Smiths Group Going Nowhere Fast

It's never fun, but sometimes companies force you to conclude that your prior assumptions were just wrong (or you can take the time-tested bagholder approach of "I'm not wrong, I'm early!"). In the case of Smiths Group (OTCPK:SMGZY) (SMIN.L), I thought earlier this year that management was on the cusp of delivering the sort of results and portfolio transformations that would show a true break from its not-so-charming past trend of weak growth and questionable capital allocation/portfolio management. Since then, I just haven't seen the sort of follow-through I need to see to maintain that optimism.

To be sure, Smiths isn't a disaster, and fiscal 2018 was the first upturn in organic growth in some time. Moreover, there is still some apparent undervaluation based on what I think are fairly undemanding assumptions. If management can get its "stuff" together - drive better margins in John Crane, turn around or sell Medical, improve Detection, and lay out a more coherent strategic portfolio plan - there's still room for this stock to do better. But in the short term, I believe the disappointments of the past few weeks and months will continue to weigh on sentiment and valuation.

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Smiths Group Going Nowhere Fast