Industrials

• KBR, Inc. achieved solid results in the Q4 and FY 2023, meeting or exceeding expectations on all key metrics.
• Revenue grew by 11%, and adjusted EBITDA by 12% year-on-year, with margins increasing to 10.7%.
• Cash management was a highlight, with the company settling both the convert and warrants in cash, reducing share count while avoiding dilution, and management described it as ‘delivering on its commitment to maximise shareholder return.’ The company ended the year with a good order backlog, providing visibility of future earnings potential.

• Pacific Basin Shipping (2343 HK) just announced a US$40m buyback which equals 2.5% of market capitalisation, showcasing management’s confidence in the outlook.
• At end-1Q24, it covered 68% of FY24 Handysize days at US$10,960/day and 78% of Supermax days at US$13,370/day, leaving significant room to capture the upside in 2H24.
• Market consensus looks overly conservative with FY24 earnings of US$154m, given BDI of 1,808 YTD. The average half-year BDI and net profit since 1H20 is 1,822 and US$189m.  

• Taylor Devices, Inc. designs and manufactures shock absorption devices for the construction and aerospace & defense industries.
• Aerospace & defense orders have surged and now make up over 80% of the company’s backlog.
• The company had its best financial performance in FY 2023 and continues to see significant increases in gross profit and operating income in FY 2024 under new management.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• KBR, Inc. achieved solid results in the Q4 and FY 2023, meeting or exceeding expectations on all key metrics.
• Revenue grew by 11%, and adjusted EBITDA by 12% year-on-year, with margins increasing to 10.7%.
• Cash management was a highlight, with the company settling both the convert and warrants in cash, reducing share count while avoiding dilution, and management described it as ‘delivering on its commitment to maximise shareholder return.’ The company ended the year with a good order backlog, providing visibility of future earnings potential.

• Pacific Basin Shipping (2343 HK) just announced a US$40m buyback which equals 2.5% of market capitalisation, showcasing management’s confidence in the outlook.
• At end-1Q24, it covered 68% of FY24 Handysize days at US$10,960/day and 78% of Supermax days at US$13,370/day, leaving significant room to capture the upside in 2H24.
• Market consensus looks overly conservative with FY24 earnings of US$154m, given BDI of 1,808 YTD. The average half-year BDI and net profit since 1H20 is 1,822 and US$189m.  

• Taylor Devices, Inc. designs and manufactures shock absorption devices for the construction and aerospace & defense industries.
• Aerospace & defense orders have surged and now make up over 80% of the company’s backlog.
• The company had its best financial performance in FY 2023 and continues to see significant increases in gross profit and operating income in FY 2024 under new management.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Jeil M&S reported excellent IPO bookbuilding results. Jeil M&S’s IPO price has been determined at 22,000 won per share (22% higher than the high end of the IPO price range).
• A total of 2,164 institutional investors participated in this IPO book building. The demand ratio was 646 to 1. Samhyun will start trading on 30 April 2024. 
• Our base case valuation of Jeil M&S is target price of 24,354 won per share, which is 11% higher than the IPO price.

• Old Dominion Freight Line released its fourth-quarter earnings.
• In the quarter, the company saw a slowdown in the domestic economy which affected volume levels.
• Despite this, the company saw a quarterly revenue and earnings per share increase for the first time in 2023, owing to an increase in the quality of its revenue.

Severfield’s trading update indicates that FY23 results are expected to slightly exceed market expectations and the company ends the year with a record UK and Europe order book. Furthermore, with a positive trading outlook and net debt coming in lower than expected, Severfield has announced a £10m share buyback, highlighting the cash-generative nature of the company and management’s confidence in its position. The stock trades on an FY25 P/E of less than 6x and yields 7%, which we believe appears compelling.

• kopi-C with SingPost’s CFO: “We’re building a Singapore-branded global logistics company” Its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik explains its strategy.
• With the decline in demand for postal services over the years, Singapore Post (SingPost), the country’s postal service provider, is pivoting to the logistics sector to survive and thrive, shares its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik.

