Once Again a Buy

Article Excerpt

AUTODESK, INC. $33.05 (Nasdaq symbol ADSK; SI Rating: Average) (515-507-5000; www.autodesk.com; Shares outstanding: 230.9 million; Market cap: $7.6 billion) is down 21 since late February, despite higher earnings in the fiscal fourth quarter ended January 31, 2008. Earnings per share excluding one-time items rose 13%, to $0.52 from $0.46. However, consensus expectations were for earnings of $0.54 a share. Revenues rose 20%, to $599.1 million from $497.4 million a year earlier. U.S. revenues were up just 1.5%, to $206 million from $203 million. European revenues rose 38.6%, to $262 million from $189 million. Asia/Pacific sales were up 24.8%, to $131 million from $105 million. Autodesk also lowered its earnings outlook for the current first quarter. Autodesk confirmed investor worries that U.S. sales were slowing in all industries, but especially in the construction market. Autodesk is the largest maker of design software used in construction and engineering. However, the stock is once again attractively priced in relation to its prospects. Autodesk is a buy. buy…