Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014

In this article, let's take a look at National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NOV), a $30.43 billion market cap company that designs and manufactures drill rig equipment, provides downhole tools and services, and also provides supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.

Market leader

On 2005, after the merger with Varco International, the company changed its name to National Oilwell Varco. The firm practically made every component that goes into a drilling rig, and also leads each product line in which it operates. We think this will remain in the future.

Strategies for expansion

In order to expand operations and gain more market share, the company focuses on drilling machinery and equipment, as well as making acquisitions. So far, there were more than 200, with some of them with a transformative characteristic; others were little ones concentrating in adding a product line or technology.

Those acquisitions were effective to create intangible assets like intellectual property and also high switching costs

Hot Gold Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Rexnord Corp (RXN)

Rexnord Corporation (Rexnord), incorporated on July 13, 2006, is a multi-platform industrial company. The Company comprises of two platforms, Process & Motion Control and Water Management. Rexnord�� Process & Motion Control product portfolio includes gears, couplings, industrial bearings, aerospace bearings and seals, FlatTop chain, engineered chain and conveying equipment, and are marketed and sold globally under brands, including Rexnord, Rex, Falk and Link-Belt. Its Water Management platform operates in the commercial construction market for water management products and the municipal water and wastewater treatment markets. Its Water Management product portfolio includes drainage products, flush valves and faucet products, backflow prevention pressure release valves, PEX piping and engineered valves and gates for the water and wastewater treatment markets. These products are marketed and sold through brand names, including Zurn, Wilkins, VAG, GA, Rodney-Hunt and Fontaine. In August 2013, Rexnord Corp announced that it has acquired the assets of Micro Precision Gear Technology Limited. In December 2013, Rexnord acquired Precision Gear Holdings, LLC (PGH). PGH has two operating subsidiaries, Merit Gear LLC and Precision Gear LLC.

Process & Motion Control

The Company�� Process & Motion Control platform designs, manufactures, markets and services mechanical components used within complex systems. The Company sells its Process & Motion Control products into a diverse group of end markets, including mining, general industrial applications, cement and aggregates, agriculture, forest and wood products, petrochemical, energy, food and beverage, aerospace and wind energy. The Company is a manufacturer of gear drives and gear sets for the heavy duty industrial market. Its gear drives, service and gear sets are used in a number of heavy duty industries. These primary industries include the natural resource extraction, steel, pulp and paper, chemical, forest and wood industries. ! Rexnord manufactures a range of heavy duty, medium and light duty gear drives used for bulk material handling, mixing, pumping and general gearing applications. It also operates a gear service and repair business through its Product Service group (Prager and Renew). Its Couplings are primarily used in high-speed, high-torque applications and are the interface between two shafts that permit power to be transmitted from one shaft to the other. Rexnord�� couplings are sold to a range of end markets, including the petrochemical and refining, wood processing, chemical, power generation and natural resources industries. Couplings comprise of the grid, flexible disc, elastomeric and gear product lines and are sold under the Steelflex, Thomas, Omega, Rex, Viva, Wrapflex, Lifelign, True Torque, Addax and Autogard brand names.

The Company primarily produces mounted bearings, which are offered in a range of specialized housings to suit specific industrial applications. Its FlatTop chain provides a continuous conveying surface that is critical to high-speed operations, such as those used to transport cans and bottles in beverage-filling operations, and is primarily sold to the food and beverage, consumer products, warehousing and distribution, and parts processing industries. The Company supplies its aerospace bearings and seals to the commercial aircraft, military aircraft and regional jet end markets for use in door systems, engine accessories, engine controls, engine mounts, flight control systems, gearboxes, landing gear and rotor pitch controls. Rexnord�� aerospace bearings and seals products consist of rolling element airframe bearings sold under the Shafer brand name, slotted-entry and split-ball sliding bearings sold under the PSI brand name and aerospace seals that are sold under the Cartriseal brand name, which are primarily sold for use in both aerospace and industrial applications.

