Ingersoll (IR) Stock Rises 15% in 3 Months: What's Driving It?

AIT IR DXPE

Shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR - Free Report) have jumped an impressive 15.2% in the past three months. The stock’s attractiveness is enhanced by the company’s solid fundaments, buyout activities, shareholder rewards and solid earnings prospects. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The company specializes in providing industrial and mission-critical flow creation technologies. It belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, which is in the top 21% (with a rank of 52) of more than 250 Zacks industries. It is based in Davidson, NC, and has a market capitalization of $23 billion.

In the past three months, the industry has declined 2.9%. The S&P 500 has gained 5.1% during the same period and the Zacks Industrial Products sector has inched up 0.2%.

 

 

Factors Influencing the Stock

In the past three months, Ingersoll delivered impressive results for the second quarter of 2021. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 15.00%, while sales beat in the quarter was 7.49%. On a year-over-year basis, the bottom line grew 58.6% on the back of revenue growth and margin improvement.

In addition to solid financial performance, Ingersoll’s exposure in diversified end markets, its solid product offerings, focus on innovation, cost-saving actions and healthy aftermarket businesses are some other tailwinds for the quarters ahead. Its investments in boosting e-commerce businesses and digital capabilities are beneficial as well.

For 2021, Ingersoll anticipates revenue growth to be in the mid-teens on a year-over-year basis, as compared with low-double-digit growth stated earlier. Organic sales are expected to increase in low-double digits versus high-single digits stated previously. The company’s commitment toward returning values to shareholders raises its appeal. Recently, its board of directors approved a quarterly dividend program and a $750-million share buyback program. The company will begin paying a quarterly dividend of 2 cents per share from fourth-quarter 2021.

Regarding buyout actions, Ingersoll acquired Seepex GmbH, Maximus, and Tuthill Vacuum and Blower Systems so far in 2021. Among these, the latest acquisition is of Seepex GmbH. Ingersoll acquired Seepex for €431.5 million in cash, and it is now part of its Precision and Science Technologies segment. As communicated with the second-quarter 2021 results, Ingersoll anticipates mergers/acquisitions to boost its sales by $60 million in 2021.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s earnings per share is pegged at $1.86 for 2021 and $2.14 for 2022, marking increases of 9.4% and 7.5% from the respective 60-day-ago figures. The consensus estimate for third-quarter earnings improved from 44 cents per share to 49 cents. Such upward revisions in earnings estimates are reflective of healthy operating conditions for the company.

Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2024

Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2024?

History suggests their performance could be sensational.

From 2012 (when our Director of Research, Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2023, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +974.1%, nearly TRIPLING the S&P 500’s +340.1%. Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2024. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 2.

Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>