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Valens Research

AOS - Embedded Expectations Analysis - 2019 07 17

A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS:USA) currently trades below corporate averages relative to UAFRS-based (Uniform) Earnings, with a 16.6x Uniform P/E, implying bearish expectations for the firm. Additionally, management appears concerned about water heater sales volume, margins, and operating cash flow.

Specifically, management may lack confidence in their 2019 residential water heater industry volume projections, and they may be understating concerns for cannibalization between their mid-price-point water heaters and their premium line. Moreover, they may be concerned about ongoing headwinds to their segment margins, and they appear concerned about the sustainability of recent declines in cash flow from operations.
Underlying
A. O. Smith Corporation

A.O. Smith is comprised of North America and Rest of World reporting segments. The company's Rest of World segment is primarily comprised of China, Europe and India. Both segments manufacture and market lines of residential and commercial gas and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks and water treatment products. Both segments primarily manufacture and market in their respective regions of the world. The company's Rest of World segment also manufactures and markets in-home air purification products in China. The company serves residential and commercial end markets in North America with a range of products including water heaters, boilers, water treatment products, and other.

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Valens Research
Valens Research

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