Resources boom fuels Finning’s growth

Article Excerpt

FINNING INTERNATIONAL INC. $27 (Toronto symbol FTT; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 172.6 million; Market cap: $4.7 billion; SI Rating: Above average) is one of the world’s largest dealers of heavy equipment made by Caterpillar Inc. Products include tractors, bulldozers, pavers and trucks. Major customers include the mining, forest products and construction industries. Thanks to rising prices for energy and other commodities, Finning’s revenue rose from $3.6 billion in 2003 to $5.7 billion in 2007. Earnings fell from $0.84 a share (total $132.0 million) in 2003 to $0.72 a share ($114.9 million) in 2004, but grew to $1.55 a share ($280.1 million) in 2007. South America helps fuel growth Canada is Finning’s biggest market at 52% of 2007 revenue. It operates mainly in Western Canada, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. However, much of Finning’s recent growth is due to acquisitions, particularly in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay. South America supplied roughly 25% of Finning’s 2007 revenue. Growing through…