Unique products give them an edge

These two firms make products that help other companies lower their costs. Both are now taking steps to strengthen their long-term prospects. But it will take some time for those moves to pay off.

TERADATA CORP. $32 (New York symbol TDC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing… Read More

MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $59

MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $59 (Nasdaq symbol MTSC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 14.8 million; Market cap: $873.2 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 2.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mts.com) makes equipment and software that manufacturers use to test the behaviour of materials,… Read More

Demand cuts risk for three tech leaders

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. $40 (New York symbol A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 327.8 million; Market cap: $13.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2; Dividend yield: 1.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.agilent.com) makes testing equipment for medical research labs.

In November 2015, the company paid… Read More

Keep holding these top-quality small caps

These three small-cap manufacturers continue to dominate their niche industries. They’re staying ahead of the competition by developing innovative products or building their businesses through timely acquisitions.

But all three operate in cyclical industries, and their share prices have fallen lately as economic growth slows… Read More

MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $56 – Nasdaq symbol MTSC

MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $56 (Nasdaq symbol MTSC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 14.9 million; Market cap: $834.4 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.5; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mts.com) makes equipment and software that manufacturers use to test the behaviour of materials,… Read More