Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hello Pat: I see promise in Trimble (TRMB) and its precision agriculture business. I’m curious as to what you think. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Trimble Inc., $31.20, symbol TRMB on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 250.6 million; Market cap: $7.9 billion; www.trimble.com), mainly provides advanced GPS positioning systems to commercial and government users in several areas. They include surveying, construction, agriculture, urban and resource management, and military. The company has a leading position in systems for large customers, especially in engineering and construction. Trimble also has strategic alliances with original-equipment manufacturers such as Caterpillar. One negative factor is that it sells into cyclical markets and has a relatively small recurring-revenue base. Agriculture is a growing market for Trimble, and it continues to develop more efficient agricultural software and navigational products for farmers. In the three months ended December 31, 2016, the company’s revenue rose 4.6%, to $585.5 million from $559.7 million a year earlier. Trimble made $79.8 million, or $0.31 a share, in the period. That’s up 18.6% from $67.3 million, or $0.27 a share. The stock trades at 23.1 times its forecast 2017 earnings of $1.35 a share. Trimble…