Topic: How To Invest

Pat, could you comment on Elbit Systems as a long-term investment?

Article Excerpt

Elbit Systems, $44.84, symbol ESLT on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 41.9 million; Market cap: $6.9 billion; www.elbitsystems.com), is an Israeli firm that develops, makes and integrates electronics for military applications. The company focuses on control, communications, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, including technology for unmanned defence vehicles. In addition, Elbit upgrades military hardware and sells avionics and structural products to commercial airplane makers. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, Elbit’s revenue fell 1.5%, to $680.2 million from $690.8 million a year earlier. However, earnings per share excluding one-time items rose 27.1%, to $1.22 from $0.96, on lower expenses and taxes. That beat the consensus estimate of $0.85. Elbit is Israel’s largest publicly traded defence company, but three-quarters of its business is overseas. North America accounted for 32% of its revenue in the latest quarter, with the Asia Pacific region at 19%, Europe at 18% and Latin America increasing to 10%. The company ended the quarter with an order backlog of $5.78 billion, up…