Im probably not alone in keeping a close eye on the resources sector right now. At some point, there could be an enticingcontrarian opportunity.
Take small-cap platinum miner Lonmin (LSE: LMI), for example. The plunging price of platinum has seen profits evaporate, losses mount and the share price run itself into the ground. The final nail in the coffin for existing shareholders was a net $370 million rights issue designed to represent around 98% of the enlarged firms issued share capital I think its fair to say that 2015 wasnt the best of years for Lonmin or its shareholders.
Is the worst behind Lonmin?
Does this situation make your contrarian antennae twitch though? Not mine, but it does make my barge pole wobble. The old Lonmin is effectively dead and buried. This new capital injection means that whatever plans the firm has from here will benefit those that chose to reinvest in the firm rather than those that didnt.
The investing catastrophe that is Lonmin underlines just how fragile a firms business model can be in the resources sector. If you were contemplating starting a business from scratch, would you agree to these terms for the business model?
1. The business must be capital-intensive.
2. You will not be allowed to set your own price for your product.
That doesnt seem attractive. In fact, it seems downright risky.
I have no conviction or confidence that the price of platinum will rise or remain at an economically viable level for Lonmins trading, so Im avoiding the shares.
A far superior business
Im more attracted to FTSE 250 constituent DCC (LSE: DCC), which is an international sales, marketing, distribution and business support services firm. Unlike Lonmin, DCC enjoyed a cracking 2015 with a double-digit uplift in earnings and ashare price that shot up by 60%.
Last year, DCC earned around 54% of its operating profit transporting oil and liquefied petroleum products. However, thats not the only string to the firms bow. Around 22% of operating profit came from technology products, 18% from healthcare and 6% from a range of recycling, waste management and resource recovery services.
DCC strikes me as a firm that rolls its sleeves up and doesthe things that people need done for a price, of course. And its a price that DCC determines itself. On that basis, DCCs business model is far superior to Lonmins and that happy situation shows up in the financial results DCC achieves:
Year to March | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue (m) | 7669 | 8908 | 10,573 | 11,045 | 10,606 |
Net cash from operations (m) | 126 | 151 | 168 | 243 | 270 |
Pre-tax profit (m) | 167 | 111 | 133 | 150 | 147 |
Revenue growth produces rising cash flow, which is what really matters with a growing business. The profits produced enjoy good support from all that generated cash, which is a major sign of a strong business.
At todays 5650p share price, we can pick up DCC shares on a forward price-to-earnings ratio of just over 20 for year to March 2017. Meanwhile theres a forward dividend yield of 1.9% with the payout covered 2.6 times by forward earnings, which City analysts expect to rise 11% that year.
Id rather take my chances with DCC than with Lonmin, and I think theres a good chance the firms superior business model could outperform Lonmins in the longer term and perhaps during 2016, too.
If you are looking to build a portfolio for 2016, be sure to take a look at the newMotley Fool report about a mid-cap firm enjoying strong growth that looks set to continue.
One of the Motley Fool’s top analysts has put together this free report on a firmthathe believes could be poised for international success. If he’s right, the unfolding situation could be lucrative for investors taking the plunge with the firm’s shares now.
The report is called A Top Growth Share From The Motley Fool. This document is new, so it could be timely to run the numbers and study the story behind this company right now.
This research is free, so just click hereto get your copy.
Kevin Godbold has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.