Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: When I visited Poland, I saw a large number of students shopping at a kiosk that sold the mobile phone plans and Internet services of Orange SA (ORAN). Not being familiar with the company, I checked its financials, but found them difficult to absorb. I am interested though. What are your thoughts on the company and future growth? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Orange SA (ADR), $17.06, symbol ORAN on New York (ADRs outstanding: 2.6 billion; Market cap: $45.1 billion, www.orange.com), is a telecommunications company controlled by the French government. It was formerly called France Telecom SA. Now operating in 28 countries—including Poland—Orange has a total client base of over 263 million customers worldwide. This includes 200 million mobile customers and 18 million fixed broadband subscribers. In early April 2016, Orange dropped from $17.40 to as low as $16. The decline came after the company failed to conclude a merger with its smaller rival Bouygues Telecom. The deal would have reduced the number of major French telecom operators from four to three. Orange is number one in the market. Bouygues had sought a larger stake in the combined company than the French government was willing to allow. The government currently holds about one-quarter of Orange’s shares. It wants to maintain a dominant stake in the former state monopoly. As Bouygues was demanding a stake of up…