Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL): Today's Featured Aerospace/Defense Winner

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

Rockwell Collins (COL) pushed the Aerospace/Defense industry higher today making it today's featured aerospace/defense winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.2%. By the end of trading, Rockwell Collins rose 64 cents (1.2%) to $54.44 on average volume. Throughout the day, 779,906 shares of Rockwell Collins exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 960,800 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $53.36-$54.55 after having opened the day at $53.53 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $53.80. Other companies within the Aerospace/Defense industry that increased today were: Aerovironment Incorporated (AVAV), up 3%, Taser International (TASR), up 2.8%, Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (SWHC), up 2.5%, and Astronics Corporation (ATRO), up 2.3%.

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Rockwell Collins, Inc. designs, produces, and supports communications and aviation electronics for commercial and military customers worldwide. It operates in two segments, Government Systems and Commercial Systems. Rockwell Collins has a market cap of $7.71 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 12.3, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 2% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are 10 analysts that rate Rockwell Collins a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Rockwell Collins as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, growth in earnings per share, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• You can view the full Rockwell Collins Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Aerosonic Corporation (AIM), down 8.5%, Sturm Ruger & Company (RGR), down 2.6%, Astrotech Corporation (ASTC), down 2.4%, and Elbit Systems (ESLT), down 2.3%, were all laggards within the aerospace/defense industry with Raytheon Company (RTN) being today's aerospace/defense industry laggard.

• Use our aerospace/defense section to find industry-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 aerospace/defense industry could consider iShares DJ US Aerospace & Def Idx (ITA) while those bearish on the aerospace/defense industry could consider ProShares Short Dow 30 (DOG).

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

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For more information on Rockwell Collins Inc. click any of the following:

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• Rockwell Collins Inc. Income Statement