Individual Companies

We are lowering estimates on The Boeing Company (BA) ahead of the 4Q21 earnings release scheduled for Wednesday, January 26, focusing on the downward bias to current BCA segment expectations. Upon final review monthly aircraft delivery reports, the recent commentary provided by airline industry executives, and feedback collected from the aerospace supply channel, we still see near-term earnings shortfall risk over the next 2-3 quarters and expect the executive management team to temper commercial aircraft delivery expectations for CY22 Continue reading

We collected several data points throughout the specialty materials survey process but could not confidently identify a main theme for this update report. Channel crosscurrents, a less-aggressive aerospace outlook, and modest erosion in contact sentiment could be interpreted as mixed-to-negative indicators for the entire peer group heading into the 4Q earnings period. We are not expecting many companies within our coverage universe to meet/beat near-term expectations, but there are still a few names worth holding through any period of market turbulence, including the upstream alloy producers that appear to be positioned to take market share in CY22. Continue reading

We are lowering Carpenter Technology (CRS) estimates to align with the cautious corporate guidance issued earlier in the week. Capping off a problematic six-month period, the management team attributed an unplanned forge press outage, inflationary pressures, and labor shortage issues to revised SAO expectations and a much lower FY2Q EPS outlook of ($0.60)-($0.65). Given the limited near-term earnings visibility and growing market share concerns, we are downgrading CRS to an Outperform rating (versus a Strong Buy). Continue reading

We updated The Boeing Company (BA) model today, reacting to some of the information/thoughts shared by industry contacts following a supplier conference call held late last week. Bottom-line, while the management team formally pushed out 787 aircraft recovery expectations by roughly 6-7 months (as expected), the net-change to the production schedule did not reach worst-case scenario levels that had been speculated by certain company executives. This, combined with a modestly improved 777 program outlooks, resulted in a slight increase to our CY22-23 estimates. Continue reading

We are lowering estimates on The Boeing Company (BA) today to reflect lower commercial aircraft delivery assumptions and BCA margin contraction risk. Based on market intelligence collected from aerospace suppliers over the past few days, we believe there is increasing risk to the current 787 and 737 aircraft delivery/production forecasts, which could come into focus over the next few days. Continue reading

Indications from our latest aerospace channel checks suggests additional downside risk for global suppliers levered to the B787 aircraft program. Industry contacts now report growing demand headwinds associated with extended Dreamliner assembly lines halts and have started to reset 1H22 top-line expectations due to a slower-than-expected production recovery. This morning, we lowered estimates for the main companies in our coverage group to align with more conservative B787 build rate assumptions for CY22.formal issuance of strong LEAP jet engine production guidance. Both items should be considered bullish data points for the specialty materials and upstream aero supply peer groups, and the main drivers behind accelerated top-line growth and strong earnings contribution over the next 2-3 years. Continue reading

The FY4Q beat, favorable top-line and earnings guidance, and general commentary offered by the Haynes International (HAYN) management team during the recent investor call reaffirms our bullish view on the shares. We believe the portfolio is uniquely positioned to capture strong earnings growth over the next two years, driven by underlying end-market demand strength, enhanced market positioning, a much lower mill operating cost position, and limited premium melt supply. Today, we raised our earnings estimates which ultimately led to a revised twelve-month target price of $49/share (up from $45). Continue reading

After taking a closer look at aerospace market drivers, listening to the commentary provided by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, and collecting early market intel from proprietary survey-work, we remain comfortable with the bullish outlook applied the coverage group. We anticipate the realization of accelerated aero-related sales growth in CY22 for companies levered to aluminum, composite materials, specialty materials, and forging services driven by unit volume strength, better pricing/mix, and distribution channel refill. In today’ s market update, We lowered the CY22 earnings outlook for Hexcel (HXL) to account lost 787 revenues in 1H22. Continue reading

There is an interesting set up for Allegheny Technologies (ATI) heading toward CY22 as the company exited from the 3Q21 earnings period relatively unscathed by raw material/labor constraints and the commercial aircraft production hiccups. After updating our commercial aerospace demand assumptions and reviewing notes from the conference call, we reiterate the Strong Buy investment rating on the shares and $30 target price. Continue reading

