ARM Holdings (LSE: ARM) results today suggest to me its a good time to snap up thestock, taking a long-term view that its valuation has the potential todouble over time to 2,000p a share.
But does the same hold true for Barclays (LSE: BARC)?
ARM: AnExcellentValuePlay
Dont be worried that its stock came under pressure in early trade today it was down 3.3% at 9.20 BST in the wake of its second-quarter/half-year results, after a few brokers pointed out that its trading update was a touch light against expectations.
Yet, in my view, this is another very strong performance from a company that shouldcontinue to deliver value to shareholders for a very long time. In fact, I would not underestimate its numerouscompetitive advantages, including its business model, know-how, financial strength and so forth.
On a comparable basis, ARM is adding some 45m of revenues each quarter growth is fuelled byhigher chip shipments (3.4 billion ARM-based chips shipped, up 26% year-on-year in 2Q15) and licensing in the second quarter.
Its top line is growing 15% compared to one year earlier, broadly in line with the rise in its operating costs, upabout 12m in 2Q15 vs 2Q14 however, it looks like its 2Q15 cost-based performancehas significantly improved over 1Q15 once first-half results are considered.
Its core operating margin is up: itstands at 52.9% in 2Q15 versus 48.9% one year earlier, while in 1H15 its operating margin is 52.3% vs 49.7% in 1H14. Incidentally, its interim dividend increased by 25%, whileearnings per share are up 31% in 1H15 on a normalised basis. Currency adjustments are not meaningful.
These normalisedfigures are adjusted for acquisition-related charges, share-based payment costs, restructuring charges and other charges, but International Financial Reporting Standardsresults tell a similar story: ARM is growing as a more profitable entity.
The problem, the bears argue, is that its shares trade on 40x and 32x net earnings for 2015 and 2016, respectively. Thats a lofty valuation, true, but Id be prepared to pay 70x earnings or more for a company that delivers without using debt to finance its operations, and one that is led by a strong management team.
Barclays Is Expensive
As far as equity investments that could double over time are concerned, how can we notmention Barclays, whose corporate strategy has come again under the spotlight in recent days.
The Times reported earlier this week: Barclays is planning to cut more than 30,000 of its staff within two years as the struggling bank considers accelerating a group-wide cost-cutting programme after firing Antony Jenkins, its chief executive, this month.
New efficiency measures could lead to the lenders global workforce falling below 100,000 by the end of 2017, and is thought to be the only way to address the banks chronic underperformance and hit an ambitious target of doubling its share price, according to sources.
Lets set the record straight: the valuation of Barclays is not going to double to 560p a share any time soon, simply because the bank will likely need some serious help from the business cycle and interest rates are not going to rise significantly for at least five years or more, in my view.
Risk appetite is nowhere near where it should be to boost banks returns (as proved by quarterly results at all the major US banks last week), while Barclays capital ratios arent exactly a benchmark in the industry.
The Times story was short-lived, anyway,with Reuters reporting on Monday that the British bank had set no new targets to cut jobs beyond the 19,000 redundancies which it announced in May last year, according to sources.
I wouldnt be surprised to read about job cuts at some point, but any significant rebound in Barclays stock would unlikely last any longer than one or two trading sessions, in my view.
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Alessandro Pasetti has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended ARM Holdings and Barclays. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.