Updating MTS Systems Corp., The Boeing Co., ABB Ltd. ADRs and Genuine Parts Co.

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MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $41 (Nasdaq symbol MTSC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & industry sector; Shares outstanding: 17.0 million; Market cap: $697.0 million; WSSF Rating: Average) has sold its Nano Instruments division for a gain of $2.5 million. This business makes products that accurately measure the thickness and hardness of adhesives, coatings and other thin films. The sale will help fund MTS’s recent purchase of a Chinese company that makes testing equipment. Meanwhile, MTS’s earnings in its third fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2008 rose 17.0%, to $11.0 million from $9.4 million a year earlier. Earnings per share grew 23.1%, to $0.64 from $0.52, on fewer shares outstanding. Sales rose 11.1%, to $116.9 million from $105.2 million. MTS Systems is a buy. THE BOEING CO. $65 (New York symbol BA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 740.3 million; Market cap: $48.1 billion; WSSF Rating: Above average) hopes to begin test flights of its new 787 Dreamliner plane in November, 2008. That’s…