Updating your Cyclical-Growth Payers: Genuine Parts Co.

Article Excerpt

GENUINE PARTS CO. $90 is a buy. The company (New York symbol GPC; Income-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 145.9 million; Market cap: $13.1 billion; Dividend yield: 3.5%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.genpt.com) sells replacement auto parts through company-owned stores (under the NAPA banner) and independent outlets in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It also distributes industrial parts, office products and electrical equipment. Starting with the April 2020 payment, Genuine will raise your quarter dividend by 3.6%. Investors will then receive $0.79 a share instead of $0.7625. The new annual rate of $3.16 offers you an appealing 3.5% yield. Investors have now enjoyed an annual dividend increase for 64 consecutive years. The company typically fuels its growth with acquisitions. It cuts the risk of expanding this way by focusing on smaller businesses that its existing operations can easily absorb. Thanks to the contribution of those new operations, Genuine’s revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2019, rose 2.2%, to $4.71…