This post has been excerpted from a letter by Chip Rewey, Lead Portfolio Manager of the Third Avenue Small-Cap Value Fund.
Haynes International Inc. is a $450 million equity market cap manufacturer of nickel and cobalt high temperature (HTA) and corrosion resistant (CRA) alloys. While we have known Haynes from a research perspective for over a decade, we finally got the opportunity to purchase a position in the company in the second quarter, as its shares sold off from over $45 per share in January to our entry point of roughly $35. While the stock price decline provided us an opportunity in line with our patient buying approach, we also feel the investment is quite timely given the expected acceleration of the company’s aerospace related sales and a likely strong improvement in free cash flow, as it wraps up a major capital expenditure program to increase production levels nearly 50% at its core Kokomo Indiana mill.
Haynes meets all the tenants of our Third Avenue investment philosophy. Haynes has a rock-solid balance sheet with no debt and over $5 per share in net cash. Indeed, we foresee the balance sheet continuing to strengthen as capital expenditures fall from $22 million in 2017 down closer to maintenance levels of roughly $5 million, and free cash flow conversion should re-approach 100% of net income.
Haynes also provides near and long term visibility to grow revenues and earnings. Haynes’ alloys are in high demand across the economy from healthcare to industrial uses. Growth in shipments to narrow-body airframe engine platforms for both Boeing and Airbus look particularly compelling due to both the long term backlog of units to build and from the significant amount of new dollar content Haynes has on these engines.
At our purchase cost of roughly $35 per share, we see compelling upside of over 35% to our NAV–a nice potential return given the downside protections provided by its cash flow and balance sheet position, as well as from a potential resource conversion event due to the likely interest in the company from larger strategic peers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This publication does not constitute an offer or solicitation of any transaction in any securities. Any recommendation contained herein may not be suitable for all investors. Information contained in this publication has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but cannot be guaranteed.
The information in this portfolio manager letter represents the opinions of the portfolio manager(s) and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed are those of the portfolio manager(s) and may differ from those of other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. Also, please note that any discussion of the Fund’s holdings, the Fund’s performance, and the portfolio manager(s) views are as of June 30, 2017 (except as otherwise stated), and are subject to change without notice. Certain information contained in this letter constitutes “forward-looking statements,” which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe,” or the negatives thereof (such as “may not,” “should not,” “are not expected to,” etc.) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events or results or the actual performance of any fund may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in any such forward-looking statement. Current performance results may be lower or higher than performance numbers quoted in certain letters to shareholders.
Date of first use of portfolio manager commentary: July 17, 2017.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results; returns include reinvestment of all distributions. The above represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher than performance quoted above. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For the most recent month-end performance, please visit the Fund’s website at www.thirdave.com. The gross expense ratio for the fund’s institutional and investor share classes is 1.40% and 1.65%, respectively, as of March 1, 2017. Please be aware that foreign securities from a particular country may be subject to currency fluctuations and controls, or adverse political, social, economic or other developments that are unique to that particular country or region. Therefore, the prices of foreign securities in particular countries or regions may, at times, move in a different direction than those of U.S. securities. Prospectuses contain more complete information on management fees, distribution charges, and other expenses.
Third Avenue Funds are offered by prospectus only. The prospectus contains important information, including investment objectives, risks, advisory fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing in the Funds. Investment return and principal value fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For updated information or a copy of our prospectus, please call 1-800-443-1021 or go to our web site at www.thirdave.com. Distributor of Third Avenue Funds: Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
Current performance results may be lower or higher than performance numbers quoted in certain letters to shareholders.
About The Author: Chip Rewey
Mr. Rewey is the leader of Third Avenue’s Value and Small-Cap Teams, serving as the Lead Portfolio Manager for the Third Avenue Value and Small-Cap Funds. Mr. Rewey joined Third Avenue Management in 2014.
Before he joined Third Avenue, Mr. Rewey spent more than ten years at Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC as a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager where he oversaw the firm’s smid, mid, large and all cap investment strategies. Prior to Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Mr. Rewey was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Sloate Weissman Murray & Company, where he worked directly with the Founder on research and portfolio construction. Mr. Rewey began his career as an Acquisitions Analyst for Associates Corporation of North America before moving on to roles at Oak Value Capital Management and Smith Barney, Inc.
Mr. Rewey earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Duke University Fuqua School of Business and holds a B.S. in Finance from Boston College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts.
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