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Conference nyoss1::market_investing

Title:Market Investing
Moderator:2155::michaud
Created:Thu Jan 23 1992
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1060
Total number of notes:10477

502.0. "Gundle Environmental" by MCIS2::BONVALLAT () Fri Jun 18 1993 01:42

Well, since my first recommendation was popular and has worked out well
(SLM International - Note 283), I'm going to share this write-up I did
on Gundle Environmental (GUN - ASE).  I updated it today after originally 
distributing it a few months ago.  

While I don't necessarily expect immediate action in this stock, I 
believe it will be a worthwhile investment for those patient enough to 
wait 6-18 months.  Again..as before...and as with any stock...absolutely
NO guarantees!    


GUN   -  $7 /share  -  June 17, 1993


Gundle Environmental Systems (GUN) is the leading worldwide maker of
environmental liners.  These liners are designed principally for the 
prevention of groundwater contamination, but can also be designed to
cap waste sites to reduce air pollution.  While state and municipal
solid waste landfills continue to be the largest market for environmental 
liners, other environmental and industrial applications for these liners
have been growing rapidly with industrial applications (mainly underground
storage tank containment) now comprising 40% of Gundle's annual sales.

Gundle is a growth company which has on average been experiencing 15% 
annual sales growth, but the real excitement here comes from new EPA 
regulations (announced in September 1991) which mandate that all new
domestic landfills must be lined after October 1, 1993.  Depending on
how strictly these regulations are enforced, the regulations [which are
part of "Subtitle D" of the 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA)] could mean that after September 1993 garbage can only be dumped
in landfills which are already lined.  Either way, Gundle is expecting
a surge in demand for its liners which should continue several years.

Ironically, Gundle stock is now out of favor and trading at a historically
low level just as this surge in demand (and sales) is about to kick in!
The reason for this is that one of the early consequences of the EPA 
regulations was to motivate Gundle and their competitors to increase
industry capacity in anticipation of this surge in product demand.  
One competitor, SLT, a private company, increased capacity by 150%.
With the extra capacity coming on-line ahead of demand, price-slashing
in the industry was fierce in 1992.  Gundle met the competition and 
sought to preserve market share by cutting their costs and prices.
All this, combined with the fact that the last quarter of the fiscal
year was effected by exceptionally poor weather, resulted in a very tough 
year for the industry and severely depressed Gundle's earnings in 1992.  
Gundle earned .08/share in the fiscal year ended March 31,1993 versus 
.83/share in the prior year. Original analyst estimates were that Gundle 
would earn .90-1.00/share in 1992.  

What is most encouraging is that despite the horrible year the industry had,
Gundle was still profitable.  What is even more encouraging is that this
is the year product demand should really start to accelerate, and with
demand more in line with industry capacity we can expect product pricing
and profit margins to return to normal as sales increase.  This should 
translate into a dramatic turnaround for Gundle and possibly record earnings
in 1993 and again in 1994.  

Gundle is very well-positioned in their industry.  Not only are they the
clear market leader, controlling over 50% of the worldwide market for
environmental liners, but they continually lead the industry in new product
innovations as well.  Their Houston,Texas facility was the first to 
manufacture seamless liners in widths of 22.5 feet and again recently
the first with widths of 35 feet.  (Wider widths reduce the possibility
of welding problems at the seams)  They have the largest product line
of anyone in the industry, and have patented products like the Gundseal
liner (laminated with a layer of bentonite clay which swells up to fill
an opening if the liner is punctured).  Also, Gundle has construction 
crews located all over the world which are trained in the installation of 
these liners.  Recently, Gundle has been concentrating most of their 
international expansion in the area of Continental and Eastern Europe. 
Lastly, Gundle meets the competition in the area of costs by running
an exceptionally lean operation.  

