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Here's Why it is Worth Investing in Actuant (ATU) Stock Now
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We believe that Actuant Corporation is a solid choice for investors who are seeking exposure in the machinery industry.
The stock, with roughly $1.8 billion market capitalization, was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on Jun 23.
Why the Upgrade?
We are providing a snapshot of how Actuant fared in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 (ended May 31, 2018). The company’s earnings of 39 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.3%. Net sales went up 7.3% year over year, on the back of healthy performance of Industrial and Engineered Solutions segments. Both core sales and favorable foreign currency movements added 4% to sales growth.
We believe, sound performance in the fiscal third quarter, as well as solid projections for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018 (ending August 2018), have helped in raising Actuant’s investment appeal. For the fiscal, the company anticipates gaining from higher maintenance activities in the energy end market and its efforts to suppress inflationary situation. Also, product launches help in enhancing the company’s top-line growth prospects. For instance, a new line of chain cutters and a new line of Bottle Jacks were added to the company’s Enerpac product line in the fiscal third quarter.
Sales for fiscal 2018 are now projected to be $1.17-$1.18 billion versus $1.14-$1.16 billion expected earlier. Moreover, earnings projection has been tweaked to $1.03-$1.08 from the previous expectation of $1.00-$1.10, raising the mid-point from $1.05 to $1.06.
Also, Actuant aims at keeping a check on costs through headcount reductions, operational improvements and facility consolidations. In addition, the company’s decision — to move from a three-segment business structure to a two-segment structure by the beginning of fiscal 2019 (ending August 2019) — will help it focus on building a sound industrial tool and component & systems businesses. Furthermore, the company’s inorganic initiatives will be advantageous. In the fiscal third quarter, Actuant acquired Equalizer. This buyout was added to the Industrial segment. It will help in strengthening the company’s channels and engineering talents.
In the past seven days, the company’s earnings estimates for both fiscal 2018 and 2019 (ending August 2019) have been revised upward by six brokerage firms. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.06 for fiscal 2018 and $1.29 for fiscal 2019, reflecting growth of 2.9% and 4% from the respective seven-day-ago tallies. Also, these estimates reflect year-over-year growth of 27.7% for fiscal 2018 and 21.3% for fiscal 2019.
Moreover, the company’s price performance has been impressive. The stock has yielded 29.1% return in the past three months against 10% decline recorded by the industry.
In the last 60 days, earnings estimates for each of these stocks improved for the current year. Also, average positive earnings surprise for last four quarters has been 12.81% for Graco, 250.43% for Twin Disc and 15.50% for Kadant.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last 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.
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Here's Why it is Worth Investing in Actuant (ATU) Stock Now
We believe that Actuant Corporation is a solid choice for investors who are seeking exposure in the machinery industry.
The stock, with roughly $1.8 billion market capitalization, was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on Jun 23.
Why the Upgrade?
We are providing a snapshot of how Actuant fared in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 (ended May 31, 2018). The company’s earnings of 39 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.3%. Net sales went up 7.3% year over year, on the back of healthy performance of Industrial and Engineered Solutions segments. Both core sales and favorable foreign currency movements added 4% to sales growth.
We believe, sound performance in the fiscal third quarter, as well as solid projections for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018 (ending August 2018), have helped in raising Actuant’s investment appeal. For the fiscal, the company anticipates gaining from higher maintenance activities in the energy end market and its efforts to suppress inflationary situation. Also, product launches help in enhancing the company’s top-line growth prospects. For instance, a new line of chain cutters and a new line of Bottle Jacks were added to the company’s Enerpac product line in the fiscal third quarter.
Sales for fiscal 2018 are now projected to be $1.17-$1.18 billion versus $1.14-$1.16 billion expected earlier. Moreover, earnings projection has been tweaked to $1.03-$1.08 from the previous expectation of $1.00-$1.10, raising the mid-point from $1.05 to $1.06.
Also, Actuant aims at keeping a check on costs through headcount reductions, operational improvements and facility consolidations. In addition, the company’s decision — to move from a three-segment business structure to a two-segment structure by the beginning of fiscal 2019 (ending August 2019) — will help it focus on building a sound industrial tool and component & systems businesses. Furthermore, the company’s inorganic initiatives will be advantageous. In the fiscal third quarter, Actuant acquired Equalizer. This buyout was added to the Industrial segment. It will help in strengthening the company’s channels and engineering talents.
In the past seven days, the company’s earnings estimates for both fiscal 2018 and 2019 (ending August 2019) have been revised upward by six brokerage firms. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.06 for fiscal 2018 and $1.29 for fiscal 2019, reflecting growth of 2.9% and 4% from the respective seven-day-ago tallies. Also, these estimates reflect year-over-year growth of 27.7% for fiscal 2018 and 21.3% for fiscal 2019.
Actuant Corporation Price and Consensus
Actuant Corporation Price and Consensus | Actuant Corporation Quote
Moreover, the company’s price performance has been impressive. The stock has yielded 29.1% return in the past three months against 10% decline recorded by the industry.
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other top-ranked stocks in the Zacks Industrial Products sector are Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) , Twin Disc, Incorporated (TWIN - Free Report) and Kadant Inc. (KAI - Free Report) . While both Graco and Twin Disc sport a Zacks Rank #1, Kadant carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
In the last 60 days, earnings estimates for each of these stocks improved for the current year. Also, average positive earnings surprise for last four quarters has been 12.81% for Graco, 250.43% for Twin Disc and 15.50% for Kadant.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last 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 >>