Saudi joint venture adds long-term appeal

Article Excerpt

ALCOA INC. $13 (New York symbol AA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 974.4 million; Market cap: $12.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; Dividend yield: 0.9%; WSSF Rating: Average) will invest $900 million in a joint venture it has formed with Saudi mining firm Ma’aden to build an aluminum plant in Saudi Arabia. To put this figure in context, Alcoa lost $924 million, or $1.06 a share, in 2009. Alcoa will own 20% of this project, but will control 40% through a partnership with other investors. The plant will make aluminum cans and construction products. That will help Alcoa take advantage of several new infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, including a railway and a deep-water port. The plant also has access to low-cost electricity. Production should begin in 2013. Alcoa is a buy. buy…