The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. HAIN wrapped up third-quarter fiscal 2018 on a dismal note. Marking the second straight quarter of a miss, both earnings and sales lagged estimates but improved year over year.The company reported adjusted earnings per share of 37 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents. However, bottom-line results improved 5.7% year over year.Net sales from continuing operations, excluding Hain Pure Protein, increased 8% year over year to $632.7 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $751.8 million. The rise in sales can primarily be attributable to mid- to high single-digit increase in the United Kingdom and Rest of World, including the Canada and Europe operating segments. This was partially negated by low-single-digit decline in the United States. The company’s sales increased 2% on a constant currency basis. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. Quote Following the dismal results, the stock declined 4.2% on May 8 and also touched 52-week low.Moreover, the company’s shares have tanked 9.9% in a month, wider than the industry’s decline of 2.1%.Let’s Delve DeepIn the reported quarter, net sales at the United States segment dropped 3% year over year to $281.1 million. Net sales in United Kingdom and Rest of the World segments rose 19% and 15%, respectively, to $238.3 million and $113.3 million.The company also announced that the divestment of Hain Pure Protein business is expected to close in the first half of fiscal 2019.Gross profits were down 4.4% year over year to $133 million. Adjusted operating income dropped 4.9% to $56 million, while adjusted operating margin contracted 110 basis points to 8.9%.Other FinancialsThe company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $117.2 million, long-term debt (excluding current maturities) of nearly $723.5 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,875.8 million. Cash flow from operating activities totaled $39 million in the quarter, compared with $44.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Capital expenditures were roughly $23.7 million. The company generated operating free cash flow of $15.3 million in third-quarter fiscal 2018, compared with $31.9 million in the prior-year quarter.OutlookHain Celestial is committed to its four-point strategic plan. The strategies include investment in top brands and grow globally; delivering on Terra cost savings and productivity; enhancing leadership to deliver on strategic goals; and returning value to shareholders.Following the third-quarter results, the company adjusted guidance ranges for EBITDA and earnings per share for fiscal 2018, while reiterating net sales projections. For fiscal 2018, the company expects net sales between $2.43 billion and $2.50 billion. Net sales in the United States is expected to remain flat or decline slightly. Meanwhile, United Kingdom and the Rest of World segments are projected to witness growth of high-single digits to low-double digits, compared with the prior estimate of low to mid-single-digit.Adjusted EBITDA is now projected in the range of $250-$260 million versus the previous $292 million to $307 million.Cash flow from operation is anticipated in the range of $105-$125 million, the earlier band being $200-$235 million. Meanwhile, management continues to anticipate capital expenditure of approximately $75 million for fiscal 2018.This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company now projects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $1.11-$1.18, compared with the earlier view of $1.39-$1.50, including 8-9 cents of gain from the latest tax reform. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66 is way above the company’s guided range and is likely to move south in the coming days.Stocks to ConsiderConagra Brands, Inc. CAG has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Medifast, Inc. MED has a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and a Zacks Rank #1.United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.2% and a Zacks Rank #1.The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of AllLast year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI): Free Stock Analysis Report The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (HAIN): Free Stock Analysis Report Conagra Brands Inc. (CAG): Free Stock Analysis Report MEDIFAST INC (MED): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research