The Company�� special components products consist of three primary product lines: electri! c motor b! rakes, miniature Process & Motion Control components and security devices for utility companies. These products are manufactured by its businesses, such as Stearns, W.M. Berg and Highfield. Stearns��products are used in a range of applications, including steel mills, oil field equipment, pulp processing equipment, large textile machines, rubber mills, metal forming machinery and dock and pier handling equipment. W.M. Berg sells its products to a range of markets, including aerospace, semiconductor, medical equipment, robotics, instrumentation, office equipment and satellite communications. Highfield�� products are sold to a range of markets, including electric, gas, water, telecommunications, utilities and plumbing and heating.

The Company�� conveying equipment and industrial chain products are used in various applications in a number of industries, including food and food processing, beverage and container, mining, construction and agricultural equipment, hydrocarbon processing and cement and aggregates processing. Its primary products include conveying equipment, engineered steel chain, and roller chain. Its conveying equipment product group provides design, assembly, installation and after-the-sale services primarily to the mining, cement and aggregates industries. Its products include engineered elevators, conveyors and components for medium to heavy duty material handling applications. The Company�� engineered steel chain products are sold under the Link-Belt and Rexnord brand names. These products are used in a number of applications, including cement elevators, construction and mining equipment and conveyors, and they are supplied to the cement and aggregates, energy, food and beverage, and forest and wood products industries.

Water Management

The Company�� Water Management platform designs, procures, manufactures and markets products that provide and enhance water quality, safety, flow control and conservation. The Water Management product port! folio inc! ludes professional grade specification drainage products, flush valves and faucet products, engineered valves and gates for the water and wastewater treatment market and PEX piping and are marketed and sold through brand names, including Zurn, Wilkins, VAG, GA, Rodney Hunt and Fontaine. Rexnord�� Water Management platform has a network of approximately 1,100 independent sales representatives across approximately 210 sales agencies in North America, who work with local engineers, contractors, builders and architects to specify its products for use in construction projects. Its water control and safety products are sold under the Wilkins brand name and encompass a variety of valves, including backflow preventers, fire system valves, pressure reducing valves and thermostatic mixing valves. These products are sold into the commercial and industrial construction applications, as well as the fire protection, waterworks and irrigation end markets.

Zurn�� commercial brass products include manual and sensor operated flush valves marketed under the Aquaflush, AquaSense, AquaVantage and HydroVantage brand names and heavy duty commercial faucets marketed under the AquaSpec brand name. Water conserving fixtures are marketed under the EcoVantage and Zurn One brand names. These products are used in office buildings, schools, hospitals, airports, sports facilities, convention centers, shopping malls, restaurants and industrial production buildings. The Zurn One Systems integrate commercial brass and fixtures into plumbing systems. PEX is its product line manufactured out of cross-linked polyethylene into tubing and is suited for high temperature and pressure fluid distribution piping. Its PEX products include lines of pipe, fittings, valves and installation tools for both potable water and radiant heating systems. Its water and wastewater products are sold under the VAG, GA, Rodney Hunt and Fontaine brand names and are used to control the flow of water and wastewater throughout the water cycle from ra! w water t! hrough collection, distribution and wastewater treatment. Products include automatic control valves, check valves, air valves, butterfly valves, water control gates, hydrants, actuation systems, and other specialized products for municipal, industrial, and hydropower applications. Its product lines are primarily sold into the water supply and treatment markets worldwide.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Each month, Credit Suisse’s small-cap strategists ask the firm’s analyst to name their favorite small- and mid-cap stocks. This month, six new stocks made the list: RPM International (RPM), SunCoke Energy (SXC), Zions Bancorp (ZION), Signature Bank (SBNY), Edwards Lifesciences (EW) and�Rexnord (RXN).

  • [By Eric Volkman]

    A sizable bloc of Rexnord (NYSE: RXN  ) will soon be in different hands if a secondary offering goes as planned. The company announced that "certain funds affiliated with" Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO  ) are floating a 6.5 million-share stake in an underwritten public offering. The price is $16 per share. Additionally, the company's underwriters have been granted a purchase option for up to an additional 975,000 shares.

  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Rexnord (NYSE: RXN  ) reported earnings on May 21. Here are the numbers you need to know.

