GENUINE PARTS CO. $96

GENUINE PARTS CO. $96 (New York symbol GPC; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 149.6 million; Market cap: $14.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 2.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.genpt.com) distributes replacement auto parts, industrial parts, office products and electrical equipment. The company is paying an undisclosed sum for The Safety Zone. This private firm makes and distributes a variety of safety products for the janitorial, food service and other industries. These include latex gloves, lab coats and gowns, ear plugs and safety glasses. The purchase will add $180 million to Genuine’s annual sales of $15.3 billion. Genuine Parts is a buy.

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