UTX transformation should boost dividend

Article Excerpt

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP. $137 (New York symbol UTX; Conservative-Growth Payer Portfolio; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 862.8 million; Market cap: $118.2 billion; Dividend yield: 2.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.utc.com) is leading maker of jet engines (Pratt & Whitney), aircraft controls (Collins Aerospace Systems), heating and air-conditioning equipment (Carrier), and elevators (Otis). Overall revenue fell 3.1%, from $57.9 billion in 2014 to $56.1 billion in 2015 on the sale of its Sikorsky helicopter business for $9 billion. Revenue then rose to $57.2 billion in 2016 and increased to $59.8 billion in 2017. Following the Sikorsky sale, earnings fell from $6.65 a share (or a total of $6.1 billion) in 2014 to $4.53 a share (or $4.0 billion) in 2015. Earnings improved to $6.13 a share (or $5.1 billion) in 2016, but fell to $5.70 a share (or $4.6 billion) in 2017 due to charges related to the new U.S. tax rules. Rockwell purchase lifts revenue, earnings In November 2018, the company acquired Rockwell Collins for…