Anyday now, investors will begin anticipating the big earnings turnaround
at Gundle that is likely to be evident later this year - backlogs are
already up roughly 20%.  The stock will be much higher by the time the 
improved earnings are announced, so now is the time to buy.  At $7/share, 
Gundle is trading at only 14 times this year's conservative estimate of a 
modest earnings rebound to .50/share, making this stock a bargain on 
fundamentals.  Technically, the $6-8 range has been an area of historical 
long-term support as the stock has bounced between here and the $20/share 
area for the past 5 years.  Another trip to at least the high-teens is 
expected.  To borrow a quote from the legendary Peter Lynch (former Fidelity 
Magellan mutual fund manager): "Back up the truck and load up on this one"


                                                     Jeffrey W. Bonvallat
                                                     June 17, 1993	   

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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502.1Perception beats truth, anyday!TOLKIN::DALYFri Jun 18 1993 11:3613
An interesting stock here...and seems to be performing about as well as any of 
the "environmentals" that I know of.  Unfortunately, at least in my case, my
experience with one such stock has been a lot less than stellar.  Perhaps some-
one could comment.  The company is Rollins Environmental Services (REN).  I
bought it several years ago at 18ish, it promptly split 5-4 and dropped like a
rock from there.  Seems that like many environmentals, their technology became
suspect (incineration of hazardous waste) and thus the perception of their 
future became questionable (my read).

I believe that Gundle may has a similar track record and one should look at
them as promising, but with an eye in the rear view mirror.

Bob
502.2DSSDEV::PIEKOSZoo TVTue Jul 06 1993 15:132
Gundle has a p/e of about 120 right now ($.05 a share last year).

502.3Price/Sales a better long-term measure?MCIS2::BONVALLATWed Jul 07 1993 17:0626
>Gundle has a p/e of about 120 right now ($.05 a share last year).

There are times when a P/E ratio should be regarded as NMF "Not Meaningful".
I would argue that Gundle's current P/E fits that description.

P/E is not very helpful as a valuation tool when evaluating very cyclical
companies or companies that have experienced an aberrant year (as Gundle has).
If earnings are "normalized", the P/E usually gives a clearer picture of value.

In the case of Gundle we have a company with a history of steadily rising
sales and a net profit margin that generally fluctuates a bit around 7%
(from memory).  Under normal conditions, the company would experience a
slight increase in sales this year (to $140 million) and a normal 7% net
profit margin which would yield about $1.00/share in earnings (for a P/E of 7).
More realistically, sales should be about flat (due to price reductions) and
the profit margin should be tighter than normal - hence, analyst predictions
of .50/share (for a P/E of 14).
The current 120 P/E reminds us that last year was a very bad year for the
company due to:  competitive pressures, low point in industry cycle, bad
weather, recession, and write-offs.

*BTW, one thing I didn't include in my original write-up was the fact that
 Gundle's earnings are annually understated by about 10 cents/share.
 7 cents/share goes toward annual amortization of goodwill, and I believe
 accelerated depreciation is faster than actual depreciation to the tune
 of 3-10 cents/share.
502.4ZENDIA::FERGUSONYour recipe is so tastyMon Jul 12 1993 13:501
Up $1 this past week;  closed at 7 5/8ths I reckon on friday.
502.5Still climbingANOVAX::JWICKERTMoe, Larry, the cheese!Fri Jul 16 1993 00:503
    It hit 8 bucks today. Any news on this stock to justify the rise in it?
    
                                                        JRW
502.6SUBWAY::SAMBAMURTYRajaFri Jul 16 1993 18:015
    Re: -1
    
    I think they announced their quaterly results yes'day (I can't remember
    the exact numbers, but I saw it scroll off the reuters screen; it was
    higher than the previous quater)
502.7MSBCS::HURLEYFri Sep 03 1993 14:336
    Jeff,
    
    	You hit it on the head again with this one. Up 33%  $9.00 since
    your note. I have some money coming in shortly (2 weeks) and wondering
    what your thoughts are on gundle now since it has gone from $6 to $9 a
    share?
502.8Still on trackMCIS2::BONVALLATTue Sep 07 1993 02:4513
Thanks....I still think the stock is headed for the high teens sometime 
during the next 6-12 months, so I guess it is still a buy.  It may stall
around 10-12 since their is some technical resistance in that area, and
a 10-15% market correction could bring it back to about $8.  If I were
you, I'd probably limit my buying to $9 or less.

Despite ongoing problems with the weather, Gundle earned .15/share in
the June quarter.  Their restructuring (cost cutting and capital investment)
has begun to payoff for them.  The September quarter is seasonally the
strongest and the Subtitle D deadline (now a "firm" April 1994) is 
starting to generate orders.

502.9news?FLAM01::CONCORDIAlaterMon Dec 13 1993 19:087
    Gundle down  3 3/8 today to 7...
    
    I assume there was some "bad" news... anyone know what it was?  
    Does this mean anything for the long term prospects... 
    
    -Dave
    
502.10Negative earnings surpriseMROA::BONVALLATTue Dec 14 1993 23:3220
GUN close:  7 1/8  -3 1/4    High 7 1/2  Low 6 1/2

Here's the bad news....
The stock opened down sharply on an early morning news release by the company 
stating that the company expects to report 3rd quarter earnings results that 
are "significantly below" Wall Street analyst expectations of .21-.23/share.
The press release cited increased competitive pricing pressure and poor
weather for two large projects as the reasons for the shortfall.  For the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1994, Gundle expects to report earnings in the
.50-.60/share range, up from .05 in fiscal year 1993.  Looking out into 1994,
Gundle still expects very good overall market growth as a result of the
government's Subtitle D regulation.

I'll admit, this certainly caught me by surprise.  Earnings had been coming
back strongly the past two quarters.  Now, the rebound has been put on hold.
My best guess is that the stock will trade around its lows (6 1/2 to 8) for 
awhile, and then attempt another rally to double digits - probably after
the quarterly report in late January.  From a long-term perspective,
Gundle appears to be once again very undervalued on a historical 
price/earnings basis.  It looks like some patience will be required though.
502.11NYOSS1::SAMBAMURTYRajaTue Apr 26 1994 19:005
    I thought the Apr 1, 1994 deadline to implement EPA regulations would
    give a boost to this stock. Looks like it is going no where in a hurry.
    ANy updates on this ?
    
    thanks
502.12Gundle update & 4th Q reportMROA::BONVALLATThu May 05 1994 16:5954
>I thought the Apr 1, 1994 deadline to implement EPA regulations would
>give a boost to this stock. Looks like it is going no where in a hurry.
>ANy updates on this ?

Subtitle D is now in effect.  This has already stimulated demand for Gundle
products (in late 1993 and early 1994) and the positive sales effects from
Subtitle D are expected to be increasingly large over the coming few years.
Gundle should experience a gradual and consistent growth "spurt" from
Subtitle D, rather than a one-quarter demand surge.

The problem at Gundle has been that competitive pricing pressures have 
slowed net revenues and kept profits under wraps - despite excellent unit 
volume growth.  This is because competitors added capacity in expectation
of the increased industry sales.  Ah...the free market at work again!
What we should see happen now is a gradual absorption of industry capacity
as demand increases - and this should coincide with a gradual improvement
in industry profit margins.  In the end, we should see a return to normal
profit margins on a much higher sales base - and I expect Gundle to experience
record sales AND profits.  Whether this happens this year or 2 years from
now I cannot be sure, but the good news is that the stock will begin to 
anticipate this happy occurrence in advance.

For now, the operative words are patience and value.  Actually, it is very
easy to have patience if you are convinced that the current stock price
exhibits tremendous value.  I believe that is the case, and there is an 
old stock market saying that "value will out".  The short-term is less
predictable in the stock market, but longer-term those stocks with value
will outperform.  There are many popular high-flying stocks that today sell
for many multiples more than their "intrinsic value" - and because of the 
competitive nature of free markets most of them will eventually get a
reality check.  Gundle, on the other hand, is not a popular stock and looks
like a bargain in terms of sales ($120M annually) to market value ($65M), and
potential cash flow to market value (using "normal" industry profit margins).
Also, Gundle is the market leader in a growing niche industry.

