By Bloomberg Businessweek
New York - Shares of Arctic Cat soared last week after an analyst upgraded shares of the maker of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles to a "Strong Buy."
THE SPARK: Raymond James analyst Joseph D. Hovorka upgraded shares of Arctic Cat from "Market Perform" in a note to investors on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Hovorka said the company, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., has managed its costs well despite lower revenue.
The company's margins have been better than expected during the downturn, he said, thanks to effective management of its supply and engineering costs. The company eliminated its dividend in its fourth quarter, and its balance sheet and cash flow are improving, he said.
THE BIG PICTURE: The market for its vehicles remains challenging, but Arctic Cat has gained share in the ATV market, Hovorka said. Its retail sales of ATVs fell 10 percent in June, roughly half the decline in the broader industry. That performance has likely continued into the September quarter, he said.
SHARE ACTION: Shares of Arctic Cat rose $1.43, or 15.9 percent, to $10.38 in morning trading. The stock has traded between $5.67 and $16.10 in the last 52 weeks.