    The 10-second takeaway
    For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Rexnord met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Krishna and Krauklis note that Buffalo Wild Wings, Nextera Energy (NEP), Rexnord Corp (RXN), and The Advisory Board (ABCO) should benefit from recent acquisitions that should boost revenue growth, while�Buffalo Wild Wings and Cavium (CAVM) should see improvements thanks to the adoption of new technology that will help boost margins. Terex, The Advisory Board, and�Rexnord should get a boost from cost cutting, Krishna and Krauklis say.

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014: Stanley Black & Decker Inc (SWJ)

Stanley Black & Decker Inc., June 4, 1901, is a diversified global provider of power and hand tools, mechanical access solutions (automatic doors, commercial and residential locking systems), electronic security and monitoring systems and products and services for various industrial applications. The Company�� operations are classified into three business segments: Construction & Do-It-Yourself (CDIY), Security, and Industrial. In September 2011, Stanley Black & Decker acquired Niscayah Group AB. In September 2011, the Company acquired Microtec Enterprises, Inc. In January 2011, the Company acquired InfoLogix, Inc. In December 2012, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc acquired Hardware & Home Improvement Group (HHI) of the Company. In February 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Infastech.

CDIY

The CDIY segment consists of the professional power tool and accessories business, the consumer power tool business, which includes outdoor products, plumbing (Pfister) and the hand tools, fasteners and storage business. The segment sells its products to professional end users, distributors and retail consumers. The majority of sales are distributed through retailers, including home centers, mass merchants, hardware stores, and retail lumber yards. During the year ended December 31, 2011, annual revenues in the CDIY segment represented 50% of the Company�� total revenues. The professional power tool and accessories business sells professional grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment, including drills, impact wrenches and drivers, grinders, saws, routers and sanders. The business also sells power tool accessories, which include drill bits, router bits, abrasives and saw blades.

The consumer power tool business sells corded and cordless power tools sold under the Black & Decker brand, lawn and garden products and home products. Lawn and garden products include hedge trimmers, string trimmers, lawn mowers, edgers and related accessories. Home pro! ducts include hand held vacuums, paint tools and cleaning appliances. The hand tools, fasteners and storage business sells measuring and leveling tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, knives, saws and chisels. Fastening products include pneumatic tools and fasteners including nail guns, nails, staplers and staples. Storage products include tool boxes, sawhorses and storage units.

Security

The Security segment consists of the electronic security solutions and the mechanical access solutions businesses. Annual revenues in the Security segment represented 26% of the Company�� total revenues in 2011. The electronic security solutions business designs, supplies and installs electronic security systems and provides electronic security services, including alarm monitoring, video surveillance, fire alarm monitoring, systems integration and system maintenance. Purchasers of these systems typically contract for ongoing security systems monitoring and maintenance at the time of initial equipment installation. The electronic security business also sells healthcare solutions, which includes medical carts and cabinets, asset tracking solutions, infant protection, pediatric protection, patient protection, wander management, fall management, and emergency call products.

The electronic security solutions business sells to consumers, retailers, educational, financial and healthcare institutions, as well as commercial, governmental and industrial customers. Products are sold predominantly on a direct sales basis. The mechanical access solutions business sells and installs automatic doors, residential and commercial hardware, locking mechanisms, electronic keyless entry systems, keying systems, tubular and mortise door locksets. The mechanical access solutions business sells to both residential and commercial customers, with distribution through direct sales, through retailers (including home centers) and, through third party distributors.

Industrial

!

The In! dustrial segment consists of the industrial and automotive repair tools, engineered fastening and infrastructure businesses. Annual revenues in the Industrial segment represented 24% of the Company�� total revenues. The industrial and automotive repair business sells hand tools, power tools, and engineered storage solution products. The business sells to industrial customers in a variety of industries and geographies. The products are distributed through third party distributors, as well as a direct sales force. The engineered fastening business primarily sells engineered fasteners designed for specific applications. The product lines include stud welding systems, blind rivets and tools, blind inserts and tools, drawn arc weld studs, engineered plastic fasteners, self-piercing riveting systems and precision nut running systems.

