-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
Lear Corporation (LEA) posted Q1 adjusted EPS of $3.87 vs. $3.12 (+24%), well ahead of the $3.51 consensus. Revenue rose 5% to $5.82B ($20M below consensus) and gross margin expanded 120 bps to 7.7% (20 bps below consensus). The beat was attributable to a share count reduction from buybacks, as LEA repurchased $75M of stock in Q1 and its average share count was 5% lower Y/Y. In LEA's largest market of Europe and Africa (40% of LEA's total Q1 revenue), content per vehicle rose by a robust 7.5% Y/Y, while North American content fell by 4.1%. The North American decline appears to reflect mix effects, while the European/African improvement aligns with the secular trend of increasing safety and content per vehicle. LEA maintained all prior full-year guidance. LEA shares are currently trading 3% higher in pre-market trading following the release. We think that with Q1 earnings coming in well ahead of expectations, the probability of the company raising full-year guidance later this year is significantly higher.