Woodward Governor: Because defense wins in Super Bowls and on Wall Street

Posted Jan 24th 2008 4:56PM by Joseph Lazzaro
Filed under: Stocks to Buy

When the market acts like an erratic fish, go with the known. Think established companies. In industrial sectors. Something, as my cigar-smoking Uncle Nick used to say, "as strong as the New York Giants' defensive front four." (And in case one hasn't noticed lately, the defensive front four of the Giants, favorite football team of yours truly, is still pretty good.)

With the above in mind Woodward Governor is worth a review. Woodward Governor Company (Nasdaq: WGOV) designs, manufactures, and services energy control systems, components for aircraft/industrial engines, turbines, and other power equipment.

Analysts like WGOV's recently-completed restructuring, which is bearing fruit and shows signs of improving Woodward's already solid position in its control systems business.

Analysts also like Woodward's blue-chip customer base, moderate cost structure, and potential for market share gains. Margins are adequate to good. The Reuters FY 2008/FY 2009 EPS consensus estimates for WGOV are $3.18 to $3.67.

The risks? Analysts are keeping an eye on WGOV's backorders, for signs of a slowdown either domestically or internationally. Analysts are also monitoring technological developments in the sector that may affect WGOV's engine component business.

The First Call mean rating for WGOV is: Buy [4 firms]. Mean 2008 target: $67.00 [high: $78, low: $60].

Stock Analysis: Woodward Governor is a moderate-risk stock not suitable for low-risk investors. Investors with an investment horizon longer than 2 years should be rewarded from WGOV's shares. Sell/Stop Loss if you were to purchase shares in this company: $32.

Disclosure: Lazzaro has no positions in stocks. In addition to private real estate holdings, he owns corporate and municipal bonds, and cash certificates of deposit.

Tags: defensive stocks, industrial sector, industrials, WGOV, Woodward Governor