Reed Elsevier plc (formerly Reed International) operates publishing and information business through its 50% interest in Reed Elsevier Group plc. The company’s activities include science and medical, legal, education and business publishing. Its principal operations are in North America and Europe. Reed Elsevier plc holds a 39% interest in Reed Elsevier Finance BV, with Reed Elsevier NV holding a 61% interest. On June 30, 2004, Harcourt Education acquired Saxon Publishers, a publisher of skill based instructional material for pre-kindergarten through high school students in mathematics, phonics and early childhood learning.

Financial strength looks at business risk. The stronger a company is from a financial standpoint, the less risky it is. The Quick Ratio compares cash and short-term investments (investments that could be converted to cash very quickly) to the financial liabilities they expect to incur within a year’s time. The Current Ratio compares year-ahead liabilities to cash on hand now plus other inflows (e. g. Accounts Receivable) the company is likely to realize over that same twelve-month period.

This section also includes the amount of Cash Per Share the company had at the time of its most recent quarterly or annual report. Most of the time, this number will be far below the stock price. In a healthy industrial company, a Cash Per Share figure that is close the stock price might suggest that investors are underestimating the worth of the company’s ongoing business, thereby creating an interesting investment opportunities for you.