The pandemic fuels Stanley’s gains

Article Excerpt

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC. $186 is a buy. The company (New York symbol SWK; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 160.2 million; Market cap: $28.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.stanleyblackanddecker.com) is one of the world’s largest makers of hand and power tools for consumers. Through your shares you tap top-selling brands DeWalt, Craftsman and Irwin—they’re in addition to the Stanley and Black & Decker brands. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spur strong demand for tools as consumers work on home improvement projects. That is offsetting lower demand for security and industrial products. In the quarter ended September 26, 2020, revenue increased 6.0% to $3.85 billion from $3.76 billion a year earlier. Thanks to a cost-control plan, including job cuts and plant closures, earnings before one-time items jumped 42.1%, to $456.2 million from $321.0 million. Due to more shares outstanding, earnings per share rose 35.7%, to $2.89 from $2.13. Stanley Black & Decker is a buy. buy…