Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH) makes
electrical connectors and cables for communications, medical, aerospace, military and industrial systems. The firm's connectors are used in computers, aircraft, cars, office equipment and medical instruments. Its coaxial cable goes to cable TV clients and its flat-ribbon cables are used with computer and telecommunications products. Amphenol ships to more than 10,000 customer locations around the world.
Investors were pleased last week, when the firm reported Q2 EPS of 61 cents and revenues of $846.8 million. The Street had been looking for 58 cents and $815.5 million. The CEO noted that growth was broad-based, with particular strength in the global communications, military and commercial aerospace markets. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 59-61 cents (59 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $825-$840 million ($826.8M consensus), FY08 EPS to $2.34-$2.38 ($2.33 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $3.278-$3.308 billion ($3.26B consensus). Deutsche Securities subsequently reiterated its "buy" rating on the stock and RBC Capital Markets repeated its "outperform". Both firms boosted their price targets to $57.
The stock
popped on the news and then passed into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Prices 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 shares with three "strong buys", three "buys" and three "holds." Analysts expect a 20% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The APH Price to Free Cash Flow ratio (24.32), Sales Growth rate (22.94%), EPS Growth rate (32.61%), Operating Margin (19.54%), Return on Assets (14.90%), Return on Investment (18.07%) and Return on Equity (33.92%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutions own about 96% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 400 MidCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $32.13 and $52.08. A stop-loss of $42.75 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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