The Monthly Gems by Allan TongOtis Worldwide Corp.OTISTOP PICKMay 05, 2022

Look at revenues and find out who's building office towers. Look at recurring revenues, because elevators often break down and need constant service. Kone is more European while Otis is global. If the USD falls, Otis will improve better. It comes down to the USD.

#1 in new equipment, with 19% market share. Global, over 70% of operations outside NA. Service side is very high margin. Package deal of elevator + service contract is about 60%, increasing over time. Aging elevators. Long-term, attractive growth. Yield is 1.6%.

The worst sector is commercial real estate and yet Otis, which supplied these building elevators, is hitting 52-week highs. A lot of credit goes to the CEO.

Today, they reported a solid quarter: a modest top and bottom line beat, and strong and surprising organic growth. Shares have already rallied 32% from last fall's bottom, it popped another 2.8% today to make a new 52-week high. Wall Street remains bearish on non-residential construction, which benefits Otis.

She's likes the elevator industry; it's an oligopoly. The servicing side of the business has high, recurring margins. This would cushion the company if we enter weaker economic times. Last year saw growth for Otis in China. Also, elevators in Europe are aging, where Otis has a big slice of the market. Another tailwind is workers returning to offices and those buildings need elevators. Also, Otis is making their elevators go digital which helps servicing. Otis shares have pulled back with the market, but she would slowly add more shares.