After the sharp stock drop in December, I said I thought Gundle would trade
between 6 1/2 and 8 for a reasonable period of time.  The stock has extended
those boundaries by 1/2 point on both the upside and downside, but has
essentially been building the base that I expected.  My best guess is that
the basing process is nearly complete and that the next large move will be up.
We overcame one important hurdle yesterday when Gundle issued their 4th Quarter
financial report:  1994 Q4 Sales and EPS - $17.3M & .10 loss per share
                   1993 Q4 Sales and EPS - $13.3M & .36 loss per share
The loss was no great surprise since the March quarter is seasonally soft -
and the stock edged up a bit on the news.  Gundle earned $5 million (.49/share)
for the year.  Management also revealed that they are considering building a 
plant in Southeast Asia to better serve that large and growing market area.  

We're now entering the seasonally strong summer period, so we should be 
seeing at least a couple good earnings reports.  If we do, the stock should
perk up - or better yet perk up now in anticipation of good earnings.

Those are my thoughts (and only my thoughts - not to be taken as a 
recommendation of any kind).  Good luck!
502.13SCHOOL::DESAIThu May 05 1994 17:532
    sounds interesting...pl. keep us updated on any significant news/moves
    in the future.
502.14ZENDIA::FERGUSONYou'll never get out of this maze!Fri May 06 1994 13:215
GUN did up-tick yesturday from 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 - must have been the earnings
report because that stock was rock solid in the 6 1/4 range for the last
few weeks....


502.15CPDW::ROSCHFri May 06 1994 13:23176
Gundle Environ                   Ticker: GUN         Exchange: American  

19103 Gundle Road                                         
Houston               TX     77073     
(713) 443-8564


Description:  Prod/install polyethylene lining systems          

                                 | Industry # 09     |  Industry # 095
                         Company |Business Services  |Business Services: Waste 
                                 |                   |Management               
Multiples                        |                   |
                                 |                   |
 Price/Earnings .........  28.3  |        18.2       |         19.2
 Price/Earnings-5yr Avg..    NM  |        17.8       |         41.0
 Price/Book .............  0.93  |        3.21       |         1.73
 Price/Sales ............   0.5  |         1.4       |          1.4
 Price/Cash flow.........   8.0  |        10.8       |          8.7
 Dividend Yield (%)......   0.0  |         0.0       |          0.0
                                 |                   |
                                 |                   |
 PE to EPS Growth........    NE  |         1.7       |          1.1
                                 |                   |
                                 |                   |
                                 |                   |
Annual Growth Rates              |                   |
                                 |                   |
 Revenue (%).............   6.7  |        16.5       |         21.9
 Cost of Goods Sold (%)..   8.6  |        14.9       |         25.1
 Gross Operating Inc (%).   1.8  |        15.0       |         15.5
 Net Income (%).......... -44.9  |         1.0       |        -18.9
 EPS-Total (%)........... -48.3  |         1.8       |        -13.1
 EPS-Continuing (%)...... -48.3  |         2.6       |        -13.1
 Cash Flow (%)...........  -8.5  |         5.9       |          0.0
 Dividend (%)............   0.0  |         0.0       |          0.0

INCOME STATEMENT DATA


Indicated Dividend ($):  0.00  

                                      Quarterly, Ending

                           93/12      93/09      93/06      93/03
                         --------   --------   --------   --------
EPS-Total ($)...........     0.10       0.34       0.15      -0.36
EPS-Continuing ($)......     0.10       0.34       0.15      -0.36
Dividend ($)............     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00

                           92/12      92/09      92/06      92/03
                         --------   --------   --------   --------
EPS ($).................     0.06       0.22       0.13       0.04
EPS-Continuing ($)......     0.06       0.22       0.13       0.04
Dividend ($)............     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00



                                        Annual, Ending
                Last
              12 Months    93/03     91/12       90/12      89/12      88/12
             ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Sales $M....      122.5      115.3      134.9      120.0       91.7       88.9
CoGS $M.....       94.1       87.4       96.5       89.9       66.2       62.9
Gr Op Inc $M       28.4       27.9       38.4       30.1       25.5       26.0
Net Inc $M..        2.6        0.6        8.5        5.9        4.4        6.5

Gr Margin %.       23.2       24.2       28.5       25.1       27.8       29.2
Net Margin %        2.1        0.5        6.3        4.9        4.8        7.3

EPS-Total $.       0.23       0.05       0.83       0.62       0.46       0.70
EPS-Cont $..       0.23       0.05       0.83       0.62       0.46       0.70

