Merger Savings Fuel Earnings Growth

Article Excerpt

MOLSON COORS CANADA INC. (Toronto symbols TPX.A $55 and TPX.B $57; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 150.4 million; Market cap: $8.6 billion; SI Rating: Average) continues to enjoy the benefits of its February 2005 merger with U.S. brewer Coors. Thanks mainly to lower operating costs, earnings in the three months ended March 30, 2008 jumped to $0.32 a share from $0.14 a year earlier (all amounts except share prices and market cap in U.S. dollars). The savings have also helped the company cope with rising prices for barley and hops. Sales rose 16.7%, to $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion, due to strong demand for its core brands in the United States and Canada. Sales growth in the UK lagged due to tax increases and a recent smoking ban in pubs. Molson Coors is a buy. The ‘A’ shares are the better choice. choice. …