Shares of Texas Industries Inc. (NYSE: TXI), a supplier of heavy construction materials in the southwestern U.S., surged in trading on Thursday after the company swung to a profit in the fourth quarter. However, the Dallas, Texas-based company’s fourth-quarter sales fell short of analysts’ estimate.
TXI reported a fourth-quarter profit of $60.2 million, or $2.15 per share, compared to a loss of $9.1 million, or $0.33 per share reported for the same period last year.
TXI’s fourth-quarter results included pre-tax gains of $60.1 million related to the sale of assets and a joint venture agreement. The company’s bottom-line was also boosted by progress in construction activity and an improvement in gross margin.
Analysts were expecting TXI to report a loss of $0.34 per share. Analysts’ forecast generally excludes one-time gains and losses.
Texas Industries’ consolidated sales for the fourth quarter were $174.6 million, compared to $175.8 million reported for the same period last year. Analysts had forecast the company’s fourth-quarter sales to come in at $182.77 million.
Mel Brekhus, CEO of Texas Industries, said that the fourth quarter is typically TXI’s strongest. Brekhus said that construction activity continued to improve in the fourth quarter, prices increase in Texas were successful, the company made additional progress on its gross margin and SG&A goals and also completed two sales of non-core assets. However, Brekhus noted that the pace and magnitude of a recovery in construction activity remains challenging to predict.
TXI shares rose to a new 52-week high of $44.25 on Thursday as investors digested the company’s fourth-quarter results. The stock ended the day 14.06% higher at $43.40 on above average volume of 1.50 million.
Year-to-date, TXI shares have gained 41%, outperforming the S&P 500, which gained 6.13% in the same period.
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