Hitachi Debt-High, Cash-Strapped

Hitachi, Ltd. (HIT - Analyst Report) continues to make progress in implementing its management plan by cutting operating and fixed costs, and developing new cutting-edge products. On a Yen basis, we are expecting flat revenue for HIT.

With strong growth in the Information & Telecommunication Systems, Power & Industrial Systems, and High Functional materials & Components especially in China, Hitachi recorded 14.2% year-over-year growth in its overseas sales for fiscal 2007, ended March 2008. Hitachi’s goal is to increase overseas sales to 45.0% of total revenue by increasing its overseas investment ratio to 50% during 2009.

However, growing price competition in emerging technologies, increasing cost of raw materials and significant yen appreciation have hurt Hitachi, Ltd. Moreover, Hitachi has a large amount of debt and low amount of cash on its balance sheet, a situation that has been deteriorating over the past few years. During the first quarter of fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, Hitachi’s net cash position (cash less debt) was negative $7,832.9 million. The accounts receivables have been increasing lately representing a drain on cash flows for the company.

On a price-to-sales basis, Hitachi is trading at a very reasonable 0.2x estimated fiscal year ending March 2009 estimates. We believe the stock has some room for appreciation, but don’t expect a meaningful rally given an uncertain economic outlook. In addition, slowing consumer spending is eating into its profits, which forced the company to provide a weak outlook for the first half of fiscal 2008.

We maintain a Hold recommendation on the shares of Hitachi and set our six-month target price of $80.50, which reflects a P/S [price-to-sales] multiple of 0.2x fiscal year ending March 2008 revenue per ADS estimate of $329.38

Read the full analyst report on HIT