Wabash National
(
WNC
) is a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) due to higher earnings estimates
and a solid beat in the most recent quarter.
Company Description
Wabash National Corporation engages in designing, manufacturing,
and marketing standard and customized truck trailers, intermodal
equipment and transportation related products. The Retail segment
operates 12 retail branch locations, which sell new and used
trailers, aftermarket parts, and services throughout the United
States. Wabash National Corporation was founded in 1985 and is
headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana.
WNC Tops Expectations Three of Last Five Reports
WNC has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last
three of the last five quarters. One of the beats, in the December
2001 quarter saw the company post earnings of $0.03, $0.02 ahead of
the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.01. The beat of 200% was not
what Wall Street wanted, as the stock drifted lower by about one
half of one percent following the report.
The September 2011 quarter saw a miss of $0.03 or roughly 60% but
Wall Street focused in on the topline instead. Revenue came in at
$336 million, $23 million ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate and
96% ahead of the year ago period of $171 million. The stock moved
higher by more than 6% as a result of the topline beat.
WNC Recently Reported Earnings
On February 6, 2012 the company reported revenue of $16 million
roughly $4 million more than the Zacks Consensus Estimate and
double the $8 million reported in the year ago period. EPS of $0.12
was $0.08 ahead of the estimate or a 200% beat. As a result the
stock moved higher by about 7%.
Earnings Estimates Bumped Up
Following the most recent earnings report, analysts bumped up their
earnings estimates for 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012
EPS moved from $0.80 in January 2012 to the current level of $0.87.
Valuations
WNC has a mixed valuation picture. Trailing twelve months PE of 39x
is well above the industry average of 12x, but forward PE of 11x
shows WNC trading at a discount to the industry average of 14x.
Price to book or 4.5x for WNC is significantly higher than the 1.9x
industry average, but price to book trades in line with the
industry average.
The Chart
A quick look at the price and consensus chart shows that the
analyst estimates for WNC are well above where the stock is
trading. This is generally a sign of an undervalued stock. With
growing revenue and higher earnings estimates, WNC is ready to
break out. WNC is a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy).
Brian Bolan is the Aggressive Growth Stock Strategist for
Zacks.com. He is also the Editor in charge of the
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