UFP Industries (NASDAQ: UFPI) has experienced a remarkable 30% rally since April 2023, but this surge might not be sustainable in the face of high-interest rates. The current lack of existing home inventory has boosted the home construction market, but near-record high mortgage rates could dampen new home sales and consumer spending, potentially impacting revenue growth and margins.
However, the markets are anticipating a soft landing, assuming inflation will continue to decrease, and the Federal Reserve will halt further rate hikes. Yet, there are uncertainties ahead, such as supply disruptions from events like Russia backing out of the grain deal and India banning certain rice exports, which could lead to higher inflation and disrupt plans for a soft landing.
Given these uncertainties and the state of the construction sector, with the stock hovering near 52-week highs and approaching overbought levels, it might be prudent to hold off on new investments. For those who have benefited from the recent rally, taking some profits might be a wise move.
One strategy for investors to consider is selling covered calls to generate additional income. While there is a possibility of calls being assigned, the likelihood appears low, as the stock may not have much upside potential.
Looking at the company’s financial performance, UFP Industries witnessed a significant decline in revenue in Q1 2023, attributed to lower selling prices and organic unit sales. The trend of declining sales volumes is prevalent across the building products industry, as seen with other companies like Simpson Manufacturing and Masco.
However, despite the decline in sales, UFP Industries managed to improve its gross margins to 19.6% in the same quarter, benefiting from lower lumber prices. The company typically passes on the cost of lumber to customers while adding value to its products through an “adder.”
Inventory costs have started to normalize, and the company has been buying back shares, aiming to achieve the estimated EPS for Q2. While UFP Industries offers good dividend growth, the current yield of 0.98% might not be attractive to all investors. For long-term investors seeking a higher yield, it might be worth waiting for a more favorable entry point.
The stock has performed exceptionally well over the past decade, outperforming the S&P 500 Index significantly. Still, the RSI and MFI technical indicators suggest a potential top for the stock, and its forward PE and EV to EBITDA multiples align with historical averages.
Based on a discounted cash flow model, the estimated per-share equity value is close to the current price. However, investors should keep in mind that this model assumes pre-tax free cash flows, and taxes could impact the valuation.
UFP Industries maintains a strong balance sheet with low debt and substantial cash reserves, which is crucial in an industry with economic uncertainties and fierce competition.
While UFP Industries has seen an impressive rally, investors should be cautious about the impact of high-interest rates and potential volume declines. Consider selling covered calls to generate income or wait for a more favorable entry point for new investments.
