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Innovation & Acquisitions Aid Sealed Air (SEE) Amid Cost Woes
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On Dec 10, we issued an updated research report on Sealed Air Corporation (SEE - Free Report) . The company is poised to benefit from acquisitions, innovative products, Reinvent SEE Strategy, restructuring programs, and growth in fresh food and e-commerce markets. However, weaker volumes in the Product Care segment resulting from a slowdown in the global industrial market and input-cost inflation remain concerns.
Upbeat Prospects for 2019
Sealed Air anticipates net sales of $4.8 billion for fiscal 2019. The guidance reflects year-over-year growth of approximately 1.5% on reported basis and 4.5% in constant dollars. Acquisitions are expected to contribute 4% of growth in revenues. Sealed Air’s adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019 is pegged at $890 million. EBITDA margin for the fiscal year is projected at 19.8-20%. The company projects adjusted earnings per share at $2.70-$2.80. The mid-point of the guided range indicates year-over-year growth of 10%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sealed Air’s earnings per share for fiscal 2019 is $2.78, suggesting year-over-year growth of 11.2%.
Savings from Restructuring to Aid Margins
In December 2018, Sealed Air announced a reformation plan — Reinvent SEE Strategy — and a fresh restructuring program, in a bid to boost earnings. The new strategy is focused on innovations, SG&A productivity, product-cost efficiency, channel optimization and customer-service enhancements. One of the most vital aspects of this strategy involves investment in technology and resources focusing on new and existing high-growth markets. Moreover, the new strategy will fuel Sealed Air’s growth by supporting packaging innovations for fresh food and e-commerce.
Sealed Air will combine the new program with its ongoing restructuring program. Both programs are likely to result in total annualized savings of $250 million through 2021.
Acquisitions: A Key Catalyst
Sealed Air acquired Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. during second-quarter fiscal 2019. This acquisition will fortify its portfolio and drive growth in e-commerce, fulfillment and food packaging markets. The buyout of AFP, Inc. has expanded Sealed Air’s protective packaging solutions in the electronics, transportation and industrial markets with custom-engineered applications.
The company has also acquired Fagerdala, in a bid to boost its manufacturing footprint in Asia, expertise in foam manufacturing and fabrication, and commercial organization to enhance sales in the consumer electronics, medical equipment and devices, automotive, temperature assurance, and e-commerce fulfillment sectors. AFP and Fagerdala align well with the ship-in-own-container (SIOC) trend in e-commerce. This trend is transforming e-commerce packaging as more distributors want manufacturers to have their primary packaging parcel ready.
Poised Well for the Long Run
Sealed Air’s top line will be supported by elevated demand for its core product portfolio, recently-introduced innovations, strong fresh food markets and e-commerce activities. The company is witnessing increased demand for essential and high-performing packaging solutions that extend shelf life, reduce waste and drive customer productivity. Furthermore, the ongoing momentum in high-growth geographies, such as Brazil, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, will continue as demand shoots up for packaged proteins and convenience meals.
In addition, anticipated benefits from reducing costs, driving operational excellence and commercializing new innovations, and favorable global business trends will aid the company in improving margins.
Price Performance
Over the past year, shares of Sealed Air have gained 16%, as against the industry's decline of 21.3%.
Headwinds
Decelerating global industrial market and the U.S.-China trade war have been impacting the Product Care segment’s volumes. Rising raw-material prices and higher freight charges remain headwinds. In fiscal 2019, currency headwind is expected to negatively impact net sales by approximately $145 million and adjusted EBITDA by $30 million.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Sealed Air currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Northwest Pipe has an expected earnings growth rate of 15.8% for the current year. The stock has appreciated 50% over the past year.
Tennant has a projected earnings growth rate of 29.8% for 2019. The company’s shares have rallied 43% over the past year.
Sharps Compliance has an estimated earnings growth rate of 500% for the ongoing year. In a year’s time, the company’s shares have gained 38%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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Innovation & Acquisitions Aid Sealed Air (SEE) Amid Cost Woes
On Dec 10, we issued an updated research report on Sealed Air Corporation (SEE - Free Report) . The company is poised to benefit from acquisitions, innovative products, Reinvent SEE Strategy, restructuring programs, and growth in fresh food and e-commerce markets. However, weaker volumes in the Product Care segment resulting from a slowdown in the global industrial market and input-cost inflation remain concerns.
Upbeat Prospects for 2019
Sealed Air anticipates net sales of $4.8 billion for fiscal 2019. The guidance reflects year-over-year growth of approximately 1.5% on reported basis and 4.5% in constant dollars. Acquisitions are expected to contribute 4% of growth in revenues. Sealed Air’s adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019 is pegged at $890 million. EBITDA margin for the fiscal year is projected at 19.8-20%. The company projects adjusted earnings per share at $2.70-$2.80. The mid-point of the guided range indicates year-over-year growth of 10%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sealed Air’s earnings per share for fiscal 2019 is $2.78, suggesting year-over-year growth of 11.2%.
Savings from Restructuring to Aid Margins
In December 2018, Sealed Air announced a reformation plan — Reinvent SEE Strategy — and a fresh restructuring program, in a bid to boost earnings. The new strategy is focused on innovations, SG&A productivity, product-cost efficiency, channel optimization and customer-service enhancements. One of the most vital aspects of this strategy involves investment in technology and resources focusing on new and existing high-growth markets. Moreover, the new strategy will fuel Sealed Air’s growth by supporting packaging innovations for fresh food and e-commerce.
Sealed Air will combine the new program with its ongoing restructuring program. Both programs are likely to result in total annualized savings of $250 million through 2021.
Acquisitions: A Key Catalyst
Sealed Air acquired Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. during second-quarter fiscal 2019. This acquisition will fortify its portfolio and drive growth in e-commerce, fulfillment and food packaging markets. The buyout of AFP, Inc. has expanded Sealed Air’s protective packaging solutions in the electronics, transportation and industrial markets with custom-engineered applications.
The company has also acquired Fagerdala, in a bid to boost its manufacturing footprint in Asia, expertise in foam manufacturing and fabrication, and commercial organization to enhance sales in the consumer electronics, medical equipment and devices, automotive, temperature assurance, and e-commerce fulfillment sectors. AFP and Fagerdala align well with the ship-in-own-container (SIOC) trend in e-commerce. This trend is transforming e-commerce packaging as more distributors want manufacturers to have their primary packaging parcel ready.
Poised Well for the Long Run
Sealed Air’s top line will be supported by elevated demand for its core product portfolio, recently-introduced innovations, strong fresh food markets and e-commerce activities. The company is witnessing increased demand for essential and high-performing packaging solutions that extend shelf life, reduce waste and drive customer productivity. Furthermore, the ongoing momentum in high-growth geographies, such as Brazil, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, will continue as demand shoots up for packaged proteins and convenience meals.
In addition, anticipated benefits from reducing costs, driving operational excellence and commercializing new innovations, and favorable global business trends will aid the company in improving margins.
Price Performance
Over the past year, shares of Sealed Air have gained 16%, as against the industry's decline of 21.3%.
Headwinds
Decelerating global industrial market and the U.S.-China trade war have been impacting the Product Care segment’s volumes. Rising raw-material prices and higher freight charges remain headwinds. In fiscal 2019, currency headwind is expected to negatively impact net sales by approximately $145 million and adjusted EBITDA by $30 million.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Sealed Air currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Industrial Products sector are Northwest Pipe Company (NWPX - Free Report) , Tennant Company (TNC - Free Report) and Sharps Compliance Corp . All of these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Northwest Pipe has an expected earnings growth rate of 15.8% for the current year. The stock has appreciated 50% over the past year.
Tennant has a projected earnings growth rate of 29.8% for 2019. The company’s shares have rallied 43% over the past year.
Sharps Compliance has an estimated earnings growth rate of 500% for the ongoing year. In a year’s time, the company’s shares have gained 38%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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