ETFOptimize | High-performance ETF-based Investment Strategies

Quantitative strategies, Wall Street-caliber research, and insightful market analysis since 1998.


ETFOptimize | HOME
Close Window

This infrastructure construction stock: Is it ready to pop?

Aerial view of the wastewater treatment plant. Round sedimentation tanks. Radial primary pallet. Sediments of treatment facilities like MasTec's properties

As everyone focuses on technology stocks and artificial intelligence hype, names like Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) keep beating expectations and breaking past all-time high prices. You can focus on other underrated spaces of the economy, such as construction stocks.

Stocks like MasTec Inc. (NYSE: MTZ) can expose your portfolio to subsequent industry potential rallies. It's one of the infrastructure and energy construction names that could soon pop.

Get your edge here 

While markets broke past their charts to bring you fresh all-time high prices, they could be getting ahead of themselves in the cut expectation. Initially believing that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) would act in March, traders are now backing away from that timeline and pricing the move toward May or June of this year.

You can see this live by following the FedWatch tool offered by the CME Group (NASDAQ: CME), but what do these cuts mean for the construction industry?

Warren Buffett bought into names like D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI) because most mortgages are held at rates below 3.3%. In comparison, new mortgages hover around 7.4% today.

Homebuyers aren't incentivized to sell their property since they would have to buy another home at a much higher price and financing rate. Likewise, new homebuyers don't particularly want to pay a high mortgage and five-year-high home prices.

Analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) have expressed their outlooks on the manufacturing sector in the United States, which is nothing short of a boom. Because the ISM Manufacturing PMI index has been contracting for the past year, the Fed cuts can bring the business cycle back into a roaring bull cycle.

Of course, this benefits the expansionary activity in sectors like utilities and energy stocks, which could also be why names like Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO) have a 30.4% upside from analyst price targets, landing on $31.2 a share.

Similarly, MasTec analysts see a similar upside of 31.9% in their $94.20 per share targets, something the market is willing to get behind today.

What’s the view? 

MasTec stock trades at a massive discount of 57% of its 52-week high prices, raising some eyebrows about whether it could be a bargain investment today. 

This is particularly interesting when you see other stocks like Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) trading at 97% of their 52-week highs, also supporting the infrastructure construction play.

Analysts are shooting for earnings per share at MasTec to grow by as much as 55.6% over the next 12 months, much higher than the industry average of 11.7%. Considering these optimistic growth targets, on top of the discount to previous highs, markets are not shy in letting you know how much they like this deal.

While the rest of the peer group is valued at an average price-to-earnings ratio of 15.9x, you can buy MasTec stock for a much higher 40.3x P/E. The saying "it must be expensive for a reason" applies here, and now you have a better idea of that reason.

It should come as no surprise to you to see how analysts at UBS Group (NYSE: UBS) upped their price targets on the stock up to $92 per share this month, which could be the first domino to fall in a wave of further analyst upgrades for this rally in the making.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.


 

IntelligentValue Home
Close Window

DISCLAIMER

All content herein is issued solely for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor should it be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security.  All opinions, analyses, and information included herein are based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, is made including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. We undertake no obligation to update such opinions, analysis or information. You should independently verify all information contained on this website. Some information is based on analysis of past performance or hypothetical performance results, which have inherent limitations. We make no representation that any particular equity or strategy will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. Shareholders, employees, writers, contractors, and affiliates associated with ETFOptimize.com may have ownership positions in the securities that are mentioned. If you are not sure if ETFs, algorithmic investing, or a particular investment is right for you, you are urged to consult with a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Neither this website nor anyone associated with producing its content are Registered Investment Advisors, and no attempt is made herein to substitute for personalized, professional investment advice. Neither ETFOptimize.com, Global Alpha Investments, Inc., nor its employees, service providers, associates, or affiliates are responsible for any investment losses you may incur as a result of using the information provided herein. Remember that past investment returns may not be indicative of future returns.

Copyright © 1998-2017 ETFOptimize.com, a publication of Optimized Investments, Inc. All rights reserved.