This breakup is still paying off

In September 2000, the old Dun & Bradstreet split into two new companies: Moody’s and the new Dun & Bradstreet. Since then, Moody’s is up 149.2%, and Dun & Bradstreet has gained 247.5%. We feel both still have plenty of growth ahead.

MOODY’S CORP. $32 (New… Read More

Need for credit ratings still strong

Right now, the U.S. credit-rating industry is dominated by three firms: Standard & Poor’s (which is owned by McGraw-Hill, below), Moody’s and Fitch. However, Standard & Poor’s recent downgrade of U.S. Treasury bonds has drawn new attention to the entire industry. This increased scrutiny makes… Read More

New rules benefit established providers

Under the new financial-reform law, the Securities and Exchange Commission will develop rules to prevent conflicts of interest in the credit rating industry. The law also creates new standards for credit analysts, including passing qualifying examinations.

The new law will raise these three rating providers’ costs… Read More

End of credit crisis brings new growth

DUN & BRADSTREET CORP. $80 (New York symbol DNB; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 52.0 million; Market cap: $4.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.5; Dividend yield: 1.7%; WSSF Rating: Average) is the world’s largest provider of credit reports on individual companies. Its database contains… Read More

Our two favourite funds from Universal

UNIVERSAL CANADIAN GROWTH FUND $17.65 (CWA Rating: Conservative) (Mackenzie Financial Corp., 150 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B5. Web site: www.mackenziefinancial.com. Tel: 1-800-387-0780; Load fund: available from brokers) holds companies that its managers believe have strong management and sound business prospects. The fund holds… Read More

Top brands will fuel their growth

The original Dun & Bradstreet split itself into two separate companies in September 2000. From then till 2007, both stocks were terrific performers. Moody’s peaked at $76 in February 2007, while Dun & Bradstreet hit $108 in July 2007.

Since then, the credit crisis, which took… Read More