American Vanguard Corp. (AVD)

capitanKaboom (44.87) Submitted: 11/17/2009 2:45:52 PM : Start Price: $7.35 AVD Score: +2.87

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NewlyMinted4Star (< 20) Submitted: 10/14/2009 10:30:05 AM : Start Price: $8.04 AVD Score: -13.56

This account tracks the performance of newly minted 4 star stocks - 3 star stocks that recently turned in to 4 star stocks.

tanail (< 20) Submitted: 10/8/2009 12:00:23 AM : Start Price: $8.15 AVD Score: -21.20

solid company looking to grow domestically and over seas.

DrFoolfinger (< 20) Submitted: 12/3/2008 5:15:50 AM : Start Price: $8.97 AVD Score: -57.05

A well-run agricultural concern the price of which might have hit bedrock. Remember this one during spring planting...

boiseidfool (77.74) Submitted: 8/18/2008 9:31:47 PM : Start Price: $14.30 AVD Score: -40.06

This stock is projected by Value Line to double earnings in the next five years, has actually doubled earnings in the past five years, is selling at price-earnings multiples (P/Es) that are 110 percent or less of Value Line's projected earnings growth rate, and has a safety rating of average or better.

LEGMAKER (< 20) Submitted: 6/19/2008 9:11:26 PM : Start Price: $12.80 AVD Score: -30.43

I love stocks that slip by through the radar. Small companies, many investors have not heard of, selling at a value. Even better, they may be positioned within sectors that are off and running, like agriculture. Those who have read my stuff know that I have been bullish fertilizer and seed companies for some time now. Some stocks I like better like POT and others that trade at a value like CMP, and there are areas that are being ignored, such as agricultural chemicals. Just like seeds and fertilizer, insecticides and other chemicals are seeing increased pricing power. They have been ignored as farmers in the United States and Canada prefer to purchase seeds that are genetically altered to be resistant to insects, fungus and etc. The reason that we are still seeing a large demand for these chemicals is that many countries do not allow some or all of the technologies that are offered by companies such as Monsanto. Investors anticipate that countries such as China will allow these technologies, but I believe they will continue to use chemicals until they develop their own.

AVD seems to be well positioned going forward. Tight supplies of agricultural commodities have pushed prices upward in corn, soybeans, and etc. These higher prices have caused an increased production and in turn a need for more fertilizer and chemicals. As I believe that pricing is headed even higher, chemicals will continue to see the same. This is due to the four F’s, and that is food, feed, fuel and fiber. Seeds with genetic changes should help these compounds as many different types of lands will be able to be planted as drought resistance is addressed. Also, they have begun to develop a partnership with Monsanto and should see additional benefits going forward.

When consolidation starts, it becomes eat or be eaten, and AVD has decided to pull up a chair to the dinner table. They have acquired quite a few chemicals since 1989, 22 to be precise. Dacthal has not only been built back into the market as it was discontinued in 1998, but also has a 40% price increase. Metam has a 60% market share through better marketing and sales. Even though this company has a very small market cap ($339 million) they are diverse. Their products handle a broad exposure including 27% corn, 23% vegetables, 16% potatoes, 13% specialty, 12% cotton, and 9% tree fruit. AVD first position for growth is with corn, as they are working on resistance management, yield enhancement, and impact to the current market place. In 2007, a host of Big Ten schools did research on AVD’s Smartbox CSI used in conjunction with CRW corn trait and found it increased 12 bushels per acre, then just using the seed alone. One comparison was as high as 18 bushels per acre. There IMPACT herbicide has been approved for use with Roudup ready products, and has no know week resistance helping to control glyphosate resistant weeds.

Even though domestic markets will not allow for major growth in upcoming years, international markets look to be an area of focus. In 2005, their international sales were 7.9% of total sales. In 2006, that number increased to 8.9% and last year 15.2%.

Currently this stock has pulled back from its 52 week high of $20.30 and is now setting at $12.82. This has brought the forward PE down to 12. Growth estimates have the company growing 16.2% this year and 30.4% next year. The only downside to the company is their debt. This is mainly from their acquisitions, but with the bright future in agriculture their stock could take off.

bigongit1 (26.54) Submitted: 5/28/2008 6:03:42 PM : Start Price: $12.80 AVD Score: -27.07

I own it in my real portfolio. I am hoping this recent decline in share price represents a good entry point, and is not reflective of some deeper issue with this company.

NatMan08 (< 20) Submitted: 5/12/2008 6:14:34 PM : Start Price: $17.08 AVD Score: -40.30

Not well known. Agriculture chemicals will be hot this year.

dukester7 (30.16) Submitted: 4/24/2008 5:01:11 PM : Start Price: $16.81 AVD Score: -40.19

It is the season for corn.

minsk74 (38.16) Submitted: 4/16/2008 8:14:10 PM : Start Price: $16.96 AVD Score: -42.55

This stock is a phantom of sorts. It does not come up in most search results when you research the industry. There are no lengthy discussions about it in the news or blogs. It has not been overly analyzed by professional analysts, urging hordes of panicking people to either buy or sell. Thus, the company did not attract too much attention to itself from those hordes of panicking people, who are trying to find some kind of consensus among financial advisors, as well as among private investor bloggers, who, as expected by panicking hordes, will lead the way to the “risk-free” investments that would set them for life. Meanwhile, the company’s financials look solid, P/E is below the industry average, and therefore the stock is priced decently, without the surcharge of the industry craze, that is hiking the prices of the more actively tracked stocks in the same industry. I have not done an extensive research, but I think AVD could be given a try, at least while it is on the rise.

notwork (< 20) Submitted: 4/7/2008 7:58:53 AM : Start Price: $15.61 AVD Score: -37.83

they just bought orthene. I like the way it smells.

capecodbum (< 20) Submitted: 6/21/2007 9:26:14 AM : Start Price: $13.26 AVD Score: -23.53

4th qtr profit increase is predicted; weather has been favorable for the need for chemical pest control; increase demand for corn also increased the demand for the treatments AVD produces.

Financially, they have good return on capital, 35% internal ownership of their stock and 58% institutional ownership. There has been increase in sales due to the new aquisition made in Nov 2006. These are usually indicators of a good long-term outlook.

rakapu (24.50) Submitted: 6/15/2007 5:11:07 PM : Start Price: $13.54 AVD Score: -23.47

I heard today that corn planting is up 15% compared to last year, mainly due to demand for ethanol. This could provide a nice boost to AVD, as they sell corn pesticides. I bet this will be seen in their next earnings release.

mikerobwil (< 20) Submitted: 3/1/2007 12:43:33 PM : Start Price: $16.57 AVD Score: -40.84

Strong and experienced management team continues to grow the company in a direction that has created consistently high returns.

fatdiesel (95.58) Submitted: 9/29/2006 7:29:42 PM : Start Price: $13.76 AVD Score: -36.29

Buy on the dips and give it time.