What's Driving Gates Industrial Corp PLC's Surprising 17% Stock Rally?

Gates Industrial Corp PLC (GTES, Financial) has experienced a notable fluctuation in its stock price over recent periods. With a current market capitalization of $3.69 billion, the stock is trading at $14.17, reflecting a 7.02% gain over the past week. However, looking at a broader timeframe, GTES has seen a 16.82% loss over the past three months. When compared to the GF Value of $14.13, the stock is currently considered fairly valued, a shift from its previous assessment as a possible value trap, where investors were advised to think twice before investing. The past GF Value was $15.91, indicating a decrease in the intrinsic valuation of the company.

Understanding Gates Industrial Corp PLC

Gates Industrial Corp PLC operates within the industrial products sector, specializing in engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions. The company is divided into two main segments: Power Transmission and Fluid Power. The former includes applications where belts, chains, and other components transfer power, while the latter involves the transfer of fluids, gases, or materials. The Power Transmission segment is the primary revenue generator for GTES. 1760668627545255936.png

Profitability Insights

GTES boasts a strong Profitability Rank of 8/10, indicating robust financial health. The company's operating margin stands at 13.43%, outperforming 77.73% of its peers in the industry. Additionally, GTES's return on equity (ROE) is 7.41%, surpassing 51.87% of competitors, while its return on assets (ROA) at 3.22% is better than 46.18% of other companies. The return on invested capital (ROIC) is 7.34%, which is higher than 56.23% of similar companies. These figures demonstrate GTES's ability to generate profits and manage its assets effectively. 1760668645392019456.png

Growth Trajectory and Prospects

The Growth Rank for GTES is a solid 7/10. The company has shown a 10.60% 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share, outpacing 61.11% of its industry counterparts. Over a 5-year period, the revenue growth rate per share is 3.70%, which is better than 45.13% of the industry. Looking ahead, the Total Revenue Growth Rate (Future 3Y To 5Y Est) is projected at 1.84%, higher than 17.98% of the industry. The 3-Year EPS without NRI Growth Rate is an impressive 35.70%, which is better than 77.52% of the industry, although the 5-Year EPS without NRI Growth Rate is at -5.20%, indicating some challenges in the past. 1760668662538334208.png

Investor Confidence and Major Holders

Investor confidence in GTES is reflected in the holdings of major investors. Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) is the top holder with 4,448,515 shares, representing a 1.68% share percentage. Charles Brandes (Trades, Portfolio) follows with 1,585,657 shares, accounting for 0.6% of shares, and HOTCHKIS & WILEY holds 715,900 shares, equating to 0.27%. These significant investments by reputable firms suggest a strong belief in the company's future performance.

Competitive Landscape

When compared to its competitors, GTES holds a competitive market position. Crane NXT Co (CXT, Financial) has a market cap of $3.33 billion, Symbotic Inc (SYM, Financial) is valued at $3.64 billion, and CSW Industrials Inc (CSWI, Financial) stands at $3.53 billion. GTES's market cap of $3.69 billion places it at a favorable position within this close-knit group of industrial product companies.

Conclusion

In summary, Gates Industrial Corp PLC's recent stock performance has been a mixed bag, with a short-term gain overshadowed by a three-month decline. However, the company's valuation remains fair according to the GF Value. GTES's profitability and growth metrics are strong, with a high Profitability Rank and promising growth rates. The confidence of major holders further solidifies the company's market position. When juxtaposed with its competitors, GTES maintains a competitive edge in market capitalization. Investors should consider these factors when evaluating the potential of GTES as part of their investment portfolio.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.