Based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Greenbrier Companies (GBX) is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to the freight rail transportation markets, notes Mark Skousen, growth stock expert and editor of Home Run Trader.
The firm manufactures railcars in Brazil and marine barges in North America. It also delivers railcars to Saudi Arabia from its European manufacturing operations.
Greenbrier is also a leading provider of railcar repair, wheel services, parts, industrial castings, tank heads and refurbishment and retrofitting services.
In short, the company’s engineering skills — plus its mechanical and technical capabilities — allow it to provide a comprehensive set of freight car solutions.
Annual revenue is nearly $1.8 billion. But, I expect that to substantially increase in the months ahead, as railway shipping is particularly sensitive to the health of the economy.
When consumers and businesses buy more, railroads ship more. (They also invest more in railcars and services.) I expect the company to earn $0.34 a share this year and nearly 10 times as much in 2022.
Meanwhile, the stock is cheap. It is selling for 1.1 times book value and only 82% of sales revenue. Someone who recognizes this is William Furman, a member of the GBX’s board since 1981. He has also been the company’s CEO since 1994.
He purchased 100,000 shares last month at up to $43.14 each, an investment of $1.43 million. He now owns a whopping 672,518 shares. Furman knows that despite the prevalence of the new Delta variant of COVID-19, the pandemic will wane in the weeks ahead. And the economy — and railway shipping — will continue to boom.
His company’s shares are a good way to take advantage of it. So, pick up The Greenbrier Companies at market. And set a sell stop at $35 for protection. If you prefer to play this one more aggressively, try the GBX December $50 calls, which expire on Dec. 17 and last traded for $1.95.
