Steelmaking is a cyclical enterprise, however I consider you can also make extra returns investing in metal firms with a price moat, sturdy stability sheet, and low valuation. Enter Ternium (NYSE:TX), the main steelmaker in Mexico and a particularly well-run enterprise headed by Italian billionaire Paolo Rocca. With an $8.8 billion working capital place, a $7.8 billion market cap, and a nearshoring tailwind, I’m bullish on Ternium S.A.
Ternium is a Nearshoring Beneficiary
Firms are transferring increasingly of their manufacturing manufacturing to the Americas. With geopolitical tensions hovering in China and the waters surrounding it, firms wish to strengthen and diversify their provide chains, and who can blame them? The previous few years have been turbulent. To this point, Mexico has been a significant beneficiary with its low labor prices. As firms proceed to construct in Mexico, Ternium is there to offer them with metal.
In Ternium’s Q2 earnings name, administration and analysts mentioned this nearshoring at size. Within the auto trade alone, administration mentioned that loads of half producers are transferring into Mexico and that Tesla is constructing a manufacturing unit in Mexico in a few years. A big funding by Kia can also be anticipated. That is essential as a result of auto producers want metal to construct factories, tools, and vehicles. This could create a constant stream of earnings for Ternium.
Ternium’s inventory has risen on the again of sturdy metal costs, however, in my view, the enduring development of Mexico shouldn’t be but priced in. Listed below are the top markets for Ternium’s metal shipments:
Supply: Ternium’s August 2023 Investor Presentation
The Industrial phase can be issues like infrastructure, building, manufacturing tools, pipelines, oil rigs, and renewable power initiatives. White items are home equipment like fridges, ovens, and washing machines, whereas HVAC represents heating, air flow, and air-con. These are all issues {that a} growing financial system like Mexico will want.
Mexico has simply 1/seventh the GDP per capita of a rustic like the USA. So, there’s tons of room for development. The important thing phrase is “tons,” as in tons of metal. Ternium additionally operates within the following areas:
Supply: Ternium’s August 2023 Investor Presentation
A Competitor Shutters Its Doorways
One other tailwind for Ternium is the shutdown of AHMSA, which closed its operations in late 2022. AHMSA was Mexico’s largest built-in metal plant. One analyst speculated it might take one and a half to 4 years to get it again up and operating after a myriad of inner points and a January 2023 chapter.
So why does this matter? As a result of somebody has to fill the manufacturing gap left by AHMSA, and it’s prone to be Ternium. AHMSA had $2.65 billion in gross sales in 2021. AHMSA’s chapter can also be a testomony to Ternium’s moat (aggressive benefit), which we’ll talk about subsequent.
The Price Moat
Ternium claims it’s “vertically built-in, from iron ore mines to service facilities.” So, it may exert management over the complete manufacturing course of, offering itself with a few of its personal iron ore (a key commodity used to make metal) and delivering its completed items to prospects.
With Ternium’s clever administration, environment friendly know-how, sturdy provide chain, strategic positioning, and low prices, the corporate has maintained a few 22.5% gross margin on common by the cycle (from 2007 to 2023). Opponents Gerdau (NYSE:GGB), ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT), and Nucor Company (NYSE:NUE) had gross margins within the excessive single digits to mid-teens over the identical interval.
Ternium has a big market share in Mexico and Argentina, giving it substantial energy. The corporate also can promote its low-cost items throughout the border into the USA.
Uptrending Metal Costs, Robust Earnings
Ternium’s free money circulate profile has been fairly sturdy, except 2017 (resulting from a change in working capital). On the web revenue aspect, the corporate has averaged $1.02 billion of earnings from 2013 to 2022. Over that timeframe, metal costs have additionally trended increased, rising from $655/ton in the beginning of 2013 to $744/ton on the finish of 2022 and $943/ton now.
Ternium has barely elevated its degree of manufacturing and long-term property over that interval, so I estimate that the corporate’s normalized earnings are round $1.1 billion ($5.60 per share). This means a normalized P/E ratio of 7x versus the present P/E ratio of 24.8x for the S&P 500 (SPX).
Headed into This autumn earnings, Ternium ought to profit from elevated metal costs. HRC metal costs above $750/ton look sustainable, given the large improve within the cash provide from 2019 to at present.
What About Development?
Ternium is under no circumstances a fast-growing firm. However, it does have the tailwinds of nearshoring in Mexico, the closure of a significant competitor’s plant, the development of its personal $2.2 billion plant in Northern Mexico, and rising metal costs.
South America ought to proceed to see its infrastructure and financial output develop over time. Additionally, over the very long run, the value of metal tends to extend alongside inflation, which is a boon for revenues and earnings.
Is TX Inventory a Purchase, In response to Analysts?
After a latest improve from Financial institution of America (NYSE:BAC), all 4 analysts masking Ternium now give it a Purchase score. The common TX inventory worth goal is $49.63, implying upside potential of 24.95%. Analyst worth targets vary from a low of $47.00 per share to a excessive of $53.00 per share.
The Backside Line on TX Inventory
Ternium SA inventory definitely appears undervalued, given its price moat, sturdy stability sheet, and nearshoring tailwinds. It could additionally profit within the brief time period as metal costs stay elevated relative to historic ranges and a significant competitor in Mexico closes down.