• Sunrun is a renewable energy company that had a strong fourth quarter and a full-year result in 2023.
• The company exceeded its guidance on storage capacity installation and landed in its guidance range on installed solar capacity.
• As a result, there were significant increases in its subscriber values, up 7% from Q3 and 18% year-over-year.

• Jeil M&S reported excellent IPO bookbuilding results. Jeil M&S’s IPO price has been determined at 22,000 won per share (22% higher than the high end of the IPO price range).
• A total of 2,164 institutional investors participated in this IPO book building. The demand ratio was 646 to 1. Samhyun will start trading on 30 April 2024. 
• Our base case valuation of Jeil M&S is target price of 24,354 won per share, which is 11% higher than the IPO price.

• Old Dominion Freight Line released its fourth-quarter earnings.
• In the quarter, the company saw a slowdown in the domestic economy which affected volume levels.
• Despite this, the company saw a quarterly revenue and earnings per share increase for the first time in 2023, owing to an increase in the quality of its revenue.

Severfield’s trading update indicates that FY23 results are expected to slightly exceed market expectations and the company ends the year with a record UK and Europe order book. Furthermore, with a positive trading outlook and net debt coming in lower than expected, Severfield has announced a £10m share buyback, highlighting the cash-generative nature of the company and management’s confidence in its position. The stock trades on an FY25 P/E of less than 6x and yields 7%, which we believe appears compelling.

• kopi-C with SingPost’s CFO: “We’re building a Singapore-branded global logistics company” Its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik explains its strategy.
• With the decline in demand for postal services over the years, Singapore Post (SingPost), the country’s postal service provider, is pivoting to the logistics sector to survive and thrive, shares its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik.

• Sunrun is a renewable energy company that had a strong fourth quarter and a full-year result in 2023.
• The company exceeded its guidance on storage capacity installation and landed in its guidance range on installed solar capacity.
• As a result, there were significant increases in its subscriber values, up 7% from Q3 and 18% year-over-year.

• Nidec’s share price rose by 7% on the largest volume day of the year and on a day where the Nikkei declined by 2%.
• The move followed an announcement that Nidec will enhance its CDUs production line in Thailand by 10x by June 2024. CDUs are used to cool AI servers in data centres
• The market impact of 250 billion yen implies a sales impact of 69 billion yen, which is far too high for 24,000 units per year

• Given events in the Middle East and associated risks for oil prices, we publish a quick guide to the 2024 earnings sensitivity to fuel price increases for the European airlines.
• Rising fuel prices pose starkest risk to Lufthansa earnings, and it has just profit warned due to strike costs, which leave it needing a record 2H to meet guidance.
• Ryanair is comfortably most insulated given margin and balance sheet strength.

• CATL announced its 1Q24 net profit of CNY9.2B (+19% YoY), which straight out blew past market expectations 
• The fear of ever-declining battery prices is overstated, as CATL has clearly shown it can take lower margins and boost ROEs via higher inventory turnover and high utilisation rates  
• Our fair value of CNY253 (+27% UPSIDE) is derived by 23x 2024 PE ratio, which is 1SD below its historical mean. CATL is currently trading at exceptionally low valuations 

• Our flash checks across a couple of dealers indicate pressure on margins across the industry. Voltas Ltd (VOLT IN) is trying hard to gain market share.
• Other names discussed include PNB Housing Finance Ltd (PNBHOUSI IN), Vedant Fashions (MANYAVAR IN) and Bandhan Bank Ltd (BANDHAN IN). 
• Varun Beverages (VBL IN) and Schaeffler India (SCHFL IN) show up as interesting ARs to read. 

• Prysmian SpA (PRY IM) agreed to acquire Encore Wire (WIRE US) for $290/share in cash, 29% premium to 90-day VWAP, implied EV of €4,264 million, 11x EV/NTM EBITDA and 16.9x Fwd P/E.
• Encore wire has traded at an average 6.4x EV/EBITDA and 10.6x P/E over the last 5 years. I set my TP at $290. Synergies could be valued at $51/share.
• The shares are trading slightly above the offer price. Gross spread is +0.2%. The volume traded since announcement has been very strong. There is room for some sweetening. Long.

