Core Viewpoint - Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) is currently viewed as a better value opportunity compared to Armstrong World Industries (AWI) based on various financial metrics and rankings [1][7]. Valuation Metrics - HCMLY has a forward P/E ratio of 13.88, significantly lower than AWI's forward P/E of 22.43 [5]. - The PEG ratio for HCMLY is 1.89, while AWI's PEG ratio is slightly higher at 1.99, indicating a more favorable valuation for HCMLY when considering expected earnings growth [5]. - HCMLY's P/B ratio stands at 1.80, compared to AWI's much higher P/B of 8.65, further suggesting that HCMLY is undervalued relative to its book value [6]. Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - HCMLY holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while AWI has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3]. - The stronger estimate revision activity for HCMLY suggests an improving earnings outlook, making it more attractive for value investors [7]. Value Grades - HCMLY has been assigned a Value grade of B, whereas AWI has a Value grade of C, reflecting the relative attractiveness of their valuations [6].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a record EBIT growth of 12.7% in local currency and 8.1% in Swiss francs, with net sales growth of 1.6% and a recurring EBIT margin of 23.2% [3][4][15] - Earnings per share increased by 10%, and the EBIT margin guidance for the full year was upgraded from 18% to above 18.5% [4][29] - The company reported a free cash flow of CHF 48 million, consistent with previous years, and a slight decrease in net debt to CHF 10.9 billion [25][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Solutions & Products segment saw strong growth, particularly in roofing systems, with a significant increase in net sales and recurring EBIT [22][34] - The company completed 11 acquisitions and four divestments in H1, focusing on construction and demolition material recycling and expanding its footprint in aggregates and ready-mix [7][29] - The ECOPact low-carbon concrete accounted for 28% of total sales in ready-mix, while ECOPlanet low-carbon cement reached 26% of total cement sales [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America experienced a margin expansion of 240 basis points to 19.4%, despite some short-term volume softness due to weather [18] - Latin America achieved a recurring EBIT of 35.6%, marking the 16th consecutive quarter of profitable growth [19] - Europe reported a recurring EBIT margin expansion of 240 basis points to over 16%, driven by acquisitions in aggregates and recycling solutions [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on scaling up sustainable building solutions and investing in decarbonization and circularity as key growth drivers [6][8] - The M&A strategy targets attractive markets and segments, with a commitment to increasing construction and demolition material recycling to 10 million tonnes this year, a 20% increase from last year [29][39] - The company is progressing towards a U.S. listing planned for H1 next year [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued margin expansion and strong free cash flow generation above CHF 3 billion for H2 [29] - The company remains optimistic about the fundamentals in the construction market, despite some weather-related challenges [41][42] - Management emphasized the importance of sustainable building solutions and the potential for pricing power in selective markets [33][43] Other Important Information - The company reported a significant reduction in CO2 emissions per net sales by 7% and published its third climate report [8] - The share buyback program is on track, with CHF 516 million worth of shares repurchased so far [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about Solutions & Products and growth expectations? - Management noted that pricing is resilient and expects accelerated growth in roofing in the U.S. and Europe in H2 [34][35] Question: What are the revenue and margin opportunities for demolition materials? - Management confirmed that margins on recycled materials are currently higher than 15% and emphasized the profitability of upcycling [39][40] Question: Are you disappointed by underlying volume trends? - Management clarified that they are not losing market share and remain focused on sustainable building solutions [42] Question: What is the outlook for CapEx and U.S. sales? - Management indicated a slight increase in CapEx for growth projects and expressed confidence in recovering U.S. sales in H2 [50][52] Question: Can you provide insights on margin expansion drivers? - Management attributed margin expansion to pricing power, lower cost inflation pressures, and operational efficiency [55][58] Question: What is the outlook for residential demand in Europe? - Management acknowledged softer residential markets but highlighted strong infrastructure project pipelines [82]

Core Viewpoint - Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) and Armstrong World Industries (AWI) both have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions and an improving earnings outlook for both companies [1] Valuation Metrics - HCMLY has a P/B ratio of 1.67, while AWI has a significantly higher P/B ratio of 8 [2] - The forward P/E ratio for HCMLY is 13.39, compared to AWI's forward P/E of 19.45. HCMLY also has a PEG ratio of 1.68, while AWI's PEG ratio is 1.73 [4] - Based on various valuation metrics, HCMLY holds a Value grade of B, whereas AWI has a Value grade of C [6] Investment Analysis - The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies using key metrics such as P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share [8] - Both HCMLY and AWI are recognized as strong stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but HCMLY is currently viewed as the superior value option based on valuation figures [9]

Investors with an interest in Building Products - Miscellaneous stocks have likely encountered both Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) and James Hardie (JHX) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates an ...

Holcim AG (OTCPK:HCMLF) Q1 2024 Sales/ Trading Statement Call April 25, 2024 4:00 AM ET Company Participants Nesrine Gharbi - Head of Investor Relations Jan Jenisch - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steffen Kindler - Chief Financial Officer Miljan Gutovic - Region Head Europe and Chief Executive Officer Designate Conference Call Participants Paul Roger - Exane Luis Prieto - Kepler Cheuvreux Gregor Kuglitsch - UBS Arnaud Lehmann - Bank of America Merrill Lynch Brijesh Siya - HSBC Yassine Touahri - On Fi ...

Investors might want to bet on Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.The ...

The Construction group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Construction peers, we might be able to answer that question.Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR is one of 96 companies in the Construction group. The Construction group currently sits at #2 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sec ...

Holcim AG (OTCPK:HCMLF) Q4 2023 Results Conference Call February 28, 2024 5:00 AM ET Company Participants Nesrine Gharbi - IR Jan Jenisch - CEO Steffen Kindler - CFO Miljan Gutovic - CEO Designate Conference Call Participants Arnaud Pinatel - On Field Research Remo Rosenau - Helvetische Bank Martin Hüsler - ZKB Bank Cedar Ekblom - Morgan Stanley Ebrahim Homani - CIC Tobias Woerner - Stifel Ephrem Ravi - Citi Ross Harvey - Davy Gregor Kuglitsch - UBS Bank Luis Prieto - Kepler Cheuvreux Arnaud Lehmann - BofA ...

A downtrend has been apparent in Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) lately. While the stock has lost 6.9% over the past four weeks, it could witness a trend reversal as a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session. This could mean that the bulls have been able to counteract the bears to help the stock find support.The formation of a hammer pattern is considered a technical indication of nearing a bottom with likely subsiding of selling pressure. But this is not the only factor that makes a ...

Investors interested in stocks from the Building Products - Miscellaneous sector have probably already heard of Holcim Ltd Unsponsored ADR (HCMLY) and Masco (MAS) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank ...