Semi-truck trailer maker
Wabash National Corp.
(
WNC
) is well placed to reap the benefits of a strong trailer
replacement cycle this year and beyond.
With rising demand for trailers, healthy order bookings, attractive
growth opportunities and a projected long-term earnings growth of
15%, this Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stock has plenty to offer
aggressive growth investors.
A Compelling Growth Prospect
Wabash National posted healthy first-quarter 2012 results on April
30, including adjusted earnings of 10 cents per share that matched
the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company has now beaten the Zacks
Consensus Estimate in three of the last six quarters.
Revenues shot up 25% year over year to roughly $277.7 million,
buoyed by solid shipments of new trailers. Operating income
improved for the 10th consecutive quarter, growing 35% to reach
$5.4 million.
New trailer shipments jumped 16% year-over-year to 10,300 units.
According to industry estimates, shipment volume is expected to
climb roughly 20% year over year in 2012. The company reaffirmed
its full year new trailer shipment target of 50,000 to 56,000
units, representing a 5%-18% annualized growth.
In May 2012, Wabash wrapped up its takeover of Wisconsin-based
liquid transportation systems and engineered products maker Walker
Group for $360 million in cash. Besides allowing it to venture into
new markets, the acquisition will diversify the company's
portfolio, provide cost synergies and meaningfully add to its
earnings.
Estimates are Shooting Up
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012 has climbed 11% over the last
60 days to 98 cents per share, representing an estimated annualized
growth of roughly 326%. For 2013, the Zacks Consensus Estimate rose
by roughly 14% to $1.58 per share over the same period, reflecting
a projected year-over-year growth of 61%.
Attractive Valuation
Wabash's valuation looks reasonable on a P/E and PEG basis. It has
a PEG ratio of 0.46, a 54% discount to the benchmark of 1 for a
fairly priced stock. This indicates that the forecasted long-term
growth of 15% is currently priced at a discount. Moreover, the
stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 6.90x, representing
a roughly 33% discount to the peer group average of 10.32x.
Chart Shows Potential
The price and consensus chart demonstrate that the earnings
estimates lines are consistently hovering above the stock price,
indicating that Wabash is undervalued. The strong earnings growth
potential has been captured by the widening gap between the
estimate lines for 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Founded in 1985, Wabash National Corporation is among the largest
manufacturers of semi trailers in North America. The company, which
has a market cap of roughly $462 million, specializes in making dry
van trailers, refrigerated vans, truck trailers, flatbed and drop
deck trailers and intermodal equipment. Wabash operates through
three segments - Commercial Trailer Products, Diversified Products
and Retail. The Commercial Trailer Products segment makes standard
and customized truck trailers while the Diversified Products
division offers a vast array of complimentary products and
customer-specific solutions. The Retail unit operates 12 retail
branch locations, which distribute new and used trailers,
aftermarket parts and services nationwide.
This Week's Aggressive Growth Zacks Rank Buy
Stocks
GNC Holdings, Inc.
(
GNC
) has been delivering positive earnings surprises ever since its
initial public offering in April 2011, resulting in a more than
two-fold growth in its stock price. With an average earnings
surprise of about 20.4% over the last four quarters and a long-term
growth projection of about 18.0%, this health supplement retailer
is a solid pick for growth.
Read the full article.
Chesapeake Lodging Trust
(
CHSP
) has been steadily climbing since October 2011 when the industry
was mired with incessant fears of a double-dip recession. With a
first quarter positive FFO/share surprise of 46.2% and expected
year-over-year earnings growth of 49.7% this fiscal year,
Chesapeake looks like a solid growth stock.
Read the full article.
LaSalle Hotel Properties
(
LHO
) has been on a long-term uptrend since it bottomed out in 2009
amid the economic and housing market turmoil. With a first quarter
positive EPS surprise of 23.5% and expected year-over-year earnings
growth of 39.5% in the current fiscal year, this hotel REIT (real
estate investment trust) is poised to continue its uptrend in the
coming quarters as well.
Read the full article.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
(
JAZZ
) has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in seven of the last
eight quarters with an average earnings surprise of 6.26%.
Moreover, the company generated year-over-year earnings growth of
79.2% in the first quarter of 2012. With a continued increase in
earnings estimates and a long-term growth projection of about
21.3%, this specialty biopharmaceutical stock became a Zacks #1
(Strong Buy) stock on May 31, 2012.
Read the full article.
WABASH NATIONAL (WNC): Free Stock Analysis
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