Consumer Fears Depress Philips’ P/e

Article Excerpt

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $20 (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 972.4 million; Market cap: $19.4 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) makes consumer electronic products, such as TV sets, DVD players and kitchen appliances (roughly 50% of revenue). The company also makes lighting equipment (25%) and high-end medical equipment (25%). Each American Depository Receipt represents one Philips common share. Due to the slowdown in consumer spending, Philips plans to speed up its current restructuring plan. It now expects to report charges of roughly 1.3 billion Euros in the fourth quarter of 2008 (1 Euro = $1.44 U.S.). These charges include writedowns of Philips’ holdings in companies that make computer chips and flat-panel TV screens. To put these costs in context, Philips earned 347 million Euros in the three months ended September 30, 2008, up slightly from 346 million Euros a year earlier. However, earnings per share grew 19.4%, to 0.37 Euros from 0.31 Euros, on fewer…