The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has reported its results for the first quarter of 2017.
“These results are a great outcome given an environment of rising raw material costs and weaker demand,” said Richard Kramer, chairman, CEO and president. “This solid performance is a result of the disciplined execution of our strategy.”
“While raw material inflation has moderated in recent weeks, we continue to expect a significant year-over-year headwind in 2017,” said Kramer. “We remain confident in our ability to offset raw material cost inflation over time.”
Goodyear’s first quarter 2017 sales were $3.7 billion, about even with a year ago, largely due to improved price/mix and higher pricing of third-party chemical sales partially offset by lower tire unit volume, according to the company.
Tire unit volumes totaled 40 million, down 4 percent from 2016. OE unit volume was down 8 percent, primarily driven by lower U.S. auto production in the first quarter of 2017 and very strong volumes in the U.S. and China during the first quarter of 2016. Replacement tire shipments were down 2 percent.
Goodyear’s first quarter 2017 net income was $166 million (65 cents per share), down from $184 million (68 cents per share) a year ago. First quarter 2017 adjusted net income was $189 million (74 cents per share), compared to $195 million (72 cents per share) in 2016. Per share amounts are diluted.
The company reported first quarter segment operating income of $385 million in 2017, down from $419 million a year ago. The company said this decrease was driven by the impact of lower volume and unabsorbed overhead, which were partially offset by favorable price/mix net of raw material costs and net cost saving actions.
