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4 Machinery Growth Stocks to Buy as Manufacturing Picks Up
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U.S manufacturing activity, which accounts for about 12% of the economy, has been witnessing sustained expansion for 13 consecutive months. The primary gauge of manufacturing activity, Manufacturing PMI released by The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), accelerated to 60.8 in September, marking its highest level since May 2004. This upbeat reading was fueled by a rise in new orders, production and employment.
Upbeat Numbers Instill Optimism
The index of national factory activity of 60.8 in September rose from 58.8 reading in August, ahead of market expectations of 58. A reading above 50 indicates increased factory activity. In September, of the 18 manufacturing industries, growth was witnessed across 17 industries, led primarily by Textile Mills; Machinery and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. Such a high number of industries reporting expansion suggest underlying economic strength.
Also, industrial production — a measure of the level of output of manufacturing, mining and utilities sectors in a country — grew at an annual rate of 4.7% in the second quarter. In July, industrial production grew 2.2% supported by 1.2% growth in manufacturing industry and 10.2% in mining, offset partially by 0.6% fall in utilities. However, industrial production dipped 0.9% in August due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast of Texas late in the month.
U.S. GDP Tops Expectations in Q2
U.S. economic output grew at a 3.1% annual rate in the second quarter, marking its quickest pace in two years. It was a substantial acceleration from 1.2% growth in the first quarter. Overall, the economy grew 2.1% in the first half of 2017. With this, the U.S. economy recorded its eighth year of growth since the Recession — the third-longest economic expansion in U.S. history.
According to projections from investment banks, both Harvey and Irma have the ability to knock off between 0.6% and 0.8% from the U.S. GDP growth in the third quarter. Estimates for the quarter is just above 2.2%. However, rebuilding activity is expected to boost GDP growth in the fourth quarter and in early 2018.
Manufacturing Jobs Created
According to the ADP National Employment Report, private companies created 237,000 jobs in August, logging the best pace since March. The manufacturing industry, which created 16,000 jobs, produced record employment in the private sector.
Additionally, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non-firm payroll for the month of August increased by 156,000. Manufacturing employment rose by 36,000 in August, the highest monthly job addition in five years. Manufacturing has added 155,000 jobs since a recent employment low in November 2016.
Growth in manufacturing sector employment is in line with President Trump’s electoral promises and immediate actions on assuming office. During his campaign, the President had promised to improve the manufacturing industry by creating jobs through a combination of higher infrastructure spending, tax cuts, and deregulation.
Sector Positioning, Performance
The Machinery industry is broadly grouped under the industrial productssector (one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors). Year to date, the industrial products sector has clocked a gain of 16.4%, outperforming the S&P 500’s climb of 11.9%. The sector had exhibited strength following the election of President Trump, primarily factoring in his promised pro-growth policies. Other tailwinds includes strengthening in housing, automotive and commercial construction markets.
The sector had logged growth of 18.8% in second-quarter 2017 and expected to deliver growth of 8.8% in the third quarter. (Read more: Handicapping the Q3 Earnings Season)
We put our Sectors (all 16 of them) into two groups: the top half (i.e., sectors with the best average Zacks Rank) and the bottom half (the sectors with the worst average Zacks Rank). Over the last 10 years, using a one week rebalance, the top half beat the bottom half by more than twice as much. (To learn more visit: About Zacks Sector Rank)
The industrial products sector, with a Zacks Sector Rank #8, remains in the top half.
4 Machinery Growth Plays
Growth investors look for stocks with aggressive earnings or revenue growth potential, which propel share price. With the help of the Zacks Style Score system, we have identified four machinery stocks with excellent growth potential. These stocks have a solid Zacks Rank as well. Our research shows that stocks with a Growth Style Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best opportunities in growth investing space.
Here we put the spotlight on four machinery stocks that are poised for healthy growth:
Notably, the stock carries Growth Score of A. Moreover, the company has been witnessing an upward trend in earnings estimate revision. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for both fiscal 2017 and 2018 have increased 1%. For 2017, earnings growth is pegged at 23.5% and for fiscal 2018, at 25%.
Further, the stock has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 13.5%. The company has outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the four trailing quarters, delivering an average positive earnings surprise of 39.7%.
AGCO shares have gained 30.2% year to date, ahead of the industry’s gain of 23.8%.
Allegion plc (ALLE - Free Report) produces and sells electronic as well as mechanical security solutions and products worldwide. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of A.
