Defense and Aerospace Highlight Jefferies Focus List of Industrial Stocks to Buy

November 18, 2016 by Lee Jackson

For years we have covered the top stocks to Buy at Jefferies by tracking the firm’s Franchise List picks, which has outperformed the S&P 500 substantially since its debut in 2013. The firm recently introduced its Focus names list of stocks, and in their words:

All of the 23 Franchise Picks are part of this list, but many more are included as well and these are institutionally relevant stocks where Jefferies analysts have observed elevated investor interest in their views, and the analysis around these stocks is often differentiated. Many of them are top picks.

We screened this list by sectors to find top companies that are not only favorites at Jefferies, but that also may fare well in the new era of Trumponomics. We think the industrials should fare very well under the new administration, with defense and aerospace standing out. We found five outstanding picks on the focus list, and of course, all are rated Buy at Jefferies.

Boeing

This top aerospace industrial is finally up slightly for 2016 after some rough going earlier in the year. Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and launch systems and services worldwide.

Top analysts have noted that the commercial aerospace business is cyclical, and there are some indications that airlines may have expanded their wide-body fleets too aggressively in recent years, suggesting a period of weaker demand going forward. In addition, the fall in oil prices reduces the incentive to upgrade to the most fuel-efficient planes. Boeing is launching refreshed versions of the 737 and the 777 in the next couple of years.

The company was recently awarded a $478.79 million contract for engineering manufacturing and development of a Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System for the F-15 Eagle fighter jet. With Donald Trump’s pledge to rebuild the military, a positive for the aerospace and defense sector, the stock looks like a solid valuation play at current levels.

Boeing investors are paid a solid 3% dividend. The Jefferies price target for the stock is $165, and the Wall Street consensus price target is $151. The shares closed trading on Thursday at $145.33.

General Dynamics

This company, like other major defense prime contractors, had a very solid year and also makes the Focus list at Jefferies. General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) is a worldwide aerospace and defense company, and it has over 96,000 employees worldwide. General Dynamics operates through four business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Marine Systems and Information Systems and Technology. The U.S. government is its largest customer, which should continue to bode well as Congress remains in Republican hands after the recent elections.

The U.S. Coast Guard recently awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a $125.6 million follow-on contract to provide Rescue 21 program management, system support and maintenance and sustainment engineering support for the U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control and Communications Engineering Center.

Shareholders are paid a 1.83% dividend. Jefferies has a $175 price target, while the consensus estimate is set at $175.94. The stock closed most recently at $165.63 a share.

Ingersoll-Rand

This is one of the many top companies that have restructured and are now based in Ireland. Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: IR) is another top industrial stock to buy and, with the housing market continuing to grow, the company’s wide range of portfolio products should continue to sell well. Many on Wall Street also see the stock as a good play on the replacement, upgrade and, ultimately, growth in the commercial and residential air conditioning markets. Trends in these markets have been highly correlated with overall commercial construction and are thus earlier in the cycle.

Ingersoll Rand has an outstanding portfolio of global brands and holds leading market share in all major product lines. The geographic and industrial diversity coupled with a large installed product base provides solid growth opportunities for the company within service, spare parts and replacement revenue streams.

Ingersoll-Rand investors are paid a 2.14% dividend. The $80 Jefferies price objective compares with the consensus target price of $77.21. The stock closed on Thursday at $74.68 per share.

Raytheon

This company has a diversified mix of business, posted very solid earnings this year and is the other top defense stock on the Focus names list. Raytheon Corp. (NYSE: RTN) is an industry leader in defense, government electronics, space, information technology and technical services. The company operates in four principal business segments: Integrated Defense Systems, Intelligence, Information and Services, Missile Systems, and Space and Airborne Systems.

The company reported solid third-quarter net sales, and many top analysts feel that as the aerospace and defense segment grows, Raytheon will continue to be a key figure in the market, something that most likely could continue for years to come.

Raytheon investors are paid a 2.0% dividend. The posted Jefferies price objective is $160, while the consensus price target is $156.69. The shares closed yesterday at $144.96

WestRock

Back in the summer, this company was removed from the Franchise Picks list, but is still a favorite at Jefferies and remains Buy rated. WestRock Co. (NYSE: WRK) is the completed and merged entity that combined the old Rock-Tenn and MeadWestvaco. It became the second-largest U.S. packaging company, valued at $12.35 billion, trailing only International Paper with a market capitalization of just under $20 billion.

WestRock trades with a 10% or so free cash flow yield, and owing to demand resiliency and lower spending, the Jefferies team believes cash flow can hold up even in a tougher economic environment. With the company’s big competitor raising containerboard prices by $50 a ton earlier this year, the analysts feel that earnings could increase by a massive 38%.

WestRock investors will receive a very tempting 3.2% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $59, and the consensus target is listed at $52.07. Shares closed on Thursday at $49.78.

These five top industrial stocks to Buy all reside on the Focus names list at Jefferies. The strong market rally has lifted many of these stocks, so investors may consider buying partial positions and waiting to see if the market pulls back some.

Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.