We reexamined our investment rating and target price following the issuance of a relatively messy quarterly report and disappointing segment guidance, which forced us to lower fiscal-year estimates. Ultimately, we decided to maintain the STRONG BUY rating on the shares, despite the near-term margin uncertainty and possible customer agitation with late mill shipments, for three reasons: (1) confidence in underlying aerospace demand strength for CY22; (2) limited raw material cost exposure for CRS versus the peer group; and (3) potential top-line benefits associated with the on-going Special Metals strike. Continue reading

The lack of surprises offered yesterday morning could be characterized as a net-positive for The Boeing Company (BA) as the near-term earnings risk seems to be minimal while the longer-term view seems to be holding, if not improving. Outside of the supply chain risk, headlines should start improving for the company. Continue reading

We lowered estimates to better align with weaker-than-expected aircraft deliveries, increased 787 program cost assumptions, and indirect headwinds tied to COVID-19. As mentioned in a note issued earlier this week, we believe investors should prepare for a kitchen-sink quarter, with management potentially resetting delivery, operating margin, and FCF expectations. In conjunction with an increasingly cautious near-term outlook, we reduced the twelve-month target price to $250/share. Continue reading

Hexcel Corporation is one of the companies positioned within the aerospace supply channel with elevated exposure to the market headwinds we highlighted in prior notes, including a destabilized 787 aircraft program (following a pullback in monthly build rates) and volume disruptions associated with extended military production bottlenecks. This morning, we lowered estimates on HXL to fully discount a delayed sales recovery risk or weaker-than-expected shipments to key customers like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. With respect to the limited near-term earnings visibility, we also downgraded the shares to OUTPERFORM (versus Strong Buy). Continue reading

We are lowering estimates for Carpenter Technology (CRS) once again to better align with the potential risks highlighted in a report published last week (BA787 and military/defense) and to discount the impact from a delayed ramp in premium alloy mill demand. Additional analysis suggests the company may be 1-2 quarters away from realizing any benefits (or positive EPS results) associated with improving jet engine orders and/or commercial aircraft build rates. Moreover, CRS may have slightly more exposure to any negative direct/indirect events tied to the coronavirus variant outbreak, semiconductor chip shortage, and Boeing 787 program instability (versus the peer group). Continue reading

Highlighting mixed-to-negative titanium survey reads and macro headlines over the past few weeks. At this point, our market intelligence and analysis indicate a slight downward bias to near-term earnings expectations for companies levered to titanium and other specialty alloys. Continue reading

We updated The Boeing Company (BA) model to align with expected commercial aircraft deliveries and future production changes. Revised assumptions for the BCA segment resulted in a slightly lower earnings outlook for this year and CY22, with the primary negatives related to the 737 and 787 aircraft programs. Downward adjustments aside, we still believe the BA shares are attractively valued today, especially after completing our EPS upside analysis. Bottom-line, the core portfolio earnings power strengthens considerably (and the FCF generation) if the company can realize those aggressive aircraft production targets embedded in the latest schedules shared with the global supply chain. Continue reading

A pre-fight company comparison between General Electric (GE) and Roll-Royce (RR), including global market analysis supported by the release of new industry data points, collection of channel insights, and future commercial aircraft build rates confirmed our underlying view regarding the relative strength in GE/CFM demand and the aircraft/engine programs driving the optimistic production and aftermarket services outlook. While Rolls-Royce recently issued multi-year jet engine production schedules to their global suppliers that included downward revisions, the GE procurement team seems to be reiterating optimism and upward bias to CY22-23 expectations. We still expect the aggressive production outlook to culminate into a surge in parts and materials sourcing. Continue reading

We are upgrading the shares of Allegheny Technologies (ATI) to a Strong Buy investment rating, looking to take advantage of the recent trading weakness that seems to be following the quarterly updates issued by various aerospace suppliers. Continue reading

