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“Ceradyne defines itself as an advanced technical ceramic company serving a broad array of defense, industrial, automotive/diesel and commercial markets.” – Joel P. Moskowitz, CEO
Ceradyne, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of technical ceramic products, powders, and components for defense, industrial, automotive/diesel, and commercial applications in the United States. The company’s products comprise lightweight ceramic armor for soldiers and other military applications; ceramic industrial components for erosion and corrosion resistant applications; and ceramic powders, including boron carbide, boron nitride, titanium diboride, calcium hexaboride, and zirconium diboride, which are used in manufacturing armor and various industrial products. In addition, it offers evaporation boats for metallization of materials for food packaging and other products; ceramic diesel engine components; functional and frictional coatings primarily for automotive applications; translucent ceramic orthodontic brackets; ceramic impregnated dispenser cathodes for microwave tubes, lasers, and cathode ray tubes; ceramic crucibles for melting silicon in the photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing process; and ceramic missile radomes for the defense industry. It serves primarily the U.S. government and prime government contractors, as well as industrial, automotive/diesel, and commercial manufacturers in domestic and international markets. Ceradyne was co-founded by Joel P. Moskowitz in 1967 and is based in Costa Mesa, California.
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ProductsProducts
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Risks Specific to Risks Specific to
Ceradyne’s BusinessCeradyne’s Business
Section IISection II
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Specific RisksSpecific Risks
• A substantial portion of Ceradyne’s revenues is derived from the sale of defense related products. The largest consumer of Ceradyne’s products is the U.S. Government and Military. There are not many other consumers in the market for defense related products, causing concern about Ceradyne’s ability to profit if it loses a significant portion of it government contracts.
• The U.S. Military has considered revising performance requirements for ceramic body armor. If this happens, Ceradyne’s existing inventory value could be significantly impaired and it would have to undertake higher research and development costs in order to design a new product to meet the increased requirements.
• Ceradyne does not have a diverse supplier base, leading to some concern that it could be forced to accept higher supply prices.
• Joel P. Moskowitz has been a key figure in Ceradyne’s rapid growth and he is approaching retirement age, leading to concern about the direction and vision of the company once he steps down.
Due to the nature of its business, Ceradyne faces numerous risks that could significantly Due to the nature of its business, Ceradyne faces numerous risks that could significantly impact future performance.impact future performance.Due to the nature of its business, Ceradyne faces numerous risks that could significantly Due to the nature of its business, Ceradyne faces numerous risks that could significantly impact future performance.impact future performance.
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External Forces on the IndustryExternal Forces on the Industry
The Ceramic Products The Ceramic Products and Components Industryand Components Industry
The Ceramic Products and Components Industry faces substantial external pressures.The Ceramic Products and Components Industry faces substantial external pressures.The Ceramic Products and Components Industry faces substantial external pressures.The Ceramic Products and Components Industry faces substantial external pressures.
Abundance of WarAbundance of War
Military Budget
Military Budget
Legislatio
n Changes
Legislatio
n Changes
Product Failure Liability
Product Failure Liability
High Supply Costs
High Supply Costs
Change in
Technolo
gy
Change in
Technolo
gy
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History of Ceradyne History of Ceradyne within within
SMIP PortfolioSMIP Portfolio
Section IIISection III
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CRDN Performance in SMIPCRDN Performance in SMIP
Ceradyne has been one of the top performing equities within the SMIP portfolio.Ceradyne has been one of the top performing equities within the SMIP portfolio.Ceradyne has been one of the top performing equities within the SMIP portfolio.Ceradyne has been one of the top performing equities within the SMIP portfolio.
• SMIP bought Ceradyne at $22.77 a share in April 2005. • SMIP currently owns 225 shares and has held CRDN for 16 months.• Ceradyne’s total purchase cost was $5124. It’s current market value
is $10,064, an increase of $4940. That is equal to a 96% return.• Cerdayne is SMIP’s third largest position, trailing only Exxon Mobil
and Caremark.• Ceradyne has not issued any dividends or split its stock since SMIP
bought it in 2005.• Ceradyne had traded up to $63.84 a share while SMIP owned it but
has fallen back down, settling in currently in the low-to-mid $40 range.
• During the summer of 2006, Executive Board members had discussions on whether or not to sell Ceradyne because of its options accounting troubles. The vote was two to two. Positives are its growth potential. Negatives are its risk vs. reward tradeoff.
The following performance metrics are important in depicting Ceradyne’s growth.The following performance metrics are important in depicting Ceradyne’s growth.The following performance metrics are important in depicting Ceradyne’s growth.The following performance metrics are important in depicting Ceradyne’s growth.
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Historical Ratio AnalysisHistorical Ratio Analysis
Ceradyne Ratio Analysis
For the Fiscal Year Ending Dec. 31, 2001 2002 2003 2004 20052006 LTM
Profitability
Return on Assets % 6.5% 4.8% 13.3% 12.9% 13.7% 20.1%
Return on Capital % 7.4% 5.8% 16.0% 15.9% 16.3% 24.3%
Return on Equity % 10.8% 6.5% 17.3% 24.9% 24.3% 36.7%
Recent Headlines on CeradyneRecent Headlines on Ceradyne
• Ceradyne upgraded by Wachovia – 9/15/06• Ceradyne Receives $9.1 Million Order From Department of
Defense for Protective Armor Inserts – 9/12/06• Ceradyne Receives $13.3 Million Order From U.S. Army for
Ceramic Body Armor – 9/11/06• Ceradyne Receives Nasdaq Delisting Warning Because of
Delinquency in Regulatory Filings – 8/21/06• Ceradyne Receives Mack Trucks Order Prototype Lightweight
Ceramic Armored Truck Cab – 8/8/06• Ceradyne Conducting an Ongoing Internal Investigation Into Its
Stock Options Accounting – 8/21/06• Ceradyne Considered a Potential Home Run Stock by Motley Fool
– 8/10/06
Ceradyne has found itself in the headlines within the past few months for both good and Ceradyne has found itself in the headlines within the past few months for both good and bad reasons.bad reasons.Ceradyne has found itself in the headlines within the past few months for both good and Ceradyne has found itself in the headlines within the past few months for both good and bad reasons.bad reasons.
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Investment SummaryInvestment Summary
Section VIISection VII
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Ceradyne SummaryCeradyne Summary
POSITIVES• Ceradyne has substantial growth potential and is trading at 14x PE
multiple. Its trading multiples are the lowest in a while.• Ceradyne continues to diversify its product line to hedge against risk of
losing U.S. Government contracts.• Ceradyne continues to beat earnings estimates and shows no signs of
NEGATIVES• Ceradyne is delinquent in its regulatory filings because of an internal
accounting investigation into stock options.• Numerous companies have been faced with the same problems recently. It
seems inevitable that a restatement will occur. The question becomes, how big?
• The constant issue is risk vs. reward and whether or not Ceradyne’s growth potential compensates for maintaining a position amidst accounting concerns
Ceradyne has been a top performer for SMIP and the question becomes, is it time to take Ceradyne has been a top performer for SMIP and the question becomes, is it time to take gains, hold the position, or is this an opportunity to buy more?gains, hold the position, or is this an opportunity to buy more?Ceradyne has been a top performer for SMIP and the question becomes, is it time to take Ceradyne has been a top performer for SMIP and the question becomes, is it time to take gains, hold the position, or is this an opportunity to buy more?gains, hold the position, or is this an opportunity to buy more?