Topic: How To Invest

Pat: My question is about Polypore International. What is your opinion on the future of this company? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Polypore International, $33.45, symbol PPO on New York (Shares outstanding: 44.5 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion, www.polypore.net), makes polymer-based microfibre membranes used in lithium batteries (two-thirds of sales) and medical devices (one-third). In the three months ended October 2, 2010, the company earned $12.4 million, or $0.27 a share. A year earlier it earned $6.5 million, or $0.14 a share. Revenue rose 10%, to $151.7 million from $137.7 million. Polypore recently refinanced $365 million of its debt. That extends the maturity on this debt to 2017. However, the company’s total debt is a high $778.9 million, or 52% of its market cap. That adds risk. The company sells into growing markets, although future demand for lithium batteries for electric cars is uncertain. Even so, the shares have more than doubled since March, and now trade at 27.0 times this year’s forecast earnings of $1.24 a share. We don’t recommend Polypore International. ..