Clean Harbors (NASDAQ: CLHB) is
a leading North American provider of environmental and hazardous waste management services. The firm operates 49 waste management facilities, including commercial landfills, incineration locations, oil recycling facilities, wastewater treatment centers and polychlorinated biphenyl management plants. It provides essential services to over 45,000 customers, including some two-thirds of the Fortune 500, thousands of smaller private entities and numerous federal, state and local governmental agencies.
The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 81 cents and revenues of $257.7 million. Analysts had been expecting 67 cents and $244.5 million. Management also guided Q1 revenues to $225-$230 million, versus consensus of $225.67 million. The CEO noted that he expects the pending acquisition of two solvent recycling facilities from Safety-Kleen Systems to be closed by the end of March and to be accretive to earnings during 2008. Wedbush Morgan and RBC Capital Markets subsequently reiterated "strong buy" and "top pick" ratings on the stock, respectively.
The share
price popped above 30-day moving average support on the news and then moved into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.
Altogether, brokers recommend the issue with three "strong buys", two "buys" and one "hold". Analysts see a 26% growth rate, through the next year. The CLHB PEG ratio (1.43), Price to Sales ratio (1.29), EPS Growth rate (44.64%) and Return on Equity (23.39%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 90% of the outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $42.52 and $63.54. A stop-loss of $53.90 looks good here.
Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com. He does not hold a position in the stock discussed above.
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