Genuine Parts is still the better pick

Article Excerpt

High interest rates and inflation are prompting more drivers to hang on their current cars instead of buying new ones. That’s good new for these two firms, which cater to the car repair market. However, we still prefer Genuine Parts, as higher interest rates increase the risk of loan writedowns at Snap-On’s financial services division. GENUINE PARTS CO. $138 is a buy. The company (New York symbol GPC; Income-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 139.3 million; Market cap: $19.2 billion; Dividend yield: 2.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.genpt.com) is a leading seller of replacement auto parts. It also distributes industrial parts like bearings, pumps and hoses. With the April 2024 payment, the company raised your quarterly dividend by 5.3%, to $1.00 a share from $0.95. The new annual rate of $4.00 yields 2.9%. Investors have now enjoyed an annual dividend increase for a whopping total of 68 consecutive years. Genuine’s sales in the three months ended March 31, 2024, rose 0.3%, to $5.78…