Since we looked at Cree last year, the company has regained one of the two points it lost from 2011 to 2012, as revenue growth has been strong recently. The stock has done even better, soaring 80% over the past year.
As recently as last summer, Cree looked like it was stuck in the dark. Given the company’s reliance on light-emitting diode-based lighting and other products, a highly competitive market and seasonal factors had left the stock with big losses. Since then, though, Cree has bounced back, with strong growth and new innovation that has helped it stand up to its rivals. For instance, last May, the company showed a prototype of a dimmable LED lamp that it built with partner Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ:MRVL).
One challenge with LED lighting is that it has been prohibitively expensive. But Cree just announced last week that it Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ:MRVL). would introduce a series of LED bulbs that will include a 40-watt replacement option below the $10 price point. That’s still quite a bit above the corresponding costs for incandescent and even energy-efficient compact-fluorescent bulbs, but Cree was optimistic enough about the release to push up its revenue and earnings guidance for the current quarter.
Still, other companies are seeing the value of the LED industry. Both General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) and Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (ADR) (NYSE:PHG) have introduced LED replacement bulbs in the past year. GE’s extensive distribution network and reputation in the industry will give it a competitive edge over Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) and other smaller players. At the same time, Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:PANL) is trying to up-end the industry with its organic LED products, which offer even greater efficiency. The OLED leader has grown even more quickly than Cree, and it has managed to achieve more than double Cree’s net margins with its premium products.
For Cree to improve, it needs to work on getting its margins and earnings up in order to support its lofty share price. If it can tap into the potential for energy savings from more efficient lighting, then Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) could continue to grow at its current pace and get ever-closer to perfection in the years ahead.
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No stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfect than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you’ll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate out the best investments from the rest.
The article Has Cree Become the Perfect Stock? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Dan Caplinger.
Fool contributor Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Universal Display. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric and Universal Display.
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