Praxair 2Q Earnings Pregame Scorecard

Having exceeded expectations last quarter by 2 cents per share, Praxair (NYSE:PX) is scheduled to report again on Wednesday.

Expectations

Analysts currently expect Praxair to come in with earnings of $1.42 per share on revenues of $2.93 billion. Estimates range from earnings per share to earnings per share. Over the past three months, the average estimate has moved down from $1.45.

Stock Movement

The stock fell $3.50 per share between May 16, 2012 and May 17, 2012. Looking at change over the last three months, April 23, 2012 and July 18, 2012, the stock price fell $4.02 (-3.6%), from $112.67 to $108.65.

Company Fundamental Trends The company will look to keep the its run of success flowing with earnings announcement, after experiencing income increases the last three quarters. Net income rose 13.8% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and more than threefold in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year before increasing again in the first quarter. On the top line, the company is looking to build on four-straight revenue increases heading into this earnings announcement. Revenue rose 13.1% in the second quarter of the last fiscal year, 14.1% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and 6.6% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year before increasing again in the first quarter.

Stock Ratings

Analysts are bullish on the stock as nine analysts rate it as a buy and only one analyst rate it as a sell. The average analyst rating of the stock has stayed constant from three months prior.

Last Quarter's Results

In the first quarter, profit rose 5.3% to $419 million ($1.38 a share) from $398 million ($1.29 a share) the year earlier, exceeding analyst expectations. Revenue rose 5.1% to $2.84 billion from $2.7 billion.

Summary

Reporting Period: 2Q

Date of Release: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 before market open

EPS: $1.42

Revenue Estimate: $2.93 billion

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)