ABB gains from cost cuts, rising demand

Article Excerpt

ABB LTD. ADRs $20 (New York symbol ABB; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.3 billion; Market cap: $46.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 2.4%; WSSF Rating: Above Average) makes transformers, transmission switches and other equipment for distributing electricity. ABB is based in Switzerland. In 2009, ABB’s earnings fell 7.0%, to $2.9 billion, or $1.27 per ADR, from $3.1 billion, or $1.36 per ADR, in 2008. (Each American Depositary Receipt represents one ABB common share.) Revenue fell 8.9%, to $31.8 billion from $34.9 billion. Despite the lower revenue and earnings, demand for ABB’s power equipment is improving, particularly in developing countries. As well, the company is cutting jobs, closing plants and buying more raw materials from low-cost countries. By the end of 2010, these moves should lower ABB’s annual costs by $3 billion. ABB is a buy. buy…