Black & Decker: Best in Industry

The global economic recession during 2008 and 2009 caused the major appliance and tool sectors to experience significant macroeconomic challenges including instability in the financial markets.

These challenges have impacted the global economy, the capital markets, operating costs throughout the sector and global demand for products. The results of these challenges include higher material and oil-related costs, liquidity strains on the supply chain, decreased consumer confidence and reduced consumer discretionary spending.

We expect these conditions to continue in the foreseeable future. Key factors include:

• The impact of the global economic recession is forecast to cause global shipments to fall by 12.2% in 2009 as compared to 2008.
• Europe is projected to see the steepest declines in appliance shipments while Latin America, Africa and some parts of Asia are forecast to outperform the global average.
• Despite the downtown, manufactures continue to turn out innovations in an effort to differentiate themselves from the competition.

In the US, demand for hand and power tools is expected to increase through 2012. If the US construction industry recovers by 2012, creating demand from the professional end of the market. While we wait for the recovery, the DIY market and remodeling efforts maintain a base level of support for this sector.

We limited our analysis in this sector to companies with a market capitalization of at least $500 million. This provided a short list of nine companies including market leaders Whirlpool (WHR), Helen of Troy (HELE), Snap-On Inc.(SNA), Black & Decker (BDK) and Stanley Works (SWK). We particularly like Black & Decker.

From Reuters:

The Black and Decker Corporation, incorporated in 1910, is a global manufacturer and marketer of power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems. The Company is a global supplier of engineered fastening and assembly systems. The Company operates in three operating segments: power tools and accessories, including consumer and industrial power tools and accessories, lawn and garden products, electric cleaning, automotive, lighting, and household products, and product service; hardware and home improvement, including security hardware and plumbing products; and fastening and assembly systems.

Key Financial Ratios and Statistics
FYE: 12/31

Profitability	2008	Leverage	2008
Net Inc/Comm Equity	6.63	Total Liab/Total Assets	0.78
Net Inc/Total Assets	0.06	Total Liab/Inv Cap	1.12
Net Inc/Inv Cap	0.08	Total Liab/Comm Equity	91.61
Pretax Inc/Net Sales	0.06	Interest Coverage Ratio	4.62
Net Inc/Net Sales	0.05	Curr Debt/Equity	0.07
Cash Flow/Net Sales	0.07	LTD/Equity	1.28
SG&A/NetSales	0.25	Total Debt/Equity	1.36
Asset Utilization		Liquidity
Net Receivables Turnover	5.98	Quick Ratio	1.06
Inventory Turnover	3.77	Current Ratio	1.75
Inventory Day Sales	0.01	Net Rec/Curr Assets	0.36
Net Sales/Work Cap	5.44	Inv/Curr Assets	0.39
Net Sales/PP&E	11.53

As we can see from the table shown above, BDK compares well with its industry peers in the areas of profitability and liquidity. On the other hand, the company performs poorly in the areas of leverage and asset utilization when compared with industry peers.

Earnings per share projections for FYE 2009 range from $1.52 - $2.00 and average $1.786. For FYE 2010, EPS ranges from $1.75 - $2.60 and average $2.282. EPS for the trailing twelve months is $2.91. Though earnings are forecast to be down for the current year and next, analyst projects have been badly off the mark.

Quarterly Earnings Surprise History

We have a target value for BDK at $52.00.

Disclaimer: Author has no position in BDK, WHR, SNA, HELE or SWK.

Comments

[Susan M:]

<As we can see from the table shown above, BDK compares well with its industry peers in the areas of profitability and liquidity.>

I see no figures for industry peers...

Susan M.

Sep 14 08:40 AM

[a. palmer jr.:]

My opinion is that Black & Decker does so well because of DeWalt power tools. Black & Decker makes DeWalt or visa versa, I don't know which. Anything made by DeWalt is very solidly built and pricey when new and still pricey when bought used. I have several DeWalt tools and wish all my power tools were made by them.

Sep 14 09:57 PM

[NB516090:]

Dewalt Tools are manufactured/owned by Black & Decker. The Black & Decker tools is the DIY/Home tools arm and these tools actually sell more than the industrial Dewalt range, mainly because the big sheds sell them to the Sunday DIY'ers.

Sep 15 03:25 AM