Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Please give me your current opinion on TransDigm Group. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

TransDigm Group, $143.09, symbol TDG on New York (Shares outstanding: 52.4 million; Market cap: $7.5 billion; www.transdigm.com), is a leading maker of parts for commercial and military planes. The company’s main products include ignition systems and engine technology, pumps and valves, electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, latching and locking devices, cockpit security systems, displays, seatbelts, lighting and control technology. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, TransDigm’s revenue rose 10.0%, to $465.6 million from $423.5 million a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, earnings per share gained 5.5%, to $1.74 from $1.65. TransDigm continues to make a lot of acquisitions. It recently bought Florida-based Aerosonic Corporation for $39 million. Aerosonic makes airspeed indicators, stall-warning systems and other parts for business jets, helicopters and military aircraft. In addition, it recently purchased Arkwin Industries for $286 million. Arkwin, located on Long Island, New York, makes engineered hydraulic and fuel system components for commercial and military aircraft, including helicopters. Planes that use Arkwin’s…