Linamar will survive the tariff turmoil

Article Excerpt

Linamar is a major supplier to automakers in North America, so it’s vulnerable to new tariffs on imports of completed vehicles. However, virtually all of the company’s products comply with the current USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada) trade agreement. That should let it avoid direct U.S. tariffs. Its high-quality businesses will also help it cope with the current trade disruptions. LINAMAR CORP. $48 remains a buy for long-term gains. The company (Toronto symbol LNR; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 60.2 million; Market cap: $2.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.3; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.linamar.com) makes a variety of automotive parts, including transmissions, cylinder heads and cylinder blocks. It also makes self-propelled, scissor-type work platforms under the Skyjack brand, and agricultural harvesting equipment. The company’s operations in Canada and Mexico are major suppliers to automotive plants in the U.S. A prolonged tariff on imported vehicles would probably force those customers to slow or shut down their assembly lines if they are unable to pass…