Will Danaher Stock Rebound To Pre-Inflation Shock Highs of $300?
Danaher stock (NYSE: DHR), a conglomerate with products in environmental, life sciences, and diagnostics fields, trades at $220 per share, about 2% below the level seen in March 2021. DHR stock was trading at around $254 in early June 2022, just before the Fed started increasing rates, and is now 13% below that level, compared to 22% gains for the S&P 500 during this period. DHR stock has been weighed down in the recent past due to raw material cost inflation and falling demand for its COVID-related products.
Looking at a slightly longer term, DHR stock has seen little change, moving slightly from levels of $220 in early January 2021 to around $220 now, vs. an increase of about 25% for the S&P 500 over this roughly three-year period. Overall, the performance of DHR stock with respect to the index has been quite volatile. Returns for the stock were 48% in 2021, -19% in 2022, and -17% in 2023 (YTD). In comparison, returns for the S&P 500 have been 27% in 2021, -19% in 2022, and 21% in 2023 (YTD) – indicating that DHR underperformed the S&P in 2023.
In fact, consistently beating the S&P 500 – in good times and bad – has been difficult over recent years for individual stocks; for heavyweights in the Health Care sector, including LLY, UNH, and JNJ, and even for the megacap stars GOOG, TSLA, and MSFT. In contrast, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has outperformed the S&P 500 each year over the same period. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index, less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
Given the current uncertain macroeconomic environment with high oil prices and elevated interest rates, could DHR face a similar situation as it did in 2023 and underperform the S&P over the next 12 months – or will it see a strong jump? Returning to the pre-inflation shock high of $330 (seen in Sep 2021) means that DHR stock will have to gain over 50% from here, and we don’t think that will materialize anytime soon. DHR stock currently trades at 5.1x trailing revenues, slightly below its last four-year average of 6.1x, and appears to have some room for growth.
Our detailed analysis of Danaher’s upside post-inflation shock captures trends in the company’s stock during the turbulent market conditions seen over 2022. It compares these trends to the stock’s performance during the 2008 recession.
Timeline of Inflation Shock So Far:
- 2020 – early 2021: Increase in money supply to cushion the impact of lockdowns led to high demand for goods; producers unable to match up.
- Early 2021: Shipping snarls and worker shortages from the coronavirus pandemic continue to hurt supply.
- April 2021: Inflation rates cross 4% and increase rapidly.
- Early 2022: Energy and food prices spike due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fed begins its rate hike process.
- June 2022: Inflation levels peak at 9% – the highest level in 40 years. The S&P 500 index declined more than 20% from peak levels.
- July – September 2022: Fed hikes interest rates aggressively – resulting in an initial recovery in the S&P 500 followed by another sharp decline.
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October 2022 – July 2023: Fed continues rate hike process; improving market sentiments helps S&P500 recoup some of its losses.
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Since August 2023: Fed has kept interest rates unchanged to quell fears of a recession, although another rate hike remains in the cards.
In contrast, here’s how DHR stock and the broader market performed during the 2007/2008 crisis.
Timeline of 2007-08 Crisis
- 10/1/2007: Approximate pre-crisis peak in S&P 500 index
- 9/1/2008 – 10/1/2008: Accelerated market decline corresponding to Lehman bankruptcy filing (9/15/08)
- 3/1/2009: Approximate bottoming out of S&P 500 index
- 12/31/2009: Initial recovery to levels before accelerated decline (around 9/1/2008)
Danaher and S&P 500 Performance During 2007-08 Crisis
DHR stock declined from $41 in September 2007 (pre-crisis peak) to $25 in March 2009 (as the markets bottomed out), implying it lost 39% of its pre-crisis value. It recovered after the 2008 crisis to levels of around $38 in early 2010, rising nearly 50% between March 2009 and January 2010. The S&P 500 Index saw a decline of 51%, falling from levels of 1,540 in September 2007 to 757 in March 2009. It then rallied 48% between March 2009 and January 2010 to reach levels of 1,124.
Danaher’s Fundamentals Over Recent Years
Danaher’s revenue increased from $17.9 billion in 2019 to $31.5 billion in 2022 due to high demand for its Life Sciences products, including instruments and consumables primarily used to study genes, proteins, metabolites, and cells. This helped the pharmaceutical companies to test and manufacture new drugs and vaccines during the pandemic. The company acquired Cytiva in March 2021, bolstering the company’s sales in recent years.
The company’s earnings stood at $9.66 on a per-share and reported basis in 2022, compared to the $4.05 figure in 2019. Given the softer demand in the life sciences business post-pandemic, the sales have trended lower in recent quarters. The company expects core revenues to be down slightly for 2023.
Does Danaher Have A Sufficient Cash Cushion To Meet Its Obligations Through The Ongoing Inflation Shock?
Danaher’s total debt decreased from $21.7 billion in 2019 to $19.7 billion now, while its cash decreased from $19.9 billion to $6.0 billion over the same period. The company also garnered $8.1 billion in cash flows from operations in the last twelve months. Given its cash cushion, Danaher appears to be in a comfortable position to service its near-term obligations.
Conclusion
With the Fed’s efforts to tame runaway inflation rates helping market sentiment, we believe DHR stock has the potential for more gains once fears of a potential recession are allayed. That said, unfavorable macroeconomic factors and softer demand for its life sciences business are potential risk factors for realizing these gains.
While DHR stock can see higher levels, it is helpful to see how Danaher’s Peers fare on metrics that matter. You will find other valuable comparisons for companies across industries at Peer Comparisons.
Returns | Dec 2023 MTD [1] |
2023 YTD [1] |
2017-23 Total [2] |
DHR Return | -1% | -17% | 184% |
S&P 500 Return | 1% | 20% | 106% |
Trefis Reinforced Value Portfolio | 2% | 31% | 572% |
[1] Month-to-date and year-to-date as of 12/12/2023
[2] Cumulative total returns since the end of 2016
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