Tempur-Pedic Looks Cheap

Article Excerpt

TEMPUR-PEDIC $5.91 (New York symbol TPX; SI Rating: Speculative)(800-878-8889; www.tempurpedic.com; Shares outstanding: 74.8 million; Market cap: $442.3 million) reports that in the three months ended September 30, 2008, earnings fell 38%, to $24.1 million, or $0.32 a share, from $38.8 million or $0.50 a share a year earlier. Sales fell 14%, to $252.7 million from $294.1 million. Tempur-Pedic has suspended its $0.08 quarterly dividend to conserve cash and pay down debt. Long-term debt of $518.8 million represents 87% of market cap. The company holds $87.7 million or $1.17 a share in cash. Tempur-Pedic needs an economic recovery to show renewed growth in sales and profits. However, it enjoys strong brand recognition and a broad lineup of products. Despite the current difficult retail environment, we still like the company’s long-term prospects. The stock trades at just 5.4 times forecast 2008 earnings of $1.10 a share. Tempur-Pedic is still a buy. buy…