Xerox, Oracle are technology bargains
They offer long-term investors high quality and value.
By J. Royden Ward, Cabot Benjamin Graham Value Letter
For several months, pundits have been predicting that a stock market correction will push stock prices lower. Regardless, I know that my portfolio should be filled with high-quality undervalued companies that will perform just fine through thick and thin.
Two such companies are Oracle (ORCL), the world's leading supplier of information management software and Xerox (XRX), a technology leader in office equipment.
Xerox provides document equipment such as printing and publishing systems; digital copiers; laser and solid ink printers; fax machines; and digital multifunctional devices, which can print, copy, scan and fax.
Xerox's acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services in 2010 more than doubled the company's size and added a steady income stream from long-term service contracts.
Operating efficiencies and cross-selling opportunities, especially overseas, are resulting in a brighter outlook for the new Xerox.
Xerox's printing operations aim to capitalize on a shift in the document industry away from older copiers.
The change to digital technology, a transition to color and a move to the company's exclusive (and less expensive) solid-ink ColorCubes bodes well for future sales. I foresee earnings per share of $1.01 during the next 12 months, 10% higher than a year ago.
XRX shares sell at 8.9 times current earnings per share, which is a bargain for a company with accelerating sales and earnings growth.
The dividend yield of 2.1% is a plus. The company's new technologies and recent acquisitions add a needed spark to a company that has endured several transformations. XRX's stock price will likely reach my Minimum Sell Price of $14.39 within one to two years.
Oracle develops, manufactures, markets and distributes computer software that helps corporations manage and grow their businesses.
As a result of several major acquisitions during the past five years, Oracle offers customers more fully integrated products and services than ever before.
And with the acquisition of Sun Microsystems in January 2010, Oracle is now selling hardware products and services, which include computer server and storage products.
Software maintenance and upgrades are a major part of Oracle's business and are providing strong revenue growth with high profit margins.
Product diversification and expansion into faster growing foreign markets are also helping Oracle meet growth objectives despite weak economic conditions.
New software products aimed at adding speed and software integration to customers' computer systems will spur further growth in 2012 and beyond. Management's 2009 restructuring plan to cut costs will provide a boost to earnings growth.
Oracle shares have languished during the past year and now sell at just 11.1-times forward 12-month earnings per share, which is noticeably lower than many technology stocks.
I expect sales to increase by 12% and earnings per share to rise by 11% during the next 12 months. However, business should then accelerate in future years. Now is an excellent time to buy Oracle shares while the stock price is depressed.
Related Articles
MORE ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
LATEST POSTS
The auto parts giant beats Wall Street expectations, while continuing to expand its stores in the U.S. and Mexico.
FIDELITY VIEWPOINTS
- How to sell covered calls - Fidelity Investments
- Savvy year-end tax moves to consider now - Fidelity Investments
- Seven ways to prepare for tax changes
- Five reasons an annual review is crucial - Fidelity Investments
- Take a look at mid caps now - Fidelity Investments
- State of the sector: Health care - Fidelity Investments
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
ABOUT
Top Stocks provides analysis about the most noteworthy stocks in the market each day, combining some of the best content from around the MSN Money site and the rest of the Web.
Contributors include professional investors and journalists affiliated with MSN Money.
Follow us on Twitter @topstocksmsn.

