One of the biggest benefits offered by The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)’s 787 Dreamliner is reduced fuel usage. Using advanced materials to save on weight is part of what makes that possible. General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL), and Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT) are working on making planes even lighter.
A Dreamy Airplane
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)’s 787 was a revolutionary concept because it used materials like carbon to save on weight. That, among other advances, allows the plane to use 20% less fuel than similarly sized aircraft. That’s a huge difference in an industry where fuel is among the highest and most variable costs. For example, in the first quarter of 2013, U.S. Airways spent $271 million on fuel.
That’s a run rate of over $1 billion a year. If the company’s fleet were to switch overnight to 787s, it would save $200 million on fuel. Those savings would fall almost directly to the bottom line and amount to something near a dollar a share. Of course such a switch couldn’t happen overnight and would come with notable debt or lease expenses, but you can see why airlines have been lining up for the plane despite the many production delays and battery concerns.
Composites
Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) and Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT) are both leading the charge on composite materials. Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) produces carbon fiber, structural fabrics, honeycomb, prepregs, film adhesives and sandwich panels, and composite parts and structures. It is among the leaders in most of these areas. The company claims that its materials “are used on virtually every commercial and military aircraft produced in the western world” and in such mundane items as tennis rackets and golf clubs.
Since 2009, the shares of gone from the low single digits to over $30. However, revenues and earnings have both headed higher from that point, as well. Although the trailing price to earnings ratio of around 20 suggests that shares aren’t cheap, neither are they overpriced for a company that looks to be on the cusp of a revolution in the way planes are built.
Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT) describes itself as a specialty materials and chemicals company that develops and makes “value-added products.” Its products are “formulated to perform specific and important functions for our customers.” Key markets include aerospace, structural adhesives, automotive and industrial coatings, electronics, inks, mining, and plastics.
The last two years have seen a great deal of change at the company. It divested its Building Block Chemicals business and sensitive adhesives product line, and agreed to sell its Coating Resins business. And it acquired Umeco, a provider of advanced composites and process materials that augmented its position in the aerospace market. So, historical comparisons are difficult to make. That said, earnings in 2012 were over $4 a share, so the company is in fine financial shape. However, the trailing P/E is nearly 50, so expectations are high here.
If the broader airline industry starts to embrace the same building methods that Boeing is pioneering, then these two companies could quickly see revenues accelerate. To this end, Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT) has deals with Boeing, Bombardier, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, a country known for pushing the envelope on growth.
Engines
Another way to save fuel is to use more efficient engines. General Electric is using new materials within its jet engines to make that happen. Specifically, the company is using lightweight ceramics. General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) notes that if you remove a pound from a spinning object you can also take as much as three pounds from the parts used to support the object. Engines are heavy, so you are talking about huge weight savings that will translate directly to large fuel savings. General Electric Company (NYSE:GE)’s ceramics push is making that happen.
General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) shares have moved up over the past couple of years as it has started to refocus on its industrial business, divest non-core assets like NBC, and recover from the financial crisis. While such large divestitures complicate the top line, the bottom line has been improving since 2009. Although the finance arm is still too large, management is slowly changing that, too. A P/E around 16 suggests that this industrial giant is fairly priced. And an around 3.3% dividend yield is ample payment to wait for an eventual turnaround that appears to have already started.
Weighty
General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) is probably the best option of the three for income investors. It is also the cheapest from a valuation perspective. However, advances in airplanes will likely have the least impact on this diversified giant. As such, growth investors will probably prefer Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) or Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT). Like General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), Cytec Industries Inc (NYSE:CYT) has seen a lot of change on the corporate front and it’s priced at a premium valuation when compared to Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL).
The article A Trio Of Light Plane Winners originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Reuben Brewer.
Reuben Brewer has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric Company. Reuben is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
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