Topic: Growth Stocks

MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP. $24.74 – Nasdaq symbol MENT

MENTOR GRAPHICS CORP. $24.74 (Nasdaq symbol MENT; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (503-685-7000; www.mentor.com; Shares outstanding: 115.1 million; Market cap: $2.8 billion; Dividend yield: 0.8%) makes hardware and software for improving the design of electronic products and speeding up their development.

For example, Mentor’s software lets automakers use less wiring in a car, identify potential safety issues, and minimize electromagnetic effects on sensitive components.

The company sells its products and services worldwide, mainly to large firms in the communications, technology, military and transportation industries.

In the quarter ended October 31, 2014, Mentor’s revenue rose 6.2%, to $292.7 million from $275.6 million a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, earnings per share gained 6.3%, to $0.34 from $0.32.

Mentor holds cash of $172.6 million, or $1.50 a share. Its $228.8 million of long-term debt is a low 8.2% of its $2.8-billion market cap. The company spends a very high 33% of its revenue on research to keep ahead in its competitive and constantly changing markets.

The auto business is one of Mentor’s biggest growth areas because the industry is quickly shifting from mechanical to electronic systems: electronics now make up roughly 40% of a car’s cost. To further its automotive expertise, Mentor bought XS Embedded for an undisclosed amount in mid-2014. XS is a leading provider of products and services for in-car entertainment and driver-assistance systems.

The stock trades at 14.1 times this year’s forecast earnings of $1.75 a share. It yields 0.8%.

Mentor Graphics is a buy.

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