Tech Stocks: Symantec growing in online security

SYMANTEC CORP. $14 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 839.1 million; Market cap: $11.7 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) has agreed to buy U.K.-based MessageLabs for $695 million in cash. MessageLabs sells software that helps users protect their email and instant messages from spam. Symantec plans to use MessageLab’s technology to develop other online security products. Symantec holds cash of $2.3 billion, or $2.70 a share, so it can easily afford this purchase. Among tech stocks, Symantec is a buy.

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