<<Hello,

I've started the 8-step checklist on this stock. Anybody have any information they'd like to share?>>

Hello FrauDoktor, glad to hear the checklist is helpful to you in doing your homework before investing. As for information about Ducommun, all I can say is this is a company that doesn't seem to believe in issuing lots of news releases; instead, they let their numbers speak for themselves.

They reported a first quarter that had a whopping 137% increase in net income and 48% sales increase over the same period last year.

And, they achieved this sharply higher net income despite an increase in the company's effective tax rate for financial reporting purposes from 28 percent in 1996 to 42 percent in 1997. That would appear to reflect some excellent fiscal management.

Here's a brief snip from the Q1 report:

<<Ducommun's strong financial performance continues to be fueled by higher sales in most of its product lines, primarily the result of increased outsourcing and rising commercial aircraft build rates. The company also benefited from sales at its MechTronics subsidiary, which it acquired at the end of the second quarter of 1996.>>

If any other Fools out there have additional info or opinions about DCO, please jump into the discussion.

Thanks for posting, FD.

TMF Jeanie