We prefer Stantec for infrastructure profits

Article Excerpt

Governments plan to stimulate economic growth when the COVID-19 pandemic eases with big investments in public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and power grids. That should lead to new contracts for these leading engineering firms, but we prefer Stantec for your new buying. STANTEC INC. $41 is a buy. The stock (Toronto symbol STN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 112.1 million; Market cap: $4.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.3; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.stantec.com) offers you exposure to this leading seller of consulting, project-delivery, design and technology services. The company’s clients operate in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, transportation and construction. COVID-19 continues to prompt many of the company’s clients to defer new construction projects. As a result, its revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 2020, fell 3.8%, to $916.5 million from $952.6 million a year earlier. However, Stantec continues to cut its administrative and other costs in response to the pandemic. That’s why earnings,…