Investing

SunTrust Contrarian Picks Could Be Trump Infrastructure and Economy Winners

Lee Jackson

Published: December 9, 2016 10:05 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:57 pm

One of the worst traits on Wall Street is analyst and portfolio manager group think, where everybody holds a similar opinion, so the recommendations are often the same. That results in trades that are crowded, and they often end up in rough shape if something upsets the proverbial apple cart. The analysts at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey make the case that conventional wisdom is often not necessarily conventional or wise, and it is good to think outside the box.

In a new research report, the firm is out with 29 new ideas to generate alpha that are out of consensus. They have five in the industrial, building products and materials arenas that could all possibly benefit from the initiatives the Trump administration is planning for infrastructure, or that could benefit from an improving economy. All are rated Buy at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

Air Products

This company has seen some solid insider buying over the past couple of years. Air Products Inc. (NYSE: APD) produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon and rare gases; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, syngas; and specialty gases.

The company also provides equipment for the production or processing of gases, comprising air separation units and non-cryogenic generators for customers in various industries, including metals, glass, chemical processing, electronics, energy production and refining, food processing, metallurgical, medical and general manufacturing. It also designs and manufactures equipment for air separation, hydrocarbon recovery and purification, natural gas liquefaction and liquid helium.

Shareholders receive a 2.31% dividend. The SunTrust price target for the stock is $148, while the Wall Street consensus target is at $150.26. The shares closed Thursday at $149.06, so the SunTrust target could be lifted soon.

Rexnord

This stock has been way out of favor, and it could be a solid addition for patient accounts. Rexnord Corp. (NYSE: RXN) designs, manufactures and markets process and motion control and water management products worldwide. The company’s Process & Motion Control Platform segment designs, manufactures, markets and services engineered mechanical components used in complex systems. It offers table-top conveying chain and related accessories, gearing and gear drives, conveying equipment, industrial chains, and custom assemblies; shaft management products; assemblies; and aerospace components, specialized gears, and related products.

The company has garnered attention as it is looking to close a plant in Indianapolis and move the jobs to Mexico and Texas. However, with it trading at a very cheap 10 times 2017 EDITDA, the analysts note that is a discount to the historical premium. The stock looks reasonable at current levels

SunTrust has a price target of $22, and the consensus target is listed at $21.25. Shares closed Thursday at $21.10.

Sealed Air

This company could really benefit if the country sees a strong economic pickup. Sealed Air Corp. (NYSE: SEE) provides food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection solutions worldwide. The company’s Food Care segment offers integrated system solutions that incorporate equipment systems into customers operations; and packaging equipment systems that incorporate various options for loading, filling and dispensing and retort and aseptic processing conditions.

The company also provides graphic design, printing, training, field quality assurance and remote diagnostics services; and clean-in-place and open plant systems that integrate cleaning chemicals, lubricants, floor care equipment and cleaning tools.

The SunTrust team cites the impact of the company’s large excess capital position, which is in the $1 billion range. Deploying that on share repurchases or mergers and acquisitions through 2017 could be a large catalyst.

Shareholders are paid a 1.32% dividend. The $53 SunTrust price target is less than the consensus price objective of $54.07. The shares closed most recently at $48.84.

U.S. Concrete

Clearly an infrastructure build-out would improve the outlook for this company. U.S. Concrete Inc. (NASDAQ: USCR) produces and sells ready-mixed concrete, aggregates and concrete-related products and services for the construction industry in the United States.

Its Ready-Mixed Concrete segment is involved in the formulation, preparation and delivery of ready-mixed concrete to customer job sites, as well as the provision of various services that include the formulation of mixtures for specific design uses, on-site and lab-based product quality control and customized delivery programs.

The Aggregate Products segment offers crushed stone, sand and gravel for use in commercial, industrial and public works projects. The company also engages in the operation of building materials stores; provision of concrete blocks, lime slurry and Aridus rapid-drying concrete technology; sale of brokered products; hauling and recycled aggregates operation activities; and operation of drum mixer trucks, as well as transfer trucks for transporting cement and aggregates.

The analysts point out that the stock is heavily shorted, as the bears believe that residential building cycle in the company’s biggest markets is over. SunTrust feels that the Trump victory and an increase in nonresidential construction are both positives. They also see the possibility for a big acquisition next year.

SunTrust has a $70 price target, which if very near the consensus target of $69.50. The stock closed at $64.10.

USG

This company also is poised to benefit on continued strength in construction. USG Corp. (NYSE: USG) is a leading building products company, with a focus on manufacturing and selling gypsum wallboard, wallboard surfaces/substrates and ceiling tile/grid.

The U.S. Gypsum Association estimates that USG is the largest gypsum wallboard manufacturer in North America, with roughly 26% market share. USG also believes it is the second largest North American producer of commercial ceilings, with market share around 35%.

The SunTrust analysts are way above estimates for the quarter and cite a wallboard pre-buy before a price increase takes effect on January 1. They are below street estimates for the first quarter. They also note the company has shown solid EBITDA growth despite little wallboard pricing, has a much lower debt level and free-cash-flow should be solid.

The SunTrust price objective is $35. The consensus target is $30.87. The stock closed Thursday at $31.66.

These companies could be poised to benefit from an improving economy, and some for the potential spending from a massive infrastructure works project. Add in the fact that they are widely ignored and that makes them even that much better of a potential play.