Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s commentary for the week of May 23, 2018

Article Excerpt

International Flavors & Fragrances, $124.97, symbol IFF on New York (Shares outstanding: 78.9 million; Market cap: $9.9 billion; www.iff.com), makes over 46,000 compounds that improve the taste of food and the smell of consumer products. In 2017, the company’s Fragrances business accounted for 52% of its overall sales. Those products go into such items as soaps, detergents and air fresheners. The Flavourings business supplied the remaining 48% of overall sales. Those products are used in soft drinks, candies, baked goods and alcoholic drinks. Europe (including Africa and the Middle East) is IFF’s biggest market, accounting for 31% of its sales, followed by North America (27%), Asia (27%) and Latin America (15%). IFF’s sales rose 4.6%, from $2.95 billion in 2011 to $3.09 billion in 2014. Due to the negative impact of currency rates, sales slipped 2.1%, to $3.02 billion, in 2015. Sales then rose 3.1% to $3.12 billion in 2016 and rose again by 9.1% in 2017, to $3.40 billion. The company’s overall earnings gained…