Topic: How To Invest

Dear Pat: What are your thoughts on Hexcel Corp.? Is it a buy? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Hexcel Corp., $43.28, symbol HXL on New York (Shares outstanding: 95.4 million; Market cap: $4.1 billion; www.hexcel.com), is one of the world’s leading makers of lightweight composite materials. Its products include carbon fibre, fibreglass electronic materials and structural fabrics. The commercial airline market supplies 58% of Hexcel’s revenue, followed by space and defence (20%), business regional jets (7%), wind power (9%) and industrial (6%). Boeing accounts for 30% of Hexcel’s sales, and Airbus supplies 28%. In the three months ended September 30, 2014, Hexcel’s revenue rose 9.6%, to $451.9 million from $412.3 million a year earlier. Commercial airline revenue gained 13.2%. Earnings per share increased 18.8%, to $0.57 from $0.48. Hexcel holds cash of $37.7 million, or $0.40 a share. Its $430 million of long-term debt is just 10.5% of its $4.1-billion market cap. The company’s exposure to the cyclical commercial airline industry adds risk. However, its…