Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What are your thoughts regarding Xyratex Ltd. as a longer-term investment which seems undervalued? Thank you for valued investment comments throughout the years.

Article Excerpt

Xyratex Ltd., $9.68, symbol XRTX on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 31.3 million; Market cap: $305.7 million; www.xyratex.com), is a U.K.-based firm that makes data-storage devices and software that it sells to computer makers, such as IBM, Dell, EMC and NetApp. Xyratex was formed in 1994, when its management bought the company from IBM. In the three months ended February 28, 2011, Xyratex’s revenue rose 13.0%, to $360.5 million from $319.0 million. However, earnings per share before one-time items dropped 75%, to $0.24 from $0.96. Xyrtex holds cash of $98.1 million, or $3.13 a share, and has no debt. It spends about 8% of revenue on research and development. The company’s profit margins continue to shrink, partly because its customers are merging. That gives Xyratex’s clients the power to demand lower prices, and more resources to research and develop the products they currently buy from Xyratex. Xyratex could report a loss of as much as $0.12 a share in the current quarter. Over…