The business sells to customers in the automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace industries, amongst others, and the Company's products are distributed through direct sales forces. The infrastructure business consists of the CRC-Evans business, and the Company�� hydraulics business. The business�� product lines include custom pipe handling machinery, joint welding and coating machinery, weld inspection services and hydraulic tools and accessories. The business sells to the oil and natural gas pipeline industry and other industrial customers. The products and services are primarily distributed through a direct sales force.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Rooney]

    Stanley Black & Decker (SWJ) tumbled roughly 10% after the power tools maker lowered its full-year earnings outlook. The company said it expected "uncertainty created by the U.S. government's sequestration and shutdown" to hurt business and consumer spending.

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014: Badger Meter Inc (BMI)

Badger Meter, Inc., incorporated on March 9, 1905, is a manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating flow measurement and control technologies serving markets globally. The Company's product lines fall into three categories: sales of water meters and related technologies to municipal water utilities (municipal water), sales of meters to various industries for water and other fluids (industrial flow) and sales of concrete vibrators and gas meter radios to markets (specialty products). Municipal water includes water meters and related technologies and services used by water utilities as the basis for generating water and wastewater revenues. Industrial flow includes products sold globally to measure and control materials flowing through a pipe or pipeline, including water, air, steam, oil, and other liquids and gases. Specialty products include sales of radio technology to natural gas utilities for installation on their gas meters, and concrete vibrators.

The Company's products are primarily manufactured and assembled in the Company's Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Racine, Wisconsin; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Scottsdale, Arizona; Nogales, Mexico; Neuffen, Germany; Brno, Czech Republic; and Bern, Switzerland facilities. For municipal water, residential and commercial water meters are classified as either manually read meters or remotely read meters through radio technology. A manually read meter consists of a water meter and a register that gives a visual meter reading display. Meters equipped with radio transmitters (endpoints) use encoder registers to convert the measurement data from the meter into an encrypted digital format which is then transmitted through radio frequency to a receiver that collects and formats the data appropriately for water utility billing systems. In an AMR system, a vehicle equipped for meter reading purposes, including a radio receiver, computer and reading software, collects the data from the utility's meters.

Fixed network advanced metering infrastructure (AM! I) systems continue to build interest among water utilities. These systems incorporate a network of permanent data collectors or gateway receivers that are always active or listening for the radio transmission from the utilities' meters. AMI systems eliminate the need for utility personnel to drive through service territories to collect meter reading data. These systems provide the utilities with more frequent and diverse data from the utilities' meters at specified intervals.

The Company�� advanced metering analytics (AMA), along with a host of automated utility management tools to facilitate the ability of water and gas utilities to increase their productivity and revenue, as well as proactively utilize their data. AMA is consists of ReadCenter Analytics software coupled with ORION SE two-way fixed network or GALAXY one-way fixed network technology, which is complemented by a family of accurate and reliable water meters. The ORION SE system can operate as a mobile AMR system, a fixed network AMI system, or both. Industrial flow and specialty products serve flow measurement and control applications across an industrial spectrum. Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process drive these markets.

The Company competes with Sensus USA Inc., Neptune Technology Group, Inc., Elster AMCO Metering, LLC and Master Meter, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jeremy Bowman]

    What: Shares of Badger Meter (NYSE: BMI  ) weren't measuring up today, falling as much as 15% after reporting an much lower profits than expected in it first quarter.

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014: Austin Engineering Ltd (ANG)

Austin Engineering Limited is engaged in the manufacture, repair, overhaul and supply of mining attachment products, general steelwork structures and other associated products and services for the industrial and resources-related business sectors. The Company operates in four segments: Australia, which includes mining equipment, other products and repair and maintenance services; Americas, which includes mining equipment and other products, consisting of North America and South America; Asia, which includes Indonesia for mining equipment and other products, and the Middle East, which includes aluminum smelter equipment and products. In October 2013, Austin Engineering Limited completed the acquisition of the business of Servigrut. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Julia Leite]

    South African miners rallied after a recovery in gold prices. The FTSE/JSE Africa All-Share Index climbed 1.5 percent in Johannesburg, with Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HAR) and AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG) adding at least 5.2 percent.

