Here’s our Pick of the Month for March 2009

Article Excerpt

BROADRIDGE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS $16.27 (New York symbol BR: SI Rating: Extra Risk) (201-714-3000; www.broadridge.com; Shares outstanding: 140.4 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion) serves the investment industry in three main ways: investor communications; securities processing; and transaction clearing, trade settlements and other back-office operations. Broadridge’s clients include 250 banks, 500 mutual fund families and 5,000 publicly listed companies. Broadridge’s shares have dropped lately, along with those of most financial services stocks. But, while tight credit conditions may lead to fewer takeovers and a subsequent drop in investor-communications activity, the company’s overall business continues to grow. It’s also paying down debt and remaining profitable. Broadridge’s earnings rose 3.5% in the three months ended December 31, 2008, to $29.9 million from $28.9 million a year earlier. Earnings per share were unchanged at $0.21 on more shares outstanding. Revenues fell 1.3%, to $459.2 million from $465.1 million as the rising U.S. dollar lowered the contribution of Broadridge’s international operations. Excluding the effects of foreign currency movements,…