• Lonking Holdings (3339 HK)‘s demand should pick up in 2H24 supported by the government’s “Action plan to promote large-scale equipment renewals and consumer goods trade-ins”. 
• Industry volume sales have already witnessed a narrower YoY decline in Mar, with solid exports of wheel loaders and domestic sales of excavators.
• After going ex- in late-May, its PER will drop to 7.0x and yield will rise to 6.6%. Net cash of HK$1.56/share is more than fully cover its share price.

• J&T Global Express, a global logistics provider, raised about US$500m in its Hong Kong IPO in Oct 2023. Its pre-IPO investors will be released from its IPO linked lockup soon.
• As per Frost & Sullivan (F&S), the firm is the leading express delivery business in Southeast Asia, with a 25.4% market share as per 2023 parcel volume.
• In this note, we talk about the upcoming lock-up expiry and possible deal dynamics.

• Invest in Spirit 8% bonds due 9/20/2025
• Spirit Airlines has strong cash position and available credit
• Bonds are guaranteed by Spirit Airlines and backed by assets such as Airbus A320 airplanes

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Norcros plc is a United Kingdom-based supplier of bathroom and kitchen products.
• The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the design, manufacture, and distribution of a range of bathroom and kitchen products, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
• In the United Kingdom, it offers a range of bathroom and kitchen products for domestic and commercial applications. 

• kopi-C with SingPost’s CFO: “We’re building a Singapore-branded global logistics company” Its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik explains its strategy.
• With the decline in demand for postal services over the years, Singapore Post (SingPost), the country’s postal service provider, is pivoting to the logistics sector to survive and thrive, shares its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik.

• Nidec’s share price rose by 7% on the largest volume day of the year and on a day where the Nikkei declined by 2%.
• The move followed an announcement that Nidec will enhance its CDUs production line in Thailand by 10x by June 2024. CDUs are used to cool AI servers in data centres
• The market impact of 250 billion yen implies a sales impact of 69 billion yen, which is far too high for 24,000 units per year

• Given events in the Middle East and associated risks for oil prices, we publish a quick guide to the 2024 earnings sensitivity to fuel price increases for the European airlines.
• Rising fuel prices pose starkest risk to Lufthansa earnings, and it has just profit warned due to strike costs, which leave it needing a record 2H to meet guidance.
• Ryanair is comfortably most insulated given margin and balance sheet strength.

• CATL announced its 1Q24 net profit of CNY9.2B (+19% YoY), which straight out blew past market expectations 
• The fear of ever-declining battery prices is overstated, as CATL has clearly shown it can take lower margins and boost ROEs via higher inventory turnover and high utilisation rates  
• Our fair value of CNY253 (+27% UPSIDE) is derived by 23x 2024 PE ratio, which is 1SD below its historical mean. CATL is currently trading at exceptionally low valuations 

• Our flash checks across a couple of dealers indicate pressure on margins across the industry. Voltas Ltd (VOLT IN) is trying hard to gain market share.
• Other names discussed include PNB Housing Finance Ltd (PNBHOUSI IN), Vedant Fashions (MANYAVAR IN) and Bandhan Bank Ltd (BANDHAN IN). 
• Varun Beverages (VBL IN) and Schaeffler India (SCHFL IN) show up as interesting ARs to read. 

• Prysmian SpA (PRY IM) agreed to acquire Encore Wire (WIRE US) for $290/share in cash, 29% premium to 90-day VWAP, implied EV of €4,264 million, 11x EV/NTM EBITDA and 16.9x Fwd P/E.
• Encore wire has traded at an average 6.4x EV/EBITDA and 10.6x P/E over the last 5 years. I set my TP at $290. Synergies could be valued at $51/share.
• The shares are trading slightly above the offer price. Gross spread is +0.2%. The volume traded since announcement has been very strong. There is room for some sweetening. Long.

• Lonking Holdings (3339 HK)‘s demand should pick up in 2H24 supported by the government’s “Action plan to promote large-scale equipment renewals and consumer goods trade-ins”. 
• Industry volume sales have already witnessed a narrower YoY decline in Mar, with solid exports of wheel loaders and domestic sales of excavators.
• After going ex- in late-May, its PER will drop to 7.0x and yield will rise to 6.6%. Net cash of HK$1.56/share is more than fully cover its share price.

