BorgWarner should benefit from a growing turbocharger market. Image source: Getty Images.
What: While some stocks are declining amid the mass uncertainty facing global markets thanks to the "Brexit" vote, shares of BorgWarner Inc. (BWA -1.10%) are trading 10% lower thanks to the direct impact the scenario could have.
So what: BorgWarner is a global product leader in powertrain solutions, and it focuses on developing products that improve fuel economy, emissions, and performance. The problem with the "Brexit" vote this week, and ensuing plunge in stock price, is that the company's two largest customers are Volkswagen and Ford – each generated 15% of the company's global sales last year.
Volkswagen obviously does a significant amount of business in Europe, but investors might not know that Ford's top-selling market in Europe is the U.K. So, it's no surprise investors are concerned about BorgWarner's business since two of its top customers do significant business in a region that's now facing more uncertainty than it has in years.
Now what: Investors should absolutely keep abreast of the development in Europe, but they should refrain from making any knee-jerk reactions. Sure, there is definitely downside from the U.K. leaving the European Union. Companies may be more hesitant to invest in the U.K., and costs will increase for companies such as Ford, which has multiple plants in the region to support sales, all while the economy in the U.K. will take a near-term hit potentially hindering auto sales.
With that said, the long-term thesis for BorgWarner hasn't changed. The company will still develop valuable products for the evolving automotive industry, which is constantly trying to improve its fuel economy, while reducing emissions, without sacrificing performance. That isn't changing, and because of that, BorgWarner's long-term future and investing thesis remain intact.
