Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd.
(
HOLI
) has gained nearly 12% since its quarterly results on August 14,
which included an encouraging revenue outlook for fiscal 2013. With
a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of just 1.6 and a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong
Buy), this provider of automation and control technologies presents
a true value option for investors.
Strong Revenue for Fiscal 2013
Hollysys Automation Technologies reported fiscal fourth quarter
2012 earnings per share of 21 cents, up 75% year over year but a
penny short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Revenue spiked 23% to $88.1 million on the back of healthy growth
in the Industrial Automation and Overseas businesses, which
accounted for roughly 58% and 8.4% of total revenue, respectively.
Backlog in the quarter grew 31.5% to roughly $390 million. Gross
margin improved to 41.4% from 28.8% in the year-ago quarter.
For fiscal 2012, earnings per share came in at $1.01 versus 75
cents in fiscal 2011, while revenue settled at $321.7 million
compared with $262.8 million in 2011.
Driven by impressive fiscal fourth quarter results and a strong
backlog, management projected fiscal 2013 total revenue of $385
million to $410 million with net income of $63 million to $67
million. At mid-points, the revenue guidance suggests
year-over-year growth of 23.6% while the net income guidance
suggests 15.7%.
Earnings Estimates Move Higher
Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2013
has advanced by 4.5% to $1.16, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate
for fiscal 2014 moved up 1.6% to $1.25 per share. These outlooks
represent year-over-year earnings growth of 14.4% for fiscal 2013
and 8% for fiscal 2014.
A Value Play
In addition to a low P/B ratio, Hollysys Automation Technologies is
currently trading at a forward P/E multiple of 8.1, compared with
the peer group average of 14.1. A P/E ratio below 15.0 and a P/B
ratio under 3.0 generally indicate value.
The chart below clearly shows that the stock gained momentum
following the first calendar quarter of 2009, and since then has
reached new highs. Growth prospects appear bright and are backed by
the rising Zacks Consensus Estimates.
Hollysys Automation Technologies is headquartered in Beijing,
China, and was founded in 1993. The company makes automation and
control technologies for several industries in China and other
parts of Asia. Customers are in the industrial, railway, and
nuclear industries. Currently, the company has a market
capitalization of approximately $526.4 million.
HOLLYSYS AUTOMT (HOLI): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.