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AGCO Corp Gains on Strategic Investments Despite Cost Rise
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On Jan 22, we issued an updated research report on AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) . The company’s focus on strategic investments, acquisitions and capital-allocation plan will drive growth. However, results may be affected by low commodity prices, rising steel prices and elevated expenses.
Let’s illustrate these factors.
Strategic Investments Support AGCO
AGCO continues to make strategic investments to refresh and expand product lines, upgrade system capabilities and improve factory productivity. The company expects capital expenditures to increase around $50 million in 2018 which will be used primarily to execute product development plan and meet new emission requirements. Its spending plan for the current year will support long-term business growth.
Acquisitions to Boost Growth
In September 2017, AGCO acquired Precision Planting — a leader in innovative planting technology. AGCO’s purchase of Lely Group’s forage division has significantly enhanced its hay and forage product line in Europe. Acquisitions accounted for approximately 3% of the net sales increase in third-quarter 2018 and will likely increase sales by about 2.5% in 2018.
AGCO Grows on Capital-Allocation Plan
AGCO is focused on its long-term capital allocation plan by returning cash to shareholders. In the past four years, the company has executed share repurchases of $1 billion, which had the effect of reducing share count by 20%. It has an existing $300-million program authorized. Through Sep 30, 2018, AGCO has spent about $84 million on share repurchases. The company expects to continue share repurchases in fourth-quarter 2018. It also targets to generate solid free cash flow for 2018.
Weak Farm Income to Hurt AGCO
Farm income remains under pressure due to lower commodity prices. In the United States, the USDA estimates that farm income will be down 12% to $66 billion. This is a concern for AGCO.
Elevated Expenses to Dent Earnings
AGCO’s results will be affected by rising steel prices due to tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. In addition, engineering expenses are expected to increase by around $45 million year over year in 2018 compared with 2017. These factors are likely to hurt earnings.
Share Price Performance
Over the past year, AGCO stock has depreciated around 13.9% while the industry has recorded a loss of 5.4%.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
AGCO carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Industrial Products sector include Axon Enterprise, Inc. , Bemis Company, Inc. and EnerSys (ENS - Free Report) . While Axon flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Bemis and EnerSys carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Axon has an expected earnings growth rate of 14.5% for 2019. The company’s shares have rallied 79% over the past year.
Bemis has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.4% for 2019. The stock has gained 2.1% in a year’s time.
EnerSys has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.5% for 2019. Its shares have climbed 14.2% in the past year.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
Image: Bigstock
AGCO Corp Gains on Strategic Investments Despite Cost Rise
On Jan 22, we issued an updated research report on AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) . The company’s focus on strategic investments, acquisitions and capital-allocation plan will drive growth. However, results may be affected by low commodity prices, rising steel prices and elevated expenses.
Let’s illustrate these factors.
Strategic Investments Support AGCO
AGCO continues to make strategic investments to refresh and expand product lines, upgrade system capabilities and improve factory productivity. The company expects capital expenditures to increase around $50 million in 2018 which will be used primarily to execute product development plan and meet new emission requirements. Its spending plan for the current year will support long-term business growth.
Acquisitions to Boost Growth
In September 2017, AGCO acquired Precision Planting — a leader in innovative planting technology. AGCO’s purchase of Lely Group’s forage division has significantly enhanced its hay and forage product line in Europe. Acquisitions accounted for approximately 3% of the net sales increase in third-quarter 2018 and will likely increase sales by about 2.5% in 2018.
AGCO Grows on Capital-Allocation Plan
AGCO is focused on its long-term capital allocation plan by returning cash to shareholders. In the past four years, the company has executed share repurchases of $1 billion, which had the effect of reducing share count by 20%. It has an existing $300-million program authorized. Through Sep 30, 2018, AGCO has spent about $84 million on share repurchases. The company expects to continue share repurchases in fourth-quarter 2018. It also targets to generate solid free cash flow for 2018.
Weak Farm Income to Hurt AGCO
Farm income remains under pressure due to lower commodity prices. In the United States, the USDA estimates that farm income will be down 12% to $66 billion. This is a concern for AGCO.
Elevated Expenses to Dent Earnings
AGCO’s results will be affected by rising steel prices due to tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. In addition, engineering expenses are expected to increase by around $45 million year over year in 2018 compared with 2017. These factors are likely to hurt earnings.
Share Price Performance
Over the past year, AGCO stock has depreciated around 13.9% while the industry has recorded a loss of 5.4%.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
AGCO carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Industrial Products sector include Axon Enterprise, Inc. , Bemis Company, Inc. and EnerSys (ENS - Free Report) . While Axon flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Bemis and EnerSys carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Axon has an expected earnings growth rate of 14.5% for 2019. The company’s shares have rallied 79% over the past year.
Bemis has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.4% for 2019. The stock has gained 2.1% in a year’s time.
EnerSys has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.5% for 2019. Its shares have climbed 14.2% in the past year.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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