GM cuts 2018 profit forecast, says trade war could hit car sales

General Motors cut its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday, in part due to higher commodity costs as it amplified its warning that trade conflicts could dent US and global car sales, reports AFP from New York. GM trimmed its earnings forecast from its prior range of $5.52 to $5.82 per diluted share to approximately $5.14 per share.

The company cited a "significant" increase in commodity costs, as well as the sinking valuation of the Argentine peso and Brazilian real that have marred its sales outlook in those markets. These two effects will add $1 billion to GM costs in 2018, the company said.

"It appears that the trade war President Donald Trump has brought on the auto industry -- and General Motors specifically -- has impacted earnings," said a note from Briefing.com.

"Announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports caused GM's raw materials costs to increase, and thus, an increase in the price of the finished product."

GM continues to see US auto sales coming in above the solid level of 17 million vehicles for all of 2018 but views the outlook for 2019 as up in the air in light of trade policy uncertainty, said Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens.

"We're not expecting a tariff impact to impact the US industry in 2018," Stevens told reporters.

"What happens beyond 2018, I think there's a lot of uncertainty in this space at this point in time. We're going to have to see where it lands and how ultimately that impacts the US industry and the global industry frankly."

Executives told financial analysts on a conference call that they had raised prices on some vehicles in the US to account for higher costs but that the market was "challenging" because of competitive pressures.

Like other leading automakers, GM has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's proposed tariff of up to 25 per cent on foreign vehicles and parts, joining a chorus of industry officials in blasting the idea at a hearing last week.

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker announced a series of joint steps to defuse an escalating row between the two trading blocs following a White House meeting.

Trump said they would "resolve the steel and aluminum tariffs," while Juncker said the sides would hold off on any new tariffs while talks proceed.

The biggest US automaker reported second-quarter profit of $2.4 billion, which was up 44 per cent from the year-ago level following car sales increases in North America and China.

 

GM cuts 2018 profit forecast, says trade war could hit car sales

General Motors cut its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday, in part due to higher commodity costs as it amplified its warning that trade conflicts could dent US and global car sales, reports AFP from New York. GM trimmed its earnings forecast from its prior range of $5.52 to $5.82 per diluted share to approximately $5.14 per share. The company cited a significant increase in commodity costs, as well as the sinking valuation of the Argentine peso and Brazilian real that have marred its sales outlook in those markets. These two effects will add $1 billion to GM costs in 2018, the company said. It appears that the trade war President Donald Trump has brought on the auto industry -- and General Motors specifically -- has impacted earnings, said a note from Briefing.com. Announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports caused GMs raw materials costs to increase, and thus, an increase in the price of the finished product. GM continues to see US auto sales coming in above the solid level of 17 million vehicles for all of 2018 but views the outlook for 2019 as up in the air in light of trade policy uncertainty, said Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens. Were not expecting a tariff impact to impact the US industry in 2018, Stevens told reporters. What happens beyond 2018, I think theres a lot of uncertainty in this space at this point in time. Were going to have to see where it lands and how ultimately that impacts the US industry and the global industry frankly. Executives told financial analysts on a conference call that they had raised prices on some vehicles in the US to account for higher costs but that the market was challenging because of competitive pressures. Like other leading automakers, GM has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trumps proposed tariff of up to 25 per cent on foreign vehicles and parts, joining a chorus of industry officials in blasting the idea at a hearing last week. On Wednesday afternoon, Trump and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker announced a series of joint steps to defuse an escalating row between the two trading blocs following a White House meeting. Trump said they would resolve the steel and aluminum tariffs, while Juncker said the sides would hold off on any new tariffs while talks proceed. The biggest US automaker reported second-quarter profit of $2.4 billion, which was up 44 per cent from the year-ago level following car sales increases in North America and China.