MRC Global Combats Industry Headwinds With Growth Drivers

On Jul 18, Zacks Investment Research downgraded MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC) to a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) from a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Going by the Zacks model, companies holding a Zacks Rank #3 have high chances of performing in line with the broader market in the quarters ahead.

On a month-to-date basis, this stock yielded a return of 1.76%, underperforming 3.92% growth recorded by the Zacks categorized Steel - Pipe and Tube industry.

Existing Scenario

Dismal pricing conditions prevailing in the energy market might continue to hurt MRC Global’s near-term results. Lower oil prices are deferring or reducing investments made by the energy companies, hence marring MRC Global’s downstream businesses. Further slump in oil prices might roll back the company’s major petro-chemical projects and depress top- and bottom-line performances in the quarters ahead.

Moreover, we believe that other headwinds such as a stronger U.S. dollar, stiff industry rivalry or sudden input price inflation might dent the company’s near-term top- and bottom-line performances.

However, MRC Global anticipates accruing revenue growth within the range of 13–23% (on a year-over-year basis) in 2017. Strong midstream and upstream businesses are likely to boost its revenues in the quarters ahead.

Also, the company’s latest contracts (such as the Statoil (OL:STL) deal secured in Jul 2017) are expected to bolster revenues, as well as enhance its profitability in the near term. Furthermore, MRC Global believes that strategic acquisitions and sound restructuring moves would reinforce its financials, moving ahead.

Key Picks

A few better-ranked stocks in the industry are listed below:

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:APOG) has an average positive earnings surprise of 3.42% for the last four quarters and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has an average positive earnings surprise of 70.41% for the past four quarters.

AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) , which also boasts a Zacks Rank #1 at present, generated an average positive earnings surprise of 40.39% over the trailing four quarters.

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