New Contracts Spur ShawCor’s Earnings

Article Excerpt

SHAWCOR LTD. $16 (Toronto symbol SCL.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 70.6 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; SI Rating: Average) has dropped 60% since hitting an all-time high of $40 in October, 2007. ShawCor makes sealants that protect onshore and offshore oil and natural gas pipelines from corrosion, so it’s vulnerable to volatile energy prices. Overseas customers supply 75% of its revenue, so it’s also vulnerable to currency exchange rates. Still, the company continues to win new contracts thanks to its strong reputation in this niche industry. ShawCor’s earnings in the third quarter of 2008 rose 9.5%, to $0.46 a share from $0.42 a year earlier. Revenue grew 34.9%, to $357.2 million from $264.9 million. ShawCor is a buy. buy…