Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE:HI)

12/18

amen!

People are dying to get in this stock! OK, that was a bad joke, but looking at the demographics of death, this company has to continue to grow.

The casket business is recession proof.

Play on one of the few certainties of life, stable business model, solid margins and returns on capital, attractive dividend yield. A lot to like here.

Hillenbrand is in an often overlooked area of the "diversified services" sector of the market. How on earth do you categorize a "death" stock besides categorizing it as a death stock? Currently at %3.8 dividend yield. Hillenbrand largely dominates the casket market. However, Costco and even Walmart do pose a threat Hillenbrand, especially if we are returning to a sideways market. For the medium term., however, death rates will only rise and it would be unwise not to have your foot in at least one reliable company in the "death services" area

This stock is winning like charlie sean and it looks like (unlike charlie) that it is not going to stop. I think you could make a moderate profit within 25% just within the year.

Growth business added to cash business for a good combination.

Dead people. Can't live with em, can't live without em.

Demand is always there in the funeral business.

(MS) consumer discretionary pick that is not really discretionary. good dividend.

yeild, good value point

both a dying business and super aquisition of K-tron

Some things are immune to economic fluctuations, caskets may be one category.

Added 5/5/10

Wide moat, solid fundamentals, containing costs, mean that HI should move ahead no matter which direction market goes.

Death services industry is steady...like a utility or waste management. After all, death isn't going anywhere. Nice moat, steady free cash flows supporting a slowly growing dividend, high margins and ROE, and an <8 enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio. Concerns to watch are the K-Tron International acquisition and the trend toward cremation.

Check in week might go long term.

Hillenbrand operates in the Death Services industry, which is recession-proof and, unfortunately, will be a growing sector as the baby boomer generation ages. Hillenbrand has a pristine balance sheet with no long term debt. They also pay a healthy 3.50% dividend.

The recent dip in the market has brought this stock down about 20% from it's 52 week high.