Lower costs point to a brighter future

Article Excerpt

These three industrial stocks continue to benefit from recent restructurings, which put them in a better position to weather the cyclical markets they serve. As well, lower costs will keep fuelling their earnings as demand continues to recover. Their stronger balance sheets will also let them expand by purchasing related companies. Moreover, all three trade at reasonable multiples to earnings, and have long histories of paying dividends. GENUINE PARTS CO. $53 (New York symbol GPC; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 157.3 million; Market cap: $8.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; Dividend yield: 3.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.genpt.com) distributes auto parts to over 4,800 independent stores in North America. It also operates 1,000 auto-parts stores under the NAPA banner. Genuine Parts gets roughly 50% of its sales and earnings by selling replacement auto parts. The company also distributes industrial parts (31% of sales, 30% of earnings), office furniture (15%, 16%), and electrical equipment (4%, 4%). Operating in a number of businesses protects Genuine Parts…