Dana: Margin Gains Are Real, but the Eaton Deal Now Decides the Upside
Summary
I am downgrading Dana's rating from a STRONG BUY to a BUY. For Q2 Dana delivered sales of $2.01Bn, adjusted EBITDA of $207Mn and a 10.3% adjusted EBITDA margin. Revenue rose 4% and the margin expanded 270 basis points y/y.
The operating thesis strengthened. Gross margin reached 10.4%, the three-year net-new-business backlog increased to $950Mn, and full-year adjusted EBITDA and free-cash-flow guidance moved higher.
Unfortunately, the per-share thesis weakened. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance fell to $1.75 to $2.25, and the planned Eaton Mobility combination makes transaction execution the main source of upside and risk.
On December 12th, we will be bringing together investors and long-term thinkers at Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki for the Annual Henriot Capital Investor’s Summit. A full day of research, markets, meaningful conversations and shared experiences, built around one idea: long-term wealth conversations for future generations. Request an invitation below.