• J&T Global Express, a global logistics provider, raised about US$500m in its Hong Kong IPO in Oct 2023. Its pre-IPO investors will be released from its IPO linked lockup soon.
• As per Frost & Sullivan (F&S), the firm is the leading express delivery business in Southeast Asia, with a 25.4% market share as per 2023 parcel volume.
• In this note, we talk about the upcoming lock-up expiry and possible deal dynamics.

• Invest in Spirit 8% bonds due 9/20/2025
• Spirit Airlines has strong cash position and available credit
• Bonds are guaranteed by Spirit Airlines and backed by assets such as Airbus A320 airplanes

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• Norcros plc is a United Kingdom-based supplier of bathroom and kitchen products.
• The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the design, manufacture, and distribution of a range of bathroom and kitchen products, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
• In the United Kingdom, it offers a range of bathroom and kitchen products for domestic and commercial applications. 

• kopi-C with SingPost’s CFO: “We’re building a Singapore-branded global logistics company” Its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik explains its strategy.
• With the decline in demand for postal services over the years, Singapore Post (SingPost), the country’s postal service provider, is pivoting to the logistics sector to survive and thrive, shares its Group Chief Financial Officer Vincent Yik.

• On April 9, J&T disclosed operating stats from Q124 — a positive surprise
• We welcome the disclosure, but J&T should also explain X-border’s demise
• We believe J&T’s China operation remains far less profitable than its peers’

• Comer Industries, an Italian family-owned company, specializes in producing mission-critical components for agricultural and construction vehicles.

• Operating under an asset-light assembler business model in an industry marked by consolidation and significant barriers to entry, Comer Industries has consistently delivered impressive returns on capital, boasting a ROCE exceeding 20% for the past three years.

• Despite its strong performance, the company’s shares trade at a normalized 12.4% free cash flow yield and a 7.2 EV/EBIT, considerably lower than industry peers.

• Norcros plc is a United Kingdom-based supplier of bathroom and kitchen products.
• The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the design, manufacture, and distribution of a range of bathroom and kitchen products, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
• In the United Kingdom, it offers a range of bathroom and kitchen products for domestic and commercial applications.

• Emerson has undergone significant portfolio transformations, reducing from five business lines to two by 2021
• Incoming CEO Lal Karsanbhai announced strategic actions including selling InSinkErator and a majority stake in Climate Tech, while acquiring stakes in AspenTech and National Instruments
• These moves aimed to further position Emerson as a provider of commercial refrigeration systems, consumer controls, software for process industries, and digital test equipment.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• VLRS is Mexico’s largest ultra-low-cost carrier with Indigo Partners as a key shareholder, benefiting from favorable negotiated aircraft pricing with Airbus
• Despite a decline in stock price, the company’s business model and profit profile remain unchanged
• VLRS has faced temporary challenges but is positioned to benefit from a more rational airline market in Mexico following the demise of Interjet

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• L&T has expanded its focus to waste and environmental services, as well as facility services
• Despite temporary issues and lack of guidance, L&T remains competitively positioned in the local market
• The company plans to sell its low-margin Facility Services businesses, which could drive value realization and make it an attractive investment opportunity with potential for buyout interest.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• LSI Industries, Inc. (LYTS) provides corporate visual image solutions in various markets through its Lighting and Graphic segments
• The company focuses on maintaining a strong balance sheet and generating sustainable free cash flow to drive up share price
• Management’s dedication to shareholder value makes LSI Industries an attractive investment opportunity with a double-digit FCF yield

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• On April 9, J&T disclosed operating stats from Q124 — a positive surprise
• We welcome the disclosure, but J&T should also explain X-border’s demise
• We believe J&T’s China operation remains far less profitable than its peers’

• Comer Industries, an Italian family-owned company, specializes in producing mission-critical components for agricultural and construction vehicles.

