Revlon (REV): A 'beautiful' buy

Posted Dec 1st 2009 11:00AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, Stocks to Buy

"Revlon (REV) promises a better look for both consumers and investors," says Ian Wyatt. In his The SmallCap Investor, he says, "The company is firing on all cylinders."

The advisor explains, "Revlon, a $770 million market cap consumer goods company, has seen its shares surge 220% since October 1. The company makes, markets, and sells a range of women's cosmetics, hair-care, beauty-care, and skin-care products.

"We're not talking about a high margin business here -- Revlon has a paltry 3.7% profit margin over the last twelve months. "But the company is firing on all cylinders -- it generated free cash flow for the first time since its IPO in 1996 and has grabbed 22.3% market share in lip makeup -- good enough to put it back at number one.

"Revlon has grown 2009 earnings at a clip of 304% over 2008, reporting EPS of $0.45 in the third quarter. Trailing 12-month earnings are $0.92 per share -- not bad for a company that analysts had expected to lose $0.47 per share in the last three quarters.

"Investor's can by shares of Revlon at 16.5 times trailing 12-month earnings -- a significant discount to large-cap competitor Estee Lauder, which has a trailing earnings multiple of 30.

"Revlon is getting its debt load in order -- and the results are paying off, literally. On November 9 the company received lender consent to issue $330 million in senior-secured debt, due in 2015. This allowed the company to refinance its high-interest debt that had been due April 2011.

"The stock surged 38% after these financing moves. Many other companies have been forced to dilute shareholder value with equity offerings, only to be rewarded with crushed share prices.

"Clearly, the fact that Revlon was able to refinance and sell debt in an economy where credit has been tight -- especially for notes that Moody's rates B3, or 'junk' -- is a testament to the company's strength.

"Even in an environment of high unemployment, people want to take care of themselves. And perhaps you can help take care of your investment portfolio with health and beauty stocks like Revlon."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a free daily overview of the favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Tags: Ian Wyatt, REV, Revlon