Why Maxar Technologies Ltd. Plunged 12.53% on Friday

Maxar Technologies Ltd. (TSX:MAXR)(NYSE:MAXR) plunged 12.53% on Friday following the release of its Q4 2017 results. Is now the time to buy? Let’s find out.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Maxar Technologies Ltd. (TSX:MAXR)(NYSE:MAXR), one of the world’s leading providers of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets, announced its fiscal 2017 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings results after the market closed on Thursday, and its NYSE-listed shares responded by plunging 12.53% on Friday.

Maxar’s stock now sits about 24% below its 52-week high of $67.30 reached back in December, so let’s break down the earnings results and the fundamentals of the stock to determine if we should consider using this sell-off as a long-term buying opportunity.

The results that ignited the sell-off

Here’s a quick breakdown of eight of the most notable statistics from Maxar’s three-month period ended December 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016:

Metric Q4 2017 Q4 2016 Change
Space Systems revenues US$284.1 million US$339.2 million (16.2%)
Imagery revenues US$199.3 million US$10.6 million 1,780.2%
Services revenues US$61.7 million US$26.8 million 130.2%
Consolidated revenues US$545.1 million US$376.6 million 44.7%
Adjusted EBITDA US$180.9 million US$66.3 million 172.9%
Adjusted earnings US$66.5 million US$38.6 million 72.3%
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) US$1.19 US$1.06 12.3%
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 55.9 million 36.5 million 53.2%

And here’s a quick breakdown of nine notable statistics from Maxar’s 12-month period ended December 31, 2017, compared with the same period in 2016:

Metric Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016 Change
Space Systems revenues US$1,259.6 million US$1,417.2 million (11.1%)
Imagery revenues US$228.4 million US$41.0 million 457.1%
Services revenues US$143.2 million US$99.3 million 44.2%
Consolidated revenues US$1,631.2 million US$1,557.5 million 4.7%
Adjusted EBITDA US$378.7 million US$267.6 41.5%
Adjusted earnings US$172.0 million US$159.5 million 7.8%
Adjusted EPS US$4.16 US$4.37 (4.8%)
Order backlog US$3,321.2 million US$1,776.8 million 86.9%
Cash flow from operations US$205.9 million US$130.4 million 57.9%

Or maybe its outlook was to blame… 

In the press release, Maxar provided its outlook on fiscal 2018, calling for the following results:

  • Revenue decline of 2-4%
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 32.5%
  • Adjusted EPS of US$4.50-4.70
  • Cash flow from operations of US$300-400 million

Was the sell-off warranted?

Maxar achieved very strong revenue growth in the fourth quarter thanks to its strategic acquisition of DigitalGlobe, but its performance in the full year of 2017 was decent at best, and its outlook on fiscal 2018 calls for negative revenue growth, so I think the sell-off in its stock was warranted.

What should you do now?

Even though I think the sell-off in Maxar’s stock was warranted, I think it has led to an attractive entry point for investors with a long-term mindset for two fundamental reasons.

First, it’s wildly undervalued. Maxar’s stock now trades at just 12.3 times fiscal 2017 adjusted EPS of US$4.16 and a mere 11.1 times the median of its EPS outlook of US$4.50-4.70 for fiscal 2018, both of which are very inexpensive given its explosive long-term growth potential.

Second, it has a dividend yield of over 2%. Maxar pays a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share, equating to $1.48 per share on an annualized basis, which gives its stock a very respectable 2.3% yield; this dividend is also very safe when you consider that the company generated US$205.9 million in operating cash flow and paid out just US$47.4 million in dividends in 2017, resulting in an ultra-conservative 23% payout ratio.

With all of the information provided above in mind, I think Foolish investors should consider using the earnings-induced sell-off in Maxar Technologies’s stock to initiate positions with the intention of adding to those positions on any further weakness in the trading sessions ahead.

Should you invest $1,000 in Slate Grocery Reit right now?

Before you buy stock in Slate Grocery Reit, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Slate Grocery Reit wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

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 Joseph Solitro has no position in the companies mentioned. Maxar is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Investing

Paper Canadian currency of various denominations
Tech Stocks

Top Canadian Value Stocks I’d Buy Today and Hold for +20 Years

Here's why undervalued Canadian stocks such as Docebo and Lululemon should be on your watchlist in 2025.

Read more »

Trans Alaska Pipeline with Autumn Colors
Energy Stocks

Enbridge Stock: Buy, Hold, or Sell Now?

Enbridge recently dropped $5 per share. Is the stock now oversold?

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Investing

How I’d Allocate $1,000 in TSX Stocks in Today’s Market

These two defensive stocks can be excellent additions to your portfolio if you seek investments that can outperform the broader…

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Allocate My TFSA Contribution to Canadian Value Stocks This Year

I’d split my $7,000 TFSA contribution across solid dividend-paying stocks from different sectors

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Monday, April 14

Mixed commodity prices and continued trade uncertainties could keep the TSX index flat at the open today.

Read more »

Start line on the highway
Stocks for Beginners

My Top 5 Canadian Stocks for Beginning Investors

A market correction is a good time for new investors to begin their investing journey. These five Canadian stocks can…

Read more »

nugget gold
Metals and Mining Stocks

2 Materials Stocks I’d Buy With $20,000 Whenever They Dip in Price

Teck Resources and Agnico-Eagle Mines offer quality materials stock exposure at a time when both companies are thriving.

Read more »

Asset Management
Stocks for Beginners

Top Canadian Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Gains

Canadian stocks really can offer it all, especially when looking at long-term growth in these few.

Read more »