This may not be the best time for investors to be piling into the defense and aerospace sectors, but selective stock pickers can still profit.
First, let's set the scene. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently outlined a plan for the Pentagon to save up to $100 billion over the next five years on defense spending.
Many contracted corporations have been large beneficiaries of the nearly $700 billion a year the Pentagon spends on its defense budget. But these companies have been making cuts as they brace for continued cutbacks in federal spending.
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin
Even more diversified businesses, such as General Electric
A cheap way to stay in the sector
While spending cuts and troop withdrawals will certainly affect companies that do defense work for the federal government, there are still some extremely cheap stocks in the sector. One in particular is Force Protection
Force Protection provides vehicles such as these to militaries across the world. Its vehicles are made to protect soldiers from blasts and mine explosions, which is clearly an essential feature in today's combat situations.
The value
Even with the recent appreciation in share price, the company is still undervalued, especially considering the value of its assets. The stock trades just slightly above its book value (as of June 30) of $4.53, at just 1.05 book. Force Protection has no long-term debt on its balance sheet, and more than $120 million in cash. This cash is also cushioned by a current asset to current liability ratio that is greater than 2:1.
So, on the surface the stock clearly looks cheap relative to its peers. However, investors must also be wary, as the stock has been trading at such a discount for a reason. Force Protection won't be immune to U.S. budget cuts. With spending still increasing in 2008, Force Protection's revenues reached a top at $1.32 billion. In 2009, as spending began to slow, the company's revenues dropped to $977 million. While U.S. government spending is essential for revenue and earnings growth, Force Protection has a diversified clientele and an important product for many militaries, as its recent deal with the U.K. proves.
The Foolish bottom line
Force Protection's margins reached 23% last quarter and long-term projections are for about 20% margins, putting the company ahead of competitors that are valued at a much richer valuation. The company should also benefit as governments that are cutting back on spending look to spend more efficiently. While Force Protection may have lost several high-profile contracts, it still stands to gain as its large fleet of vehicles in the field need to be serviced and upgraded.
This puts Force Protection -- with its advanced technology, modern, and longer-lasting vehicles -- in the sweet spot of many shrinking budgets. While investors should certainly be careful in a sector that in the near terms is slowing, Force Protection is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
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