Outperform on Valmont - Analyst Blog
April 12 2012 - 9:00AM
Zacks
We are reaffirming our Outperform
recommendation on Valmont Industries (VMI). The
company’s fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of $1.83 per share outpaced
the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66. Revenues cruised 25.7% year
over year to $752.7 million led by significant growth in the
Irrigation segment.
The Nebraska-based company saw
growth across the board in the fourth quarter. Revenues from its
Irrigation and Utility Support Structures segments shot up 34% and
63% year over year, respectively.
Valmont makes fabricated metal
products, metal and concrete pole and tower structures and
mechanized irrigation systems in the U.S. and abroad. It
competes with Lindsay Corporation (LNN) and
Thomas and Betts Corp. (TNB) among others.
Valmont is witnessing significant
strength in the irrigation market and an improving demand for
utility transmission structure. The outlook for irrigation
equipment is healthy while demand for Utility Support Structures is
expected to rise moving ahead. Recent order activity and a growing
backlog support expectations for a strong 2012.
We are encouraged to see a pick-up
across Valmont’s Irrigation and Coatings segments recently. In the
Irrigation unit, improving North American equipment demand is
boosting net farm income.
We also believe acquisitions will
spur growth moving forward. Valmont, in May 2010, bought UK-based
industrial engineer Delta plc. Delta’s engineered support
structures business and galvanizing facilities added size and
geographic coverage to Valmont’s current businesses.
Going forward, management sees
continued strong performance in 2012. Besides a healthy outlook for
the Irrigation and Utility Support Structures division, a continued
good performance in the Coatings segment is expected in 2012.
While Valmont envisions increased
sales and profitability in the Engineered Infrastructure Products
segment in 2012, the division is still operating in an environment
of fiscal austerity and measured government funding for
infrastructure projects.
Our recommendation on the stock is
in agreement with a short-term Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy).
LINDSAY CORP (LNN): Free Stock Analysis Report
THOMAS & BETTS (TNB): Free Stock Analysis Report
VALMONT INDS (VMI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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