Updating Stantec Inc., Saputo Inc. & Intact Financial Corp.

Article Excerpt

STANTEC INC. $31 (Toronto symbol STN; Cyclical-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 111.7 million; Market cap: $3.5 billion; Dividend yield: 1.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.stantec.com) sells a range of consulting, design and technology services to clients in the oil and gas, transportation and construction industries. With the April 2019 payment, Stantec raised its quarterly dividend by 5.5%, to $0.145 a share from $0.1375. The new annual rate of $0.58 yields 1.9%. In the quarter ended March 31, 2019, revenue rose 11.8%, to $904.1 million from $808.8 million a year earlier. Earnings, excluding one-time items, climbed 5.0%, to $50.3 million, or $0.45 a share, from $47.9 million, or $0.42. Earnings rose less than revenue mostly due to higher expenses. The company continues to grow through acquisitions. By sharing administrative expenses, financing and employee benefits among its businesses, it cuts its costs. However, continually buying other firms adds risk. That includes the risk of writedowns. Stantec is still a hold. SAPUTO INC. $45 (Toronto symbol SAP;…