Topic: Growth Stocks

WESTJET AIRLINES $15.48 – Toronto symbol WJA

WESTJET AIRLINES $15.48 (Toronto symbol WJA; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-877-493-7853; www.westjet.com; Shares outstanding: 130.8 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; Dividend yield: 1.6%) serves 76 destinations in North America and the Caribbean. Its fleet of 98 modern Boeing Next-Generation 737s are 30% more fuel efficient than older aircraft. WestJet is scheduled to receive 37 more 737s through 2018.

In the three months ended March 31, 2012, West- Jet’s revenue rose 15.3%, to $781.5 million from $692.2 million a year earlier.

Earnings jumped 41.6%, to $68.3 million from $48.2 million. That’s a new record for the first quarter. It also marks the company’s 28th consecutive quarter of profitability. The higher revenue was the main reasons for the gain. Earnings per share rose 47.1%, to $0.50 from $0.34, on fewer shares outstanding.

WestJet recently selected Bombardier to supply Q400 NextGen planes for its new short-haul Canadian regional airline. The company aims to start up the new airline by the end of 2013.

The company has a low cost structure and serves more destinations than many of its competitors. In addition, it has a great hidden asset in its non-union workforce: many flyers find WestJet’s staff provides friendlier service than they get from unionized airlines. Moreover, the company benefits from the fact that most of its employees are also shareholders.

WestJet raised its quarterly dividend by 20% with the March 2012 payment, to $0.06 from $0.05. The shares now yield 1.6%.

WestJet was our “#1 Stock of the Year” for 2010 and 2011. It’s still a buy.

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RUSSEL METALS $25.90 (Toronto symbol RUS; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (905-819-7777; www.russelmetals.com; Shares outstanding: 60.1 million; Market cap: $1.6 billion; Dividend yield: 5.4%) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors. The company serves its roughly 33,000 customers through a network of 51 locations in Canada and 12 in the U.S.

In the three months ended March 31, 2012, Russel’s revenue rose 22.1%, to $802.9 million from $657.7 million a year earlier. Revenue rose at all three of Russel’s divisions: The steel distribution division’s revenue rose 42% on higher sales volumes. Metal services revenue rose 18%, also on higher sales volumes. The energy tubular products division, which supplies pipes for oil and gas firms, saw its revenue rise 23%, because of increased drilling activity. Earnings per share were flat at $0.55 on steady steel prices.

Russel raised its quarterly dividend by 16.7% with the June 2012 payment, to $0.35 from $0.30. The stock now yields 5.4%. The company holds cash of $160.3 million, or $2.67 share. Its $294.6 million of long-term debt is a reasonable 18.9% of its market cap.

Russel gets about 30% of its revenue from customers in the oil and gas drilling industry. That, plus its exposure to fluctuating steel prices, adds risk. However, the company’s long-term outlook remains positive, and it is well positioned to gain as the economy recovers.

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