HWM Howmet Aerospace Inc.

NYSE Rolling Drawing & Extruding of Nonferrous Metals DE CIK: 0000004281
AI RATING
BUY
82% Confidence

Investment Thesis

Strong fundamental business with exceptional 32.6% operating margins and accelerating profit growth (30.6% net income growth) outpacing revenue expansion, demonstrating operational leverage. Fortress balance sheet with 15.4x interest coverage and 2.44x current ratio provides resilience, while $359M free cash flow supports shareholder returns and deleveraging.

Strengths

  • + Exceptional profitability with 32.6% operating margin and 25.1% net margin, well above manufacturing sector averages
  • + Profit growth (30.6% net income growth) accelerating faster than revenue growth (11.1%), indicating improving operational efficiency and leverage
  • + Fortress financial position: 15.4x interest coverage, 0.73x debt-to-equity, 2.44x current ratio provides significant downside protection
  • + Strong free cash flow generation of $359M annually (15.5% FCF margin) with manageable capex requirements
  • + Solid revenue growth of 11.1% YoY supported by aerospace sector demand

Risks

  • ! Modest return on equity of 10.5% despite strong margins suggests significant asset base inefficiency or integration of prior acquisitions
  • ! Aerospace and defense sector is highly cyclical; current 11.1% revenue growth may not be sustainable through downturn
  • ! Long-term debt of $4.0B limits financial flexibility and increases vulnerability to sharp demand deterioration
  • ! Capital-intensive business model with $94M annual capex reduces true cash conversion efficiency

Key Metrics to Watch

Financial Metrics

Revenue
2.3B
Net Income
580.0M
EPS (Diluted)
$1.44
Free Cash Flow
359.0M
Total Assets
13.1B
Cash
2.4B

Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 32.6%
Net Margin 25.1%
ROE 10.5%
ROA 4.4%
FCF Margin 15.5%

Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
2.44x
Quick Ratio
1.59x
Debt/Equity
0.73x
Debt/Assets
57.7%
Interest Coverage
15.37x
Long-term Debt
4.1B
Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: 2026-05-09T11:07:46.366731 | Data as of: 2026-03-31 | Powered by Claude AI