Pick of the GPS Stocks: Cash, low debt will help these three

Article Excerpt

TRIMBLE NAVIGATION $19.64 (Nasdaq symbol TRMB; SI Rating: Speculative) (408-481-6914; www.trimble.com; Shares outstanding: 119.5 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion) makes global positioning system (GPS) devices and technology for four main markets: engineering and construction; agriculture; fleet products to track moving vehicles; and GPS parts for major customers around the world. In the three months ended March 31, 2009, revenue fell 18.7%, to $289 million from $355.3 million. (All figures in U.S. dollars.) Excluding one-time items, earnings per share fell 30%, to $0.28 from $0.40. The company’s balance sheet remains strong, with cash of $146.8 million, or $1.23 a share. Its $151.4-million debt is just 7% of its market cap. These should help Trimble cope with the recession. The company spends a high 11% of its sales on research. Trimble is still a buy for aggressive investors. LOJACK CORP. $3.59 (Nasdaq symbol LOJN; SI Rating: Speculative) (www.lojack.com; 781-326-4700; Shares outstanding: 17.8 million; Market cap: $64.1 million) sells vehicle theft recovery systems in the U.S. and…