As 2011 comes to a close, it's a great time to look back at what happened to the stocks that interest you. By making sure you know the important things that a company accomplished -- as well as the setbacks it experienced -- you can make a better decision about whether it's a smart investment for your portfolio.
Today, let's take a look at Manitowoc
Stats on Manitowoc
Year-to-Date Stock Return | (21%) |
Market Cap | $1.35 billion |
Revenue, Trailing 12 Months | $3.45 billion |
1-Year Revenue Growth | 15.5% |
1-Year Profit Growth | NM (loss of $91.8 million over past 12 months) |
Dividend Yield | 0.8% |
CAPS Rating (out of 5) | **** |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. NM = not meaningful.
What happened to Manitowoc this year?
Manitowoc makes cranes for industrial construction as well as equipment for food service providers. Although construction in the U.S. has been remarkably slow for years, the boom in activity in emerging markets has helped a host of construction-related companies, including Caterpillar
One concern is that Manitowoc's debt levels have crept steadily upward in recent years. Now, the company sports a worrisome debt-to-equity ratio of nearly 450%, up from just 17% in 2007.
Manitowoc's recent results, however, have continued to show signs of life. Late last month, the stock rallied after China cut capital reserve requirements on local banks, helping both Manitowoc and peers Terex
Just as Manitowoc capitalizes on emerging markets, so too does The Motley Fool's pick for the top stock for 2012. The report is free, but it won't be there forever, so check it out today.
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