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Congress' light bulb provision is good news for GE, Philips

General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) could be two big winners if the revised Energy Bill passes the U.S. House and is signed, as expected, by President Bush.

The bill, which moved to the House Tuesday after passage by the U.S. Senate, phases-out the use of incandescent light bulbs in the U.S., Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.

The primary replacement bulb technology, at least for next half-decade, would be fluorescent light bulbs, which typically use only 25-30% of the energy of comparable incandescent bulbs. Philips, the largest light bulb maker in the world with sector leadership in Europe, is expected to be a major beneficiary of the law change, along with No. 2 bulb maker General Electric, the leader in U.S. light bulb sales.

A spokesman for President Bush said the president will sign the legislation. Opposed to the original bill, President Bush reversed his stance after lawmakers revised the bill and dropped both a tax increase for oil and gas companies and a requirement that some utilities get 15% of their power from renewable sources.

Continue reading Congress' light bulb provision is good news for GE, Philips

Philips (PHG) is the fluorescent defensive play

Philips (NYSE: PHG) logoOne wouldn't think a light bulb/electronics company could serve as a defensive play, but that's the case with Philips (NYSE: PHG).

Amsterdam-based Philips is the world's No. 1 light bulb manufacturer and a series of converging events has put the company in an advantageous position.

First, technological advancement has driven down the cost of fluorescent light bulbs, which are substantially more efficient than the incandescent bulbs that have been in widespread residential use for decades. Second, Europe's governing bodies have mandated use of the new bulbs to reduce energy use, and hence greenhouse gas emissions. Third, growing environmental awareness among consumers has substantially increased demand for the bulbs in nations where their use is not mandated, such as the United States. Philips shares closed Tuesday down 36 cents to $40.89.

Continue reading Philips (PHG) is the fluorescent defensive play

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Last updated: November 11, 2009: 01:03 PM

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