We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Koppers (KOP) Acquires Brown Wood to Boost Utility Business
Read MoreHide Full Article
Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP - Free Report) recently announced that its subsidiary, Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Inc. (UIP), entered into an agreement to acquire the majority of assets belonging to Brown Wood Preserving Company, Inc. and select affiliates. The acquisition, valued at approximately $100 million in cash, is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2024, pending customary closing conditions.
Brown Wood specializes in the manufacture and distribution of pressure-treated wood utility poles. Upon completion of the transaction, Brown Wood will be integrated into Koppers' operations, enhancing its service offerings and expanding its geographic presence. James Sullivan, president and chief operating officer of Koppers, expressed enthusiasm for the integration, emphasizing the potential synergies and expanded capabilities it brings to Koppers' utility business.
Koppers highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition, aligning with its strategic goal to bolster its utility pole treatment business through organic growth and acquisitions. While the acquisition may not significantly impact 2024 financial results due to timing and integration expenses, Koppers anticipates that it will help it achieve an adjusted EBITDA in the range of $315-$325 million in 2025.
The acquisition agreement outlines that Koppers will purchase Brown Wood for a base price of $100 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. Financing for the transaction will be sourced from a combination of cash reserves and borrowing capacity. Following the completion of the acquisition, Brown Wood will function as a part of Koppers Utility and Industrial Products.
Shares of Koppers are up 49.5% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 12.4% in the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the fourth quarter, Koppers reported adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share, excluding one-time items, compared to $1.09 per share a year ago, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents. However, the company saw a 6% year-over-year increase in revenues, totaling $513.2 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $496 million. The upside was primarily driven by record sales in the Railroad and Utility Products and Services segment, which can be attributed to higher pricing and volumes.
Looking ahead to 2024, Koppers anticipates sales to reach approximately $2.25 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be around $275 million for the year. The company forecasts adjusted earnings per share in the range of $4.60-$4.80 for 2024, along with capital expenditures of approximately $100 million for the year.
Givaudan's projected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.43%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GVDNY’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 5.1% in the past 60 days. The company’s shares have rallied 38.3% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for CRS’ current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.97 per share, indicating a year-over-year surge of 248.3%. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 14.3%. The company’s shares have increased 27.1% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for HWKN’s current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.61 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 4.3% in the past 30 days. HWKN beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 70.6%. The company’s shares have surged 71.2% in the past year.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Koppers (KOP) Acquires Brown Wood to Boost Utility Business
Koppers Holdings Inc. (KOP - Free Report) recently announced that its subsidiary, Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Inc. (UIP), entered into an agreement to acquire the majority of assets belonging to Brown Wood Preserving Company, Inc. and select affiliates. The acquisition, valued at approximately $100 million in cash, is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2024, pending customary closing conditions.
Brown Wood specializes in the manufacture and distribution of pressure-treated wood utility poles. Upon completion of the transaction, Brown Wood will be integrated into Koppers' operations, enhancing its service offerings and expanding its geographic presence. James Sullivan, president and chief operating officer of Koppers, expressed enthusiasm for the integration, emphasizing the potential synergies and expanded capabilities it brings to Koppers' utility business.
Koppers highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition, aligning with its strategic goal to bolster its utility pole treatment business through organic growth and acquisitions. While the acquisition may not significantly impact 2024 financial results due to timing and integration expenses, Koppers anticipates that it will help it achieve an adjusted EBITDA in the range of $315-$325 million in 2025.
The acquisition agreement outlines that Koppers will purchase Brown Wood for a base price of $100 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. Financing for the transaction will be sourced from a combination of cash reserves and borrowing capacity. Following the completion of the acquisition, Brown Wood will function as a part of Koppers Utility and Industrial Products.
Shares of Koppers are up 49.5% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 12.4% in the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the fourth quarter, Koppers reported adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share, excluding one-time items, compared to $1.09 per share a year ago, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents. However, the company saw a 6% year-over-year increase in revenues, totaling $513.2 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $496 million. The upside was primarily driven by record sales in the Railroad and Utility Products and Services segment, which can be attributed to higher pricing and volumes.
Looking ahead to 2024, Koppers anticipates sales to reach approximately $2.25 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be around $275 million for the year. The company forecasts adjusted earnings per share in the range of $4.60-$4.80 for 2024, along with capital expenditures of approximately $100 million for the year.
Koppers Holdings Inc. Price and Consensus
Koppers Holdings Inc. price-consensus-chart | Koppers Holdings Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Koppers currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Givaudan SA (GVDNY - Free Report) , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) and Hawkins, Inc. (HWKN - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Givaudan's projected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.43%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GVDNY’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 5.1% in the past 60 days. The company’s shares have rallied 38.3% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for CRS’ current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.97 per share, indicating a year-over-year surge of 248.3%. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 14.3%. The company’s shares have increased 27.1% in the past year.
The consensus estimate for HWKN’s current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.61 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN’s current-year earnings has been revised upward by 4.3% in the past 30 days. HWKN beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 70.6%. The company’s shares have surged 71.2% in the past year.