Leggett & Platt IncorporatedNYSE: LEG

We might see a slimmed-down company in the near future.

LEG's third-quarter 2024 results reflect soft demand trends in residential end markets and headwinds due to ongoing economic challenges.

Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG ) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call October 29, 2024 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Cassie Branscum - Vice President, Investor Relations Karl Glassman - Chief Executive Officer Ben Burns - Chief Financial Officer Tyson Hagale - President, Bedding Products Sam Smith - President, Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products Conference Call Participants Susan Maklari - Goldman Sachs Bobby Griffin - Raymond James Peter Keith - Piper Sandler Judy Merrick - Truist Securities Operator Greetings and welcome to the Leggett & Platt Third Quarter 2024 Webcast and Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.

While the top- and bottom-line numbers for Legget & Platt (LEG) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended September 2024, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.

Legget & Platt (LEG) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.33 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.36 per share a year ago.

CARTHAGE, Mo. , Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Q sales of $1.1 billion, a 6% decrease vs 3Q23 3Q EPS of $.33; 3Q adjusted1 EPS of $.32, a $.04 decrease vs adjusted1 3Q23 EPS 2024 EPS guidance is ($3.56)–($3.71), including impact of non-cash goodwill impairment charge, restructuring charges, real estate gains, and certain other costs 2024 guidance lowered: adjusted1 EPS of $1.00–$1.10, sales of $4.3–$4.4 billion President and CEO Karl Glassman commented, "We continued to make solid progress on our restructuring and operating efficiency improvement initiatives, although demand headwinds were more challenging than anticipated in the third quarter.

Small caps that were once large are optimal in this environment for a small cap trade in my opinion. Despite challenges, some companies like Leggett & Platt and VF Corporation are working on turnaround stories and are cutting costs while reducing debt. Debt burdens are a concern, but rate cuts may provide some assistance in navigating small cap purgatory.

CARTHAGE, Mo. , Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leggett & Platt's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $.05 per share for the third quarter 2024.

Leggett & Platt's gross profit margin has been shrinking for the past eight years, which has offset any growth in sales during that time frame. The true earning power of LEG may have been overestimated due to acquisition costs, which are not included in net income. A more protective stance on foreign imports after the U.S. elections could benefit LEG in the mid-term.