Despite the potential backlash that built-in car GPS systems reduce a car's resale value, personal navigation systems remain in high demand. Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Garmin (NASDAQ:GRMN) has been enjoying strong sales and earnings growth as a result. Although it also sells marine, aviation, and handheld GPS devices, its automotive segment saw revenues nearly triple in 2006, to $1.1 billion. Getting you from here to there without getting lost is still a thriving market.
CAPS' take
More than 2,200 professional and novice investors alike have weighed in on Garmin at our Motley Fool CAPS community intelligence service, and they overwhelmingly believe that the company will outperform the market. More than one-fourth of those bullish investors are considered All-Stars, top-rated players who consistently outperform their peers.
All-Star noryakerson, rated higher than 97% of the other CAPS investors, describes Garmin as:
A rock solid company with awesome returns and great projected growth. Pays a nice dividend. GPS technology will become as ubiquitous as the labels on all our material possessions, and as important as proper nutrition for safeguarding children and pets. Garmin is the leader in this industry and will continue to lead for the next 5-10 years. A great value now. A strong buy in my opinion.
PopsDaniecki, another All-Star whose CAPS rating tops 99%, agrees:
Love the technology, until the next thing comes along. These guys supply just about every avenue of GPS product. Right now, there is no feasible competition OR an end in sight for the demand. AND it's on a dip right now!!! More reason to go bullish...
My take
Even if car makers like Honda (NYSE:HMC) and Toyota (NYSE:TM) -- two manufacturers with whom Garmin has agreements -- ultimately reduce their number of installed units, the portable market will continue to flourish. Moreover, Garmin has such well-rounded coverage of the industry that its multiple outlets for distribution should allay any short-term concerns.
Most of Garmin's competition lacks its breadth of product offerings. Magellan sells auto and recreational GPS systems, but isn't involved in aviation and marine. Lowrance and Raymarine have marine chartplotters and fishfinders, but don't offer aviation devices. In short, Garmin is a hefty gorilla in the GPS industry.
Do you agree with our CAPS community? Make your voice heard and let us know.
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Fool contributor Rich Duprey does not have a financial position in any of the stocks mentioned in this article. You can see his holdings here. The Motley Fool's disclosure policy isn't afraid to ask for directions.
