Toronto, Canada – Hammond Manufacturing Company Limited, a producer of industrial and electronic enclosures, is catching the eye of investors as its stock performance continues to shine in 2024. The company, which was spun out of Hammond Power Solutions Inc. in 2000, has seen its market valuation grow by 22.1% this year. Despite this success, the market capitalization of the company has slumped by 28.4% from its 52-week high, offering a potential buying opportunity with the share prices trading below 4.6x EV/EBITDA.

Founded in 1917 as O.S. Hammond and Son, the company shifted its focus to producing power transformers, racks, cabinets, and enclosures during the 1950s and 1960s. Today, Hammond Manufacturing specializes in electrical enclosures, racks, cabinets, small electronic cases, outlet strips, and electronic transformers. With manufacturing facilities across various countries, North America still accounts for over 90% of its sales, making it one of the major magnetics providers in the electrical OEM market.

The financial performance of Hammond Manufacturing has shown resilience over the years, with revenue exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% since 2014. The company weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well, with revenues bouncing back strongly in 2021. Significant improvements in operating income margin, gross margin, EBITDA margin, and net margin over the years highlight the company’s financial strength and stability.

In the latest financial results for Q1 2024, Hammond Manufacturing saw a decrease in net sales due to soft demand in North America. However, the company managed to improve its gross margin and saw an increase in EBITDA compared to the previous year. Despite challenges, Hammond Manufacturing’s balance sheet showed a decrease in net debt and a positive free cash flow for the quarter.

Looking ahead, Hammond Manufacturing anticipates continued but low growth for the rest of 2024, with revenues expected to increase by low-single digit percentages. The company’s valuation appears undervalued when considering key financial multiples like EV/EBITDA and price-to-earnings ratios. Despite trading above book value and lacking major institutional investors, Hammond Manufacturing’s stock has shown resilience and potential for growth.

Overall, analysts remain optimistic about Hammond Manufacturing’s future prospects, citing a potential increase in the EV/EBITDA ratio in the coming months. However, downside risks such as an economic slowdown in the USA or Canada could impact the company’s revenue growth. Investors are advised to consider the risks associated with stocks like Hammond Manufacturing before making investment decisions.