BMW Earnings: Revenue and Profitability Improve as Chip Shortage Impact Lessens

Narrow-moat BMW reported first-quarter earnings per share of EUR 5.31, beating the EUR 4.34 FactSet consensus EPS estimate by EUR 0.97 but down EUR 10.02 from EUR 15.33 EPS reported last year when the firm recorded a EUR 7.7 billion gain from the consolidation of BMW Brilliance Automotive. Automotive volume decreased 2% as the chip crunch lessened but weaker demand in Europe and China offset higher sales volume in the Americas. Despite the lower sales volume, automotive revenue rose 17% on the consolidation of BMW Brilliance Automotive (formerly joint venture equity income) as of Feb. 11, 2022, strong pricing, and favorable mix. Consolidated revenue increased 18% to EUR 36.9 billion from EUR 31.1 billion on the 17% automotive increase, a 17% increase in motorcycle revenue, a 4% rise in financial services, but a 14% reduction in eliminations. Group revenue beat the FactSet consensus by about 4%.