The following are the top rated Basic Materials stocks according to Validea's Growth Investor model based on the published strategy of Martin Zweig. This strategy looks for growth stocks with persistent accelerating earnings and sales growth, reasonable valuations and low debt.
TREX COMPANY INC (TREX) is a mid-cap growth stock in the Forestry & Wood Products industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Martin Zweig is 89% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
Company Description: Trex Company, Inc. is a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and residential railing and outdoor living products and accessories, marketed under the brand name Trex. The Company is also a provider of custom-engineered commercial railing and staging systems for the commercial and multi-family market, including sports stadiums and performing arts venues. The Company operates in two reportable segments: Trex Residential Products (Trex Residential), and Trex Commercial Products (Trex Commercial). Trex Residential manufactures outdoor living products, consisting of composite decking and railing products, hidden fasteners, and outdoor living accessories. Trex Commercial manufactures and sells its custom, modular and architectural railing and staging systems. The Company offers a range of products, such as Trex Outdoor Furniture, Trex RainEscape, Trex Pergola, Trex Latticeworks, Trex Cornhole Boards, Diablo Trex Blade, Trex SpiralStairs and Structural Steel Posts, and others.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
| P/E RATIO: | PASS |
| REVENUE GROWTH IN RELATION TO EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| SALES GROWTH RATE: | FAIL |
| CURRENT QUARTER EARNINGS: | PASS |
| QUARTERLY EARNINGS ONE YEAR AGO: | PASS |
| POSITIVE EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR CURRENT QUARTER: | PASS |
| EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL QUARTERS: | FAIL |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN PRIOR 3 QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| EARNINGS PERSISTENCE: | PASS |
| LONG-TERM EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| TOTAL DEBT/EQUITY RATIO: | PASS |
| INSIDER TRANSACTIONS: | PASS |
Detailed Analysis of TREX COMPANY INC
ALCOA CORP (AA) is a mid-cap value stock in the Metal Mining industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Martin Zweig is 77% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
Company Description: Alcoa Corporation is a trading company. The Company is engaged in the production of bauxite, alumina and aluminum products. The Company's operations consist of three reportable business segments: Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminum. The Bauxite and Alumina segments primarily consist of a series of affiliated operating entities held in Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC), which is a joint venture between Alcoa Corporation and Alumina Limited. The Aluminum segment consists of the Company's aluminum smelting, casting, and rolling businesses, along with the energy production business. Its Bauxite segment consists of the Company's global bauxite mining operations. The Company's Alumina segment consists of the Company's worldwide refining system, which processes bauxite into alumina. The Aluminum segment consists of its worldwide smelting and cast house system, a portfolio of energy assets in Brazil, Canada, and the United States. It has over 28 operating locations across nine countries.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
| P/E RATIO: | PASS |
| REVENUE GROWTH IN RELATION TO EPS GROWTH: | FAIL |
| SALES GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| CURRENT QUARTER EARNINGS: | PASS |
| QUARTERLY EARNINGS ONE YEAR AGO: | PASS |
| POSITIVE EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR CURRENT QUARTER: | PASS |
| EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN PRIOR 3 QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| EARNINGS PERSISTENCE: | FAIL |
| LONG-TERM EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| TOTAL DEBT/EQUITY RATIO: | PASS |
| INSIDER TRANSACTIONS: | PASS |
Detailed Analysis of ALCOA CORP
INNOSPEC INC. (IOSP) is a mid-cap growth stock in the Chemical Manufacturing industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Martin Zweig is 77% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
Company Description: Innospec Inc. is engaged in developing, manufacturing, blending, marketing and supplying specialty chemicals for use as fuel additives, ingredients for personal care, home care, agrochemical, metal extraction and other applications, and oilfield chemicals. Its segments include Fuel Specialties, Performance Chemicals, and Oilfield Services. The Fuel Specialties segment specializes in manufacturing and supplying fuel additives. It provides various types of fuel ranging from petroleum-based fuels to coal and biofuels. Fuel Specialties products are used in automotive fuels, refineries, marine, renewable fuels, and power plants. The Performance Chemicals segment provides technology-based solutions for its customers processes or products focused in the personal care, home care, agrochemical, metal extractions and construction. The Oilfield Services segment develops and markets chemical solutions for fracturing, stimulation and stimulation operations, and products for oil and gas production.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
| P/E RATIO: | PASS |
| REVENUE GROWTH IN RELATION TO EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| SALES GROWTH RATE: | FAIL |
| CURRENT QUARTER EARNINGS: | PASS |
| QUARTERLY EARNINGS ONE YEAR AGO: | PASS |
| POSITIVE EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR CURRENT QUARTER: | PASS |
| EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN PRIOR 3 QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| EARNINGS PERSISTENCE: | FAIL |
| LONG-TERM EPS GROWTH: | FAIL |
| TOTAL DEBT/EQUITY RATIO: | PASS |
| INSIDER TRANSACTIONS: | PASS |
Detailed Analysis of INNOSPEC INC.
SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE (ADR) (SQM) is a large-cap value stock in the Chemical Manufacturing industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Martin Zweig is 77% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
Company Description: Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM), is a producer of potassium nitrate and iodine. The Company produces specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium and its derivatives, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate and certain industrial chemicals. Its segments include specialty plant nutrients, industrial chemicals, iodine and derivatives, lithium and derivatives, potassium, and other products and services. Specialty plant nutrients are fertilizers that enable farmers to improve yields and the quality of certain crops. Industrial chemicals have a range of applications in chemical processes, such as the manufacturing of glass and industrial nitrates. Iodine and its derivatives are used in the X-ray contrast media and biocides industries, among others. Lithium and its derivatives are used in batteries, greases and frits for production of ceramics. Potassium chloride is a commodity fertilizer that is produced and sold by the Company across the world.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
| P/E RATIO: | PASS |
| REVENUE GROWTH IN RELATION TO EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| SALES GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| CURRENT QUARTER EARNINGS: | PASS |
| QUARTERLY EARNINGS ONE YEAR AGO: | PASS |
| POSITIVE EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR CURRENT QUARTER: | PASS |
| EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN PRIOR 3 QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| EARNINGS PERSISTENCE: | FAIL |
| LONG-TERM EPS GROWTH: | FAIL |
| TOTAL DEBT/EQUITY RATIO: | PASS |
| INSIDER TRANSACTIONS: | PASS |
Detailed Analysis of SOCIEDAD QUIMICA Y MINERA DE CHILE (ADR)
WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES INC (WTS) is a mid-cap growth stock in the Misc. Fabricated Products industry. The rating according to our strategy based on Martin Zweig is 77% based on the firm’s underlying fundamentals and the stock’s valuation. A score of 80% or above typically indicates that the strategy has some interest in the stock and a score above 90% typically indicates strong interest.
Company Description: Watts Water Technologies, Inc. is a supplier of products, solutions and systems that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through and out of buildings in the commercial and residential markets. Its product lines include residential & commercial flow control products, such as backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, and leak detection products; heating, ventilation and air conditioning and gas products, which include water heaters and heating solutions, hydronic and electric heating systems for under-floor radiant applications, custom heat and hot water solutions and hydronic pump groups; drainage & water re-use products, which includes drainage and engineered rainwater harvesting solutions for commercial, industrial, marine and residential applications, and water quality products, such as point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration and scale prevention systems for commercial, marine and residential applications.
The following table summarizes whether the stock meets each of this strategy's tests. Not all criteria in the below table receive equal weighting or are independent, but the table provides a brief overview of the strong and weak points of the security in the context of the strategy's criteria.
| P/E RATIO: | PASS |
| REVENUE GROWTH IN RELATION TO EPS GROWTH: | FAIL |
| SALES GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| CURRENT QUARTER EARNINGS: | PASS |
| QUARTERLY EARNINGS ONE YEAR AGO: | PASS |
| POSITIVE EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR CURRENT QUARTER: | PASS |
| EARNINGS GROWTH RATE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN PRIOR 3 QUARTERS: | PASS |
| EPS GROWTH FOR CURRENT QUARTER MUST BE GREATER THAN THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE: | PASS |
| EARNINGS PERSISTENCE: | FAIL |
| LONG-TERM EPS GROWTH: | PASS |
| TOTAL DEBT/EQUITY RATIO: | PASS |
| INSIDER TRANSACTIONS: | PASS |
Detailed Analysis of WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES INC
More details on Validea's Martin Zweig strategy
About Martin Zweig: During the 15 years that it was monitored, Zweig's stock recommendation newsletter returned an average of 15.9 percent per year, during which time it was ranked number one based on risk-adjusted returns by Hulbert Financial Digest. Zweig has managed both mutual and hedge funds during his career, and he's put the fortune he's compiled to some interesting uses. He has owned what Forbes reported was the most expensive apartment in New York, a $70 million penthouse that sits atop Manhattan's Pierre Hotel, and he is a collector of all sorts of pop culture and historical memorabilia -- among his purchases are the gun used by Clint Eastwood in "Dirty Harry", a stock certificate signed by Commodore Vanderbilt, and even two old-fashioned gas pumps similar to those he'd seen at a nearby gas station while growing up in Cleveland, according to published reports.
About Validea: Validea is aninvestment researchservice that follows the published strategies of investment legends. Validea offers both stock analysis and model portfolios based on gurus who have outperformed the market over the long-term, including Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch and Martin Zweig. For more information about Validea, click here
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
