Overseas Expansion Should Fuel Growth

Article Excerpt

TENNANT CO. $37 (New York symbol TNC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 18.6 million; Market cap: $688.2 million; WSSF Rating: Average) has agreed to pay $68 million for UK-based Applied Sweepers, which makes street sweeping and cleaning equipment under the Green Machine brand. Tennant has also agreed to pay an undisclosed sum for Sociedade Alfa Ltda., a Brazilian maker of commercial cleaning machines. These businesses have combined annual sales of about $49 million. To put the purchases in context, Tennant earned $39.9 million in 2007, up 33.9% from $29.8 million in 2006. Earnings per share rose 32.5%, to $2.08 from $1.57. If you disregard a gain on the sale of a facility and other non-recurring items, per-share earnings rose 16.2%. Sales grew 10.9%, to $664.2 million from $599.0 million. Tennant is a buy. buy…