Honeywell (HON) Exhibits Strong Prospects, Edgy About Headwinds

HON ITT CR GFF

Honeywell International Inc. (HON - Free Report) stands to benefit from a solid momentum in its defense and space business, supported by stable U.S. government defense budgets. For 2021, the company anticipates organic growth in the defense and space business to be flat to up in low-single digits.

Also, strong demand for warehouse automation products and robust backlog level are likely to support its Intelligrated business. For the ongoing year, it expects overall revenues in the range of $34-$34.8 billion with organic revenues projected to be up 3-5% from the year-ago reported figure.

Further, the company’s Sparta Systems buyout (in April 2021) is predicted to strengthen its position in the digital transformation, industrial automation and enterprise performance management solutions space. Moreover, the Ballard Unmanned Systems takeover (October 2020) is steadily enhancing its prospects in the unmanned aerial systems market. This apart, its Rocky Research acquisition (October 2020) continues to bolster prospects of its existing offerings in the energy storage, power and thermal management, and power-generation arenas.

Moreover, its solid cash flow position aids its progress. For 2021, Honeywell expects free cash flow between $5.2 billion and $5.5 billion. In addition, it remains committed to rewarding its shareholders through share buyback programs and dividend payouts. Notably, in first-quarter 2021, the company repurchased shares worth $822 million and paid out dividends of $640 million. Further, in September 2020, it hiked its quarterly dividend by 3.3%.

On the flip side, persistent headwinds across its commercial original equipment business on account of lower air transport and challenged original equipment build rates are likely to relentlessly affect its near-term performance. Also, low international air-transport flight hours due to the coronavirus issues might hurt its commercial aftermarket business potential.

In addition, the company’s high-debt profile remains concerning. Exiting the March quarter, its long-term debt was $16,124 million, reflecting an increase of 39.7% on a year-over-year basis. Any further rise in the debt levels can deteriorate the company’s financial obligations.

In the past year, the presently Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 47.7% compared with the industry’s growth of 46.3%.

Key Picks

Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are Griffon Corporation (GFF - Free Report) , Crane Co. (CR - Free Report) and ITT Inc. (ITT - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Griffon delivered an earnings surprise of 50% in the last reported quarter.

Crane delivered an earnings surprise of 26.72% in the last reported quarter.

ITT delivered an earnings surprise of 21.84% in the last reported quarter.

Time to Invest in Legal Marijuana

If you’re looking for big gains, there couldn’t be a better time to get in on a young industry primed to skyrocket from $17.7 billion back in 2019 to an expected $73.6 billion by 2027.

After a clean sweep of 6 election referendums in 5 states, pot is now legal in 36 states plus D.C. Federal legalization is expected soon and that could be a still greater bonanza for investors. Even before the latest wave of legalization, Zacks Investment Research has recommended pot stocks that have shot up as high as +285.9%

You’re invited to check out Zacks’ Marijuana Moneymakers: An Investor’s Guide. It features a timely Watch List of pot stocks and ETFs with exceptional growth potential.

Today, Download Marijuana Moneymakers FREE >>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>