The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Graco, Tennant, Lindsay, Manitowoc And Enerpac
Zacks Investment Research | Feb 05, 2020 07:08AM ET
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 5, 2020 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) , Tennant Company (NYSE:TNC) , Lindsay Corp. (NYSE:LNN) , The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE:MTW) and Enerpac Tool Group Corp. (NYSE:EPAC) .
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
U.S. Manufacturing Sector Bounces Back: 5 Big Winners
The U.S. manufacturing sector has been languishing in the correction territory for quite some time now. And market pundits started to believe that manufacturing is in recession. Predominantly, the U.S.-China trade dispute appeared to have dented business sentiments.
However, factory activities rebounded in January and expanded for the first time in six months. The recent preliminary trade deal reduced tensions among the world’s two largest economies and reduced manufacturers’ apprehensions about an increase in tariffs. Banking on such upbeat manufacturing numbers, top manufacturers are poised to ramp up profits.
Manufacturing Recession Fears Squashed, Activities Rebound
According to the Institute of Supply Management, its manufacturing index climbed to 50.9 in January from an upwardly revised 47.8 in December. The index scaled beyond the 50 mark, which separates expansion from contraction. Analysts, by the way, were expecting a reading of 48.5.
Strength in new orders, production and employment supported the gains. The gauge of new orders increased 4.4 points to 52 in January, the highest reading since July. One of the ISM survey respondents said that “our business is starting 2020 stronger than we finished 2019, as we saw a dramatic downturn in orders over the last four months of 2019.” Productions also turned positive, while employment in the manufacturing sector increased. The employment index hit 46.6 last month compared with 45.2 in the prior month.
But most importantly, easing of trade tensions with China and signing of a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada effectively boosted manufacturing activities. After all, high tariffs are always a concern for manufacturers.
Trade Deals: Blessing for Manufacturers
The Trump administration’s recent phase-one trade deal with China lessened the burden on global economic growth created by trade imbalances, and in turn boosted manufacturing activities. Lest we forget, the United States and China together account for 35% to 40% of the world’s economy, and thus have a significant influence on international growth. And since the negotiations have gone well between the countries, business confidence has improved, driving capital expenditure and in turn stocks.
The United States said that China has agreed to increase import of commodities in 2020. China has also agreed to protect U.S. intellectual property rights and has given assurance of not manipulating its currency. The United States, in the meanwhile, has agreed not to impose extra tariffs on nearly $160 billion of Chinese consumer electronics and toys.
The House of Representatives meanwhile saw both the Democrats and Republicans united in passing an updated version of the 25-year-old NAFTA that many economists believe will eventually prove favorable for the U.S. economy, particularly manufacturing activities.
5 Big Gainers
As the key measure of U.S. factory, mining and utility output surpassed expectations, industrial stocks in particular are expected to gain. We have, thus, selected five such stocks that flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).
Graco Inc.designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 6.5% over the past 60 days. The company, which is part of the Zacks Investment Research
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