Topic: How To Invest

What are your thoughts on EXFO Inc.?

Article Excerpt

EXFO Inc., $4.65, symbol EXF on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 60.5 million; Market cap: $281.3 million; www.exfo.com), designs, makes and sells testing equipment. Its clients operate networks and make equipment for the global telecommunications industry. In EXFO’s fiscal fourth quarter, which ended August 31, 2012, its sales fell 11.6%, to $57.2 million from $64.4 million a year earlier. (All figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). It lost $3.7 million, or $0.06 a share, in the latest quarter, compared with a loss of $3.6 million, or $0.06 a share. The company spent $11.9 million, or a high 21% of its revenue, on research in the latest quarter, so it’s more profitable than it seems. However, its new-order bookings remain weak, mostly due to sluggish demand in Europe and China; its bookings totalled $55.2 million in the latest quarter, down 11.7% from $62.5 million a year earlier. EXFO should report improved results as the economy recovers, but its near-term growth prospects in…