We are increasing Allegheny Technologies (ATI) estimates to account for an increasingly favorable commercial aerospace sales outlook, better-than-expected specialty materials survey results and upward movement in product pricing. After adjusting for the new production schedules shared by jet engine manufacturers and rising single-aisle aircraft build rate assumptions, the company appears to be on-track to generate $1.05-1.10/share of earnings by CY23 on stronger mill volumes and favorable premium forge sales contribution. Continue reading

We are initiating coverage on Carpenter Technology (CRS) with a Strong Buy investment rating and $50/share target price. Following a short period of trading weakness, we are comfortable with the lower entry point. The shares look undervalued today, especially after the consideration of better-than-expected survey results and backdrop of macroeconomic strength, rebounding channel sentiment, commodity nickel price inflation and enhanced commercial aero demand visibility. Market intelligence suggests the specialty materials group is at or near a summer inflection point which should be followed by a multi-year period of above-average top-line growth. Continue reading

We are lowering estimates on The Boeing Company (BA) to account for the approaching commercial aircraft segment shortfall. We expect total deliveries to fall about twenty jets below 2Q21 forecasts as another FAA inquiry has resulted in a 787-customer shipment halt, which translates into roughly $0.50/share of near-term earnings dilution in our model. Presumably, consensus expectations will reset following the company issuance of another disappointing monthly aircraft delivery report in early July. Continue reading

As part of a strategic review, we are concluding formal coverage on Steel Dynamics (STLD), effective today, as the company no longer fits into our long-term coverage plan. Continue reading

As part of a strategic review, we are concluding formal coverage on Nucor Corporation (NUE), effective today, as the company no longer fits into our long-term coverage plan. Continue reading

This is no time to panic! We are sticking with bullish investment ratings on certain names from the specialty materials group despite recent downward metals and mining trading pressure. Companies like Allegheny Technologies (ATI) and Haynes International (HAYN) should benefit from strengthening top-line drivers throughout 2H21 and CY22. Continue reading

As part of a strategic review, we are concluding formal coverage on Reliance Steel & Aluminum (RS), effective this morning, as the company no longer fits into our long-term coverage plan. Continue reading

We are making a rotational call within the aerospace coverage group, now favoring upstream suppliers that appear to be positioned to benefit from a changing commercial aircraft production environment. The investor narrative may shift to the premium forgers and/or specialty materials providers earlier-than-expected as the supply chain readies for a sharp inflection in demand for 737MAX or A320neo applications, looking beyond negative near-term earnings expectations. As such, we are changing ratings on a few companies that fit into that description. Today, we are formally upgrading Hexcel Corporation (HXL) and Haynes International (HAYN) to Strong Buy investment ratings and moving Allegheny Technologies (ATI) over to Outperform. We had previously rated all three Hold. Continue reading

We are increasing Allegheny Technologies (ATI) estimates to reflect a growing upward bias associated with rebounding commercial aerospace demand momentum, incremental macroeconomic strength, and better-than-expected survey results. After accounting for the latest MAX, NEO and LEAP production schedule revisions and channel reports of rebounding premium alloy volumes , we now expect the company to generate generating positive EPS results by 1Q22. Continue reading

General Electric (GE) held a conference call with its major suppliers to review all details behind the newly implemented LEAP production schedule and to ensure supply chain alertness. Last week, the company effectively raised the CY22 production outlook to 360-370 engines to account for stronger single-aisle aircraft build rates. This was the third major scheduling adjustment announced by the aircraft OEMs and jet engine suppliers, which suggests an upward bias to CY22-23 expectations for the coverage group. Continue reading

We are upgrading the shares of The Boeing Company (BA) to an OUTPERFORM recommendation today, with a twelve-month price target of $275/share, following the early identification of positive trading catalysts expected to develop in the coming months. Notably, our latest aerospace channel checks, which included discussions regarding the latest commercial aircraft production schedules released to all major suppliers, seems to be indicating an upward bias to Street expectations (focusing on CY22 and beyond). Continue reading

A relatively upbeat aerospace market and corporate outlook provided by The Boeing Company (BA) management team, which was confirmed later in the week by Airbus (AIR), indicates the OEMs are nearing a point of stabilization. Assuming the current 737 MAX electrical situation does not become systemic problem, we believe the earnings shortfall risk may be starting to abate. We plan to take a closer look at the industry drivers and company modeling assumptions upon completion of our aero supply channel checks.

