Steady gains for Linamar

Article Excerpt

LINAMAR CORP. $72 (Toronto symbol LNR; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 65.3 million; Market cap: $4.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.8; Dividend yield: 0.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.linamar.com) makes a variety of automotive parts, including cylinder heads, cylinder blocks, camshafts, crankshafts and connecting rods. It also makes self-propelled, scissortype elevating work platforms under the Skyjack brand as well as other machinery for industrial clients. Linamar’s overall sales in the second quarter of 2017 rose 6.6%, to $1.8 billion from $1.7 billion a year earlier. Sales at its powertrain division (80% of the total) rose 2.8% onhigher demand and favourable currency exchange rates. Sales of industrial equipment (20%) jumped 24.5% on higher demand in North America, Europe for Skyjack platforms and other construction-related equipment. Earnings in the quarter rose 2.9%, to $161.9 million, or $2.45 a share, from $157.3 million, or $2.39. Linamar is a buy. buy…