Niche leaders cope with slow car sales

The slowdown in the automotive industry has hurt the earnings of these four companies, which serve a number of auto-dependent customers. The potential bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler is also a risk factor.

However, all four are leaders in their niche markets, which gives them… Read More

Quaker Chemical Corp. $17 – New York symbol KWR

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $17 (New York symbol KWR; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 10.6 million; Market cap: $180.2 million; WSSF Rating: Average) makes lubricants and specialty chemicals that protect industrial machinery from corrosion.

The company recently raised its quarterly dividend for the first… Read More

High-yielding Industrials Still Have Appeal

While the recent downturn has hurt most stocks, it’s been particularly hard on manufacturing companies such as these five. That’s because they serve narrow markets or cyclical industries. However, all of them are doing a good job controlling costs, which will help them stay profitable… Read More

Low-cost Financing Helps Quaker Expand

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $26 (New York symbol KWR; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 10.3 million; Market cap: $267.8 million; WSSF Rating: Average) is taking advantage of low-cost government financing to triple production capacity at its plant in Middletown, Ohio. The plant makes… Read More

Small-cap Quaker Has Big Potential

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $23 (New York symbol KWR; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 10.0 million; Market cap: $230.0 million; WSSF Rating: Average) is a small company that is prominent in a small industry. It makes lubricants and specialty chemicals that protect industrial… Read More