Stock Up Despite Weaker Ethanol Prices

Article Excerpt

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO. $41 (New York symbol ADM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 642.9 million; Market cap: $26.4 billion; WSSF Rating: Above average) has gained nearly 15% in the past month, despite weaker prices for biofuels, including ethanol from corn. That’s because lower prices have slowed or postponed construction of rival ethanol production plants, which should help Archer Daniels maintain its position as the largest ethanol producer in the United States. New laws mandating greater use of ethanol as a gasoline additive should also stabilize ethanol demand and prices. Despite the recent rise, Archer Daniels’ stock still trades at a reasonable 15.3 times the $2.68 a share it will probably earn in its current fiscal year. It’s also attractive at 56% of its sales of $73 a share. The $0.46 dividend yields 1.1%. Archer Daniels Midland is a buy. buy…