Activists help reshape their plans

METHANEX CORP. $63 (Toronto symbol MX; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 77.0 million; Market cap: $4.9 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.methanex.com) is the world’s leading supplier and distributor of methanol. Manufacturers use that substance in a wide range of products such as adhesives,… Read More

Narrower focus will pay off for these two

In the past few years, activist investment firms have pressured ABB and BHP to sell their unprofitable operations. That has freed up cash for share buybacks and dividends.
ABB LTD. ADRs $20 (New York symbol ABB; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.1 billion;… Read More