Aqua America
In this bear market, the best thing Aqua America has going for it is a single-digit decline in its share price for the year. Water utilities in general have been safe spots to invest this year, and higher rates in areas like Florida and Texas could help improve profits. As an infrastructure play, it's not clear exactly how water utilities will fare (consulting and engineering firms like Tetra Tech [TTEK] have more direct exposure), but Merrill Lynch analysts have noted that water-related projects have quietly popped up in drafts of lots of possible infrastructure spending plans.
Cisco Systems
Is the Obama administration going to spend on better networks? There's reason to hope, at least according to the company itself. Bloomberg quoted Cisco CEO John Chambers as saying at a conference, "President-elect Obama is really going to push the edge on how we use technology." Plus, the networking giant boasts one of the biggest cash hoards on Wall Street (nearly $27 billion). That should provide comfort in the lean credit environment.
Bhargavi Kumar of WA @ Jan 20, 2009 14:41:26 PM
Mike Weaver of WA @ Dec 30, 2008 13:08:47 PM