PERRYSBURG, Ohio - O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:OI) reported a decline in first-quarter revenue and issued a weaker full-year earnings forecast, sending its shares down 5.89% in after-hours trading. The glass container manufacturer posted earnings of $0.45 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus by $0.06, but revenue fell short, coming in at $1.59 billion against expectations of $1.69 billion.
The company's revenue for the first quarter represented a decrease from the $1.8 billion reported in the same quarter last year, reflecting a 12.5% decline in sales volume. CEO Andres Lopez cited a market downturn impacting shipment levels due to softer consumer consumption and inventory destocking as primary factors for the lower results. Despite these challenges, Lopez expressed confidence in the long-term demand for glass packaging and the potential earnings growth as markets recover. O-I Glass is also looking forward to the start-up of its innovative MAGMA greenfield plant in the summer of 2024, which is expected to provide a significant competitive edge.
For the full year 2024, O-I Glass revised its guidance, now expecting adjusted earnings per share to range between $1.50 and $2.00, below the analyst consensus of $2.38. The company also anticipates sales volume growth to be flat to low single digits, a revision from its previous forecast of low-to-mid single digit growth. This updated outlook reflects a slower recovery in consumer consumption, additional temporary production curtailment costs, unfavorable foreign currency translation, higher interest expenses, and a higher tax rate.
The company's effective tax rate for the first quarter was approximately 35%, up from 22% in the first quarter of the previous year, due to a shift in regional earnings mix. Net interest expense also increased to $78 million from $68 million in the prior year, influenced by higher interest rates.
Despite the current market challenges, O-I Glass remains optimistic about the long-term positive trajectory for glass packaging demand, driven by trends such as premiumization, sustainability, and health and wellness. The company's management is focused on balancing supply with demand and expects to mitigate some of the lower demand impact with at least $175 million of margin expansion initiative benefits.
Investors reacted negatively to the revenue miss and the downgraded earnings guidance, as reflected in the stock's after-hours decline. The market's response underscores the significance of meeting revenue expectations and providing strong future guidance in maintaining investor confidence.
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