Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: I would like your opinion on Baker Hughes. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Baker Hughes, $47.13, symbol BHI on New York (Shares outstanding: 437.9 million; Market cap: $20.1 billion, www.bakerhughes.com), is the world’s third-largest drilling services and equipment company. Until recently, Baker Hughes was the subject of a $35 billion takeover offer from Halliburton (symbol HAL on New York). However, the deal fell through because of opposition from U.S. and European antitrust regulators. The merger would have brought together the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 oil services companies. That raised concerns about possibly higher prices for oil producers. Because the deal fell apart, Houston-based Baker Hughes will now receive a $3.5 billion breakup fee from Halliburton. With the proceeds, it plans to buy back shares totaling $1.5 billion. It will also pay off $1 billion of its debt. The company holds cash of $2.2 billion, or $5.02 a share. Its $3.9 billion long-term debt is a low 19.4% of its $20.1 billion market cap. The collapsed merger deal with Halliburton comes as…