Finding Quality In An Expensive Market: First United Corp (FUNC)

Core Insights - U.S. stocks experienced a rise, driven by strong quarterly earnings from companies like Cisco Systems and Wal-Mart, with the Dow Jones industrial average increasing by over 180 points [2] Company Analysis - First United Corp (FUNC) is highlighted as a stock pick, currently priced at $36 per share, with a compounded annual growth in revenue and net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) of 7% and 18% since 2014, respectively [5] - The NOPAT margin for First United has improved from 8% in 2014 to 23% in the trailing twelve months (TTM), while invested capital turns increased from 0.4 to 0.5 during the same period [5] - The return on invested capital (ROIC) for First United has risen from 4% in 2014 to 12% in the TTM, indicating strong operational efficiency [5] Valuation Insights - At its current price, FUNC has a price-to-economic book value (PEBV) ratio of 0.6, suggesting that the market anticipates a permanent decline of 40% in NOPAT from TTM levels, which is viewed as overly pessimistic given the company's historical growth [6] - Even with a conservative scenario where NOPAT margin decreases to 14% and revenue grows by 3% annually through 2034, the stock could be valued at $47 per share, representing a 31% upside [7] - If First United's profits grow in line with historical levels, the potential upside for the stock is even greater [8] Financial Adjustments - Adjustments made to First United's financial filings included nearly $10 million in income statement adjustments, resulting in a net effect of removing under $5 million in non-operating expenses [9] - Adjustments to the balance sheet totaled just under $90 million, with a net increase of over $40 million in invested capital, notably including adjustments for other comprehensive income [10] - Valuation adjustments amounted to just under $20 million, with a net increase of under $5 million, primarily due to overfunded pensions [10]