It might not be a shocker, given the phenomenal results at Lowe's (NYSE:LOW) and Home Depot (NYSE:HD), but toolmakers are in the enviable position of having to come up with ways to outrun their huge successes. Shareholders have to be pleased when their firm refuses to sit back and bask in prosperity. Let's face it, after trouncing the market over the past year, Stanley Works (NYSE:SWK) -- along with competing toolmaker Black & Decker (NYSE:BDK) -- could probably have taken a breather.
Instead, over the past couple weeks, Stanley announced plans to focus its business on markets it perceives as faster growing, and more aligned with its core business. So, out with home decor and in with security. Well, actually, it's a bit more complex than that.
Those familiar with the Stanley 10-K know that the firm has reported results of two divisions lately: tools and doors. Doors -- which includes locks and other security systems as well as doors -- produces a much higher operating margin, about five points better. But it's tough to tell exactly what portion of that segment provides the real gravy. Here's hoping it was indeed the security biz.
Management offered no word on the estimated top- and bottom-line fallout of the home decor sale, aside from the $0.35 per share and $65 million that will go toward debt pay down. The incoming businesses, Security Group and Cal-Door Specialties, are expected to add 8% to revenues and $0.03-$0.04 per share in earnings. Stanley ponied up roughly one times sales to make the buys, at $56 million.
Stanley sports a 2.4% dividend yield, more than twice Black & Decker's. If you're really into the dividends of tools -- something that is of great interest to our own Income Investor -- you might want to take a look at Snap-On's (NYSE:SNA) 3% payouts, though results have been a bit choppy of late. And at an enterprise value-to-free cash flow ratio near 14, it's still higher priced than Black & Decker, which stands at 12, or Stanley Works, at a very cheap-looking 10.
For related Foolishness:
- Stanley Works is only one way to beat the market with less risk.
- Snap-On beat its ratcheted-down results.
- What -- besides the present writer -- is homely but lovable?
Snap-On is a Motley Fool Income Investor recommendation. Take a free trial today to learn more.
Seth Jayson keeps a fully assembled drill press at the ready in his bedroom closet, yet he owns no stock in any company mentioned.
