Updated on October 31st, 2024 by Felix Martinez
Tennant Company (TNC) has increased its dividend for over 53 years, and as a result, it has joined the list of Dividend Kings.
The Dividend Kings are a group of 53 stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 years. We believe the Dividend Kings are among the highest-quality dividend growth stocks to buy and hold for the long term.
With this in mind, we created a full list of all 53 Dividend Kings. You can download the full list, along with important financial metrics such as dividend yields and price-to-earnings ratios, by clicking on the link below:
Tennant Company is a reliable dividend growth stock that can increase its dividend, even during recessions.
At the same time, the stock appears undervalued, making Tennant Company stock a buy for dividend growth investors.
Business Overview
Tennant Company is a machinery company that produces cleaning products and offers cleaning solutions to its customers. In the US, the company holds the market leadership position in its industry, but the company also sells its products in more than 100 additional countries around the globe. Tennant was founded in 1870.
The company reported a 3.6% rise in net sales for the third quarter of 2024, reaching $315.8 million, driven by increased pricing across all regions and volume growth in the Americas. Adjusted EBITDA grew 4.4% to $47.9 million, reflecting the strong sales momentum. Cash flow from operations totaled $30.7 million, supported by over 100% conversion from net income to free cash flow. The company also announced a 5.4% dividend increase, marking its 53rd consecutive year of dividend growth, and launched the T291 small walk-behind scrubber, tailored for various commercial environments.
Regionally, Tennant saw organic net sales growth of 4.6% in the Americas, benefiting from effective pricing strategies and volume increases. However, sales in EMEA and APAC fell by 0.8% and 4.3%, respectively, due to lower demand in specific markets, particularly China and Australia. The company’s gross margin was impacted by inflation and high freight costs, decreasing to 42.4%, though partially offset by strategic price adjustments. Operating expenses increased by $4.5 million, including costs from the TCS acquisition and ERP modernization efforts.
Looking ahead, Tennant reaffirmed its 2024 guidance, projecting net sales between $1.28 billion and $1.305 billion, with organic growth of 2.5% to 4.5%. The company expects adjusted diluted EPS of $6.15 to $6.55 and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.0% to 16.5%. With liquidity strengthened through an expanded credit facility and a net leverage ratio of 0.56, Tennant remains well-positioned to support its growth strategy, focusing on new product introductions, market expansion, and disciplined pricing practices.
Source: Investor Presentation
Growth Prospects
Tennant Company’s earnings-per-share were quite lumpy over the last decade. Overall, the trend pointed upward, but there were many ups and downs; the company has not been able to grow its earnings consistently.
Between 2013 and 2023, Tennant Company recorded an average annual earnings-per-share growth rate of 9.1%.
However, Tennant Company’s earnings-per-share saw some ups and downs in that time frame, such as in 2017, when profits were down considerably compared to the previous year.
The company expects 2024 to also be a weak year compared to 2023.
Source: Investor Presentation
Tennant has plans to grow its sales organically, especially in the Asia/Pacific region, where it benefits from above-average market growth rates.
The takeover of Chinese cleaning equipment company Gaomei improved Tennant’s sales outlook in the Chinese and other Asian markets over the next couple of years.
Synergies from this acquisition and other moves to bolster the overall profitability and the business in Asia will increasingly pay off and should deliver attractive earnings growth for Tennant.
We expect 6% annual earnings-per-share growth over the next five years for Tennant.
Competitive Advantages & Recession Performance
Tennant Company is the leader in the US cleaning machines market. This position gives it a competitive advantage, as it allows for better economies of scale and a superior sales network compared to its peers.
During the last financial crisis, Tennant remained profitable, but its earnings still suffered considerably. Tennant’s earnings-per-share throughout the Great Recession of 2007-2009 are listed below:
- 2007 earnings-per-share of $1.79
- 2008 earnings-per-share of $1.35 (24.6% decline)
- 2009 earnings-per-share of $0.65 (51.8% decline)
- 2010 earnings-per-share of $1.31 (101.5% increase)
As you can see, Tennant’s earnings-per-share declined significantly in 2008 and 2009, showing that the company is vulnerable to economic downturns. However, the company more than doubled its earnings-per-share in 2010, showing that it can rebound quickly from recessions.
The company reported earnings-per-share growth in 2020 and 2021 when the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession.
Valuation & Expected Returns
Tennant is expected to generate earnings-per-share of $6.35 for 2024. Based on this, the stock trades for a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.8. Our fair value estimate is a price-to-earnings ratio of 18. Thus, the stock appears significantly undervalued. An expanding price-to-earnings ratio could increase annual returns by 5.0% yearly over the next five years.
Future returns will also include earnings-per-share growth and dividends. We expect Tennant to grow earnings-per-share each year by 6.0%, primarily through organic revenue growth and acquisitions.
In addition, shares have a 1.2% current dividend yield. The combination of valuation changes, earnings growth, and dividends results in total expected returns of 12.2% per year over the next five years. We rate the stock a buy.
Tennant Company has been valued at high multiples throughout the last decade. This is somewhat surprising, as its growth has been solid but not outstanding. Still, based on our earnings-per-share estimate, shares are trading below what we deem a fair valuation for the company.
Tennant has a secure dividend, with a projected dividend payout ratio of about 18% for 2024. This gives the company enough room to continue increasing the dividend at a rate in line with its adjusted EPS growth rate.
Final Thoughts
Tennant Company is the leader in its niche market. Organic growth and acquisitions should fuel a solid growth rate over the next several years. Shareholders should also see continued dividend increases each year.
Following a great year in 2023, Tennant will likely see its profits stay flat or lower in 2024. Tennant shares have high expected total returns, which is why we rate the stock a buy.
If you are interested in finding more high-quality dividend growth stocks suitable for long-term investment, the following Sure Dividend databases will be useful:
- The Dividend Aristocrats List: S&P 500 stocks with 25+ years of dividend increases.
- The High Dividend Stocks List: stocks that appeal to investors interested in the highest yields of 5% or more.
- The Monthly Dividend Stocks List: stocks that pay dividends every month, for 12 dividend payments per year.
The major domestic stock market indices are another solid resource for finding investment ideas. Sure Dividend compiles the following stock market databases and updates them monthly: