Topic: How To Invest

Q: What do you think of Callaway Golf? It looks like golf is getting more popular these days. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Callaway Golf Co., $20.06, symbol ELY on New York (Shares outstanding: 94.2 million; Market cap: $1.9 billion; www.callawaygolf.com), makes golf clubs and balls, as well as apparel. The company also has a 14% stake in fast-growing TopGolf, a privately owned operator of driving ranges with a party atmosphere. TopGolf has 54 locations worldwide, including 50 in the U.S. Over the past five years, Callaway’s total revenue has seen strong growth—rising 101.6%, from $843.8 million in 2015 to $1.70 billion in 2019. The gains included a 36.9% increase from $1.24 billion in 2018 to $1.70 billion in 2019. That was mostly due to the company’s $476 million acquisition of U.K.-based Jack Wolfskin in January 2019. Jack Wolfskin is a premium outdoor apparel, footwear and equipment brand. Over the same five-year period, earnings jumped 628.6%, from $14.6 million, or $0.17 a share, in 2015 to $106.4 million, or $1.10, in 2019. The main reason for the increase was the steadily rising sales. In the three months ended…