Topic: Growth Stocks

TIM HORTONS $57.94 – Toronto symbol THI

TIM HORTONS $57.94 (Toronto symbol THI; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (905-845-6511; www.timhortons.com; Shares outstanding: 147.1 million; Market cap: $8.5 billion; Dividend yield: 2.2%) operates 3,588 coffee-anddonut shops in Canada, 859 in the U.S. and 38 in the Persian Gulf.

In the three months ended December 31, 2013, sales rose 10.7%, to $898.5 million from $811.6 million a year earlier. Same-store sales gained 1.6% at its Canadian outlets and 3.1% in the U.S. Earnings per share, before one-time items, rose 15.9%, to $0.80 from $0.69.

The company aims to extend its lead on competitors like Starbucks and McDonalds. Its plans include simplifying its menu displays and speeding up service, both in-store and at the drive-through. As well, it will likely introduce new items aimed at younger customers, such as milk- and juice-based drinks and healthier options.

Tim Hortons may also launch a new dark roast coffee blend. For the past 49 years, the company has had huge success with its medium roast, but many of its competitors offer more variety.

To boost shareholder value, the company is borrowing $900 million to buy back $1 billion worth of its stock.

It is also changing its strategy in the U.S., with plans to expand through well-capitalized franchise operators that can handle multiple locations. That should cut its development costs. The company has also just raised its quarterly dividend by 23.1%, to $0.32 from $0.26. The stock now yields 2.2%.

The company has successfully grown its iconic brand for many years. But its new wave of innovation, spurred by new CEO Marc Caira, bodes well for its future prospects.

Tim Hortons is a buy.

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