Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE: SMG ) fit the bill? Let's take a look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.
What we're looking for
The graphs you're about to see tell Scotts' story, and we'll be grading the quality of that story in several ways:
What the numbers tell you
Now, let's take a look at Scotts' key statistics:
SMG Total Return Price data by YCharts
| Revenue growth > 30% | (12.8%) | Fail |
| Improving profit margin | (49.4%) | Fail |
| Free cash flow growth > Net income growth | (16%) vs. (55.9%) | Pass |
| Improving EPS | (53.5%) | Fail |
| Stock growth (+ 15%) < EPS growth | 15.8% vs. (53.5%) | Fail |
Source: YCharts. * Period begins at end of Q1 2010.
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SMG Return on Equity data by YCharts
| Improving return on equity | (57.9%) | Fail |
| Declining debt to equity | 8.7% | Fail |
| Dividend growth > 25% | 160% | Pass |
| Free cash flow payout ratio < 50% | 52.5% | Fail |
Source: YCharts. * Period begins at end of Q1 2010.
How we got here and where we're going
Scotts wilts under the pressure today, earning only two out of nine possible passing grades -- one of which was granted mainly due to a technicality. Despite this weakness, Scotts shares have hit new peaks since emerging from the crash of 2008. But how can Scotts keep outperforming in the future? Will these financial doldrums reverse, or is Scotts' future looking a little bit too weedy? Let's dig a little deeper.
Scotts Miracle-Gro's management blamed colder weather, and a delayed start to the spring season, for the slump in sales, which resulted in a steep revenue miss in the second quarter. Despite major headwinds, the company experienced strong performance from non-weather-affected areas. Purchases in California were up 43%, exemplifying the overall sales performance seen on the West Coast. Consumer purchases were also up 19% year over year as the weather improved during the first month of the third quarter, leaving purchases down 9% year to date. However, the company acknowledged that there's a chance that the shorter season will lead to some lost sales.
Net sales decreased by 5% over the past four quarters, while inventory increased by 2%. Work-in-progress inventory was the fastest-growing segment, and that rose by 11%. Although Scotts shows inventory growth that outpaces revenue growth, the company may also display positive inventory trends if we assume that management sees increased demand on the horizon.
In the past month, Scotts announced a restructuring in the size and composition of its board of directors, a decision previously contemplated, but now accelerated by the resignations of three board members. That could be a red flag for shareholders, as it's not a typical year when so many board members voluntarily step down before first confirming a replacement. With so little real news, this board issue could set the pace for the second half of Scotts' year.
Putting the pieces together
Today, Scotts Miracle-Gro has few of the qualities that make up a great stock; but no stock is truly perfect. Digging deeper can help you uncover the answers you need to make a great buy -- or to stay away from a stock that's going nowhere.
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