Moreover, its estimates for fiscal 2017 and 2018 have moved up 1% in the past 60 days. Additionally, for 2017, EPS is likely to witness an increase of 13% while for 2018, it is expected to rise 10.7%. Its long-term projected EPS growth rate is 14.2%. The company has an average positive earnings surprise of 1.95% in the past four quarters.
Allegion shares have gained 36.7% year to date, surpassing the 7.7% rise recorded by the industry it belongs to.
Lakeland Industries, Inc. (LAKE - Free Report) manufactures and sells safety garments and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market globally. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of B.
The company has been seeing an upward trend in earnings estimate revision. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 8% and for the next year has gone up 5%. The Zacks Consensus estimate pegged or fiscal 2017 reflects growth of 57.6% and growth of 4.8% for 2018. Its long-term projected EPS growth rate is 10%. The company has an average earnings surprise of 18% in the trailing four quarters, beating estimates thrice.
Lakeland’s shares have gained 40.9% year to date, ahead of its industry’s gain of 7.8%.
The Timken Company (TKR - Free Report) engineers, manufactures and markets bearings, transmissions, gearboxes, belts, chains, couplings, and related products worldwide. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of A. In the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for fiscal 2017 and 2018 have increased 6% and 11% respectively. For 2017, earnings growth is pegged at 28.9% and for fiscal 2018, at 19.7%. Further, the stock has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 11.6%. The company has outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the four trailing quarters, delivering an average positive earnings surprise of 10.9%.
Year to date, Timken’s shares have gained 22.8% while the industry it belongs to clocked a rise of 15.5%.
To Conclude
The latest reading of the ISM survey reinforces the belief that manufacturing activities are growing at a rapid pace and are likely to carry on the momentum in the days ahead. Hence, picking manufacturing stocks seems to be a smart option at this moment.
Picking any of the above-mentioned stocks with compelling growth prospects might offer solid returns in this market and satisfy your investment appetite.
Can Hackers Put Money INTO Your Portfolio?
Earlier this month, credit bureau Equifax announced a massive data breach affecting 2 out of every 3 Americans. The cybersecurity industry is expanding quickly in response to this and similar events. But some stocks are better investments than others.
Zacks has just released Cybersecurity! An Investor’s Guide to help Zacks.com readers make the most of the $170 billion per year investment opportunity created by hackers and other threats. It reveals 4 stocks worth looking into right away.
Image: Bigstock
4 Machinery Growth Stocks to Buy as Manufacturing Picks Up
U.S manufacturing activity, which accounts for about 12% of the economy, has been witnessing sustained expansion for 13 consecutive months. The primary gauge of manufacturing activity, Manufacturing PMI released by The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), accelerated to 60.8 in September, marking its highest level since May 2004. This upbeat reading was fueled by a rise in new orders, production and employment.
Upbeat Numbers Instill Optimism
The index of national factory activity of 60.8 in September rose from 58.8 reading in August, ahead of market expectations of 58. A reading above 50 indicates increased factory activity. In September, of the 18 manufacturing industries, growth was witnessed across 17 industries, led primarily by Textile Mills; Machinery and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. Such a high number of industries reporting expansion suggest underlying economic strength.
Also, industrial production — a measure of the level of output of manufacturing, mining and utilities sectors in a country — grew at an annual rate of 4.7% in the second quarter. In July, industrial production grew 2.2% supported by 1.2% growth in manufacturing industry and 10.2% in mining, offset partially by 0.6% fall in utilities. However, industrial production dipped 0.9% in August due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast of Texas late in the month.
U.S. GDP Tops Expectations in Q2
U.S. economic output grew at a 3.1% annual rate in the second quarter, marking its quickest pace in two years. It was a substantial acceleration from 1.2% growth in the first quarter. Overall, the economy grew 2.1% in the first half of 2017. With this, the U.S. economy recorded its eighth year of growth since the Recession — the third-longest economic expansion in U.S. history.
According to projections from investment banks, both Harvey and Irma have the ability to knock off between 0.6% and 0.8% from the U.S. GDP growth in the third quarter. Estimates for the quarter is just above 2.2%. However, rebuilding activity is expected to boost GDP growth in the fourth quarter and in early 2018.
Manufacturing Jobs Created
According to the ADP National Employment Report, private companies created 237,000 jobs in August, logging the best pace since March. The manufacturing industry, which created 16,000 jobs, produced record employment in the private sector.
Additionally, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non-firm payroll for the month of August increased by 156,000. Manufacturing employment rose by 36,000 in August, the highest monthly job addition in five years. Manufacturing has added 155,000 jobs since a recent employment low in November 2016.
Growth in manufacturing sector employment is in line with President Trump’s electoral promises and immediate actions on assuming office. During his campaign, the President had promised to improve the manufacturing industry by creating jobs through a combination of higher infrastructure spending, tax cuts, and deregulation.