Cash Flow $.       0.81       0.59       1.17       0.97       0.73       0.84

Dividend $..       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00
Payout Ratio        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0

Shares (Mil)       10.2       10.4       10.6        9.6        9.6        9.6


BALANCE SHEET ($ in Millions)
                                               Annual, Ending
                                   93/03           91/12           90/12
                               --------------  --------------  --------------
Current Assets.................          50.4            61.3            52.2
Net Fixed Assets...............          30.5            30.0            26.5
Other Non-Current Assets.......          26.4            27.4            27.2
                               --------------  --------------  --------------
 Total Assets..................         107.3           118.7           105.9
                               ==============  ==============  ==============


Current Liabilities............          13.2            19.9            21.9
Long-Term Debt.................          25.0            29.0            37.2
Other Non-Current Liabilities..           2.7             2.1             1.9
                               --------------  --------------  --------------
 Total Liabilities.............          40.9            51.0            61.0

Preferred Stock................           0.0             0.0             0.0
Common Stock Equity............          66.4            67.7            44.9
                               --------------  --------------  --------------
 Total Liabilities & Equity....         107.3           118.7           105.9
                               ==============  ==============  ==============


Total Capitalization...........          91.4            96.7            82.1



                                        Industry # 09      Industry # 095
RATIOS                       Company |Business Services|Business Services: Waste
                                     |                 |Management              
Profitability:                       |                 |
                                                       |
 Gross Profit Margin (%)....    23.2 |        56.0     |         50.2
 Net Profit Margin (%)......     2.1 |         3.6     |          0.2
 Return on Total Assets (%).     2.2 |         3.1     |          0.3
 Return on Equity (%).......     3.3 |        10.9     |          1.2
                                     |                 |
Liquidity:                           |                 |
 Quick Ratio................     2.7 |         2.1     |          1.4
 Current Ratio..............     3.8 |         1.9     |          1.8
                                     |                 |
Debt Management:                     |                 |
 Tot Liab to Tot Assets (%).    38.1 |        74.5     |         77.4
 LT Debt to Capital (%).....    27.4 |        15.2     |         20.0
                                     |                 |
Asset Management:                    |                 |
 Total Asset Turnover Ratio.     1.1 |         1.3     |          1.6

SHARE SUMMARY

Price Last: 6.50        52-Week High: 12.50       52-Week Low: 6.25    


                      93/12      93/09      93/06      93/03      92/12
                    --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Price Close ($)....     6.50       7.38      10.50       6.75       7.88


                      1993       1992       1991       1990       1989
                    --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Price Close ($)....     7.38       9.00      14.38      12.88      13.88
      High ($).....    12.50      21.13      18.63      16.00      25.00
      Low ($)......     6.25       7.38      10.38       6.63      11.50


Moving Average-200 Day ($)............       8.64
Relative Strength-52 Week (%).........         87
Beta..................................       0.62

Average Weekly Volume-52 Week.........        343
Market Capitalization ($Million)......       66.3
Institutional Holdings (% of Shrs)....       57.4




VALUATIONS

                                   EPS   | Dividends | Cash Flow |   Sales   |
Current Marke Multiplier: m ...     28.3 |********   |     8.0   |     0.5   |
                                         |           |           |           |
Latest Reported ($/shr): lr ...     0.23 |    0.00   |    0.81   |   12.01   |
                                         |           |           |           |
Annual Growth Rate (%): g .....    -48.3 |     0.0   |    -8.5   |     6.7   |
                                         |           |           |           |
Trend ($): t = lr * (1 + g) ...     0.12 |    0.00   |    0.74   |   12.81   |
                                         |           |           |           |
 Valuation ($): v = m * t .....     3.37 |      NC   |    5.93   |    6.41   |
                                         |
                                         |
PE Average Market Multiplier: m       NM |
                                         |
 Valuation ($): v = m * t .....       NC |

502.16SCHOOL::DESAIMon Jul 11 1994 17:192
    what's with GUN? Down to 4 7/8 from 6+ a few weeks ago. What's the
    bad news?
502.17Source of FUNDAMENTAL NEWS?...POBOX::PATELMon Jul 11 1994 21:5322
    RE: .15 - Where did you get all this Fundamental information from - Is
    it something that you have been building - Did you retype it from S&P
    Report or Do you subscribet to an online service. If you got it from an
    on-line service could you provide me details - I am looking for a
    service that will provide that.
    
