Tweedy Browne Top Purchases: Emerson Electric Co., Altria Group Inc., Novartis AG, Sysco Corp.

(GuruFocus, November 13, 2009) Investment Gurus with money management firm Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. lamented recently that good bargains are hard to get bye. As of the end of 3Q09, they held about 10% in cash or short term securities. However, during the second quarter, they purchased these stocks primarily:

No. 1: Emerson Electric Co. (EMR), Add: 0.74% of the portfolio - Total: 2,711,730 Shares

Emerson is engaged principally in the worldwide design, manufactureand sale of a broad range of electrical, electromechanical and electronicproducts and systems. The divisions of the company are organized into the following business segments based on the nature of the products and services provided: Process Control; Industrial Automation; Electronics and Telecommunications; Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning; and Appliance and Tools. Emerson Electric Co. has a market cap of $31.06 billion; its shares were traded at around $41.33 with a P/E ratio of 17.2 and P/S ratio of 1.5. The dividend yield of Emerson Electric Co. stocks is 3.2%. Emerson Electric Co. had an annual average earning growth of 5% over the past 10 years.

No. 2: Altria Group Inc. (MO), Add: 0.04% of the portfolio - Total: 63,448 Shares

Altria Group is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, John Middleton, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Philip Morris Capital Corporation. Their tobacco company brand portfolios consist of successful and well-known brand names such as Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild. Altria Group Inc. has a market cap of $39.4 billion; its shares were traded at around $19.02 with a P/E ratio of 10.8 and P/S ratio of 2. The dividend yield of Altria Group Inc. stocks is 7.1%. Altria Group Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 3.4% over the past 10 years.

No. 3: Novartis AG (NVS), Add: 0.69% of the portfolio - Total: 396,951 Shares

Novartis AG is committed to improving health and well-being through innovative products and services. The company aspires to capture and hold a leadership position in all of their businesses with a strong, sustainable performance based on continuous innovation. Their long-term success is founded on meeting the expectations of all our stakeholders - their customers, their people, their shareholders and the communities in which they live and work. Novartis Ag has a market cap of $119.92 billion; its shares were traded at around $52.8 with a P/E ratio of 15.7 and P/S ratio of 2.9. The dividend yield of Novartis Ag stocks is 2.7%. Novartis Ag had an annual average earning growth of 8.9% over the past 10 years.

No. 4: Sysco Corp. (SYY), Add: 0.02% of the portfolio - Total: 43,785 Shares

Sysco Corporation is the largest North American distributor of food and food related products to the foodservice or `food-prepared-away-from-home` industry. The company provides its products and services to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Sysco Corp. has a market cap of $15.85 billion; its shares were traded at around $26.81 with a P/E ratio of 15.1 and P/S ratio of 0.4. The dividend yield of Sysco Corp. stocks is 3.5%. Sysco Corp. had an annual average earning growth of 13.3% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Sysco Corp. the business predictability rank of 4-star.

Conclusion

The Tweedy Browne folks only buy value stocks. In an era when everything is going up, it is a good idea to see the stocks through their eyes.

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