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We came away from the latest Hexcel Corporation (HXL) quarterly earnings update and investor call somewhat intrigued by the latest market outlook, continuation of the cost reduction strategy, and uptick in confidence communicated by the management team. We would consider a rating change should the shares pullback and market intelligence confirm a reversal in upstream demand. Our hesitancy relates to the unfavorable macro environment and expected change in wide-body aircraft schedules (lower for longer). Continue reading

After raising estimates for the current quarter and year to reflect the better-than-expected mid-quarter guidance issued by the management team last week, we examined some of the larger NUE portfolio drivers, looking to gauge the upside and downside risk as it relates to two major issues: (1) the sustainability of the Section 232 trade protections during a new period of US Presidential leadership; and (2) the upside bias associated with the release of a large infrastructure bill. Starting with a $10.00+ and $8.28/share earnings forecast for CY21 and CY22, respectively, already well above consensus, we calculated roughly $1.75-2.00 of potential earnings upside associated with surging demand for niche carbon steel products dedicated for large-volume public construction projects. Conversely, we assume there to be $1.40-1.50/share of earnings dilution risk should President Joe Biden rescind Section-232 trade protections. This implies a +30% risk/reward profile. Continue reading

We rearranged the steel coverage group investment ratings to account for recent trading strength, the divergence between the closing prices and price targets, and higher earnings outlook(s). Today’s actions were triggered by the better-than-expected carbon steel survey results and review of future market drivers. Among the major changes, we upgraded Nucor (NUE) after considering the new earnings outlook and the rising potential for a stimulus trading boost. At the same time, we lowered STLD and RS to OUTPERFORM (versus Strong Buy) following the recent surge in trading. While still positive on these two names, we would be less aggressive. Finally, we referred to the surprising level of bullishness building throughout the channel and strong survey data points. The most interesting takeaway involved steel contacts raising their year-end HRC price forecast by $100-125/ton. Continue reading

Positive data points and contact commentary collected during quarterly checks on the specialty materials group serves as the key catalyst behind the upward estimate revisions we applied to certain names within our coverage universe. Today, we raised estimates on Allegheny Tech (ATI) and Haynes International (HAYN) to reflect the upward bias associated with enhanced aerospace and turbine sales exposure. Continue reading

We could not identify any negative data points within the 4Q20 earnings release, or subsequent commentary provided by management, to alter the investment rating conviction on Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company (RS). This remains our TOP PICK within the steel space for CY21. Continue reading

We are upgrading the shares of Allegheny Technologies (ATI) to a HOLD. After speaking with industry contacts and reviewing aerospace OEM production schedules, we believe earnings estimates are more likely to move higher from the current point. Despite our concerns regarding the extended valuation, we decided to move to a neutral position on the shares as we can no longer identify a “smoking gun” that could push the stock price meaningfully lower. Continue reading

The HAYN management team is echoing a similar sentiment as most of its direct competitors: While most of the operating results reported this month have been underwhelming and CY21 earnings expectations are generally subdued, the specialty materials peer group seems to be approaching a point of stabilization. Companies levered to the premium alloys expect an inflection point to develop within the next 2-3 quarters with the titanium turn seen lagging by 1-2 quarters. Continue reading

Allegheny Technologies (ATI) reported an adjusted 4Q20 earnings loss of $0.33/share, which exceeded consensus expectations on better-than-expected AAS segment results, stabilized jet engine demand, and portfolio reshaping (Tier4: -$0.40; Street: -$0.36). CEO Bob Wetherbee and his leadership team were highly focused on portfolio optimization and their aggressive efforts started to bear fruit, clearly demonstrated by four consecutive quarterly EPS beats (against the COVID-19 market backdrop). Continue reading

