Buy FirstService, hold off on Stantec

Article Excerpt

FirstService and Stantec both continue to expand by acquiring competitors in their fragmented markets. This strategy lets companies grow steadily, but it can also add risk. FIRSTSERVICE CORP. $18.58 (Toronto symbol FSV; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (416-960-9500; www.firstservice.com; Shares outstanding: 28.1 million; Market cap: $522.3 million) operates in the following areas of the real-estate services market: commercial real estate; residential property management; and property services. FirstService has more than 17,000 employees. In the three months ended June 30, 2009, FirstService’s revenue fell 6.5%, to $425.3 million from $454.8 million a year earlier. (All figures except share price in U.S. dollars.) Earnings per share fell 17.9% to $0.46 from $0.56. FirstService’s overall revenue was held back by a 32% drop at its commercial real-estate division. However, that was partially offset by a 42% revenue gain at its property-services division, which helps maintain foreclosed houses in the U.S. As well, residential property management posted a 3% rise. FirstService continues to buy other firms in the fragmented…