Dutton Associates continues coverage of 21st Century Holding
Company (Nasdaq: TCHC) raising its rating to Buy and a
price target of $12.00. The 10-page report by Dutton Associates senior
analyst Richard W. West, CFA, is available at www.duttonassociates.com
as well as from First Call, Bloomberg, FactSet, Capital IQ, and other
leading financial portals.
After the release of 2Q results, we lowered TCHC’s
rating from Strong Buy to Strong Speculative Buy and lowered the price
target from $16.00 to $9.00. However, in view of maintaining the
quarterly dividend rate of $0.18, its resulting dividend yield of over
10%, and after analysis of 21st Century’s
results in comparison with comparable peer groups, we now raise the
rating to Buy and raise the price target to $12.00 per share. On pages 7
and 8 of our report we compare TCHC to four insurance companies, three
larger and one similarly sized. In all regards, 21st Century is
relatively undervalued. Assuming the maintenance of the $0.18 quarterly
dividend, purchase of 21st Century’s common
stock will provide a 10.7 % current yield on the expected $0.72
dividend. Management’s decision to diversify
away from dependency upon property, auto, and mobile home insurance,
while increasing its general liability underwriting, is being
accomplished. It continues to diversify its geographical underwriting
areas, becoming qualified in states outside of Florida, and is now
underwriting commercial general liability coverage as an admitted
carrier in Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama, for more than 300 classes of
business, including special events. It also operates as an approved
(non-admitted) carrier in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, South
Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas, offering the same general liability
products. The goal for 21st Century is to become a national underwriter,
and the diversification of its general liability underwriting is a major
step toward this goal.
About Dutton Associates
Dutton Associates is one of the largest independent investment research
firms in the U.S. Its 30 senior analysts are primarily CFAs, and have
expertise in many industries. Dutton Associates provides continuing
analyst coverage of over 140 enrolled companies, and its research,
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institutions and online investors.
The cost of enrollment in our one-year continuing research program is US
$35,000 prepaid for 4 Research Reports, typically published quarterly,
and requisite Research Notes. We received $88,500 from the Company for
12 reports commencing 7/28/2004, and do not accept payment of our fees
in company stock. Our principals and analysts are prohibited from owning
or trading in securities of covered companies. The views expressed in
this research report accurately reflect the analyst's personal views
about the subject securities or issuer. Neither the analyst's
compensation nor the compensation received by us is in any way related
to the specific ratings or views contained in this research report or
note. Please read full disclosures and analyst background at www.jmdutton.com
before investing.
Dutton Associates
John Dutton, President, 916-960-0624