Asset sales could lead to special dividend

Article Excerpt

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $42 (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.1 billion; Market cap: $46.2 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) earned 0.79 Euros a share in the first quarter of 2007, up sharply from 0.13 Euros a share a year earlier (1 Euro = $1.36 U.S.). Most of the gain came from the recent sale of an investment. Sales fell 3.2%, to 6.0 billion Euros from 6.2 billion Euros, due to last year’s sale of its chip-making business. On a comparable basis, sales rose 3%. Philips will probably use the cash from recent asset sales to acquire smaller companies that enhance its core businesses (medical equipment, consumer electronics and lamps). It may also buy back more of its stock, or pay a special dividend. Philips is a buy. buy…