Dana Expands Portfolio With Acquisition Of Oerlikon's Segment

Dana Incorporated (NYSE:DAN) completed the acquisition of Oerlikon Group’s Drive Systems segment, which consists of Graziano and Fairfield brands. The acquisition agreement was signed in July 2018 for CHF 600 million (approximately $600 million).

The newly added Drive Systems unit will widen Dana’s product offering with high-precision helical gears for light and commercial vehicles. Further, Drive Systems’ wholly-owned business VOCIS will enhance Dana’s electronic controls ability for transmissions and drivelines, thus, backing the company’s electrification capabilities in key markets.

Additionally, the segments’ wide manufacturing presence will aid Dana to get closer to key customers in growth markets, consisting China, India and the United States. Wide product portfolio and strong manufacturing presence in growing markets will aid Dana in the long term.

Dana Incorporated Price and Consensus

In 2019, Dana expects Drive Systems to add $750 million in sales and $100 million in profit. Reducing the transaction and integration costs of $40 million, the unit will contribute $60 million in free cash flow.

In the last month, this Maumee, OH-based supplier announced fourth-quarter and 2018 earnings. Sales for fourth-quarter 2018 rose 7% year over year to $1.97 billion, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92 billion. Further, adjusted earnings per share were 71 cents, marking an increase from 62 cents recorded in the prior-year quarter. The figure also beat its estimate. In 2018, the company generated sales of $8.14 billion and adjusted earnings of $2.91 per share, both driven by strong end-market demand.

Strong backlog and inorganic growth are expected to drive Dana’s financials in 2019. For the year, it expects $8.95-$9.35 billion in sales and $2.95-$3.45 in adjusted EPS, both figures include the Drive Systems segment.

Over the past three months, shares of Dana have outperformed the industry it belongs to. During the period, shares of the company gained 35.2% compared with the industry’s growth of 5.8%.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Dana currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A few better-ranked stocks in the broader auto sector are General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) , Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) and Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:RACE) . General Motors currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) while Oshkosh and Ferrari sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

General Motors has an expected long-term growth rate of 8.5%. Shares of the company have gained 4% in the past three months.

Oshkosh has an expected long-term growth rate of 11.3%. Share price of the company has increased 9.5% in the past three months.

Ferrari has an expected long-term growth rate of 18.5%. Over the past three months, shares of the company have gained 15.2%.

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