Topic: How To Invest

Hello Patrick. Can you discuss Atwood Oceanics? Is it a good buy for long-term investments? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Atwood Oceanics, $9.41, symbol ATW on New York (Shares outstanding: 64.8 million; Market cap: $631.5 million; www.atwd.com), currently has 11 deepwater oil-drilling rigs, and is constructing two ultra-deepwater rigs. Atwood operates mostly in foreign waters, with rigs working off the coast of West Africa, Australia and elsewhere. Atwood’s revenue has grown steadily over the last five years, along with oil and gas prices. It has climbed from $645.1 million in fiscal 2011 (years ended September 30) to $1.4 billion in 2015. Profits rose as well, from $271.7 million, or $4.20 a share, to $432.6 million, or $6.70 a share. In its fiscal 2016 first quarter ended December 31, 2015, Atwood’s revenue and earnings fell. Revenue declined 12.5%, to $307.8 million from $351.7 million a year earlier. The company earned $39.1 million, or $0.60 a share, in the latest quarter. That’s down 15.4% from $46.2 million, or $0.72 a share. Atwood holds cash of $115.7 million, or $1.79 a share. Its long-term…