Atkore Inc. – ATKR (NYSE)

1. Executive Summary

  • Company Name: Atkore Inc.
  • Ticker: ATKR (NYSE)
  • Sector: Electrical raceway products and infrastructure solutions
  • Investment Recommendation: Hold — Despite recent earnings decline and impairment charges, strong cash flow and undervaluation relative to peers suggest potential stability.

2. Company Overview

  • Business Model: Manufacturer and supplier of electrical conduits, cable trays, metal framing, and HDPE products for infrastructure and construction markets.
  • Industry Position: Mid-sized player in the U.S. electrical manufacturing space with 42 facilities and global distribution.
  • Key Products: EMT conduit, HDPE pipe, cable trays, metal framing systems.
  • Management: CEO William Waltz, CFO John Deitzer, COO John Pregenzer; recently added Scott Teerlinck to lead Commercial Operations.

3. Financial Analysis

  • Revenue Growth: FY2024 revenue was ~$3.2B, down ~9% YoY.
  • Profit Margins:
    • Gross Margin ≈ 33–35%, Operating Margin ≈ 9–14%, Net Profit Margin ≈ 6–8%.
  • EPS:
    • EPS declining: $20.30 (2022) → $17.27 (2023) → $12.69 (2024).
    • TTM EPS affected by non-cash impairment, currently ≈$5.3.
  • Balance Sheet:
    • Total assets ~$3B, debt ~$775M, Debt-to-equity ≈66%–80%, Current ratio ≈3.0, Quick ratio ≈1.6.
  • Cash Flow: FY2024 cash from operations was ~$549M; CAPEX ~$154M.

4. Stock Performance

  • Historical Trends: Stock ranged from ~$50 to $153 over past 12 months; currently ~$67 (down ~56% from 52-week high).
  • Dividends: Quarterly dividend $0.33, annual yield ≈1.9%.
  • Volatility: Higher than market; recent drawdowns post-earnings.
  • Recent Movement: Q2 FY2025 results led to drop due to impairment; electrical segment -16.6%, infrastructure +3.4%.

5. Valuation Analysis

  • P/E Ratio: ~13.3x, above 5-year average (~7.8x), reflecting compression in earnings.
  • P/S & P/B Ratios: P/S ≈0.8–0.9x, P/B ≈1.6–1.7x.
  • DCF: Reflects temporary undervaluation due to earnings dip; intrinsic value likely higher.
  • Peer Comparison: Compared to Hubbell (P/E 26x) and AMSC (P/E 185x), ATKR is undervalued.

6. Industry & Market Analysis

  • Industry Trends: U.S. construction/infrastructure spending softening; technological shift in materials (e.g., HDPE).
  • Market Share: Maintains a solid share in mid-market segment.
  • Macro Factors: Sensitive to interest rates, inflation, and construction investments.

7. Risk Analysis

  • Market Risk: Cyclical demand from construction and economic activity.
  • Financial Risk: Impairment charges, moderate debt.
  • Regulatory Risk: Environmental and infrastructure policy shifts.
  • Geopolitical Risk: Exposure to supply chain disruptions.

8. Growth Catalysts

  • New Products: HDPE and other advanced infrastructure solutions.
  • Expansion Plans: Targeting growth via new project wins.
  • M&A Activity: Sold Northwest Polymers assets for balance sheet optimization.
  • Industry Trends: Energy transition, data center buildouts, and electrification are favorable tailwinds.

9. Analyst Sentiment

  • Consensus Rating: Average 2.5/5 (Hold to Underperform range).
  • Price Targets: Not publicly updated; likely under revision post-Q2.
  • Recent News: Impairments, dividend increase, executive appointments, and asset divestitures.

10. Conclusion

Atkore is a stable mid-cap industrial firm facing near-term headwinds but with solid fundamentals. Its valuation remains attractive relative to peers, and its dividend yield adds a cushion.

Investment Recommendation: Hold

  • Short-term: Monitor for recovery in EPS and resolution of impairment charges.
  • Mid/Long-term: Rebound potential with infrastructure demand uptick.

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