Buyback Brightens MDS’s Outlook

Article Excerpt

MDS INC. $22 (Toronto symbol MDS; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 121.9 million; Market cap: $2.7 billion; SI Rating: Average) has repurchased 15.8% of its outstanding common shares at $21.90 each under a Dutch Auction. The buyback cost MDS $499.3 million. To put that in context, the company lost $0.02 U.S. a share (total $2.0 million U.S.) from continuing operations in its most recent fiscal quarter. If you tendered your shares, Revenue Canada will treat $16.75 a share of your proceeds as a deemed dividend. Of that amount, $16.71 is an “eligible dividend”, which means it qualifies for the new enhanced dividend tax credit (45% gross-up). The remaining $0.04 qualifies for the old credit (25% gross-up). The buyback has helped spur MDS’s stock in recent weeks. But it will probably make little progress until MDS absorbs its recent acquisition of California-based Molecular Devices Corp., which makes devices and software that speed up drug research. MDS is still a hold. hold…