David Fried Profiles the Following Stocks: Dell, General Motors and OfficeMax

Business Wire, Dec 17, 2002

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2002

With continued low stock prices, using cash to buy back shares or issue dividends will be a central issue in the coming year. Get your advice from a pro in the know, David Fried, who offers his takes on several companies that are buying back shares in today's Featured Expert. Read his profiles of Dell Computer (NASDAQ:DELL), General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) and OfficeMax, Inc. (NYSE:OMX). Click here for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com: http://featuredexpert2bw.zacks.com/

Here are the highlights from the Featured Expert column:

There has been lots of talk recently about the imminent return of the importance of dividends. Much has been written about how, historically, dividends have accounted for almost half the returns garnered by long-term investors in the stock market. Meanwhile, as stock prices wax and wane, many companies have accumulated huge sums of cash or cash equivalents.

It is apparent that the mood of both institutional and individual investors is to keep the birds in the company's hand and not in the investor's hand. Time will tell if these decisions were correct.

Dell Computer (NASDAQ:DELL) said that quarterly profits rose 31% as it gained market share, taking back the No. 1 personal computer maker spot that Hewlett-Packard Co. held briefly after buying Compaq Computer in May. Dell said that net profits for Q3 ended Nov. 1 rose to $561 million, or $0.21 per share, from $429 million, or $0.16 per share, a year-ago. Revenue rose to $9.14 billion from $7.47 billion a year earlier.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM): For the first time in more than 25 years, General Motors expects to marginally increase its U.S. market share for a second straight year in 2002, boosted by aggressive incentives and new vehicles. Over the last few years, GM's quality has improved and its SUVs have brought back many buyers, as have its generous incentives.

OfficeMax, Inc. (NYSE:OMX) reported a Q3 profit, after a loss last year, as it drew more customers and improved profit margins. Net income was $16.5 million, or $0.13 per share, in the quarter ended Oct. 26, compared with a loss of $25.8 million, or $0.23 per share, in the year-earlier quarter. Analysts had expected earnings of $0.04 to $0.08 per share, with an average of $0.07 per share, according to Thomson First Call.

To get all of the stocks in David Fried's various portfolios including the 20-Stock Buyback Index, which is up 153% since inception, click: http://featuredexpert3bw.zacks.com/

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