Upcoming spinoff add to its appeal

Article Excerpt

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS INC. $17 (Nasdaq symbol NUAN; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 285.4 million; Market cap: $4.9 billion; No dividends paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.nucance.com) specializes in speech and imaging technology. Its systems enable voice-activated services over a telephone by transforming speech into text and allowing users to control devices and software by voice. The company’s products use several advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and machine learning. Together, they handle about 16 billion self-service transactions a year. Nuance sells its products through software and hardware vendors, resellers and telecom carriers. It also has its own salesforce and e-commerce website. The U.S. accounts for 70% of its sales. Nuance Communications: Based in Burlington, Massachusetts, has 11,600 employees in 80 countries More than 60 car brands, including the 10 largest carmakers, use Nuance products 90% of U.S. hospitals use its software The company’s revenue rose just 1.3%, from $1.92 billion in 2014 to $1.95 billion in 2016 (fiscal years end September 30). Revenue then dipped…