Fisher Investments on Industrials

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INDUSTRIALS BASICS

 

 

Mr. Grant started his Sunday morning with some housework—taking out the trash, mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool, changing light bulbs, installing cabinets, and fixing the air conditioner.

It was a productive day until 2:00 PM when his shoulder cushioned a fall off his ladder, requiring a trip to the ER. Making matters worse, Mr. Grant’s normal route was getting re-paved, forcing him to take the long way through a $5 toll road to the hospital.

The bad news: He needed an MRI and a shoulder specialist—the closest was an hour’s plane flight away.

Early Monday, he took the train to the airport and boarded a jet. At the hospital, he got his MRI, and the doctor told Mr. Grant his shoulder would be fine in time. Mr. Grant celebrated with a shopping spree through the airline’s gift catalogue, fixing Post-it notes on everything he wanted to buy.

This is more than a simple anecdote with a happy ending—it’s an illustration of the importance of Industrials products in our everyday lives. Every event, action, and item in Mr. Grant’s travails used products and services, from the Industrials sector. Table 1.1 lists just some of the Industrials products and services Mr. Grant encountered.

Table 1.1 Industrials Sector Impact on Mr. Grant

The Industrials sector, arguably more than any other, is vastly diverse. Because it’s not focused on a particular product or service, myriad ...