Topic: Growth Stocks

International stock markets: ABB looks to expand in the U.S.

International Stock Markets

In international stock markets ABB has taken advantage of the strong Swiss currency to make an acquisition to strengthen its holdings in the U.S.

ABB LTD. American Depository Receipt “ADR” (New York symbol ABB; www.abb.com)is a leading maker of power technologies for utilities. The Switzerland-based company’s products include transformers, transmission systems and circuit breakers. ABB also makes automation systems and robotics. Clients in a wide range of industries use these systems to make their facilities more productive.

International stock markets:Take advantage of the weaker U.S. Dollar

ABB is taking advantage of the slow U.S. economy and weaker U.S. dollar to make acquisitions. In January 2011, it paid $4.3 billion for Arkansas-based Baldor Electric Co., which makes electric motors and related products, such as conveyor belts, fans and pumps. Adding Baldor helped strengthen ABB’s North American operations. ABB still has plenty of room to grow in this region: right now,the Americas account for less than 25%of ABB’s business.

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In the three months ended June 30, 2011, ABB’s revenue rose 27.8%, to $9.7 billion from $7.6 billion ayear earlier. The gain was mainly due to Baldor’s contribution. If you exclude the positive impact of thelow U.S. dollar on the company’s international operations, its revenue would have risen 17%. Earnings jumped 43.3%, to $893 million, or $0.39 per ADR (each ADR represents one ABB common share). A year earlier, the company earned $623 million, or $0.27 per ADR.

The company’s strong balance sheet gives it plenty of flexibility to make more acquisitions. ABB holds cash of $4.9 billion. Its long-term debt of $2.5 billion is a low 6% of its market cap. However, growth by acquisition can add risk. ABB also needs to successfully manage rising raw material costs.

We cover a number of ADRs in our Wall Street Stock Forecaster newsletter. You can see our advice on specific ADRs in that publication. In the October edition of Wall Street Stock Forecaster, we examine ABB. We conclude our analysis with our clear buy/sell/hold on ABB. ABB is just one of 28 stocks we analyze in this issue of our Wall Street Stock Forecaster.

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