Accounting scandal weighs on ADM

Article Excerpt

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO. $61 is a hold. The company (New York symbol ADM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 494.4 million; Market cap: $30.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; Dividend yield: 3.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.adm.com) processes corn, wheat, soybeans, flax seed and other crops into a variety of food ingredients such as flour, oils and sweeteners. The U.S. Department of Justice continues to investigate Archer over accounting practices at its nutrition division, which makes ingredients for human and pet foods. Sales between business units within the company were not recorded at amounts approximating market value. That lowered profits at the nutrition business, while slightly raising profits in two other divisions. The problems did not affect Archer’s overall earnings. The stock is down about 16% since the start of 2024 due to concerns that the company may face fines and other penalties. It now trades at 11.1 times Archer’s likely 2024 earnings of $5.52 a share. The $2.00 dividend yields 3.3%. Archer…