Conservative Portfolio: Military sales, falling dollar benefit CAE

Article Excerpt

CAE INC. $6.60 (Toronto symbol CAE; Conservative Portfolio – Growth, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 254.9 million; Market cap: $1.9 billion; SI Rating: Average) is a leading maker of flight simulators. It also operates pilot-training facilities. CAE’s shares have fallen from a recent peak of $14 in June 2008, largely due to fears that the credit crisis will force airlines to scale back new aircraft purchases. This, in turn, could hurt demand for new flight simulators. However, CAE gets roughly 45% of its revenue from military customers. This limits its exposure to the cyclical air travel industry. As well, demand for CAE’s pilot-training services should remain strong because many pilots are approaching retirement age, and demand for new pilots will rapidly expand when the economy improves. CAE has several competitive advantages that will continue to spur its earnings. For example, it uses its own simulators at its training facilities, while rival facilities must continually purchase new ones. As well, CAE has built…