Motorola Solutions Q4 Earnings: EPS of $3.56 Beats Estimate, Revenue Hits $3.0 Billion Surpassing Expectations

GuruFocus
14 Feb

On February 13, 2025, Motorola Solutions Inc (MSI, Financial) released its 8-K filing detailing its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results for 2024. The company reported a notable increase in sales and earnings, reflecting robust demand for its safety and security solutions. Motorola Solutions, a leading provider of communications and analytics, primarily serves public safety departments, schools, hospitals, and businesses, with a significant portion of its revenue derived from government agencies.

Performance Highlights and Challenges

Motorola Solutions Inc (MSI, Financial) reported fourth-quarter sales of $3.0 billion, marking a 6% increase from the same period last year. This growth was driven by strong performance in North America and favorable foreign currency rates. The company's GAAP earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 was $3.56, surpassing the analyst estimate of $3.42. However, the full-year GAAP EPS of $9.23 fell short of the annual estimate of $9.39, reflecting a 7% decline from the previous year.

The company faces challenges, including the impact of the Airwave Charge Control in the U.K. and ongoing legal proceedings related to its Airwave services. These issues could potentially affect future revenue streams and operational costs.

Financial Achievements and Industry Significance

Motorola Solutions achieved record full-year sales of $10.8 billion, an 8% increase from 2023. The company's operating earnings also saw a significant rise, with GAAP operating earnings up 17% to $2.688 billion. These achievements underscore the company's strong market position and its ability to capitalize on growing demand for communication and security solutions.

The company's record backlog of $14.7 billion, up 3% from the previous year, highlights sustained demand and future revenue potential. This backlog is crucial for maintaining long-term growth and stability in the hardware industry.

Key Financial Metrics and Analysis

Motorola Solutions reported a non-GAAP Q4 EPS of $4.04, exceeding the analyst estimate and reflecting a 4% increase from the prior year. The company's non-GAAP operating earnings for the quarter were $916 million, a 5% increase, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 30.4%.

Operating cash flow for Q4 was $1.1 billion, contributing to a full-year total of $2.4 billion, up 17% from 2023. This strong cash flow performance is vital for funding strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and shareholder returns.

Metric Q4 2024 Q4 2023 % Change
Sales $3,010 million $2,848 million 6%
GAAP EPS $3.56 $3.47 3%
Non-GAAP EPS $4.04 $3.90 4%
Operating Earnings $814 million $738 million 10%

Conclusion and Outlook

Motorola Solutions Inc (MSI, Financial) demonstrated strong financial performance in Q4 2024, surpassing analyst expectations for earnings per share and achieving record sales and operating earnings. The company's strategic focus on expanding its product offerings and enhancing its service capabilities positions it well for continued growth. However, challenges such as regulatory changes and legal proceedings in the U.K. could pose risks to future performance. Investors will be keen to monitor how these factors influence the company's financial health and strategic direction in the coming quarters.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Motorola Solutions Inc for further details.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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