Seeking Alpha: Norcraft Executing Its Model To Good Effect

Even though the new housing market has yet to rebound as strongly as many have hoped, the remodeling market has been stronger. That, coupled with strong discipline to drive an improved mix and walk away from low-margin business, has helped Norcraft (NYSE:NCFT) post solid revenue growth and margin improvement in recent quarters.

Better sales and margins have also been good for the stock, which has risen about 38% since my last piece on this cabinet maker in May of 2014. To be sure, it hasn't been that hard to make money in stocks tied to remodel/renovation, as direct competitors like Fortune Brands Home & Security (NYSE:FBHS), Masco (NYSE:MAS), and American Woodmark (NASDAQ:AMWD) have risen 14%, 26%, and 101% respectively, and other plays on the space like Mohawk (NYSE:MHK), Headwaters (NYSE:HW) (a building materials company), and Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI) have rise 33%, 41%, and 5% respectively over that same period of time.

There's still a lot to like about Norcraft, and next week's (March 30th) earnings report could be another opportunity for management to deliver further improvements in mix and margins. These shares don't look so cheap these days, though another beat-and-raise quarter will at least kick the argument about valuation down the road a little further.

Read the full article here:
Norcraft Executing Its Model To Good Effect