SYMC offers good value

Article Excerpt

SYMANTEC CORP. $19.70 (Nasdaq symbol SYMC; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (650-527-8000; www.symantec.com; Shares o/s: 621.5 million; Market cap: $12.1 billion; Dividend yield: 1.5%) sells computer-security technology, including antivirus and email-filtering software, to businesses and consumers. In its fiscal 2019 first quarter, ended June 29, 2018, the company’s revenue fell 1.6%, to $1.16 billion from $1.18 billion. However, that drop was mostly due to the timing of orders from several major North American customers. Earnings per share, excluding one-time items, rose 3.0%, to $0.34 from $0.33. Symantec’s internal accounting investigation is ongoing, but it should not affect its results going forward. The company’s underlying business remains strong, and the stock is attractive at just 12.7 times the 2018 forecast earnings. The $0.30 dividend yields 1.5%. Symantec is a top pick for 2018. 2018…