Moody’s Corporation (MCO) Beats Earnings Estimates

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Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) released its fourth quarter earnings report before opening bell this morning, posting earnings of $1.09 per share, which was ahead of the consensus of $1.05 a share and $865.9 million in revenue, against the consensus of $855.89 million. In the previous year’s fourth quarter, the credit ratings firm posted revenue of $865.9 million.

The full year 2015 marked the sixth year in a row in which Moody’s returned both revenue and earnings per share growth.

All Moody’s segments return solid results

Moody’s U.S. revenue climbed 1% year over year to $481.2 million, while non-U.S. revenue fell 4% to $384.7 million.

Moody’s Investors Service revenue fell 4% to $544.6 million, although it was flat on a currency-neutral basis. U.S. revenue edged lower by 2% to $338.3 million, while non-U.S. revenue for the segment declined 7% but climbed 2% on a constant currency basis to $206.3 million. Global corporate finance revenue fell 7% or 4% in constant currencies to $246.1 million, while global structured finance revenue ticked lower by 4% but was flat on a currency-neutral basis at $114.1 million. Revenue from the global financial institutions business climbed 8% or 13% in constant currency to $91.9 million, while revenue from the public, project and infrastructure segment fell 5% per 2% in constant currency to $85.2 million.

The Moody’s Analytics business saw revenues climbed 3% or 6% in constant currencies to $321.3 million, including a 6% increase in U.S. revenue and 1% increase or 6% increase in constant currencies in non-U.S. revenues. The research, data and analytics segment ticked higher by 8% to $161.4 million on the back of strong sales and product upgrades. Enterprise risk solutions revenue climbed 1% to $121.5 million, while professional services revenue fell 10% to $38.4 million.

Moody’s provides guidance

For the full year, Moody’s management projects revenue growth in the mid-single digits and earnings of between $4.75 and $4.85 per share. For Moody’s Investors Service and Moody’s Analytics, they expect revenue growth in the mid-single digits as well.

Shares of Moody’s were inactive in premarket trading as of this writing.

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