Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK – Free Report) is the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation. Its products, services, and solutions address a broad range of challenges in every major industrial sector, from automotive and tire to mining and oil and gas, from pharmaceuticals to food and beverage. Its brands include Allen-Bradley, Reliance Electric, and Rockwell Software.

Rockwell’s growth and performance strategy seeks to achieve growth rates in excess of the automation market by expanding its served market, diversifying sales streams by broadening portfolio of products, solutions, and services, expanding its global presence, growing market share and making acquisitions. Heavy industry end markets including oil and gas have not yet stabilized, and Rockwell Automation foresees continued softness in key emerging markets. In the U.S., its largest market, a strong dollar is adversely affecting producers and OEMs. Moreover, weakness in the mining industry and lack of major projects also remain concerns.

Investors have thus been eagerly awaiting the company’s fiscal 2017 fourth-quarter earnings report. Let’s have a quick look at the earnings release of this Milwaukee, WI-based provider industrial automation power, control, and information solutions.

Estimate Trend & Surprise History: The earnings estimate revisions for Rockwell Automation has been stable over the last 7 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 currently stands at $1.72. As regards earnings surprise, Rockwell Automation has an impressive surprise history and outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the past four quarters, with an average beat of 10.02%.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Rockwell Automation, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Rockwell Automation, Inc. Quote

Earnings: Rockwell Automation missed estimates by a margin of 1.7%. Our consensus called for fourth quarter fiscal 2017 EPS of $1.72, while the company reported adjusted EPS of $1.69.