NCI Building Systems, Inc.
(
NCS
) is slated to report its third-quarter fiscal 2012 results on
September 5, 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is
pegged at a loss of 5 cents per share, representing an improvement
from the last-year quarter's loss of 38 cents and 45 cents in the
previous quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue
currently stands at $308 million, estimating an annual growth of
18%.
Second Quarter Synopsis
The company reported adjusted loss of 45 cents per share in the
second quarter (ended April 29, 2012), much wider than the Zacks
Consensus Estimate of a loss of 39 cents but slightly narrower than
the year-ago quarter's loss of 48 cents.
Revenues in the reported quarter increased 11% year over year to
$250.2 million, comfortably surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate
of $243 million. This outperformance was aided by better
performance of the Coatings and buildings segment, favorable
business mix and development in the manufacturing, engineering and
supply chain operations.
Estimate Revision Trend
Agreement
Of the two analysts covering the stock, none revised their
estimates for the third quarter in the last 7 days or in the last
30 days. Similarly, no estimate revision was witnessed for fiscal
2012 over the past 7 days as well as 30 days. The lack of estimate
revisions indicates the absence of any major catalyst driving the
quarterly results.
Magnitude
The Zacks Consensus Estimates remained unchanged for both the
third quarter and fiscal 2012 over the last 90 days.
Earnings Surprise History
With respect to earnings surprise, NCI Building has topped the
Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters. The
company delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 24.07%
over the preceding four quarters, implying that it has beaten the
Zacks Consensus Estimate by the same measure.
Our Take
NCI Building Systems has recently acquired Metl-Span LLC for
$145 million. Metl-Span is a leader in the advancement of insulated
panel technology and serves the architectural, commercial,
industrial and cold Storage industries (non-residential building
products market) with energy efficient and cost effective insulated
metal wall and roof panels. The acquisition will position NCI
Building as a leader in the insulated metal panel business by
diversifying and expanding its existing product range. In addition,
NCI Building will also be benefited from a growing customer base as
well as distribution network in North America. The company expects
the acquisition to be accretive to its earnings in fiscal 2012.
During the second quarter, bookings increased 39% over second
quarter 2011, and backlog reached $259 million, up 16% sequentially
and 23% year over year. Both indicate toward a better second half
performance
NCI Building Systems has expanded its product portfolio in the
Coating segment to industries outside the non-residential
construction market and has been providing competent services to a
wider customer base. It has plans to increase toll and package
sales of the coating segment. This initiative will reduce the
dependence of the coating segment on the weaker construction
market.
The slow recovery in non-residential construction market remains
a concern for NCI Building Systems. The company has incurred losses
for ten straight quarters.
According to the American Institute of Architects, the
architecture billings index, a predictor of construction spending 9
to 12 months in the future, was 45.8 in May, followed by 45.9 in
June and 48.7 in July. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in
billings. After remaining at a level of over 50 for the five
consecutive months till March, the index has slipped into negative
territory. The more relevant commercial and industrial component of
the Index was at 46.9 in July and 48.4 in July. This is also
deterioration from 50.7 in May and 53.8 in April.
On a positive note, the non-residential construction forecast of
the McGraw-Hill Constructions has predicted construction activity
to increase in 2012 from the 2011 level. It expects 2012
non-residential construction activity measured in square feet to be
2% higher than 2011. It projects square footage at 690 million in
2012 increasing from the previous year's 678 million. The ramp up
in the non-residential construction market will benefit NCI
Building by driving demand for its products.
Furthermore, one of the important raw materials for NCI
Buildings is steel. It depends heavily on steel and thus its
business is considerably influenced by steel prices. The steel
industry is cyclical in nature and steel prices remained highly
volatile in recent years. The prices may remain volatile in future
causing margin headwinds.
Currently, the stock retains a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a
short-term Hold rating. Our long-term recommendation on NCI
Building remains Neutral.
Based in Texas, NCI Building Systems is one of the largest
integrated manufacturers of metal products for the North American
non-residential construction industry. It competes with privately
held companies like American Buildings Company, Butler
Manufacturing Company and Varco Pruden Buildings.
NCI BLDG SYSTEM (NCS): Free Stock Analysis
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