Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals firm focusing on platinum. The business is organised into three units: environmental technologies, precious metals and pharmaceutical materials, all of which revolve around the white metal. Its main activities include the manufacture of catalytic converters for pollution control, platinum trading and research into platinum-based cancer drugs.
Current market conditions couldn't be more favourable. Higher platinum prices are boosting its trading activities, while stricter emission standards are driving demand particularly for the company's heavy-duty diesel catalysts. Platinum is used to filter out carbon monoxide and particulate matter from vehicle and engine exhausts. In other words, Johnson Matthey is making hay while the sun shines. Nonetheless, as a value investor I consider the stock overpriced, especially as there are substantial risks ahead.
Firstly, the precious metals division, which benefits from rising platinum prices, has recently been the main-stay of profit growth. Johnson Matthey's underlying operating profits have jumped 26% over the past two years, but a whopping 64% of this has come from this unit. This is a concern because its profits are volatile and would be hit if the platinum price was to soften from its current record levels.
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Secondly, profit margins generated from its core catalysts activities are compressing as automotive customers badger down prices across the industry. Worryingly, return on sales fell from 18.2% in 2005 to 17.1% in 2006 and has dropped to 14.4% in 2007. The trend doesn't look positive.
Next, it is worth noting that since Johnson Matthey has "bet the house" on platinum its earnings would be badly affected if substitute materials or superior technologies that reduce the need for the metal were to be developed. Only on Monday, Japan's Mazda reported that it had developed the world's first catalyst for cars that would slash platinum and palladium use by 70%-90%. This follows on from July's news that Nissan has also developed new technology that could halve the use of precious metals. And many other research institutes, such as Oxford Catalysts, are investing heavily in this area. If I was a shareholder, I would be concerned about the sustainability of Johnson Matthey's platinum science in the medium to long term.
With regard to valuation, the shares, like the metal, are undoubtedly not cheap. The City is forecasting earnings per share for this year and next of 88p and 100p respectively, putting the stock on toppy p/e ratios of 18.9 and 16.6. I would value the stock on a 14-times multiple, or around £12.30 taking account of the precious metals unit's lower-quality earnings stream and the falling operating profit margins in its catalysts business.
Finally, in August four directors, including the chief executive and financial director, cashed in big chunks of their share options. My advice would be to follow their lead and take profits because the stock appears vulnerable at these glittering levels.
Recommendation: TAKE PROFITS at £16.59
Paul Hill also writes a weekly share-tipping newsletter, Precision Guided Investments
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