Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK), Calgon Carbon Corporation (CCC), Pall Corporation (PLL) – Environmental Clean Stocks: Pollution Control

With an increasing demand for cleaner water, tap water is not enough these days. As individuals become more health-conscious, water filters are ever more common. Also, industries continually strive to offer a better product, free from any kind of pollution. Hence, changing market preferences offer a growing opportunity to companies like Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTEK), Calgon Carbon Corporation (NYSE:CCC), and Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL). Are they following suit?

Cleaning worldwide

With base in the state of New York, Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) is a global producer and supplier of filtration, separation, and purification products for liquids and gas. The business focuses on two segments: health care and industrial. Recently, the firm made a deal with Semicon West to produce new technologies for filtering liquids.

In the short term, Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) is set to benefit from an increasing global demand for pure water. In the long term, government regulation will further drive growth in the industry. Also, the firm dug an economic moat by addressing specific demands by customers raising barriers against the competition. More, the company continuously strives to keep operating costs low, while improving production and searching new opportunities for growth.

During the last three years, Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) has bettered its finances. Revenues, net income, and cash saw progressive increments during that time. Also, free cash experienced important increments thanks to high replacement ratios. Finally, during the last decade operating margin never fell below 10%, and during the last 3-years stood above 15%.

Trading at 25.5 times its earnings, meaning a 40% premium to the industry average, yielding 1.36% and paying $0.25 dividends, and a price tag close to the 52-week high, the stock seems overvalued but tempting. I think it’s a BUY because Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) has secured a market share, continues to innovate, and a favorable environment will drive growth forward.

Federal clean up

A multinational provider of comprehensive environmental solutions for complex water contamination and other environmental problems, Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTEK) serves public and private customers alike. More recently, the firm is reported to have landed its third contract with the EPA, said to be worth $50 million.

Now, Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTEK) has benefited from an increasing global demand for water, environmental, and infrastructure solutions. Additionally, new government contracts are expected to offset last year’s decline. Further ahead, new government regulation, new long-term contracts with US authorities, and strategic acquisitions will drive the firm’s growth. Nonetheless, there are concerns about future performance due to the current slow economic recovery in the US.

Financial strength for Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTEK) is moderate. Although revenues, net income, and free cash have improved during the last three years, debt reached previously unseen levels. On the other hand after taking a heavy blow in 2011, cash flow began to pick up again. Finally, operating margin has declined during the last decade, and today stands at 4%.