Topic: Growth Stocks

ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $48.37 – Toronto symbol ATD.B

ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $48.37 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-800-361-2612; www.couche-tard.com; Shares outstanding: 179.4 million; Market cap: $8.7 billion; Dividend yield: 0.6%) has reported sharply higher sales and earnings in the latest quarter.

In the three months ended April 29, 2012, Couche-Tard’s earnings per share rose 88.6%, to $0.66 from $0.35 a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars).

Sales rose 28.0%, to $6.1 billion from $4.7 billion. The gains came from higher fuel prices, acquisitions and higher merchandise sales. The company gets about 30% of its sales by selling merchandise.

After the quarter ended, Couche-Tard completed its $2.7-billion purchase of Norway’s Statoil Fuel & Retail ASA.

Couche-Tard continues to introduce more profitable products at its North American stores, including new drinks and improved fresh and takeout food. There is lots of potential for the company to sell similar items at the Statoil gas station chain.

Alimentation Couche-Tard is still our #1 buy for 2012.

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