Stock price when the opinion was issued
For any company involved in the critical flow of fluids or materials such as petrochemical plants, plain chemical plants, oil refineries, etc. they will be using some of this company’s products. 10,000 customers globally and have a pretty good growth rate ahead of them. Looking at $150 within 12 months and $175-$200 in 24 months.
Oil and gas exposed, but much of the cash flow is recurring and very predictable. Mid stream and downstream cap-x are not at risk these days. The valuation is compelling, but he is waiting to see how oil shakes out. It gets 25% return on invested capital. He is going to take a hard look at it when oil stabilizes.
Had owned this several years ago, and it was a Top Pick on many occasions. When the economy started to slow, more particularly the oil/gas industry, he sold his holdings. They produce valves, pumps and seals for a variety of different products for the chemical and oil industries. Trading at 17.1X this year’s earnings, and 15.1X next year’s. He is really focusing more on the companies that may use their products.
It is a cyclical industry. 40% of sales are aftermarket. It probably tends to go up and down with the price of oil. He does not like companies like this very much because they depend on a cyclical market. FLS-N is trading at over 20 times earnings, yet they have declining sales and earnings. The new CEO may help, but the guest would want it to go down to 15 times earnings before he would be interested.
Sold his holdings at $152-$153 so obviously missed out on 3 or 4 points. Street target was $158 and if looking out a year or 18 months, he was looking at $170. Looking at other things now that he thinks has greater potential. Great company and great cyclical play.