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014: Graco Inc (GGG)

Graco Inc. (Graco), incorporated in 1926, design, manufacture and sell equipment that pumps, meters, mixes, dispenses and sprays a variety of fluids and semi-solids. The Company operates in three segments: Industrial, Contractor and Lubrication. Primary users of its equipment include contractors and original equipment manufacturers, who uses its equipment in a variety of applications in the construction, manufacturing, processing and maintenance industries. Its equipment is used to paint, finish, fill, glue and seal a wide range of goods and materials. Graco sells its equipment through third-party distributors worldwide. The Company sells its products in geographic markets, such as the Americas (North and South America), Europe (including the Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific. In January 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of QED Environmental Systems and EcoQuip.

Industrial Segment

The segment includes the Industrial Products and the Applied Fluid Technologies divisions. End users of its industrial equipment require solutions to their manufacturing and maintenance challenges and are driven to purchase its industrial equipment by the return on investment that its products provide. The Industrial Products division markets its equipment and services to customers who manufacture, assemble, maintain, repair and refinish products, such as appliances, vehicles, airplanes, electronics, cabinets and furniture, and other articles. In addition to marketing its equipment to customers in similar industries, the Applied Fluid Technology division also sells to contractors who use its plural component equipment to apply foam insulation and protective coatings to buildings and other structures. Most Industrial segment equipment is sold worldwide through general and specialized third-party distributors, integrators, design centers, original equipment manufacturers and material suppliers.

The Industrial Products division focuses its product de! velopment and sales on two main applications: equipment that applies paint and other coatings to products, such as motor vehicles, appliances, furniture and other industrial and consumer products (finishing), and process pump equipment that moves and dispenses chemicals and liquid and semi-solid foods (process pumps). It�� finishing equipment pumps, meters and applies liquids on all types of wood, metal and plastic. Manufacturers in the automotive, automotive feeder, truck/bus/recreational vehicle, military and utility vehicle, aerospace, farm and construction, wood and general metals industries use its liquid finishing products. Its liquid finishing equipment includes paint circulating and paint supply pumps, paint circulating advanced control systems, plural component coating proportioners, various accessories to filter, transport, agitate and regulate fluid, and spare parts, such as spray tips, seals and filter screens.

The Company�� process pumps move chemicals, petroleum, food and other fluids. Manufacturers and processors in the food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, oil and gas, electronics, wastewater, mining and ceramics industries use its process pumps. It offers pumps for sanitary applications, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA )-compliant 3-A sanitary pumps, diaphragm pumps, transfer pumps and drum and bin unloaders. Its process pumps provide a mechanized solution to a manual process in a factory of moving fluids from large barrels into equipment that dispenses the fluid into jars or other containers. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased certain peristaltic pumps assets of Eccentric Pumps, LLC, provided the Company with an entry into the industrial peristaltic pump industry.

The Applied Fluid Technologies division directs its engineering, sales and marketing efforts toward two types of applications: equipment to pump, meter, mix and dispense high performance protective coatings and polyurethane foam (protective c! oatings a! nd foam); and equipment to pump, meter, mix and dispense sealants, adhesives, molded polyurethane parts and composites (advanced fluid dispense). It offers sprayer systems and plural component proportioning equipment to apply protective coatings and foam to a wide variety of surfaces. Reactor plural component pumps are used to apply foam to insulate things, such as walls, water heaters, refrigeration, and hot tubs, create commercial roofing membranes and for packaging, architectural design and cavity filling. This equipment is also used to apply two-component polyurea coatings to tanks, pipes, roofs, truck beds and foundations.

Graco�� XM Plural-Component Sprayer series is and XP70 plural component sprayers are used for corrosion-control applications, such as tank and pipeline coatings, shipbuilding, marine and railcar maintenance, wind tower coating, bridge and infrastructure projects and coating structural steel. The XM sprayers provide precise and variable ratio control in a highly configurable system. The XP70 sprayers are fixed ratio units and intended for applications where variable ratio capability is not required. It offers pumps, meters, applicators and valves for the metering, mixing and dispensing of precision beads of sealant and adhesive to bond, mold, seal, vacuum encapsulate, pot, laminate and gasket parts and devices in a variety of industrial applications. The HFR Metering System is an in-plant, hydraulic, fixed-ratio metering system that applies a range of materials used for noise dampening, insulation and structural integrity. It also offers advanced composites equipment, which includes gel coat equipment, chop and wet-out systems, resin transfer molding systems and applicators , which are used for example in the manufacture of vehicles, aircraft, boats, wind turbines and bridge materials.

