Pick of the Manufacturers: Buy Tempur-Pedic, hold Dorel Industries

Article Excerpt

TEMPUR-PEDIC $6.50 (New York symbol TPX; SI Rating: Speculative)(800-878-8889; www.tempurpedic.com; Shares outstanding: 74.4 million; Market cap: $483.6 million) makes and distributes Swedish mattresses and neck pillows made from its own Tempur material. The material conforms to the body to provide support and help alleviate pressure points. Tempur-Pedic sells its products in over 70 countries. In the quarter ended December 31, 2008, a slowing economy pushed down Tempur-Pedic’s earnings by 68.2%, to $12.7 million, or $0.17 a share, from $39.9 million, or $0.52 a year earlier. Sales fell 34.6%, to $189.1 million from $289 million. U.S. revenue dropped 39.4%, and international sales fell 26.7% Dividend cut will conserve cash Tempur-Pedic remains focused on paying down its debt. It paid off $99.4 million worth in the latest quarter, and the remaining $419.3 million is equal to 87% of its market cap. To conserve cash and further pay down long-term debt, Tempur-Pedic suspended its $0.08 a share dividend late last year. Tempur-Pedic needs an economic recovery…