SNC’s future looks bright after scandals

Article Excerpt

SNC-LAVALIN GROUP INC. $47 (Toronto symbol SNC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 151.8 million; Market cap: $7.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 2.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.snclavalin.com) is a leading Canadian engineering and construction company that specializes in large-scale public works projects, such as roads, bridges, transit systems and watertreatment plants. SNC has offices in over 40 countries. The company’s revenue fell 15.7%, from $7.1 billion in 2008 to $6.0 billion in 2010. However, revenue rebounded to $8.1 billion 2012. Concessions are an overlooked asset Even with the lower revenue, SNC’s earnings jumped 52.7%, from $2.05 a share (or a total of $312.5 million) in 2008 to $3.13 (or $476.7 million) in 2010. That’s mainly due to stronger earnings from its investments in concessions, which are rights governments grant to run public facilities. SNC’s concessions include its 16.77% stake in Highway 407, a toll route north of Toronto, and wholly owned AltaLink, which transmits electricity…