COVID-19 has helped lift them to new highs

Article Excerpt

These two stocks are trading close to their all-time highs, despite disruptions caused by COVID-19. That’s because both companies supply vital products to their corporate and government clients. Recent acquisitions also brighten their long-term prospects. MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC. $164 is a buy. The company (New York symbol MSI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 169.8 million; Market cap: $27.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.7; Dividend yield: 1.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.motorolasolutions.com) makes communications equipment such as radios for police and fire vehicles, as well as high-definition surveillance systems. COVID-19 has limited Motorola’s ability to visit clients, and so secure new contracts. That offsets stronger demand for software and services (40% of total revenue). As a result, its revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2020, fell 13.0%, to $1.62 billion from $1.86 billion a year earlier. Earnings before one-time items also declined 17.8%, to $1.39 a share from $1.69. The company is now paying an undisclosed sum for Callyo, a cloud-based…