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The last year or two have been quite turbulent, particularly the last couple of months. We've been up, then down, then up, then down. Maybe you should take a little time off, relax, and treat yourself to some new furniture to kick your feet up on. Or better yet...treat yourself to some furniture stock for only $30.90/share.
The stock I'm talking about is Ethan Allen Interiors and I think it could be a good buy right now. The company, named after the American patriot in the Revolutionary War, has revolutionary ideas for the furniture business. The company owns 17 factories and over 300 furniture stores, nearly all of which are in the US.I like Ethan Allen because it's relatively cheap right now, trading at 13.8 times earnings and 11.2 times next year's earnings. Both of these are lower than the current industry average of 18.3%. Furthermore, the company is carrying virtually no debt and solid returns on equity.
What I Like About This Stock
Growth potential - The company is strengthening its brand names with the nationally syndicated TV Show "Famous Homes & Hideaways" and places furniture on the Friends television show. There might also lie more opportunities outside of the US if they prove to expand their overseas operations.
Virtually no debt - The company has nearly no long-term debt, which means they can put their capital to use in growing the business as opposed to paying off debt.
It's still pretty cheap - Relative to the industry, the stock is pretty cheap and has show solid long-term growth.
Heavy institutional ownership - The big-name mutual funds are confident in having ETH in their portfolio.
Strong profit margins - It has a solid 51.3% gross margin and 9.4% net margin, numbers that are higher than both the industry and S&P 500.
What I Don't Like About This Stock
Book value still not that high - The book value is an unextraordinary $13.98 and the price/book is below the industry average. Hopefully something that will be improved.
Revenues are solid but not outstanding - The company experienced slightly retreating revenues last year. However, this year, revenues are up a little.
I think Ethan Allen is a great long-term investment. With the fall of the rest of the market, the stock has fallen below its 50-day moving average of $33.00. However, I think it'll break out of this slump and retest its old 52-week high of $42/share. And by the end of 2004, I see the stock at $50/share.
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