There’s a lot to be optimistic about in the Consumer Goods sector as 3 analysts just weighed in on Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB), Esco Technologies Inc (NYSE: ESE) and Lightpath Technologies (NASDAQ: LPTH) with bullish sentiments.
Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB)
In a report released yesterday, Susan Anderson from B.Riley FBR reiterated a Buy rating on Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB), with a price target of $30. The company’s shares opened today at $21.54.
Anderson observed:
“Turning Point Brands (TPB) reported 1Q18 net sales of $73.9M, versus B. Riley FBR’s estimate/ consensus of $68.9M/$68.2M. GM leveraged +160 bps, vs. our estimate of +20 bps, while SG&A margin deleveraged –453 bps, vs. our estimate of –40 bps. Adjusted 1Q reported EBITDA were $13.7M, vs. our $13.9M estimate and consensus of $14.2M, while adjusted EPS were $0.35, compared to our estimate/consensus of $0.27/$0.30. During the quarter, TPB executed on their growth plan by expanding Stoker’s market share and closing the immediately accretive acquisition of Vapor Supply. The company also ended 1Q with leverage of 3.2x, within their target range of 2.5x to 3.5x.”
According to TipRanks.com, Anderson is a 3-star analyst with an average return of 2.6% and a 52.0% success rate. Anderson covers the Services sector, focusing on stocks such as Lululemon Athletica Inc, Ascena Retail Group, and Abercrombie Fitch.
Turning Point Brands has an analyst consensus of Moderate Buy, with a price target consensus of $28.50.
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Esco Technologies Inc (NYSE: ESE)
In a report released yesterday, Liam Burke from B.Riley FBR maintained a Buy rating on Esco Technologies Inc (NYSE: ESE), with a price target of $71. The company’s shares opened today at $57.65.
Burke wrote:
“ESE (Buy, $71.00 PT) is a growth company with a multi-segment operating platform with four distinct businesses: filtration/fluid flow, utility solutions group (USG), RF shielding and test, and technical packaging. ESE’s growth strategy is to continue to increase the number of applications in existing niche-oriented products and to develop or acquire complementary technology. Its core strategy is expected to drive high-single-digit annual organic revenue and double-digit operating profit growth, which is complemented by accretive acquisitions. Based on ESE’s ability to drive sustainable double-digit annual earnings growth with strong free cash flow generation, we are maintaining our Buy rating on the shares.”
According to TipRanks.com, Burke is a 2-star analyst with an average return of 0.2% and a 46.9% success rate. Burke covers the Industrial Goods sector, focusing on stocks such as Lincoln Electric Holdings, Carlisle Companies Inc, and Enpro Industries.
Esco Technologies Inc has an analyst consensus of Moderate Buy, with a price target consensus of $71.
Lightpath Technologies (NASDAQ: LPTH)
In a report released today, Sarkis Sherbetchyan from B.Riley FBR reiterated a Buy rating on Lightpath Technologies (NASDAQ: LPTH). The company’s shares opened today at $2.13, close to its 52-week low of $1.97.
Sherbetchyan commented:
“Buy-rated LightPath Technologies (LPTH, $2.75 PT) will report 3Q18 results after the market close on and hold its conference call at 4:30pm ET (dial-in: We model revenues, adj. EBITDA, and adj. EPS of $8.3M/$1.6M/$0.02, which is consistent with the consensus $8.4M/$1.6M/$0.02, respectively. Gross margins contracted for the last four quarters due to product mix, manufacturing inefficiencies, and pricing concessions, but we are cautiously optimistic that LPTH will rectify the problems via production optimization across facilities and maintaining pricing discipline. As a result, we see a path in which the gross margin normalizes in high-40% to low-50% range.”
According to TipRanks.com, Sherbetchyan is ranked #564 out of 4793 analysts.
Lightpath Technologies has an analyst consensus of Moderate Buy, with a price target consensus of $2.78.
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