Topic: How To Invest

I am looking at buying 500 shares of Talisman Energy. What is your opinion on the stock? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Talisman Energy Inc., $17.23, symbol TLM on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 1 billion; Market cap: $17.6 billion), is a large Calgary-based oil and natural-gas producer. Crude oil accounted for 52% of its production in 2008; the remaining 48% was natural gas. Talisman operates in three main areas: North America provided 42% of its 2008 output, followed by the North Sea (32%) and Southeast Asia (21%). Other regions accounted for the remaining 5%. Since Talisman’s formation as an independent company in 1992 (it was originally part of BP Canada), it has relied on acquisitions for growth. In 2008, Talisman changed this strategy and began focusing on developing properties with reliable production and better earnings potential. It then sold $2.5 billion worth of properties over the past year. The company continued selling properties this year. Its holdings in southeastern Saskatchewan sold for $720 million, and the sale of its operations in Trinidad & Tobago generated $380 million. Talisman is using the cash to expand its unconventional natural-gas…