Contractor Segment

The Contractor segment directs its product development, sales and marketing of three applications: paint, texture, and pavement mainten! ance. The! Contractor segment markets airless paint and texture sprayers (air, gas, hydraulically- and electrically-powered), accessories, such as spray guns, hoses and filters and spare parts, such as tips and seals to professional painters in the construction and maintenance industries, tradesmen and do-it-yourselfers. The products are distributed primarily through distributor outlets whose main products are paint and other coatings. Contractor products are also sold through general equipment distributors. Certain sprayers and accessories are distributed globally through the home center channel.

Contractor equipment encompasses a variety of sprayers, including sprayers that apply markings on roads, parking lots, fields, bike paths, crosswalks and floors; texture to walls and ceilings; highly viscous coatings to roofs; and paint to walls and structures. Many of these sprayers and their accessories contain one or more technological features, such as micro-processor-based controls for consistent spray and protective shut-down, a pump that may be removed and re-installed without tools, an easy-clean feature, gas/electric convertibility, and a durable pump finish. The Company offers a line of professional grade handheld paint sprayers, and in 2011, it introduced a fine finish handheld paint sprayer that sprays lacquers, varnishes, urethanes, sealers, stains and enamels. Contractor equipment also includes pressure washers, and scarifiers that remove markings on roads and other surfaces.

Lubrication Segment

The Lubrication segment focuses its engineering, marketing and sales of two lubrication applications: vehicle services and industrial. The Lubrication segment markets and sells its lubrication equipment worldwide, although the bulk of its sales come from North America. Its lubrication products are sold through independent third party distributors and oil jobbers, and directly to original equipment manufacturers. The Company supplies pumps, hose reels, meters, valves and accessorie! s to the ! motor vehicle lubrication industry. Its customers include fast oil change facilities, service garages, fleet service centers, automobile dealerships and auto parts stores.

In industrial lubrication, the Company offers systems, components, and accessories for the automatic lubrication of industrial and commercial equipment, compressors, turbines, and on- and off-road vehicles. Industries served include gas transmission and petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining and construction, agricultural equipment, food and beverage, material handling, metal manufacturing and wind energy. It offers products that automatically lubricate bearings, gears and generators, and products that evacuate and dispense oil, grease, anti-freeze and hydraulic fluids, from wind power components.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Graco (NYSE: GGG  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 24. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

    The 10-second takeaway
    Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Graco's revenues will increase 16.1% and EPS will expand 25.9%.

Top Machinery Stocks To Watch For 2014: Robogroup TEK Ltd (ROBO)

RoboGroup T.E.K Ltd. is a global, diversified enterprise with proprietary technologies on the forefront of robotics, motion control and technology education. RoboGroup's activities are organized in two related business operations: Yaskawa Eshed Technology (YET) and Intelitek.

YET, a joint venture with Japan's Yaskawa Electric Corp., which provides industrial motion controls, particularly those based on its algorithms. Intelitek, which develops, manufactures and markets training products and e-learning systems. Intelitek�� broad educational product line covers subjects such as computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, configurable network computing, robotics, machine vision, hydraulics, pneumatics, sensors, process control and data acquisition. Intelitek also designs and produces integrated and customized manufacturing workcells, ranging from small-scale flexible manufacturing systems to complete computer integrated manufacturing systems.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matt Krantz]

    Another way for investors to play the robotics industry is a new exchange traded fund, Robo-Stox Robotics & Automation (symbol: ROBO). The ETF owns a basket of robotics and automation stocks. One major caution, though, is that not all the stocks in the ETF are those investors traditionally think of when it comes to robotics. The largest weighting is in 3D Systems, a maker of a 3D printer, and Faro Technologies, which makes measurement devices. But none of the stocks in the ETF account for more than 4% of the total value, so the diversification helps give investors a way to play the speculative industry.

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