SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (TSX:SNC), one of the largest engineering and construction companies in the world, has been one of the market’s most disappointing stocks. It has fallen over 5.5%, while the TSX Composite Index has gained over 4.5%, but it has the potential to be one of the top performers over the next several years. Let’s take a look at three of the top reasons why you should consider buying shares today.
1. Acquisitions driving revenues higher
SNC released very strong fourth-quarter earnings results on March 5, citing its “landmark” $1.97 billion acquisition of Kentz Corp. as a primary driver of growth, and its stock has responded by rising over 12.5% in the weeks since. Here’s a breakdown of 10 of the most notable statistics from the report compared to the year-ago period:
- Adjusted net income increased 0.6% to $106.67 million
- Adjusted earnings per share remained unchanged at $0.70
- Total revenues increased 32.7% to $2.82 billion
- Revenue from services increased 47.8% to $1.03 billion
- Revenue from packages increased 49.3% to $1.24 billion
- Revenue from operations and maintenance increased 1.3% to $342.6 million
- Revenue from infrastructure concession investments decreased 21.6% to $200.7 million
- Net cash generated from operating activities increased 24.7% to $435.53 million
- Ended the quarter with a backlog of approximately $12.3 billion, an increase of 48.7% from the backlog reported at the end of the year-ago period
- Ended the quarter with $1.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of 47.4% from the beginning of the quarter
2. Inexpensive current and forward valuations
At current levels, SNC’s stock trades at just 16.9 times fiscal 2014’s adjusted earnings per share of $2.46 and a mere 12.9 times fiscal 2015’s estimated earnings per share of $3.24, both of which are very inexpensive compared to its five-year average price-to-earnings multiple of 43.
I think SNC’s stock could consistently command a fair multiple of at least 18, which would place its shares upwards of $58 by the conclusion of fiscal 2015, representing upside of more than 39% from today’s levels.
3. A stable and growing dividend
SNC pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, or $1.00 per share annually, giving its stock a 2.4% yield at current levels. A 2.4% yield may not seem impressive at first, but you must factor in that the company has raised its annual payment for 15 consecutive years, and I think this streak could continue on for the next several years, making it one of the top dividend-growth plays in the market today.
Is now the time to buy shares of SNC-Lavalin Group?
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.’s stock represents one of the best long-term investment opportunities in the market today because its earnings and revenues are on the rise, because its stock trades at inexpensive current and forward valuations, and because it has a stable and growing dividend. Long-term investors should take a closer look and strongly consider establishing positions.
