Topic: How To Invest

Dear Patrick: Would you please let me have your views on AVG Technologies N.V.? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

AVG Technologies N.V., $21.62, symbol AVG on New York (Shares outstanding: 54.0 million; Market cap: $1.2 billion; www.avg.com), develops software that makes computers perform better and protects users from viruses and identity theft. The Netherlands-based company has over 150 million active users. AVG operates on the “freemium” model: The company supplies individuals and small businesses with free anti-virus programs and builds on that relationship by offering its line of fee-based products. Fees account for 64% of AVG’s revenue; ads imbedded in its software supply the rest. The company reported on August 2 that its per-share earnings increased 68.8% in the three months ended June 30, 2013, to $0.54 from $0.32 a year earlier. That beat the consensus estimate of $0.42. Revenue rose 21.7% to $100.4 million. That was just below the consensus forecast of $100.5 million. The stock initially fell in response to the earnings report, because revenues came in below the consensus expectation. It has since begun moving up again. The…