Alliant Techsystems Inc (ATK): Today's Featured Industrial Goods Winner

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) pushed the Industrial Goods sector higher today making it today's featured industrial goods winner. The sector as a whole closed the day down 1.5%. By the end of trading, Alliant Techsystems rose 86 cents (1.6%) to $53.20 on average volume. Throughout the day, 285,325 shares of Alliant Techsystems exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 356,100 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $51.58-$53.54 after having opened the day at $51.78 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $52.34. Other companies within the Industrial Goods sector that increased today were: TII Network Technologies (TIII), up 43.5%, Ecotality (ECTY), up 14.7%, Nobility Homes (NOBH), up 6%, and Manitex International (MNTX), up 5.8%.

Alliant Techsystems Inc. engages in the supply of aerospace and defense products to the U.S. government, allied nations, and prime contractors. The company also supplies ammunition and related accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers. Alliant Techsystems has a market cap of $1.73 billion and is part of the aerospace/defense industry. The company has a P/E ratio of six, below the average aerospace/defense industry P/E ratio of 6.6 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 8.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are three analysts that rate Alliant Techsystems a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Alliant Techsystems as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, attractive valuation levels and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, poor profit margins and weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Alliant Techsystems Ratings Report.

On the negative front, ZBB Energy Corporation (ZBB), down 18.6%, A123 Systems (AONE), down 11.6%, Bonso Electronics International (BNSO), down 9.4%, and SmartHeat (HEAT), down 8.7%, were all losers within the industrial goods sector with Waste Management (WM) being today's industrial goods sector loser.

• Use our industrial goods section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the industrial goods sector could consider Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) while those bearish on the industrial goods sector could consider ProShares Short Dow 30 (DOG).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Alliant Techsystems Inc click any of the following:

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• Alliant Techsystems Inc Income Statement