Lower sales prompt more cost cuts

Article Excerpt

XEROX CORP. $4.88 (New York symbol XRX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 864.8 million; Market cap: $4.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; WSSF Rating: Average) cut its workforce by 5% last year because of slowing sales of its copiers and printers. This reduction should lower its expenses by $250 million a year. If you exclude severance and other charges, Xerox earned $985 million, or $1.10 a share, in 2008. Xerox’s sales fell 19% in the first two months of 2009. In response, it’s planning a new round of cost cuts, including freezing salaries. This new plan will save Xerox an additional $300 million. Xerox is still a leader in its field, and its products help businesses cut their expenses by reducing their paper use and streamlining information flows. However, the stock will likely make little progress until the recession ends. Xerox is a hold. hold…