Cost cuts put them on a stronger footing

Article Excerpt

These two big electronics makers have seen their shares rise sharply since the start of 2013. That’s mainly because they have restructured and cut their operating costs. However, we prefer Philips for new buying, because its focus on medical equipment and lighting cuts its exposure to fickle consumer tastes. PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $33 (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 913.9 million; Market cap: $30.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 3.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.philips.com) gets 43% of its revenue by making health care products, such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. It also makes lighting (37% of revenue) and consumer electronics, such as appliances (20%). In the quarter ended June 30, 2013, revenue rose 1.5%, to 5.65 billion euros from 5.57 billion euros a year earlier (1 euro = $1.40 Canadian). Philips earned 317 million euros, or 0.35 euros per ADR (each American Depositary Receipt represents one Philips common…