    Of course this question is not in the stream of the topic going on -
    Pardon me folks.  So let me put in my 2 cents as I see it for this on
    going discussion.                                         
    
    Gundle has broken it's technical support by trading that low, but then
    if you watch the Environmental funds you will find that all the
    environmental stocks have been taking it on the chin lately - Maybe
    that's the answer to the .16 note.....
    
    If you want to make it a personal response, please send e-mail to
    POBOX::PATEL.  
    
    Thanks
    
    Ken
    
502.18CPDW::ROSCHTue Jul 12 1994 12:591
    It's from the AAIISI program from AAII
502.19chart support removedMROA::BONVALLATMon Jul 18 1994 17:0116
    .16
>    what's with GUN? Down to 4 7/8 from 6+ a few weeks ago. What's the
>    bad news?

GUN broke some strong technical support around 6 a couple weeks ago.
This is obviously not a good sign for the short-term.  Volume was also heavy.

I don't know any fundamental reason for it.  The company says they know
of no reason and that "nothing has changed".  I suspect we might get a 
clue tomorrow.  Quarterly earnings are due out Tues. July 19.

The stock now trades at adjusted book value (after subtracting Goodwill).
They have $12 per share in annual sales and have consistently been profitable.
Earnings are the big variable.  They have a history of large cyclical
earnings swings.  As has been the case for the past year, Gundle's industry
is exhibited by approx. 15% annual sales growth, but continued overcapacity.
502.20Q1 earnings resultsMROA::BONVALLATWed Jul 27 1994 00:1511
For those interested, here are the quarterly results Gundle posted last week.

Gundle:            Q1       1994           1993
                   Sales   $27.3 million   27.5 million
                   EPS      .07            .15

Results were nothing to write home about, but not a disaster either.
The stock didn't react when the announcement was made.  Without any
blockbuster earnings on the immediate horizon, and with the stock 
breaking important technical support at 6, it looks like the date for
Gundle's big price advance has probably been postponed for awhile longer.
502.21what gives?SCHOOL::DESAIMon Sep 26 1994 15:356
    GUN is up to 6 1/2. Does anyone have the details for the rise from ~5
    to 6.5 in last couple of weeks?
    
    thanks,
    
    - Rajesh
502.22possible reasonsMROA::BONVALLATMon Sep 26 1994 21:3015
>    GUN is up to 6 1/2. Does anyone have the details for the rise from ~5
>    to 6.5 in last couple of weeks?
    
Yes and no.  None of the brokerage firms which follow GUN have changed
any opinions, and the company says they have no idea why the stock is moving.

It started to move after the last quarterly report was mailed...maybe because
it had a comment to the effect that "bidding activity was up 50% over the same
period last year." 
Or maybe it is just that investors get more interested in the stock during
Gundle's seasonally strong period of the year (summer/fall).  
I do know that some of the buying during the past couple days has been due
to technical buying.  The stock broke above its 200 day moving average
on Friday when it went through 6 1/4.  That's the first time since December
that GUN has been above its 200 day MA.  All in all, it has a good look to it.
502.23ZENDIA::FERGUSONThe Janitor of CodingTue Sep 27 1994 12:322
I was just about to ask this!  good to see that it has now moved back into
the 6s.  
502.24mergerRICKS::IVESThu Mar 30 1995 18:3413
Gundle agrees to a Wembely unit merger - WSJ 3/30


  Gundle Environmental Systems agreed to merge with SLT Environmental Inc.
in a stock transaction valued at about $36.7 million. 

  Under the agreement, SLT, a unit of Wembely Ltd, will receive 7 million
shares of Gundle common stock, which has been trading at about $5.25 a
share.  In addition, Houston based Gundle will assume SLT's debt of $34
million. 

  Gundle stock added 50 cents, or 9.3%, to $5.875 a share in American Stock
Exchange composite trading.