Based on the aggregated intelligence of 125,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, electrical products maker AZZ (NYSE:AZZ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking. Our data has shown that five-star stocks outperform the market by a significant margin; conversely, one-star stocks woefully lag the market average.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at AZZ's business, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
AZZ facts
|
Headquarters (founded) |
Fort Worth, Texas (1956) |
|
Market Cap |
$300.56 million |
|
Industry |
Heavy Electrical Equipment |
|
TTM Revenue |
$366.43 million |
|
Management |
CEO David Dingus (since 2001) CFO Dana Perry (since 2004) |
|
Return on Equity (average, last three years) |
20.5% |
|
Competitors |
Eaton (NYSE:ETN), General Electric (NYSE:GE) |
|
CAPS members bullish on AZZ also bullish on: |
Southern Copper (NYSE:PCU), Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) |
|
CAPS members bearish on AZZ also bearish on: |
AMR (NYSE:AMR), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) |
Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's), and Motley Fool CAPS. TTM = trailing 12 months.
Over on CAPS, 506 of the 524 members who have rated AZZ -- or 97% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include viasyncro and hawk109.
Late last month, viasyncro described AZZ as a solid "American electrical product manufacturer. Galvanizing business under short term pressure, but electrical segment is the real future of the company."
In a pitch from November, hawk109 cites the stock's valuation, which seemed to make it a bargain (and is even cheaper today), as reason to jump in:
Azz Inc, has had positive earnings surprises the last two quarters. Sales are expected to increase next year over this year and earnings growth for the next 3 quarters will outpace the previous year. This company has positive earnings estimates going into the next three quarters. The [return on equity] is 24% with an ROA of 14% and an increasing operating margin. With good cash flow, PEG of 0.81, low debt and low price to book, this stock is a buy.
What do you think about AZZ, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.
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