What: GPS device maker Garmin 's stock rose 15% in February, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence .
That bounce pushed shares ahead of the broader market for 2016, but the stock is still significantly underperforming through both the past one-year and five-year time periods.
So what:
A sharp dip in demand for car GPS devices (which are being disrupted by smartphones) was offset by growth in its other segments, most notably personal wearable technology. Profits ticked down to $0.74 per share, but again were well ahead of Wall Street's -- and management's -- expectations.
Now what: CEO Cliff Pemble and his executive team forecast flat sales for 2016, compared to last year's 2% decline. Car GPS units should continue to shrink, yet they'll be replaced by an expected 10% jump in the fitness category that's satisfying surging demand for wearable health trackers.
.
Image source: Garmin.
Fitbit , the clear leader in this space, recently projected much faster growth of around 40% in 2016. Yet Garmin's overall profitability, aided by its more-diverse revenue stream, is stronger at 55% compared to Fitbit's 49%. Add on the fact that Garmin pays out one of the tech industry's biggest dividend yields , and it makes sense that investors might be attracted to the stock. The business appears primed to begin growing again soon, and it represents a rare way for income investors to gain exposure to the wearable tech market.
A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity
The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here .
The article Why Garmin Ltd. Stock Jumped 15% in February originally appeared on Fool.com.
Demitrios Kalogeropoulos has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days . We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
Copyright © 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
