I know a lot of my readers follow Paul Mampilly pretty ardently, partly because of the fact that his publisher, Banyan Hill, is one of the more aggressive promoters in newsletterdom these days, and partly because he made some very strong picks with his first, heavily promoted service — particularly the teased pick of STMicroelectronics (STM), which his publisher has been pushing pretty heavily, off and on, for more than a year and a half (first covered here, back before his publisher changed names to Banyan Hill).
So today we’ve got a quick bonus solution for you, before I get back to working on my Annual Review for the Irregulars… though really, I should call this one a “guess,” not a solution, because he doesn’t drop enough clues to give us any real certainty. What’s he recommending now?
He’s pitching “New Energy” as a “Mega Trend” for his Profits Unlimited subscribers — meaning renewable, portable, storable energy. And this is what he says about his stock:
“This month, I told my readers in Profits Unlimited to buy into the company that’s leading the new-energy revolution … and that it’s going to be bigger than Amazon and Google combined.
“You see, this company has products that touch every aspect of new energy, from getting its energy from natural sources, to storing it so it can be generated locally and finally, to making it portable so that it can be used for travel.
“With those aspects combined, this company is set to disrupt three massive industries.”
The basic argument is that this company is “disruptifying” those three large energy markets, like Google and Amazon and Netflix disrupted their established markets (advertising, retailing and television) in building dominant businesses that sucked the life out of the older players in the industry (my words, not Mampilly’s).
And he concludes:
“Right now, the energy, utilities and transportation industries are about to go through what Netflix, Amazon and Google did a few years ago to their various industries.
“The old is about to get wiped out, and the new is about to take its place.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to make massive gains if you are willing to buy into the new companies, like the one I just recommended to my Profits Unlimited readers.”
So what’s he actually recommending? My guess — and it is a guess, this time — is Tesla (TSLA). I can conjure up no other company that has meaningful business in both generating renewable electricity (through Solar City), storing electricity (batteries, including the PowerWall as well as the utility-scale projects they’ve attempted — notably in Australia), and disrupting transportation (through high mind-share and evangelism in electric vehicles).
You’ve probably heard of that stock, no?
So what do you think? Tesla is the very definition of a “battleground” stock, there is no way to estimate what you think the company is worth unless you look a few years into the future and believe that Elon Musk will succeed in creating a much higher-volume electric car manufacturing company and cross-sell those Tesla owners on Powerwall home batteries and Solar City rooftop solar installations.
To my mind, there is no reasonable way to use real or near-term numbers to justify the price of Tesla shares, though analysts keep trying, you have to use forecasting and belief — which doesn’t mean Tesla can’t succeed, it just means that you have to see the future to believe it will succeed, you can’t base your assessment on the rate of growth or the current or anticipated cash flow. To a large degree, Tesla shares are a bet on Elon Musk’s vision of the future and his ability to muscle the rest of us into his vision, and that has worked extraordinarily well for many years.
The numbers that you might use, were you to be so inclined, would probably be the 2019 numbers, the first year that analysts foresee Tesla making a profit. The analyst estimate is for earnings of $4.40 per share in 2019, on $26 billion in revenue (though the range of estimates is huge for both). At that rate, Tesla would be trading at about 2X 2019 sales and 77X 2019 earnings.
The only company with a somewhat similar business that’s in any way comparable on those metrics, at least that I can think of after some brainstorming, is Ferrari (RACE) on price/sales (much higher, about 5X), but that’s because its supercars are an incredibly high-margin luxury business (about 50% gross margin… Tesla’s gross margins in the low teens are squarely between Ford’s and GM’s, both of which trade at about 0.3X sales). Solar installers and product developers don’t trade at anywhere near those valuations, with the possible exception of favored US manufacturer First Solar (FSLR), which is really the sole beneficiary of the recently discussed solar panel import tariffs — solar installation is a growth industry still, but most installers are not particularly high margin companies and the few that are public trade at pretty cheap valuations.
But still, those are numbers that you can work with as you build your assumptions… although we should remember that analysts have been irrationally optimistic about Tesla’s earnings for several years (three years ago, the anticipation was that 2017 would bring $7 per share in earnings — in actuality, Tesla is likely to end the year losing close to $9 a share, thanks in some part to the much slower-than-expected rollout of their “Model 3” lower-priced electric car). Analysts have also priced in an estimate that Tesla will grow earnings at 35% a year, on average, over the next five years… so perhaps you can make that work in your brain if you use the imagined 35% growth number and the guesstimated 2019 earnings number to say that the 2019 PEG ratio could be not much above 2. Which ain’t so bad.
But really, you’ll probably find yourself stuck if you justify an investment in Tesla based on their current or forecasted financials, because it’s not a stock that is driven by analysts — it’s driven by Elon Musk and the power of transformation and imagination as he upends the fossil fuel industry and the car industry and changes the American landscape for the better. You either believe in that and say “Elon will make it happen,” or you look at the numbers and say, “this is the most ridiculously valued industrial company I’ve ever seen.”
