2 Israeli Smallcaps Languishing at Ridiculous Levels, Given Performance

There are two Israeli stocks in my portfolio tracked by Globes that I include in the "ideas for investments in small companies" club. Both published excellent results last week, both are growing strongly despite the crisis, both are very profitable, and both are loaded with cash and pay nice dividends despite being in the technology sector.

Apparently both are also not understood by investors, which is why their share prices languish at ridiculous levels, in my opinion.

I am referring to IncrediMail Ltd. (Nasdaq:MAIL) and RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (Nasdaq:RRST).

I don't know of another technology company in the Internet industry with growth as strong as Incredimail's. The company reported earnings per share of $0.63 over the first nine months of 2009, compared with breakeven in the corresponding period. Despite this, it trades at about $8 per share - of which about $3 is net cash per share.

That means there is a price to earnings ratio of only 9 for 2009, because it is already clear that it will earn at least $0.25 per share in the fourth quarter.

As far as 2010, it can easily be inferred that if Google grows, so will Incredimail. Even as it constantly diversifies the platforms it offers to users, in the end it generates most of its revenue through Google.

The low price and general great nervousness around Incredimail's share are apparently connected to this fact that most of its sales and profits come through Google. But Incredimail CEO Ofer Adler took pains to emphasize in a conversation the good relationship the company has with Google executives in Israel, England, and the US. He said that the current agreement will only end in the summer of 2011, and with both sides satisfied, there is no reason that it will not be renewed. Renewal talks will only begin toward the end of the current deal.

It seems that soon the dependence will be less significant, because in a post-results conversation, management spoke about plans to acquire a company that will diversify its revenue sources, a company that is based on a business model similar to that of Incredimail's today.

In contrast to Incredimail, at RRsat there is no worry of overdependence on one major customer. The company is a transmission services subcontractor for tens of networks around the world, and currently has a varied orders backlog of $171 million.

Of its current orders backlog, $22 million is set to be realized in the fourth quarter, and I don't know of many companies that begin the quarter with 85% of their guidance figures already in hand. For 2010, too, it has about $73 million in hand, which is apparently two-thirds of the full-year guidance that will be supplied in the beginning of the year.

In the third quarter RRsat signed 18 new contracts, of which 12 were with new broadcasting channels, apparently HD (high definition) ones, which are becoming a growth engine for the company. The move to HD broadcasting is gaining momentum, and is taking place in parallel with regular broadcasts, so that it provides additional revenue to RRsat.

Most networks are not interested in investing in HD infrastructure, and therefore prefer to outsource the actual broadcast to contractors such as RRsat. Because of the high band needed, RRsat charges RRsat charges double the price as for regular transmission.

Disclosure: The author holds both MAIL and RRST in his portfolio

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 17, 2009; Reprinted on Seeking Alpha with permission

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009

Comments

[GimliJan]

Interesting Stocks. Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
I already hold Ituran Location and Control (ITRN) as a play on a Brazilian Law requiring new vehicles to have a tracking system so they can be located in case of theft. ITRN is the major player in the field and is already doing business in Brazil. It is moving up from my buy price of $8.62 and is currently at $12.58 and pays an annual dividend of $.17 or 1.32%. Their board just voted to double the dividend payout to 50% of Net Income. This should drive the price up. I think it could go as high as mid $20's by the time of the Olympics.
I tried to include a link to the article but it's on my trading account and didnt' work.
Here is the article:
Ituran Location and Control Ltd Announces a Doubling of the Dividend Issuance Policy
RELATED QUOTES
Symbol Last % Change
ITRN 12.58 -2.25%

AZOUR, Israel, November 17, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (NASDAQ: ITRN, TASE: ITRN), today announced that the Board of Directors has approved an increase in the dividend policy, providing for an annual dividend distribution in an amount not less than 50% of the Company's net income whereby the annual dividend policy has historically been to issue approximately 25% of annual net income, calculated based on the financial statements for the period ending on December 31 of the fiscal year with respect to which the relevant dividend is paid.

According to Company's current dividend policy and Israeli law, an annual dividend will only be declared and paid if, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, there is no reasonable foreseeable concern that the distribution will prevent the Company from being able to meet the terms of Company's existing and contingent liabilities, as and when due all based on Company's needs as will be determined from time to time.

The distribution of dividends is further limited by Israeli law to the greater of retained earnings and earnings generated over the two most recent years. The Company's dividend policy may change from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The payment of dividends may be subject to Israeli withholding taxes.

Eyal Sheratzky, Co-CEO of Ituran said, "The Board made this decision based on our exceptionally strong balance sheet combined with our ongoing and continued strong results, especially as the global economy improves. We very much support sharing the fruits of efforts and rewards with our shareholders, and the increase in dividend policy does not change our ability to make strategic acquisitions, if and when required."

2009 Nov 20 11:08 AM

[Gino Verza]

Shlomi,

I read your article (and previous) with interest. Thank you.

A company in your portfolio but not mentioned in the article is ClickSoftware (CKSW).

ClickSoftware has many of the attributes discussed; fast growth, substantial cash holdings, good earnings visibility, client diversification, and current investment opportunity.

Strategically CKSW has positioned itself as the market leader in workforce and service management, a vast addressable market. A variety of strategic choices made by management over the last few years and most notably during 2009, along with a strong track record of financial performance, point to a very strong management team and promising investment returns.

Regards,

Disclosure: I hold CKSW common stock.

2009 Nov 20 12:49 PM