Nova Reports Record Profits for 2007

Article Excerpt

NOVA CHEMICALS CORP. $28 (Toronto symbol NCX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 83.1 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion; SI Rating: Extra risk) earned a record $4.16 a share in 2007, compared to a loss of $8.52 in 2006 (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). The 2006 loss included a $9.35 a share restructuring charge. Nova’s proximity to Alberta’s large natural gas reserves keeps its input costs low. The company is also enjoying the benefits of recent upgrades to its plants. Revenue rose 3.1%, to $6.7 billion from $6.5 billion, on higher volumes and prices. Nova will probably earn $4.16 U.S. in 2008, and the stock trades at just 6.7 times that figure. The $0.40 (Canadian) dividend yields 1.4%. Nova Chemicals is a buy. buy…