Neither is wrong until the share price says its wrong. People have been ardently betting against Tesla because of its wild valuation for five years now, to their detriment, so for now the short side is wrong. This year, I don’t know which way that will turn — presumably a lot will rest on the ability of Tesla (or lack thereof) to really mass-manufacture those Model 3 cars that have been pre-ordered, I expect that if the current logjam loosens, as Tesla says it will, and they begin to deliver those new cars as promised, the stock will probably react well to that… if there are further delays, the stock will probably disappoint. Throw in the new tariffs on Chinese solar panels and whatever you think the future government incentives will be on electric cars or solar power, and you can make your own guesses.
But really, it’s about belief in Musk’s future — buy that and you’ll want to own the stock, doubt it and you’ll find no rational reason to own Tesla at this price. You can make your own call on that, all I can do is guess for you that Mampilly is recommending Tesla to Profits Unlimited subscribers (and, indeed, it has been recommended over and over by growth-stock services over the years). If you’ve got a call on Tesla, let us know with a comment below.
Disclosure: I own shares of both Alphabet (Google) and Amazon, but not any other stock mentioned above. I will not trade in any covered stock for at least three days, per Stock Gumshoe’s trading rules.
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I agree with your analysis. It’s a bet on Musk
There is a small company out there wndw
Check it out they have the game changer.
Think that Elon Musk’s prime aim is to establish a foothold for the human race on Mars – and I am not joking at all. This will require mega amounts of money and innovation.
Not for me – maybe one day for grandchildren
Tesla is also relying on the gullibility of people who are concerned for the environment. They market their electric power as being more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, but in reality batteries create a larger carbon footprint. The only energy sources usable by vehicles that are truly better for the environment are solar and hydro cell. Solar is unavailable because it’s too inefficient to power vehicles at this time and hydro cell powered vehicles aren’t mass produced and marketed like fuel injection or electric vehicles are.
There’s nothing gullible about environmental concerns:
“The environment is man’s first right, a right without which he cannot hope to survive, let alone enjoy any other right, be it social, political, economic or religious.” Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigerian poet, writer & activist
When vision meets reality…I wish I could post a photo I took of a Tesla charging station…20 stalls, free parking and free charging. No vehicles. Who’s winning here?
The real use, as with almost all cars almost all the time, is in commuting — so superchargers that are off of major commuting routes or away from major population centers are needed, the theory goes, to alleviate “range anxiety” and give people the theoretical ability to drive long distances along major interstate routes, but I do frequently hear that many of those superchargers are empty. And presumably many superchargers in major commuting areas in California probably have congestion and waits, though I certainly don’t follow the story to that level of detail.
Around 1900, people used to yell at a man fuming over a broken down horseless carriage, “Get a horse!” Who was winning there?
I don’t think the stock is Tesla
Travis is correct on this one – it is TSLA that Paul Mampilly is referring to.
The stock is Ormat. OMA
Thanks, I shared some thoughts on that when he featured it many months ago — odd that it’s just going into his portfolio today when he so aggressively teased it back in March.
Good company, currently in a down spot on their contracting revenues for new geothermal projects (which are more lucrative than their electricity sales), just agreed to buy US Geothermal so they’ll expand their utility business. Fairly substantial amounts of debt coming due in 2018 and 2020, higher than their likely EBITDA in those years and higher than cash balances, so they’ll need access to refinancing (shouldn’t be an issue, but never say never). Certainly the big player in geothermal, both operation and equipment/development, so if you like that sector it’s an easy first bet — richly valued for either a typical utility or an engineering and construction firm, which are the only real comparables you might consider… but it is fairly unique.
And, for sure, it’s a lot cheaper than Tesla. And has paid what amounts to about a 0.5% dividend yield over the past year, at current prices.
Like you mentioned, Ormat just bought out US Geothermal (HTM). It was an all cash deal. I had bought US Geothermal as one of those “hold forever” stocks, and I was completely blindsided by the sale. I’m thankful for the cash, but I would have preferred stock in Ormat.
Hi JayBee!
I own 183 shares HTM, the result of a reverse split of my original 1100 shares. I HAVE NOT heard of the sale of HTM to Ormat. What did you get per share?
He added ORA to his portfolio on 3/1/17 (PU). It’s up nearly 18% since his reccomendation to purchase. The S&P is up about 13% for the same time period ( after todays bloodbath). So not exactly a star, but not a failure either. But for sure, it’s been in his portfolio for almost 1 year. one of my first trades at his suggestion.
