YMANTEC ( SYMC )
Market Cap: $16,500 million
Software 500 Rank: 20
Symantec Corp has been one of the leaders in security software. Revenue growth has been very strong for several years. However, earnings declined in 2006 and have not yet recovered to the 2005 level of $0.74 per share.
The stock peaked at $34 in late 2004 and slid to $15 by mid-2006.
The last 5 quarterly earnings announcements have “surprised” on the upside. This strength is indicated by the slow climb to $19.25 as of 7-25-08, in the face of the current bear market. For projected 2008 earnings of $0.53 (S&P), the modified current PE of 36 is not overly high for this sector. Beta of 0.53 shows price volatility is low.
For stock options investors, a covered calls position is available for SYMC for September stock options expiration with a potential return of 4.3%.
Analysts'
Recommendation: | Hold |
| 30 Days Ago: | Hold |
|
| Analysts' Target: | $23 |
| Analysts' Targets |
| RBC Capital Markets | $23 |
| Outperform |
Thursday, July 31, 2008
|
| Deutsche Bank Securities | $21 |
| Accumulate |
Thursday, July 31, 2008
|
| UBS Securities | $27 |
| Add |
Thursday, July 31, 2008
|
| Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & C | $23 |
| Strong Buy |
Friday, June 20, 2008
|
| Citigroup | $24 |
| Buy |
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
|
| C.L. King & Associates | $21 |
| Buy |
| Thursday, March 06, 2008 |
$21.62 (08/05/08)
