August 21, 2009
Steel Industry Ignites Growth For China Fire
China Fire & Security Group (CFSG) makes proprietary fire detection and suppression systems for Chinese steel mills. Its growth depends on the strength of the steel industry, and beyond that, the Chinese economy.
While China has slowed since the global financial meltdown began last fall, steel has recovered, thanks in part to a $585 billion stimulus package that some economists say did a better job of targeting infrastructure and weak sectors than its American counterpart.
China Fire also has been winning contracts with petrochemical and nuclear facilities. Its low-cost domestic manufacturing helps it against foreign competitors, and its full-service approach helps it against smaller domestic rivals that can't offer the range of products.
The government is also forcing steel producers to upgrade their safety equipment, so that helps China Fire.
The Beijing-based company began trading on the Nasdaq in July 2007. It has six straight years of earnings growth and an EPS Stability Rating of 8.
In the latest quarter, earnings were 29 cents a share, a 21% increase from the year-earlier period. That growth rate eased from a year ago, when earnings were coming in much stronger. Revenue rose 37%.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast 2009 earnings of $1.05 a share, a 19% increase from 2008. For 2010 they expect $1.29, a 23% increase.
The company's 2008 after-tax margin was 35.8%. Its return on equity was 38.3%.
China Fire's management owns 51% of shares.
By KEN HOOVER, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
SOURCE: http://www.investors.com/
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