Sasol cuts its risk

Article Excerpt

SASOL LTD. (ADR) $28.69 (New York symbol SSL; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (082883-9697; www.sasol.com; ADRs outstanding: 651.4 million; Market cap: $19.6 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%) is South Africa’s third-largest coal producer and is the world’s largest maker of fuel from coal. In its fiscal 2017 first half, ended December 31, 2016, Sasol’s revenue fell 2.2%, to $6.06 billion from $6.20 billion a year earlier. (All figures in U.S. dollars.) Earnings per ADR gained 15.9%, to $1.02 from $0.88. The company was able to cut costs to offset a decline in oil prices. Sasol continues to build its massive $11 billion chemical plant in Louisiana. Major projects such as this can add a lot of risk. But by expanding in the U.S., Sasol also reduces some of the political and currency risks associated with its operations in South Africa. Sasol ADRs are a buy. buy…