Number churning
Emerson reported revenue of $5.55 billion, compared to $5.31 billion in the same period last year, slightly better than analyst estimates of $5.43 billion. EPS has grown a whopping 24% to $0.62 because of improved net income and a reduced number of shares.
Emerson’s cash flow has improved drastically, with operating cash flow increasing 66% QoQ to $554 million. Moreover, free cash flow grew 115% to $439 million. The company’s improved cash position makes it more flexible, as it can finance its capital investments. Furthermore, more cash might eventually flow towards investors by way of dividends and share repurchases.
The possibilities
The company’s climate business is improving and it can derive some benefit from it, but the biggest driver for growth is its automation business. The company should be selling automation products aggressively, especially in the emerging markets, and as labor costs rocket these capital expenditure will become more viable in the long-run.
Emerson’s management is positive on China’s growing industrialization, as it should eventually increase the manufacturing requirements in the country. Its expertise in factory automation systems should boost the company’s revenue once production is in full swing. Once the rest of the economy gets better the top line should improve further. Moreover, Emerson’s uninterruptable power supplies for data networks are constantly growing in the US and in South America, two markets with a lot of growth potential.
Improved energy exploration and development, increased demand for power, and construction of new refineries in China and India can grow the company’s energy management business revenue by more than 5% in the long-run.
Competitors
ABB Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:ABB) has performed well, and its stock price has appreciated over the last year. The company has a strong balance sheet, and with its strategic acquisitions in the last two years it is better placed than ever. Synergies from acquisitions and better product offerings help the company to create value for its investors.
The company’s Power Products division is very stable in terms of profitability, as it gets various tariffs and quotas on Korean transformers, helping it improve pricing supremacy in the U.S. ABB’s Process Automation segment lately received a number of contracts with mining companies that should improve its bottom line.
ABB should thrive, as it is well-positioned to benefit from global markets as companies in emerging markets are trying to improve their infrastructures, and developed nations are trying to improve their efficiency.
General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) has always been like candy for investors because of its shareholder friendly dividend policies and stable performance over the last century. The company is poised to grow if the economy improves, and with its global presence it looks better placed than any of its peers to extract benefits out of growth in emerging markets.
The company has had amazing profitability to support its growth in revenue, and its order backlogs reached $210 billion in Q4 2012, which indicates its future sales capacity. The company has a robust balance sheet with about $125.7 billion in cash, but the only concern is its high debt levels of $414 billion.
Foolish final
Emerson looks fairly valued at its current prices, but investors’ are enthusiastic, as the company has delivered good results which can drive the share prices higher. The company also looks to benefit from the improving Chinese market. I would recommend investors hold onto their stocks, but would not advise them to make any fresh investments.
ABB Ltd. is better placed, with its acquisitions delivering desired results. The company’s global reach and strong balance sheet should help improve its stock prices in the near future. I believe this stock is a good investment. General Electric is a stable company that has earned investors faith with its consistent performance. The stock prices of the company might not provide huge upsides, but they will surely provide good returns and cash flow towards investors with dividends currently yielding 3.5%.
The article Stability or Growth – This Industry has Both originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Nitesh santhalia.
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