Here’s our Pick of the Month – November 2012

Article Excerpt

We generally advise against investing in new issues, for one simple reason: new investments come to market when it’s a good time for the company or its insiders to sell, but that may not be a good time for you to buy. But after seven years as a public company, Aimia Inc., the former Groupe Aeroplan, has broadened its business foundation and strengthened its long-term prospects. AIMIA INC. $14.95 (Toronto symbol AIM; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (514-205-7315; www.aimia.com; Shares outstanding: 172.2 million; Market cap: $2.6 billion; Dividend yield: 4.3%) got its start as Air Canada’s frequent-flyer program in 1984. In 2005, the airline created the Aeroplan Income Fund and began selling units to the public. The fund converted to a corporation under the Groupe Aeroplan name in 2008. In May 2012, it changed its name to Aimia. Moving beyond Aeroplan When it first sold units to the public, the company’s main asset was its ownership of the Aeroplan Miles frequent-flyer program. Now, however, it…