 | $0.97 | +0.53 | +54.64% |
| EBIT-ADJUSTED | $3.10 | $2.30 | +0.80 | +34.78% |
| % EBIT-ADJUSTED MARGIN | 8.00 | 5.80 | +2.20 | +37.93% |
| AUTOMOTIVE NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | $2.60 | $0.70 | +1.60 | +200% |
| ADJUSTED AUTOMOTIVE FREE CASH FLOW | $0.80 | $(0.80) | +1.60 | +200% |
| % RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) - % | 26 | 14 | +12.00 | +85.71% |
For the quarter, automotive cash flow from operating activities was $2.6 billion and adjusted automotive free cash flow was $0.8 billion. GM says that it ended the quarter with very strong total automotive liquidity of $34.0 billion, and automotive cash and marketable securities of $21.9 billion.
Year-to-date through October 19th, GM has returned approximately $4.6 billion of cash to shareholders through share repurchases of more than $2.9 billion and dividends of more than $1.6 billion.
“The third quarter was evidence of the earnings power of this company, as we continue to build on our track record for generating results and delivering on our financial commitments,” said Chuck Stevens, GM executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We expect our earnings to accelerate in the next several years, with double-digit earnings per share growth.”
Horsepower and grip take the win.
Amid a legal battle with a GM supplier.
With multiple model years recommended.
Generally following the market trend.
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Hello anyone there?
This is more important than about anything else on this web site.
Keep it up Mary!
This is what Scott was talking about, a healthy GM will be basically untouchable by FCA. GM stock is rising which is what the investors want to see. This is great news and with the upcoming products, it will only get better. I bet Mergio is not fond of this news. Also FCA stock keeps going in the opposite direction of GM which is also good.
"This is more important than about anything else on this web site."
Must be all of those new SEMA concepts...
I agree the financial strength of GM is very important. That determines what future products will be greenlit.
If you want a future Ciel, Sixteen or mid-engined Corvette then the parent company has to be financially sound .
Also a financially strong GM is better able to fend off an aggressive Marchionne at FCA.
The truth is this is important to GM on many levels.
This is proof the changes are working even in a tough market. It shows they are surviving the Bail out and Ignition deal much better than anticipated.
This will lend itself to investment into plants and product important to keeping GM strong moving forward.
It will make Sergio's threat even more unlikely as stock prices should respond to this and only go up.
This is for the most part proving the new GM is finally getting things in their house right.
Now if you look to Chrysler while they do have some bright spots at Jeep the rest of the line up is way behind and lacking. Sergio has delayed and not spent on them as he should. As for the rest of FCA it has become a money pit and most of the profits from Jeep will be lost on Alfa.
Funny how one company Alpha will prove to be a bonus and the other Alfa will be a means to an end if changes are not made soon.