Ferro Corporation (FOE), the specialty chemical manufacturer, recently announced it was selling its fine chemicals business to Novolyte Technologies LP for $66 million in cash. The company said the proceeds will be used to pay down debt.

The business manufactures electrolytes used to make lithium batteries as well as specialty solvents. Novolyte will absorb the manufacturing employees.

Ferro, a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy), continues to have strong fundamentals.

On Aug 5, it reported second quarter earnings that beat Wall Street estimates by 31.25%. Sales rose 17% to $650 million from $553.7 million in the year ago period.

Consensus estimates for the third quarter are steady at 31 cents per share. Full year estimates are up 5 cents to $1.38 in the last 60 days. Analysts expect 2008 year-over-year earnings per share growth of 62.65%.

Ferro is now trading at 10.5x forward earnings. Its price-to-book is

...

You know when your sales for 2007 are $2.2 billion that you’re doing something right. That’s the case for Cleveland, Ohio based Ferro Corporation who garnered those kinds of numbers last year. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Ferro is a worldwide supplier of technology-based performance materials for manufacturers. They are part of the Specialty Chemical industry and manufacture and sell their products in over 100 countries through the efforts of approximately 6,300 employees.

Ferro’s materials enhance the performance of products in diverse end-market applications. These are electronics, solar energy, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, building and renovation, appliances, automotive, household furnishings, and industrial products, among others. The company operates a variety of businesses.

Their Electronic Material Systems segment develops, manufactures, and markets high-purity powders, pastes, and tapes for many electronic applications. Their Color & Glass Performance Materials business supplies glass colors and coatings for automotive, flat, and container glass in the global

...