I am sure ASB won't be building for the US navy for zero profit,...

I am sure ASB won't be building for the US navy for zero profit, maybe for a low 5 to 10% budgetted for the first one, but real final profi had better be well over 10%, or I'll be very dissapointed with mgmt.

Of course deliver of the first one adds a huge intangible to the (virtual) balance sheet, both in terms of credibility/marketting and capability.

This is one of only 2 industrial stocks I decided to maintain in my portfolio, the rest are (currently) high growth resource stocks. World leadership, and strong barrier to competitor entry are usually good signs.

I like ASB, having first been burnt on my first purchase abxut 5 years ago. I reckon I've learnt a lot, and they've learnt a lot since. I can't see them repeating the mistake of getting into a market via a loss leader again (there USA operation has already carried substantial set up losses).

A$4.50? Fine with me, provided were're talking 2007, not 2008 or beyond.

Entropylord

THIS PROFANITY CHECKER HAS GOTTEN ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS. WONT ACCEPT ABXOUT because it contains ABX!!