The Boeing Company (BA) reported a 4Q20 EPS loss of $15.25, which fell below forecasts (Tier4: -$1.30; Street: -$1.78) despite better-than-expected revenues of $15.3B (down 15% y/y). However, the company was forced to assume $8.3B of total charges, which included a $6.5M accounting block charge applied to the 777x program. Continue reading

We updated the Haynes International (HAYN) model ahead of the FY1Q earnings report, set for later this week. We have been holding a neutral position on the shares, but our bias leans negative following the collection of weak survey data points and subdued contact feedback. Continue reading

We downgraded the shares of The Boeing Company (BA) to UNDERPERFORM this evening following a thorough review of important macro drivers and the secondary data collected from our aero supplier surveys. Ahead of the company’s 4Q earnings update, scheduled for late-January, we believe BA shares could dip below $200 should the investor focus shift to a muted earnings growth outlook and balance sheet stress. Coincidently, we are also less-bullish on our beloved Cleveland Browns heading into the Sunday playoff game, but we digress… Continue reading

We lowered earnings estimates for two of The Boeing Company suppliers potentially over-levered to the Dreamliner program: Allegheny Technologies (ATI) and Hexcel Corporation (HXL). The shares of both companies have traded higher over the past few months, but the valuation looks overextended to us. We remain particularly guarded on the ATI due to the enhanced program leverage. Our UNDERPERFORM rating includes a revised target price of $11/share (up from $8), reflecting about 40% downside versus the Thursday close. Continue reading

We cannot recall another time during our long history in sell-side research when the best idea highlighted from our coverage was: investors should avoid the entire peer group right now. Ultimately, we deemed it more appropriate to shift the note topic to the new developments detected in our propriety channel checks that may be interpreted as bearish by investors. We lowered earnings estimates for two of The Boeing Company suppliers potentially over-levered to the Dreamliner program: Hexcel Corporation (HXL) and Allegheny Technologies (ATI). Continue reading

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company (RS) is our TOP PICK for 2021. This morning, we upgraded the shares to a STRONG BUY rating and raised the twelve-month target price to align with our latest estimate revision(s) and to reiterate confidence in the main service center market drivers (reconfirmed by December channel checks). Continue reading

We adjusted our Steel Dynamics (STLD) model to better align with the favorable mid-quarter earnings update issued late last week. Our updated 4QE and CY20 EPS forecasts are now $0.80 and $2.57, respectively (+$0.18), supported by more aggressive profit assumptions across the Steel Mill and Metals Recycling segments. Continue reading

We adjusted our Nucor Corporation (NUE) model to better align with the mid-quarter earnings update issued last week. Our updated 4QE and CY20 EPS forecast are now $1.06 and $3.09, respectively (+$0.26), supported by more aggressive profit assumptions for the Steel Mill and Raw Material operating segments. Continue reading

The Nucor Corporation (NUE) management team is likely to reference incremental strength in carbon steel demand, an acceleration in upward spot market price momentum and early contributions from recent investments within the mid-quarter update (expected within the next two weeks). Continue reading

What is the opposite of Steelmageddon? Whatever word just popped into your head is probably the best way to describe current domestic steel industry fundamentals. Following a closer look at the drivers behind the carbon flat rolled markets, and communicating with several channel contacts, we decided to increase our carbon sheet price forecasts and the estimates on STLD. Continue reading

We are downgrading Hexcel Corporation (HXL) to a HOLD rating this morning. Since we issued an upgrade note last month, HXL shares traded 55% higher, exceeding our target price, fueled by election certainty, recent COVID-19 vaccination headlines, and the pending MAX recertification. Continue reading

Consensus estimates still look aggressive, in relation to fundamentals, for aerospace suppliers levered to premium forge, composite materials, metal fabrication, and raw materials. We believe the tier-3/4 peer group may still be 4-5 quarters away from an inflection point, which could be followed by muted demand in CY22 regardless of the COVID-19 vaccination outcome. After updating various industry models, we generated a CY21 baseline growth forecast for upstream aero suppliers at down 12-13% for CY21. We also lowered estimates on Allegheny Tech (ATI) and Hexcel Corp (HXL) this morning, after completing this market analysis and reviewing the negative survey data points referenced in this report. Continue reading