Boeing’s problems spur Howmet

Article Excerpt

HOWMET AEROSPACE INC. $79 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HWM; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 408.2 million; Market cap: $32.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.7; Dividend yield: 0.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.howmet.com) makes a range of industrial parts, from jet engine components and fasteners to forged aluminum wheels. Howmet continues to see strong demand from makers of commercial aircraft (51% of its revenue). That’s partly because slowing production of Boeing’s 737 Max planes due to quality control issues is forcing airlines to spend more on maintaining their existing aircraft. Demand from defence clients also remains strong. Revenue in the first quarter of 2024, rose 13.8%, to $1.82 billion from $1.60 billion a year earlier. Savings from a restructuring plan increased earnings before unusual items by 35.7%, to $0.57 a share from $0.42 a share. The company expects its earnings will improve roughly 30% to $2.40 a share in 2024, and the stock trades at 32.9 times that forecast. That’s a somewhat high…