Cost cuts lift profits

Article Excerpt

SYMANTEC CORP. $15.09 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; SI Rating: Average) (408-517-8000; www.symantec.com; Shares outstanding: 821 million; Market cap: $12.4 billion) reports that its revenue fell 4.7% in the three months ended April 3, 2009, to $1.47 billion from $1.54 billion. The recession drove down sales of computer-security and backup software to small businesses during the quarter. This was the main reason for the company’s revenue drop. Still, profits rose despite the fall in overall sales, largely because Symantec has done a good job of controlling its costs. The company’s $2.1-billion long-term debt is a low 17% of its market cap. It also holds cash of $2 billion, or $2.40 a share. Symantec is still a buy. buy…