Wednesday, October 26, 2011

ACOM Third Quarter Results

Ancestry.com posted 3rd quarter results after the bell.  Revenues were in line and earnings per share exceeded analyst estimates by .05 cents to .40 versus the .35 estimate.  The company achieved bottom line by recording a very low G&A of just 9.5% of revenue, and a lower tax rate, ( the lowest in the last two years).
I previously wrote about ACOM's 2nd quarter results here ACOM Results.  My biggest concern for the stock in the near term was the sequential drop off in subscriber growth rate, which I posted below.
2010
14.00%, 8.00%, 5.00%, 1.30%.
2011
15.77%, 3.52%, 1.67%, 1.17%

The current guidance for sequential subscriber growth rates now looks like this.
2011
15.77%, 3.52%, 1.73%, -.65%
These subscriber numbers are not surprising, and actually I expected a marginal drop off due to a very challenging environment.
VALUATION:
Attractive at these price levels.  I just reviewed NFLX and AMZN results the last couple of days.  Those results compared to ACOM look terrible and the stocks are still overvalued even after their selloffs.  I have ACOM trading at a forward P/E ratio of 12.78, which is the lowest this stock has seen in the last two years. I have a price target in the 40's.
TECHNICALS:
ACOM has shown support in the low 20's area over the last six weeks time period.  Below is a weekly chart of ACOM.  The stock is very over sold on a weekly basis.  
Bottom Line:  Although the company achieved bottom line results by managing a lower G&A line and tax rate, these results are good comparatively to other consumer oriented stocks, and I believe the stock has already discounted the subscriber drop off rates going forward.  The company has announced a 50 million dollar share buyback also, and could seek an existing credit facility for the buyback.  The company had cash of around 46 million, end third quarter. Buying in the low 20's makes sense if you plan on holding the shares for a while.  

Contact: 586-431-8000