
NYSE:ZTS
ZTS has demonstrated consistent, stable and recurring revenue growth, and is now trading at a 30.3X forward P/E, which has come down from its peak of ~39X in 2020. It has shown great margin expansion over the years and it uses all of its free cash flows and more to repurchase shares and issue a dividend. The balance sheet is OK, and it has a decent history of beating earnings estimates. A lot of the value in ZTS is driven by its combination of margin expansion and aggressive share buyback plan. We would be comfortable with the name over a 3 to 5 year horizon due to its strong free cash flow generation, shareholder-friendly management team, and strong margins, but it does trade at a premium valuation and its balance sheet could be stronger. We would be comfortable averaging into ZTS over time.
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They lead in pets' health. It thrived during Covid, but so did the PE, so rising rates have impacted them. However, pet ownership remains strong and even getting younger with more millennials buying pets. Clinics are open now. Spending per visit is up. They cover 8 species. Drug development for pets is shorter with less competition and longer shelf life. A new growth drug tackles ticks and fleas, and will launch a painkiller for dogs that looks promising.
(Analysts’ price target is $209.69)ZTS operates as an animal health medicine, vaccine, and diagnostic product. ZTS has performed well in the last five years with consistent, stable and recurring revenue growth, and is now trading at 30x times' Forward P/E, which is at the lower end of historical averages. The balance sheet is OK, with net debt of $4.6B.
Total debt is around 2.4x times trailing twelve-month cash flow of $1.9B, and cash flow declined slightly around 14% compared to $2.2B last year largely due to investment in inventories.
Based on consensus estimates, sales are expected to grow by 8% on average over the next few years. Overall, the company has been growing, increasing dividends and repurchasing shares consistently over the last few years, the main issue is the valuation: it is trading at a premium level given the high quality of the business. W
e would be comfortable averaging into ZTS over time.
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Pet segment will continue to grow and livestock will come back online, boosting earnings. Good growth business. Great drug pipeline over the next few years.