We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Auto Components and Parts Stocks to Buy Right Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Aptiv PLC (NYSE:APTV) stands against the other auto components and parts stocks.
Auto Sector Outlook Adjusted with Focus on Innovation and Market Realities
As reported by Barron’s on September 10, Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu analyzed the U.S. automotive industry and gave a cautious outlook. Out of 17 car companies he reviewed, only three were rated as Buy, which is lower than usual. Yu thinks the U.S. car market is reaching the end of its growth phase after the boost it got post-pandemic. While the situation is not collapsing, he pointed out that high car prices, expensive payments, and high used car prices are making the future of new car prices less promising.
Other analysts also showed a similar sentiment as we discussed in our article about the most undervalued auto stocks to buy. Here is an excerpt from the article:
“As reported by TipRanks, Morgan Stanley recently released a report, in which in which it pointed out major changes in the automotive industry, mainly due to China’s growing production capabilities. The firm mentioned that China is now making 9 million more cars than it sells, which is shaking up competition in the Western market.
Due to this, the bank has downgraded its assessment of the U.S. auto industry from Attractive to In-Line. The change reflects rising vehicle inventories in the U.S., affordability challenges for consumers, and an increase in credit defaults among less-than-prime borrowers.
On a brighter note for car dealerships, the bank upgraded several franchise dealer stocks to Overweight.”
More Americans Owe More Than Their Cars Are Worth
A report from Edmunds.com reveals that more Americans with auto loans now owe more than their vehicles’ worth, with the average upside-down loan reaching a record $6,458 in the third quarter. This reflects rising financial strain on consumers, as delinquency rates on auto loans have also surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
While owing slightly more than a vehicle’s value isn’t necessarily critical, Edmunds noted that 22% of borrowers with negative equity owe over $10,000, and 7.5% owe more than $15,000. The issue stems largely from consumers who bought vehicles at inflated prices during the pandemic, with their values dropping as inventories recovered.
Prime Auto Loans Show Strain but Broader Crisis Unlikely
Matthew Mish, UBS head of credit strategy, recently joined CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ and highlighted growing concerns around auto loan delinquencies. While traditionally, subprime loans were the primary concern, prime loans, which represent 80-85% of auto loans, are now showing elevated delinquency levels approaching those seen in 2009. However, Mish emphasized that net losses are not increasing at the same rate as delinquencies, partly due to a trend called “churning,” where borrowers miss payments but then catch up.
Despite these concerns, he noted that auto loans only make up a small portion of household and bank debt. Mish also pointed out that consumer credit, especially auto and credit card loans, may face more challenges moving forward, but he downplayed the possibility of a broader financial crisis. He further indicated that while mortgage delinquencies are rising, they remain below historical averages, and the focus should be on consumer loans.
The bank downgraded its view on high-yield auto credit to Underweight, but Mish advised caution and noted that the data does not yet indicate a severe economic downturn.
Our Methodology
For this article, we used stock screeners to identify over 30 auto components and parts stocks with a market cap above $300 million. We narrowed our list to 7 stocks most widely held by institutional investors. The stocks are listed in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q2 database of 912 hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A closeup of a hand holding a car engine component, highlighting the precision of the company’s engineering.
Aptiv PLC (NYSE:APTV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
One of the best auto components and parts stocks, Aptiv PLC (NYSE:APTV) is a technology and mobility solution that focuses on the automotive sector. The company provides end-to-end services to facilitate the shift towards electrified, software-driven vehicles. Aptiv designs and manufactures critical vehicle components, specializing in electrical, electronic, and safety technologies.
Its business is divided into two main segments: Signal and Power Solutions, which focuses on vehicle electrical architecture, and Advanced Safety and User Experience, which develops technologies for vehicle safety and user experience, including autonomous driving solutions. Aptiv operates globally with nearly 140 manufacturing facilities and 11 technical centers, serving the top 25 automotive OEMs in 50 countries. It is positioned to benefit from the industry’s shift towards safer, greener, and more connected vehicles, driven by consumer demand and regulatory trends.
Aptiv (NYSE:APTV) is investing in innovative technologies like electrification, autonomous driving, and vehicle connectivity to maintain its competitive edge in these areas.
In August, the company announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Orgadam, Chennai, with a focus on producing software-defined cockpit solutions. The company is investing over $45 million in engineering and infrastructure, doubling the plant’s workforce to support the production of advanced cockpit controllers, radars, cameras, and electronic control units for both Indian and global markets.
Its plant will play a key role in supporting India’s automotive industry, providing solutions to reduce complexity, improve performance, and lower costs. The expansion is part of Aptiv’s (NYSE:APTV) nearly 30-year commitment to growing its presence in India, which includes offering a range of connected vehicle technologies.
Overall APTV ranks 3rd on our list of the best auto components and parts stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of APTV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than APTV but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.