If you are still holding on to shares of Owens-Illinois, Inc. (OI Quick QuoteOI - Free Report) in your portfolio, it is time you dump those as chances of favorable returns in the near term appear bleak. Owens-Illinois has witnessed significant price decline in the year-to-date period owing persistent fall of beer consumption in domestic market and high debt levels.

 

Similar to wise buying decisions, offloading certain underperformers at the right time helps maximize portfolio returns. Further, negative earnings estimate revisions for the current quarter and the fiscal indicate bleak prospects for the company in near term. Further, the company’s Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) only reflects its innate weakness.

 

Shares of this manufacturer of glass containers have plunged approximately 24% year to date, faring worse than the industry’s decline of 19%.

 

 

Let’s take a look at factors behind this dismal performance.

 

 

For second-quarter 2018, Owens-Illinois expects adjusted earnings to be approximately 75 cents per share, flat year over year. Currency will have a favorable impact and the company anticipates a modestly favorable price-cost spread in the quarter, while shipments are likely to be flat overall. The impact of engineering activity is likely to be partially offset by global total systems cost efforts plus continued footprint benefits in Europe. And lastly, interest in taxes will be higher than prior year. Improvement in on-going business operations will be negated by investments in assets and new technology developments compared with the prior-year quarter.

 

Notably, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings the quarter has gone down 3% over the past 90 days. The estimates are currently pegged at 75 cents, in line with the company guidance.

 

 

The company is grappling with continued decline in beer in the United States. Falling beer sales in the United States, which dipped 0.5% in 2017, offset gains in wines and spirits eventually dragging down the overall alcohol consumption. People are drinking less mainly due to health concerns or spending more on other beverages like wine or spirit rather than beer.

 

 

Interest expense is likely to be higher due to higher variable rates in the United States and the strengthening euro. Despite Owens-Illinois’ deleveraging and refinancing actions in the past 12 months, its debt-to-capitalization ratio remains high at 84%. This is a headwind.

 

Looking at the prevailing challenges and an unfavorable Zacks rank, it is wise to stay away from investing in Owens-Illinois stock right now.

 

Some better-ranked stocks in the sector include Axon Enterprise, Inc. , DMC Global Inc. (BOOM Quick QuoteBOOM - Free Report) and Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA Quick QuoteZBRA - Free Report) . All of these stocks carry sport Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 

Axon Enterprise has expected long-term growth rate of 25%. Its shares have surged 150% year to date.

 

DMC Global has expected long-term growth rate of 20%. Its shares have appreciated 79% year to date.

 

Zebra Technologies has expected long-term growth rate of 5%. Its shares have appreciated 49% year to date.

 

 

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.