This

article features as part of our proprietary research into the effects of the Fiscal Cliff and related budget reduction factors on the US Defense industry

Why Oshkosh (NYSE:OSK) is a top SELL target

Here is how the tale goes: you have a company producing different products, for different markets, and for different purposes. But with one common denominator: they are all specialty vehicles. It is Oshkosh, in a nutshell. Solid products for mature markets One would think this is THE recipe for success. Possibly. A deeper look at the road it has taken, though, reveals pits not even the most powerful four-wheel drive may be able to surmount. The majority of their sales are linked to the Defense sector and, needless to say, the Presidential election and the potential US budget sequestration are haunting presences. Furthermore, not only their sales, but their profitability too is largely dependent on the Defense segment: - - Defense sales represents 79% of Total Sales in 2011 The associated operating income is 90% in the same year

 An undeniable disproportion; and the cracks keep appearing as the analysis ventures into the future. Since the company has no product diversification (it manufactures only vehicles), the dependence on the US market (and the Defense budget) is sizeable. In fact, some 82% of Total Sales in 2011 were destined to the US, thereof 56% to US government. In addition to this, there are some compounding effects adding complexity to an already intricate tale. The company states they are affected by the spend in OCO (Overseas Contingency Operations) since they provide armouring and maintenance services at areas nears to in the theatre of military conflicts. Moreover, the Presidents FY2013 budget request to Congress presented on February 13, 2012 shows a significant reduction of programs in which Oshkosh is the main contractor. The overall reduction totals 653 mUSD and it represents a -60% delta to the FY2012 budget. A cloudy horizon seems to be ahead. Solid vehicles means solid balance sheets too? Not quite so. The overall amount of debt (long term and short term) has been increasing over the past years and has reached a preoccupying Debt/Equity ratio of 172% in 2011, vastly above the industry average. But there is more. Or less, in cash terms. The company is in cash distress, offering a meagre Cash/Total Assets ratio of 9% in 2011 and it has not paid out any dividend in the past two years. Predictably, the stock has underperformed the benchmark indices (S&P Midcap 400 and SIC Code 371 index) since 2008. So the moral of the tale is clear: even a company offering strong products to stable markets has its weaknesses, and it will take more than powerful engine to help it escape the imminent storm coming its way. By Lorenzo Beriozza for PuriCassar AG