Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: I’d be interested to know what your recommendation is on Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV, $34.97, symbol CBI on New York (Shares outstanding: 104.6 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; www.cbi.com), is one of the world’s leading engineering and construction companies. It specializes in projects for the energy, petrochemical and natural resource industries. Netherlands-based Chicago Bridge was founded in 1889. The company’s projects include oil and gas processing plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, offshore structures, bulk liquid terminals, and water storage and treatment facilities. Chicago Bridge also provides a range of maintenance and repair services. Customers include Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Saudi Aramco, Alcoa and BHP Billiton. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is Chicago Bridge’s biggest shareholder, with a 9.9% interest. The company recently sold its nuclear power construction business to Westinghouse Electric for $161.0 million. It will also receive up to $68.0 million over the next four years, depending on how well this business performs. If you exclude a $1.1 billion after-tax charge on the sale and other unusual items, Chicago…