Updating Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., 3M, Western Union and Del Monte Foods Inc.

Article Excerpt

BROADRIDGE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS INC. $19 (New York symbol BR; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 140.4 million; Market cap: $2.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.2; WSSF Rating: Extra Risk) sells investor communications, securities-processing and transaction-clearing services to the investment industry. The company has launched a new web site (www.theinvestornetwork.com) that lets investors discuss a wide variety of topics, but they have to register through their broker to participate. This limits fraudulent posts aimed at inflating stock prices, the company says, but is also apt to please Broadridge’s broker-clients. Broadridge also plans to let companies use this site to supplement their annual meetings. This will help them cut their investor-relations costs. Broadridge is a buy. 3M COMPANY $53 (New York symbol MMM, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 693.7 million; Market cap: $36.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.5; WSSF Rating: Above Average) makes over 50,000 consumer and industrial products, including Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape and Thinsulate insulation. The recession has hurt 3M’s…