Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your view on Flextronics? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Flextronics International Ltd., $6.63, symbol FLEX on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 687.0 million; Market cap: $4.6 billion; www.flextronics.com), is a Singapore-based company that makes products on a contract basis for communications, computer, wireless and information technology firms. Its customers include Microsoft and Research in Motion. In the three months ended March 31, 2012, Flextronics’ revenue fell 6.0%, to $6.4 billion from $6.8 billion a year earlier. That’s because revenue from making consumer electronics, such as mobile phones and computers, declined during the quarter. Even with the lower revenue, earnings per share rose 33.3%, to $0.28 from $0.21, because the company was able to cut its costs. The recovering global economy should push up demand for the type of outsourcing work that Flextronics does. In addition, more industrial, clean technology, medical and automotive firms are turning to outside companies for assistance. In the near term, however, demand for many of the products Flextronics makes remains weak. As well, the outsourcing business is highly competitive, and other…