• Operating under an asset-light assembler business model in an industry marked by consolidation and significant barriers to entry, Comer Industries has consistently delivered impressive returns on capital, boasting a ROCE exceeding 20% for the past three years.

• Despite its strong performance, the company’s shares trade at a normalized 12.4% free cash flow yield and a 7.2 EV/EBIT, considerably lower than industry peers.

• Norcros plc is a United Kingdom-based supplier of bathroom and kitchen products.
• The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the design, manufacture, and distribution of a range of bathroom and kitchen products, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
• In the United Kingdom, it offers a range of bathroom and kitchen products for domestic and commercial applications.

• Emerson has undergone significant portfolio transformations, reducing from five business lines to two by 2021
• Incoming CEO Lal Karsanbhai announced strategic actions including selling InSinkErator and a majority stake in Climate Tech, while acquiring stakes in AspenTech and National Instruments
• These moves aimed to further position Emerson as a provider of commercial refrigeration systems, consumer controls, software for process industries, and digital test equipment.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• VLRS is Mexico’s largest ultra-low-cost carrier with Indigo Partners as a key shareholder, benefiting from favorable negotiated aircraft pricing with Airbus
• Despite a decline in stock price, the company’s business model and profit profile remain unchanged
• VLRS has faced temporary challenges but is positioned to benefit from a more rational airline market in Mexico following the demise of Interjet

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• L&T has expanded its focus to waste and environmental services, as well as facility services
• Despite temporary issues and lack of guidance, L&T remains competitively positioned in the local market
• The company plans to sell its low-margin Facility Services businesses, which could drive value realization and make it an attractive investment opportunity with potential for buyout interest.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• LSI Industries, Inc. (LYTS) provides corporate visual image solutions in various markets through its Lighting and Graphic segments
• The company focuses on maintaining a strong balance sheet and generating sustainable free cash flow to drive up share price
• Management’s dedication to shareholder value makes LSI Industries an attractive investment opportunity with a double-digit FCF yield

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.

• On Friday, Pasona Group (2168 JP) announced its expected use of funds into the May 2024 results, including a special dividend plan, investment for growth, and “strengthening the operating platform.”
• The plan will disappoint. The stock may get hit hard. The truth is somewhere in the middle. This is where active stewardship matters. So get stewarding.
• A special div paid over 5yrs should be paid one-shot, now. If the company has plans worth supporting, set KPIs now, ask for money later. Good plans get good money.

• Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.
• On the IPO front, the focus remained on HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS), even as Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial is gearing up to launch its IPO. 
• On the placement front, there were deals across India, South Korea and Australia.

• Orient Overseas International (316 HK) saw 27.2% QoQ freight rate uptick in 1Q24. This is a positive start and we should not be too concerned about the 12% YoY decline.
• Its overall load factor also expanded 0.9pp YoY in the quarter, and this is the first YoY improvement since 2Q22. A better utilisation level is good for unit costs.
• At end-FY23, net cash equals 62.4% of the share price, dragging ROE to 7.5% for the next three years. But with such solid financials, its 0.7x P/B is not expensive.

• On Friday, Pasona Group (2168 JP) announced its expected use of funds into the May 2024 results, including a special dividend plan, investment for growth, and “strengthening the operating platform.”
• The plan will disappoint. The stock may get hit hard. The truth is somewhere in the middle. This is where active stewardship matters. So get stewarding.
• A special div paid over 5yrs should be paid one-shot, now. If the company has plans worth supporting, set KPIs now, ask for money later. Good plans get good money.

• Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.
• On the IPO front, the focus remained on HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS), even as Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial is gearing up to launch its IPO. 
• On the placement front, there were deals across India, South Korea and Australia.

• Orient Overseas International (316 HK) saw 27.2% QoQ freight rate uptick in 1Q24. This is a positive start and we should not be too concerned about the 12% YoY decline.
• Its overall load factor also expanded 0.9pp YoY in the quarter, and this is the first YoY improvement since 2Q22. A better utilisation level is good for unit costs.
• At end-FY23, net cash equals 62.4% of the share price, dragging ROE to 7.5% for the next three years. But with such solid financials, its 0.7x P/B is not expensive.