A tech stock we all know that loves to surprise
28th July 2021 08:52
by Rodney Hobson from interactive investor
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His original tip has generated a 66% profit, but our overseas investing expert thinks this amazing business could be prepping for a shot at a new high.
When a company’s actual results consistently beat management’s own guidance, investors are entitled to assume that the board is being overcautious about future prospects. That is particularly true if the outperformance is significant.
It could indicate that management is afraid to take reasonable risks and is slow to grasp opportunities. More likely though, directors, being only human, simply prefer to surprise on the upside rather than disappoint their shareholders.
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That reality means the future still looks bright for semiconductors and integrated circuits maker Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN). Based in Dallas, it is the world’s largest maker of analogue chips, which process signals such as sound and are found in just about every piece of modern electronics. It also manufactures digital processors used in wireless communications and microcontrollers that have a wide use in various types of electronics.
Source: interactive investor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance
Management guidance has been for revenue to be flat, or even slightly lower, over the past three quarters, but that has just not happened, and the cautious attitude has taken the edge off shares after a strong surge.
Results for the quarter to the end of June showed net income rising from $1.38 billion a year earlier to $1.93 billion on revenue up from $3.24 billion to $4.58 billion. The gains were attributed to strong demand in industrial, automotive and personal electronics markets.
The figures were, admittedly, against particularly weak comparatives. In the Covid-gripped second quarter of 2020, Texas suffered an 11% decline in revenue, but subsequent quarterly gains of 1% in the third quarter followed by 22%, 28% and now 41% have more than wiped out that setback.
Company guidance is for no more than a 25% increase for July-September and some investors shied away, feeling that would mark a slowdown. However, the comparatives are going to get tougher and 25% expansion is pretty good from any perspective. If management again proves to have been overcautious when the third-quarter figures are released in October, then the share price could move substantially higher.
There is no denying that the rest of this year is difficult to predict as the tough circumstances surrounding business during the pandemic unwind. Chips are still in short supply, so demand continues to outrun availability.
That applies particularly to the motor industry where Texas is a major supplier of chips and electronic components used in systems to aid drivers, keyless entry, lights and climate control. This sector will be a good source of income until vehicle production gets back to something like normal.
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Texas pays dividends twice a year rather than quarterly, but they are backed by strong cashflow. The latest payout of $2.04 per share implies $4.08 for the full year and a yield of just over 2%, which is way above average for semiconductor companies. Others in the sector tend to retain earnings to fund expansion, while Texas returns just over half its earnings to shareholders.
The dividend has been increased in each of the past five years, even last year when trading was tough, and it looks safe for the foreseeable future.
The shares dipped just below $100 in March last year in the general stock market fall, then doubled before running into modest profit-taking. Previous pauses, in 2016 and 2018, were a prelude for a steady rise to new heights. The same could happen again.
Hobson’s choice: Just over two years ago, when the stock traded at $111.50, I advised buying up to $115. A gain of two-thirds plus two years of dividends since then is pretty good going. The shares have come off the boil lately, but there is still a decent if unspectacular dividend, so latecomers could consider coming in below $192. If the $200 level is breached the short-term target is $220.
Rodney Hobson is a freelance contributor and not a direct employee of interactive investor.
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