Four niche industrials for steady income

Article Excerpt

Most income-seeking investors focus on utilities or banks instead of stocks in the more cyclical industrial sector. However, these four industrial firms are leaders in their niche industries, which helps cut their risk. As well, they have long histories of maintaining or raising their dividends, even during economic slowdowns. GENUINE PARTS CO. $69 (New York symbol GPC; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 155.1 million; Market cap: $10.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.8; Dividend yield: 3.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.genpt.com) gets 49% of its sales and 50% of its earnings by selling auto parts. The company operates 1,300 of its own outlets under the NAPA banner, and its distribution business serves 4,750 independent stores across North America. Genuine also distributes industrial parts (34% of sales, 33% of earnings), office furniture (13%, 12%) and electrical equipment (4%, 5%). The company’s sales rose 4.5% in 2012, to $13.0 billion from $12.5 billion in 2011. Sales of auto parts rose 4%, partly due…