Updating MTS Systems Corp., Yum China Holdings Inc., and Symantec Corp.

Article Excerpt

MTS SYSTEMS CORP. $53 (www.mts.com) makes equipment and software that manufacturers use to test the behaviour of materials, machines and structures. It also makes sensors for industrial equipment. In the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the company’s revenue fell 1.1%, to $191.3 million from $193.4 million a year earlier. That decline is due to a drop in demand for testing equipment and unfavourable currency rates. Earnings rose 15.8%, to $0.44 a share from $0.38. However, if you exclude unusual items, earnings per share fell 32.8%. Hold. YUM CHINA HOLDINGS INC. $32 (www.yumchina.com) has over 8,200 fast-food outlets in more than 1,200 Chinese cities and towns. Most operate under the KFC or Pizza Hut banner. The stock has declined 20% since the start of 2018. That’s partly due to new tariffs on U.S. imports into China, including soybeans and pork. That would increase Yum China’s costs. However, the company’s strong brands should let it pass along those increases to its customers. Buy. SYMANTEC CORP. $21 (www.symantec.com) has launched a new email…