ShawCor Ltd. $35 – Toronto symbol SCL.A

Article Excerpt

SHAWCOR LTD. $35 (Toronto symbol SCL.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 71.7 million; Market cap: $2.5 billion; SI Rating: Average) makes sealants and coatings that protect onshore and offshore oil and natural gas pipelines from corrosion. It also inspects and repairs pipelines. These businesses account for about 85% of ShawCor’s revenue. The remaining 15% comes from making industrial equipment such as drilling equipment, electrical wires and protective sheaths. The Shaw family controls 89% of the class ‘B’ multiple voting shares. ShawCor is a leader in most of its niche markets. This, plus its established reputation and a big rise in new pipeline construction, pushed up ShawCor’s revenues from $690.6 million in 2002 to $1.1 billion in 2006. The company earned just $0.02 a share (total $1.1 million) in 2002 due to a writedown. But profits improved to $0.34 a share ($24.4 million) in 2003. Restructuring costs led to a loss of $1.16 a share ($86.7 million) in 2004,…