Gains ahead for Couche-Tard

Article Excerpt

ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $78.27 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-800-361-2612; www.couche-tard.com; Shares outstanding: 179.4 million; Market cap: $14.9 billion; Dividend yield: 0.5%) reports that its earnings excluding one-time items jumped 45.6% in the quarter ended October 13, 2013, to $249.0 million, or $1.32 a share. A year earlier, it earned $171.0 million, or $0.91. The company benefited from higher fuel volumes and merchandise sales. Couche-Tard also raised its quarterly dividend by 14.3% with the December 2013 payment, to $0.10 from $0.0875. The shares yield 0.5%. The increase followed a 16.7% hike in September 2013. The company’s outlook is positive. It continues to introduce more-profitable products at its North American stores, including improved fresh and takeout food. There is lots of potential for the company to sell similar items through the Statoil gas station chain in Norway, which it bought in June 2012. Couche-Tard was our #1 buy for 2012. It has risen over 156% for us since then, but…