Why You Should Buy Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. Before the Stock Takes Off!

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. (TSX:RBA)(NYSE:RBA) has great growth opportunities ahead, and that could make it a very good addition to your portfolio.

| More on:

Online consumer auction sites are popular since users can buy and sell an endless list of items, but the big-ticket items are likely to be found on industrial auction sites like Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. (TSX:RBA)(NYSE:RBA). The company is involved in selling used equipment, trucks, and many other types of industrial assets. Especially as the downturn in oil and gas continues, Ritchie Bros. might have a lot of opportunities to sell some high-quality assets from the troubled industry.

The stock presents some great opportunities going forward. I’ll go over what the company has been up to, its financial performance, and why you should consider adding it to your portfolio today.

Recent developments highlight growth opportunities for the company

Earlier this year, Ritchie Bros. announced it was entering a strategic alliance with Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT). The company’s press release stated that the auctioneer would become “Caterpillar’s preferred global partner for live and online auctions for used Cat equipment.” This is an excellent growth opportunity for Ritchie Bros., since Caterpillar is a significant manufacturer of equipment for multiple industries, and that is likely going to lead to a lot of equipment being sold through the industrial auctioneer.

Prior to the agreement with Caterpillar, the company announced the acquisition of IronPlanet, which is an online marketplace where equipment and assets can be sold. Ritchie Bros. plans to use this acquisition to help improve its online presence and offerings as the company plans to launch an improved portal for its customers later this year.

Financial performance

In the company’s most recent quarter, it saw revenues increase 4.6% from the prior year, but impairment losses and acquisition costs led to the company’s bottom line dropping by over 56%. Ritchie Bros. posted $566 million in sales for its fiscal year 2016, which was the sixth consecutive year that the company saw its top line grow.

The company has very strong gross margins of 88%, but selling, general, and administrative expenses have averaged about 50% of the top line.

Current stock valuation

In the trailing 12 months, the company’s earnings per share have totaled $0.46, and the stock has been trading at 80 times that amount and 4.6 times its book value. At a price of about $37 a share, the stock is trading at a big premium for the amount of profit that the company has been able to bring in. Year to date, the share price has dropped by nearly 20%, but it has gone up more than 2% in the past month.

Bottom line

The company has some exciting growth opportunities to look forward to as it improves its online portal, and its agreement with Caterpillar will definitely bring a lot of traffic its way. In previous years, Ritchie Bros. has been able to achieve profit margins of over 20%, and if the company can achieve similar results going forward, the stock could turn into a bargain.

Ritchie Bros. is a good buy, despite the high earnings multiple that its share price currently trades at, because as the company grows its top line and is able to avoid one-time expenses, profits will improve.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

 Fool contributor David Jagielski has no position in any stocks mentioned. 
 

More on Dividend Stocks

Dividend Stocks

The 2 Best Canadian Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Now

Blue-chip stocks can be some of the best stocks to have in any portfolio. But when they're trending upwards, investors…

Read more »

Canadian dollars in a magnifying glass
Dividend Stocks

Here Are My Top 3 Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

These top dividends stocks have consistently paid and increased their dividends. Further, this trend will continue.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Want a 7% Yield? The 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Today

These TSX stocks are offering high yields of over 7%, making them attractive for investors seeking steady passive income.

Read more »

how to save money
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $200 Right Now

These smartest dividend stocks can consistently pay and increase their dividends in the coming years, irrespective of the macro uncertainty.

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Dividend Stocks

3 Utility Stocks That Are Smart Buys for Canadians in November

These utility stocks benefit from regulated businesses and generate predictable cash flows that support higher dividend payouts.

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Dividend Stocks

Invest $10,000 in This Dividend Stock for $600 in Passive Income

Do you want to generate passive income? Forget the rental unit! This option will save you the mortgage yet still…

Read more »

Senior uses a laptop computer
Dividend Stocks

1 Reliable Dividend Stock for the Ultimate Retirement Income Stream

TD Bank (TSX:TD) shares are way too cheap with way too swollen a yield for retirees to pass up right…

Read more »

A worker drinks out of a mug in an office.
Dividend Stocks

Is Brookfield Infrastructure Partners a Buy for its 4.75% Yield?

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) has a 4.75% dividend yield. Is it worth it?

Read more »