Growing reserves cut Teck’s risk

Article Excerpt

TECK RESOURCES LTD. $35 (Toronto symbol TCK.B; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 586.0 million; Market cap: $20.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 2.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.teck.com) is a leading producer of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steelmaking. Coal accounted for 49% of Teck’s 2011 revenue and 57% of its earnings. The company also produces copper (27%, 28%) and zinc (24%, 15%). Teck continues to benefit as the recovering global economy pushes up commodity prices. As well, in 2008, the company bought the 80.05% of Fording Canadian Coal that it didn’t already own. This purchase has further spurred Teck’s growth. Quick rebound from downturn Teck’s revenue rose 85.5%, from $6.2 billion in 2007 to $11.5 billion in 2011. Earnings fell from $1.6 billion, or $3.87 a share, in 2007 to $659 million, or $1.47 a share, in 2008, as the recession cut commodity prices. However, earnings quickly rebounded and rose to a record $2.7 billion, or $4.50 a share,…