These ETFs offer software-industry exposure

Investing in the technology industry can be hugely profitable. However, companies face tough competition and the industry’s winners can quickly lose out to rivals with newer innovations. Tech stocks can also be very volatile—and negative news can throw them into steep declines. Well-diversified ETFs can… Read More

Big acquisition should send Quaker higher

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $206 (New York symbol KWR; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 13.3 million; Market cap: $2.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2; Dividend yield: 0.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.quakerchem.com) started up in 1918 and currently operates 35 plants in 21 countries. Those facilities make… Read More

Good weather is bad news for Briggs

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. $16 (New York symbol BGG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 42.3 million; Market cap: $676.8 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Dividend yield: 3.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www. briggsandstratton.com) makes lawn-mower engines, portable power generators, pressure washers, and snowblowers and… Read More

Tennant deal taps Chinese market

TENNANT CO. $61 (New York symbol TNC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 18.1 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.tennantco.com) makes industrial floor and street-cleaning equipment, including scrubbers, sweepers and polishers.
Tennant recently agreed to buy… Read More

New businesses enhance these telcos

To cut their reliance on phone services, these U.S. telecom giants continue to expand with new businesses. Those moves should also continue to spur their dividend growth.
AT&T INC. $31 (New York symbol T; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares o/s: 7.3 billion; Market cap: $226.3 billion; Price-to-sales… Read More

Asset sales cut Buckeye’s risk

BUCKEYE PARTNERS L.P. $31 (New York symbol BPL; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Units outstanding: 147.0 million; Market cap: $4.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 9.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.buckeye.com) operates 9,700 kilometres of pipelines in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest. Its network pumps gasoline, jet fuel… Read More