Here's Why You Should Retain Lamar (LAMR) Stock Right Now
Zacks Investment Research | Aug 23, 2021 04:45AM ET
Lamar Advertising (NASDAQ:LAMR) Company LAMR enjoys an impressive national footprint and is one of the leading providers of logo signs in the United States. A diversified tenant base across various sectors also acts as a tailwind for the company. However, stiff competition along with a high level of debt might act as a deterrent.
The company holds significant market share in the U.S. outdoor advertising business. Lamar has made substantial efforts to upgrade its assets in recent years, boosting occupancy in its existing advertising displays. The company’s increased focus on bolstering billboard portfolio augurs well for long-term growth. It offers the largest network of digital billboards in the United States, with more than 3,600 displays.
Lamar operates in an industry that is characterized by high barriers to entry due to permitting restrictions. This is because the company owns permits, which allow out-of-home advertising at each location and these permits are the most prized assets gained in an acquisition. However, with control on the permits, inventory as well as the intrusion from both local and national market is restricted, providing the company with a solid competitive edge.
Apart from these, Lamar’s inorganic growth looks impressive. Expansion activities in recent years bode well. Though in the wake of pandemic, the company had restricted acquisition activities as a means to conserve liquidity in 2020, it resumed strategic acquisitions this year.
In the first half of the ongoing year, Lamar completed acquisitions for a total cash purchase price of $27.2 million. Though there was only modest investment activity in the second quarter, management noted acceleration in acquisition pipeline since May and anticipates that 2021 will be an active year on the acquisition front.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have appreciated 21.2% in the past six months, outperforming the industry ’s rally of 16.3%.
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While the company enjoys a significant market share in many of its small and medium-sized markets, stiff competition from other outdoor advertisers and other forms of media poses challenges for Lamar.
Moreover, the company’s high debt level is a woe. Lamar’s debt to total capital is high. The company ended the second quarter with total leverage of 3.5 times net debt to EBITDA, as defined under its credit facility. Besides, the pandemic-induced slowdown might continue hurting revenue growth and cash flow from operations, thereby limiting its ability to meet obligations.
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