Tempur-Pedic Is Cheap

Article Excerpt

TEMPUR-PEDIC $6.97 (New York symbol TPX; SI Rating: Speculative)(800-878-8889; www.tempurpedic.com; Shares outstanding: 74.9 million; Market cap: $522 million) reports that in the three months ended December 31, 2008, its earnings fell 68.2%, to $12.7 million, or $0.17 a share, from $39.9 million, or $0.52 a share, a year earlier. Sales fell 34.6%, to $189.1 million from $289 million. Tempur-Pedic needs an economic recovery to show renewed sales and profit growth. However, it enjoys strong brand recognition and a broad product lineup. The company also continues to cut costs, lower debt and improve productivity. Despite the difficult retail environment, we still like Tempur-Pedic’s long-term prospects. The stock currently trades at just 7.5 times its forecast 2009 earnings of $0.93 a share. Tempur-Pedic is still a buy. buy…