Sector Positioning, Performance
The Machinery industry is broadly grouped under the industrial products sector (one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors). Year to date, the industrial products sector has clocked a gain of 16.4%, outperforming the S&P 500’s climb of 11.9%. The sector had exhibited strength following the election of President Trump, primarily factoring in his promised pro-growth policies. Other tailwinds includes strengthening in housing, automotive and commercial construction markets.
The sector had logged growth of 18.8% in second-quarter 2017 and expected to deliver growth of 8.8% in the third quarter. (Read more: Handicapping the Q3 Earnings Season)
We put our Sectors (all 16 of them) into two groups: the top half (i.e., sectors with the best average Zacks Rank) and the bottom half (the sectors with the worst average Zacks Rank). Over the last 10 years, using a one week rebalance, the top half beat the bottom half by more than twice as much. (To learn more visit: About Zacks Sector Rank)
The industrial products sector, with a Zacks Sector Rank #8, remains in the top half.
4 Machinery Growth Plays
Growth investors look for stocks with aggressive earnings or revenue growth potential, which propel share price. With the help of the Zacks Style Score system, we have identified four machinery stocks with excellent growth potential. These stocks have a solid Zacks Rank as well. Our research shows that stocks with a Growth Style Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) offer the best opportunities in growth investing space.
Here we put the spotlight on four machinery stocks that are poised for healthy growth:
AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) is a manufacturer and distribution of farm equipment and carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Notably, the stock carries Growth Score of A. Moreover, the company has been witnessing an upward trend in earnings estimate revision. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for both fiscal 2017 and 2018 have increased 1%. For 2017, earnings growth is pegged at 23.5% and for fiscal 2018, at 25%.
Further, the stock has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 13.5%. The company has outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the four trailing quarters, delivering an average positive earnings surprise of 39.7%.
AGCO shares have gained 30.2% year to date, ahead of the industry’s gain of 23.8%.
Allegion plc (ALLE - Free Report) produces and sells electronic as well as mechanical security solutions and products worldwide. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of A.
Moreover, its estimates for fiscal 2017 and 2018 have moved up 1% in the past 60 days. Additionally, for 2017, EPS is likely to witness an increase of 13% while for 2018, it is expected to rise 10.7%. Its long-term projected EPS growth rate is 14.2%. The company has an average positive earnings surprise of 1.95% in the past four quarters.
Allegion shares have gained 36.7% year to date, surpassing the 7.7% rise recorded by the industry it belongs to.
Lakeland Industries, Inc. (LAKE - Free Report) manufactures and sells safety garments and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market globally. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of B.
The company has been seeing an upward trend in earnings estimate revision. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 8% and for the next year has gone up 5%. The Zacks Consensus estimate pegged or fiscal 2017 reflects growth of 57.6% and growth of 4.8% for 2018. Its long-term projected EPS growth rate is 10%. The company has an average earnings surprise of 18% in the trailing four quarters, beating estimates thrice.
Lakeland’s shares have gained 40.9% year to date, ahead of its industry’s gain of 7.8%.
The Timken Company (TKR - Free Report) engineers, manufactures and markets bearings, transmissions, gearboxes, belts, chains, couplings, and related products worldwide. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and Growth Score of A.
In the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for fiscal 2017 and 2018 have increased 6% and 11% respectively. For 2017, earnings growth is pegged at 28.9% and for fiscal 2018, at 19.7%. Further, the stock has a long-term expected EPS growth rate of 11.6%. The company has outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the four trailing quarters, delivering an average positive earnings surprise of 10.9%.
Year to date, Timken’s shares have gained 22.8% while the industry it belongs to clocked a rise of 15.5%.
To Conclude
The latest reading of the ISM survey reinforces the belief that manufacturing activities are growing at a rapid pace and are likely to carry on the momentum in the days ahead. Hence, picking manufacturing stocks seems to be a smart option at this moment.
Picking any of the above-mentioned stocks with compelling growth prospects might offer solid returns in this market and satisfy your investment appetite.
Can Hackers Put Money INTO Your Portfolio?
Earlier this month, credit bureau Equifax announced a massive data breach affecting 2 out of every 3 Americans. The cybersecurity industry is expanding quickly in response to this and similar events. But some stocks are better investments than others.
Zacks has just released Cybersecurity! An Investor’s Guide to help Zacks.com readers make the most of the $170 billion per year investment opportunity created by hackers and other threats. It reveals 4 stocks worth looking into right away.
Download the new report now>>