Tiffany (TIF): A luxury value?

Filed under: International markets, Newsletters, Tiffany and Co (TIF), Stocks to Buy

"Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), founded in 1837, is a recent buy recommendation from value investor Charles Mizrahi. In his Hidden Values Report he looks at the high-end retailer.

"Tiffany and Co. is a jeweler and specialty retailer whose merchandise offerings include an extensive selection of jewelry (83% of net sales in fiscal 2006) as well as timepieces, sterling silverware, china, crystal, stationery, fragrances and accessories.

"Tiffany was founded in 1837 when Charles Lewis Tiffany opened a store in downtown Manhattan. Today, more than 150 Tiffany & Co. stores and boutiques serve customers in U.S. and international markets.

"The company's key growth strategies are to selectively expand its channels of distribution in important markets around the world without compromising the long-term value of the Tiffany & Co. trademark; to increase sales in existing stores by developing new products.

o. Ranked in Top 100 Global Brand by BusinessWeek in 2007 with a brand value of $4 billion (as much as the current market cap).
o. Since 2003, TIF has bought back over 23 million shares, or 16% of the shares outstanding.
o. Management and insiders own 13% of shares.
o. Balance sheet is strong: Current ratio is 3.2 and long-term debt/equity is a manageable 11.5%.

"Overall, TIF is a well-run business, and a price of $34 or lower per share represents a very good value. If TIF can grow earnings at only 10% per annum and maintain a P/E of 15, the stock will handsomely reward investors during the next five years."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

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