Balanced View on American Capital - Analyst Blog
18 5월 2012 - 8:45PM
Zacks
We have reiterated our Neutral recommendation on
American Capital Ltd. (ACAS), following a detailed
analysis of the company’s fundamentals in light of the current
economic environment. Also, the restructuring efforts by the
company have contributed to this stance.
In March 2012, American Capital announced an investment in
equity in its portfolio company Halt Medical, Inc., a medical
device company that focuses on women's health. The additional
financing by American Capital will support Halt Medical as it grows
further with the approval of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
the surgical use and commercialization of its products in major
global markets. The approval of FDA, regarding this issue, is
anticipated sometime during the year 2012.
However, in February 2012, American Capital announced the
divesture of its portfolio company Aptara Inc., following the
divesture of another portfolio company - CIBT Solutions Inc. (CIBT)
in January. We expect these restructuring initiatives to
significantly reduce the operating costs of American Capital.
During first-quarter 2012, American Capital repurchased a total
of 5.5 million shares of its common stock in the open market for
$48 million. The average purchase price was $8.79 per share.
Moreover, the company extended the program, initiated in 2011 for
stock repurchases or dividend payments through December 2013.
The authorization of the new share buyback program and
resumption of dividend payments raise our hopes for an enhanced
investor confidence in the company.
American Capital’s successful restructuring of debt provided it
with sufficient operating flexibility. In addition to this, the
company continues to lessen risks from its balance sheet through a
number of initiatives like repayment of debt. Moreover, new
investment opportunities are expected to continue along with the
economic recovery.
However, American Capital’s first-quarter 2012 operating income
of 14 cents per share lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5
cents. Moreover, the results were below the prior-year quarter’s
earnings of 23 cents per share. The unfavorable result was due to a
fall in interest and dividend income in the quarter. Yet, decreased
operating expenses partially offset the decline.
We believe American Capital’s earnings are affected by the
spread between the interest rate on investments and the interest
rate at which it has borrowed funds. An increase or decrease in
interest rates could reduce the spread between the investment rate
and the borrowing rate, thereby adversely affecting the overall
profitability. An unsettled economic environment is also a cause of
concern.
We believe that the risk-reward profile of American Capital is
currently balanced and hence, we have reiterated our Neutral
recommendation on its shares.
American Capital currently retains its Zacks #3 Rank, which
translates into a short-term ‘Hold’ rating. One of American
Capital’s peers, Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC)
also retains a Zacks #3 Rank.
AMER CAP LTD (ACAS): Free Stock Analysis Report
ARES CAP CP (ARCC): Free Stock Analysis Report
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American Capital Strategies (NASDAQ:ACAS)
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