Restructuring Gains Help Protect Dividend

Article Excerpt

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. $14 (New York symbol BGG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 49.7 million; Market cap: $695.8 million; WSSF Rating: Above average) earned $0.75 a share in its third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008, up 25% from $0.60 a year earlier. The year-earlier figure excludes a $0.42 a share restructuring charge. However, sales rose just 1.1%, to $724.8 million from $717.0 million. Lower sales volumes of pressure washers and generators offset a 6% rise in lawnmower engine sales. Demand for the company’s products will likely remain soft until the housing market improves. Meanwhile, Briggs’ recent restructuring will help it stay profitable. It’s also shifting more of its production to low-cost countries. These moves should give the company enough cash to support its $0.88 dividend, which yields 6.3%. Briggs & Stratton is a buy. buy…