Briggs & Stratton trims its losses

Article Excerpt

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. $23 (New York symbol BGG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 42.8 million; Market cap: $984.4 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; Dividend yield: 2.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www. briggsandstratton.com) makes lawn-mower engines, portable power generators, pressure washers and snowblowers. In its fiscal 2017 first quarter, ended September 30, 2016, Briggs lost $14.1 million, or $0.34 a share. Due to the seasonality of its products, the company typically loses money in this quarter. However, the latest results are an improvement over its year-earlier loss of $15.2 million, or $0.35. Sales declined 0.9%, to $286.8 million from $289.5 million a year earlier. The company changed the sales terms for engines it sells to overseas customers. That increased its overall sales in the quarter by $18 million. However, lower shipments of snowblowers and pressure washers offset the gains. Briggs & Stratton is still a hold. hold…