Defense dept is pushing for hypersonic weapons
Aerojet has been hired by DARPA to create the engine with Mach 6 capability. The dual mode turbine will feature a ramjet and scramjet turbine. The plan is to fit an off the shelf turbine with the ramjet and scramjet turbine as opposed to building it from ground up. Large components and ground test to begin this year. Boeing and Darpa use modified space shuttle rockets for there hypersonic space plane. Grumman Boeing Martin all in on new hypersonic design. Martin is building a jet to fly both strike and recon missions, an unmanned jet. Won’t be long you’ll be flying around over Mach 5. If Aerojet Rocketdyne gencorp hypersonic jet engine?
Yeah, it’s TSLA and it’s worth an investment of about 1 share ($350) and plan to keep it for 2 to 3 years before it really takes off. It’s just like betting that $40 you could have done awhile back which would’ve given you 8.75 times your money instead of regret for not taking a flyer. To each his own, lol.
I agree with Richard Danton, WNDW is one to watch as it will transform electricity generation with clean energy.
For me, it is not so much that I believe EV is the future as opposed to hydrogen or other. It is do I believe the market/people believe in EV/batteries are the future. Every car maker on the planet is sprinting to EV. This means lithium and batteries will be in demand.
Yea, I have a piece of Tesla and I am very happy so far.
WEll, I don’t have to have Solar City install anything. I have COMMUNITY SOLAR generating from a nearby solar farm…they came out once, told me they were required due to safety refs to drill into my new roof to do their testing, nevermind…went with community…
If your new roof was Tesla solar tiles, there’d be no drilling into your roof for testing by any bureaucracy
I bought TSLA a few years ago. Then the Chinese government got involved. I ended up being bought out and holding my shorts
Anyone have any thoughts on HIMX. Seems like they have drivers and chip for 3 D movies but do not have the production capacity’s. The stock is up and down. Thinking about buying more anyone else thinking the same?
My power company in Northwestern Iowa is 47 % renewables generating and plans to be 100 % within the next 10 years.
Being retired and on a VERY modest income wife and I have no interest in an EV. We own ONE very satisfying 2007 Chevy Equinox THAT IS PAID FOR and we’ll be driving it until it cannot be driven! If we do need to replace it SOON we’ll buy ANOTHER Equinox. NO Tesla being offered has the utility we need OR THE AFFORDABLE PRICE, NOT THE TESLA S, X OR 3!!! Until we can get an EV that is an Equinox equivalent for the same price NO EV of ANY make is in our plans!
U can get a used hybrid or a used EV which could make your transportation & maintenance costs drop, but probably wouldn’t find it in your hood. Plus you’d need solar roof panels, inverters & a Tesla PowerWall battery or 2 if you got a used Nissan Leaf EV. A friend picked up a 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid for $5k from the owner who was moving out of state.
Not a good idea to buy a used EV of Hybrid. Chances are the battery will need to be fully changed out soon costing $5-6,000. My friend has a Prius. He said the battery will last on 5-6 years and needs to be replaced at cost of $5-6,000.
Most electric vehicles and hybrids have 100,000 mile+ warranties for the hybrid drive and/or the batteries, though that may cover only failure and not necessarily gradual degradation of performance, so I guess it depends on what you mean by “used.” I have a hybrid truck with a big non-lithium battery that’s been out of warranty for 30,000 miles or so but is still going strong, we were similarly warned about the cost of eventual battery replacement but no worries so far — it seems to me to have the same electrical performance as ever after 10 years. I’m in Massachusetts, so odds are pretty good it’ll rust out before I have to replace the battery. 🙂
What ever happened to Bloom energy? I thought they were coming to the market with renewable fuel cells for the average homeowner. Not sure if Tesla is planning to target that market too? Could be a big win if you could produce a battery that could power your home for 10 years at a time, that is the size of a heating and air compressor, and get us off the power grid.
PMamp, is misleading and profits from that… every stock he pushes is “the next big huge gainer”. The spew is almost predictable.
To top it. Banyan, is snake charming and hard selling. They promote characters aka “ pros”, that even contradict each other in their speculations.
I guess that even such a system can be a vehicle for a pump n dump of their own portfolios. Be aware of the rise n falls of a stock prior n before any bla bla promo.
tsla n abl? lmao.
Elon Musk just used what what the great Nicola Tesla showed the world many moons ago.
Just found the breakthrough Novonix co OTC that cooperates with Tesla and enables his new trucks to go a million miles .Its a solid graphite battery that CATL also mentions taking out the sail of Tesla announcement on Battery day . Which he postponed from April . I’m desperate to buy some as my retirement income is much down but never bought OTC . IM OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR AND ITS AN Aussie PENNY STOCK HELP ANYONE?
You all seem to be missing the point of the whole presentation! He is referring to a battery company… something completely different than the huge lithium batteries presently used.. Most likely to be used by Tesla -not Tesla itself..
The article you’re commenting on is several years old, the slightly newer ads from Mampilly about battery tech were covered most recently here: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/reviews/profits-unlimited/the-12-million-mile-battery-checking-in-again-on-paul-mampillys-tease/