Tempur-Pedic Looks Cheap

Article Excerpt

TEMPUR-PEDIC $10.02 (New York symbol TPX; SI Rating: Speculative)(800-878-8889; www.tempurpedic.com; Shares outstanding: 74.8 million; Market cap: $749.8 million) reports that in the three months ended June 30, 2008, earnings fell 38.6%, to $20.2 million from $32.9 million a year earlier. Earnings per share fell 32.5%, to $0.27 from $0.40 on fewer shares outstanding. Sales fell 7.4%, to $238.7 million from $257.6 million. In the latest quarter, international sales rose 3.6%, but U.S. sales fell 13%. Difficult economic conditions and lower consumer confidence have weakened demand for high-end mattresses. These are a discretionary item, at least in the short term. To address these challenges, Tempur-Pedic plans to launch less-expensive lines of mattresses, pillows, and other specialty bedding products next year. The company also continues to cut costs. Despite the current difficult retail environment, we still like the company’s long-term prospects. The stock currently trades at just 8.9 times forecast 2008 annual earnings. Tempur-Pedic is still a buy. buy…