First Look at DOW 30 Component United Technologies (UTX)

Today I continue my series on the Dow 30 component stocks with United Technologies (UTX).  They are a long time dividend payer and accomplished dividend grower.  Their stock price is a little expensive at 16.3 times average adjusted earning power.  Lastly, UTX’s balance sheet is awful and should keep you away from this stock.  To see how I came to these conclusions read on.

United Technologies (UTX)

Price: $73.63

Shares: 911.36 million

Market capitalization: $67.1 billion

What does the company do: United Technologies is a $54 billion diversified conglomerate with business operations serving primarily construction and aerospace markets. Otis elevators, Carrier air conditioners, Pratt & Whitney engines, and Sikorsky helicopters are key United Technologies product lines.

Morningstar’s take: Durability and balance are trademarks of the portfolio of United Technologies. While the company may not boast the flashy growth prospects found in some of its diversified industrial peers, we think management's consistency and commitment to shareholders separate this wide-moat franchise from the cohort.

Bonds: $9.4 billion outstanding

Times interest earned: 7.4 times.  UTX earned $4.979 billion in 2011 and had interest expenses of $673 million in 2011.  7.4 times earned exceeds Benjamin Graham’s recommendation of earning at least five times interest expenses.  United Technologies’ bonds do not threaten the dividend at all.

Preferred stock: none.

DIVIDEND RECORD: United Technologies paid a $0.04 quarterly dividend in 1987.  They have grown the dividend to $0.54 quarterly today.  That is 1,250% straight line over 25 years or 50% annual straight line growth.

Dividend: $0.54

Dividend yield: 2.9% ($2.16 / $73.63 share price)

Dividend payout: 39% using the Google Finance reported EPS of $5.49 –OR- 48% using the average adjusted earning power of $4.53

EARNING POWER: $4.53 @ 911.36 million shares

(earnings adjusted for changes in capitalization – typically share buybacks and/or additional shares created)

	EPS	Net income	Shares	Adjusted EPS
2005	$3.03	$3,069 M	1,014 M	$3.37
2006	$3.71	$3,762 M	1,006 M	$4.13
2007	$4.27	$4,224 M	989 M	$4.63
2008	$4.90	$4,689 M	956 M	$5.15
2009	$4.12	$3,829 M	929 M	$4.20
2010	$4.74	$4,373 M	923 M	$4.80
2011	$5.49	$4,979 M	907 M	$5.46

Seven year average adjusted earnings per share is $4.53

Consider contrarian buying below $36.24 (8 times average adjusted EPS)

Consider value buying below $54.36 (12 times average adjusted EPS)

United Technologies (UTX) is currently trading at 16.3 times average adjusted EPS.  This is stock is priced for investment.

Consider speculative selling above $90.60 (20 times average adjusted EPS)

BALANCE SHEET – United Technologies has a weak balance sheet.

Book value per share: $24.70 ($22.492 B equity / 911.36 shares)

Price to book value ratio: 2.98 (under 1.0 is good) ($73.63 share price / $24.70 book value per share)  UTX investors are paying $2.98 for each $1.00 of book value.  That is a large premium.

Tangible book value per share: $2.83 (equity - $16.169 B goodwill - $3.742 B intangibles / 911.36 M)

Price to tangible book value: 26 ($73.63 share price / $2.98 tangible book value)  UTX investors are paying $26.00 for each $1.00 of tangible book value.  That is insanely expensive.

Current ratio: 1.52 latest quarter (over 2.0 is good) ($27.847 B current assets / $18.33 B current liabilities)

Quick ratio: 0.34 latest quarter (over 1.0 is good) ($6.285 B cash / $18.33 B current liabilities)

Debt to equity ratio: 0.42 (lower is better)

Percentage of total assets in plant, property, and equipment: 9.45% (the higher the better) other assets as a percentage of total assets were: current assets 45.12%, intangibles 32.26%, and other long term assets 13.17%

Working capital trend: Up slightly in the long run.  Up nicely from $3.848 B to $7.142 B.

CONCLUSION – United Technologies bottomed at $38.54 in March 2009?  It was at an extreme value price back then at 8.5 times average adjusted earnings.  Presently UTX is trading at 16.3 times average adjusted earnings.  That’s too high for a value investor like me.  UTX has a slightly above average dividend yield at 2.9% and the company is a dedicated dividend payer/grower.  It would be a high dividend stock if it returns to its 2009 low.  I think it will return to its 2009 low because there is a worldwide recession brewing in China, Europe, and the USA.  Its main product divisions are related to two industries that will be harmed by another worldwide recession: defense and construction.  Also, their balance sheet stinks due to high price to value ratios, poor current and quick ratios, and stagnant shareholder equity growth.  My recommendation is to wait for this stock to drop to $40 or below.

DISCLOSURE – I don’t own United Technologies (UTX).

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