Smaller Motor Homes Bring Lower Profits

Article Excerpt

WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. $30 (New York symbol WGO; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 31.6 million; Market cap: $948.0 million; WSSF Rating: Average) is struggling with higher gas prices and higher interest rates. Demand for its smaller, more fuel-efficient motor homes is growing, but they generate lower profits than Winnebago’s larger models. Higher labor and raw material costs are also squeezing its profits. The stock has moved down in the past few months, but a new share buyback plan should help support it. It now trades at 24.0 times the $1.25 a share it should earn in its current fiscal year. The company also raised its quarterly dividend 20%, from $0.10 a share to $0.12. The new annual rate of $0.48 yields 1.6%. Winnebago is a hold. hold…