Updating Ford, H&R Block and Idexx Laboratories

Article Excerpt

FORD MOTOR CO. $15 (New York symbol F; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 3.6 billion; Market cap: $54.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.4; No dividends paid since June 2006; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative; www.ford.com) has agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture with Russian carmaker Sollers. This new business should start making passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia under the Ford brand by the end of 2011. Ford first started making cars in Russia in 2002. This experience should cut the risk of this deal. As well, Sollers’ distribution networks should help Ford quickly increase its market share in the country. Ford is a buy. H&R BLOCK INC. $14 (New York symbol HRB; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 305.1 million; Market cap: $4.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.2; Dividend yield: 4.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.hrblock.com) hopes to attract customers to its tax-preparation offices with a new free service called Second Look. Until March 31,…